JP2012086943A - Transfer device, liquid ejection apparatus and transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transfer device that can suppress dust adhering to a transferred object from being dispersed while the transferred object is transferred, and to provide a liquid ejection apparatus and a transfer method.SOLUTION: A printing apparatus 11 includes the transfer apparatus 15 transferring a sheet P1 along a transferring path. The transfer apparatus 15 includes a cover material 29 stacked on the sheet P1 so that the cover material protrudes from and edge of the sheet P1 in a position contacting other material while the sheet P1 on the transfer path is transferred.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport apparatus that transports a transported object such as paper, a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet printer provided with the transport apparatus, and a transport method of the transported object.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer (inkjet recording apparatus), which is a type of liquid ejecting apparatus, attaches a transport mechanism unit (transport apparatus) that transports paper (conveyed material) and ink (liquid) ejected from nozzles to the paper. In some cases, the recording head includes a recording head that performs recording (for example, Patent Document 1).

  The printer of Patent Document 1 includes a conveyance metal guide that is provided at a position facing the recording head and supports the paper while supporting the sheet, a metal nozzle plate provided on the lower surface of the recording head, and a conveyance metal guide. And a power source for applying a voltage therebetween. A voltage is applied between the recording head and the conveyance metal guide so that paper dust or the like (dust) floating in the vicinity of the sheet adheres to the sheet in contact with the conveyance metal guide with an electrostatic force. That is, when paper dust or the like is scattered and adheres to the recording head, nozzle clogging occurs and the recording quality is deteriorated. Therefore, the paper dust or the like is prevented from scattering toward the recording head by electrostatic force.

JP 2003-220695 A

  By the way, such paper dust that causes clogging of the nozzles is caused by cutting at the time of paper manufacture, and is often attached to the edge of the paper. For this reason, when the end portion of the conveyed paper comes into contact with the metal guide for conveyance during the conveyance of the paper, the paper dust or the like adhering to the end portion of the paper may be scattered around by the impact. In particular, when paper is transported at a high speed, paper dust and the like are scattered violently, so that there is a problem that the paper dust and the like cannot be sufficiently attracted by electrostatic force.

  Such a problem is not limited to a printer that ejects liquid from a nozzle, and may occur in common when a device or the like that should suppress the adhesion of dust is disposed along the transport path of a transported object. In addition, the transported object is not limited to paper, and the same problem occurs when, for example, cloth, metal, wood, or the like is transported and powdered chips or the like adhere to the edge due to cutting. there is a possibility.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transport apparatus, a liquid ejecting apparatus, and a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of suppressing dust adhering to the transported object from being scattered during the transport of the transported object. It is to provide a conveying method.

  In order to achieve the above object, a transport apparatus according to the present invention is a transport apparatus that transports a transported object along a transport path, and contacts another member while the transported object is transported on the transport path. A cover member is provided at a position so as to overlap the transported object so as to protrude outward from the edge of the transported object.

  According to this configuration, even when the transported object comes into contact with another member on the transport path and receives an impact, scattering of the dust attached to the transported object by the cover member can be suppressed. Therefore, it can suppress that the dust adhering to a conveyed product scatters in the middle of conveyance of a conveyed product.

The transport apparatus of the present invention further includes a moving mechanism that moves the cover member along the transport path in a state of being overlapped along the edge of the transported object.
According to this configuration, since the moving mechanism moves the cover member, even when the conveyed product comes into contact with a plurality of other members on the conveying path, the scattering of the dust attached to the conveyed item is suppressed every time the contact is made. be able to.

  In the transport apparatus of the present invention, the moving mechanism moves the cover member in the forward direction from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the transported object when transporting the transported object, and the cover member moved in the forward path is moved in the forward direction. The return path is moved from the downstream side in the transport direction toward the upstream side.

According to this configuration, the cover mechanism can be repeatedly used by moving the cover member back and forth along the transport direction of the transported object.
The transport apparatus of the present invention further includes a support member that supports the transported object in the transport path, and the cover member has a downstream end in the transport direction of the transported object, and an edge on the downstream side in the transport direction of the transported object. The movement mechanism is arranged between the support member and the transported object so that the cover member contacts the other member on the transport path before the transported object. The cover member is moved as follows.

  According to this configuration, since the cover member comes into contact with the other member on the transport path before the transported object, the impact when the transported object comes into contact with the other member on the transport path can be reduced. Thereby, it can suppress that the dust adhering to a conveyed product scatters by the impact of a contact.

  In order to achieve the above object, the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus including the transporting device and a recording head provided with a nozzle for ejecting liquid onto the transported object. The cover member is disposed between the conveyed product to be conveyed and the recording head.

  According to this configuration, since the cover member is disposed between the conveyed product and the recording head, it is possible to prevent the dust from adhering to the recording head even when the dust adhering to the conveyed product is scattered. . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the recording quality from being deteriorated due to dust adhering to the nozzle.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the cover member has an opening formed at a position corresponding to a liquid ejecting range of the conveyed product.
According to this configuration, since the opening is formed in the cover member at a position corresponding to the liquid ejection range for the conveyed product, it is possible to suppress the liquid ejected from the nozzle from adhering to the cover member. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus including the transporting device and a recording head provided with a nozzle for ejecting liquid onto the transported object. The cover member is disposed between the conveyed product and the recording head so as to cover an end portion in the width direction intersecting with the conveying direction of the conveyed product.

  According to this configuration, since the cover member is disposed so as to cover the end in the width direction of the conveyed product between the conveyed product and the recording head, the cover member is scattered even when the conveyed product vibrates with the conveyance. The deposited dust can be prevented from adhering to the nozzle.

  In order to achieve the above object, the transport method of the present invention includes a transport step for transporting a transported object along a transport path, and a position where the transported object contacts another member on the transport path. And a moving step of moving the cover member so as to overlap the transported object so as to protrude outward from the edge.

  According to this configuration, even when the transported object comes into contact with another member on the transport path and receives an impact, scattering of dust attached to the transported object transported by the cover member can be suppressed.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer as a first embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a transport device according to the invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer as a second embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a transport device according to the invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printer according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer as a third embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a transport device according to the invention. The bottom view of the line head in the printer of 3rd Embodiment. The perspective view of the cover member used in the printer of 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer as a fourth embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a transport device according to the invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9; FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printer according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer as a fifth embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a transport device according to the invention. The top view of the moving mechanism with which the conveying apparatus of 5th Embodiment is provided. FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer as a sixth embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a transport device according to the invention. The top view which shows the cover member used in the printer of 5th Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the cover member of another embodiment. The perspective view which shows the cover member of another embodiment. The perspective view which shows the cover member of another embodiment. The perspective view which shows the cover member of another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments in which the transport device and the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention are embodied as a paper transport device and an ink jet printer (hereinafter may be abbreviated as “printer”) will be described. In the following description, when referring to “front-rear direction”, “left-right direction”, and “up-down direction”, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction indicated by arrows in the drawings are respectively shown. In addition, in the arrows indicating the upward, rightward and forward directions in the drawings, those marked with “•” in “○” (viewed from the front of the arrow) are displayed from the back of the page. It means an arrow heading, and “X” in “○” (a view of the arrow blades from the back) means an arrow heading from the front to the back of the page.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 11 (11 </ b> A) of this embodiment includes a main body case 12 having a substantially square box shape. On the back side of the main body case 12, a paper feeding unit 13 that sets paper P <b> 1 as an example of a conveyed product, and a paper feeding roller 14 that feeds the paper P <b> 1 set in the paper feeding unit 13 into the main body case 12, Is provided. A discharge port 12 a for discharging the paper P <b> 1 to the outside of the main body case 12 is provided on the front side of the main body case 12.

