Platen and press unit

Abstract

To provide a platen and a press unit which can contribute to suppression of increased rigidity of a whole object which is lifted up when being pressed.SOLUTION: A platen 10 is set to a press part which perform a press operation for pressing upward to a fixing part. The platen 10 has a platen plate 11, a platen support part 12, and press surfaces 91A, 92A. The platen plate 11 has a surface which is directed upward, the surface being a mount surface on which a printing medium is mounted. The platen support part 12 is disposed below the platen plate 11. The platen support part 12 has a pole 40 for supporting the platen plate 11 from a lower side. The press surfaces 91A, 92A are provided above a lowermost surface of the platen support part 12, and are directed downward. The press part contacts the press surfaces 91A, 92A when the press part performs press operation in a state in which the platen 10 is set on the press part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a platen and a press unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In the printer described in Patent Document 1, a print medium is placed on a platen. The platen is supported on slide rails via a slider and an elevating mechanism, and is transported along the slide rails. The print medium is pressed by a press. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-138092 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, to reduce labor costs, a press machine may press the print medium while it is placed on a platen. In this case, when the press machine presses the platen from above, pressure acts on the slide rails, potentially deforming them. For this reason, the press machine may press the platen from below. In this case, when the press machine contacts the bottom surface of the slider and lifting mechanism and presses the bottom surface upward, the slider and the entire lifting mechanism may be deformed. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the slider and the entire lifting mechanism.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a platen and a press unit that contribute to suppressing the increase in stiffness of the entire object being lifted when pressed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A platen according to a first aspect of the present invention is a platen that is set in a press unit that performs a press operation to press upward against a fixed unit, and is characterized by comprising: a platen board that has an upward-facing surface on which a print medium is placed; a platen support part that has struts that support the platen board from below and is positioned below the platen board; and a press surface that is provided above the lowest surface of the platen support part and faces downward, and that comes into contact with the press unit when the press unit performs the press operation while the platen is set in the press unit.

[0007] According to the first aspect, the press surface is located above the lowest surface of the platen support portion. Pressure from the press operation is less likely to act on the portion of the platen support portion below the press surface than on the portion above the press surface. Therefore, the portion of the platen support portion below the press surface does not require the same rigidity to withstand the pressure from the press operation as the portion above the press surface. Therefore, the platen contributes to preventing the overall platen from becoming too rigid.

[0008] The pressing surface may be parallel to the placement surface, in which case the platen contributes to the pressure from the pressing operation acting uniformly on the entire printing medium.

[0009] The platen support portion may be a tray disposed above the transport path with the platen supported by the transport path, the tray receiving any portion of the print media placed on the loading surface that hangs down from the loading surface, and the press surface may be located above the bottom surface of the tray. In this case, pressure from the press operation is less likely to act on the tray. Therefore, the platen contributes to preventing the tray from becoming too rigid.

[0010] The support pillars may include a first support pillar and a second support pillar, and the first support pillar and the second support pillar may be disposed so as to sandwich the center of the platen between them in a width direction perpendicular to the setting direction in which the platen is set in the press unit and the up-down direction. In this case, the first support pillar and the second support pillar support the platen at two points in the left-right direction, sandwiching the center of the platen between them. Therefore, the platen contributes to reducing the possibility of the placement surface tilting in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, compared to a case in which the support pillar supports the platen at one point, or compared to a case in which the first support pillar and the second support pillar support the platen at two points without sandwiching the center of the platen between them.

[0011] The press surface may be provided between the first support column and the second support column in the width direction. If the press surface is provided on one of the outer sides of the first support column and the second support column in the width direction, the pressure from the press operation may be less likely to act on the portion of the print medium farther from the press surface in the width direction. In the case of a platen, the press surface is provided between the first support column and the second support column in the width direction. Therefore, the platen contributes to ensuring that the pressure from the press operation acts uniformly on the entire print medium.

[0012] A printer support surface that contacts a transport support table included in a printer may be provided on the underside of the platen board opposite the placement surface, the transport support table supporting the platen and transporting the platen between a remote position and a printing position, the placement surface being spaced apart from a print head included in the printer that prints on the print medium in a direction intersecting the vertical direction when the platen is positioned at the remote position, and the placement surface facing the print head in the vertical direction when the platen is positioned at the printing position, the press surface being located at a position different from the printer support surface. In this case, the platen contributes to suppressing deformation of the press surface due to the press operation from affecting printing by the printer.

[0013] The press surface may include a first press surface and a second press surface, with the printer support surface sandwiched between the first press surface and the second press surface. In this case, deformation of the outer side of the platen that causes drooping due to the press operation is suppressed compared to when the printer support surface is located in a position other than between the first press surface and the second press surface. Therefore, the platen contributes to the transport support table supporting the platen on the printer support surface in a state in which the influence of drooping of the outer side of the platen that may occur due to the press operation is reduced.

[0014] In the setting direction in which the platen is set in the press unit, the upstream end of the support column may be positioned upstream of the upstream end of the press unit in the setting direction in the set state. If the upstream end of the support column were positioned downstream of the upstream end of the press unit in the set state, the upstream end of the press unit would come into contact with the print medium, which could cause the print medium to shift relative to the loading surface or wrinkle the print medium. Therefore, if the press unit performs a pressing operation with the upstream end of the press unit in contact with the print medium, adverse effects could be caused to the print medium. In the platen, the upstream end of the support column is positioned upstream of the upstream end of the press unit in the set state, which prevents the press unit from contacting the print medium. Therefore, the platen contributes to reducing the possibility of adverse effects on the print medium caused by the pressing operation.

[0015] In the set state, the support columns may be arranged on one side of the width direction, perpendicular to the set direction in which the platen is set on the press unit and the up-down direction, relative to the entire press unit. If the support columns were arranged so that they intersected the width direction relative to the press unit in the set state, one or both sides of the width direction of the press unit would come into contact with the print medium, which could cause the print medium to shift relative to the loading surface or wrinkles to form in the print medium. Therefore, if the press unit performs a pressing operation while in contact with the print medium, adverse effects could be caused to the print medium. With the platen, because the support columns are arranged on one side of the width direction relative to the entire press unit in the set state, contact of the press unit with the print medium is suppressed. Therefore, the platen contributes to suppressing the possibility of adverse effects on the print medium caused by the pressing operation.

[0016] The platen may include a block that is replaceably fixed to the underside of the platen plate opposite the mounting surface, and the press surface may be provided on the block. In this case, a user can replace the block even if the press surface is deformed. Therefore, the platen contributes to facilitating repair of the platen.

[0017] The pressing surface may be integral with the lower surface of the platen, the lower surface being opposite to the placement surface, which contributes to reducing the number of parts of the platen.

[0018] The platen support portion may have a contact surface that is provided at a position different from the press surface and that contacts the press unit in the set state. In this case, the press unit contacts the contact surface, which facilitates determining the position of the platen relative to the press unit. Therefore, the platen contributes to ensuring that pressure from the press operation is applied uniformly across the entire print medium.

[0019] A press unit according to a second aspect of the present invention is a press unit comprising: a press machine having a press section that performs a press operation to press upward against a fixed section; and a platen that is set in the press section, wherein the platen is characterized by comprising: a platen plate that has an upward-facing surface and a loading surface on which a printing medium is placed; a platen support section that has a support pillar that supports the platen plate from below and is positioned below the platen plate; and a press surface that is provided above the lowest surface of the platen support section and faces downward, and that comes into contact with the press section when the press section performs the press operation in a set state with the platen set in the press section.

[0020] The second aspect offers similar advantages as the first aspect.

[0021] The press unit may include a control unit, the platen support unit having a contact surface that is provided at a position different from the press surface and that contacts the press unit in the set state, the press machine including a sensor that detects that the contact surface has contacted the press unit, and the control unit may allow the press operation to be performed when the sensor detects that the contact surface has contacted the press unit. In this case, contact of the contact surface with the press unit makes it easier to determine the position of the platen relative to the press unit. Therefore, the press unit contributes to preventing the press operation from being performed when the position of the platen relative to the press unit has not been determined. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the platen 10 as seen from above and to the front right. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the platen 10 as seen from the lower rear left side. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the platen 10 as seen from the lower right front. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the platen 10. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the platen 10. [Figure 6]6 is a cross-sectional view of the platen 10 taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a printing system 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer 2 as seen from above and to the front left. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 2 taken along a plane passing through the shaft 22 shown in FIG. 8 and perpendicular to the left-right direction, as viewed from the right. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the platen 10 set in the mounting portion 23B. [Figure 11] 1 is a perspective view of the press 5 with the shutter 52 positioned in the open position P3, as viewed from above the front right. [Figure 12] 1 is a perspective view of the press 5 with the shutter 52 in the closed position P4, as viewed from above the right front. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device main body 50 as seen from the upper left front. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device main body 50 as seen from the upper left rear. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the platen 10 set on the press head 540, as seen from above and rear left. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the platen 10 set on the press head 540. [Figure 17] 10 is a front view showing a state in which the platen 10 is set on the press head 540 and the moving part 55 is placed at the standby position P5. [Figure 18] 10 is a right side view of the apparatus main body 50 in a state where the platen 10 is set on the press head 540 and the moving part 55 is placed at the standby position P5. [Figure 19] 10 is a right side view of the device main body 50 in a state where the platen 10 is set on the press head 540 and the moving part 55 is disposed at the press position P6. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing system 1. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart of a main process. [Figure 22] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the platen 10A taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, mechanical elements in the drawings are shown to actual scale. A platen 10 shown in FIG. 1 is used in a printing system 1 shown in FIG. 7. The printing system 1 prints on a printing medium M. The printing medium M is cloth, paper, or the like, such as a T-shirt.

[0024] The platen 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In the description of the platen 10, the upper left, lower right, lower left, upper right, upper, and lower in Figure 1 will be referred to as the left, right, front, rear, upper, and lower of the platen 10, respectively.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the platen 10 includes a platen board 11 and a support portion 12. The platen board 11 is disposed at the upper end of the platen 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the platen board 11 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and has a pentagonal shape in plan view. The platen board 11 has a mounting surface 11A and a lower surface 11B shown in Figure 3.

[0026] The placement surface 11A is provided on the upper surface of the platen 11. The placement surface 11A is flat and faces upward. The print medium M is placed on the placement surface 11A. Hereinafter, placing the print medium M on the placement surface 11A will also be expressed as "the print medium M is set on the platen 10." The print medium M set on the platen 10, i.e., the print medium M placed on the placement surface 11A, will also be expressed as "the print medium M on the platen 11." The print medium M is not shown in figures other than Figures 1, 2, 7, 9, 18, and 19. In this embodiment, if the print medium M is, for example, a T-shirt, the print medium M is set on the platen 10 so that the neck of the T-shirt faces forward of the platen 10. In this case, the front end 111 of the platen 11 is inserted into the torso of the T-shirt via the hem of the T-shirt. The print medium M may be set on the platen 10 so that the neck of the T-shirt faces the rear of the platen 10.

[0027] 3, the lower surface 11B is the surface of the platen 11 opposite to the placement surface 11A in the up-down direction and is parallel to the placement surface 11A. The lower surface 11B has a flat shape and faces downward.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the support portion 12 is the entire portion of the platen 10 that is positioned below the platen board 11. The support portion 12 includes a support column 40 and a tray 60. The support column 40 extends downward from the platen board 11 and supports the platen board 11 from below. The support column 40 has a right plate 41, a left plate 42, an upper plate 43, a connecting plate 44 shown in FIG. 2, and a contact plate 45 shown in FIG. 2. The right plate 41 is positioned at the right end of the support column 40.

