Printing device and printing method

Abstract

To print an image at a desired position with respect to an image on the back surface of a cloth, in a case such as when the cloth is subjected to double-sided printing.SOLUTION: A printing device 1 includes: a transport belt 5 that transports a cloth M in a transport direction A in a state where a first surface M1 of the cloth M faces an adhesive layer 5a; a printing section 101 that prints an image on a second surface M2 of the cloth M, the second surface M2 being an opposite side to a first surface M1, the cloth M being transported by the transport belt 5; and an infrared image capturing section 30 that uses infrared light to capture an image of a capture target I formed on the first surface M1 of the cloth M being transported by the transport belt 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various printing devices have been used. Among them, there are printing devices that print on fabric. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a double-sided printing system that can print on both sides of a fabric. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2022-502291 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a printing device that prints on both sides of a fabric, such as the double-sided printing system of Patent Document 1, it is often necessary to align the positions of an image printed on the front side and an image printed on the back side. For this reason, a configuration is provided with a detection unit that detects the position of an image that has been printed on one side of the fabric first. In the double-sided printing system of Patent Document 1, a scanning device is provided to enable reading of the first printed image on the first side. However, the scanning device of the double-sided printing system of Patent Document 1 is configured to detect the position of an image using visible light, and has low detection capability for images on the back side, etc., and it is sometimes difficult to print an image at a desired position relative to the image on the back side, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To solve the above problem, the printing device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer that supports a fabric medium and conveys the fabric in a conveying direction with a first side of the fabric facing the adhesive layer, a printing unit that prints an image on a second side of the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt opposite the first side, and an infrared imaging unit that uses infrared rays to image an imaging target provided on the first side of the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt.

[0006] In addition, a printing method of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a printing method of a printing device including a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer that supports a fabric medium and conveying the fabric in a conveying direction with a first side of the fabric facing the adhesive layer, and a printing unit that prints an image on a second side of the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt, the second side being opposite the first side, and is characterized in that it includes an infrared imaging process of using infrared rays to image an imaging target provided on the first side of the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt, a correction process of correcting at least one of the image and the printing position of the image based on imaging data captured in the infrared imaging process, and a printing process of printing the image on the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt with the printing unit based on the correction result in the correction process. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an infrared imaging unit of the printing device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart of an example of a printing method using the printing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an infrared imaging unit of the printing device of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a printing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of an infrared imaging unit of the printing device of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a printing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of an infrared imaging unit of the printing device of FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] First, the present invention will be briefly described. In order to solve the above problem, a printing device of a first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer that supports a fabric medium and conveys the fabric in a conveying direction with a first side of the fabric facing the adhesive layer, a printing unit that prints an image on a second side of the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt opposite the first side, and an infrared imaging unit that uses infrared rays to image an imaging target provided on the first side of the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt.

[0009] According to this aspect, the device includes an infrared imaging unit that uses infrared rays to image an image of an image target provided on a first surface of the fabric transported by the transport belt. Since infrared rays are more easily transmitted through fabric than visible light, the image of the image target can be suitably captured. Therefore, when performing double-sided printing on the fabric, an image can be printed at a desired position on the front surface relative to an image on the back surface.

[0010] A printing device of a second aspect of the present invention, in an aspect dependent on the first aspect, is characterized in that it includes a correction unit that corrects at least one of the image and the printing position of the image based on imaging data captured by the infrared imaging unit.

[0011] According to this aspect, a correction unit is provided that corrects at least one of the image and the print position of the image based on the imaging data captured by the infrared imaging unit. With this configuration, it is possible to automatically and easily print an image at a desired position relative to the image on the back side when performing double-sided printing on a fabric, based on the correction result by the correction unit.

[0012] A printing device according to a third aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first or second aspect, characterized in that the printing device further comprises a pressing unit that presses the fabric against the adhesive layer.

[0013] According to this aspect, a pressing section is provided that presses the fabric against the adhesive layer. This allows the fabric to be firmly supported by the adhesive layer. On the other hand, in a configuration that includes a pressing section that presses the fabric against the adhesive layer, it is difficult to align the positions of images on both sides when performing double-sided printing on the fabric. However, by including an infrared imaging section that captures an image of an imaging target provided on the first side, it is possible to suitably align the positions of images on both sides.

[0014] A fourth aspect of the printing device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first or second aspect, characterized in that the conveying belt is formed of a material that reflects infrared rays, and the infrared imaging unit has an emitter that emits infrared rays and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side opposite the second surface.

