JP6093472B1 - Inkjet recording apparatus and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

A volatile organic solvent that can remain in an image after printing is reduced. In a printer, an ink head that discharges ink including a pigment, a photocurable resin, a photopolymerization initiator, and a volatile organic solvent to a recording medium, and a recording medium are disposed. A main platen 20, a downstream guide 26 disposed downstream of the main platen 20 and guiding the recording medium 5 to which ink has adhered, and a recording medium 5 disposed below the downstream guide 26 and guiding the recording medium 5 to which ink has adhered. The sub platen 28, the recording medium 5 on which the ink guided on the sub platen 28 is attached, the second heater 62 that volatilizes the volatile organic solvent contained in the ink, and the sub platen 28. An ultraviolet lamp 50 for irradiating light to a portion of the recording medium 5 to which the ink has been adhered while the volatile organic solvent is being volatilized by the second heater 62; Eteiru. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus and a printing method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus that includes an ink head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink onto a recording medium and a platen on which the recording medium is disposed is known. An ink jet recording apparatus prints a predetermined image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium by an ink jet method.

  For example, Patent Document 1 uses an ink containing a pigment, a photocurable resin, a photopolymerization initiator, a volatile organic solvent, and the like (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “solvent UV ink”). An ink jet recording apparatus that performs printing is disclosed. In such an ink jet recording apparatus, solvent-based UV ink is ejected from the ink head onto a recording medium, and a volatile organic solvent contained in the solvent-based UV ink is volatilized and removed by a separately provided heater. The photocurable resin contained in the solvent-based UV ink is cured by light (for example, ultraviolet rays) irradiated from an irradiation device (for example, an ultraviolet irradiation device), and an image is printed by fixing a pigment or the like on the recording medium.

JP 2014-172224 A

  By the way, the volatile organic solvent contained in the solvent-based UV ink has a function of eroding the surface of the recording medium and fixing the pigment to the recording medium, but remains in the image of the recording medium after printing is completed. It ’s an ingredient you do n’t want. Here, when the volatile organic solvent is volatilized from the recording medium to which the solvent-based UV ink is adhered, since the solvent-based UV ink contains a photocurable resin, it is dispersed on the surface of the solvent-based UV ink. The volatile organic solvent can be easily volatilized, but a part of the volatile organic solvent present at the interface with the recording medium is blocked by the photo-curing resin and cannot move to the surface of the solvent UV ink. There is a risk that it will not be. In this state, if the solvent-based UV ink is irradiated with light to cure the photocurable resin, it volatilizes between the recording medium and the cured photocurable resin or inside the cured photocurable resin. There is a possibility that the conductive organic solvent remains and the quality of the printed image is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object thereof is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of reducing the volatile organic solvent that can remain in an image after printing.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a nozzle that discharges ink including a pigment, a photocurable resin, a photopolymerization initiator, and a volatile organic solvent to a recording medium, and the width of the recording medium An ink head that is movable in a main scanning direction, a main platen that is disposed below the ink head and on which the recording medium is disposed, and is downstream of the main platen in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. A guide that guides the recording medium to which the ink ejected from the nozzles is attached, a sub-platen that is arranged below the guide and guides the recording medium to which the inks are attached, and at least on the sub-platen A heater that heats the recording medium to which the ink guided is attached and volatilizes the volatile organic solvent contained in the ink; A light irradiation device that is disposed at a position facing the sub-platen and that irradiates light to a portion of the recording medium on which the ink is adhered while the volatile organic solvent is being volatilized by the heater. .

  According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the light irradiation device irradiates light to a portion of the recording medium to which the ink ejected from the nozzles is adhered while the volatile organic solvent is volatilized by the heater. That is, in the recording medium to which the ink is attached, the volatile organic solvent contained in the ink is volatilized by heating the recording medium, and light is irradiated by irradiating the photocurable resin contained in the ink with light. The curable resin is simultaneously cured. Since the ink has fluidity while the polymerization reaction of the photocurable resin proceeds, the volatile organic solvent can freely move in the ink. As a result, the volatile organic solvent present at the interface with the recording medium can move to the surface of the ink and is volatilized from the surface of the ink. As a result, the volatile organic solvent that can remain in the image after printing can be eliminated or reduced. Moreover, since the light irradiation apparatus irradiates the photocurable resin with light while heating the recording medium, the polymerization reaction of the photocurable resin can be promoted. Furthermore, by adjusting the temperature of the heater in accordance with the characteristics of the ink, the efficiency of the polymerization reaction of the photocurable resin can be optimized, and the quality of the printed matter can be improved.