[0029] 1 and 4, the right plate 41 extends downward from the platen 11 and also extends in the front-to-rear direction. The right plate 41 extends from a position rearward of the front end 111 of the platen 11 to a position rearward of the rear end 112 of the platen 11. The front end of the right plate 41 is disposed at the front end of the support pillar 40.

[0030] The front end of the right plate 41 is provided with a vertical portion 41A, an inclined portion 41B, and a cutout portion 41C. The vertical portion 41A extends downward from the upper end of the right plate 41. The inclined portion 41B extends downward from the lower end of the vertical portion 41A toward the rear. The cutout portion 41C extends rearward from the lower end of the inclined portion 41B, forming a cutout in the right plate 41.

[0031] 2, the left plate 42 is aligned to the left of the right plate 41 and is disposed at the left end of the support column 40. The shape of the left plate 42 is the same as the shape of the right plate 41. The left plate 42 extends downward from the platen 11 and also extends in the front-to-rear direction. The left plate 42 extends from a position rearward of the front end 111 of the platen 11 to a position rearward of the rear end 112 of the platen 11.

[0032] The front end of the left plate 42 is located at the same position as the front end of the right plate 41 in the front-to-rear direction, and is located at the front end of the support pillar 40. The front end of the left plate 42 is provided with a vertical portion 42A, an inclined portion 42B, and a cutout portion 42C shown in FIG. 3. The vertical portion 42A shown in FIG. 3 extends downward from the upper end of the left plate 42. The inclined portion 42B extends downward from the lower end of the vertical portion 42A toward the rear. The cutout portion 42C extends rearward from the lower end of the inclined portion 42B, forming a cutout in the left plate 42.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the center line C is an imaginary line that passes through the center between the right end 113 and the left end 114 of the platen 11 in the left-right direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The right plate 41 is disposed between the center line C and the right end 113 of the platen 11 in the left-right direction. The left plate 42 is disposed between the center line C and the left end 114 of the platen 11 in the left-right direction. In the left-right direction, the distance from the center line C to the right plate 41 and the distance from the center line C to the left plate 42 are the same. The right plate 41 and the left plate 42 are disposed with the center line C sandwiched between them in the left-right direction.

[0034] 1 and 2, the upper plate 43 is disposed at the rear of the support column 40 and extends in the front-to-rear and up-down directions. The right end of the upper plate 43 is connected to the upper end of the right plate 41. The left end of the upper plate 43 is connected to the upper end of the left plate 42.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting plate 44 is disposed between the right plate 41 and the left plate 42, and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The connecting plate 44 is disposed above and adjacent to the cutout portions 41C and 42C. The right end of the connecting plate 44 is connected to the right plate 41. The left end of the connecting plate 44 is connected to the left plate 42. The front end of the connecting plate 44 is disposed rearward of each of the inclined portions 41B and 42B. The rear end of the connecting plate 44 is disposed adjacent to the rear ends of each of the cutout portions 41C and 42C.

[0036] The contact plate 45 is disposed between the right plate 41 and the left plate 42. The contact plate 45 extends downward from the rear end of the connecting plate 44 and also extends in the left-right direction. The right end of the contact plate 45 is connected to the right plate 41. The left end of the contact plate 45 is connected to the left plate 42. The lower end of the contact plate 45 is disposed at the same position as the lower ends of the right plate 41 and the left plate 42.

[0037] Hereinafter, the space defined by the right plate 41, the left plate 42, the upper plate 43, the connecting plate 44, and the contact plate 45 will be referred to as the "insertion space 49." The insertion space 49 penetrates the support column 40 in the front-to-rear direction. A mounting unit 23B of the printer 2 (described later and shown in FIG. 8) or a press head 540 of the press machine 5 (described later and shown in FIG. 13) is inserted into the insertion space 49. In this embodiment, inserting the mounting unit 23B into the insertion space 49 and inserting the press head 540 into the insertion space 49 are also referred to as "inserting the mounting unit 23B into the platen 10" and "inserting the press head 540 into the platen 10," respectively.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the tray 60 is disposed at the bottom of the support portion 12. The tray 60 receives a portion M1 of the print medium M placed on the placement surface 11A that hangs down from the placement surface 11A. This prevents the hanging portion M1 from coming into contact with a conveying surface 70 of the conveying device 7, which will be described later and is shown in Figure 7. The tray 60 has a bottom plate 61, a right plate 62, a left plate 63, a front plate 64, and a back plate 65.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom plate 61 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and has a U-shape that opens rearward in bottom view. The lower surface of the bottom plate 61 is the lower surface of the tray 60. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a recess 61A is provided in the bottom plate 61. The recess 61A is recessed forward from the rear end of the bottom plate 61. As shown in FIG. 2, the right end of the recess 61A is connected to the lower end of the right plate 41. The left end of the recess 61A is connected to the lower end of the left plate 42. The front end of the recess 61A is connected to the lower end of the contact plate 45.

[0040] 4 and 5, the bottom plate 61 is disposed at the lower end of the platen 10. In other words, the lower surface of the bottom plate 61 forms the lowermost surface of the support portion 12. In other words, there are no members that integrally form the support portion 12 below the lower surface of the bottom plate 61.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1 , the right plate 62 extends upward from the right end of the bottom plate 61 and also extends in the front-to-rear direction. The right plate 62 is disposed at the right end of the platen 10. The left plate 63 extends upward from the left end of the bottom plate 61 and also extends in the front-to-rear direction. The left plate 63 is disposed at the left end of the platen 10. The front plate 64 extends upward from the front end of the bottom plate 61 and also extends in the left-to-right direction. The front plate 64 is disposed at the front end of the platen 10.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, the upper ends of the right plate 62, the left plate 63 shown in Figure 5, and the front plate 64 are positioned between the lower and upper ends of the cutout portion 41C and the cutout portion 42C shown in Figure 5 in the vertical direction.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the back plate 65 extends upward from the rear end of the bottom plate 61 and also extends in the left-right direction. The back plate 65 is disposed at the rear end of the platen 10. As shown in Figure 2, a recess 65A is provided in the back plate 65. The recess 65A is recessed upward from the lower end of the back plate 65. The right end of the recess 65A is connected to the rear end of the right plate 41. The left end of the recess 65A is connected to the rear end of the left plate 42. The upper end of the recess 65A is connected to the rear end of the top plate 43. The recess 65A forms the rear end of the insertion space 49.

[0044] 3 and 6, the platen 10 includes a plurality of blocks 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, and 98. Each of the plurality of blocks 91 to 98 is provided on the lower surface 11B of the platen 11 and protrudes downward from the lower surface 11B. Note that, for example, the block 91 being provided on the lower surface 11B of the platen 11 includes a case where the block 91 is provided directly on the lower surface 11B of the platen 11 and a case where the block 91 is provided on the lower surface 11B of the platen 11 via a spacer plate.

[0045] 6, the blocks 91 to 98 are each disposed at a position that overlaps the platen 11 in the up-down direction. That is, the blocks 91 to 98 are each disposed within an area surrounded by the outline of the platen 11. The blocks 91 to 98 are each disposed between the right plate 41 and the left plate 42 in the left-right direction.

[0046] The block 91 is disposed between the right plate 41 and the center line C in the left-right direction. In FIG. 4, the block 91 hidden by the right plate 41 is shown with hidden lines. As shown in FIG. 4, the block 91 extends in the front-rear direction between the rear vicinity of the vertical portion 41A and the front vicinity of the front end of the upper plate 43. As shown in FIG. 6, the block 91 is fixed to the lower surface 11B of the platen 11 by screws 911. The block 91 has a press surface 91A. The press surface 91A is provided on the lower surface of the block 91. The press surface 91A is flat and faces downward.

[0047] The block 92 is disposed between the left plate 42 and the center line C in the left-right direction. The block 92 extends in the front-rear direction between the rear vicinity of the vertical portion 42A shown in FIG. 3 and the front vicinity of the front end of the upper plate 43. The block 92 is fixed to the lower surface 11B of the platen 11 by screws 921. The block 92 has a pressing surface 92A. The pressing surface 92A is provided on the lower surface of the block 92. The pressing surface 92A is flat and faces downward.

[0048] The block 93 is disposed on the center line C at the rear of the platen 11. In this embodiment, "a member is disposed on the center line C" does not only mean that the member is disposed so that the center line C passes through the center of the member, but also means that the member is disposed so that the center line C passes through any position on the member. For example, the block 93 is disposed so that the center line C passes between the center of the block 93 in the left-right direction and the left end of the block 93. The same applies to blocks 96, 97, and 98, which will be described later.

[0049] The block 93 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the vertical direction. The block 93 is fixed to the lower surface 11B of the platen 11 with screws 931. The block 93 has a pressing surface 93A. The pressing surface 93A is provided on the lower surface of the block 93. The pressing surface 93A has a flat shape and faces downward.

[0050] The block 94 is disposed in front of the platen 11. The block 94 is disposed between the right plate 41 and the center line C in the left-right direction, and disposed to the left of the block 91. The block 94 extends rearward in the front-rear direction from approximately the same position as the front end of the block 91. The front-rear length of the block 94 is shorter than the front-rear length of the block 91, and is approximately 1 / 4 of the front-rear length of the block 91. The block 94 is fixed to the lower surface 11B of the platen 11 with screws 941. The block 94 has a support surface 94A. The support surface 94A is provided on the lower surface of the block 94. The support surface 94A is flat and faces downward.

[0051] The block 95 is disposed in front of the platen 11. The block 95 is disposed between the left plate 42 and the center line C in the left-right direction, and disposed to the right of the block 92. The block 95 extends rearward in the front-rear direction from approximately the same position as the front end of the block 92. The front-rear length of the block 95 is shorter than the front-rear length of the block 92, and is approximately 1 / 4 of the front-rear length of the block 92. The block 95 is fixed to the lower surface 11B of the platen 11 with screws 951. The block 95 has a support surface 95A. The support surface 95A is provided on the lower surface of the block 95. The support surface 95A is flat and faces downward.

[0052] The block 96 is disposed on the center line C at the rear of the platen 11. The block 96 is disposed rearward of the blocks 94 and 95, and forward of the block 93. The block 96 extends in the front-to-rear direction. The front-to-rear length of the block 96 is shorter than the front-to-rear length of the blocks 91 and 92, and is approximately 1 / 4 of the front-to-rear length of the blocks 91 and 92. The block 96 is fixed to the lower surface 11B of the platen 11 by a screw 961. The block 96 has a support surface 96A. The support surface 96A is provided on the lower surface of the block 96. The support surface 96A is flat and faces downward.

[0053] The block 97 is disposed on the center line C in the front portion of the platen 11. The block 97 is provided with a recess 97A. The recess 97A is recessed rearward from the front surface of the block 97 and includes a pair of opposing surfaces. The pair of opposing surfaces of the recess 97A face each other in the left-right direction and widen in the left-right direction as they move forward. The block 97 is fixed to the underside 11B of the platen 11 with screws 971.

