Recording device and recording method

Abstract

To provide a recording device and a recording method, which achieves both of suppression of deterioration of conveying performance of a conveyor belt and improvement of productivity.SOLUTION: A recording device 100 includes: a conveyor belt 33 which adheres ink to a cloth P, records an image on the cloth P, has an adhesive layer 33a on a front face, and conveys the cloth P in a conveying direction; a recording section 61 which moves in a conveyor belt width direction crossing the conveying direction and discharges ink and functional liquid to the cloth P; and a control section 1 which controls the recording device 100. The control section 1 causes the recording section 61 to preliminarily discharge the ink to regions 91, 92 where the cloth P on the conveyor belt 33 is not positioned in the conveyor belt width direction and preliminarily discharge the functional liquid to regions other than the conveyor belt 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium by a conveyance belt has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejection apparatus that performs preliminary ejection on a specific region of the surface of a conveyance belt.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when a conveyance belt having an adhesive layer is used, there is a problem that the conveyance performance of the conveyance belt is likely to deteriorate. Specifically, when a cloth or the like is used as the recording medium, the cloth may be conveyed by the adhesiveness of the adhesive layer on the surface of the conveyance belt. When a functional liquid such as a pretreatment liquid is preliminarily ejected onto the conveyance belt, the functional liquid and the adhesive layer may react and the adhesiveness may easily decrease, and the conveyance performance of the conveyance belt may decrease.

[0005] Further, in a serial printer, when all of the ink and the functional liquid are preliminarily ejected to a region other than the conveyance belt, the moving distance of the recording head becomes long and it is difficult to improve productivity. That is, there has been a demand for a recording apparatus that can achieve both suppression of deterioration of the conveyance performance of the conveyance belt and improvement of productivity in a recording apparatus including a conveyance belt having an adhesive layer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The recording device is a recording device that attaches ink to a fabric to record an image on the fabric. The recording device includes a conveyance belt having an adhesive layer on its surface for conveying the fabric in a conveyance direction, a recording unit that moves in a conveyance belt width direction intersecting the conveyance direction and discharges the ink and a functional liquid onto the fabric, and a control unit that controls the recording device. The control unit causes the recording unit to preliminarily discharge the ink to an area on the conveyance belt where the fabric is not located in the conveyance belt width direction, and causes the functional liquid to be preliminarily discharged to an area other than the conveyance belt.

[0007] The recording method is a recording method of a recording device that attaches ink to a fabric to record an image on the fabric. The recording device includes a conveyance belt having an adhesive layer on its surface for conveying the fabric in a conveyance direction, a recording unit that moves in a conveyance belt width direction intersecting the conveyance direction and discharges the ink and a functional liquid onto the fabric, and a control unit that controls the recording device. The control unit causes the recording unit to preliminarily discharge the ink to an area on the conveyance belt where the fabric is not located in the conveyance belt width direction, and causes the functional liquid to be preliminarily discharged to an area other than the conveyance belt.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] In the embodiments described below, a recording device used for inkjet printing on fabrics and a recording method of the recording device will be exemplified and described with reference to the drawings. Note that the uses of the recording device and the recording method of the present invention are not limited to printing.

[0010] The recording method of the present invention relates to an area for pre-discharging ink and a functional liquid in a recording apparatus. In addition to the recording method described below, a known recording method can be applied to the recording apparatus of the present invention.

[0011] In the following figures, the XYZ axes are attached as coordinate axes orthogonal to each other, the direction indicated by each arrow is defined as the + direction, and the direction opposite to the + direction is defined as the - direction. When the recording apparatus is installed on a horizontal plane, the Z axis is a virtual axis along the vertical direction, and the +Z direction may be referred to as upward and the -Z direction may be referred to as downward.

