Printing apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a printing apparatus. In a printing apparatus that discharges ink containing valuable substances such as rare metals, valuable substances are separated and recovered from waste ink, which is ink that is not discharged onto a medium. A printing apparatus (1) includes: a printing unit (27) that performs printing on a medium by discharging ink containing a valuable substance; an ink recovery unit (16, 17) capable of recovering the ink discharged by the printing unit (27); separation units (16, 17) that separate valuable substances contained in the ink recovered by the ink recovery units (16, 17); and valuable substance recovery units (16, 17) for recovering the valuable substances separated by the separation units (16, 17).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a printing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Various printing apparatuses have been used to print images on a medium by ejecting ink from a printing unit. Among these, there are printing apparatuses capable of recovering waste liquid generated during the use of the printing apparatus. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure for using a cleaning fluid to clean the conveyor belt carrying the fabric in a printing system that performs printing by ejecting ink onto the fabric. In the printing system of Patent Document 1, the cleaning fluid after cleaning the conveyor belt mixes with the ink to become waste liquid and is recovered.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a printing system that separates ink components from the cleaning liquid after cleaning for reuse. Specifically, the printing system of Patent Document 1 includes a printing device and a processing device, wherein a cleaning section of the conveyor belt cleans the conveying section that uses the cleaning liquid to transport the medium. Then, the cleaned cleaning liquid moves to the coagulation tank of the processing device, is stirred with a coagulant, and is separated from the coagulated material. Here, it is assumed that the ink components separated from the cleaning liquid will be discarded.

[0004] On the other hand, there are various types of inks. Among them are inks containing valuable substances such as rare metals. These valuable substances, including rare metals, have a high cost due to their scarcity. Therefore, in printing apparatuses using inks containing valuable substances such as rare metals, it is desirable to separate and recover these valuable substances from the waste ink, which is the ink that has not yet been sprayed onto the medium.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-83155 Summary of the Invention The printing apparatus of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is characterized by comprising: a printing unit that performs printing on a medium by spraying ink containing valuable substances; an ink recovery unit that can recover the ink sprayed by the printing unit; a separation unit that separates the valuable substances contained in the ink recovered by the ink recovery unit; and a valuable substance recovery unit that recovers the valuable substances separated by the separation unit. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of the printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 To indicate Figure 1 A block diagram of the main parts of the printing apparatus.

[0008] Figure 3 For use of Figure 1 The diagram illustrates an example of the business model of a printing apparatus.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the main parts of the printing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0010] First, the present invention will be described in summary.

[0011] The printing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is characterized by comprising: a printing unit that performs printing on a medium by spraying ink containing valuable substances; an ink recovery unit that can recover the ink sprayed by the printing unit; a separation unit that separates the valuable substances contained in the ink recovered by the ink recovery unit; and a valuable substance recovery unit that recovers the valuable substances separated by the separation unit.

[0012] According to this method, the device includes: a separation unit that separates valuable substances contained in the ink recovered by the ink recovery unit; and a valuable substance recovery unit that recovers the valuable substances separated by the separation unit. Therefore, in a printing apparatus that sprays ink containing valuable substances such as rare metals, valuable substances can be separated from the ink that has not been sprayed onto the medium, i.e., waste ink, by the separation unit and recovered by the valuable substance recovery unit.

[0013] The printing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in a manner subordinate to the first aspect, the ink comprises a first ink containing the valuable substance and a second ink not containing the valuable substance, and the ink recycling unit is configured to be capable of separately recycling the first ink and the second ink.

[0014] According to this method, the ink recovery unit is configured to separately recover the first ink containing valuable substances and the second ink not containing valuable substances. Therefore, valuable substances can be effectively separated and recovered from the waste ink of the first ink that has never been sprayed onto the medium.

[0015] The third-party printing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that, in a mode subordinate to the first or second mode, it includes a calculation unit that calculates the amount of valuables recovered by the valuables recovery unit.

[0016] According to this method, a calculation unit is included, which calculates the amount of valuables recovered by the valuables recovery unit. Therefore, the amount of valuables recovered by the valuables recovery unit can be appropriately determined.