  In the main body case 12, the paper P <b> 1 supported by the paper supply unit 13 is transported along a transport path extending in the transport direction X (the front-rear direction in the present embodiment) from the back side to the front side of the main body case 12. A transport device 15 (15A) is provided. The transport device 15A includes a paper feed roller 14 and transport roller pairs 16 and 17 as components.

  The transport device 15A includes a detection sensor 18 that is a reflective optical sensor at a position between the paper feed roller 14 and the transport roller pair 16 in the transport direction X. Then, when the detection sensor 18 detects the leading end of the paper P1 (downstream end in the transport direction X), the transport device 15A feeds a predetermined amount of paper to cue the paper P1. Note that the cueing refers to a print preparation operation in which the paper P1 is transported to the recording start position and stopped once at the recording start position.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the transport device 15 </ b> A includes a support member 19 provided between the transport roller pair 16 and the transport roller pair 17 in the transport direction X. On the upper surface side of the support member 19, a rib 20 that supports the paper P <b> 1 in the conveyance path is provided so as to extend in the conveyance direction X. Note that a plurality of paper feed rollers 14 and transport roller pairs 16 and 17 are provided so as to be aligned in the width direction Y (the left-right direction in the present embodiment) intersecting the transport direction X. A plurality of ribs 20 are provided so as to be aligned in the width direction Y.

  In the main body case 12, a guide shaft 21 extending in the width direction Y is provided between the left and right side walls. A carriage 22 is supported on the guide shaft 21 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the width direction Y. The carriage 22 reciprocates in the width direction Y by driving a carriage motor (not shown).

  An ink jet recording head 23 is provided on the lower surface side of the carriage 22. A plurality of nozzles 24 for ejecting ink as an example of a liquid on the paper P1 are arranged along the transport direction X on the nozzle forming surface 23a on the lower surface side facing the support member 19 of the recording head 23. It has been. A plurality of nozzles 24 arranged along the transport direction X constitutes a nozzle row N. The recording head 23 is provided with a plurality of nozzle arrays N corresponding to the number of ink colors (number of types of liquid) as an example of the liquid so as to be arranged in the width direction Y.

  The recording head 23 performs recording (printing) on the paper P1 by ejecting ink from the nozzles 24 toward the front surface side of the paper P1 positioned on the support member 19. . That is, the printer 11A alternately repeats a printing operation for ejecting ink from the recording head 23 while reciprocating the carriage 22 in the width direction Y and a paper feeding operation for conveying the paper P1 by a predetermined conveyance amount. This is a serial printer that records on P1.

  In the main body case 12, a maintenance unit 25 for performing maintenance processing of the recording head 23 is provided in a region on the right end side of the movement range of the carriage 22. The maintenance unit 25 includes a bottomed box-like cap 26 for capping the nozzle forming surface 23a of the recording head 23, and a wiper 27 for wiping the nozzle forming surface 23a.

  The cap 26 is used for capping to prevent the nozzle 24 from drying, and when performing suction cleaning for discharging bubbles or thickened ink by sucking the ink in the recording head 23 from the nozzle 24. Used for. Therefore, a suction port 26 a is formed on the bottom surface of the cap 26, and a suction pump 28 for sucking the inside of the cap 26 through the suction port 26 a is provided below the cap 26. Further, by wiping the nozzle forming surface 23a with the wiper 27, paper dust, ink, and the like attached to the nozzle forming surface 23a are removed.

  The transport device 15A is a sheet-like shape that is disposed so as to overlap the paper P1 so as to protrude outside the edge of the paper P1 at a position where the paper P1 contacts with other members (the transport roller pairs 16, 17 and the support member 19). The cover member 29 (29A) is moved together with the paper P1. That is, in the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 30 (30A) that moves the paper feed roller 14 and the transport roller pairs 16 and 17 along the transport path in a state where the cover member 29A is overlapped along the edge of the paper P1. Function as.

  The cover member 29A is formed to be slightly larger in length in the transport direction X and the width direction Y than the paper P1 so as to cover the four sides of the paper P1 from above. The cover member 29A has an opening 31 at a position corresponding to the ink ejection range (printing range) for the paper P1.

Next, the conveyance process of the paper P1 and the movement process of the cover member 29A in the printer 11A will be described.
In the printer 11A, the paper P1 and the cover member 29A are set in the paper feeding unit 13 so that the paper P1 is disposed between the paper feeding unit 13 and the cover member 29A. At this time, the cover member 29A is disposed so as to overlap the paper P1 so as to protrude outward from the edges of the four sides of the paper P1.

  When rotation of the paper feed roller 14 is started in this state, the paper P1 and the cover member 29A are transported in the transport direction X along the transport path (transport process). The paper P1 is nipped by the transport roller pair 16 in the transport process and is placed on the support member 19 by cueing. When the cueing of the paper P1 is completed, the recording process on the paper P1 and the conveyance of the paper P1 are alternately performed on the support member 19. When the recording process on the paper P1 is completed, the paper P1 and the cover member 29A are transported downstream in the transport direction X by the transport roller pairs 16 and 17, and are discharged from the paper discharge port 12a.

  The moving mechanism 30A (conveying device 15A) is such that the sheet P1 protrudes outside the edge of the sheet P1 at a position where the sheet P1 contacts other members (conveying roller pairs 16, 17 and the support member 19) on the conveying path. The cover member 29A is moved so as to overlap the P1 (moving step). As a result, the cover member 29A protrudes outside the edge of the paper P1 at a position where the cover member 29A comes into contact with other members (the transport roller pairs 16, 17 and the support member 19) while the paper P1 is being transported on the transport path. In this way, it is arranged so as to overlap with the paper P1.

Next, the operation of the printer 11A and the transport device 15A will be described.
In many cases, the paper P1 cut to a predetermined size has dust such as paper dust generated by cutting at the time of paper manufacture attached to an end portion serving as a cutting portion. For this reason, paper dust or the like adhering to the paper P1 scatters around the paper P1 due to an impact when the paper P1 comes into contact with another member (for example, the conveyance roller pair 16, 17 or the support member 19) or vibration accompanying the conveyance. There is. Note that the paper dust refers to fiber fragments constituting the paper P1, powder of contained material / paint material, and the like. For example, the paper P1 may contain or be coated with calcium carbonate as a pigment that produces whiteness, kaolin for producing gloss, or the like.

