Double-sided printer

Abstract

A conveyance time of a single sheet is shortened, and printing processing is performed at high speed. A double-sided printer (10) includes a printing section (12A), a single sheet supply section (25), and a guide conveyance path (24). A turning mechanism (20) that turns a single sheet (1) returned from the printing section (12A) is connected to the guide conveyance path (24) via a switching section (61). A stopper (62) that stops the single sheet (1) is provided on an upstream side of the switching section (61) of the guide conveyance path (24). A discharge path (65) branches from the stopper (62) of the guide conveyance path (24).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to printers for printing on single-sheet substrates, and more particularly to duplex printers capable of double-sided printing on single-sheet substrates. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, as a printer that performs double-sided printing, there are known double-sided printers that transfer dye or pigment onto a single sheet of substrate with a receiving layer on both sides by heating a thermal printhead.

[0003] Such a double-sided printer has: a printing section that prints on one side of a single substrate; and a flipping mechanism that flips the single substrate after it has been printed by the printing section, and then uses the printing section to print on the other side of the single substrate after it has been flipped by the flipping mechanism.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-129170 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] Such double-sided printers include a flipping mechanism that flips individual substrates, and in reality, the transport time for a single substrate is also relatively long.

[0009] This disclosure was made with this in mind, and its purpose is to provide a double-sided printer that minimizes the transport time of individual substrates and performs printing processing at high speed overall.

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] This disclosure discloses a duplex printer comprising: a printing section; a sheet substrate supply section for storing and supplying sheet substrates for duplex printing to the printing section; and a guide transport path for transporting the sheet substrates from the sheet substrate supply section to the printing section, wherein a flipping mechanism for flipping the sheet substrates returning from the printing section is flexibly connected to the guide transport path via a switching section, wherein the flipping mechanism flips the sheet substrate with one side facing the printing section to the other side facing the printing section, a stop member is provided in the guide transport path upstream of the switching section in the transport direction, the stop member stopping the sheet substrates supplied from the sheet substrate supply section, and a discharge path is connected to the stop member downstream in the transport direction in the guide transport path via a branch section, the discharge path discharging the sheet substrates returning from the printing section.

[0012] This disclosure relates to a duplex printer, wherein a branch of the discharge path is disposed between the stop and the switching section.

[0013] This disclosure relates to a duplex printer, wherein the stop also serves as a branch of the discharge path.

[0014] This disclosure relates to a duplex printer, wherein the flipping mechanism is disposed directly below the switching section of the guide transport path.

[0015] This disclosure relates to a duplex printer, wherein the flipping mechanism comprises: a housing having a cylindrical inner circumferential surface and configured with its centerline oriented horizontally; and a drive mechanism that causes the housing to rotate about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0016] This disclosure relates to a duplex printer, wherein a top opening is provided above the housing, and the flipping mechanism has a connection path connecting the top opening of the housing to the switching part.

[0017] This disclosure relates to a duplex printer, wherein the distance L between the switching section and the stop member has a relationship of L1×5%≤L≤L1×20% relative to the conveying direction length L1 of the single substrate.

[0018] This disclosure relates to a duplex printer, wherein a plurality of guide rollers are provided in the housing, the plurality of guide rollers protruding from the inner circumference of the housing in a radial direction to guide the single sheet of substrate.

[0019] This disclosure discloses a duplex printer, wherein the duplex printer further comprises a control device that supplies a single substrate from a single substrate supply unit to a printing unit via a guide transport path, and prints one side of the single substrate through the printing unit. The control device then transports the next single substrate from the single substrate supply unit to the guide transport path, stops the leading edge of the next single substrate by a stop member, transports the single substrate from the printing unit to the flipping mechanism via the guide transport path, flips the single substrate with one side facing the printing unit to the other side facing the printing unit by the flipping mechanism, transports the flipped single substrate to the printing unit, prints the other side of the single substrate through the printing unit, transports the printed single substrate from the printing unit to the discharge path via the guide transport path from the branch unit, and supplies the next single substrate, which has been stopped by the stop member within the guide transport path, to the printing unit.

[0020] The effects of the invention

[0021] As described above, according to this disclosure, the transport time of a single substrate can be shortened, and the overall printing process can be performed at high speed. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1A This is a schematic side view illustrating one embodiment of the duplex printer of this disclosure.

[0023] Figure 1B This is an enlarged view showing the storage shell of the flipping mechanism.

[0024] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the duplex printer disclosed herein.

[0025] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the duplex printer disclosed herein.

[0026] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the duplex printer disclosed herein.

[0027] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the duplex printer disclosed herein.

[0028] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the duplex printer disclosed herein.

[0029] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the duplex printer disclosed herein.

[0030] Figure 8 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the duplex printer disclosed herein.

[0031] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the duplex printer disclosed herein.

[0032] Figure 10 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the duplex printer disclosed herein.

[0033] Figure 11 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the duplex printer disclosed herein.

[0034] Figure 12 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the duplex printer disclosed herein.

[0035] Figure 13A This is a diagram showing a single sheet substrate on which double-sided printing of the present disclosure is implemented.

[0036] Figure 13BThis is a diagram showing a single sheet substrate with double-sided printing implemented as a comparative example. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Figures 1A to 13B This is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the duplex printer of the present invention.

[0039] in, Figure 1A This is a schematic side view illustrating one embodiment of a duplex printer. Figure 1B This is an enlarged view showing the storage case of the flipping mechanism. Figures 2 to 12 This is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of a double-sided printer.

[0040] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the duplex printer 10 includes a sublimation printer that feeds a single substrate 1 having a receiving layer on both sides and performs double-sided printing on the single substrate 1 using a printing section 12A composed of a thermal head 12. Alternatively, the duplex printer 10 can also feed a continuous substrate 41 having a receiving layer on at least one side and perform single-sided printing on the continuous substrate 41 using a printing section 12A composed of a thermal head 12.