[0054] The block 98 is disposed on the center line C in the center of the platen 11. The block 98 is disposed between the blocks 97 and 96 in the front-to-rear direction. The block 98 is provided with a recess 98A. The recess 98A is recessed forward from the rear surface of the block 98 and includes a pair of opposing surfaces. The pair of opposing surfaces of the recess 98A face each other in the left-to-right direction and widen in the left-to-right direction as they extend rearward. The block 98 is fixed to the underside 11B of the platen 11 with screws 981.

[0055] As described above, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are provided between the right plate 41 and the left plate 42 in the left-right direction. The press surfaces 91A and 92A are provided with the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A sandwiched between them. The press surface 91A is provided at a different position from the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A in the left-right and front-rear directions. Similarly, the press surfaces 92A and 93A are provided at different positions from the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A in the left-right and front-rear directions. The center line C passes over the press surface 93A, the support surface 96A, and the recesses 97A and 98A in this order from rear to front.

[0056] When the platen 10 is set on the press head 540 (described later) shown in FIG. 16 and the press head 540 performs a pressing operation (described later), press surfaces 581A, 582A, 583A of the press head 540 come into contact with the press surfaces 91A, 92A, 93A, respectively. When the platen 10 is attached to the mounting portion 23B (described later) shown in FIG. 10, support surfaces 231A, 232A, 233A of the mounting portion 23B come into contact with the support surfaces 94A, 95A, 96A, respectively. When the platen 10 is attached to the mounting portion 23B (described later) shown in FIG. 10, protrusions 234 and 235 of the mounting portion 23B fit into the recesses 97A and 98A, respectively.

[0057] For example, when the screw 911 is removed, the block 91 comes off from the platen 11. Therefore, the block 91 is replaceable with respect to the platen 11. Similarly, the blocks 92 to 98 are also replaceable with respect to the platen 11. The user may replace the block 91 when, for example, the block 91 is worn down by a pressing operation described below.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 5, support surfaces 94A and 95A are positioned at the same height in the vertical direction. Similarly, support surface 96A shown in Fig. 6 is positioned at the same height in the vertical direction as support surfaces 94A and 95A. In other words, support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A are positioned on the same plane.

[0059] The press surfaces 91A and 92A are positioned at the same height in the vertical direction. Similarly, the press surface 93A shown in Fig. 6 is positioned at the same height in the vertical direction as the press surfaces 91A and 92A. In other words, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are positioned on the same plane.

[0060] The press surfaces 91A, 92A are located above the lower surface of the bottom plate 61, i.e., the lowermost surface of the support portion 12. Similarly, the press surface 93A shown in FIG. 6 is located above the lower surface of the bottom plate 61, i.e., the lowermost surface of the support portion 12. In this embodiment, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, 93A are located above the upper surface of the connecting plate 44.

[0061] The press surfaces 91A and 92A are positioned lower than the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A in the vertical direction. Similarly, the press surface 93A shown in Fig. 6 is positioned lower than the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A in the vertical direction. In other words, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are positioned on a different plane from the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A in the vertical direction.

[0062] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the press surface 91A is parallel to the placement surface 11A. As shown in Figure 5, the press surface 92A is parallel to the placement surface 11A. Similarly, the press surface 93A shown in Figure 6 is also parallel to the placement surface 11A. The support surfaces 94A and 95A are parallel to the placement surface 11A. Similarly, the support surface 96A shown in Figure 6 is also parallel to the placement surface 11A.

[0063] The printing system 1 will be described with reference to Figure 7. In describing the printing system 1, the upper, lower, left, right, back of the page, and front of the page in Figure 7 will be referred to as the rear, front, left, right, lower, and upper sides of the printing system 1, respectively. The printing system 1 is a system that transports multiple platens 10 and sequentially performs a coating process, a surface treatment, and a printing process on printing media M set on each of the multiple platens 10 in the order of coating process, surface treatment, and printing process. Details of each process will be described later.

[0064] The printing system 1 includes a platen 10, a printer 2, a coating device 3, a press 5, and a conveying device 7. For simplicity of explanation, the description will be given assuming that there is one each of the printer 2, coating device 3, and press 5, but there may be more than one of each. The printer 2, coating device 3, and press 5 are arranged in the order of coating device 3, press 5, and printer 2 from front to rear.

[0065] The printer 2 is a device that performs printing processing, and in this embodiment is an inkjet printer. The printing processing is a process of applying liquid ink to a printing medium M to print an image. The detailed structure of the printer 2 will be described later.

[0066] The coating device 3 is a device that performs a coating process. The coating process is performed before the printing process. The coating process is a process in which a treatment liquid is applied to the print medium M. The treatment liquid is a base coating agent, such as an aqueous solution containing a cationic polymer or a polyvalent metal salt. The polyvalent metal salt is, for example, calcium chloride or calcium nitrite. The treatment liquid improves the fixation of ink to the print medium M and the color development of the ink.

[0067] The coating device 3 includes a coating unit 31. In this embodiment, the coating unit 31 is a spray, and sprays the treatment liquid when driven by a drive unit 3A shown in Figure 20. The drive unit 3A is configured by, for example, a compressor and a solenoid valve. Note that the coating unit 31 may also be a discharge head, a coating spatula, or the like.

[0068] In the coating device 3, the platen 10 is disposed directly below the coating unit 31, and the coating unit 31 sprays the treatment liquid onto the printing medium M placed on the platen 11. In this way, a coating process is performed in which the treatment liquid is applied to the printing medium M.

[0069] The press 5 is a device that performs surface treatment. The surface treatment is performed after the coating process and before the printing process. By performing surface treatment, the press 5 improves the printing quality on the print medium M. The surface treatment makes the surface condition of the print medium M uniform. For example, the surface treatment smoothes out any unevenness on the surface of the print medium M to make it flat. For example, if the print medium M is a fabric, the press 5 flattens the nap of the print medium M during surface treatment, smoothing out any unevenness on the surface of the print medium M to make it flat.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the surface treatment includes a heat press process. The heat press process is a process in which the print medium M is pressurized at high temperature to evaporate the water in the treatment liquid. This improves the fixation of the solute in the treatment liquid to the print medium M. The detailed structure of the press machine 5 will be described later.

[0071] For example, before the surface treatment, a drying process may be performed using a dryer (not shown). The drying process dries the printing medium M in a high-temperature atmosphere, thereby evaporating the water content in the treatment liquid applied to the printing medium M in the application process.

[0072] The conveying device 7 forms a conveying path for the platen 10 and conveys the platen 10 so that the coating process, surface treatment, and printing process are performed in sequence. When the platen 10 is supported by the conveying device 7, the conveying device 7 is disposed below the lowermost surface of the support unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 . A conveying surface 70 is formed on the upper surface of the conveying device 7. The conveying surface 70 is located at the upper end of the conveying device 7 and faces upward. When the platen 10 is supported by the conveying device 7, the conveying surface 70 contacts the lowermost surface of the support unit 12, which in this embodiment is the lower surface of the tray 60. In other words, when the platen 10 is supported by the conveying device 7, the tray 60 is disposed above the conveying surface 70.

[0073] The transport device 7 includes a main path 71, delivery mechanisms 83 to 85, and branch paths 87 and 88. The main path 71 has a two-story structure and includes an outgoing path 72, a returning path (not shown), and elevator mechanisms 74 and 75.

[0074] The outgoing path 72 is on the second floor and is located to the left of the printer 2, the coating device 3, and the press 5. The outgoing path 72 extends in the front-to-rear direction from in front of the coating device 3 to behind the printer 2. The returning path is on the first floor and extends in the front-to-rear direction from in front of the coating device 3 to behind the printer 2. In other words, the returning path is located directly below the outgoing path 72 and extends parallel to it.

[0075] The outgoing path 72 transports the platen 10 from front to rear by driving a transport motor 7A for the outgoing path 72 shown in FIG. 20. In this embodiment, the outgoing path 72 is composed of a pair of belt conveyors 721, 722. The belt conveyor 721 is disposed at the left end of the outgoing path 72. The belt conveyor 722 is disposed at the right end of the outgoing path 72. The pair of belt conveyors 721, 722 extend parallel to each other in the front-to-rear direction. The rotation axes of the pair of belt conveyors 721, 722 extend in the left-to-right direction. The upper ends of the pair of belt conveyors 721, 722 form the transport surface 70. The return path has a similar structure to the outgoing path 72. The return path transports the platen 10 from rear to front by driving a transport motor 7A for the return path shown in FIG. 20.

[0076] The elevator mechanism 74 is disposed at the front end of the main path 71. The elevator mechanism 75 is disposed at the rear end of the main path 71. Therefore, the outgoing path 72 and the returning path are located between the elevator mechanisms 74 and 75 in the front-to-rear direction. The elevator mechanisms 74 and 75 are raised and lowered to a position at the same height as the outgoing path 72 (second floor) and a position at the same height as the returning path (first floor) by driving the respective lift motors 7B shown in FIG. 20. Furthermore, the elevator mechanisms 74 and 75 transport the platen 10 in the front-to-rear direction by driving the respective transport motors 7A shown in FIG. 20.

[0077] In this embodiment, the elevator mechanism 74 is composed of a pair of belt conveyors 741, 742. The belt conveyor 741 is located at the left end of the elevator mechanism 74. The belt conveyor 742 is located at the right end of the elevator mechanism 74. The pair of belt conveyors 741, 742 extend parallel to each other in the front-to-rear direction. The rotation axes of the pair of belt conveyors 741, 742 extend in the left-to-right direction. The upper ends of the pair of belt conveyors 741, 742 form the conveying surface 70. The elevator mechanism 75 has a structure similar to that of the elevator mechanism 74. Therefore, a description of the structure of the elevator mechanism 75 will be omitted.

[0078] The delivery mechanisms 83 to 85 are disposed between the pair of belt conveyors 721, 722 in the left-right direction. The delivery mechanisms 83 to 85 are lined up on the outgoing path 72 from front to rear in the order of delivery mechanisms 83, 84, 85. The delivery mechanisms 83 to 85 each transport the platen 10 in the left-right direction. The delivery mechanism 83 delivers the platen 10 between the outgoing path 72 and a branch path 87, which will be described later. The delivery mechanism 84 delivers the platen 10 between the outgoing path 72 and a branch path 88, which will be described later. The delivery mechanism 85 delivers the platen 10 between the outgoing path 72 and a transport support table 23 of the printer 2, which will be described later.

[0079] The delivery mechanisms 83 and 85 each have a similar structure to the delivery mechanism 84. Therefore, the following description will focus on the structure of the delivery mechanism 84, and will omit a description of the structures of the delivery mechanisms 83 and 85. In this embodiment, the delivery mechanism 84 is raised and lowered between a position below the outgoing path 72 and a position above the outgoing path 72 by driving an elevation motor 7B of the delivery mechanism 84 shown in FIG. 20 . Furthermore, the delivery mechanism 84 rotates the platen 10 on the delivery mechanism 84 clockwise or counterclockwise in a plan view by driving a rotation motor (not shown). The delivery mechanism 84 switches the orientation of the platen 10 so that the rear of the platen 10, i.e., the rear surface of the back panel 65, faces the traveling direction of the platen 10.

[0080] In this embodiment, the delivery mechanism 84 is composed of a pair of belt conveyors 841, 842. The belt conveyor 841 is disposed at the front end of the delivery mechanism 84. The belt conveyor 842 is disposed at the rear end of the delivery mechanism 84. The pair of belt conveyors 841, 842 extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction. The rotation axes of the pair of belt conveyors 841, 842 extend in the front-rear direction. The upper ends of the pair of belt conveyors 841, 842 form the conveying surface 70.