[0012] In the transport path of the fabric, which is a medium, being unwound from the original fabric and dyed and then wound up in a roll, the side of the original fabric is sometimes referred to as the upstream, and the side where the fabric is wound up is sometimes referred to as the downstream. For the sake of illustration, the sizes of the respective members are made different from the actual ones.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 1, a transport mechanism 130, a medium transport unit 20, a recording mechanism 60, a drying unit 70, a winding unit 40, and a cleaning unit 110. The recording apparatus 100 attaches ink to the fabric P to record an image, pattern, text, etc. on the fabric P. Each component of the recording apparatus 100 is supported by a frame F. In the description of FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified, the state viewed from the side in the -X direction will be described.

[0014] The control unit 1 integrally controls the operation of the recording apparatus 100. In particular, the control unit 1 is involved in the recording method of the recording apparatus 100.

[0015] The medium transport unit 20 includes a medium supply unit 10, transport rollers 21, 22, 23, 24, a transport mechanism 130, and a winding unit 40. The medium transport unit 20 transports the fabric P along a transport path from upstream to downstream.

[0016] The medium supply unit 10 includes a supply shaft portion 11, a bearing portion 12, and a rotation drive portion (not shown). The supply shaft portion 11 is substantially cylindrical and holds the core of the fabric roll of the fabric P. The bearing portion 12 detachably and rotatably supports both ends of the supply shaft portion 11 in the direction along the X axis.

[0017] The rotation drive portion is, for example, an electric motor, and rotationally drives the supply shaft portion 11. Due to the rotation of the supply shaft portion 11 and the belt rotation roller 32 of the conveyance mechanism 130 described later, the fabric P is unwound from the fabric roll and sent out to the downstream conveyance mechanism 130.

[0018] The fabric P is transported from the medium supply unit 10, passes through the transport roller 21, and the transport direction is changed to the substantially +Y direction by the transport roller 22. The fabric P is delivered to the conveyance mechanism 130 from the substantially -Y direction.

[0019] Examples of the fiber that is the material of the fabric P include natural fibers such as cotton, silk, hemp, mohair, wool, and cashmere, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, and synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, and polyurethane, which are single yarns, double yarns, or blended yarns. The fabric P is formed by processing the above fibers into a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric. In order to improve various characteristics of the product manufactured from the dyed fabric P, the fabric P may be processed in advance.

[0020] The conveyance mechanism 130 includes belt rotation rollers 31 and 32, a conveyance belt 33, and a contact portion 50.

[0021] The conveyance belt 33 has an adhesive layer 33a on the surface that faces the recording mechanism 60 in the vertical direction. The conveyance belt 33 adheres the fabric P to the adhesive layer 33a and conveys it in the conveyance direction from upstream to downstream. The conveyance direction of the fabric P on the conveyance belt 33 is the +Y direction.

[0022] The conveyance belt 33 is an endless belt. In the direction along the X axis, the width of the conveyance belt 33 is wider than the width of the fabric P. The direction intersecting the conveyance direction is defined as the conveyance belt width direction. In the present embodiment, the conveyance belt width direction is the direction along the X axis.

[0023] While the fabric P is being conveyed by the conveying mechanism 130, ink and functional liquid are attached to the fabric P from the recording mechanism 60. Thereby, the fabric P is subjected to resist dyeing. The fabric P subjected to resist dyeing is also referred to as a printed object.

[0024] The belt rotating rollers 31 and 32 are substantially columnar rotating members that are paired with each other. The belt rotating rollers 31 and 32 are rotatable about their respective rotation axes. The rotation axes of the belt rotating roller 31 and the belt rotating roller 32 are along the X axis. The belt rotating roller 31 and the belt rotating roller 32 are arranged to face each other in the direction along the Y axis. The belt rotating roller 31 is upstream of the conveying mechanism 130 and is arranged in the +Y direction of the transport roller 22. The belt rotating roller 32 is downstream of the conveying mechanism 130 and is arranged in the -Y direction of the transport roller 23.

[0025] The conveyor belt 33 is stretched between the belt rotating rollers 31 and 32. A support member for supporting the conveyor belt 33 may be arranged between the belt rotating roller 31 and the belt rotating roller 32.