[0041] Such a duplex printer 10 includes: a housing 10A; a printing section 12A, which is composed of a thermal head 12 disposed within the housing 10A; and a single-sheet substrate supply section 25, which is disposed below the printing section 12A, stores the single-sheet substrate 1 for duplex printing, and supplies the single-sheet substrate 1 to the thermal head 12. Furthermore, the duplex printer 10 may also include a roll substrate supply section 42, which winds the continuous substrate 41 for single-sided printing into a roll and supplies the roll of continuous substrate 41 to the thermal head 12.

[0042] In addition, a guide transport path 24 is provided between the thermal head 12 and the single substrate supply unit 25 to transport the single substrate 1 from the single substrate supply unit 25 to the thermal head 12.

[0043] Furthermore, the single substrate 1 supplied from the single substrate supply unit 25 to the thermal head 12 via the guide transport path 24 is printed by the thermal head 12 and then returned to the guide transport path 24.

[0044] The flipping mechanism 20, which flips the single substrate 1 returning from the thermal head 12, is freely connected to the guide transport path 24 via the switching part 61.

[0045] A switching section 61 is provided on the guide transport path 24 near the outlet 71 of the guide transport path 24 that transports the single substrate 1 to the thermal head 12. The switching section 61 includes a switching flap 61a for transporting the single substrate 1 returning from the thermal head 12 to the flipping mechanism 20.

[0046] Additionally, a stop member 62 is provided in the guide transport path 24, upstream of the switching section 61 in the transport direction of the single substrate 1, to stop the single substrate 1 supplied from the single substrate supply section 25. The stop member 62 engages with one end 1A of the single substrate 1 supplied from the guide transport path 24 to stop the single substrate 1.

[0047] In this specification, "upstream side" and "downstream side" refer to the transport direction "upstream side" and transport direction "downstream side" when a single substrate 1 is supplied from the single substrate supply section 25 to the thermal head 12.

[0048] Additionally, "above" and "below" refer to, for example... Figure 1A The "top" and "bottom" are configured as shown in the example of a duplex printer.

[0049] Furthermore, the stop member 62 provided on the guide conveying path 24 has a wing shape, enabling switching of the conveying path. A discharge path 65 is provided on the guide conveying path 24, branching off from the stop member 62 to discharge individual sheets of substrate 1 outwards. Moreover, the stop member 62 can be switched to: stop the individual sheets of substrate 1 supplied from the individual sheet supply unit 25 and convey the individual sheets of substrate 1 returning from the thermal head 12 towards the discharge path 65; and to continuously convey the individual sheets of substrate 1 supplied from the individual sheet supply unit 25 towards the thermal head 12 while closing the discharge path 65. Thus, the stop member 62 also functions as a branch that stops the individual sheets of substrate 1 and branches off the individual sheets of substrate 1 returning from the thermal head 12 towards the discharge path 65. Furthermore, an example is shown in which the stop member 62 also functions as a branch that stops the single substrate 1 and branches the single substrate returning from the thermal head 12 toward the discharge path 65. However, it is not limited to this; the discharge path 65 can also be branched from the downstream side of the switching section 61 in the guide transport path 24 via the branch.

[0050] In addition, clamping rollers 65a are provided at multiple locations on the discharge path 65 to hold the single sheet of substrate 1 and transport it toward the outlet 67 of the discharge path 65. Furthermore, a cutter 19 is provided at the outlet 67 of the discharge path 65 to cut the single sheet of substrate 1 as described later.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is shown where the discharge path 65 is provided by branching from a portion of the stop member 62 in the guide transport path 24. However, it is not limited to this, and the discharge path 65 may also branch from any portion between the stop member 62 and the switching section 63 in the guide transport path 24.

[0052] Next, using Figure 1A and Figure 1B The flipping mechanism 20 will be described. For a single sheet of substrate 1 returning from the thermal head 12 to the guide transport path 24, the flipping mechanism 20 flips the single sheet of substrate 1 with one side 1a facing the thermal head 12 so that the other side 1b faces the thermal head 12.

[0053] The guide transport path 24 and the flipping mechanism 20 are positioned below the roll substrate supply section 42, and a single-sheet substrate supply section 25 is located below the guide transport path 24 and the flipping mechanism 20, giving the duplex printer 10 a compact overall structure. In this case, the flipping mechanism 20 is particularly positioned directly below the switching section 61 located near the exit 71 of the guide transport path 24.

[0054] Furthermore, among the aforementioned components, the roll substrate supply unit 42 and the thermal head 12 can be constructed using existing parts. The guide transport path 24, the flipping mechanism 20, and the single-sheet substrate supply unit 25 can be arranged below the existing roll substrate supply unit 42. Thus, the duplex printer 10 of this disclosure can be constructed cost-effectively using the existing roll substrate supply unit 42 and thermal head 12.

[0055] In addition, a substrate transport path 15a is provided on the inlet side of the thermal head 12, and a substrate transport path 15b is provided on the outlet side of the thermal head 12. The substrate transport path 15 is composed of the substrate transport path 15a and the substrate transport path 15b.

[0056] In addition, a pressure roller 13 is provided at a position opposite the thermal head 12, separated from the single substrate 1 or the continuous substrate 41, to hold the single substrate 1 or the continuous substrate 41.

[0057] Furthermore, the aforementioned guide conveying path 24 is connected to one side of the substrate conveying path 15a via the outlet 71, and the flipping mechanism 20 is connected to the guide conveying path 24 via the switching part 61.

[0058] Additionally, a pickup rod 25a is provided within the single-sheet substrate supply section 25, which lifts the end side of the single-sheet substrate 1 placed on the lifting plate 25b within the single-sheet substrate supply section 25 upwards. Furthermore, the uppermost single-sheet substrate 1 lifted by the pickup rod 25a is conveyed to the guide conveying path 24 by the pickup roller 26.