[0081] The branch path 87 is disposed to the right of the delivery mechanism 83, and branches off to the right from the main path 71. The branch path 87 is disposed inside the coating device 3. The branch path 88 is disposed to the right of the delivery mechanism 84, and branches off to the right from the main path 71. The branch path 88 is disposed inside the press machine 5. The branch paths 87 and 88 each transport the platen 10 in the left and right directions.

[0082] The branch path 87 has a similar structure to the branch path 88. Therefore, the following will describe the structure of the branch path 88, and will omit the description of the structure of the branch path 87. In this embodiment, the branch path 88 is composed of a pair of belt conveyors 881, 882. The belt conveyor 881 is disposed at the front end of the branch path 88. The belt conveyor 882 is disposed at the rear end of the branch path 88. The pair of belt conveyors 881, 882 extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction. The rotation axes of the pair of belt conveyors 881, 882 extend in the front-rear direction. The upper ends of the pair of belt conveyors 881, 882 form the conveying surface 70.

[0083] The following describes the flow of operations performed by the printing system 1. For convenience, it is assumed below that when the printing system 1 starts its operations, the delivery mechanisms 83 to 85 are each located below the outgoing path 72, and the elevator mechanisms 74 and 75 are each located at the same height as the outgoing path 72.

[0084] In this embodiment, when the platen 10 is placed on the elevator mechanism 74, the rear of the platen 10 shown in FIG. 1, i.e., the rear surface of the back panel 65, faces the rear of the printing system 1. Note that when the platen 10 is placed on the elevator mechanism 74, the rear of the platen 10 may face the front of the printing system 1, or may face the left or right. With the platen 10 placed on the elevator mechanism 74, the user sets the print medium M on the platen 10. The elevator mechanism 74 transports the platen 10 rearward and hands it over to the outbound path 72.

[0085] The outgoing path 72 transports the platen 10 backward to the delivery mechanism 83. The delivery mechanism 83 rises to a position higher than the outgoing path 72. As a result, the platen 10 is delivered from the outgoing path 72 to the delivery mechanism 83. The delivery mechanism 83 rotates the platen 10 clockwise by 90° in a plan view, and transports the platen 10 to the right to the branch path 87. The delivery mechanism 83 descends to a position lower than the branch path 87. As a result, the platen 10 is delivered from the delivery mechanism 83 to the branch path 87. The coating device 3 performs a coating process.

[0086] When the coating process by the coating device 3 is completed, the branch path 87 transports the platen 10 to the left to the delivery mechanism 83. The delivery mechanism 83 rises to a position higher than the branch path 87. As a result, the platen 10 is delivered from the branch path 87 to the delivery mechanism 83. The delivery mechanism 83 rotates the platen 10 by 90° counterclockwise in a plan view, and descends to a position lower than the outgoing path 72. As a result, the platen 10 is delivered from the delivery mechanism 83 to the outgoing path 72.

[0087] The manner in which the platen 10 is transferred by each of the transfer mechanisms 84 and 85 is the same as the manner in which the platen 10 is transferred by the transfer mechanism 83. Therefore, in the following, a description of the transfer of the platen 10 by each of the transfer mechanisms 84 and 85 will be omitted or simplified.

[0088] The outgoing path 72 transports the platen 10 rearward and hands it over to the delivery mechanism 84. The delivery mechanism 84 transports the platen 10 to the right and hands it over to the branching path 88. The press 5 performs surface treatment. When the surface treatment by the press 5 is completed, the branching path 88 transports the platen 10 leftward and hands it over to the delivery mechanism 84. The delivery mechanism 84 hands the platen 10 back to the outgoing path 72.

[0089] The outgoing path 72 transports the platen 10 backward to the delivery mechanism 85. The platen 10 is delivered from the outgoing path 72 to the delivery mechanism 85. The delivery mechanism 85 transports the platen 10 to the right and delivers it to the transport support table 23, which will be described later. The printer 2 performs the printing process. When the printing process by the printer 2 is completed, the transport support table 23 transports the platen 10 to the left and delivers it to the delivery mechanism 85. The delivery mechanism 85 delivers the platen 10 to the outgoing path 72.

[0090] The outgoing path 72 transports the platen 10 rearward and hands it over to an elevator mechanism 75. The elevator mechanism 75 descends to the same height as the returning path (not shown). The elevator mechanism 75 transports the platen 10 forward and hands it over to the returning path. On the returning path, the platen 10 is transported forward and hands over to the elevator mechanism 74, with the elevator mechanism 74 positioned at the same height as on the returning path.

[0091] The user removes the print medium M with the image printed thereon from the platen 10 while the platen 10 is being transported from the elevator mechanism 75 to the elevator mechanism 74 via the return path. For example, the user removes the print medium M with the image printed thereon from the platen 10 while the platen 10 is placed on the elevator mechanism 75. Thereafter, the user sets the next print medium M on the platen 10 while the platen 10 is placed on the elevator mechanism 74. Thereafter, the printing system 1 repeats the same operations.

[0092] The detailed structure of the printer 2 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. In describing the printer 2, the lower left, upper right, lower right, upper left, upper, and lower in Figure 8 will respectively refer to the left, right, front, rear, upper, and lower of the printer 2. The front of the printer 2 shown in Figure 8 is the left of the printing system 1 shown in Figure 7.

[0093] 8 and 9, the printer 2 includes a frame 21, shafts 22, a transport support table 23, guide rails 24A and 24B, a carriage 25, and multiple inkjet heads 26. The frame 21 is configured with multiple shafts in a lattice pattern. A platen opening 21A is formed in the frame 21. The platen opening 21A extends rearward from the center of the front surface of the frame 21.

[0094] The shaft 22 is disposed below the platen opening 21A and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The shaft 22 supports the transport support table 23. The transport support table 23 is disposed within the platen opening 21A when viewed from the front. The transport support table 23 is driven by a sub-scanning motor (not shown) to move in the front-to-rear direction along the shaft 22 between a separation position P1 and a printing position P2 (described later) shown in FIG.

[0095] The transport support table 23 has a base portion 23A and an attachment portion 23B. The base portion 23A has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and extends in the vertical direction. The lower end of the base portion 23A is connected to the shaft 22. The attachment portion 23B has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and extends forward from the upper end of the base portion 23A. The platen 10 can be detachably attached to the attachment portion 23B. Figure 8 shows a state in which the platen 10 is not attached to the attachment portion 23B. Figures 9 and 10 show a state in which the platen 10 is attached to the attachment portion 23B. When the platen 10 is attached to the attachment portion 23B, the attachment portion 23B supports the platen 10.

[0096] 8 and 10, mounting portion 23B has protrusions 231, 232, 233, 234, and 235. Protrusion 231 is located at the front right corner of the upper surface of mounting portion 23B. Protrusion 231 has a cylindrical shape and protrudes upward from the upper surface of mounting portion 23B. A support surface 231A is provided on the upper surface of protrusion 231. Support surface 231A has a flat shape and faces upward.

[0097] Protrusion 232 is located at the front left corner of the upper surface of mounting portion 23B. Protrusion 232 is cylindrical and protrudes upward from the upper surface of mounting portion 23B. Support surface 232A is provided on the upper surface of protrusion 232. Support surface 232A is flat and faces upward. Protrusion 233 is located in the center of the upper surface of mounting portion 23B. Protrusion 233 is cylindrical and protrudes upward from the upper surface of mounting portion 23B. Support surface 233A is provided on the upper surface of protrusion 233. Support surface 233A is flat and faces upward.

[0098] Protrusion 234 is located at the front end of the upper surface of mounting portion 23B, and is located between protrusions 231 and 232 in the left-right direction. Protrusion 234 is cylindrical and protrudes upward from the upper surface of mounting portion 23B. Protrusion 235 is located in the center of the upper surface of mounting portion 23B in the left-right direction, and is located between protrusions 233 and 234 in the front-rear direction. Protrusion 235 is cylindrical and protrudes upward from the upper surface of mounting portion 23B. Protrusion 235 is supported by mounting portion 23B so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

[0099] Guide rail 24A is provided above platen opening 21A and is fixed to frame 21. Guide rail 24A extends in the left-right direction. Guide rail 24B is provided behind guide rail 24A. Guide rail 24B is provided above platen opening 21A and is fixed to frame 21. Guide rail 24B extends in the left-right direction.

[0100] The carriage 25 is located between the guide rails 24A and 24B in the front-to-rear direction. The carriage 25 is a plate that extends in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. The carriage 25 is supported by the guide rails 24A and 24B. The carriage 25 moves left-to-right along the guide rails 24A and 24B by being driven by a main scanning motor (not shown).

[0101] The inkjet heads 26 are mounted on the carriage 25 and are aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The inkjet heads 26 move in the left-to-right direction together with the carriage 25. Hereinafter, the area of ​​movement of the inkjet heads 26 in a plan view that overlaps with the movement area of ​​the platen 10 attached to the attachment portion 23B is referred to as the "printing area R."

[0102] 9, a nozzle surface 26A is formed on the lower surface of the inkjet head 26. The nozzle surface 26A is exposed downward from an opening (not shown) provided in the carriage 25. A plurality of nozzles (not shown) are provided on the nozzle surface 26A.

[0103] The multiple inkjet heads 26 eject ink downward from nozzles. For example, the multiple inkjet heads 26 include heads that eject color inks (cyan, magenta, yellow, or black). The color inks are used to print color images. The multiple inkjet heads 26 may include a head that ejects white ink, or may include a head that ejects pre-treatment liquid or post-treatment liquid. The white ink is used as a base for the color image to be printed, or is used to print the color image. The number of the multiple inkjet heads 26 is not limited to a specific number and may be, for example, one.

[0104] The following describes the mounting of the platen 10 in the mounting unit 23B and printing in the printer 2. As shown in Figure 8, the platen 10 is transported from front to rear toward the mounting unit 23B by the delivery mechanism 85, with the rear of the platen 10 facing the rear of the printer 2. When the platen 10 is transported to the mounting unit 23B, the mounting unit 23B is inserted into the insertion space 49.

[0105] The conveyance direction of the platen 10 when the mounting unit 23B is inserted into the platen 10 is from the front to the rear. In other words, the front of the platen 10 is upstream in the conveyance direction of the platen 10 when the mounting unit 23B is inserted into the platen 10, and the rear of the platen 10 is downstream in the conveyance direction of the platen 10 when the mounting unit 23B is inserted into the platen 10.

[0106] In FIG. 10, the mounting unit 23B is shown with a solid line, and the platen 10 is shown with a virtual line. In FIG. 10, blocks 91 to 98 on the platen 10 that are hidden by the platen board 11 are shown with hidden lines. As shown in FIG. 10, when the mounting unit 23B is inserted into the platen 10, the support surface 94A faces the support surface 231A from above with a gap therebetween, the support surface 95A faces the support surface 232A from above with a gap therebetween, and the support surface 96A faces the support surface 233A from above with a gap therebetween. When the delivery mechanism 85 is lowered in this state, the support surface 94A contacts the support surface 231A from above, the support surface 95A contacts the support surface 232A from above, and the support surface 96A contacts the support surface 233A from above. As a result, the mounting unit 23B supports the platen 10, and the position of the platen 10 relative to the mounting unit 23B is determined in the vertical direction.