[0015] According to this aspect, the conveyor belt is made of a material that reflects infrared rays, and the infrared imaging unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side facing the second surface. With this configuration, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit can be disposed on the same side of the conveyor belt, and the device configuration can be simplified.

[0016] A fifth aspect of the printing device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first or second aspect, characterized in that the conveying belt is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays, and the infrared imaging unit has an emitter that emits infrared rays and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side opposite the first surface.

[0017] According to this aspect, the conveyor belt is made of a material that transmits infrared rays, and the infrared imaging unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side facing the first surface. With this configuration, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit can be disposed on the same side of the conveyor belt, and the device configuration can be simplified.

[0018] A sixth aspect of the printing device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first or second aspect, characterized in that the conveying belt is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays, and the infrared imaging unit has an emitter that emits infrared rays on a side facing the first surface and a receiver that receives infrared rays on a side facing the second surface.

[0019] According to this aspect, the conveyor belt is made of a material that transmits infrared rays, and the infrared imaging unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays on a side facing the first surface and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on a side facing the second surface. With this configuration, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit can be disposed on different sides of the conveyor belt, and the space within the device can be effectively utilized.

[0020] A seventh aspect of the printing device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first or second aspect, characterized in that the conveying belt is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays, and the infrared imaging unit has an emitter that emits infrared rays on the side opposite the second surface and a receiver that receives infrared rays on the side opposite the first surface.

[0021] According to this aspect, the conveyor belt is made of a material that transmits infrared rays, and the infrared imaging unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays on the side facing the second surface and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side facing the first surface. With this configuration, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit can be disposed on different sides of the conveyor belt, making it possible to effectively utilize the space within the device.

[0022] A printing device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first or second aspect, characterized in that the infrared imaging unit is detachable.

[0023] According to this aspect, the infrared imaging unit is detachable, which makes it easy to replace or clean the infrared imaging unit.

[0024] A printing device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first or second aspect, characterized in that the imaging target is a printed image that has been printed in advance by the printing unit.

[0025] According to this aspect, the imaging target is a print image that has been printed in advance by the printing unit, and therefore, a double-sided print that is appropriately aligned can be formed using the print image that has been printed in advance by the printing unit and an image that has been positioned based on the print image.

[0026] A printing method of a tenth aspect of the present invention is a printing method for a printing device including a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer that supports a fabric medium, the conveyor belt conveying a first side of the fabric in a conveying direction with a first side facing the adhesive layer, and a printing unit that prints an image on a second side of the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt, the second side being opposite the first side, and is characterized in that the printing method includes an infrared imaging process of using infrared rays to image an imaging target provided on the first side of the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt, a correction process of correcting at least one of the image and the printing position of the image based on imaging data captured in the infrared imaging process, and a printing process of printing the image on the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt with the printing unit based on the correction result in the correction process.

[0027] According to this aspect, at least one of the image and the print position of the image is corrected based on the imaging data captured by the infrared imaging unit and then printed. By executing such a printing method, in cases such as double-sided printing on a fabric, the image can be automatically and easily printed at a desired position based on the correction result in the correction process.

[0028] An eleventh aspect of the printing method of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the tenth aspect, characterized in that, prior to the infrared imaging step, an imaging object printing step is carried out in which the imaging object is printed in the printing unit.

[0029] According to this aspect, a print image previously printed in the image-capturing printing process is used as the image capturing target, so that a double-sided print product can be formed in which the print image previously printed in the image-capturing printing process and an image subsequently printed in the printing process by positioning based on the print image are appropriately aligned.

[0030] [Example 1] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, an overview of a printing device 1A according to a first embodiment, which is an example of a printing device 1 according to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0031] 1, the printing device 1A of this embodiment includes a holding unit 80 capable of rotatably holding a roll R of medium M wound in a roll shape, and a transport unit 20 having a drive unit 40 which is a motor, and transporting the medium M unwound from the holding unit 80 in a transport direction A by the driving force of the drive unit 40. The drive unit 40 is driven under the control of a control unit 41. The control unit 41 includes a CPU and a memory unit, and controls the drive of each component of the printing device 1A of this embodiment.

[0032] The holding unit 80 includes a holding shaft 2 that holds the roll R and is passed through a paper tube that constitutes the rotation shaft of the roll R. The holding unit 80 is capable of rotating the holding shaft 2 in a rotation direction C to unwind the medium M from the roll R to the transport unit 20. The printing device 1A of this embodiment includes a pressure roller 6 that presses the medium M against the transport belt 5 in an area facing the transport belt 5 that constitutes the transport unit 20. However, the pressure roller 6 may not be provided.