[0026] The belt rotating roller 32 is rotationally driven counterclockwise by a conveying drive motor described later. The conveying drive motor is controlled by the control unit 1. The belt rotating roller 32 is rotatably supported by the roller support portion 133. The belt rotating roller 31 is a driven roller. The rotation of the belt rotating roller 32 is transmitted through the conveyor belt 33, and the belt rotating roller 31 rotates counterclockwise. The belt rotating roller 31 is rotatably supported by a roller support portion (not shown).

[0027] The conveyor belt 33 is driven by the belt rotating roller 32 and moves in a circular motion counterclockwise. Thereby, the conveyor belt 33 moves in the counterclockwise circular direction and conveys the fabric P.

[0028] The fabric P is delivered from the transport roller 22 to the transport mechanism 130 and placed on the adhesive layer 33a of the conveyor belt 33 above the belt rotation roller 31. At this time, the conveyor belt 33 and the fabric P do not necessarily need to be in close contact.

[0029] The conveyor belt 33 includes an adhesive layer 33a on the outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface 33b on the opposite side of the adhesive layer 33a. The adhesive layer 33a and the inner peripheral surface 33b are in a front-back relationship. The adhesive layer 33a faces upward in the transport path and supports the fabric P. The inner peripheral surface 33b contacts the belt rotation roller 31 and the belt rotation roller 32. Due to the frictional force between the inner peripheral surface 33b and the belt rotation roller 32, the conveyor belt 33 is driven in the circumferential direction. Due to the frictional force between the inner peripheral surface 33b and the belt rotation roller 31, the belt rotation roller 31 rotates passively.

[0030] In the width direction of the conveyor belt, the width of the adhesive layer 33a is substantially equal to the width of the conveyor belt 33. The path where the conveyor belt 33 goes from the belt rotation roller 31 to the belt rotation roller 32 is the transport path of the fabric P, and the path that turns back at the belt rotation roller 32 and goes toward the belt rotation roller 31 is set as a non-transport path. The adhesive layer 33a faces upward in the transport path and faces downward in the non-transport path.

[0031] The adhesive layer 33a adheres the fabric P by adhesive force. The adhesive layer 33a is composed of, for example, an adhesive material such as silicone resin, acrylic resin, or urethane resin. In the transport path, the fabric P adheres to the adhesive layer 33a above the conveyor belt 33 and is transported in the +Y direction along with the circumferential movement of the conveyor belt 33.

[0032] The close contact portion 50 is arranged in the vicinity of the +Y direction with respect to the belt rotation roller 31. The close contact portion 50 includes a pressing roller 51, a pair of support portions 53, a heating portion 54, and a pair of drive portions (not shown). The close contact portion 50 makes the fabric P and the adhesive layer 33a of the conveyor belt 33 in close contact.

[0033] The pressing roller 51 is a substantially columnar rotating member. The rotation axis of the pressing roller 51 is along the X-axis, and it is arranged above the conveying belt 33. The support portions 53 are respectively arranged at both ends of the pressing roller 51 in the direction along the X-axis. The pressing roller 51 is rotatably supported by a pair of support portions 53. Each of the pair of support portions 53 is supported by a driving portion. In the direction along the X-axis, the length of the pressing roller 51 is substantially equal to the width of the conveying belt 33.

[0034] One of the driving portions is arranged at a further -X direction position with respect to the support portion 53 that supports the -X direction end of the pressing roller 51. The other of the driving portions is arranged at a further +X direction position with respect to the support portion 53 that supports the +X direction end of the pressing roller 51.

[0035] The pair of driving portions move up and down in the direction along the Z-axis while supporting the pair of support portions 53 by means of a lifting driving motor (not shown). Therefore, the pressing roller 51 can move in the vertical direction while being supported by the support portion 53. Thereby, the strength of the pressing force with which the pressing roller 51 presses the fabric P against the adhesive layer 33a is adjusted.

[0036] Although not shown in the figure, the pair of driving portions also reciprocate in the direction along the Y-axis while supporting the pair of support portions 53 by means of a guide member and the driving of a motor. Therefore, the support portion 53 supports the pressing roller 51 so as to be reciprocable in the +Y direction and the -Y direction.

