Printing apparatus and printing method

Abstract

The invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method. When double-sided printing or the like is performed on a fabric, an image is printed at a desired position relative to the image or the like on the back surface. A printing device (1) is provided with: a conveyor belt (5) that conveys a fabric (M) in a conveyance direction (A) in a state in which a first surface (M1) of the fabric (M) faces an adhesive layer (5a); and a printing unit (101) that prints an image on a second surface (M2) on the opposite side of the first surface (M1) on the fabric (M) conveyed by the conveyor belt (5). And an infrared imaging unit (30) for imaging, using infrared rays, an imaging target (I) provided on the first surface (M1) of the fabric (M) conveyed by the conveyor belt (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a printing device and a printing method. Background Art

[0002] Various printing devices have been used so far. Among them, there are printing devices that print on cloth. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a double-sided printing system that can print on both sides of a cloth.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-502291

[0004] In a printing device that prints on both sides of a cloth, such as the double-sided printing system of Patent Document 1, it is often desirable to align the position of an image printed on the front side with the position of an image printed on the back side. Therefore, there is a structure having a detection unit that detects the position of an image that is first printed on one side of the cloth. In the double-sided printing system of Patent Document 1, a scanning device is provided that can read a first printed image on the first side. However, the scanning device of the double-sided printing system of Patent Document 1 is a structure that uses visible light to detect the position of an image, and has a low detection capability for an image on the back side, etc., and sometimes it is difficult to print an image at a desired position relative to an image on the back side, etc. Summary of the invention

[0005] The printing device of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is characterized in that it comprises: a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer for supporting a cloth as a medium, the conveyor belt conveying the cloth in a conveying direction in a state where the first surface of the cloth is opposite to the adhesive layer; a printing unit for printing an image on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt; and an infrared shooting unit for shooting a shooting object arranged on the first surface of the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt using infrared rays.

[0006] In addition, the printing method of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is characterized in that the printing method is a printing method of a printing device, and the printing device comprises: a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer supporting a cloth as a medium, the conveyor belt conveying the cloth in a conveying direction in a state where the first side of the cloth is opposite to the adhesive layer; and a printing unit printing an image on a second side of the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt, which is opposite to the first side, and the printing method comprises: an infrared shooting step, using infrared rays to shoot a shooting object set on the first side of the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt; a correction step, based on the shooting data obtained in the infrared shooting step, correcting at least one of the image and the printing position of the image; and a printing step, based on the correction result in the correction step, the printing unit printing the image on the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of a printing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic side view of an infrared camera unit of a printing device.

[0009] Figure 3 To adopt Figure 1 A flowchart of an example of a printing method of a printing device.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a schematic side view of a printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic side view of an infrared camera unit of a printing device.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a schematic side view of a printing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic side view of an infrared camera unit of a printing device.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a schematic side view of a printing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Fig. 9 for Figure 8 A schematic side view of an infrared camera unit of a printing device.

[0016] Description of Reference Numerals

[0017] 1: printing device (conveying device), 1A: printing device, 1B: printing device, 1C: printing device, 1D: printing device, 2: holding shaft, 3: driven roller, 4: driving roller, 5: conveyor belt, 5a: adhesive layer, 6: pressure roller, 9: cleaning section, 10: cleaning roller, 11: scraper, 14: storage tank, 16: absorption roller, 20: conveying section, 30: infrared imaging section, 31: light emitting section, 32: light receiving section, 40: driving section, 41: control section, 80: holding section, 100: carriage, 101: printing head (printing section), I: imaging object, Le: emitting infrared rays, Lr: reflecting infrared rays, M: medium (cloth), M1: first side, M2: second side, R: winding body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] First, the present invention will be briefly described.

[0019] The printing device of the first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is characterized in that it comprises: a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer for supporting a cloth as a medium, the conveyor belt conveying the cloth in a conveying direction in a state where the first surface of the cloth is opposite to the adhesive layer; a printing unit for printing an image on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt; and an infrared shooting unit for shooting a shooting object arranged on the first surface of the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt using infrared rays.