  And when calcium carbonate of these becomes paper powder, in the case of primary particles having a aggregate structure, the particle diameter is about 100 micrometers, but in the case of secondary particles with a collapsed aggregate structure, The particle size is about 10 micrometers. In contrast, since the nozzle 24 has a diameter of about 20 micrometers, fine calcium carbonate particles can enter the nozzle 24. When calcium carbonate enters the nozzle 24 and mixes with the ink, the viscosity of the ink increases remarkably, and there is a risk of causing severe clogging that is difficult to eliminate even by maintenance processing. Further, even if the dust has a particle size larger than that of the nozzle 24, if it adheres to the vicinity of the nozzle 24, the flight direction of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 24 may change, and the landing position on the paper P1 may be shifted. is there.

  In particular, when the paper P1 comes into contact with the rib 20 of the support member 19, since the recording head 23 is positioned closest to the paper P1, scattered paper dust or the like enters the nozzle 24 or adheres to the vicinity of the nozzle 24. There is a risk. In that respect, in the printer 11A, the cover member 29A is also used for the recording head 23 when the leading edge of the paper P1 comes into contact with the transport roller pairs 16 and 17 and the support member 19 or vibrates on the support member 19 as it is transported. And the paper P1. Since the cover member 29A covers the edges of the four sides of the paper P1, adhesion of scattered paper dust and the like to the recording head 23 is suppressed.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Even when the paper P1 comes into contact with another member on the conveyance path and receives an impact, the cover member 29 can suppress scattering of dust attached to the paper P1. Therefore, it is possible to suppress dust adhering to the paper P1 from being scattered during the conveyance of the paper P1.

  (2) Since the moving mechanism 30 moves the cover member 29, even when the paper P1 comes into contact with a plurality of other members on the transport path, the scattering of dust adhering to the paper P1 is suppressed every time the contact is made. Can do.

  (3) Since the cover member 29 is disposed between the paper P1 and the recording head 23, it is possible to suppress the dust from adhering to the recording head 23 even when the dust adhering to the paper P1 is scattered. . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the recording quality from being deteriorated due to dust adhering to the nozzle 24.

  (4) Since the opening 31 is formed in the cover member 29 at a position corresponding to the ink ejection range for the paper P1, it is possible to suppress the ink ejected from the nozzles 24 from adhering to the cover member 29. it can.

  (5) Even when the paper P1 transported by the transport device 15 comes into contact with another member on the transport path and receives an impact, the cover member 29 suppresses the scattering of dust attached to the paper P1 transported. it can.

  (6) Since it is not necessary to provide the dedicated moving mechanism 30 to move the cover member 29, the number of parts of the transport device 15 and the printer 11 is not increased and the configuration is not complicated.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 11 (11 </ b> B) of the present embodiment is a serial printer including the support member 19, the carriage 22, the recording head 23, and the maintenance unit 25 similar to those of the first embodiment. However, the transport device 15 (15B) of the printer 11B overlaps the cover member 29 (29B) along the edge of the paper P1 in addition to the configuration of the transport device 15A that transports the paper P1 along the transport path. The moving mechanism 30 (30B) which moves along a conveyance path | route in the state is provided. The moving mechanism 30B includes a feeding unit 32 for setting the sheet-like cover member 29 (29B) below the sheet feeding unit 13, a feeding roller 33 for feeding the cover member 29B, and a pair of conveying rollers. 16 and 17 are provided as constituent elements.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cover member 29 </ b> B has a length in the transport direction X and a width direction Y so that the cover member 29 </ b> B protrudes outward from the edge of the four sides of the paper P <b> 1 when the cover member 29 </ b> P is placed on the paper P <b> 1. It is formed slightly larger than P1.

Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 11B will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 11 </ b> B includes a control device 100 for controlling the conveyance processing and recording processing of the paper P <b> 1. The control device 100 includes a computer 101, a head drive circuit 102, and motor drive circuits 103 and 104. The computer 101 is electrically connected to the head drive circuit 102 and the motor drive circuits 103 and 104 via the bus 105.

  The head drive circuit 102 is electrically configured with the recording head 23, and the motor drive circuit 103 is electrically connected with a carriage motor 34 for moving the carriage 22. Further, the motor drive circuit 104 is electrically connected to a transport motor 35 for rotating the paper feed roller 14, the transport roller pair 16, 17 and the feed roller 33. The transport device 15B further includes a power transmission switching device 36 for switching the output destination of the transport motor 35 and a rotary encoder 37 for detecting the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the transport motor 35.

  The detection sensor 18 has a light source unit and a light receiving unit (not shown) and is electrically connected to the control device 100. In the detection sensor 18, the light receiving unit receives reflected light of light emitted from the light source unit downward, and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light to the control device 100. .

  The computer 101 includes an ASIC 110 (Application Specific IC), a CPU 111, a ROM 112, and a RAM 113. The ROM 112 stores various control programs and various data. The RAM 113 temporarily stores program data executed by the CPU 111, various data that are calculation results and processing results by the CPU 111, and the like.

  The computer 101 performs various controls by the CPU 111 executing programs stored in the ROM 112 or the like. For example, the computer 101 controls the recording head 23 via the head drive circuit 102 and controls the carriage motor 34 and the transport motor 35 via the motor drive circuits 103 and 104, respectively. The computer 101 controls the transport motor 35 based on the detection signal from the rotary encoder 37 and the detection result of the detection sensor 18.

Next, the paper P1 conveyance process and the cover member 29B movement process in the printer 11B will be described.
In the printer 11B, with the paper P1 set in the paper supply unit 13 and the cover member 29B set in the paper supply unit 32, the computer 101 drives the transport motor 35 and first rotates the paper supply roller 33. To start. Thereby, the cover member 29 </ b> B set in the feeding unit 32 starts moving toward the downstream side in the transport direction X.

  Next, when the detection sensor 18 detects the tip of the cover member 29B, the computer 101 controls the power transmission switching device 36 to connect the power of the transport motor 35 to the paper feed roller 14 and start the rotation of the paper feed roller 14. Let Then, the paper P1 set in the paper feeding unit 13 is transported toward the downstream side in the transport direction X along the transport path (transport process). Then, the sheet P1 is overlapped with the cover member 29B in the course of conveyance and is sandwiched between the conveyance roller pair 16 while being supported by the cover member 29B, and then conveyed onto the support member 19.

  That is, the moving mechanism 30B overlaps the paper P1 so that the paper P1 protrudes outside the edge of the paper P1 at a position where the paper P1 contacts other members (the transport roller pairs 16, 17 and the support member 19) on the transport path. The cover member 29B is moved so as to be disposed (moving step). As a result, the cover member 29B protrudes outside the edge of the paper P1 at a position where it comes into contact with other members (conveying roller pairs 16, 17 and the support member 19) while the paper P1 is being transported on the transport path. In this way, it is arranged so as to overlap with the paper P1.

  Further, the moving mechanism 30B moves the cover member 29B so that the cover member 29B comes into contact with other members (conveying roller pairs 16, 17 and the support member 19) on the conveying path before the paper P1. Then, the cover member 29B is in a mode in which the downstream end in the transport direction X protrudes to the outside (front end side which is the front side) of the downstream edge in the transport direction X of the paper P1, and between the support member 19 and the paper P1. Placed in.

  On the support member 19, the conveyance process of the paper P1 and the recording process on the paper P1 are alternately performed. When the recording process on the paper P1 is completed, the paper P1 and the cover member 29B are moved by the conveyance roller pairs 16 and 17. The paper is transported downstream in the transport direction X and discharged from the paper discharge port 12a.