[0107] Furthermore, block 97 is disposed behind protrusion 234, and block 98 is disposed in front of protrusion 235. In this state, when protrusion 235 is urged forward by a urging member (not shown), protrusion 235 moves forward relative to protrusion 234 as shown by arrow A1 and fits into recess 98A. As protrusion 235 moves further forward, it moves the platen 10 forward. Protrusion 235 moves the platen 10 forward until protrusion 234 fits into recess 97A. Protrusion 235 presses block 97 against protrusion 97E via block 98. This determines the position of the platen 10 relative to mounting portion 23B in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions, and the platen 10 is mounted to mounting portion 23B.

[0108] In this embodiment, when the platen 10 is attached to the attachment portion 23B, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are positioned above and away from the top surface of the attachment portion 23B. Furthermore, the press surface 91A is positioned to the right of the right end of the attachment portion 23B, and the press surface 92A is positioned to the left of the left end of the attachment portion 23B. Therefore, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A do not come into contact with the attachment portion 23B.

[0109] 9, the transport support base 23 transports the platen 10 to the separated position P1 and the printing position P2. In Fig. 9, the platen 10 attached to the mounting unit 23B and positioned at the separated position P1 is shown by a solid line, and the platen 10 attached to the mounting unit 23B and positioned at the printing position P2 is shown by a virtual line.

[0110] When the platen 10 is positioned at the separated position P1, the mounting surface 11A is spaced away from the multiple inkjet heads 26 to one side in the sub-scanning direction, that is, forward in this embodiment. When the platen 10 is positioned at the printing position P2, the platen 10 is positioned in the printing region R. Therefore, when the platen 10 is positioned at the printing position P2 with the multiple inkjet heads 26 positioned in the printing region R, the mounting surface 11A faces the multiple inkjet heads 26 in the vertical direction. In detail, when the platen 10 is positioned at the printing position P2, the mounting surface 11A faces the nozzle surface 26A of at least one of the multiple inkjet heads 26 from below.

[0111] The operation in which one or both of the inkjet heads 26 eject ink from their nozzles while the carriage 25 transports the multiple inkjet heads 26 in the left-right direction is called a "main scan." The operation in which the transport support base 23 transports the platen 10 a predetermined distance in the front-to-rear direction is called a "sub scan." The printer 2 prints on the print medium M by repeating main scans and sub scans with the multiple inkjet heads 26 positioned in the print region R and the platen 10 positioned at print position P2. In this case, ink ejected from each of the multiple inkjet heads 26 during the main scan lands on the print medium M on the platen 11, forming an image on the print medium M.

[0112] The detailed structure of the press 5 will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 19. In describing the press 5, the upper left, lower right, lower left, upper right, upper, and lower in Figure 11 will be referred to as the left, right, front, rear, upper, and lower of the press 5, respectively. The front of the press 5 shown in Figure 11 is the left of the printing system 1 shown in Figure 7.

[0113] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the press machine 5 includes a housing 51, a shutter 52, and a device main body 50 shown in Figure 12. The housing 51 has a rectangular box shape and covers the device main body 50. An opening 51A shown in Figure 11 is provided on the front surface of the housing 51. The opening 51A is larger than the outer shape of the platen 10 when viewed from the front, and has a rectangular shape in this embodiment. The platen 10 moves in and out of the housing 51 through the opening 51A.

[0114] The shutter 52 is a plate and is provided on the front surface of the housing 51. The shutter 52 is supported by the housing 51 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The shutter 52 moves to an open position P3 shown in FIG. 11 and a closed position P4 shown in FIG. 12 by driving an opening / closing motor 511 shown in FIG. 20. As shown in FIG. 11, the shutter 52 is disposed above the opening 51A at the open position P3 and opens the opening 51A. In this case, the platen 10 can move in and out of the housing 51 through the opening 51A. As shown in FIG. 12, the shutter 52 closes the opening 51A at the closed position P4. In this case, the platen 10 cannot move in and out of the housing 51 through the opening 51A.

[0115] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the device main body 50 includes a base 53, a cylinder 54, a moving part 55, a fixed plate 56, and a heater 57. The base 53 is plate-shaped and is disposed at the lower end of the device main body 50. The cylinder 54 is an air cylinder and includes a cylinder body 54A and a cylinder rod 54B shown in Figure 14. The cylinder body 54A is cylindrical and is fixed to the upper surface of the base 53. The cylinder rod 54B extends in the vertical direction and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the cylinder body 54A. The cylinder rod 54B is supported by the cylinder body 54A so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

[0116] The moving part 55 is disposed above the cylinder 54 and moves up and down as the cylinder rod 54B moves up and down. The moving part 55 has a U-shape that opens forward in side view. The moving part 55 has a connecting part 510, a plurality of guide shafts 521, 522, 523, 524, a plurality of support shafts 531, 532, 533, 534, and a press head 540. The connecting part 510 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is connected to the upper end of the cylinder rod 54B shown in FIG.

[0117] Guide shaft 521 is disposed at the right front corner of connecting portion 510 and extends downward from the underside of connecting portion 510. Guide block 59A is fixed to the right front corner of housing 51 shown in FIG. 12. Guide hole 591 is provided in guide block 59A. Guide hole 591 passes through guide block 59A in the vertical direction. Guide shaft 521 is inserted into guide hole 591. As a result, guide shaft 521 is supported by guide block 59A so as to be movable in the vertical direction along guide hole 591.

[0118] Similarly, guide shafts 522, 523, and 524 are arranged at the left front corner, right rear corner, and left rear corner of connecting portion 510, respectively, and extend downward from the underside of connecting portion 510. Guide blocks 59B, 59C, and 59D are fixed to the left front corner, right rear corner, and left rear corner of housing 51 shown in FIG. 12, respectively. Guide holes 592, 593, and 594 are formed in guide blocks 59B, 59C, and 59D, respectively. Guide holes 592, 593, and 594 pass through guide blocks 59B, 59C, and 59D in the up-down direction, respectively.

[0119] Guide shafts 522, 523, 524 are inserted into guide holes 592, 593, 594, respectively. As a result, guide shafts 522, 523, 524 are supported by guide blocks 59B, 59C, 59D so as to be movable up and down along guide holes 592, 593, 594, respectively.

[0120] The multiple support shafts 531 to 534 are each disposed at the rear of the connecting portion 510. The multiple support shafts 531 to 534 are each cylindrical and extend upward from the upper surface of the connecting portion 510. The support shaft 531 is disposed between the center and the right end of the connecting portion 510 in the left-right direction. The support shaft 532 is aligned to the left of the support shaft 531. The support shaft 532 is disposed between the center and the left end of the connecting portion 510 in the left-right direction.

[0121] Support shaft 533 is arranged behind support shaft 531. Support shaft 533 is disposed between the center and the right end of connecting portion 510 in the left-right direction. Support shaft 534 is arranged behind support shaft 532 and to the left of support shaft 533. Support shaft 534 is disposed between the center and the left end of connecting portion 510 in the left-right direction.

[0122] The press head 540 is disposed at the upper end of the moving section 55, and is supported by a plurality of support shafts 531 to 534. The press head 540 is disposed at the same height as the opening 51A shown in FIG.

[0123] The press head 540 has an upper plate 541, a right plate 542, and a left plate 543. The upper plate 541 is fixed to the upper ends of each of the multiple support shafts 531 to 534. The upper plate 541 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The upper plate 541 extends from behind the multiple support shafts 533 and 534 to forward of the multiple support shafts 531 and 532. The upper plate 541 extends from to the right of the multiple support shafts 531 and 533 to the left of the multiple support shafts 532 and 533.

[0124] Upper plate 541 has a plurality of blocks 581, 582, and 583. Blocks 581 to 583 each protrude upward from upper surface 541A of upper plate 541. Block 581 is disposed at the right end of upper plate 541 and extends in the front-to-rear direction. Block 581 has a pressing surface 581A. Pressing surface 581A is provided on the upper surface of block 581. Pressing surface 581A is flat and faces upward.

[0125] Block 582 is disposed at the left end of upper plate 541 and extends in the front-rear direction. Block 582 has a pressing surface 582A. Pressing surface 582A is provided on the upper surface of block 582. Pressing surface 582A has a flat shape and faces upward.

[0126] Block 583 is disposed midway between blocks 581 and 582 in the left-right direction, and is disposed near the rear ends of blocks 581 and 582 in the front-rear direction. Block 583 has a cylindrical shape extending in the up-down direction. Block 583 has a pressing surface 583A. Pressing surface 583A is provided on the upper surface of block 583. Pressing surface 583A has a flat shape and faces upward.

[0127] The positional relationship in the front-to-rear direction among the blocks 581, 582, and 583 is the same as the positional relationship in the front-to-rear direction among the blocks 91, 92, and 93 shown in Fig. 6. The positional relationship in the left-to-right direction among the blocks 581, 582, and 583 is the same as the positional relationship in the left-to-right direction among the blocks 91, 92, and 93 shown in Fig. 6. The height relationship in the up-down direction among the blocks 581, 582, and 583 with respect to the upper surface 541A of the upper plate 541 is the same as the height relationship in the up-down direction among the blocks 91, 92, and 93 with respect to the lower surface 11B of the platen 11 shown in Fig. 6.

[0128] Right plate 542 extends downward from the right end of upper plate 541. A vertical portion 542A and an inclined portion 542B are provided at the front end of right plate 542. Vertical portion 542A extends downward from the upper end of right plate 542. Inclined portion 542B extends downward from the lower end of vertical portion 542A toward the rear.

[0129] Left plate 543 extends downward from the left end of upper plate 541. A vertical portion 543A and an inclined portion 543B are provided at the front end of left plate 543. Vertical portion 543A extends downward from the upper end of left plate 543. Inclined portion 543B extends downward from the lower end of vertical portion 543A toward the rear.

[0130] The left plate 543 has guide blocks 553 and 554. The guide block 553 is fixed to the front end of the left plate 543 and is disposed near the front end of the block 582 in the front-to-rear direction. The guide block 553 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and protrudes leftward from the left surface of the left plate 543. A guide surface 553A is provided on the front surface of the guide block 553. The guide surface 553A inclines leftward as it extends rearward. A contact surface 553B is provided on the left surface of the guide block 553. The contact surface 553B extends rearward from the left end of the guide surface 553A and faces leftward.

[0131] Guide block 554 is aligned behind guide block 553 and is disposed near the rear end of block 582 in the front-to-rear direction. Guide block 554 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and protrudes leftward from the left surface of left plate 543. A contact surface 554A is provided on the left surface of guide block 554. Contact surface 554A extends rearward from the left front corner of guide block 554 and faces leftward.

[0132] Similarly, right plate 542 has guide blocks 551 and 552 shown in FIG. 18. Guide block 551 is fixed to the front end of right plate 542 and is disposed near the front end of block 581 in the front-to-rear direction. Guide block 551 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and protrudes rightward from the right face of right plate 542. Guide surface 551A is provided on the front face of guide block 551. Guide surface 551A inclines rightward as it extends rearward. Contact surface 551B is provided on the right face of guide block 551. Contact surface 551B extends rearward from the right end of guide surface 551A and faces rightward.