[0037] The heating portion 54 is arranged below the pressing roller 51 via the conveying belt 33. The upper surface of the heating portion 54 is formed in a substantially planar shape and contacts the inner peripheral surface 33b below the conveying belt 33 in the conveying path. The distance of the heating portion 54 in the direction along the Y-axis is substantially equal to the distance by which the pressing roller 51 reciprocates in the conveying direction and the reverse conveying direction. The distance of the heating portion 54 in the direction along the X-axis is substantially equal to the width of the conveying belt 33 in the direction along the X-axis.

[0038] The heating unit 54 is controlled by the control unit 1 and heats the conveyor belt 33. The heating unit 54 is, for example, an electric heater. By heating the heating unit 54, the adhesive layer 33a of the conveyor belt 33 is heated. The adhesive layer 33a increases in flexibility by heating and increases the adhesive force to the fabric P. The heating temperature by the heating unit 54 is, for example, 35°C or higher and 60°C or lower on the upper surface of the heating unit 54.

[0039] As described above, in the adhesion part 50, the fabric P is placed on the upper surface of the heating unit 54 via the conveyor belt 33. The heating unit 54 heats the conveyor belt 33, and the pressing roller 51 presses the fabric P against the adhesive layer 33a from above. At the same time, the pressing roller 51 reciprocates in the +Y direction and the -Y feeding direction while rotating. The fabric P and the conveyor belt 33 are sandwiched and pressed between the upper surface of the heating unit 54 and the pressing roller 51, and the fabric P and the adhesive layer 33a are brought into close contact. The fabric P is conveyed in the +Y direction while being in close contact with the conveyor belt 33 through the adhesion part 50. Note that, instead of the heating unit 54, the pressing roller 51 may be provided with a function of heating the conveyor belt 33. Also, the heating unit 54 may be omitted.

[0040] The recording mechanism 60 faces the fabric P in the vertical direction at about the middle in the direction along the Y-axis of the conveyance path. The recording mechanism 60 attaches ink and functional liquid to the fabric P supported by the conveyor belt 33. The recording mechanism 60 includes a recording part 61 that is a recording head, a carriage 62, and a guide rail 63.

[0041] The guide rail 63 is a structural member that is disposed above the conveyance mechanism 130 and extends along the X-axis. The guide rail 63 supports the carriage 62 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the conveyance belt width direction, which is the direction along the X-axis. The carriage 62 is supported by the guide rail 63 and reciprocates in the conveyance belt width direction by the drive of a carriage drive motor (not shown). The recording part 61 is attached below the carriage 62. As described above, the recording part 61 reciprocates in the conveyance belt width direction with respect to the conveyor belt 33.

[0042] Although illustration is omitted, the recording unit 61 has a nozzle surface at a position facing downward. The nozzle surface faces the conveying belt 33 and the fabric P in the vertical direction. A plurality of nozzle rows are arranged on the nozzle surface. Each of the plurality of nozzle rows is composed of a plurality of nozzles. Each of the plurality of nozzle rows individually discharges a plurality of types of inks, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc., and functional liquids that exhibit colors on the fabric P.

[0043] The ink and the functional liquid are each supplied to the recording unit 61 from an ink tank (not shown) via a pipe. The ink and the functional liquid discharged from the recording unit 61 adhere to the surface of the fabric P facing upward.

[0044] While reciprocatingly moving the recording unit 61 in the width direction of the conveying belt as described above, the fabric P is conveyed in the +Y direction by the conveying belt 33, and the ink and the functional liquid are made to adhere to the fabric P from the recording unit 61 at a predetermined timing. Thereby, a desired image or the like is formed on the fabric P.

[0045] Specifically, the functional liquid is a softener or a pretreatment liquid. The discharge of the functional liquid onto the fabric P is timed simultaneously with or before and after the discharge of the ink.

[0046] The softener has a function of improving the texture of the fabric product when processing the stamped object into a fabric product such as clothing. The softener is not particularly limited, and known softening agents and the like are applicable. If the softener contains a cation component or the like, it may react with the components of the ink to generate aggregates. Therefore, it is preferable to avoid contact and mixing between the softener and the ink.