  As another aspect of the present invention, a printing method is provided. The printing method includes a step of preparing a recording medium, a step of discharging an ink containing a pigment, a photocurable resin, a photopolymerization initiator, and a volatile organic solvent to the recording medium, and the nozzle. The volatile organic solvent contained in the ink is volatilized by heating the recording medium to which the ejected ink is adhered, and at the same time, the volatile organic solvent is volatilized in the recording medium to which the ink is adhered. Irradiating light to the middle part of the substrate.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the inkjet recording device which can reduce the volatile organic solvent which can remain | survive in the image after printing can be provided.

1 is a front view of a printer according to an embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line | wire in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the printer which concerns on another one Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the main platen which concerns on other one Embodiment, and its periphery structure.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) 10 that performs printing on a long recording medium (for example, a band-shaped recording medium). It should be noted that the embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the present invention. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member and site | part which show | plays the same effect | action, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified suitably.

  The ink used in the printer 10 includes a pigment, a photocurable resin, a photopolymerization initiator, and a volatile organic solvent. In the present specification, an ink containing a pigment, a photocurable resin, a photopolymerization initiator, and a volatile organic solvent is referred to as “solvent UV ink”.

  As the pigment contained in the solvent-based UV ink, conventionally known pigments can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Examples of the photocurable resin contained in the solvent-based UV ink include a photopolymerizable monomer. The photopolymerizable monomer is a component that is cured by irradiation with light energy such as ultraviolet rays and electron beams. The photopolymerizable monomer is a component that is polymerized and cured by an active species such as a radical generated by the decomposition of the photopolymerization initiator. The photopolymerizable monomer is not particularly limited. The photopolymerizable monomer is preferably a compound having at least one radical polymerizable group such as a (meth) acryloyl group or a vinyl group. The photopolymerizable monomer preferably contains a (meth) acrylate compound having a (meth) acryloyl group. Specific examples of (meth) acrylate compounds include monofunctional (meth) acrylates such as isobornyl (meth) acrylate and benzyl (meth) acrylate, bifunctional (meth) acrylates such as hexamethylene di (meth) acrylate, trimethylisopropanetri And trifunctional (meth) acrylates such as (meth) acrylates. A photopolymerizable monomer can be used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types. In the present specification, “(meth) acryloyl” includes “methacryloyl” and “acryloyl”, and “(meth) acrylate” is a term including “methacrylate” and “acrylate”.

  The photopolymerization initiator contained in the solvent UV is a component that initiates or accelerates the polymerization of a photocurable resin (for example, photopolymerizable monomer) by generating active species by light irradiation. As the photopolymerization initiator contained in the solvent-based UV ink, conventionally known photopolymerization initiators can be used singly or in combination of two or more.

  The volatile organic solvent contained in the solvent-based UV ink is an organic solvent that volatilizes at approximately 30 ° C. to 80 ° C., preferably approximately 50 ° C. to 70 ° C. Examples of the volatile organic solvent include aliphatic hydrocarbons such as n-hexane. The content of the volatile organic solvent in the entire solvent-based UV ink may be approximately 10% or more, typically 20% or more, for example, 30 to 90%, based on mass. From the viewpoint of reducing the burden on the user and the environment, it is preferable that the content ratio of the volatile organic solvent is suppressed to a low level of approximately 60% or less, for example, 50% or less on a mass basis.

  The solvent-based UV ink can contain components other than the pigment, the photocurable resin, the photopolymerization initiator, and the volatile organic solvent. Examples of such components include photosensitizers, polymerization inhibitors, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, surfactants, leveling agents, thickeners, dispersants, and the like. For example, the photosensitizer is a component that functions to amplify radicals generated by light irradiation and promote the polymerization reaction of the photopolymerizable monomer.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a printer 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. The printer 10 is for printing on the recording medium 5.