[0059] That is, a separation roller 27 and a feed roller 28 are provided on the inlet 73 side of the guide transport path 24. The uppermost sheet of substrate 1, lifted by the pick-up rod 25a, is transported by the pick-up roller 26 to the separation roller 27 and the feed roller 28. In this case, it is also possible to transport the sheet of substrate 1 below the uppermost sheet of substrate 1 to the separation roller 27 and the feed roller 28 together with the uppermost sheet of substrate 1. In this case, the sheet of substrate 1 below the uppermost sheet of substrate 1 will not be transported to the guide transport path 24 because it is in contact with the separation roller 27.

[0060] Furthermore, in one side of the substrate transport path 15a, starting from the guide transport path 24 side, a transport roller 16 and a substrate transport mechanism 30 are sequentially arranged. Additionally, an end detection sensor 35 for detecting the end 1B of a single substrate 1 is provided between the substrate transport mechanism 30 and the transport roller 16. In this case, the substrate transport mechanism 30 is composed of a friction roller 31 and a pressure roller 32.

[0061] Furthermore, a discharge roller 18 is provided on the outlet side of the substrate conveying path 15b on the other side, and a cutter 29 for cutting the continuous substrate 41 is provided on the outlet side of the discharge roller 18.

[0062] The cutting tool 29 is a tool that removes the blank space at the front end and the blank space at the rear end of the printed continuous substrate 41. It consists of a fixed blade 29b and a movable blade 29a that cuts the continuous substrate 41 between the fixed blade 29b and the fixed blade 29b.

[0063] On the other hand, as described above, a cutter 19 for cutting the single sheet of substrate 1 is provided at the outlet 67 of the discharge path 65 through which the printed single sheet of substrate 1 is discharged. The cutter 19 is a cutter that removes the blank space at the front end and the blank space at the rear end of the printed single sheet of substrate 1, and is composed of a fixed blade 19b and a movable blade 19a that cuts the single sheet of substrate 1 between the fixed blade 19b and the fixed blade 19b.

[0064] Additionally, a sublimation transfer ink tape 5 for sublimation transfer printing is supplied from the ink tape unwinding section 6 to the thermal head 12 constituting the printing section 12A. The ink tape 5 supplied from the ink tape unwinding section 6 is used in the thermal head 12 during sublimation transfer printing, and then the used ink tape 5 is wound up by the ink tape take-up section 7.

[0065] Next, using Figure 1A and Figure 1B Further explanation of the flipping mechanism 20, wherein the flipping mechanism 20 flips the single substrate 1 so that one side 1a of the single substrate 1 faces the thermal head 12 side and the other side 1b of the single substrate 1 faces the thermal head 12 side.

[0066] The flipping mechanism 20 is connected to the outlet 71 side of the guide conveying path 24 via the switching part 61.

[0067] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, such a flipping mechanism 20 includes: a storage shell 21 having a cylindrical inner circumferential surface 21a and arranged with its center line 21b pointing horizontally; and a drive mechanism 52 that rotates the storage shell 21 about a rotation axis 45 extending in the vertical direction. The storage shell 21 is freely rotatable about the rotation axis 45, and its rotation is achieved by the drive mechanism 52. Furthermore, the drive mechanism 52 consists of a drive motor 52a and a transmission mechanism 52b that transmits the rotation from the drive motor 52a to the rotation axis 45.

[0068] As described above, the housing 21 has a cylindrical inner circumferential surface 21a, and an upper opening 21c is provided above the housing 21 for guiding a single sheet of substrate 1 into the housing 21. In addition, the flipping mechanism 20 has the upper opening 21c of the housing 21 and a connecting path 70 connected to the switching part 61 of the guide transport path 24.

[0069] Furthermore, the single substrate 1, which is introduced into the housing 21, moves along the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 21a via the guide roller 50 provided on the housing 21. Moreover, a position detection sensor 46 is provided on the housing 21 to detect the position of the single substrate 1 moving along the inner circumferential surface 21a.

[0070] Next, according to Figure 1B The housing 21 and guide rollers 50 will be described below. Multiple guide rollers 50 are provided on the outer periphery of the housing 21. Each guide roller 50 penetrates the housing 21 and protrudes slightly inward in the radial direction from the inner circumferential surface 21a of the housing 21. Furthermore, the guide roller 50 abuts against the single sheet substrate 1 entering the housing 21 and guides the single sheet substrate 1 along the inner circumferential surface 21a of the housing 21.

[0071] In this case, the end portion (the other end) 1B of the single substrate 1 that enters the housing 21 abuts against the inner circumferential surface 21a of the housing 21, but the other parts of the single substrate 1 are guided by the guide roller 50. Therefore, the single substrate 1 that enters the housing 21 will not be damaged by friction from the inner circumferential surface 21a of the housing 21.

[0072] However, all of the aforementioned components, such as the drive motor 52a of the drive mechanism 52, the guide roller 50, the substrate conveying mechanism 30, the roll substrate supply section 42, the thermal head 12, the ink ribbon winding section 6, the ink ribbon take-up section 7, the conveying roller 16, the discharge roller 18, the cutter 19, the cutter 29, the pickup bar 25a, the pickup roller 26, the separating roller 27, and the paper feed roller 28, are driven and controlled by the control device 11, and all of these components and the control device 11 are housed within the housing 10A.

[0073] In addition, the control device 11 has a drive control unit for the conveying mechanism, which drives the conveying mechanism 30 of the substrate with high precision, thereby performing multi-color printing based on the thermal head 12 with high precision.

[0074] Next, the substrate conveying mechanism 30 and the end detection sensor 35 for conveying a single substrate 1 will be described.

[0075] like Figure 1A As shown, in one side of the substrate conveying path 15a, between the thermal head 12 and the conveying roller 16, a substrate conveying mechanism 30 for conveying a single substrate 1 and an end detection sensor 35 are arranged sequentially from the thermal head 12 side.