[0020] According to this aspect, an infrared imaging unit is provided for imaging a photographic object provided on the first surface of the fabric conveyed by the conveyor belt using infrared rays. Infrared rays can more easily penetrate fabric than visible light, so the photographic object can be appropriately photographed. Therefore, in the case of double-sided printing on the fabric, an image can be printed at a desired front position relative to an image on the back.

[0021] A printing device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the printing device includes a correction unit that corrects at least one of the image and a printing position of the image based on imaging data acquired by the infrared imaging unit.

[0022] According to this aspect, a correction unit is provided for correcting at least one of an image and a printing position of the image based on the photographing data obtained by the infrared photographing unit. With such a structure, when double-sided printing is performed on a cloth, the image can be automatically and simply printed at a desired position relative to the image on the back side, etc., based on the correction result of the correction unit.

[0023] A printing device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the aspect dependent on the first or second aspect, the printing device includes a pressing portion that presses the cloth against the adhesive layer.

[0024] According to this aspect, a pressing portion is provided for pressing the cloth against the adhesive layer. Therefore, the cloth can be reliably supported on the adhesive layer. On the other hand, in the structure having a pressing portion for pressing the cloth against the adhesive layer, when printing on both sides of the cloth, it is not easy to align the positions of the images on both sides, but since an infrared camera is provided for photographing the image provided on the first side, the positions of the images on both sides can be appropriately aligned.

[0025] The printing device of the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the aspect subordinate to the above-mentioned first or second aspect, the conveyor belt is formed of a material that reflects infrared rays, and the infrared shooting unit has a light-emitting unit that emits infrared rays and a light-receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side opposite to the second surface.

[0026] According to this aspect, the conveyor belt is formed of a material that reflects infrared rays, and the infrared camera unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side opposite to the second surface. With such a structure, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit can be arranged on the same side relative to the conveyor belt, which can simplify the device structure.

[0027] The printing device of the fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the aspect subordinate to the above-mentioned first or second aspect, the conveyor belt is formed of a material that allows infrared rays to pass through, and the infrared shooting unit has a light-emitting unit that emits infrared rays and a light-receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side opposite to the first surface.

[0028] According to this aspect, the conveyor belt is formed of a material that allows infrared rays to pass through, and the infrared ray shooting unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side opposite to the first surface. With such a structure, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit can be arranged on the same side relative to the conveyor belt, which can simplify the device structure.

[0029] The printing device of the sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the aspect subordinate to the above-mentioned first or second aspect, the conveyor belt is formed of a material that allows infrared rays to pass through, and the infrared shooting unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays on the side opposite to the first surface, and has a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side opposite to the second surface.

[0030] According to this aspect, the conveyor belt is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays, and the infrared ray shooting unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays on the side opposite to the first surface, and has a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side opposite to the second surface. With such a structure, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit can be arranged on different sides relative to the conveyor belt, and the space in the device can be effectively utilized.

[0031] The printing device of the seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the aspect subordinate to the above-mentioned first or second aspect, the conveyor belt is formed of a material that allows infrared rays to pass through, and the infrared shooting unit has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays on the side opposite to the second surface, and has a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side opposite to the first surface.

[0032] According to this aspect, the conveyor belt is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays, and the infrared camera has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays on the side opposite to the second surface, and has a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays on the side opposite to the first surface. With such a structure, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit can be arranged on different sides relative to the conveyor belt, and the space in the device can be effectively utilized.

[0033] A printing device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the aspect dependent upon the first or second aspect, the infrared imaging unit is detachable.

[0034] According to this aspect, the infrared imaging unit is detachable, so that the infrared imaging unit can be easily replaced or cleaned.

[0035] A printing device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the aspect dependent on the first or second aspect, the imaging object is a printed image printed in advance by the printing unit.

[0036] According to this aspect, the photographed object is a printed image printed in advance by the printing unit. Therefore, a properly aligned double-sided printed material can be formed by using the printed image printed in advance by the printing unit and the image subsequently positioned based on the printed image.