[0047] The pretreatment liquid has a function of aggregating color materials such as pigments in the ink on the surface of the fabric P to improve the color development of the stamped object. Such a pretreatment liquid is not particularly limited, and known treatment agents and the like are applicable. Since the pretreatment liquid aggregates color materials, it is preferable to avoid contact and mixing between the pretreatment liquid and the ink other than for the original purpose.

[0048] As the functional liquid, other functional liquids other than the softener and the pretreatment liquid may be applied. Examples of other functional liquids include a coating liquid for improving the rub resistance and washing fastness of the printed matter, and a penetration liquid for assisting the penetration of the ink into the fabric P.

[0049] In the recording unit 61, preliminary discharging is performed at the stage before the discharge of the ink and the functional liquid onto the fabric P and during the intervals between discharges. The preliminary discharging is performed for reasons such as suppressing the drying and sticking of the ink and the functional liquid at the gas-liquid interface in each nozzle of the recording unit 61, and preventing color mixing after cleaning each nozzle. The execution of the preliminary discharging is controlled by the control unit 1. The timing of the preliminary discharging, the time interval, the amount of the ink and the functional liquid to be preliminarily discharged, etc. are appropriately set according to the types and characteristics of the ink and the functional liquid.

[0050] The fabric P to which the ink and the functional liquid are attached is conveyed in the +Y direction from the position facing the recording mechanism 60. Next, the fabric P is peeled off from the conveying belt 33 substantially above the belt rotating roller 32. After the fabric P is peeled off from the conveying belt 33, it reaches the conveying roller 23 downstream of the belt rotating roller 32.

[0051] The conveying belt 33 is folded back from the conveying path to the non-conveying path by the belt rotating roller 32 and moves in the -Y direction with the adhesive layer 33a facing downward. A cleaning unit 110 is arranged below the conveying belt 33 in the non-conveying path.

[0052] The cleaning unit 110 includes a cleaning liquid tank 111, a cleaning roller 112, a blade 113, and a roller driving unit (not shown). Foreign matters such as fibers derived from the fabric P and dust derived from the environment may adhere to the adhesive layer 33a. These foreign matters may reduce the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 33a. Therefore, the cleaning unit 110 contacts the conveying belt 33 in the non-conveying path to clean the adhesive layer 33a of the conveying belt 33. Also, as will be described in detail later, the ink preliminarily discharged adheres to the adhesive layer 33a. Therefore, the cleaning function of the cleaning unit 110 also corresponds to the ink adhering to the adhesive layer 33a.

[0053] The cleaning liquid tank 111 stores the cleaning liquid. As the cleaning liquid, for example, a water-soluble solvent such as water or alcohol is used. The cleaning liquid may contain a surfactant or an antifoaming agent.

[0054] The cleaning roller 112 is substantially cylindrical, with approximately the lower half immersed in the cleaning liquid of the cleaning liquid tank 111 and the upper part contacting the adhesive layer 33a of the conveyor belt 33. The cleaning roller 112 is rotationally driven by a roller drive unit to scrape off foreign matter and ink on the surface of the adhesive layer 33a.

[0055] The blade 113 is a wiper blade in a substantially plate shape. The blade 113 is disposed at a position in the -Y direction relative to the cleaning roller 112. At one end of the blade 113, it contacts the adhesive layer 33a of the conveyor belt 33, and at the other end, it is immersed in the cleaning liquid tank 111. When the cleaning liquid adhering due to contact with the cleaning roller 112 may remain on the conveyor belt 33, by sliding the rotationally driven conveyor belt 33 and the blade 113, the cleaning liquid remaining on the adhesive layer 33a of the conveyor belt 33 is scraped off into the cleaning liquid tank 111.

[0056] Note that the configuration of the cleaning unit 110 is not limited to the above. For example, instead of the cleaning roller 112 and the blade 113, a sponge or the like may be used in the cleaning unit 110.

[0057] The transport roller 23 peels the fabric P with ink and the functional liquid attached from the conveyor belt 33. The fabric P peeled from the conveyor belt 33 is transported in the substantially +Y direction, and the transport direction is changed substantially downward by the transport roller 23. The transport rollers 23 and 24 relay the fabric P to the winding unit 40.