Next, operations of the printer 11B and the conveyance device 15B will be described.
In the printer 11B, a cover member 29B is disposed below the paper P1 on the transport path, and the cover member 29B is transported together with the paper P1 while supporting the paper P1 so as to protrude outward from the edge of the paper P1. . As a result, the cover member 29 comes into contact with the other members (the conveyance roller pair 16 and the support member 19) before the paper P1. Therefore, the impact when the paper P1 comes into contact with the transport roller pair 16 and the support member 19 is mitigated, and scattering of paper dust and the like adhering to the end of the paper P1 is suppressed.

According to the said embodiment, in addition to the effect similar to said (1), (2), (5), the following effects can be acquired.
(7) Since the cover member 29 comes into contact with the other member on the transport path before the paper P1, the impact when the paper P1 comes into contact with the other member on the transport path can be reduced. Thereby, it can suppress that the dust adhering to the paper P1 is scattered by the impact of contact.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 11 (11C) of the present embodiment includes a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of line heads 40 for each ink color. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) recording heads 41 are provided on the lower surface side of each line head 40.

  A plurality of nozzles 24 for ejecting ink onto the paper P <b> 1 are provided on the nozzle forming surface 41 a formed from the lower surface of each recording head 41. Further, two nozzle rows N each including a plurality of nozzles 24 arranged in the width direction Y are formed on the nozzle forming surface 41 a of each recording head 41. In each recording head 41, the nozzles 24 are alternately arranged in the two nozzle rows N so that the arrangement interval along the width direction Y is shifted by ½ pixel.

  In each line head 40, the plurality of recording heads 41 form two rows of lines extending in the width direction Y, and the nozzles 24 located at the ends of the nozzle rows N in the width direction Y overlap in the transport direction X. Are arranged in a staggered pattern. That is, the printer 11 </ b> C is a line head type printer capable of printing in the maximum paper width range even with the line head 40 fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 11 </ b> C includes a transport device 15 (15 </ b> C) that transports the paper P <b> 1 along the transport path. The transport device 15C includes transport roller pairs 42, 43, 44, and 45, and a plurality of support members 19 that are positioned below the line heads 40 and support the paper P1 in the transport path. In the present embodiment, the transfer roller pair 42, 43, 44, 45 moves the cover member 29 (29C) along the transport path in a state where the cover member 29 (29C) is stacked along the edge of the paper P1. 30C).

  On the upper surface side of the support member 19, a rib 20 that supports the paper P <b> 1 is provided so as to extend in the transport direction X. A plurality of ribs 20 are provided so as to be aligned in the width direction Y of the paper P1 intersecting the transport direction X.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the cover member 29C includes a lower cover 47 (47C) that has a length in the transport direction X and a width direction Y that is slightly larger than the paper P1, and supports the paper P1, and a width of the paper P1. An upper cover 48 (48C) that covers both end portions and rear end portions in the direction Y (upstream end portions in the transport direction X) from above is provided. The cover member 29 </ b> C has an envelope shape including a folded portion 49 (49 </ b> C) that is folded upward from the front end (downstream end in the transport direction X) of the lower cover 47. When the folded portion 49C is folded and overlapped on the upper cover 48C, the opening 31 is formed by the upper cover 48C and the folded portion 49C. In the cover member 29C, the opening 31 is formed at a position corresponding to the ink ejection range with respect to the paper P1.

Next, the conveyance process of the paper P1 and the movement process of the cover member 29C in the printer 11C will be described.
In the cover member 29C, the paper P1 is inserted between the lower cover 47C and the upper cover 48C, and the folded portion 49C is folded back on the upper cover 48C, so that the cover member 29C is positioned outside the four edges of the paper P1. Arranged so as to protrude from the paper P1. In the printer 11C, the transport device 15C transports the paper P1 accommodated in the envelope-shaped cover member 29C along the transport path (transport process).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the moving mechanism 30C (conveying device 15C) is configured such that the cover member 29C is paper P1 with respect to other members (conveying roller pairs 42, 43, 44, 45 and the respective supporting members 19) on the conveying path. The cover member 29 </ b> C is moved along the transport path together with the paper P <b> 1 so as to come into contact earlier. At the same time, the moving mechanism 30C protrudes outward from the edge of the paper P1 at a position where the paper P1 contacts with other members (conveying roller pairs 42, 43, 44, 45 and the support members 19) on the transport path. The cover member 29C is moved so as to overlap the paper P1 (moving step). As a result, the cover member 29C has an edge of the paper P1 at a position where it comes into contact with other members (the transport roller pairs 42, 43, 44, 45 and the support members 19) while the paper P1 is being transported on the transport path. It is arranged so as to overlap the paper P1 so as to protrude outward. Further, while the paper P1 is being transported, the lower cover 47C of the cover member 29C is configured such that the downstream end in the transport direction X of the paper P1 protrudes outward from the downstream edge in the transport direction X of the paper P1. It arrange | positions between the supporting member 19 and the paper P1. Further, the upper cover 48 </ b> C and the folded portion 49 </ b> C of the cover member 29 </ b> C are disposed on the support member 19 between the paper P <b> 1 and the recording head 41.

Next, the operation of the printer 11C and the transport device 15C will be described.
In the line head type printer 11C, it is difficult to secure a space for arranging a maintenance unit (not shown) or to move the recording head 41 for maintenance, as compared to a serial type printer. Further, since the transport device 15C includes a plurality of support members 19, each time the leading end of the paper P1 comes into contact with each support member 19, paper dust or the like attached to the paper P1 may be scattered. In that respect, since the cover member 29C is transported together with the paper P1 while covering the four sides of the paper P1 from both sides, it is possible to suppress paper dust and the like from being scattered and adhering to the recording head 41.

According to the said embodiment, in addition to the effect similar to said (1)-(7), the following effects can be acquired.
(8) Since the cover member 29 includes the upper cover 48 and the folded portion 49 in addition to the lower cover 47, the cover member 29 can be moved together with the paper P1 while suppressing the separation from the paper P1.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9, the printer 11 (11 </ b> D) of the present embodiment is a line head type printer similar to that of the third embodiment, but four recording heads corresponding to different ink colors in one line head 40. The fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that 41 is arranged in the transport direction X.

  Each recording head 41 is provided with a plurality of nozzles (not shown) arranged in the width direction Y so that ink can be ejected over the maximum width of the paper P1. FIG. 9 shows a long recording head 41 capable of printing in the maximum paper width range, but a plurality of recording heads 41 are arranged along the width direction Y as in the third embodiment. It may be arranged.

  The printer 11D includes a transport device 15 (15D) that transports the paper P1 along the transport path. The transport device 15D includes a paper feed roller pair 50 that feeds the paper P1, and a belt transport device 51 that is disposed on the downstream side of the paper feed roller pair 50 in the transport direction X. The belt conveyance device 51 includes a conveyance roller 52, a driven roller 53, a tension roller 54, an endless conveyance belt 55 wound around each of the rollers 52 to 54, and a support that supports the paper P <b> 1 through the conveyance belt 55. And a member 19. The tension roller 54 is urged downward by an urging member (not shown). The transport belt 55 is formed with a plurality of through holes (not shown). Then, when the transport roller 52 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9, the transport belt 55 rotates and the paper P <b> 1 is transported in the transport direction X.