[0076] The substrate conveying mechanism 30 includes a friction roller 31 and a pressing roller 32 that presses a single substrate 1 toward the friction roller 31.

[0077] Furthermore, an end detection sensor 35 is provided adjacent to the conveyor roller 16 side of the substrate conveying mechanism 30, and this end detection sensor 35 can detect the end 1B of a single substrate 1. The detection signal from the end detection sensor 35 is sent to the drive control unit of the conveying mechanism within the control device 11. The drive control unit then controls the drive of the friction roller 31 based on the signal from the end detection sensor 35 to adjust the position of the end 1B of the single substrate 1, thereby enabling high-precision multi-color printing based on the thermal printhead 12.

[0078] Next, refer to Figure 1 to... Figure 12 The function of this embodiment, which is constructed in this way, will be explained.

[0079] First, such as Figure 1A As shown, the function of using the thermal head 12 to perform single-sided printing on the continuous substrate 41 wound on the roll substrate supply section 42 will be explained.

[0080] First, a continuous substrate 41 is fed from the roll substrate supply section 42, and the continuous substrate 41 is conveyed from the substrate conveying path 15 to the discharge roller 18 side.

[0081] Next, a sublimation-based printing process is performed on one side of the continuous substrate 41 using the thermal head 12.

[0082] That is, the continuous substrate 41 discharged to the outside of the discharge roller 18 is conveyed in the opposite direction by the roll substrate supply section 42 and the discharge roller 18 towards the substrate transport path 15, and the continuous substrate 41 returns to the roll substrate supply section 42 side. In addition, the ink ribbon 5 for sublimation transfer is supplied from the ink ribbon roll-out section 6 to the thermal head 12 side, and the dye or pigment on the ink ribbon 5 side can be transferred to one surface of the continuous substrate 41 by the heat from the thermal head 12.

[0083] Sublimation transfer ink belt 5 has areas Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and OP (outer coating). Initially, Y printing is performed through the Y area of ​​ink belt 5.

[0084] In this way, Y-printing is performed on one side of the continuous substrate 41 in the thermal head 12 using the sublimation transfer ink belt 5. The continuous substrate 41, after Y-printing, is then conveyed again from the substrate transport path 15 to the discharge roller 18.

[0085] Then, similarly as described above, while returning the continuous substrate 41 to the roll substrate supply section 42, M-printing and C-printing are sequentially performed on one side of the continuous substrate 41 using the sublimation transfer ink belt 5 in the thermal head 12 to finish multicolor printing, and then an outer coating is formed on one side of the continuous substrate 41.

[0086] The continuous substrate 41, which has been printed on one side, is conveyed from the substrate transport path 15b on the other side of the substrate transport path 15 to the discharge roller 18. Then, the blank areas of the unprinted ends of the continuous substrate 41 are removed using a cutter 29.

[0087] Then, the continuous substrate 41 is discharged outward by the discharge roller 18, and then the blank at the rear end of the continuous substrate 41 is removed by the cutter 29.

[0088] In this way, the continuous substrate 41, which is printed on one side and the blank areas at the front and rear are removed so that the entire surface is printed, is discharged outward by the discharge roller 18 and taken out as a product.

[0089] Next, according to Figure 2 Figure 13 will be used to explain the function of using the thermal head 12 to perform double-sided printing on the single substrate 1 stored in the single substrate supply section 25.

[0090] First, such as Figure 2 As shown, multiple single substrates 1 are stacked in the single substrate supply section 25.

[0091] From this state, the pickup lever 25a lifts the lifting plate 25b inside the single-sheet substrate supply section 25. At this time, the end side of the single-sheet substrate 1 placed on the lifting plate 25b is also lifted in the same way.

[0092] Subsequently, the uppermost sheet substrate 1 placed on the lifting plate 25b is conveyed by the pick-up roller 26 to the separation roller 27 and the feed roller 28.

[0093] At this time, the conveying roller 16 on one side of the substrate conveying path 15a rotates synchronously with the pickup roller 26, the separating roller 27 and the paper feeding roller 28.

[0094] Next, as Figure 2 As shown, the sheet substrate 1, after being conveyed by the pick-up roller 26 to the separation roller 27 and the feed roller 28, is then conveyed to the substrate conveying path 15 via the guide conveying path 24, with one end 1A of the sheet substrate 1 leading the way. Alternatively, when conveying the uppermost sheet substrate 1 within the sheet substrate supply section 25, it is also possible to convey the lower sheet substrate 1 (excluding the uppermost sheet substrate 1) to the separation roller 27 and the feed roller 28. However, since one end 1A of the lower sheet substrate 1 (excluding the uppermost sheet substrate 1) abuts against the separation roller 27, only the uppermost sheet substrate 1 is conveyed from the guide conveying path 24 to the substrate conveying path 15 (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0095] In this case, while the other end 1B of the single substrate 1 is detected by the detection sensor (not shown) provided on the guide transport path 24, the pickup rod 25a descends. Simultaneously, the lifting plate 25b within the single substrate supply section 25 and the single substrate 1 on the lifting plate 25b also descend.

[0096] During this period, particularly in the conveying mechanism 30, the single sheet substrate 1 is pressed against the friction roller 31 by the pressure roller 32. Therefore, by driving the friction roller 31 using the drive control unit of the control device 11, the single sheet substrate 1 can be reliably conveyed using the frictional force from the friction roller 31. Furthermore, since the single sheet substrate 1 is conveyed by the frictional force from the friction roller 31, for example, damage to the single sheet substrate 1 is not caused compared to the case where fine protrusions are provided on the conveying roller and these fine protrusions are embedded in the single sheet substrate 1.

[0097] Furthermore, as described later, when the single substrate 1 passes through the conveying mechanism 30, both sides of the single substrate 1 come into contact with the friction roller 31 side of the conveying mechanism 30. However, since the friction roller 31 uses friction to convey the single substrate 1, it does not cause damage to both sides of the single substrate 1. In addition, appropriate double-sided printing is performed on both sides of the single substrate 1.