[0017] The printing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in a manner subordinate to the third aspect, it includes a maintenance unit configured to wash the ink from the printing unit and clean the printing unit, wherein the calculation unit performs calculations based on at least one of the amount of ink used, the number of times the ink was washed, and the number of times the printing unit from which the ink was sprayed was cleaned.

[0018] According to this method, the calculation unit performs calculations based on at least one of the following: the amount of ink used on the image printed by the printing unit, the number of times the ink was rinsed, and the number of times the printing unit that sprayed the ink was cleaned. By calculating the amount of valuables recovered by the valuables recovery unit based on these data, the amount of valuables can be accurately calculated.

[0019] The printing apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in a manner subordinate to the third aspect, the valuable material recycling unit is configured to be detachable from the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus includes a notification unit that notifies the replacement of the valuable material recycling unit when the amount of the valuable material calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a threshold.

[0020] According to this method, the valuables recycling unit is configured to be detachable from the printing apparatus, and the notification unit notifies the valuables recycling unit to replace it when the calculated amount of valuables exceeds a threshold. Therefore, valuables can be recycled effectively.

[0021] Example 1 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, referring to... Figure 1 The outline of printing apparatus 1A, an example of printing apparatus 1 of the present invention, will be described below. Figure 1 As shown, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes a control unit 11. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (not shown), a storage unit, etc., and controls the driving of various structural components of the printing apparatus 1A. In addition, it includes a panel 30 that can report various information in the printing apparatus 1A and input various instructions to the printing apparatus 1A.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes a holding section 2 capable of rotatably holding a roll body R1 containing a medium M such as cloth rolled into a cylindrical shape. It also includes a conveying section 29 for conveying the medium M, and a printing head 27 serving as a printing section for printing images by spraying ink onto the medium M conveyed by the conveying section 29. Furthermore, it includes a winding section 3 capable of forming a roll body R2 by rolling the printed medium M into a cylindrical shape.

[0023] The holding part 2 holds the paper tube that forms the rotating shaft of the roll body R1, and can rotate in the rotation direction C to unwind the medium M from the roll body R1 to the transport part 29 of the printing apparatus 1A. In addition, the holding part 2 can be constructed separately from the printing apparatus 1A, or it can be part of the structural components of the printing apparatus 1A.

[0024] The printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment is an inkjet printer capable of forming an image on a medium M by ejecting liquid ink in droplet form. As the transport section 29, the printing apparatus 1A includes: a driven roller 23 located upstream of the transport direction A of the medium M; a drive roller 24 located downstream of the transport direction A; and a conveyor belt 25, which is a seamless belt mounted on the driven roller 23 and the drive roller 24. Here, the conveyor belt 25 is an adhesive belt having an outer peripheral surface 25a coated with adhesive on the supporting surface of the medium M, which is the outer surface.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, in the conveying section 29, the medium M is supported and conveyed by the conveyor belt 25 in a state where the medium M is adhered to the outer peripheral surface 25a. In the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment, the medium-supporting region of the conveyor belt 25 that supports the medium M is the upper region bridged by the driven roller 23 and the drive roller 24. Furthermore, the drive roller 24 is a roller that rotates in the rotational direction C by the driving force of a motor (not shown), and the driven roller 23 is a roller that rotates by following the rotation of the conveyor belt 25 that accompanies the rotation of the drive roller 24.

[0026] That is, when conveying medium M, the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 25 is the rotation direction C, and the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 25 in the medium support area is the conveying direction A. However, other than when conveying medium M, the drive roller 24 can also be rotated in the opposite direction to the rotation direction C, thereby causing the conveyor belt 25 to move in the opposite direction to the rotation direction C.

[0027] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes a carriage 26 capable of reciprocating in the width direction B of the conveyor belt 25 and a head 27 mounted on the carriage 26. The head 27 is a printing unit capable of spraying liquid ink onto the medium M being conveyed in the conveying direction A based on printing data to form an image. Additionally, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment has a cleaning unit 28 for cleaning the conveyor belt 25 downstream of the head 27 in the moving direction, i.e., the rotational direction C, of ​​the conveyor belt 25.