[0037] The printing method of the tenth aspect of the present invention is a printing method of a printing device, characterized in that the printing method is a printing method of a printing device, and the printing device comprises: a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer supporting a cloth as a medium, the conveyor belt conveying the cloth in a conveying direction in a state where the first surface of the cloth is opposite to the adhesive layer; and a printing unit, printing an image on a second surface of the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt on the opposite side to the first surface, the printing method comprising: an infrared shooting step, using infrared rays to shoot a shooting object set on the first surface of the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt; a correction step, based on the shooting data obtained in the infrared shooting step, correcting the image and at least one of the printing position of the image; and a printing step, based on the correction result in the correction step, the printing unit prints the image on the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt.

[0038] According to this aspect, at least one of the image and the printing position of the image is corrected based on the image data obtained by the infrared imaging unit before printing. By executing such a printing method, when double-sided printing is performed on a cloth, the image can be automatically and easily printed at a desired position based on the correction result in the correction process.

[0039] The printing method according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the aspect dependent on the tenth aspect, a photographing object printing step of printing the photographing object by the printing unit is performed before the infrared photographing step.

[0040] According to this aspect, the printed image pre-printed in the printing process of the photographed object is used as the photographed object. Therefore, a double-sided printed material with proper position alignment can be formed by the printed image pre-printed in the printing process of the photographed object and the image printed based on the positioning of the printed image in the subsequent printing process.

[0041] Example 1

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 An overview of a printing apparatus 1A according to Embodiment 1, which is an example of the printing apparatus 1 of the present invention, will be described.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the printing apparatus 1A of the present embodiment includes a holding unit 80 capable of rotatably holding a roll body R formed by winding a medium M into a roll shape, and a conveying unit 20 having a driving unit 40 as a motor and conveying the medium M fed from the holding unit 80 in a conveying direction A by the driving force of the driving unit 40. The driving unit 40 is driven by the control of a control unit 41. The control unit 41 includes a CPU and a storage unit and controls the driving of each component of the printing apparatus 1A of the present embodiment.

[0044] The holding unit 80 includes a holding shaft 2 that penetrates a paper tube constituting a rotation axis of the roll body R and holds the roll body R. The holding unit 80 can rotate the holding shaft 2 in a rotation direction C to feed the medium M from the roll body R to the conveying unit 20. The printing device 1A of this embodiment includes a pressure roller 6 that presses the medium M against the conveying belt 5 in a region facing the conveying belt 5 constituting the conveying unit 20. However, a configuration in which the pressure roller 6 or the like is not provided may be sufficient.

[0045] The conveying unit 20 includes a driven roller 3 located on the upstream side of the conveying direction A, a driving roller 4 located on the downstream side of the conveying direction A, and a conveying belt 5 as an endless belt stretched on the driven roller 3 and the driving roller 4. The conveying belt 5 is an adhesive belt having an adhesive layer 5a coated with an adhesive on the outer surface, that is, the supporting surface of the medium M. If described from another perspective, the conveying belt 5 is an adhesive belt having an adhesive layer 5a supporting the medium M and conveying the first surface M1 of the cloth in the conveying direction A in a state where the first surface M1 of the cloth is opposite to the adhesive layer 5a.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, in a state where the first surface M1 of the medium M is attached to the adhesive layer 5a, the medium M is supported on the conveyor belt 5 for conveyance. In the printing device 1A of the present embodiment, the medium supporting area of ​​the conveyor belt 5 that supports the medium M is an upper area formed by the driven roller 3 and the driving roller 4. The driving roller 4 is a roller that rotates in the rotation direction C by the driving force of the driving unit 40 as a motor, and the driven roller 3 is a roller that rotates following the rotation of the conveyor belt 5, and the conveyor belt 5 rotates as the driving roller 4 rotates.

[0047] The printing device 1A of this embodiment includes a carriage 100 that can reciprocate in the width direction B of the conveyor belt 5 and a print head 101 mounted on the carriage 100. The print head 101 is a printing unit that can eject liquid ink onto the second surface M2 of the medium M conveyed in the conveying direction A based on print data to print an image.