  In the following description, left, right, top, and bottom mean left, right, top, and bottom, respectively, as viewed from the operator in front of the printer 10. Further, the direction approaching the worker from the printer 10 is defined as the front, and the direction away from the operator is defined as the rear. Reference numerals F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower, respectively. The symbol Y in the drawing represents the main scanning direction. In the present embodiment, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The main scanning direction Y is the width direction of the recording medium 5. A symbol X in the drawing indicates a sub-scanning direction. The sub-scanning direction X is a direction that intersects the main scanning direction Y (for example, a direction that intersects perpendicularly in plan view). In the present embodiment, the sub-scanning direction X is the front-rear direction. The sub-scanning direction X is the longitudinal direction of the recording medium 5. However, the above direction is merely determined for convenience and should not be interpreted in a limited manner.

  The recording medium 5 of this embodiment is plain paper. The recording medium 5 is not limited to recording paper as long as it has a shape that can be wound around a supply shaft 42 described later and can be wound around a winding shaft 48. In addition to paper such as plain paper and inkjet printing paper, the recording medium 5 may be a sheet or film made of resin such as polyvinyl chloride or polyester, a fabric such as a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric, or other media.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a main body 12, a left side cover 13L and a right side cover 13R, a central wall 14, a main platen 20 (see FIG. 2), and an upstream guide 24 (see FIG. 2). ), Downstream guide 26, sub-platen 28, grid roller 30 (see FIG. 2), pinch roller 32 (see FIG. 2), guide rail 34, belt 36, and carriage 38 (see FIG. 2). , An ink head 40, a supply shaft 42, a winding device 44, an ultraviolet lamp 50, and a cover 52.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 12 is supported by a stand 15. The main body 12 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The left side cover 13 </ b> L is provided at the left end of the main body 12. The right side cover 13 </ b> R is provided at the right end of the main body 12. The main body 12 is provided with a central wall 14 extending in the vertical direction. The central wall 14 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The central wall 14 connects the left side cover 13L and the right side cover 13R.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 12 is provided with a main platen 20 on which the recording medium 5 is disposed. As shown in FIG. 2, the main platen 20 is disposed below the ink head 40. The main platen 20 is provided with a cylindrical grid roller 30. The grid roller 30 is embedded in the main platen 20 with its upper surface exposed. The grid roller 30 is driven by a feed motor (not shown). The grid roller 30 is an example of a transport device that moves the recording medium 5 unwound from the supply shaft 42 in the sub-scanning direction X. A plurality of pinch rollers 32 are arranged above the grid roller 30. The pinch roller 32 faces the grid roller 30. The pinch roller 32 is configured such that the position in the vertical direction can be set according to the thickness of the recording medium 5. The recording medium 5 is sandwiched between the pinch roller 32 and the grid roller 30. The grid roller 30 and the pinch roller 32 are configured to be able to convey the recording medium 5 in the sub-scanning direction X while holding the recording medium 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the guide rail 34 is provided on the central wall 14. The guide rail 34 is disposed above the main platen 20. The guide rail 34 is disposed in parallel with the main platen 20. The guide rail 34 extends in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. 2, a carriage 38 is engaged with the guide rail 34.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the belt 36 is disposed in parallel to the wall surface of the central wall 14. The belt 36 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The belt 36 is an endless belt. Pulleys 16 </ b> A and 16 </ b> B are wound around the right end and the left end of the belt 36. One pulley 16A is connected to a carriage motor 17 that drives the pulley 16A. When the carriage motor 17 rotates, the pulley 16A rotates and the belt 36 travels in the main scanning direction Y.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 38 is fixed to the belt 36. When the belt 36 travels, the carriage 38 moves in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 34.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink head 40 is disposed above the main platen 20. The ink head 40 includes a nozzle (not shown) that discharges solvent-based UV ink to the recording medium 5. The ink head 40 is provided on the carriage 38. When the carriage 38 moves in the main scanning direction Y, the ink head 40 also moves in the main scanning direction Y. The ink head 40 ejects solvent-based UV ink toward the recording medium 5 while moving in the main scanning direction Y.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the supply shaft 42 is disposed below the upstream guide 24. The supply shaft 42 is disposed behind the main platen 20. The supply shaft 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape extending in the left-right direction. A strip-shaped recording medium 5 before printing is wound around the supply shaft 42 in a roll shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the left end portion of the supply shaft 42 is rotatably supported by the left guide plate 42L. The right end portion of the supply shaft 42 is rotatably supported by the right guide plate 42R. The left guide plate 42L and the right guide plate 42R are provided in the main body 12. When the grid roller 30 conveys the recording medium 5 forward, the recording medium 5 is unwound from the supply shaft 42 and conveyed toward the main platen 20.