[0098] Subsequently, a single substrate 1 is conveyed from the substrate conveying path 15 to the discharge roller 18 side.

[0099] At this point, the pickup roller 26, the separating roller 27, and the paper feeding roller 28 all stop.

[0100] Next, the thermal print head 12 is used to perform sublimation transfer printing on one side 1a of a single substrate 1.

[0101] In this case, firstly, as Figure 4 As shown, the sheet substrate 1 discharged to the outside of the discharge roller 18 is conveyed in the opposite direction by the discharge roller 18 to the substrate transport path 15 side. The sheet substrate 1 is conveyed from the substrate transport path 15b on the other side of the substrate transport path 15 towards the substrate transport path 15a side via the transport roller 16 and the transport mechanism 30. In addition, the ink ribbon 5 for sublimation transfer is supplied from the ink ribbon roll-out section 6 to the thermal head 12 side. In addition, the dye or pigment on the ink ribbon 5 side can be transferred to one side 1a of the sheet substrate 1 by the heat from the thermal head 12. During this period, the stop member 62 of the guide transport path 24 guides the sheet substrate 1 returning from the thermal head 12 to the discharge path 65 side and switches to a position that stops the sheet substrate 1 supplied from the sheet substrate supply section 25.

[0102] Sublimation transfer ink belt 5 has areas Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and OP (outer coating). Initially, Y printing is performed through the Y area of ​​sublimation transfer ink belt 5.

[0103] That is, firstly, in the thermal head 12, Y printing is performed on one side 1a of the single substrate 1 using the sublimation transfer ink belt 5. After the Y printing is completed, the single substrate 1 returns from the thermal head 12 to the substrate transport path 15a side of the substrate transport path 15. Then, the single substrate 1 enters the guide transport path 24, is transported to the discharge path 65 side by the switching unit 61 and the stop member 62 switching the transport path.

[0104] Next, as Figure 5 As shown, the single substrate 1 in the discharge path 65 enters the guide transport path 24 via the stop member 62, and is transported again from one side of the substrate transport path 15a to the other side of the substrate transport path 15b via the switching unit 61. Then, similarly as described above, the single substrate 1 is returned from the other side of the substrate transport path 15b to the other side of the substrate transport path 15a. During this period, in the thermal head 12, M-printing and C-printing are sequentially performed on one side 1a of the single substrate 1 using the sublimation transfer ink belt 5 to complete the multicolor printing, and then an outer coating is formed on one side 1a of the single substrate 1.

[0105] In this way, the single substrate 1 conveyed to the discharge roller 18 side returns from the substrate conveying path 15b on one side to the substrate conveying path 15a on the other side via the conveying mechanism 30, enters the guide conveying path 24, passes through the switching part 61, and is conveyed to the discharge path 65 side by switching the conveying path through the stop member 62. During this period, Y-printing, M-printing, and C-printing are performed on one side 1a of the single substrate 1 using the thermal head 12 to form an outer coating.

[0106] When a single substrate 1 is returned from the other side of the substrate transport path 15b to the other side of the substrate transport path 15a using the conveying mechanism 30, the other end 1B of the single substrate 1 is detected by the end detection sensor 35, and the detection signal from the end detection sensor 35 is transmitted to the drive control unit of the conveying mechanism of the control device 11. Furthermore, the drive control unit drives the friction roller 31 according to the signal from the end detection sensor 35, thereby adjusting the position of the other end 1B of the single substrate 1.

[0107] That is, in the conveying of a single substrate 1 using the conveying mechanism 30, the following situation can also be conceived: a certain amount of sliding occurs between the friction roller 31 and the single substrate 1, thereby causing a slight positional shift between the friction roller 31 and the single substrate 1.

[0108] In this case, the drive control unit of the control device 11 controls the drive of the friction roller 31 based on the signal from the end detection sensor 35, thereby adjusting the position of the other end 1B on the end side of the single substrate 1. This position adjustment of the single substrate 1 based on the drive control unit of the control device 11 is performed whenever printing of each color (Y printing, M printing, C printing) is carried out, as well as when forming the outer coating. Therefore, the position adjustment of the single substrate 1 can be reliably performed, thereby achieving high-precision multi-color printing based on the thermal head 12.

[0109] In this way, the thermal head 12 is used to perform sublimation transfer printing on one side 1a of a single substrate 1, and the multicolor printing on one side 1a of a single substrate 1 is completed.

[0110] During this period, such as Figure 5 As shown, the next sheet of substrate 1 is supplied from the single-sheet substrate supply unit 25 into the guide conveying path 24.

[0111] In this case, as described above, the pickup rod 25a lifts the lifting plate 25b within the sheet substrate supply section 25, thus lifting the sheet substrate 1 stacked within the sheet substrate supply section 25. Then, the next sheet substrate 1, the uppermost sheet substrate 1 placed on the lifting plate 25b, is conveyed by the pickup roller 26 towards the separation roller 27 and the paper feed roller 28. The next sheet substrate 1 conveyed by the pickup roller 26 towards the separation roller 27 and the paper feed roller 28 is then conveyed into the guide transport path 24 with one end 1A of the next sheet substrate 1 leading the way. Next, one end 1A of the next sheet substrate 1 in the guide transport path 24 is engaged with the stop member 62 and stops.

[0112] Thus, within the guide transport path 24, while printing is being performed on a single sheet of substrate 1, the next sheet of substrate 1 is ready to be printed.

[0113] In this case, the distance between the switching section 61 and the stop member 62 located on the guide transport path 24 is preferably as short as possible. In this way, by shortening the distance between the switching section 61 and the stop member 62, the next single sheet of substrate 1 can be supplied to the thermal head 12 side quickly.