[0133] Guide block 552 is aligned behind guide block 551 and is disposed near the rear end of block 581 in the front-to-rear direction. Guide block 552 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and protrudes rightward from the right surface of right plate 542. Contact surface 552A is provided on the right surface of guide block 552. Contact surface 552A extends rearward from the right front corner of guide block 552 and faces rightward.

[0134] The fixed plate 56 is disposed above the press head 540 and is fixed to the housing 51 shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, the position of the fixed plate 56 relative to the base 53 in the vertical direction remains constant regardless of the drive of the cylinder 54. The fixed plate 56 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The left-right length of the fixed plate 56 is greater than the left-right length of the platen 11 shown in FIG. 6. The front-rear length of the fixed plate 56 is greater than the front-rear length of the platen 11 shown in FIG. 6. The heater 57 is a heating resistor and is distributed throughout the fixed plate 56. The heater 57 generates heat when energized, thereby heating the fixed plate 56.

[0135] The setting of the platen 10 on the press head 540 and the pressing operation will be described. As shown in Figure 11, the platen 10 is delivered from the delivery mechanism 84 to the branch path 88 with the rear of the platen 10 facing the rear of the press machine 5, and is transported from the front to the rear by the branch path 88.

[0136] 16 shows the press head 540 in solid lines and the platen 10 in imaginary lines. In Fig. 16, blocks 91 to 98 on the platen 10 that are hidden by the platen board 11 are shown in hidden lines. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, when the platen 10 is transported to the press head 540, the press head 540 is inserted into the insertion space 49.

[0137] As indicated by arrow A2, the direction in which the platen 10 is set on the press head 540 is the direction in which the platen 10 is transported when the press head 540 is inserted into the platen 10, and is a direction from front to rear. In other words, the front of the platen 10 is upstream in the direction in which the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, and the rear of the platen 10 is downstream in the direction in which the platen 10 is set on the press head 540.

[0138] When the front end of the press head 540 is positioned in the recessed portion 65A, the right edge of the recessed portion 65A shown in Fig. 15 comes into contact with the guide surface 551A of the guide block 551 shown in Fig. 16, or the left edge of the recessed portion 65A shown in Fig. 15 comes into contact with the guide surface 553A of the guide block 553 shown in Fig. 16. As a result, the position of the platen 10 relative to the press head 540 is guided in the left-right direction during the process of inserting the press head 540 into the insertion space 49.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 15 , when the platen 10 is transported further rearward, the rear surface 45A of the contact plate 45 comes into contact with the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532. This determines the position of the platen 10 relative to the press head 540 in the front-to-rear direction. The distance between the rear surface 45A of the contact plate 45 and the front end of the platen 10 in the front-to-rear direction is shorter than the distance between each of the support shafts 531 and 532 and the opening 51A shown in FIG. 11 in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, when the rear surface 45A of the contact plate 45 comes into contact with the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532, the entire platen 10 is disposed within the housing 51. In other words, when the rear surface 45A of the contact plate 45 comes into contact with the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532, the platen 10 does not protrude from the housing 51 through the opening 51A shown in FIG. 11 .

[0140] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 , the distance between contact surface 551B and contact surface 553B and the distance between contact surface 552A and contact surface 554A are the same in the left-right direction. The distance between contact surface 551B and contact surface 553B and the distance between contact surface 552A and contact surface 554A in the left-right direction are slightly smaller than the distance between the right surface of right plate 41 and the left surface of left plate 42 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the left surface 411 of right plate 41 contacts contact surface 551B of guide block 551 and contact surface 552B of guide block 552, respectively, and the right surface 421 of left plate 42 contacts contact surface 553B of guide block 553 and contact surface 554B of guide block 554, respectively. For example, FIG. 17 shows a state in which contact surface 551B of guide block 551 contacts left surface 411 of right plate 41.

[0141] The left surface 411 of the right plate 41 comes into contact with the contact surface 551B of the guide block 551 and the contact surface 552B of the guide block 552, respectively, or the right surface 421 of the left plate 42 comes into contact with the contact surface 553B of the guide block 553 and the contact surface 554B of the guide block 554, respectively, thereby determining the position of the platen 10 relative to the press head 540 in the left-right direction.

[0142] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, when the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, the press surface 91A faces the press surface 581A from above with a gap between them, the press surface 92A faces the press surface 582A from above with a gap between them, and the press surface 93A faces the press surface 583A from above with a gap between them.

[0143] In this embodiment, when the platen 10 is set in the press head 540, the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A are all positioned to the left of the left end of the block 581 and to the right of the right end of the block 582. The support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A are all positioned forward of the front end of the block 583. Therefore, the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A do not come into contact with the blocks 581 to 583.

[0144] When the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, the right plate 41 is disposed to the right of the entire press head 540 in a plan view or a front view. In other words, the press head 540 does not intersect with the right plate 41. That is, the press head 540 does not extend beyond the right plate 41 to the right in a plan view or a front view.

[0145] When the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, the left plate 42 is disposed to the left of the entire press head 540 in a plan view or a front view. In other words, the press head 540 does not intersect with the left plate 42. That is, the press head 540 does not protrude to the left from the left plate 42 in a plan view or a front view.

[0146] 18 and 19 show the portion of the moving part 55 that is hidden by the platen 10 with imaginary lines. As shown in FIG. 18 , when the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, the platen 11 is disposed between the press head 540 and the fixed plate 56 in the vertical direction. When the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, the entire press head 540 is covered from the right side by the right plate 41 in a right side view. For example, the vertical portion 41A and the inclined portion 41B of the right plate 41 are disposed forward of the vertical portion 542A and the inclined portion 542B of the right plate 542. Similarly, when viewed from the left side, the entire press head 540 is covered from the left side by the left plate 42 shown in FIG. 16. For example, the vertical portion 42A and the inclined portion 42B of the left plate 42 are disposed forward of the vertical portion 543A and the inclined portion 543B of the left plate 543.

[0147] 18 and 19 , the pressing operation is an operation in which the platen 11 is pressed from below against the fixed plate 56 by the press head 540. The pressing operation is performed with the platen 10 set on the press head 540. With the platen 10 set on the press head 540, the mounting surface 11A of the platen 11 faces the lower surface of the fixed plate 56 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the pressing operation is performed with the fixed plate 56 heated by the heater 57.

[0148] The cylinder 54 moves the moving part 55 vertically to a standby position P5 shown in Fig. 18 and a pressing position P6 shown in Fig. 19. When the driving of the cylinder 54 is stopped and the cylinder rod 54B is positioned at the lower end of the movement range of the cylinder rod 54B, the moving part 55 is positioned at the standby position P5 shown in Fig. 18. In this case, the printing medium M on the platen 11 moves downward away from the lower surface of the fixed plate 56.

[0149] When the pressing operation is performed, the cylinder rod 54B moves upward due to the driving of the cylinder 54. As a result, the moving part 55 moves from the standby position P5 shown in Fig. 18 to the pressing position P6 shown in Fig. 19. In the process of moving part 55 moving from the standby position P5 to the pressing position P6, the pressing surface 581A comes into contact with the pressing surface 91A from below, the pressing surface 582A comes into contact with the pressing surface 92A from below, and the pressing surface 583A comes into contact with the pressing surface 93A from below.

[0150] As the moving part 55 moves further upward toward the pressing position P6, the press head 540 lifts the platen 10 from the branch path 88. When the moving part 55 moves to the pressing position P6, the printing medium M on the platen 11 is sandwiched between the fixed plate 56 and the platen 11 by the press head 540. As a result, the press head 540 presses the printing medium M from below upward against the fixed plate 56. In this way, the pressing operation by the press head 540 is performed.

[0151] The electrical configuration of the printing system 1 will be described with reference to Figure 20. The printing system 1 includes a system computer 100 and a printer computer 2A. The system computer 100 is provided, for example, on a control panel (not shown), and controls the coating device 3, the press machine 5, and the conveying device 7. The printer computer 2A is provided in the printer 2 and controls the printer 2. The system computer 100 and the printer computer 2A communicate with each other via wire or wirelessly.

[0152] The system computer 100 includes a CPU 101, a memory 102, an input unit 103, and a display 104. The CPU 101 functions as a processor. The CPU 101 is electrically connected to the memory 102, the input unit 103, and the display 104. The memory 102 includes a non-volatile memory and stores various types of information. For example, the memory 102 stores programs. The programs include a control program for executing a main process shown in FIG. 21 , which will be described later, and are executed by the CPU 101.

[0153] The input unit 103 is a user interface and includes a touch panel, a power button, etc. A user operates the input unit 103 to input various instructions to the system computer 100. The display 104 displays various information under the control of the CPU 101.

[0154] The CPU 101 is electrically connected to the drive unit 3A, heater 57, open / close motor 511, open / close sensor 512, transport motor 7A, lift motor 7B, position sensor 7C, and printer computer 2A via the input / output interface 105. The drive unit 3A is driven under the control of the CPU 101, causing the application unit 31 shown in FIG. 7 to spray the treatment liquid. The heater 57 is controlled by the CPU 101 to generate heat, heating the fixing plate 56 shown in FIG. 13. The open / close motor 511 is driven under the control of the CPU 101, causing the shutter 52 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 to move between the open position P3 and the closed position P4.

[0155] The open / close sensor 512 is a limit switch, a proximity sensor, an optical sensor, or the like, and is provided, for example, on the edge of the opening 51A shown in Fig. 11. The open / close sensor 512 detects the position of the shutter 52 shown in Fig. 12, and outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the CPU 101. In this embodiment, the open / close sensor 512 detects the shutter 52 placed at the closed position P4 shown in Fig. 12.

[0156] There are multiple transport motors 7A. The multiple transport motors 7A are provided on the outgoing path 72 shown in FIG. 7, the returning path (not shown), the elevator mechanisms 74 and 75, the delivery mechanisms 83 to 85, and the branch paths 87 and 88. The multiple transport motors 7A are each driven under the control of the CPU 101 to transport the platen 10. For example, the transport motor 7A on the outgoing path 72 is driven to transport the platen 10 on the outgoing path 72.

[0157] There are a plurality of lift motors 7B. The plurality of lift motors 7B are provided in each of the elevator mechanisms 74, 75 and the delivery mechanisms 83 to 85 shown in FIG. 7. The plurality of lift motors 7B are driven under the control of the CPU 101 to lift and lower the platen 10. For example, the lift motor 7B of the elevator mechanism 74 is driven to lift and lower the platen 10 on the elevator mechanism 74.

[0158] There are multiple position sensors 7C. The multiple position sensors 7C are each a limit switch, a proximity sensor, an optical sensor, or the like, and are provided on the outgoing path 72 shown in FIG. 7, the returning path (not shown), the elevator mechanisms 74 and 75, the delivery mechanisms 83 to 85, and the branch paths 87 and 88. The multiple position sensors 7C detect the platen 10 present at the position where each is provided and output a signal indicating the detection result to the CPU 101. For example, when the position sensor 7C on the branch path 88 detects the platen 10 on the branch path 88, it outputs a signal indicating that the platen 10 is present on the branch path 88 to the CPU 101.

[0159] The main processing will be described with reference to FIG. 21. When the system computer 100 is powered on, the CPU 101 starts the main processing by reading and running a control program from the memory 102. In the main processing, the coating device 3, the press machine 5, the transport device 7, and the like are controlled. The following describes the processing of the main processing relating to the control of the press machine 5. When the main processing starts, the shutter 52 is assumed to be in the open position P3 shown in FIG.