  The winding device 44 winds up the printed recording medium 5 in a roll shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the winding device 44 includes a tension bar 46, support arms 47 </ b> L and 47 </ b> R, a winding shaft 48, and a motor 49.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tension bar 46 applies tension to a portion of the recording medium 5 located between the downstream guide 28 and the take-up shaft 48. Specifically, the tension bar 46 applies tension to the recording medium 5 by pushing the recording medium 5 forward and obliquely downward using its own weight. The tension bar 46 is formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape extending in the left-right direction. The tension bar 46 is disposed in parallel with the take-up shaft 48. The tension bar 46 is disposed below the sub platen 28. The tension bar 46 is disposed in front of the winding shaft 48. As shown in FIG. 1, the tension bar 46 is swingably supported by the support arms 47L and 47R. The support arm 47L is rotatably provided on the first left side wall 48L provided in the main body portion 12. The support arm 47 </ b> R is rotatably provided on the first right side wall 48 </ b> R provided on the main body 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the winding shaft 48 is disposed below the sub platen 28. The winding shaft 48 is disposed in front of the main platen 20. The winding shaft 48 is formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape extending in the left-right direction. The take-up shaft 48 takes up the belt-like recording medium 5 after printing. As shown in FIG. 1, the left end portion of the winding shaft 48 is rotatably supported by a second left side wall 49L disposed on the right side of the first left side wall 48L. The right end portion of the winding shaft 48 is rotatably supported by a second right side wall 49R disposed on the left side of the first right side wall 48R. The second left side wall 49L and the second right side wall 49R are provided in the main body portion 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the motor 49 is connected to the winding shaft 48. The motor 49 rotates the winding shaft 48. The motor 49 is disposed between the first right side wall 48R and the second right side wall 49R.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the upstream guide 24 is disposed upstream of the main platen 20 in the sub-scanning direction X. In the present embodiment, the upstream guide 24 is disposed behind the main platen 20. The upstream guide 24 includes an upstream arc portion 25 formed in an arc shape in cross section. In the present embodiment, the entire upstream guide 24 is configured by the upstream arc portion 25, but a linear portion extending linearly may be provided on the upstream side or the downstream side of the upstream arc portion 25. The upstream arc portion 25 is curved so as to go downward as the distance from the main platen 20 increases. That is, the upstream arc portion 25 is curved so as to go downward as it goes rearward. The upstream guide 24 guides the recording medium 5 unwound from the supply shaft 42 to the main platen 20. That is, the recording medium 5 unwound from the supply shaft 42 is conveyed along the upstream guide 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the upstream arc portion 25 is formed between a plurality of bent portions 25A bent upward (here, toward the recording medium 5) and adjacent bent portions 25A. And a surface composed of a flat surface 25B (for example, a flat surface or a curved surface).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the downstream guide 26 is disposed downstream of the main platen 20 in the sub-scanning direction X. In the present embodiment, the downstream guide 26 is disposed in front of the main platen 20. The downstream guide 28 includes a downstream arc portion 27 formed in an arc shape in cross section. In the present embodiment, the entire downstream guide 26 is configured by the downstream arc portion 27, but a linear portion extending linearly may be provided on the upstream side or the downstream side of the downstream arc portion 27. The downstream arc portion 27 is curved so as to go downward as the distance from the main platen 20 increases. That is, the downstream arc portion 27 is curved so as to go downward as it goes forward. The downstream guide 26 guides the recording medium 5 to which the solvent-based UV ink ejected from the nozzles adheres (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “recording medium 5 with ink”) to the sub-platen 28. That is, the recording medium 5 with ink is conveyed along the downstream guide 26. As shown in FIG. 4, the downstream arc portion 27 is formed between a plurality of bent portions 27A bent upward (here, toward the recording medium 5) and adjacent bent portions 27A. And a surface composed of a flat surface 27B (for example, a flat surface or a curved surface).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sub platen 28 is disposed downstream of the downstream guide 26. The sub platen 28 is disposed below the downstream guide 26. The sub platen 28 is disposed in front of the winding shaft 48. The sub platen 28 includes a straight portion 29 formed in a straight cross section. The straight line portion 29 extends in the up-down direction, but may be inclined so as to extend obliquely downward from the downstream guide 26 to the front side. In the present embodiment, the entire sub platen 28 is constituted by the straight portion 29, but a curved portion may be provided on the upstream side or the downstream side of the straight portion 29. The sub platen 28 guides the recording medium 5 with ink to the winding shaft 48 via the tension bar 46. That is, the recording medium 5 with ink is conveyed along the sub-platen 28.