[0048] The printing apparatus 1A of the present embodiment can form an image by ejecting ink from the print head 101 onto the transported medium M while reciprocating the carriage 100 in the width direction B intersecting the transport direction A. The printing apparatus 1A of the present embodiment can form a desired image on the medium M by repeatedly transporting the medium M in the transport direction A at a predetermined transport amount and ejecting ink while moving the carriage 100 in the width direction B with the medium M stopped, using the carriage 100 with such a structure.

[0049] As described above, the printing device 1A of the present embodiment includes a so-called serial print head type nozzle in which the print head 101 mounted on the carriage 100 reciprocates in the width direction B. However, the present invention is not limited to such a nozzle. For example, the print head 101 may also be a printing unit of a line print head type in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged, and the plurality of nozzles extend and are fixed in the width direction B, and eject ink along the width direction B. In the case of a structure of a printing unit of a line print head type, the medium M can be transported by so-called continuous transport in which the medium M is continuously transported, rather than by so-called intermittent transport in which the medium M is transported by repeating the so-called intermittent transport in which the medium M is transported at a predetermined transport amount and the medium M is stopped, as in the printing device 1A of the present embodiment.

[0050] After the medium M with an image formed by ejecting ink from the print head 101 is discharged from the printing device 1A of this embodiment, it is transmitted to a drying device that volatilizes the components of the ink ejected onto the medium M or a winding device that winds up the medium M with the image formed thereon, which is provided in a subsequent stage of the printing device 1A of this embodiment.

[0051] Preferably, cloth and other printed materials can be used as the medium M. The printed materials refer to cloth, clothing and other apparel products that are the objects of printing and dyeing. Cloth includes textiles, knitted fabrics, non-woven fabrics, etc. made of natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool, or chemical fibers such as nylon, or composite fibers mixed with these materials. In addition, clothing and other apparel products include not only sewn T-shirts, handkerchiefs, scarves, towels, handbags, cloth bags, curtains, sheets, bedspreads and other household items, but also cloth before and after cutting that exists as a part of the state before sewing. However, in addition to the above-mentioned printed materials, ordinary paper, high-quality paper, and glossy paper and other special papers for inkjet printing can also be used.

[0052] When a printed material is used as the medium M, the printed material is prone to the phenomenon that the ink sprayed on the medium M penetrates to the back side surface, that is, the ink seepage, so the conveyor belt 5 may be contaminated by the ink. Therefore, the printing device 1A of this embodiment is provided with a cleaning unit 9 for cleaning the ink that seeps through and adheres to the conveyor belt 5. The cleaning unit 9 of this embodiment includes a storage tank 14 for storing a cleaning liquid, a cleaning roller 10 soaked in the cleaning liquid and in contact with the conveyor belt 5, a scraper 11 extending in the width direction B and wiping the cleaning liquid adhered to the conveyor belt 5, and an absorption roller 16 for absorbing the cleaning liquid remaining after the scraper 11 wipes.

[0053] As described above, the printing device 1A of this embodiment includes a conveyor belt 5 for conveying a medium M such as a cloth in a conveying direction A with the first surface M1 of the medium M facing the adhesive layer 5a, and a print head 101 for printing an image on a second surface M2 of the medium M conveyed by the conveyor belt 5 on the opposite side to the first surface M1. Figure 1 As shown, the printing apparatus 1A of the present embodiment further includes an infrared imaging unit 30 that uses infrared rays to image the imaging object I provided on the first surface M1 of the medium M conveyed by the conveyor belt 5 .

[0054] In the structure using visible light as a detection unit for detecting the photographic object I, the detection accuracy of the photographic object I is reduced when cloth is used as the medium M. In particular, when thick felt or the like is used as the medium M, the detection accuracy of the photographic object I is particularly reduced. On the other hand, since infrared rays can pass through cloth or the like more easily than visible light, the structure having an infrared photographing unit 30 that uses infrared rays to photograph the photographic object I set on the first surface M1 can appropriately photograph the photographic object I. By photographing the photographic object I, an image can be formed on the second surface M2 at an appropriate position relative to the first surface M1 based on the photographing result. Therefore, in the case of double-sided printing on cloth, for example, the printing device 1A of this embodiment can print an image at a desired front position relative to an image on the back.