[0058] Between the conveying rollers 23 and 24, a drying unit 70 is arranged. The drying unit 70 dries the ink and the functional liquid adhering to the fabric P. The drying unit 70 includes, for example, an infrared heater. The volatile components of the ink and the functional liquid adhering to the fabric P are volatilized by the infrared rays radiated by the infrared heater. Thereby, the fabric P can be wound around the winding unit 40.

[0059] The winding unit 40 is arranged downstream and below the conveying roller 24. The winding unit 40 collects the fabric P that has become the printed matter. The winding unit 40 has a winding shaft portion 41, a bearing portion 42, and a rotation driving portion (not shown). The winding shaft portion 41 has a substantially cylindrical shape and winds the fabric P in a roll shape. The bearing portion 42 rotatably supports both ends of the winding shaft portion 41 in the direction along the X-axis. Further, the winding shaft portion 41 is detachable from the bearing portion 42. The rotation driving portion rotates the winding shaft portion 41 counterclockwise. The winding shaft portion 41 rotates by the rotation driving portion, and the fabric P is wound. Thus, the printed matter is manufactured by the recording apparatus 100.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 2, the guide rail 63 extends along the X-axis across the upper side of the conveying belt 33. The carriage 62 is supported by the guide rail 63 and can move to a region not facing the conveying belt 33, specifically, in the +X direction and the -X direction of the conveying belt 33.

[0061] Note that FIG. 2 shows a state where the carriage 62 has moved most in the +X direction. In FIG. 2, among the components of the recording apparatus 100, the illustration of the components unnecessary for the following description is omitted. In the following descriptions of FIGS. 2 and 3, unless otherwise specified, the state as viewed from above will be described.

[0062] In the conveying belt width direction, which is the direction along the X-axis, the width of the fabric P is shorter than the width of the conveying belt 33. Therefore, between the +X-direction end of the fabric P and the +X-direction end of the conveying belt 33, the adhesive layer 33a of the conveying belt 33 is exposed upward without the fabric P being placed thereon. Similarly, between the -X-direction end of the fabric P and the -X-direction end of the conveying belt 33, the adhesive layer 33a of the conveying belt 33 is exposed upward without the fabric P being placed thereon.

[0063] In the conveying belt width direction, when the recording unit 61 reciprocates along the X-axis, regions 91 and 92 are defined as the regions that face each other in the vertical direction and where the fabric P on the conveying belt 33 is not located. Region 91 is arranged in the +X direction of the fabric P, and region 92 is arranged in the -X direction of the fabric P. As described above, the conveying belt 33 moves in a circular motion. Therefore, regions 91 and 92 are not at specific positions on the conveying belt 33, but are the ranges on the conveying belt 33 at the timing when they face the recording unit 61 in the vertical direction between the end of the fabric P and the end of the conveying belt 33.

[0064] In the conveying belt width direction, recovery units 81 and 82 are provided in regions other than the conveying belt 33. The recovery unit 81 is arranged in the +X direction with respect to the +X-direction end of the conveying belt 33. The recovery unit 82 is arranged in the -X direction with respect to the -X-direction end of the conveying belt 33. The recovery units 81 and 82 are provided at positions that face the recording unit 61 in the vertical direction when the recording unit 61 reciprocates along the X-axis.

[0065] The control unit 1 causes the recording unit 61 to preliminarily discharge ink into regions 91 and 92, and causes the functional liquid to be preliminarily discharged into the recovery units 81 and 82 in the regions other than the conveying belt 33. The ink preliminarily discharged into regions 91 and 92 moves to the cleaning unit 110 and is cleaned by the circular movement of the conveying belt 33. The functional liquid preliminarily discharged into the recovery units 81 and 82 is recovered by the recovery units 81 and 82 and then stored in a waste liquid unit (not shown).