[0160] When the main processing starts, the CPU 101 determines whether the press timing for performing the press operation by the press head 540 has arrived (S11). The determination of whether the press timing has arrived is made based on various information. For example, the CPU 101 determines that the press timing has arrived when it receives a signal from the position sensor 7C of the branch path 88 indicating that the platen 10 is present on the branch path 88. For example, when a user inputs a heat press instruction for performing the press operation into the system computer 100 via the input unit 103 and the CPU 101 receives the input heat press instruction, the CPU 101 determines that the press timing has arrived.

[0161] If the press timing has not yet arrived (S11: NO), the CPU 101 returns the process to the determination of S11 and repeats the determination of S11 until the press timing arrives. If the press timing has arrived (S11: YES), the CPU 101 controls the opening / closing motor 511 to move the shutter 52 from the open position P3 shown in Fig. 11 toward the closed position P4 shown in Fig. 12 (S12).

[0162] Based on a detection signal from the open / close sensor 512 shown in Fig. 20, the CPU 101 determines whether the shutter 52 is located at the closed position P4 shown in Fig. 12 (S13). As shown in Fig. 15, when the rear surface 45A of the contact plate 45 comes into contact with the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532, the front end of the platen 10 is located behind the opening 51A shown in Fig. 11, that is, behind the shutter 52. Therefore, the platen 10 does not protrude outside the opening 51A of the housing 51. Therefore, the shutter 52 can move from the open position P3 shown in Fig. 11 to the closed position P4 shown in Fig. 12.

[0163] On the other hand, when the contact plate 45 moves forward away from the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532, the front end of the platen 10 is positioned forward of the opening 51A shown in FIG. 11, i.e., forward of the shutter 52. Therefore, when the rear end of the platen 10 is positioned rearward of the opening 51A, i.e., rearward of the shutter 52, the platen 10 protrudes from the opening 51A to the outside of the housing 51. Therefore, the shutter 52 collides with the platen 10 from above while moving from the open position P3 shown in FIG. 11 to the closed position P4 shown in FIG. 12. Therefore, the shutter 52 cannot move from the open position P3 shown in FIG. 11 to the closed position P4 shown in FIG. 12. In other words, when the shutter 52 is positioned at the closed position P4 shown in FIG. 12, the rear surface 45A of the contact plate 45 shown in FIG. 15 comes into contact with the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532. 20 detects that the rear surface 45A of the contact plate 45 shown in FIG. 15 has come into contact with the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532. In this case, the open / close sensor 512 shown in FIG.

[0164] If the shutter 52 is not located at the closed position P4 shown in FIG. 12 (S13: NO), there is a possibility that the platen 10 is not properly set on the press head 540 shown in FIG. 15 . In this case, the CPU 101 issues an error notification (S14). The error notification notifies the user that the rear surface 45A of the contact plate 45 is not in contact with the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532, i.e., that there is a possibility that the platen 10 is not properly set on the press head 540. In issuing the error notification, the CPU 101 may display the error content on the display 104 or may output an error sound from a speaker (not shown). If the error is resolved, the CPU 101 returns the process to the determination in S11. In this way, the CPU 101 prohibits the execution of the press operation when the open / close sensor 512 does not detect that the rear surface 45A of the contact plate 45 has contacted the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532.

[0165] When the shutter 52 is placed at the closed position P4 shown in FIG. 12 (S13: YES), the CPU 101 controls the heater 57 and the cylinder 54 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 to perform surface treatment (S15). In the surface treatment, a pressing operation is performed by the press head 540 while the fixing plate 56 is heated by the heater 57. The surface treatment is performed, for example, from the start of the pressing operation until a predetermined pressing time has elapsed. In this way, when the open / close sensor 512 detects that the rear surface 45A of the contact plate 45 has come into contact with the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532, the CPU 101 allows the pressing operation to be performed.

[0166] When the surface treatment is completed, the CPU 101 controls the open / close motor 511 shown in Fig. 20 to move the shutter 52 from the closed position P4 shown in Fig. 12 to the open position P3 shown in Fig. 11 (S16). In this case, the transport device 7 is controlled to eject the platen 10 from the housing 51 through the opening 51A and transfer it to the delivery mechanism 84. The CPU 101 returns the process to the determination in S11.

[0167] As described above, in the above embodiment, the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, which performs a pressing operation to press upward against the fixed plate 56. The platen 10 includes the platen 11, the support portion 12, and press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A. The platen 11 has an upward-facing surface 11A on which the print medium M is placed. The support portion 12 is disposed below the platen 11. The support portion 12 has struts 40 that support the platen 11 from below. The press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are disposed above the lowermost surface of the support portion 12 and face downward. When the press head 540 performs a pressing operation with the platen 10 set on the press head 540, the press head 540 comes into contact with the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A.

[0168] According to this, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are located above the bottom surface of the support portion 12. Pressure from the press operation is less likely to act on the portions of the support portion 12 below the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A than on the portions above the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A. Therefore, the portions of the support portion 12 below the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A do not require the rigidity required to withstand the pressure from the press operation compared to the portions above the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A. Therefore, the platen 10 contributes to suppressing the increase in rigidity of the entire platen 10. The portions of the support portion 12 below the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are, for example, the tray 60, the connection plate 44, or the contact plate 45. Therefore, the tray 60 may be lighter, for example, so that its rigidity is lower than that of the platen 11. In this case, the weight of the entire platen 10 is reduced, thereby reducing the load capacity of the transport device 7. This makes it easier for the user to handle the platen 10.

[0169] In the above embodiment, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are parallel to the placement surface 11 A. Therefore, the platen 10 contributes to the pressure of the press operation acting uniformly on the entire print medium M.

[0170] In the above embodiment, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are provided above the bottom surface of the tray 60. In this case, the pressure from the press operation is less likely to act on the tray 60. Therefore, the tray 60 does not need to be rigid enough to withstand the pressure from the press operation. Therefore, the platen 10 contributes to preventing the tray 60 from becoming too rigid.

[0171] In the above embodiment, the right plate 41 and the left plate 42 are disposed so as to sandwich the center of the platen 11 therebetween in the left-right direction. In this case, the right plate 41 and the left plate 42 support the platen 11 at two points with the center of the platen 11 sandwiched between them in the left-right direction. Therefore, the platen 10 contributes to reducing the possibility of the placement surface 11A tilting in the front-rear or left-right direction more than when the support column 40 supports the platen 11 at one point, or when the right plate 41 and the left plate 42 support the platen 11 at two points without sandwiching the center of the platen 11 therebetween.

[0172] If the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A were located to the right of the right plate 41, the left portion of the print medium M would be farther away from the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A in the left-right direction. In this case, it is possible that the pressure from the press operation would be less likely to act on the left portion of the print medium M. In the above embodiment, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A were located between the right plate 41 and the left plate 42 in the left-right direction. In this case, the right plate 41 and the left plate 42 are located with the center of the platen 11 sandwiched between them in the left-right direction. Therefore, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are located closer to the center of the platen 11 in the left-right direction than when the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are located to the right of the right plate 41 or to the left of the left plate 42. Therefore, the platen 10 contributes to the uniform application of pressure from the press operation to the entire print medium M.

[0173] Pressure is applied to the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A during the press operation. As a result, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A may be deformed by the press operation. If the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A were located in the same positions as the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A, the deformation of the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A could adversely affect printing in the printer 2. In the above embodiment, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are located in positions different from the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A. As a result, the platen 10 contributes to suppressing the deformation of the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A during the press operation from affecting printing in the printer 2.

[0174] If the press surfaces 91A and 92A were located between the support surfaces 94A and 95A, the pressing operation could cause the outer sides of the platen 11 to sag. If the transport support base 23 supports the platen 10 on the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A while the outer sides of the platen 11 are sagging, the distance between the nozzle surface 26A and the print medium M on the platen 11 could vary in the vertical direction. If the printer 2 performs printing in a state where the distance between the nozzle surface 26A and the print medium M on the platen 11 varies in the vertical direction, the image quality of the print on the print medium M could vary. In the above embodiment, the press surfaces 91A and 92A are disposed with the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A sandwiched between them. In this case, deformation of the outer side of the platen 11 that sags due to the pressing operation is suppressed compared to when the press surfaces 91A and 92A are located between the support surfaces 94A and 95A, for example. This contributes to the transfer support base 23 supporting the platen 10 with the support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A in a state where the influence of sagging of the outer side of the platen 11 that may occur due to the pressing operation is small.

[0175] If the front ends of the support columns 40 were positioned behind the front end of the press head 540 when the platen 10 was set on the press head 540, the front end of the press head 540 would come into contact with the print medium M, which could cause the print medium M to shift relative to the mounting surface 11A or wrinkles to form on the print medium M. Therefore, if the press head 540 performs a pressing operation with its front end in contact with the print medium M, there is a possibility that the print medium M could be adversely affected. In the above embodiment, when the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, the front ends of the support columns 40 are positioned forward of the front end of the press head 540. This prevents the press head 540 from contacting the print medium M. Therefore, the platen 10 contributes to reducing the possibility that the pressing operation will adversely affect the print medium M.

[0176] If the support columns 40 were positioned so that they intersect with the press head 540 in the left-right direction when the platen 10 was set on the press head 540, one or both of the left and right sides of the press head 540 would come into contact with the print medium M, which could cause the print medium M to shift relative to the mounting surface 11A or wrinkles to form on the print medium M. Therefore, if the press head 540 performs a pressing operation while in contact with the print medium M, the print medium M could be adversely affected. In the above embodiment, when the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, the right plate 41 is positioned to the right of the entire press head 540, and the left plate 42 is positioned to the left of the entire press head 540. This prevents the press head 540 from contacting the print medium M. Therefore, the platen 10 contributes to reducing the possibility of the press operation adversely affecting the print medium M.

[0177] In the above embodiment, the blocks 91 to 93 are replaceably fixed to the lower surface 11B of the platen 11. Therefore, even if the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are deformed, the user can simply replace the blocks 91 to 93. Therefore, the platen 10 contributes to facilitating repair of the platen 10.

[0178] If the position of the platen 10 relative to the press head 540 varies in the front-to-rear direction, the pressure acting on the print medium M due to the press operation may vary in the front-to-rear direction. In the above embodiment, the support column 40 has the rear surface 45A of the contact plate 45. The rear surface 45A is located at a different position from the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A. The rear surface 45A contacts the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532 when the platen 10 is set on the press head 540. In this case, the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532 contact the rear surface 45A, which makes it easier to determine the position of the platen 10 relative to the press head 540 in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the platen 10 contributes to the pressure acting on the entire print medium M due to the press operation being uniform.

[0179] In the above embodiment, the CPU 101 allows the execution of the press operation when the open / close sensor 512 detects that the rear surface 45A has come into contact with the support shafts 531, 532. When the rear surface 45A comes into contact with the support shafts 531, 532, the position of the platen 10 relative to the press head 540 in the front-to-rear direction is easily determined. Therefore, the platen 10 contributes to preventing the press operation from being performed when the position of the platen 10 relative to the press head 540 in the front-to-rear direction has not been determined.