[0114] In this embodiment, the distance L between the switching unit 61 and the stop member 62 has a relationship of L1×5%≤L≤L1×20% relative to the length L1 of the single substrate 1 in the conveying direction (see reference). Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0115] In this case, if L is shorter than L1×5%, the switching part 61 and the stop member 62 are too close, making it difficult to independently set the switching part 61 and the stop member 62. On the other hand, if L is longer than L1×20%, it will result in a longer time for the next sheet of substrate 1, which has been stopped by the stop member 62, to be supplied to the thermal head 12.

[0116] During this period, a detection sensor (not shown) installed on the guide transport path 24 detects the other end 1B of the single substrate 1, and at the same time, the pickup rod 25a descends. Accompanying this, the lifting plate 25b inside the single substrate supply section 25 and the single substrate 1 on the lifting plate 25b also descend.

[0117] Then, as Figures 6 to 8 As shown, a single substrate 1 is flipped within the flipping mechanism 20.

[0118] That is, after multicolor printing is performed on one side 1a of a single substrate 1 using the thermal head 12, the single substrate 1 returns from the thermal head 12 to the guide transport path 24. Next, the single substrate 1, printed on one side 1a, is transported into the flipping mechanism 20 by a switching part 61 with switching flaps 61a located near the exit 71 of the guide transport path 24. At this time, the single substrate 1 is guided into the receiving shell 21 from the upper opening 21c via the connecting path 70 of the flipping mechanism 20 (see reference). Figure 1B and Figure 6 ).

[0119] At this time, the switching vane 61a within the guide conveying path 24 is pre-switched, and the single sheet substrate 1, which has returned to the guide conveying path 24, is reliably guided into the receiving shell 21 via the connecting path 70 from the upper opening 21c using the switching vane 61a. During this period, the single sheet substrate 1 is conveyed towards the receiving shell 21 by the clamping roller 70a of the connecting path 70.

[0120] After being guided into the housing 21, the single substrate 1 moves along the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 21a of the housing 21 by the guide roller 50 (see reference). Figure 1B and Figure 7 In this case, the end (other end) 1B of the single substrate 1 abuts against the inner circumferential surface 21a of the housing 21, but the other part of the single substrate 1 is guided by the guide roller 50. Therefore, the single substrate 1 will not be damaged by friction with the inner circumferential surface 21a of the housing 21.

[0121] Then, as Figure 7 As shown, the position detection sensor 46 detects the end (one end) 1A of the rear end side of the single substrate 1, and the control device 11 stops the guide roller 50 from driving based on the signal from the position detection sensor 46. Furthermore, the position detection sensor 46 is disposed at the end on the switching section 61 side of the connection path 70.

[0122] In addition, such as Figure 7 As shown, the single substrate 1 is arranged along the inner peripheral surface 21a of the housing 21. One end 1A of the single substrate 1 is located at the end on the side of the switching part 61 in the connection path 70, and the other end 1B of the single substrate 1 is located on the inner peripheral surface 21a of the housing 21.

[0123] Next, the drive motor 52a is rotated by the control device 11, and the housing 21 rotates 180° around the rotation axis 45 (see reference). Figure 8 ).

[0124] By rotating the housing 21 180° around the rotation axis 45, one side 1a of the housing 21 faces the thermal head 12, and the other side 1b of the single substrate 1 faces the thermal head 12.

[0125] Thus, the flipping action of the single substrate 1 is completed by using the flipping mechanism 20.

[0126] Next, as Figure 9 As shown, the guide roller 50 inside the housing 21 is driven again, and the single substrate 1 arranged along the inner circumferential surface 21a of the housing 21 is conveyed to the thermal head 12 side via the connecting path 70 and the switching part 61 with the end 1A as the leading end.

[0127] By using the flipping mechanism 20 as described above, a single substrate 1 with one side 1a facing the thermal head 12 can be flipped so that the other side 1b faces the thermal head 12. In addition, the single substrate 1 is introduced into the housing 21 from the other end 1B, and after the flipping operation, the single substrate 1 is sent out from the housing 21 with the other end 1B becoming the rear end.

[0128] Therefore, in both cases before and after flipping, the other end 1B of the single substrate 1 faces the storage shell 21.

[0129] Subsequently, the single substrate 1 is conveyed from the guide conveyor path 24 to the discharge roller 18 side (see reference). Figure 9 ).

[0130] Then, as Figure 10 As shown above, Y-printing is first performed on the other side 1b of the single substrate 1 using the thermal head 12 and the sublimation transfer ink belt 5. At this time, the single substrate 1, which returns from the thermal head 12 to the guide transport path 24, is transported to the discharge path 65 side via the switching unit 61 and the stop member 62 switches the transport path.

[0131] Then, using the sublimation transfer ink belt 5, M printing and C printing are sequentially performed on the other side 1b of the single substrate 1, and then an outer coating is formed on the other side 1b of the single substrate 1. In this way, the multicolor printing on the other side 1b of the single substrate 1 is completed.

[0132] Next, the single substrate 1, which has been double-sided printed on both sides 1a and 1b, returns from the thermal head 12 to the guide transport path 24 side, and is transported to the discharge path 65 side through the switching part 61 and the stop member 62 provided on the guide transport path 24.

[0133] Next, the blank space of the unprinted end portion (the other end) 1B in the single substrate 1 is removed using the cutter 19 (see reference). Figure 11 ).

[0134] Then, the single substrate 1 is discharged from the outlet to the outside, and then the blank space at the rear end (one end) 1A of the single substrate 1 is removed by the cutter 19.

[0135] In this way, printing is performed on one side 1a and the other side 1b, and the blanks at the front end and the back end are removed, so that the single sheet of substrate 1 with the entire surface printed is discharged from the cutter 19 to the outside and taken out as a product.

[0136] During this period, the storage shell 21 rotates 180° again around the rotation axis 45 via the drive mechanism 52, and the storage shell 21 returns to its original position.