[0055] Below, refer to Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 and Figure 3 The infrared imaging unit 30 will be described in further detail. Figure 2 As shown, in the printing device 1A of the present embodiment, the infrared camera unit 30 includes a light emitting unit 31 for emitting infrared rays and a light receiving unit 32 for receiving infrared rays, and both the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are provided on the side opposite to the second surface M2. In addition, in the printing device 1A of the present embodiment, the conveyor belt 5 is formed of a material that reflects infrared rays.

[0056] exist Figure 2 , it is shown that the infrared ray Le emitted from the light emitting unit 31 is absorbed at the photographing object I, and becomes the reflected infrared ray Lr reflected by the conveyor belt 5 at a place where there is no photographing object I, and is received by the light receiving unit 32. As described above, in the printing device 1A of this embodiment, the conveyor belt 5 is formed of a material reflecting infrared rays, and the infrared ray photographing unit 30 is provided with a light emitting unit for emitting infrared rays and a light receiving unit for receiving infrared rays on the side opposite to the second surface. With such a structure, the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 can be arranged on the same side relative to the conveyor belt 5, so that the device structure can be simplified.

[0057] In order to properly photograph the photographing object I, the light emitting unit 31 is preferably a structure in which the light emitting elements are arranged in a row along the width direction B or the conveying direction A, or the light emitting elements are arranged in a plane along the width direction B and the conveying direction A. Accordingly, the light receiving unit 32 is preferably a structure in which the light receiving elements are arranged in a row along the width direction B or the conveying direction A, or the light receiving elements are arranged in a plane along the width direction B and the conveying direction A.

[0058] The photographed object I may be various types such as a pattern or concave-convex formed on the first surface M1 of the medium M, a printed image printed on the first surface M1 of the medium M, or a stamp attached to the first surface M1 of the medium M. The photographed object I is not particularly limited, as long as the photographed object I absorbs infrared rays more easily than the medium M. In the present embodiment, the photographed object I is a printed image pre-printed by the print head 101 of the printing device 1A of the present embodiment. Therefore, a double-sided printed object with proper position alignment can be formed by the printed image pre-printed by the print head 101 and the image subsequently positioned based on the printed image. If explained from another perspective, the medium M that can be used in the present embodiment may be a medium M with a printed image formed on the first surface M1 and no image printed on the second surface M2.

[0059] When forming a double-sided printed matter, the same image can be formed on the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 with their positions aligned. However, in addition to such a double-sided printed matter, different images can be formed on the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 with their positions aligned, or the same or different images can be formed on the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 with their positions differing by a predetermined amount.

[0060] As described above, the printing device 1A of the present embodiment includes the control unit 41, and the control unit 41 can be used as a correction unit that corrects at least one of the image to be printed by the printing head 101 and the printing position of the image based on the imaging data obtained by the infrared imaging unit 30. With such a configuration, when double-sided printing is performed on the medium M, the printing device 1A of the present embodiment can automatically and easily print a new image at a desired position on the second surface M2 relative to the image on the back surface (first surface M1) based on the correction result of the control unit 41 as the correction unit.

[0061] Correction of the printing position of the image is equivalent to, for example, correcting the formation position of the image to be printed on the second surface M2 in accordance with the printed image of the first surface M1 when the same image is formed on the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 with both positions aligned. Correction of the image is equivalent to such correction as, for example, correcting the image data in accordance with the stretched state when the medium M is attached to the adhesive layer 5a in a stretched state when the same image is formed on the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 with both positions aligned, so that when the medium M is removed from the adhesive layer 5a and the stretch is eliminated, the images on the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 are the same and the positions are aligned.