  The support member 19 is disposed between the transport roller 52 and the driven roller 53 in the transport direction X. A plurality of through holes (not shown) are formed on the upper surface side of the support member 19, and a suction mechanism 19 a is built in the support member 19 below the through holes. The suction mechanism 19a applies a suction force to the paper P1 on the transport belt 55 through the through holes formed in the transport belt 55 and the support member 19, so that the paper P1 is attracted to the upper surface side of the transport belt 55. It has become.

  The transport device 15D includes a moving mechanism 30 (30D) that moves the endless cover member 29 (29D) along the transport path in a state in which the endless cover member 29 (29D) is stacked along the edge in the width direction Y of the paper P1. 9 illustrates a state in which the paper P1 and the cover member 29 are vertically separated from each other, the cover member 29D may be disposed at a position close enough to contact the upper surface of the paper P1. .

  The moving mechanism 30D includes a drive roller 57 that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, two driven rollers 58 and 59, and a tension roller 60 that is biased upward or forward by a biasing member (not shown). . The driving roller 57 and the driven roller 58 are arranged so as to be arranged in the vertical direction, and the tension roller 60 and the driven roller 59 are arranged so as to be arranged in the vertical direction. The rollers 57 and 58 are disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction X with respect to the transport roller 52, and the rollers 59 and 60 are disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction X with respect to the driven roller 53.

  The cover member 29 </ b> D is wound around the rollers 57 to 60 so as to surround the line head 40 and the recording head 41, and is appropriately stretched by the tension roller 60. Accordingly, the cover member 29D is disposed between the conveyance belt 55 and the recording head 41.

  Then, when the paper P1 is transported, the driving roller 57 rotates counterclockwise (forward direction) in FIG. 9 so that the portion of the cover member 29D that faces the transport belt 55 is directed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction X. It has been moved forward. Further, when the driving roller 57 rotates in the clockwise direction (reverse direction) in FIG. 9, the portion of the cover member 29 </ b> D that has moved in the forward direction moves in the backward direction from the downstream side in the conveyance direction X toward the upstream side. It has come to be.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the cover member 29D has a plurality of openings 31 having different sizes at positions corresponding to the ink ejection range (printing range) for the paper P1. In FIG. 10, the line head 40 is illustrated by a two-dot chain line in order to clearly show the opening 31 and the like. Each opening 31 has a size defined in the transport direction X and the width direction Y according to different paper sizes used in the printer 11D. Further, a home position HP serving as a reference position in the circumferential direction is set on the cover member 29D. In the present embodiment, one end in the transport direction X of one opening 31 is the home position HP.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the transport device 15D detects the leading end of the paper P1 (the downstream end in the transport direction X) at a position between the paper feed roller pair 50 and the moving mechanism 30D in the transport direction X. A detection sensor 61, which is a reflective optical sensor, is provided. In addition, the transport device 15D is a detection sensor that is a reflective optical sensor for detecting the position of the opening 31 of the cover member 29D at a position between the driven roller 58 and the recording head 41 in the transport direction X. 62.

Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 11D will be described.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the printer 11 </ b> D includes a control device 100 for controlling the conveyance processing and recording processing of the paper P <b> 1. The control device 100 includes a computer 101, a head drive circuit 102, and motor drive circuits 103 and 104. The computer 101 is electrically connected to the head drive circuit 102 and the motor drive circuits 103 and 104 via the bus 105.

  The detection sensors 61 and 62 have a light source unit and a light receiving unit (not shown) and are electrically connected to the control device 100. In the detection sensors 61 and 62, the light receiving unit receives the reflected light of the light emitted from the light source unit downward, and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light to the control device 100. ing. Specifically, the detection sensor 61 outputs an ON value that is larger than the first threshold when the paper P1 is a reflection target, and is less than or equal to the first threshold when the paper P1 is not a reflection target. An OFF value is output. The detection sensor 62 outputs an ON value that is larger than the second threshold when the cover member 29D is a reflection target, and is equal to or lower than the second threshold when the cover member 29D is not a reflection target. An OFF value is output.

  The transport device 15D includes a transport motor 106 for rotating the paper feed roller pair 50 and the transport roller 52 of the transport device 15D, and a rotary encoder 107 for detecting the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the transport motor 106. . The moving mechanism 30 </ b> D includes a drive motor 108 for rotating the drive roller 57 and a rotary encoder 109 for detecting the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the drive motor 108.

  The computer 101 includes an ASIC 110 (Application Specific IC), a CPU 111, a ROM 112, and a RAM 113. The ROM 112 stores various control programs and various data. The RAM 113 temporarily stores program data executed by the CPU 111, various data that are calculation results and processing results by the CPU 111, and the like.

  The computer 101 performs various controls by the CPU 111 executing programs stored in the ROM 112 or the like. For example, the computer 101 controls the recording head 41 via the head drive circuit 102 and controls the transport motor 106 and the drive motor 108 via the motor drive circuits 103 and 104, respectively. The computer 101 controls the transport motor 106 based on the detection signal from the rotary encoder 107. The computer 101 controls the drive motor 108 based on the detection signal from the rotary encoder 109 and the detection results of the detection sensors 61 and 62.

Next, the conveyance process of the paper P1 and the movement process of the cover member 29D in the printer 11D will be described.
The ROM 112 of the computer 101 stores the rotation direction and amount of rotation of the drive motor 108 from when the detection sensor 62 detects the home position HP to when the end of each opening 31 in the transport direction X is detected. When the computer 101 receives the designated size of the paper P1 to be printed together with the print data, the computer 101 reads the rotation amount of the drive motor 108 for the opening 31 having a size corresponding to the designated size of the paper P1 from the ROM 112.

  Further, the computer 101 drives the drive roller 57 in the forward direction before the conveyance of the paper P <b> 1 is started, and detects the home position HP based on the output value of the detection sensor 62. Then, after the drive motor 108 is rotated by the read rotation amount, the drive of the drive roller 57 is stopped.

  Thereafter, when the paper P1 is fed by the pair of paper feed rollers 50, the belt transport device 51 transports the paper P1 along the transport path (transport process). When the detection sensor 61 detects the leading edge of the paper P1, the computer 101 drives the drive roller 57 in the forward direction at a predetermined timing. Then, the moving mechanism 30D moves the cover member 29D in the forward direction in accordance with the conveyance of the paper P1, so that the opening 31 of the cover member 29D is disposed at a position corresponding to the ink ejection range (printing range) with respect to the paper P1. Let

  That is, the moving mechanism 30D is disposed so as to overlap the paper P1 so as to protrude outside the edge of the paper P1 at a position where the paper P1 contacts with other members (the transport belt 55 and the support member 19) on the transport path. The cover member 29D is moved so as to move (moving step). As a result, the cover member 29D protrudes outside the edge of the paper P1 at a position where the cover member 29D comes into contact with another member (the conveyance belt 55 or the support member 19) while the paper P1 is being conveyed on the conveyance path. It is arranged so as to overlap with P1.