[0180] In the above embodiment, the fixed plate 56 corresponds to the "fixed portion" of the present invention. The press head 540 and the support shafts 531, 532 correspond to the "press portion" of the present invention. The platen 10 corresponds to the "platen" of the present invention. The printing medium M corresponds to the "printing medium" of the present invention. The placing surface 11A corresponds to the "placing surface" of the present invention. The platen board 11 corresponds to the "platen board" of the present invention. The support pillar 40 corresponds to the "support pillar" of the present invention. The support portion 12 corresponds to the "platen support portion" of the present invention. The press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A correspond to the "press surface" of the present invention.

[0181] The tray 60 corresponds to the "tray" of the present invention. The right plate 41 corresponds to the "first support pillar" of the present invention. The left plate 42 corresponds to the "second support pillar" of the present invention. The direction from the front to the rear of the platen 10 corresponds to the "setting direction" of the present invention. The left-right direction of the platen 10 corresponds to the "width direction" of the present invention. The printer 2 corresponds to the "printer" of the present invention. The transport support table 23 corresponds to the "transport support table" of the present invention. The support surfaces 94A, 95A, and 96A correspond to the "printer support surface" of the present invention. The inkjet head 26 corresponds to the "print head" of the present invention. The press surface 91A corresponds to the "first press surface" of the present invention. The press surface 92A corresponds to the "second press surface" of the present invention.

[0182] Blocks 91 to 93 correspond to the "blocks" of the present invention. Rear surface 45A of contact plate 45 corresponds to the "contact surface" of the present invention. Press 5 corresponds to the "press" of the present invention. Press 5 and platen 10, or press 5, platen 10, and system computer 100 correspond to the "press unit" of the present invention. CPU 101 corresponds to the "control unit" of the present invention. Open / close sensor 512 corresponds to the "sensor" of the present invention.

[0183] The present invention may be modified from the above embodiment. The following modifications may be combined with each other to the extent that no contradictions arise. The platen 10A will be described with reference to Figure 22. In Figure 22, members of the platen 10A that have the same functions as the members of the platen 10 are given the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment, and their description will be omitted.

[0184] In the platen 10A, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A are provided integrally with the lower surface 11B of the platen 11. That is, the blocks 91 to 93 are not fixed to the lower surface 11B of the platen 11 by screws 911, 921, and 923 shown in FIG. 6, but are instead molded integrally with the platen 11. That is, the blocks 91 to 93 cannot be replaced with respect to the lower surface 11B of the platen 11. In this case, the platen 10A does not require the screws 911, 921, and 923, for example, and this contributes to reducing the number of parts of the platen 10A.

[0185] In the above embodiment, the press 5 may be provided with another sensor instead of or in addition to the opening / closing sensor 512. The other sensor is provided, for example, in the moving unit 55 and detects that the platen 10 has come into contact with the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532. In this case, if the other sensor detects that the platen 10 has come into contact with the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532 in the process of S13 (S13: YES), the CPU 101 may allow the execution of the pressing operation in the surface treatment (S15). If the other sensor does not detect that the platen 10 has come into contact with the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532 in the process of S13 (S13: NO), the CPU 101 may prohibit the execution of the pressing operation in the surface treatment (S15).

[0186] In the above embodiment, the shape, opening / closing direction, etc. of the shutter 52 may be changed as appropriate. The shutter 52 does not have to completely cover the opening 51A when in the closed position P4. The press 5 may omit the shutter 52. In the above embodiment, the cylinder 54 may be a hydraulic cylinder. The press 5 may raise and lower the moving part 55 using a mechanism other than the cylinder 54.

[0187] In the above embodiment, when the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, the rear surface 45A of the contact plate 45 may be spaced forward from the front ends of the support shafts 531 and 532. When the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, the left surface 411 of the right plate 41 may be spaced leftward from the guide blocks 551 and 552, and the right surface 421 of the left plate 42 may be spaced rightward from the guide blocks 553 and 554.

[0188] The shape, arrangement, and number of the blocks 91 to 93 may be changed from those in the above embodiment. For example, the blocks 91 to 93 may be thin plate-shaped. The blocks 91 and 92 may each be cylindrical. The block 93 may be a rectangular parallelepiped that is long in the front-rear or left-right direction. The blocks 91 to 93 may be formed by a single block. In this case, the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A may each be provided on the underside of one block, or one press surface may be provided on the underside of one block. The platen 10 may be provided with other press surfaces in addition to the press surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A.

[0189] Block 91 may be disposed to the right of right plate 41. Block 92 may be disposed to the left of left plate 42. Block 93 may be disposed forward of block 96, or may be disposed forward of each of blocks 94 and 95. Block 93 may be disposed at a position away from center line C to the left or right. Blocks 91 and 93 may be provided to the left of block 95. Blocks 92 and 93 may be provided to the right of block 96.

[0190] The blocks 91 to 93 may be provided at a position different from the lower surface 11B of the platen 11, as long as they are above the lowermost surface of the support portion 12. For example, the blocks 91 to 93 may be provided on the lower surface of the connecting plate 44. The pressing surfaces 91A, 92A, and 93A may be inclined with respect to the placing surface 11A.

[0191] For example, press surface 91A may be common to support surface 94A. Similarly, press surfaces 92A and 93A may be common to support surfaces 95A and 96A, respectively. In other words, platen 10 may omit blocks 94 to 96, with support surface 94A and press surface 91A provided as common surfaces on the lower surface of block 91, support surface 95A and press surface 92A provided as common surfaces on the lower surface of block 92, and support surface 96A and press surface 92A provided as common surfaces on the lower surface of block 93.

[0192] In the above embodiment, when the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, a part of the press head 540 may protrude to the right from the right plate 41 in a front view. When the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, a part of the press head 540 may protrude to the left from the left plate 42 in a front view.

[0193] In the above embodiment, when the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, a portion of the press head 540 may protrude forward or rearward from the right plate 41 in a right side view. When the platen 10 is set on the press head 540, a portion of the press head 540 may protrude forward or rearward from the left plate 42 in a left side view.

[0194] In the above embodiment, one of the right plate 41 and the left plate 42 of the support pillar 40 may be omitted. The support pillar 40 may have a rod shape extending in the vertical direction. The support pillar 40 may be composed of one or more rods extending in the vertical direction.

[0195] The platen 10 may omit the tray 60. In this case, the lowermost surfaces of the support portions 12 may be the lower ends of the right plate 41 and the left plate 42.

[0196] In the above embodiment, as an example, the case where the platen 10 is used in the printing system 1 has been described. However, the platen 10 does not have to be used in the printing system 1, and may be used as a unit of the press machine 5 and the platen 10. For example, a user or a robot may transport the platen 10 and set it on the press head 540.

[0197] In the above embodiment, the press 5 may be disposed downstream of the printer 2 in the transport path of the platen 10. For example, the printing system 1 may perform surface treatment after the printing process. The press 5 may omit the heater 57. In other words, the press 5 does not need to heat the print medium M with the fixing plate 56. The printer 2 may be changed from an inkjet printer to a thermal printer, laser printer, UV printer, etc.

[0198] In the above embodiment, the system computer 100 controls each of the coating device 3, the press machine 5, and the transport device 7. However, the printing system 1 may include a computer that controls the coating device 3, a computer that controls the press machine 5, and a computer that controls the transport device 7, instead of or in addition to the system computer 100. In this case, for example, the computer that controls the press machine 5 may execute the main processing.

[0199] Instead of CPU 101, a microcomputer, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like may be used as a processor. The main processing may be distributed among multiple processors. A non-transitory storage medium such as memory 102 may be any storage medium capable of retaining information regardless of the period for which the information is stored. A non-transitory storage medium may not include a temporary storage medium (e.g., a transmitted signal). For example, the control program may be downloaded (i.e., transmitted as a transmission signal) from a server connected to a network (not shown) and stored in memory 102. In this case, the control program may be stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a HDD provided in the server. [Explanation of symbols]

[0200] 2: Printer 5: Press machine 7:Transportation device 10, 10A: Platen 11: Platen 11A: Placement surface 11B: Bottom surface 12: Support part 23: Transport support table 26: Inkjet head 40: Strut 41: Right plate 42:Left plate 45: Contact plate 52: Shutter 56: Fixed plate 60: Tray 91~93: Block 91A, 92A, 93A: Pressed surface 94A, 95A, 96A: Support surface M:Print media P1: Remote position P2:Print position

Claims

1. A platen set in a press unit that performs a pressing operation to press upward against a fixed unit, a platen having an upwardly facing surface on which a print medium is placed; a platen support portion having a support pillar that supports the platen from below and that is disposed below the platen; a press surface that is provided above the lowest surface of the platen support portion and faces downward, and that comes into contact with the press portion when the press portion performs the pressing operation in a state in which the platen is set in the press portion; A platen comprising:

2. The pressing surface is parallel to the placing surface.

2. The platen of claim 1.

3. the platen support unit is a tray that is disposed above the transport path in a state in which the platen is supported by the transport path of the platen, and that receives a portion of the printing medium placed on the placement surface that hangs down from the placement surface; The press surface is provided above the lower surface of the tray.

3. The platen according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The support includes a first support and a second support, The first support pillar and the second support pillar are disposed so as to sandwich the center of the platen between them in a width direction perpendicular to a setting direction in which the platen is set in the press unit and to a vertical direction.

3. The platen according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The press surface is provided between the first support column and the second support column in the width direction.

5. The platen of claim 4.

6. a printer support surface that contacts a transfer support table provided in a printer is provided on a lower surface of the platen opposite to the placement surface; the transport support base supports the platen and transports the platen between a separation position and a printing position; When the platen is disposed at the separated position, the placement surface is separated from a print head that is provided in the printer and that prints on the print medium in a direction intersecting with the up-down direction, When the platen is disposed at the printing position, the placement surface faces the print head in the up-down direction, The press surface is provided at a position different from the printer support surface.

3. The platen according to claim 1 or 2.

7. the press surface has a first press surface and a second press surface; The first press surface and the second press surface are provided with the printer support surface sandwiched therebetween.

7. The platen of claim 6.

8. In a setting direction in which the platen is set in the press unit, an upstream end of the support column is disposed upstream of an upstream end of the press unit in the setting direction in the set state.

3. The platen according to claim 1 or 2.

9. In the set state, the support pillars are arranged on one side of the width direction perpendicular to the set direction in which the platen is set in the press unit and the up-down direction with respect to the entire press unit.

3. The platen according to claim 1 or 2.

10. a block replaceably fixed to a lower surface of the platen opposite to the mounting surface, The press surface is provided on the block.

3. The platen according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The pressing surface is integrally formed with the lower surface of the platen opposite to the placement surface.

3. The platen according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The platen support portion is a surface provided at a position different from the press surface and has a contact surface that comes into contact with the press portion in the set state.

3. The platen according to claim 1 or 2.

13. a press machine including a press unit that performs a pressing operation to press upward against the fixed unit; a platen set in the press section; A press unit comprising: The platen is a platen having an upwardly facing surface on which a print medium is placed; a platen support portion having a support pillar that supports the platen from below and that is disposed below the platen; a press surface that is provided above the lowest surface of the platen support portion and faces downward, and that comes into contact with the press portion when the press portion performs the pressing operation in a state in which the platen is set in the press portion; A press unit comprising:

14. A control unit is provided, the platen support portion has a contact surface that is provided at a position different from the press surface and that comes into contact with the press portion in the set state, the press machine includes a sensor that detects when the contact surface comes into contact with the press portion; The control unit allows the execution of the pressing operation when the sensor detects that the contact surface has come into contact with the pressing unit.

14. A press unit according to claim 13.

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