[0033] The conveying section 20 includes a driven roller 3 located upstream in the conveying direction A, a driving roller 4 located downstream in the conveying direction A, and a conveying belt 5 which is an endless belt stretched over the driven roller 3 and the driving roller 4. The conveying belt 5 is an adhesive belt having an adhesive layer 5a on its outer surface, which is a support surface for the medium M, where an adhesive is applied. From another perspective, the conveying belt 5 is an adhesive belt which has an adhesive layer 5a that supports the medium M and conveys the medium M in the conveying direction A with the first surface M1 of the fabric facing the adhesive layer 5a.

[0034] 1, with a first surface M1 of the medium M attached to the adhesive layer 5a, the medium M is supported and transported by the transport belt 5. In the printing device 1A of this embodiment, the medium support region of the transport belt 5 that supports the medium M is the upper region bridged by the driven roller 3 and the drive roller 4. The drive roller 4 is a roller that rotates in a rotation direction C by the driving force of a drive unit 40 that is a motor, and the driven roller 3 is a roller that rotates by being driven by the rotation of the transport belt 5 that accompanies the rotation of the drive roller 4.

[0035] The printing device 1A of this embodiment includes a carriage 100 that can move back and forth in the width direction B of the conveyor belt 5, and a head 101 attached to the carriage 100. The head 101 is a printing unit that can print an image by ejecting liquid ink onto a second surface M2 of a medium M that is conveyed in a conveying direction A based on print data.

[0036] The printing device 1A of this embodiment is capable of forming an image by ejecting ink from the head 101 onto the transported medium M while moving the carriage 100 back and forth in a width direction B intersecting with the transport direction A. By being equipped with the carriage 100 configured in this manner, the printing device 1A of this embodiment is capable of forming a desired image on the medium M by repeatedly transporting the medium M in the transport direction A by a predetermined transport amount and ejecting ink while moving the carriage 100 in the width direction B with the medium M stopped.

[0037] As described above, the printing device 1A of this embodiment is equipped with a so-called serial head type ejection head in which the head 101 mounted on the carriage 100 moves back and forth in the width direction B. However, the present invention is not limited to such an ejection head. For example, the head 101 may be fixed and extended in the width direction B, and may be a line head type printing unit in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink along the width direction B are arranged. In the case of a configuration equipped with a line head type printing unit, the medium M can be transported by so-called continuous transport in which the medium M is transported continuously, rather than by so-called intermittent transport in which the medium M is transported by a predetermined transport amount and the medium M is stopped, as in the printing device 1A of this embodiment.

[0038] When the medium M on which an image is formed by ejecting ink from the head 101 is ejected from the printing device 1A of this embodiment, it is sent to a drying device that volatilizes the ink components ejected onto the medium M, or a winding device that winds up the medium M on which the image is formed, which are provided downstream of the printing device 1A of this embodiment.

[0039] As the medium M, a printable material such as a fabric can be preferably used. The printable material refers to the fabric, clothing, and other clothing products that are the subject of printing. Fabrics include woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and nonwoven fabrics made of natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and wool, chemical fibers such as nylon, and composite fibers that are a mixture of these. Clothes and other clothing products include sewn T-shirts, handkerchiefs, scarves, towels, carrier bags, cloth bags, curtains, sheets, bed covers, and other furniture, as well as fabrics that exist as parts before and after cutting, etc. In addition to the above-mentioned printable materials, ordinary paper, wood-free paper, and paper specially designed for inkjet printing such as glossy paper can also be used.

[0040] When a printable material is used as the medium M, the printable material is prone to ink strike-through, a phenomenon in which ink ejected onto the medium M seeps through to the back surface, and the transport belt 5 may become dirty with ink. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment is provided with a cleaning unit 9 for cleaning ink that has struck through and adhered to the transport belt 5. The cleaning unit 9 of this embodiment is provided with a storage tank 14 for storing cleaning liquid, a cleaning roller 10 that is immersed in the cleaning liquid and comes into contact with the transport belt 5, a blade 11 that extends in the width direction B and wipes off the cleaning liquid that has adhered to the transport belt 5, and an absorbing roller 16 that absorbs any cleaning liquid that has not been wiped off by the blade 11.