[0028] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment can form an image by ejecting ink from the head 27 onto the conveyed medium M while reciprocating the carriage 26 in the width direction B intersecting the transport direction A. With the carriage 26 having this structure, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment can form the desired image on the medium M by repeatedly performing the operation of conveying the medium M in the transport direction A with a predetermined transport amount, and the operation of ejecting ink while moving the carriage 26 in the width direction B with the medium M stopped. However, the structure of the printing unit is not particularly limited. For example, a so-called line head, in which the ink ejection nozzle is provided to span the entire width direction B of the medium M, can also be used as the printing unit.

[0029] Furthermore, as described above, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes a winding section 3. The medium M, which forms an image by ink ejected from the head 27, is wound into a roll body R2 by the winding section 3. The winding section 3 serves as a rotation axis for forming the roll body R2, holding the paper tube and rotating it in the rotation direction C to wind the medium M onto the paper tube, thereby forming the roll body R2. In addition, although the winding section 3 can be constructed independently of the printing apparatus 1A, it can also be part of the structural components of the printing apparatus 1A. Furthermore, a drying device or the like for drying the ink ejected onto the medium M can be provided between the winding section 3 and the printing apparatus 1A.

[0030] Here, the printing medium M is preferably a dye. The printing dye refers to the fabric, clothing, and other apparel products that are the objects of printing. Fabrics include woven fabrics, woven goods, and non-woven fabrics made from natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and wool, chemical fibers such as nylon, or composite fibers made from these blends. Furthermore, clothing and other apparel products include not only sewn T-shirts, handkerchiefs, scarves, towels, tote bags, cloth bags, curtains, sheets, and bedspreads, but also fabric before and after cutting, existing as components before sewing. However, in addition to the aforementioned printing dyes, ordinary paper, high-quality paper, and glossy paper, as well as special inkjet recording paper, can also be used.

[0031] The following is for reference Figure 2 The printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment will be further described below. Figure 2As shown, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes a cover 12 that can press the nozzle forming surface of the head 27 when no printing process is being performed. Here, it is configured to draw ink from the nozzle of the head 27 via the cover 12 and the suction unit 15. Furthermore, it includes a wiper 13 capable of wiping the nozzle forming surface of the head 27. Additionally, it includes a rinsing plate 14 that serves as a tray for rinsing ink from the nozzle of the head 27. Furthermore, a circulation mechanism (not shown) is provided, which prevents ink components from settling in the nozzle of the head 27 by circulating the ink in the carriage 26 or the like. These components—the cover 12, the wiper 13, the rinsing plate 14, the suction unit 15, and the circulation mechanism—constitute the maintenance section for the head 27.

[0032] Moreover, such as Figure 2 As shown, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes a first recovery unit 16 for recovering ink recovered from the cover 12, the wiper 13, and the rinsing plate 14. Furthermore, it includes a second recovery unit 17 for recovering precipitates of ink components recovered from the cleaning unit 28. Here, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment is structured to use inks containing valuable substances such as rare metals. Ink used for printing on fabric as the medium M sometimes contains valuable substances such as rare metals.

[0033] That is, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes: a head 27, which performs printing on a medium M by spraying ink containing valuable substances; a first recovery unit 16 and a second recovery unit 17, which serve as ink recovery units and are capable of recovering the ink sprayed from the head 27. Furthermore, the first recovery unit 16 and the second recovery unit 17 also function as separation units for separating valuable substances contained in the recovered ink, and as valuable substance recovery units for recovering the valuable substances separated therefrom. The first recovery unit 16 and the second recovery unit 17 are structured to precipitate and separate the valuable substances contained in the recovered ink in a sedimentation tank (not shown), but the valuable substances can also be separated by centrifugation or the like.

[0034] By adopting this structure, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment can separate and recover valuable materials from the waste ink (ink that has not been sprayed onto the medium M) in the printing apparatus 1 that sprays ink containing valuable materials such as rare metals. Furthermore, although in the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment, the first recovery section 16 and the second recovery section 17, which serve as ink recovery sections, also function as separation sections and valuable material recovery sections, it is also possible to configure at least one of the separation section and the valuable material recovery section separately from the ink recovery section.