  When recording processing is continuously performed on a plurality of sheets P1 with the same designated size, the computer 101 drives the drive roller 57 in the reverse direction while the sheets P1 are conveyed. That is, the moving mechanism 30 </ b> D moves the opening 31 of the cover member 29 </ b> D moved forward from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction X in the backward direction from the downstream side in the transport direction X to the upstream side. When the conveyance of the next sheet P1 is started, the driving roller 57 is again driven in the forward direction, and the cover member 29D is moved in the forward direction at the same speed as the conveyance speed of the sheet P1.

Next, operations of the printer 11D and the transport device 15D will be described.
In the printer 11D, when the paper P1 comes into contact with the transport belt 55, or when the paper P1 comes into contact with the support member 19 and vibrates, paper dust or the like adhering to the end of the paper P1 moves toward the recording head 41. There is a risk of splashing. In that respect, since the cover member 29D is disposed between the paper P1 and the recording head 41 when the paper P1 is transported, it is possible to prevent paper dust and the like from scattering and adhering to the recording head 41. .

According to the said embodiment, in addition to the effect similar to said (1)-(5), the following effects can be acquired.
(9) The cover member 29 can be used repeatedly by the moving mechanism 30 reciprocatingly moving the cover member 29 along the transport direction X of the paper P1.

(10) Since the cover member 29 has a plurality of openings 31 corresponding to different paper sizes, the cover member 29 can be used without being replaced even when the size of the paper P1 is changed.
(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the printer 11 (11E) of the present embodiment is a line head type printer including the line head 40 similar to that of the fourth embodiment. Further, the transport device 15 (15E) of the present embodiment includes a pair of paper feed rollers 50, a belt transport device 51, and detection sensors 61 and 62 similar to those of the fourth embodiment in order to transport the paper P1 along the transport path. I have. Further, the transport device 15E includes a moving mechanism 30 (30E) that moves the long cover member 29 (29E) along the transport path in a state where the long cover member 29 (29E) is stacked along the edge in the width direction Y of the paper P1. ing.

  The moving mechanism 30 </ b> E includes an unwind roller 63 provided on the upstream side of the transport roller 52 in the transport direction X, and a take-up roller 64 provided on the downstream side of the driven roller 53 in the transport direction X. The unwinding roller 63 and the winding roller 64 are rotatable in both forward and reverse directions. The moving mechanism 30E includes driven rollers 65 and 66 for moving the cover member 29 between the recording head 41 and the paper P1 in parallel to the paper P1.

  In the state before use, the cover member 29E is wound around the driven rollers 65 and 66 from below while the one end side is wound around the winding roller 63 in a roll shape and the other end side is fixed to the winding roller 64. It has been applied. Accordingly, the cover member 29E is disposed between the conveyance belt 55 and the recording head 41.

  Then, when the paper P1 is transported, the unwinding roller 63 and the take-up roller 64 rotate counterclockwise (forward direction) in FIG. 12 so that the portion of the cover member 29E facing the transport belt 55 is upstream of the transport direction X. The forward path is moved from the side toward the downstream side. Further, when the unwinding roller 63 and the winding roller 64 rotate in the clockwise direction (reverse direction) in FIG. 12, the portion of the cover member 29 </ b> E that has moved forward travels from the downstream side in the transport direction X to the upstream side. It is designed to move back toward the side.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the cover member 29 </ b> E is formed with a plurality of openings 31 having the same size along the transport direction X at positions corresponding to the ink ejection range (printing range) for the paper P <b> 1. In FIG. 11, the line head 40 is indicated by a two-dot chain line in order to clearly show the opening 31 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the detection sensor 61 for detecting the leading end (downstream end in the transport direction X) of the paper P1 is disposed at a position between the paper feed roller pair 50 and the moving mechanism 30D in the transport direction X. Has been. In addition, the detection sensor 62 for detecting the position of the opening 31 of the cover member 29 </ b> D is disposed at a position between the driven roller 65 and the recording head 41 in the transport direction X.

Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 11E will be described.
The printer 11E includes the same control device 100 as that in the fourth embodiment. However, the printer 11E is different from the fourth embodiment in that the drive motor 108 rotates the winding roller 63 and the winding roller 64 of the moving mechanism 30E. The computer 101 controls the drive motor 108 based on the detection signal from the rotary encoder 109 and the detection results of the detection sensors 61 and 62.

Next, the conveyance process of the paper P1 and the movement process of the cover member 29D in the printer 11E will be described.
In the printer 11E, before the conveyance of the paper P1 is started, the computer 101 rotates the unwinding roller 63 and the winding roller 64 in the forward direction, and the opening 31 is based on the output value of the detection sensor 62. In X, the cover member 29D is moved forward so as to be disposed on the upstream side of the recording head 41, and then stopped.

  When the paper P1 is fed by the paper feed roller pair 50, the belt transport device 51 transports the paper P1 along the transport path (transport process). When the detection sensor 61 detects the leading edge of the paper P1, the computer 101 rotates the unwinding roller 63 and the winding roller 64 in the forward direction at a predetermined timing. Then, the moving mechanism 30E moves the cover member 29E in accordance with the conveyance of the paper P1 so that the opening 31 of the cover member 29E is disposed at a position corresponding to the ink ejection range (printing range) for the paper P1. .

  That is, the moving mechanism 30E is disposed so as to overlap the paper P1 so as to protrude outside the edge of the paper P1 at a position where the paper P1 contacts with other members (the transport belt 55 and the support member 19) on the transport path. The cover member 29E is moved in the outward direction so as to move (moving step). As a result, the cover member 29E protrudes outward from the edge of the paper P1 at a position where the cover member 29E comes into contact with another member (the conveyance belt 55 or the support member 19) while the paper P1 is being conveyed on the conveyance path. It is arranged so as to overlap with P1.

  When the cover member 29E is moved forward and all the openings 31 are moved to the downstream side of the recording head 41 in the transport direction X, the computer 101 rotates the winding roller 63 and the winding roller 64 in the reverse direction. . When all the openings 31 are moved to the upstream side of the recording head 41 in the transport direction X, the computer 101 stops the rotation of the unwinding roller 63 and the winding roller 64. That is, the moving mechanism 30 </ b> E moves the cover member 29 </ b> E in the backward direction to rewind the cover member 29 </ b> E wound around the take-up roller 64 to the take-out roller 63.

Next, operations of the printer 11E and the transport device 15E will be described.
In the printer 11E, when the paper P1 comes into contact with the transport belt 55, or when the paper P1 comes into contact with the support member 19 and vibrates, paper dust or the like adhering to the end of the paper P1 moves toward the recording head 41. There is a risk of splashing. In that respect, since the cover member 29E is disposed between the paper P1 and the recording head 41 when the paper P1 is conveyed, it is possible to suppress paper dust and the like from being scattered and adhering to the recording head 41. .

  An ink supply mechanism (not shown) for supplying ink, a member (not shown) for supporting the line head 40, and the like may be disposed above the line head 40, but the moving mechanism 30E. These components are not arranged above the line head 40. Therefore, the moving mechanism 30E can be arranged without changing the arrangement of the line head 40 and the like.

According to the said embodiment, in addition to the effect similar to said (1)-(5), (9), the following effects can be acquired.
(11) Since the cover member 29 is wound in a roll shape, it is not necessary to take a large space for storing the cover member 29 or bend the cover member 29 even when the cover member 29 is removed from the moving mechanism 30. .