[0041] As described above, the printing device 1A of this embodiment includes the conveyor belt 5 that conveys the medium M, such as a fabric, in the conveying direction A with the first surface M1 of the medium M facing the adhesive layer 5a, and the head 101 that prints an image on the second surface M2 opposite the first surface M1 of the medium M conveyed by the conveyor belt 5. The printing device 1A of this embodiment further includes an infrared imaging unit 30 that uses infrared rays to capture an image of an imaging target I provided on the first surface M1 of the medium M conveyed by the conveyor belt 5, as shown in FIG.

[0042] In a configuration using visible light as a detector for detecting the imaging target I, when fabric is used as the medium M, the detection accuracy of the imaging target I decreases. In particular, when thick felt is used as the medium M, the detection accuracy of the imaging target I decreases. On the other hand, infrared light is more likely to penetrate fabrics than visible light, so the imaging target I can be suitably imaged by using infrared imaging unit 30 to image the imaging target I provided on the first surface M1 using infrared light. By imaging the imaging target I, an image can be formed at a suitable position on the second surface M2 relative to the first surface M1 based on the imaging result. Therefore, the printing device 1A of this embodiment can print an image at a desired front surface position relative to the image on the back surface, for example, when performing double-sided printing on fabric.

[0043] The infrared imaging unit 30 will be described in further detail below with reference to Figures 2 and 3 in addition to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, in the printing device 1A of this embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 has a light-emitting unit 31 that emits infrared light and a light-receiving unit 32 that receives infrared light, with both the light-emitting unit 31 and the light-receiving unit 32 located on the side facing the second surface M2. In the printing device 1A of this embodiment, the conveyor belt 5 is made of a material that reflects infrared light.

[0044] 2 shows how emitted infrared light Le emitted from the light-emitting unit 31 is absorbed by the imaging target I, and where there is no imaging target I, it is reflected by the conveyor belt 5 and becomes reflected infrared light Lr, which is received by the light-receiving unit 32. As described above, in the printing device 1A of this embodiment, the conveyor belt 5 is formed from a material that reflects infrared light, and the infrared imaging unit 30 is provided with a light-emitting unit that emits infrared light and a light-receiving unit that receives infrared light on the side facing the second surface. With this configuration, the light-emitting unit 31 and the light-receiving unit 32 can be arranged on the same side of the conveyor belt 5, making it possible to simplify the device configuration.

[0045] In order to suitably capture an image of the imaging target I, the light-emitting unit 31 is preferably configured such that light-emitting elements are arranged in a line along the width direction B or the transport direction A, or the light-emitting elements are arranged in a plane along the width direction B and the transport direction A. Accordingly, the light-receiving unit 32 is preferably configured such that light-receiving elements are arranged in a line along the width direction B or the transport direction A, or the light-receiving elements are arranged in a plane along the width direction B and the transport direction A.

[0046] The imaging target I can be various things such as a pattern or unevenness formed on the first surface M1 of the medium M, a printed image printed on the first surface M1 of the medium M, a sticker attached to the first surface M1 of the medium M, etc. There is no particular limitation on the imaging target I, and the imaging target I may be anything that absorbs infrared rays more easily than the medium M. In this embodiment, the imaging target I is a printed image printed in advance by the head 101 of the printing device 1A of this embodiment. Therefore, a double-sided print that is suitably aligned can be formed by the printed image printed in advance by the head 101 and the image that is subsequently positioned based on the printed image. From another perspective, the medium M that can be used in this embodiment can be a medium M in which a printed image is formed on the first surface M1 and no image is printed on the second surface M2.

[0047] When forming a double-sided print, it is possible to form the same image on the first side M1 and the second side M2 ​​by aligning the positions of both sides. However, in addition to such double-sided print, different images may be formed on the first side M1 and the second side M2 ​​by aligning the positions of both sides, or the same or different images may be formed on the first side M1 and the second side M2 ​​by shifting the positions of both sides by a predetermined amount.

[0048] As described above, the printing device 1A of this embodiment includes the control unit 41, which can function as a correction unit that corrects at least one of the image printed by the head 101 and the printing position of the image, based on the imaging data captured by the infrared imaging unit 30. By being configured in this manner, the printing device 1A of this embodiment can automatically and easily print a new image at a desired position on the second surface M2 relative to an image on the back surface (first surface M1) of the medium M, for example, when performing double-sided printing on the medium M, based on the correction results by the control unit 41 as a correction unit.