[0066] When viewed from the direction along the X-axis, which is the direction across the width of the conveyor belt, the regions 91 and 92 where the ink is pre-discharged overlap with the recovery regions 81 and 82, which are regions other than the conveyor belt 33 where the functional liquid is pre-discharged. Therefore, by reciprocating the recording unit 61 in the direction across the width of the conveyor belt, it is possible to move the recording unit 61 onto the conveyor belt 33 and above the recovery regions 81 and 82. As a result, the ink and the functional liquid can be pre-discharged at different positions.

[0067] In the direction across the width of the conveyor belt, the regions 91 and 92 are located between the recovery regions 81 and 82 and the region on the conveyor belt 33 where the fabric P is conveyed. In the direction across the width of the conveyor belt, the regions 91 and 92 where the ink is pre-discharged are adjacent to the recovery regions 81 and 82 where the functional liquid is pre-discharged. Therefore, when the functional liquid is pre-discharged immediately after the ink is pre-discharged, the moving distance of the recording unit 61 is shortened and the productivity is further improved.

[0068] It is preferable to install both of the regions 91 and 92 rather than installing only one of them. When recording on the fabric P while reciprocating the recording unit 61, it becomes possible to pre-discharge the ink at the nearer one of the regions 91 and 92, and the productivity of the printed matter is improved. Also, for the same reason, it is preferable to install both of the recovery regions 81 and 82 rather than installing only one of them.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 3, the recording unit 61 has a plurality of nozzle rows 611 to 618. Each of the nozzle rows 611 to 618 corresponds to the above-described plurality of types of ink and functional liquid, and discharges these liquids individually. For the sake of illustration, in FIG. 3, the range in which the nozzle rows 611 to 618 are arranged is shown as a substantially rectangular shape, but the planar shape of the nozzle rows 611 to 618 is not necessarily a substantially rectangular shape. Also, the approximate range where the pre-discharged ink and functional liquid adhere to or are recovered by the corresponding members is indicated by a broken line.

[0070] The area 91 and the recovery unit 81, and the above-described area 92 and the recovery unit 82 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a straight line along the Y-axis, and their respective configurations and functions are common. Therefore, in the following description, the area 91 and the recovery unit 81 will be described as representative examples, and the description of the area 92 and the recovery unit 82 will be omitted.

[0071] The recovery unit 81 includes a recovery unit 81a and a recovery unit 81b. The recovery units 81a and 81b separately recover the softener and the pretreatment liquid of the functional liquid. Specifically, for example, the recovery unit 81a recovers the softener, and the recovery unit 81b recovers the pretreatment liquid. The dimensions of the recovery units 81a and 81b along the X-axis and the dimensions along the Y-axis are set to be large enough to recover the functional liquid discharged from the recording unit 61.

[0072] Since the softener and the pretreatment liquid are separately recovered by the recovery units 81a and 81b, the generation of aggregates and the like caused by the contact and mixing of the softener and the pretreatment liquid can be avoided. Therefore, the occurrence of problems due to aggregates and the like can be prevented. Note that the arrangement of the recovery units 81a and 81b corresponding to the softener and the pretreatment liquid is appropriately set according to the arrangement of the softener and the pretreatment liquid in the nozzle rows 611 to 618.

[0073] The recording unit 61 that reciprocates with the carriage 62 does not deviate from the area facing the fabric P in the vertical direction, that is, the area where the fabric P is located, during the operation of discharging ink and the functional liquid onto the fabric P. However, during the intervals between the above operations, ink or the functional liquid may be pre-discharged. In this case, as described above, the recording unit 61 deviates from the area where the fabric P is located and performs pre-discharge. The longer the distance of deviation from the area where the fabric P is located during the above intervals, the longer the time required for recording the fabric P in the above operation. Note that the timing of pre-discharging the ink and the timing of pre-discharging the functional liquid do not necessarily coincide.

[0074] In contrast, in the recording apparatus 100 and its recording method, since the ink is preliminarily discharged onto the conveyance belt 33, the time required for recording on the fabric P is shorter than the case where both the ink and the functional liquid are preliminarily discharged onto an area other than the conveyance belt 33.