  Here, as a material constituting the main platen 20, the upstream guide 24, the downstream guide 26, and the sub platen 28, for example, a metal material having excellent thermal conductivity and heat capacity such as aluminum and iron, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). And lightweight resin materials such as polypropylene (PP). Aluminum and iron are properly used depending on, for example, the weight and rigidity required for the part. For example, the main platen 20 may be made of aluminum, the downstream guide 26 may be made of iron, and the sub platen 28 may be made of PP.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a first heater 61 and a second heater 62. The first heater 61 is provided on the main platen 20. The first heater 61 is provided below the main platen 20. The first heater 61 is disposed in front of the grid roller 30. The first heater 61 heats the main platen 20. When the main platen 20 is heated, the recording medium 5 and the recording medium 5 with ink disposed on the main platen 20 are heated. The first heater 61 heats the recording medium 5 and the recording medium 5 with ink to, for example, approximately 305K to 355K, typically approximately 305K to 345K.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the second heater 62 heats the recording medium 5 with ink guided at least on the sub-platen 28. The second heater 62 heats the inked recording medium 5 to, for example, approximately 305K to 355K, typically approximately 305K to 345K. Thereby, the volatile organic solvent contained in the solvent-based UV ink can be volatilized. In this specification, “to heat the recording medium 5 with ink guided on the sub-platen 28” means that the sub-platen 28 directly contacting the recording medium 5 with ink is directly heated to thereby heat the recording medium 5 with ink. The inked recording medium 5 guided is heated, the inked recording medium 5 is heated by heating the air in the vicinity of the inked recording medium 5, or the downstream guide disposed upstream from the sub-platen 28. For example, the air heated by heating the main platen 20 or the main platen 20 is supplied to the vicinity of the ink-fitted recording medium 5 by, for example, the cover 52 or the air heated separately from the printer 10 by, for example, a fan. The thermal energy is supplied to the recording medium 5 with ink by supplying it to the vicinity of the recording medium 5 with ink 28. Given refers to the temperature of the ink with the recording medium 5 in the state higher than the temperature of the atmosphere (e.g., room) where the printer 10 is installed. The second heater 62 is provided at a position facing the ultraviolet lamp 50 through the sub platen 28 and heats the sub platen 28. The second heater 62 is disposed behind the sub platen 28. The upper end of the second heater 62 is positioned below the upper end of the sub platen 28. The lower end of the second heater 62 is located above the lower end of the sub platen 28. The second heater 62 may be configured such that the temperature at which the sub platen 28 is heated gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the sub platen 28.