[0062] like Figure 1As shown in FIG. 1 , the printing device 1A of the present embodiment includes a pressing portion 6 for pressing the medium M against the adhesive layer 5a. Therefore, the medium M can be reliably supported on the adhesive layer 5a. On the other hand, in the structure including the pressing portion 6 for pressing the medium M against the adhesive layer 5a, the medium M is easily deformed when the medium M is pressed against the adhesive layer 5a, and it is difficult to align the positions of the images on both sides when double-sided printing is performed on soft cloth or the like. However, since the infrared imaging portion 30 for imaging the imaging object I set on the first surface M1 is provided, the positions of the images on both sides can be appropriately aligned.

[0063] In the printing device 1A of this embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 is detachable. By making the infrared imaging unit 30 detachable, the infrared imaging unit 30 can be easily replaced when it is damaged, and can be easily cleaned when it is dirty.

[0064] Reference Figure 3 From the perspective of the printing method using the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the printing device 1A of this embodiment can perform a printing method, which includes: an infrared shooting process (step S130) of shooting the shooting object I set on the first surface M1 of the medium M conveyed by the conveyor belt 5 using infrared rays, a correction process (step S140) of correcting at least one of the image and the printing position of the image based on the shooting data captured in the infrared shooting process, and a printing process (step S150) of printing the image on the medium M conveyed by the conveyor belt 5 by the print head 101 based on the correction result in the correction process. By executing such a printing method, for example, in the case of double-sided printing on cloth, the image can be automatically and easily printed at a desired position based on the correction result in the correction process.

[0065] Furthermore, a photographic object printing process (step S110) may be performed before the infrared photographing process in which the printing head 101 prints the photographic object I. By performing such a printing method, a double-sided printed material with properly aligned positions can be formed by using the printed image printed in advance in the photographic object printing process and the image printed based on the printed image positioned in the subsequent printing process.

[0066] When the printing method is performed using the printing device 1A of the present embodiment, the medium M is placed on the printing device 1A so that the first surface M1 of the medium M is on the side opposite to the printing head 101, and a photographing target printing process is performed. After the photographing target printing process, a resetting process (step S120) of rewinding the medium M on the winding body R is performed. Then, the medium M is placed on the printing device 1A so that the second surface M2 of the medium M is on the side opposite to the printing head 101, and an infrared photographing process, a calibration process, and a printing process are performed.

[0067] Example 2

[0068] Next, use Figure 4 and Figure 5 The printing apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment will be described. Figure 4 The printing device 1A of the first embodiment Figure 1 The corresponding figure, Figure 5 The printing device 1A of the first embodiment Figure 2 The corresponding figure. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Components common to the above-described first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. Here, the printing device 1B of this embodiment adopts the same structure as the printing device 1A of the first embodiment except for the structure of the infrared imaging unit 30. Therefore, the printing device 1B of this embodiment has the same features as the printing device 1A of the first embodiment except for the parts described below.

[0069] As described above, in the printing device 1A of the first embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 is provided with the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 on the side facing the second surface M2. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in the printing device 1B of this embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 is provided with a light emitting unit 31 and a light receiving unit 32 on the side opposite to the first surface M1. In addition, in the printing device 1B of this embodiment, unlike the printing device 1A of the first embodiment, the conveyor belt 5 is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays. With such a structure, the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 can also be arranged on the same side relative to the conveyor belt 5, so the device structure can also be simplified.

[0070] Example 3

[0071] Next, use Figure 6 and Figure 7 A printing device 1C according to the third embodiment will be described. Figure 6 The printing device 1A of the first embodiment Figure 1 The corresponding figure, Figure 7 The printing device 1A of the first embodiment Figure 2The corresponding figure. Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the embodiment, the components common to the above-mentioned first and second embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. Here, the printing device 1C of this embodiment adopts the same structure as the printing device 1 of the first and second embodiments, except for the structure of the infrared imaging unit 30. Therefore, the printing device 1C of this embodiment has the same features as the printing device 1 of the first and second embodiments, except for the parts described below.