[0137] Furthermore, in both cases before and after flipping, the other end 1B of the single substrate 1 faces the receiving shell 21. Therefore, the single substrate 1, which is conveyed from the discharge roller 18 side to the thermal head 12 side and printed, is always guided into the thermal head 12 from the other end 1B and printed by the thermal head 12. As a result, when the blank space at one end 1A and the blank space at the other end 1B that have not been printed are removed using the cutter 19, the length of the blank space can be shortened.

[0138] That is, such as Figure 13A As shown, according to this embodiment, in both cases before and after flipping, a single substrate 1 is always conveyed from the other end 1B to the thermal head 12 side, and printing is performed on one side 1a and the other side 1b by means of the thermal head 12.

[0139] When printing on a single sheet substrate 1 using the thermal head 12, the area between the friction roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 and the thermal head 12 in the single sheet substrate 1 must be removed as blank space.

[0140] According to this embodiment, in either case before or after flipping, the single substrate 1 is always guided from the discharge roller 18 side to the thermal head 12 for printing. Therefore, in either case of the front side (one side 1a) or the back side (the other side 1b) of the single substrate 1, the area that should be removed as a blank space between the friction roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 and the thermal head 12 can be arranged on the other end 1B side.

[0141] Therefore, by using the cutter 19 to remove the blank space on the other end 1B side of the single substrate 1, the specified blank space on the single substrate 1 can be reliably removed. It should be noted that although the blank space on one end 1A side of the single substrate 1 also needs to be removed, the blank space on the one end 1A side is arbitrary and can be formed to be shorter than the blank space on the other end 1B side.

[0142] On the other hand, in a comparative example where printing is performed by introducing the single substrate 1 into the thermal head 12 from the other end 1B before the single substrate 1 is flipped, and printing is performed by introducing the single substrate 1 into the thermal head 12 from one end 1A after the single substrate 1 is flipped (see reference...) Figure 13BThe area that should be removed as a blank space between the friction roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 and the thermal head 12 extends to one end 1A side (front side) and the other end 1B side (back side) of the single substrate 1. Therefore, this results in an increase in the length of the blank space to be removed by the cutter 19.

[0143] In contrast, according to this embodiment, the area that should be removed as a blank space between the friction roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 and the thermal head 12 can always be located on the other end 1B side of the single substrate 1, thereby shortening the length of the blank space that should be removed.

[0144] Next, as Figure 12 As shown, the stop 62 of the guide transport path 24 switches to the open position, and the next sheet of substrate 1, which is stopped and waiting by the stop 62, is transported to the thermal head 12 via the switching unit 61. Then, double-sided printing is performed on the next sheet of substrate 1.

[0145] As described above, according to this embodiment, the flipping mechanism 20 is connected via a switching section 61 located near the outlet 71 on the side of the thermal head 12 in the guide transport path 24 that transports the single-sheet substrate 1 supplied from the single-sheet substrate supply section 25. In this case, the flipping mechanism 20 is positioned directly below the switching section 61 of the guide transport path 24. Therefore, the single-sheet substrate 1 returning from the thermal head 12 can be supplied directly to the flipping mechanism 20 from the switching section 61, and the transport path length of the single-sheet substrate 1 from the thermal head 12 to the flipping mechanism 20 can be shortened as much as possible. As a result, the transport time of the single-sheet substrate 1 can be shortened as much as possible, and high-speed printing processing can be achieved.

[0146] Furthermore, the storage shell 21 of the flipping mechanism 20 has an upper opening 21c, and the storage shell 21 is directly connected to the switching section 61 of the guide transport path 24 via the upper opening 21c and the connecting path 70. Therefore, the time for introducing a single sheet of substrate 1 from the switching section 61 of the guide transport path 24 to the storage shell 21 via the connecting path 70, and the time for conveying the single sheet of substrate 1 in the storage shell 21 to the switching section 61 of the guide transport path 24 via the connecting path 70, can be significantly shortened.

[0147] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a single substrate 1 supplied from the single substrate supply unit 25 is conveyed from the guide transport path 24 to the thermal head 12 side, double-sided printing is performed on the single substrate 1, and the single substrate 1 is discharged outward from the guide transport path 24 via the switching unit 61 and the stop member 62 from the discharge path 65. During this period, the next single substrate 1 is supplied from the single substrate supply unit 25 to the guide transport path 24, and the next single substrate 1 is supplied until it reaches the stop member 62 provided near the switching unit 61, where it is placed in standby mode. Therefore, after the single substrate 1 that has undergone double-sided printing using the thermal head 12 is discharged outward from the discharge path 65, the next single substrate 1, which has been stopped by the stop member 62, can be immediately supplied from the guide transport path 24 to the thermal head 12 side. Therefore, after a single substrate sheet that has undergone double-sided printing using the thermal head 12 is discharged outward from the discharge path 65, the next single substrate sheet 1 is supplied to the thermal head 12 without wasting time, and double-sided printing is performed on the next single substrate sheet 1. In addition, the time for supplying the next single substrate sheet 1 to the thermal head 12 can be significantly shortened.

[0148] Furthermore, during the printing of a single substrate 1 using the thermal printhead 12, the single substrate 1 returning from the thermal printhead 12 is conveyed from the stop member 62 to the discharge path 65 side via the switching section 61 of the guide transport path 24. Therefore, the single substrate 1 after printing based on the thermal printhead 12 can be directly discharged outward from the discharge path 65, thereby significantly shortening the discharge time of the single substrate 1 after printing.

[0149] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, sublimation transfer printing can be easily performed on one side of the continuous substrate 41 rolled out from the roll substrate supply section 42 using the thermal head 12.

[0150] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the orientation of the single substrate 1 can be easily and reliably flipped simply by inserting the single substrate 1 into the housing 21 of the flipping mechanism 20 and rotating the housing 21 by 180°. Additionally, sublimation transfer printing can be easily performed on both sides 1a and 1b of the flipped single substrate 1 using the thermal head 12.