  Here, for example, when the temperature of the recording medium 5 with ink in the main platen 20 and / or the downstream guide 26 is 325K to 345K, the region irradiated with light by the ultraviolet lamp 50 (that is, the UV irradiation region). The volatilization of the volatile organic solvent in the ink proceeds to some extent by the time it reaches. For this reason, the temperature of the recording medium 5 with ink in the UV irradiation region may be lower than the temperature in the main platen 20 and / or the temperature in the downstream guide 26. For example, the temperature of the UV irradiation region (that is, the sub platen 28) can be set to 305K to 325K. By reducing the set value of the temperature of the ink recording medium 5 in the UV irradiation region, the load for heating the ink recording medium 5 as a whole can be reduced. Moreover, it can suppress that the thermal load with respect to the recording medium 5 with an ink becomes large too much.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of ultraviolet lamps 50 are provided on the cover 52. The ultraviolet lamps 50 are arranged side by side along the main scanning direction Y. The ultraviolet lamp 50 is an example of a light irradiation device. The ultraviolet lamp 50 may be, for example, an LED system or a fluorescent lamp system. The number of the ultraviolet lamps 50 provided on the cover 52 may be one or plural. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultraviolet lamp 50 is disposed at a position facing the sub platen 28. The ultraviolet lamp 50 is disposed in front of the sub platen 28. The ultraviolet lamp 50 is disposed below the upper end of the second heater 62. The ultraviolet lamp 50 is disposed above the lower end of the second heater 62. The ultraviolet lamp 50 irradiates the recording medium 5 with ink guided on the sub-platen 28 with light. More specifically, the ultraviolet lamp 50 irradiates light to a portion of the ink-recorded recording medium 5 where the volatile organic solvent is being volatilized by the second heater 62. Thereby, the photocurable resin contained in the solvent-based UV ink can be cured, and printing is completed. The ultraviolet lamp 50 irradiates light onto the inked recording medium 5 heated to, for example, approximately 305K to 355K, typically approximately 305K to 345K. In the present specification, the “part in the middle of which the volatile organic solvent is volatilized in the recording medium 5 with ink” is a part in which the volatile organic solvent remains in the solvent-based UV ink. Yes, it is the part where the volatilization of the volatile organic solvent is progressing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 52 is provided on the main body 12. The cover 52 is disposed at a position facing at least the upstream side of the ultraviolet lamp 50 and the surface of the sub-platen 28 (that is, the surface in contact with the recording medium 5 with ink). The cover 52 of the present embodiment is disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the ultraviolet lamp 50. The cover 52 covers at least a part of the sub platen 28. The cover 52 covers at least a portion upstream of the ultraviolet lamp 50 in the sub platen 28. In the present embodiment, the cover 52 covers the entire sub platen 28. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 52 overlaps the entire sub-platen 28 when viewed from the front. The cover 52 is an example of a covering member.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 52 includes a first covering portion 53 and a second covering portion 54. The first covering portion 53 is disposed at a position at least upstream of the ultraviolet lamp 50 and facing the surface of the sub platen 28. The first covering portion 53 of this embodiment is disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the ultraviolet lamp 50. The first covering portion 53 may not be disposed on the downstream side of the ultraviolet lamp 50. The upper end of the first covering portion 53 is located above the upper end of the second heater 62. The lower end of the first covering portion 53 is located below the lower end of the second heater 62. An upper end 55 (upstream end) of the first covering portion 53 extends toward the second covering portion 54. An upper end 55 of the first covering portion 53 extends rearward.

  The second coating 54 is disposed at a position facing the ultraviolet lamp 50 and the first coating portion 53 via at least the sub platen 28 and the second heater 62. The second covering portion 54 is disposed at a position facing the back surface of the sub-platen 28 (that is, the surface not in contact with the ink recording medium 5). The second covering portion 53 of the present embodiment is disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the ultraviolet lamp 50. The upper end of the second covering portion 54 is located above the upper end of the second heater 62. The lower end of the second covering portion 54 is located below the lower end of the second heater 62. A region surrounded by the cover 52, that is, a region surrounded by the first covering portion 53 and the second covering portion 54 is a temperature higher than the temperature in the atmosphere in which the printer 10 is installed due to the heat of the second heater 62 or the like. become.

  As described above, according to the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the ultraviolet lamp 50 is a part of the ink-recorded recording medium 5 to which the solvent-based UV ink is attached, the volatile organic solvent being volatilized by the second heater 62. Irradiate light. That is, in the recording medium 5 with ink to which the solvent-based UV ink is attached, the volatile organic solvent contained in the solvent-based UV ink is volatilized by heating the recording medium 5 with the ink, and the solvent-based UV ink At the same time, the photocurable resin is cured by irradiating the photocurable resin contained therein with light. Since the solvent-based UV ink has fluidity while the polymerization reaction of the photocurable resin proceeds, the volatile organic solvent can freely move in the solvent-based UV ink. As a result, the volatile organic solvent present at the interface with the recording medium with ink 5 can move to the surface of the solvent-based UV ink and is volatilized from the surface of the solvent-based UV ink. As a result, the volatile organic solvent that can remain in the image after printing can be eliminated or reduced. Further, since the ultraviolet lamp 50 irradiates the photocurable resin with light while heating the recording medium 5 with ink, the polymerization reaction of the photocurable resin can be promoted. Furthermore, by adjusting the temperature of the second heater 62 in accordance with the characteristics of the solvent-based UV ink, the efficiency of the polymerization reaction of the photocurable resin can be optimized, or the quality of the printed matter can be improved. .