[0049] Correction of the printing position of an image corresponds to, for example, correcting the formation position of an image printed on the second surface M2 corresponding to the printed image on the first surface M1 in a case where the same image is formed on the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 by aligning the positions of both. Correction of an image corresponds to, for example, correcting image data etc. in a case where the same image is formed on the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 by aligning the positions of both, in a case where the medium M is attached to the adhesive layer 5a in a stretched or shrunk state, so that the images on the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 are the same and aligned when the medium M is removed from the adhesive layer 5a and the stretching or shrunk is eliminated.

[0050] 1, the printing device 1A of this embodiment includes a pressing unit 6 that presses the medium M against the adhesive layer 5a. Therefore, the medium M can be firmly supported by the adhesive layer 5a. On the other hand, in a configuration that includes the pressing unit 6 that presses the medium M against the adhesive layer 5a, the medium M is easily deformed when the medium M is pressed against the adhesive layer 5a, making it difficult to align the positions of the images on both sides when performing double-sided printing on soft fabrics, etc. However, by including an infrared imaging unit 30 that captures an image of the imaging target I provided on the first surface M1, the positions of the images on both sides can be suitably aligned.

[0051] In the printing device 1A of this embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 is detachable. By making the infrared imaging unit 30 detachable, if the infrared imaging unit 30 is broken, it can be easily replaced, and if the infrared imaging unit 30 becomes dirty, it can be easily cleaned.

[0052] 3, from the viewpoint of a printing method using the printer 1A of this embodiment, a printing method can be executed using the printer 1A of this embodiment, which includes an infrared imaging step (step S130) of imaging an imaging target I provided on a first surface M1 of a medium M conveyed by a conveyor belt 5 using infrared rays, a correction step (step S140) of correcting at least one of an image and a printing position of the image based on imaging data captured in the infrared imaging step, and a printing step (step S150) of printing an image with a head 101 on the medium M conveyed by the conveyor belt 5 based on the correction result in the correction step. By executing such a printing method, for example, when performing double-sided printing on a fabric, an image can be automatically and easily printed at a desired position based on the correction result in the correction step.

[0053] Furthermore, prior to the infrared imaging step, an imaging target printing step (step S110) can be executed in which the imaging target I is printed by the head 101. By executing such a printing method, a double-sided print can be formed in which a print image printed in advance in the imaging target printing step and an image positioned and printed in the printing step based on the print image are suitably aligned.

[0054] When the above printing method is performed using the printer 1A of this embodiment, the medium M is first set in the printer 1A so that the first surface M1 of the medium M faces the head 101, an imaging target printing process is performed, and after the imaging target printing process, a resetting process (step S120) is performed in which the medium M is rewound onto the roll body R. Thereafter, the medium M is set in the printer 1A so that the second surface M2 of the medium M faces the head 101, and the infrared imaging process, correction process, and printing process are performed.

[0055] [Example 2] Next, the printing device 1B of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 1 of the printing device 1A of the first embodiment, and Fig. 5 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 2 of the printing device 1A of the first embodiment. In Figs. 4 and 5, components common to the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted. Here, the printing device 1B of this embodiment has the same configuration as the printing device 1A of the first embodiment, except for the configuration of the infrared imaging unit 30. Therefore, except for the parts described below, the printing device 1B of this embodiment has the same characteristics as the printing device 1A of the first embodiment.

[0056] As described above, in the printing device 1A of the first embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 has the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 provided on the side facing the second surface M2. On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in the printing device 1B of the present embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 has the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 provided on the side facing the first surface M1. Note that, unlike the printing device 1A of the first embodiment, in the printing device 1B of the present embodiment, the conveyor belt 5 is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays. With this configuration, the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 can be arranged on the same side of the conveyor belt 5, and therefore the device configuration can be simplified.

[0057] [Example 3] Next, a printing device 1C of a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 1 of the printing device 1A of the first embodiment, and Fig. 7 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 2 of the printing device 1A of the first embodiment. In Figs. 6 and 7, components common to the first and second embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted. Here, the printing device 1C of this embodiment has the same configuration as the printing device 1 of the first and second embodiments, except for the configuration of the infrared imaging unit 30. Therefore, except for the parts described below, the printing device 1C of this embodiment has the same characteristics as the printing device 1 of the first and second embodiments.

[0058] As described above, in the printing apparatus 1 of the first and second embodiments, the infrared imaging unit 30 has the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 on the same side with respect to the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 of the medium M. On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, in the printing apparatus 1C of this embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 has the light emitting unit 31 on the side facing the first surface M1 and the light receiving unit 32 on the side facing the second surface M2. In the printing apparatus 1C of this embodiment, the conveyor belt 5 is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays, as in the printing apparatus 1B of the second embodiment. With this configuration, the printing apparatus 1C of this embodiment can arrange the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 on different sides with respect to the conveyor belt 5, making effective use of the space within the apparatus.