[0151] Furthermore, since the guide transport path 24, the flipping mechanism 20, and the single-sheet substrate supply section 25 are arranged below the roll substrate supply section 42, the overall shape of the single-sided and double-sided printer 10 can be compactly configured. Thus, the single-sided and double-sided printer 10 has a compact overall structure. Therefore, even if the single-sheet substrate 1 becomes clogged, for example, the position of the single-sheet substrate 1 can be easily located inside the housing 10A by opening the housing 10A and then pulled out.

[0152] In addition, by using the existing roll substrate supply section 42 and thermal head 12, and simply by placing the guide transport path 24, the single-sheet substrate supply section 25 and the flipping mechanism 20 below the roll substrate supply section 42, it is possible to manufacture the duplex printer 10 cheaply and easily.

[0153] Furthermore, the other end 1B of the single substrate 1 is detected by the end detection sensor 35, and the drive control unit of the control device 11 drives and controls the friction roller 31 according to the detection signal from the end detection sensor 35. Therefore, the position of the single substrate 1 can be adjusted by the friction roller 31, thereby enabling high-precision multicolor printing by the thermal head 12.

[0154] Furthermore, in the case of one side 1a and the other side 1b of a single substrate 1, the area that should be removed as blank space can be moved toward the other end 1B, thereby shortening the length of the blank space that should be removed.

[0155] Label Explanation

[0156] 1: Single-sheet substrate;

[0157] 1a: One face;

[0158] 1b: The other side;

[0159] 5: Sublimation transfer ink tape;

[0160] 6: The ink ribbon curls outwards;

[0161] 7: Ink tape winding section;

[0162] 10: Double-sided printer;

[0163] 10A: Housing;

[0164] 11: Control device;

[0165] 12: Thermal head;

[0166] 13: Pressure roller;

[0167] 15: Substrate transport path;

[0168] 15a: Substrate transport path on one side;

[0169] 15b: Substrate transport path on the other side;

[0170] 16: Conveyor roller;

[0171] 18: Discharge roller;

[0172] 19: Knives;

[0173] 20: Tilting mechanism;

[0174] 21: Storage case;

[0175] 21a: Inner circumferential surface;

[0176] 24: Guide the conveyor path;

[0177] 25: Single-sheet substrate supply department;

[0178] 25a: Pick-up lever;

[0179] 26: Pickup roller;

[0180] 27: Separating roller;

[0181] 28: Paper feed roller;

[0182] 29: Knives;

[0183] 30: Conveying mechanism;

[0184] 31: Friction roller;

[0185] 32: Pressure roller;

[0186] 41: Continuous substrate;

[0187] 42: Roll substrate supply section;

[0188] 45: Rotation axis;

[0189] 46: Position detection sensor;

[0190] 50: Guide roller;

[0191] 52: Drive mechanism;

[0192] 52a: Drive motor;

[0193] 52b: Transmission mechanism;

[0194] 61: Switching unit;

[0195] 61a: Switching fins;

[0196] 62: Stop component;

[0197] 65: Exit path;

[0198] 67: Exports;

[0199] 70: Link path;

[0200] 71: Exports.

Claims

1. A duplex printer, wherein, The duplex printer includes: Printing Department; A single-sheet substrate supply unit, which stores single-sheet substrates for double-sided printing and supplies the single-sheet substrates to the printing unit; and The guide conveyor path transports the single substrate from the single substrate supply unit to the printing unit. A flipping mechanism that flips the single substrate returning from the printing section is flexibly connected to the guide transport path via a switching section. For the single substrate, the flipping mechanism flips the substrate with one side facing the printing section so that the other side faces the printing section. A stop is provided in the guide transport path at a position upstream of the switching section in the transport direction. The stop stops the sheet of substrate supplied from the sheet substrate supply section. A discharge path is connected to the stop in the guide transport path via a branch section downstream of the transport direction, and the discharge path discharges the sheet of substrate returning from the printing section. The stop has a wing-like shape and also serves as a branch of the discharge path. The stop member is in the closed position, which stops the single substrate from the single substrate supply unit and conveys the single substrate returning from the printing unit to the discharge path. The stop member is in the open position to convey the single substrate from the single substrate supply unit to the printing unit and to close the discharge path.

2. The duplex printer according to claim 1, wherein, The branch of the discharge path is located between the stop and the switching part.

3. The duplex printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The flipping mechanism is located directly below the switching section of the guide conveying path.

4. The duplex printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The flipping mechanism includes: a storage shell having a cylindrical inner circumferential surface and configured with its centerline oriented horizontally; and a drive mechanism that causes the storage shell to rotate about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction.

5. The duplex printer according to claim 4, wherein, The storage shell has an opening at the top, and the flipping mechanism has a connection path that connects the opening at the top of the storage shell to the switching part.

6. The duplex printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The distance L between the switching part and the stop member has a relationship of L1×5%≤L≤L1×20% relative to the conveying direction length L1 of the single substrate.

7. The duplex printer according to claim 4, wherein, The storage shell is provided with a plurality of guide rollers that protrude from the inner circumference of the storage shell in a radial direction and guide the single substrate.

8. The duplex printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The duplex printer also includes a control device. The control device supplies the single substrate from the single substrate supply unit to the printing unit via the guide conveying path, and the printing unit performs printing on one side of the single substrate. The next sheet of substrate is conveyed from the single-sheet substrate supply unit to the guide conveying path, and the leading edge of the next sheet of substrate is stopped by the stop member. The single substrate is conveyed from the printing section to the flipping mechanism via the guide transport path, and the flipping mechanism flips the single substrate with one side facing the printing section so that the other side faces the printing section. Next, the flipped single substrate is fed to the printing unit, where printing is performed on the other side of the single substrate. The printed single substrate is conveyed from the printing section to the discharge path via the guide conveyor path from the branch section. The next sheet of substrate, which is stopped by the stop within the guide transport path, is supplied to the printing unit.

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