  (12) The roll-shaped cover member 29 is attached to and detached from the take-out roller 63 and the take-up roller 64 even when a plurality of cover members 29 having different sizes of the opening 31 depending on the size of the paper P1 are used. The cover member 29 can be easily replaced by attaching it as possible.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 14, the printer 11 (11 </ b> F) of the present embodiment includes a cuboid main body case 70. A flat base 71 that partitions the interior of the main body case 70 in the vertical direction is provided at a position slightly above the center in the vertical direction in the main body case 70.

  The main body case 70 accommodates a transport device 15 (15F) that transports a long sheet P2 (roll paper) as an example of a transported object along the transport path. On the base 71, the support member 19 which comprises the conveying apparatus 15F is arrange | positioned. A plurality of ribs 20 extending in the transport direction X are provided on the upper surface side of the support member 19 so as to be aligned along the width direction Y.

  Guide rails 72 (indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 14) extending in the transport direction X are provided in pairs on the left and right sides of the support member 19 in the main body case 70. The upper surface of the guide rail 72 is higher than the rib 20 of the support member 19. A rectangular carriage 73 is supported on the upper surfaces of both guide rails 72 so as to be capable of reciprocating along the conveyance direction X along both guide rails 72 based on driving of a drive mechanism (not shown).

  A recording head 74 is supported on the lower surface side of the carriage 73. The recording head 74 has a plurality of nozzles 24 arranged in the width direction Y so that ink can be ejected over the maximum width of the paper P2. FIG. 14 shows a long recording head 74 capable of printing in the maximum paper width range, but a plurality of recording heads 41 are arranged along the width direction Y as in the third embodiment. It may be arranged.

  The conveyance device 15 </ b> F includes an unwinding shaft 75 extending in the width direction Y, rollers 76 to 79, and a winding shaft 80. In a state before use, the sheet P2 is wound around rollers 76 to 79 in a state where one end side is wound around the unwinding shaft 75 in a roll shape and the other end side is fixed to the winding shaft 80. Then, the paper P2 is transported in the transport direction X while being in sliding contact with the rib 20 of the support member 19 by rotating the unwinding shaft 75 and the winding shaft 80 counterclockwise in FIG. .

  A certain range on the support member 19 is a recording area, and the sheet P2 is intermittently conveyed in units of the recording area. Then, ink is ejected from the recording head 74 that moves in the transport direction X together with the carriage 73 to the paper P2 that has been stopped on the support member 19 by the intermittent transport in units of the recording area, so that the paper P2 Is subjected to recording processing. That is, the printer 11 </ b> F is a lateral type printer in which the conveyance process along the conveyance direction X of the paper P <b> 2 and the recording process performed along with the movement of the carriage 73 along the conveyance direction X are alternately performed.

  On the base 71, a holding mechanism for holding two strip-shaped cover members 29 (29 </ b> F) having the conveying direction X as the longitudinal direction on the upstream side of the roller 77 and the downstream side of the roller 78 in the conveying direction X. 81 are provided. Each holding mechanism 81 includes a main body portion 82 and two fixing members 83 and 84 that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y.

  As shown in FIG. 15, each cover member 29 </ b> F is disposed between the paper P <b> 2 and the recording head 74 so as to cover an end in the width direction Y that intersects the transport direction X of the paper P <b> 2. Each main body 82 of each holding mechanism 81 is formed with an insertion hole 82a extending in the width direction Y. Then, both ends in the transport direction X of one (right side) cover member 29F are fixed to the two main body portions 82 by two fixing members 83 arranged in the transport direction X. Further, both ends of the other (left side) cover member 29 </ b> F in the transport direction X are fixed to the two main body parts 82 by two fixing members 84 arranged in the transport direction X.

  The fixing members 83 and 84 can be fixed at arbitrary positions with respect to the main body portions 82 while being inserted into the insertion holes 82a, and can be slid along the insertion holes 82a. Therefore, when the length (width) of the paper P2 in the width direction Y changes, the cover members 29F are moved in the width direction Y together with the fixing members 83 and 84.

Next, operations of the printer 11F and the transport device 15F will be described.
In the lateral type printer 11F, recording is performed on the paper P2 stopped on the support member 19, and then the paper P2 is conveyed. However, the recording head 74 may be disposed above the support member 19 when the paper P2 is transported, or the carriage 73 may move toward the upstream side in the transport direction X when the paper P2 is transported. Then, the paper P2 vibrates by sliding on the other member (supporting member 19) while being conveyed, and paper dust or the like adhering to the end portion may be scattered.

  In this regard, in the present embodiment, both cover members 29F protrude beyond the edge in the width direction Y of the paper P2 at a position where the paper P2 is in contact with the other member (supporting member 19). Are arranged so as to overlap the paper P2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress paper dust and the like scattered when the paper P <b> 2 is conveyed from being scattered toward the recording head 74 and attached to the nozzles 24.

According to the said embodiment, in addition to the effect similar to said (1), the following effects can be acquired.
(13) Since the cover member 29 is disposed between the paper P2 and the recording head 74 so as to cover the end of the paper P2 in the width direction Y, the cover member 29 is scattered even when the paper P2 vibrates with conveyance. It is possible to suppress the dust that has been attached to the nozzle 24.

In addition, you may change each said embodiment as follows.
For example, when the paper P1 (single sheet) is transported by the transport device 15 that does not include the moving mechanism 30 dedicated to the cover member 29 such as the printers 11A and 11C, the cover member 29 (29G) as shown in FIG. 16 is used. May be. That is, the cover member 29G is formed so that the length in the transport direction X and the width direction Y is slightly larger than the sheet P1, and covers the four sides of the sheet P1 from the upper side, and the upper cover 48G. A folding portion 49 (49G) that is folded back from the distal end side. The upper cover 48G has an opening 31 at a position corresponding to the ink ejection range (printing range). According to this configuration, the cover member 29G can be moved by the transport device 15 while being separated from the paper P1 by being sandwiched between the upper cover 48G and the folded portion 49G of the cover member 29G.

  For example, when the paper P1 (single sheet) is transported by the transport device 15 that does not include the moving mechanism 30 dedicated to the cover member 29 such as the printers 11A and 11C, the cover member 29 (29H) as shown in FIG. 17 is used. May be. That is, the cover member 29H includes a lower cover 47 (47H) that is formed so that the length in the transport direction X and the width direction Y is slightly larger than the sheet P1, and supports the sheet P1, and both sides in the width direction Y of the sheet P1. And an upper cover 48 (48H) that covers one side of the downstream side in the transport direction X from above. According to this configuration, by inserting the cover member 29H between the lower cover 47H and the upper cover 48H, the cover member 29G can be moved by the transport device 15 while suppressing the separation from the paper P1.

  When the paper P1 (single sheet) is transported by the transport device 15 that does not include the moving mechanism 30 dedicated to the cover member 29 such as the printers 11A and 11C, the cover member 29 (29J) as shown in FIG. 18 is used. May be. That is, the cover member 29J includes a lower cover 47 (47J) that has a length in the transport direction X and a width direction Y that is slightly larger than the paper P1, and supports the lower surface side of the paper P1, and a front end side of the lower cover 47J. And a folded portion 49 (49J) folded back to the upper side. According to this configuration, the cover member 29G can be moved by the transport device 15 while being prevented from being separated from the paper P1 by being sandwiched between the lower cover 47J and the folded portion 49J of the cover member 29J.