[0075] In the width direction of the conveyance belt, the arrangement of the areas 91 and 92 where the ink is preliminarily discharged may be changed according to the dimensions of the fabric P. Specifically, in the direction along the X-axis, when the dimension of the fabric P is short, the width of the area 91 may be widened in the -X direction. Thereby, it becomes possible to preliminarily discharge the ink closer to the +X direction end of the fabric P. Therefore, the distance and time for the recording unit 61 to move during preliminary discharge are shortened.

[0076] Note that when the dimension of the fabric P along the X-axis is short and the performance degradation of the adhesive layer 33a does not affect the conveyance property of the fabric P, the functional liquid may be preliminarily discharged onto the conveyance belt 33. Further, a method of preliminarily discharging both the ink and the functional liquid onto the conveyance belt 33 and a method of preliminarily discharging the functional liquid onto an area other than the conveyance belt 33 as described above may be made switchable.

[0077] According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0078] In the recording apparatus 100 including the conveyance belt 33 having the adhesive layer 33a, it is possible to achieve both suppression of the reduction in the conveyance property of the conveyance belt 33 and improvement in the productivity of the stamped article. Specifically, the functional liquid is preliminarily discharged at the recovery portions 81 and 82 which are areas other than the conveyance belt 33. Therefore, the functional liquid does not adhere to the adhesive layer 33a, the adhesiveness of the adhesive layer 33a is maintained, and the conveyance property of the fabric P is kept good.

[0079] The ink and the functional liquid are preliminarily discharged separately at different positions. Therefore, the ink and the functional liquid do not come into contact with each other, and generation of aggregates and the like is prevented.

[0080] Since the ink is pre-discharged onto the conveyance belt 33, the productivity of the printed matter is improved as compared with the case where all of the ink and the functional liquid are pre-discharged onto the conveyance belt 33. From the above, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus 100 that achieves both suppression of a decrease in the conveyance performance of the conveyance belt 33 and improvement in the productivity of the printed matter, and a recording method of the recording apparatus 100.

Explanation of Signs

[0081] 1... control unit, 33... conveyance belt, 33a... adhesive layer, 61... recording unit, 81, 81a, 81b, 82... recovery unit, 91, 92... regions, 100... recording apparatus, P... fabric.

Claims

1. A recording apparatus for attaching ink to a fabric to record an image on the fabric, comprising: the recording apparatus includes: a conveyance belt having an adhesive layer on its surface for conveying the fabric in a conveyance direction; a recording unit that moves in a conveyance belt width direction intersecting the conveyance direction and discharges the ink and a functional liquid onto the fabric; a control unit for controlling the recording apparatus, wherein the control unit causes the recording unit to preliminarily discharge the ink to an area on the conveyance belt where the fabric is not located in the conveyance belt width direction, and preliminarily discharges the functional liquid to an area other than the conveyance belt.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the functional liquid is a softener or a pretreatment liquid.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a recovery unit provided in the area other than the conveyance belt for recovering the preliminarily discharged functional liquid, wherein the recovery unit individually recovers the softener and the pretreatment liquid.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the conveyance belt width direction, the area on the conveyance belt where the ink is preliminarily discharged overlaps with the area other than the conveyance belt where the functional liquid is preliminarily discharged.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the conveyance belt width direction, the area on the conveyance belt where the ink is preliminarily discharged is located between the area other than the conveyance belt where the functional liquid is preliminarily discharged and the area on the conveyance belt where the fabric is conveyed.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, in the conveyance belt width direction, the arrangement of the area where the ink is preliminarily discharged is changed according to the dimensions of the fabric.

7. A recording method for a recording apparatus that attaches ink to a fabric to record an image on the fabric, wherein the recording apparatus includes: a conveyance belt having an adhesive layer on its surface for conveying the fabric in a conveyance direction; a recording unit that moves in a conveyance belt width direction intersecting the conveyance direction and discharges the ink and a functional liquid onto the fabric; a control unit for controlling the recording apparatus, wherein the control unit causes the recording unit to preliminarily discharge the ink to an area on the conveyance belt where the fabric is not located in the conveyance belt width direction, and preliminarily discharges the functional liquid to an area other than the conveyance belt.

Images