[0035] In this embodiment of the printing apparatus 1A, the control unit 11 is capable of calculating the amount of valuables recovered by the first recovery unit 16 and the second recovery unit 17. Thus, by providing a calculation unit (control unit 11) that calculates the amount of valuables recovered by the valuables recovery unit, the amount of valuables recovered by the valuables recovery unit can be appropriately confirmed.

[0036] As described above, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment includes a maintenance unit configured to rinse ink from the head 27 and clean the head 27. Furthermore, specifically, in the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment, the control unit 11 calculates the amount of valuable material based on the amount of ink used on the image printed by the head 27, the number of times the ink was rinsed, and the number of times the head 27 was cleaned.

[0037] Preferably, the control unit 11, which is the calculation unit, performs the calculation based on at least one of the amount of ink used on the image printed by the head 27, the number of times the ink was rinsed, and the number of times the head 27 that dispensed the ink was cleaned. This is because by calculating the amount of valuables recovered by the valuables recovery unit based on these data, the amount of valuables can be accurately calculated.

[0038] In this embodiment of the printing apparatus 1A, the first recycling unit 16 and the second recycling unit 17, which are valuable material recycling units, are configured to be detachable from the printing apparatus 1. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment is configured such that when the amount of valuable material calculated by the control unit 11 exceeds a threshold, the panel 30 can notify the replacement of the first recycling unit 16 and the second recycling unit 17. Thus, by configuring the valuable material recycling units to be detachable from the printing apparatus 1 and by notifying the replacement of the valuable material recycling units when the calculated amount of valuable material exceeds the threshold, valuable material can be effectively recycled.

[0039] The following is for reference Figure 3 This further illustrates an example of a business model using the printing apparatus 1A of this embodiment. Figure 3 This is an example of a business model involving a manufacturer or seller of printing apparatus 101, a user 102, and a purchasing company 103. This business model offers advantages such as: appropriate ink discounts, specifically ink cartridge discounts, for the user 102; optimization of the timing of the purchasing company 103's return of valuables; and prevention of customer attrition for the manufacturer or seller of printing apparatus 101.

[0040] Here, in Figure 3In this diagram, arrow F1, pointing from the manufacturer or distributor of printing equipment 101 towards the user 102, indicates the ink discount (cartridge discount) used in printing equipment 1. Arrow F2, pointing from the user 102 towards the manufacturer or distributor of printing equipment 101, indicates various data such as the amount of ink used in printing equipment 1, the number of ink washes, and the number of times the ink ejection head 27 is cleaned. Arrow F3, pointing from the manufacturer or distributor of printing equipment 101 towards the purchasing company 103, indicates information such as the type and unit price of the valuable item. Arrow F4, pointing from the purchasing company 103 towards the manufacturer or distributor of printing equipment 101, indicates information on the purchase price and quantity of the valuable item. Arrow F5, pointing from the user 102 towards the purchasing company 103, indicates information on the collection of the valuable item. Finally, arrow F6, pointing from the purchasing company 103 towards the user 102, indicates information on the timing of the visit accompanying the purchase of the valuable item.

[0041] Specifically, the principal for realization of the valuables, namely the principal for the ink cartridge discount, is calculated as follows: "Forecasted waste recycling quantity × valuables content rate × market price of valuables = ink cartridge discount", "Quantity of valuables purchased × market price of valuables = purchase price". Here, in order to avoid losses to the manufacturer or seller 101 of the printing apparatus 1, it is preferable to set "ink cartridge discount < purchase price".

[0042] This business model enables the recycling and reuse of valuable rare metal components, thereby reducing waste ink. Furthermore, it allows for the estimation and recycling of ink containing valuable rare metal components. Additionally, it minimizes drainage from the cleaning tank in the cleaning unit 28, while simultaneously recovering valuable rare metal components from the sediment there. Finally, it allows for the timely recycling of waste materials (valuable components such as rare metals) and returns to the user 102 through ink cartridge discounts.