  According to the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the ultraviolet lamp 50 irradiates light onto the inked recording medium 5 heated to 305K to 345K by the second heater 62. Thereby, the volatile organic solvent contained in the solvent-based UV ink can be more reliably volatilized, and the volatile organic solvent can be removed from the solvent-based UV ink.

  According to the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the temperature of the ink recording medium 5 in the downstream guide 26 may be higher than the temperature of the ink recording medium 5 in the sub-platen 28. Thereby, the load of the printer 10 for heating the recording medium 5 with ink can be reduced. Moreover, it can suppress that the thermal load with respect to the recording medium 5 with an ink becomes large too much.

  According to the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the second heater 62 is provided at a position facing the ultraviolet lamp 50 via the sub platen 28 and heats the sub platen 28. This makes it possible to more effectively volatilize the volatile organic solvent contained in the solvent-based UV ink at the portion irradiated with light in the recording medium with ink 5.

  The printer 10 according to this embodiment includes a cover 52 that is disposed at a position upstream of the ultraviolet lamp 50 and facing the surface of the sub platen 28 and covers the sub platen 28. Thereby, the heat of the second heater 62 can be efficiently transmitted to the portion of the ink-added recording medium 5 that is irradiated with light, and the volatilization of the volatile organic solvent contained in the solvent-based UV ink is promoted.

  According to the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the cover 52 includes the first covering portion 53 disposed at a position upstream of the ultraviolet lamp 50 and facing the surface of the sub platen 28, and the ultraviolet rays through the sub platen 28 and the second heater 62. And a second covering portion 54 disposed at a position facing the lamp 50 and the first covering portion 53. As a result, the heat of the second heater can be more efficiently transmitted to the portion of the recording medium with ink 5 that is irradiated with light, and the volatilization of the volatile organic solvent contained in the solvent-based UV ink is promoted.

  According to the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the upstream end portion 55 of the first covering portion 53 extends toward the second covering portion 54. Thereby, the heat of the second heater 62 can be efficiently transmitted to the ultraviolet lamp 50 side, and the heat of the second heater can be kept in the portion of the ink-fitted recording medium 5 that is irradiated with light, Volatilization of the volatile organic solvent contained in the solvent-based UV ink in the portion is promoted.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 10 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the second heater 62 is disposed upstream of the ultraviolet lamp 50. The second heater 62 is disposed above the ultraviolet lamp 50. The second heater 62 is provided between the first covering portion 53 and the second covering portion 54. The second heater 62 is disposed at a position not facing the ultraviolet lamp 50 through the sub platen 28. The second heater 62 does not overlap the ultraviolet lamp 50 when viewed from the front.

  According to the printer 10 of the present embodiment, the second heater 62 is disposed upstream of the ultraviolet lamp 50 and between the first covering portion 53 and the second covering portion 54. Thereby, the heat generated from the second heater 62 is suppressed from being released to the outside by the first covering portion 53 and the second covering portion 54, and the heat of the second heater 62 is efficiently transferred to the ultraviolet lamp 50 side ( That is, it can be transmitted downstream of the second heater 62.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the second heater 62 heats the recording medium 5 with ink guided on the sub-platen 28, but is not limited thereto. The second heater 62 may heat the recording medium 5 with ink guided on the downstream guide 26 in addition to the recording medium 5 with ink guided on the sub platen 28. In this case, the second heater 62 may be disposed across the position facing the sub-platen 28 and the position facing the downstream guide 26, or may be disposed only at the position facing the downstream guide 26. When the second heater 62 is disposed only at a position facing the downstream guide 26, heat applied to the downstream guide 26 is transmitted to the sub platen 28 (particularly, a portion irradiated with light from the ultraviolet lamp 50). A member may be provided.

  In each embodiment mentioned above, although the 1st coating | coated part 53 of the cover 52 is arrange | positioned in the position which opposes the surface of the subplaten 28 upstream from the ultraviolet lamp 50, it is not limited to this. The first covering portion 53 may be disposed at a position facing the surface of the downstream guide 26 in addition to the position facing the surface of the sub platen 28. For example, when the downstream guide 26 is heated by the second heater 62, since the first covering portion 53 extends to a position facing the surface of the downstream guide 26, the heat applied to the downstream guide 26 is transferred to the sub platen. 28 can be transmitted. At this time, the second covering portion 54 may be disposed at a position facing the back surface of the downstream guide 26 in addition to a position facing the back surface of the sub platen 28.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the printer 10 includes the cover 52 that covers at least a part of the sub-platen 28, but the printer 10 may not include the cover 52. In this case, the ultraviolet lamp 50 is supported by a bracket or the like provided on the main body 12.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the printer 10 includes the first heater 61 and the second heater 62, but is not limited thereto. The printer 10 may include, for example, a downstream guide heater that heats the downstream guide 26. In this case, the recording medium with ink 5 is heated by the first heater 61, the downstream guide heater, and the second heater 62. Further, the second heater 62 and the downstream guide heater may be integrated.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the main platen 20, the upstream guide 24, the downstream guide 26, and the sub platen 28 are independent members, but these may be integrated into one member, or any two of them. One or three members may be integrated.