[0072] As described above, in the printing apparatus 1 of the first and second embodiments, the infrared imaging unit 30 includes the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 on the same side with respect to the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 of the medium M. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, in the printing device 1C of this embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 has a light emitting unit 31 on the side opposite to the first surface M1, and has a light receiving unit 32 on the side opposite to the second surface M2. In addition, in the printing device 1C of this embodiment, the conveyor belt 5 is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays, similarly to the printing device 1B of Example 2. With such a structure, the printing device 1C of this embodiment can arrange the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 on different sides relative to the conveyor belt 5, effectively utilizing the space in the device.

[0073] Example 4

[0074] Next, use Figure 8 and Fig. 9 A printing apparatus 1D according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Figure 8 The printing device 1A of the first embodiment Figure 1 The corresponding figure, Fig. 9 The printing device 1A of the first embodiment Figure 2 The corresponding figure. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In the embodiment, the same components as those in the first to third embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. Here, the printing device 1D of the present embodiment adopts the same structure as the printing device 1 of the first to third embodiments, except for the structure of the infrared imaging unit 30. Therefore, the printing device 1D of the present embodiment has the same features as the printing device 1 of the first to third embodiments, except for the parts described below.

[0075] As described above, in the printing device 1C of the third embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 includes the light emitting unit 31 on the side facing the first surface M1 and includes the light receiving unit 32 on the side facing the second surface M2. Figure 8 and Fig. 9As shown, in the printing device 1D of this embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 30 has a light emitting unit 31 on the side opposite to the second surface M2, and has a light receiving unit 32 on the side opposite to the first surface M1. In addition, in the printing device 1D of this embodiment, the conveyor belt 5 is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays, similarly to the printing device 1C of the third embodiment. With such a structure, the printing device 1D of this embodiment can arrange the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 on different sides relative to the conveyor belt 5, similarly to the printing device 1C of the third embodiment, and effectively utilize the space in the device.

[0076] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A printing device, characterized in that: have: A conveyor belt having an adhesive layer for supporting a cloth as a medium, the conveyor belt conveying the cloth in a conveying direction in a state where a first surface of the cloth faces the adhesive layer; a printing unit for printing an image on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt; and The infrared imaging unit uses infrared rays to image an imaging object placed on the first surface of the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt.

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

3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The printing device includes a pressing portion that presses the cloth against the adhesive layer.

4. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The conveyor belt is formed of a material that reflects infrared rays. The infrared imaging unit includes a light emitting unit for emitting infrared rays and a light receiving unit for receiving infrared rays on a side facing the second surface.

5. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The conveyor belt is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays. The infrared imaging unit includes a light emitting unit for emitting infrared rays and a light receiving unit for receiving infrared rays on a side facing the first surface.

6. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The conveyor belt is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays. The infrared imaging unit includes a light emitting unit for emitting infrared rays on a side facing the first surface, and a light receiving unit for receiving infrared rays on a side facing the second surface.

7. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The conveyor belt is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays. The infrared imaging unit includes a light emitting unit for emitting infrared rays on a side facing the second surface, and includes a light receiving unit for receiving infrared rays on a side facing the first surface.

8. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The infrared imaging unit is detachable.

9. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The photographed object is a printed image printed in advance by the printing unit.

10. A printing method, characterized in that: The printing method is a printing method of a printing device, and the printing device comprises: a conveyor belt having an adhesive layer for supporting a cloth as a medium, the conveyor belt conveying the cloth in a conveying direction in a state where a first surface of the cloth faces the adhesive layer; and a printing unit for printing an image on a second surface of the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt, which is opposite to the first surface; The printing method has the following features: an infrared photographing step of photographing a photographing object disposed on the first surface of the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt using infrared rays; a correction step of correcting at least one of the image and a printing position of the image based on the imaging data obtained in the infrared imaging step; as well as In the printing step, based on the correction result in the correction step, the printing unit prints the image on the cloth conveyed by the conveyor belt.

11. The printing method according to claim 10, characterized in that: Prior to the infrared imaging step, a photographing object printing step of printing the photographing object by the printing unit is performed.

Images