[0059] [Example 4] Next, the printing device 1D of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. 8 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 1 of the printing device 1A of the first embodiment, and Fig. 9 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 2 of the printing device 1A of the first embodiment. In Figs. 8 and 9, components common to the first to third embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted. Here, the printing device 1D of this embodiment has the same configuration as the printing device 1 of the first to third embodiments, except for the configuration of the infrared imaging unit 30. Therefore, except for the parts described below, the printing device 1D of this embodiment has the same characteristics as the printing device 1 of the first to third embodiments.

[0060] As described above, in the printing apparatus 1C of the third embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 has the light emitting unit 31 on the side facing the first surface M1 and the light receiving unit 32 on the side facing the second surface M2. On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, in the printing apparatus 1D of the present embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 has the light emitting unit 31 on the side facing the second surface M2 and the light receiving unit 32 on the side facing the first surface M1. In the printing apparatus 1D of the present embodiment, the conveyor belt 5 is also formed of a material that transmits infrared rays, as in the printing apparatus 1C of the third embodiment. With this configuration, the printing apparatus 1D of the present embodiment can arrange the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 on different sides of the conveyor belt 5, as in the printing apparatus 1C of the third embodiment, and effectively utilizes the space within the apparatus.

[0061] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims, and needless to say, these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...printing device (conveying device), 1A...printing device, 1B...printing device, 1C...printing device, 1D...printing device, 2...feeding section, 3...driven roller, 4...driving roller, 5...conveying belt, 5a...adhesive layer, 6...pressurizing roller, 9...cleaning section, 10...cleaning roller, 11...blade, 14...storage tank, 16...absorption roller, 20...conveying section, 30...infrared imaging section, 31...light emitting section, 32...light receiving section, 40...driving section, 41...control section, 80...holding section, 100...carriage, 101...head (printing section), I...imaging target, Le...emitted infrared light, Lr...reflected infrared light, M...medium (fabric), M1...first surface, M2...second surface, R...roll body

Claims

1. a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer for supporting a fabric as a medium, the conveyor belt conveying the fabric in a conveyance direction with a first surface of the fabric facing the adhesive layer; a printing unit that prints an image on a second surface of the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt, the second surface being opposite to the first surface; an infrared imaging unit that images an imaging target provided on the first surface by using infrared rays on the fabric transported by the transport belt; A printing device comprising:

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, a correction unit that corrects at least one of the image and a printing position of the image based on imaging data captured by the infrared imaging unit.

3. 3. The printing device according to claim 1, A printing device comprising a pressing unit that presses the fabric against the adhesive layer.

4. 3. The printing device according to claim 1, The conveyor belt is made of a material that reflects infrared rays, The printing device, wherein the infrared imaging unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on a side opposite to the second surface.

5. 3. The printing device according to claim 1, The conveyor belt is made of a material that transmits infrared rays, The printing device, wherein the infrared imaging unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays, on a side opposite to the first surface.

6. 3. The printing device according to claim 1, The conveyor belt is made of a material that transmits infrared rays, A printing device characterized in that the infrared imaging unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays on a side facing the first surface, and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on a side facing the second surface.

7. 3. The printing device according to claim 1, The conveyor belt is made of a material that transmits infrared rays, A printing device characterized in that the infrared imaging unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays on a side facing the second surface, and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on a side facing the first surface.

8. 3. The printing device according to claim 1, The printing device is characterized in that the infrared imaging unit is detachable.

9. 3. The printing device according to claim 1, 2. A printing device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging target is a print image that has been printed in advance by the printing unit.

10. a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer for supporting a fabric as a medium, the conveyor belt conveying the fabric in a conveyance direction with a first surface of the fabric facing the adhesive layer; a printing unit that prints an image on a second surface of the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt, the second surface being opposite to the first surface; A printing method for a printing device comprising: an infrared imaging step of imaging an imaging target provided on the first surface by using infrared rays on the fabric transported by the transport belt; a correction step of correcting at least one of the image and a print position of the image based on imaging data captured in the infrared imaging step; a printing step of printing the image on the fabric transported by the transport belt by the printing unit based on a correction result in the correction step; A printing method comprising the steps of:

11. 11. The printing method according to claim 10, a printing method comprising: executing, prior to the infrared imaging step, an imaging target printing step of printing the imaging target in the printing unit;

Images