  For example, when the paper P1 (single sheet) is transported by the transport device 15 that does not include the moving mechanism 30 dedicated to the cover member 29 such as the printers 11A and 11C, the cover member 29 (29K) as shown in FIG. 19 is used. May be. That is, the cover member 29K includes a lower cover 47 (47K) having an arbitrary size that supports the lower surface side of the paper P1, and a folded portion 49 (49K) folded upward from the front end side of the lower cover 47. Yes. According to this configuration, the cover member 29K can be moved by the transport device 15 while being separated from the paper P1 by being sandwiched between the lower cover 47K and the folded portion 49K of the cover member 29K. Further, even when the paper P1 having different sizes (lengths in the transport direction X and the width direction Y) is transported, the single cover member 29K can be used in common, so that the cover member 29 is classified according to the size of the paper P1. It is not necessary to have.

  In the first embodiment, the cover member 29A can be made of a material or color having a reflectance different from that of the paper P1. According to this configuration, the front end of the paper P1 is covered with the cover member 29A by detecting the paper P1 after the detection sensor 18 first detects the front end of the cover member 29A (the downstream end in the transport direction X). Can be confirmed.

  -In 1st Embodiment, you may comprise the cover member 29A from the material with the high transmittance | permeability of light. In this case, since the detection sensor 18 can detect the leading edge of the paper P1 even if the cover member 29A covers the leading edge of the paper P1, the leading edge of the paper P1 is detected regardless of the presence or absence of the cover member 29A. Can do.

  In the first embodiment, the detection sensor 18 may be disposed below the paper P1. According to this configuration, since the detection sensor 18 can detect the leading end of the cover member 29A and the leading end of the paper P1, the length of the leading end portion of the paper P1 covered by the cover member 29A in the transport direction X is accurately determined. Can be detected.

  In the first embodiment, of the plurality of paper feed rollers 14 arranged in the width direction Y, the two paper feed rollers 14 provided at the position in contact with the cover member 29 </ b> A are rotated before the other paper feed rollers 14. You may start it. According to this configuration, the cover member 29A can be moved prior to the conveyance of the sheet P1 so that the leading end side reliably protrudes from the leading end of the sheet P1.

  In the first embodiment or the second embodiment, a return mechanism that separates the cover member 29 from the paper P1 and returns the cover member 29 to the upstream side in the transport direction X may be provided. According to this configuration, the cover member 29 can be used repeatedly without being manually set in the paper feeding unit 13 or the feeding unit 32.

In the second embodiment, the cover member 29B may be formed so that the length in the transport direction X and the width direction Y is smaller than that of the paper P1.
In the fourth embodiment, a plurality of openings 31 of the same size may be provided in the cover member 29D, and the driving roller 57 may be rotated in a certain direction.

-In 5th Embodiment, you may provide the opening part 31 of a different size in the cover member 29E.
The cover member 29 used together with the paper P1 (single sheet) is, for example, a hard rubber having a large surface friction coefficient or a plastic film having a high surface roughness so that the paper P1 does not slip when overlapped with the paper P1. Etc. can be formed.

  -You may comprise the cover member 29 with the raw material which has charging property. According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress the separation of the paper P1 from the paper P1 by attracting the paper P1 with an electrostatic force, and it is possible to suck the paper dust or the like adhering to the paper P1, P2 to the cover member 29.

  In a printer other than the lateral method such as a serial method or a line head method, the cover member 29F held by the holding mechanism 81 is used when performing a recording process on a long sheet P2 such as a roll paper. be able to.

  A member that contacts the sheets P <b> 1 and P <b> 2 on the transport path is not limited to the constituent member of the transport device 15 such as the support member 19. For example, in the case where a guide member that guides the end portions in the width direction Y of the sheets P1 and P2 in the transport path is provided, the cover member 29 may be disposed at a position in contact with the guide member.

  The paper P1 is not limited to be transported in the horizontal direction, but may be transported in a direction intersecting the horizontal direction. Further, the support member 19 may have a shape that is not a plate shape such as a cylindrical shape, and the rib 20 may be changed to an arbitrary shape such as shortening the length in the transport direction X.

  -The conveyed product is not limited to paper, but can be composed of any material such as metal, plastic film, wood, cloth. Further, the dust is not limited to the chips generated by the cutting, but may be adhered by a processing process in the middle of conveyance.

The liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to a printer, and may be a FAX apparatus, a copying apparatus, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions.
As the liquid ejecting apparatus, a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head that ejects or ejects a small amount of liquid droplets other than ink may be employed. In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ) And a liquid as one state of a substance, as well as a material in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Further, representative examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, a color filter, or the like in a dispersed or dissolved state. A liquid ejecting apparatus, a textile printing apparatus, a micro dispenser, or the like may be used. Further, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate or the like may be employed.

  11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11F ... Printer as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, 15, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E, 15F ... Conveying device, 19 ... Supporting member, 23, 41, 74 ... Recording head, 24 ... Nozzle, 29, 29A, 29B, 29C, 29D, 29E, 29F, 29G, 29H, 29J, 29K ... Cover member, 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E ... Moving mechanism, 31 ... Opening, P1, P2... Paper as an example of the conveyed product, X... Transport direction, Y.

Claims (8)

A transport device that transports a transported object along a transport path,
A cover member arranged to overlap the transported object so as to protrude outward from an edge of the transported object at a position in contact with another member in the middle of transporting the transported object on the transport path; Characteristic transport device. The transport apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a moving mechanism that moves the cover member along the transport path in a state of being overlapped along an edge of the transported object. The moving mechanism moves the cover member forward from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the transported object when transporting the transported object, and moves the cover member that has moved forward from the downstream side in the transport direction to the upstream. The transport device according to claim 2, wherein the transport device is moved in a backward direction toward the side. A support member for supporting the transported object in the transport path;
The cover member is disposed between the support member and the transported object in such a manner that a downstream end in the transport direction of the transported object protrudes outside a downstream edge in the transport direction of the transported object.
The said moving mechanism moves the said cover member so that the said cover member may contact the said other member on the said conveyance path ahead of the said conveyed product, The Claim 2 or Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The conveying apparatus as described. The conveying apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
A liquid ejecting apparatus including a recording head provided with a nozzle for ejecting liquid onto the conveyed product,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is disposed between the conveyed object to be conveyed and the recording head. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cover member has an opening formed at a position corresponding to a liquid ejecting range with respect to the conveyed product. A transport apparatus according to claim 1;
A liquid ejecting apparatus including a recording head provided with a nozzle for ejecting liquid onto the conveyed product,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is disposed so as to cover an end portion in a width direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the conveyance object between the conveyance object and the recording head. A transporting process for transporting a transported object along the transport path;
A moving step of moving the cover member so as to overlap the transported object so as to protrude outside the edge of the transported object at a position where the transported object contacts with another member on the transport path. A transport method comprising the steps of:

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