5 Recording medium 10 Printer (inkjet recording device)
20 Main platen 26 Downstream guide 28 Sub platen 40 Ink head 50 Ultraviolet lamp (light irradiation device)
52 Cover (Coating member)
53 1st coating | coated part 54 2nd coating | coated part 62 2nd heater

Claims (12)

It has a nozzle that discharges an ink containing a pigment, a photocurable resin, a photopolymerization initiator, and a volatile organic solvent to a recording medium, and is movable in the main scanning direction, which is the width direction of the recording medium. An ink head;
A main platen disposed below the ink head and on which the recording medium is disposed;
A guide that is arranged downstream of the main platen in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction and guides the recording medium to which the ink ejected from the nozzles is attached;
A sub-platen disposed below the guide and guiding the recording medium to which the ink has adhered;
A heater that heats at least the recording medium to which the ink guided on the sub-platen is adhered, and volatilizes the volatile organic solvent contained in the ink;
A light irradiation device that is disposed at a position facing the sub-platen and irradiates light to a portion of the recording medium on which the ink is adhered, while the volatile organic solvent is being volatilized by the heater ,
The heater heats the recording medium to which the ink guided on the guide is attached,
The inkjet recording apparatus , wherein a temperature of the recording medium in the guide is higher than a temperature of the recording medium in the sub-platen . It has a nozzle that discharges an ink containing a pigment, a photocurable resin, a photopolymerization initiator, and a volatile organic solvent to a recording medium, and is movable in the main scanning direction, which is the width direction of the recording medium. An ink head;
A main platen disposed below the ink head and on which the recording medium is disposed;
A guide that is arranged downstream of the main platen in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction and guides the recording medium to which the ink ejected from the nozzles is attached;
A sub-platen disposed below the guide and guiding the recording medium to which the ink has adhered;
A heater that heats at least the recording medium to which the ink guided on the sub-platen is adhered, and volatilizes the volatile organic solvent contained in the ink;
A light irradiation device that is disposed at a position facing the sub-platen and that irradiates light to a portion of the recording medium on which the ink is adhered while the volatile organic solvent is volatilized by the heater;
Another heater for heating the recording medium guided on the main platen,
The ink jet recording apparatus, wherein a temperature of the recording medium in the main platen is higher than a temperature of the recording medium in the sub platen. The light irradiation device irradiates light to the recording medium in a state of being heated to 305K~345K by the heater, the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The guide includes an arc portion formed in an arc shape in cross section,
The Sabupuraten comprises a straight portion formed in cross-section straight, an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The inkjet according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising: a covering member that is disposed at least at a position upstream of the light irradiation device and facing a surface of the sub platen and covers at least a part of the sub platen. Type recording device. The covering member is opposed to the light irradiation device and the first covering portion at least through the sub platen, and a first covering portion disposed at a position upstream of the light irradiation device and facing the surface of the sub platen. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a second covering portion disposed at a position where the ink is applied. The upstream end portion of the first covering portion extends toward the second cover portion, the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the heater is disposed upstream of the light irradiation device and between the first covering portion and the second covering portion. The heater is provided at a position opposed to the light irradiation device via the Sabupuraten, heating the Sabupuraten ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising: a covering member that is disposed at least at a position upstream of the light irradiation device and opposed to a surface of the sub platen and covers at least a part of the sub platen. The covering member includes at least a first covering portion disposed at a position upstream of the light irradiation device and facing a surface of the sub platen, and the light irradiation device and the first covering through at least the sub platen and the heater. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising: a second covering portion disposed at a position facing the portion. The upstream end portion of the first covering portion extends toward the second cover portion, the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 11.

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