[0043] Example 2 Next, use Figure 4 The printing apparatus 1B of Example 2 will be described below. Additionally, Figure 4 For use with the printing apparatus 1A of Example 1 Figure 2 The corresponding diagram. Figure 4 In this embodiment, structural components common to those in Embodiment 1 are represented by the same symbols, and detailed descriptions are omitted. Here, the printing apparatus 1B of this embodiment has the same structure as the printing apparatus 1A of Embodiment 1, except for the parts described below. Therefore, regarding the parts not described below, the printing apparatus 1B of this embodiment has the same features as the printing apparatus 1A of Embodiment 1.

[0044] like Figure 4As shown, the printing apparatus 1B of this embodiment has two heads 27 on the carriage 26: a first head 27A and a second head 27B. The first head 27A is capable of spraying a first ink containing a valuable substance, and the second head 27B is capable of spraying a second ink that does not contain a valuable substance.

[0045] That is, in the printing apparatus 1B of this embodiment, the ink that can be ejected from the head 27 includes a first ink containing valuable substances and a second ink that does not contain valuable substances. Here, in the printing apparatus 1B of this embodiment, there are two of each of the cover 12, wiper 13, rinsing plate 14, suction unit 15, and first recovery unit 16, for the first ink and for the second ink, respectively. Furthermore, the first recovery unit 16 of the printing apparatus 1B of this embodiment is divided into a first ink recovery unit 16A for recovering the first ink and a second ink recovery unit 16B for recovering the second ink. Here, the first ink recovery unit 16A of the printing apparatus 1B of this embodiment has the same structure as the first recovery unit 16 of the printing apparatus 1A of Embodiment 1, and functions as both a separation unit and a valuable substance recovery unit.

[0046] By adopting such a structure, the first recovery unit 16 of the printing apparatus 1B in this embodiment is configured to separately recover the first ink containing valuable materials and the second ink not containing valuable materials. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1B of this embodiment can effectively separate and recover valuable materials from the waste ink of the first ink that has not been ejected onto the medium M.

[0047] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the technical solution, which are of course also included within the scope of the present invention. For example, the printed medium M, which becomes unnecessary after using the printing apparatus 1 of the above embodiments, can be defiberized, and valuable materials such as rare metals can be separated from and recovered from the medium M.

[0048] Symbol Explanation 1…Printing apparatus; 1A…Printing apparatus; 1B…Printing apparatus; 2…Holding section; 3…Rolling section; 11…Control section; 12…Cover (maintenance section); 13…Wiper (maintenance section); 14…Rinse plate (maintenance section); 15…Suction section (maintenance section); 16…First recycling section (ink recycling section, separation section, valuable item recycling section); 16A…First ink recycling section; 16B…Second ink recycling section; 17…Second recycling section (ink recycling section, separation section, valuable item recycling section); 23…Driven roller; 24…Drive roller; 25…Conveyor belt; 25a…Outer peripheral surface; 26…Carriage; 27…Head (printing section); 27A…First head; 27B…Second head; 28…Cleaning section; 29…Conveying section; 30…Panel; 101…Sales company; 102…User; 103…Purchasing company of valuable items; M…Media; R1…Roll body; R2…Roll body.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, have: The printing section performs printing on a medium by spraying ink containing valuable substances; An ink recovery unit is provided, which is capable of recovering the ink ejected from the printing unit; A separation section that separates the valuable components contained in the ink recovered by the ink recovery section; The valuables recycling department recycles the valuables separated from the separation section.

2. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The ink includes a first ink containing the valuable substance and a second ink not containing the valuable substance. The ink recovery unit is configured to recover the first ink and the second ink separately.

3. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It includes a calculation unit that calculates the amount of valuables recovered by the valuables recovery unit.

4. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, It includes a maintenance unit configured to rinse the ink from the printing section and clean the printing section. The calculation unit performs calculations based on at least one of the following: the amount of ink used, the number of times the ink was rinsed, and the number of times the printing unit that sprayed the ink was cleaned.

5. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, The valuables recycling unit is configured to be detachable from the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a notification unit that notifies the valuable item recycling unit to replace the item when the amount of valuable item calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a threshold.

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