Dryer and printing system

Abstract

To provide a dryer which enables reduction of a possibility that the size of an exhaust fan increases, and to provide a printing system.SOLUTION: A dryer 13 includes: a drying furnace 47 into which a medium 99 on which prints are made by an ink containing glycerin and water goes; a heating unit 51 which heats the medium; an exhaust duct 55 extending from the drying furnace; an exhaust fan 58 which exhausts air from the drying furnace through the exhaust duct; and a partition plate 54 which partitions the inside of the drying furnace into a first space A1 and a second space A2. The first space is located at the upstream of the second space in a medium transport direction D1 and the exhaust duct leads to the first space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drying device and a printing system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a drying device including a drying furnace into which a medium enters, a heating unit that heats the medium, and an exhaust fan that exhausts air from the drying furnace. By exhausting the vapor evaporated from the medium with the exhaust fan, drying of the medium is promoted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a drying device, in order to exhaust air from the entire drying furnace, the exhaust fan tends to be enlarged.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The drying device for solving the above problems includes a drying furnace into which a medium printed with ink containing glycerin and water enters, a heating unit that heats the medium, an exhaust duct extending from the drying furnace, an exhaust fan that exhausts air from the drying furnace through the exhaust duct, and a partition plate that partitions the inside of the drying furnace into a first space and a second space. The first space is a space located upstream of the second space in the conveyance direction of the medium, and the exhaust duct communicates with the first space.

[0006] A printing system for solving the above problems is a printing system including a printing device for printing on a medium and a drying device for drying the printed medium. The printing device includes a printing unit for printing on the medium with ink containing glycerin and water, and the drying device includes a drying furnace into which the printed medium enters, a heating unit for heating the medium, an exhaust duct extending from the drying furnace, an exhaust fan for exhausting air from the drying furnace through the exhaust duct, and a partition plate for partitioning the inside of the drying furnace into a first space and a second space. The first space is a space located upstream of the second space in the conveyance direction of the medium, and the exhaust duct communicates with the first space.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printing system including a drying device will be described with reference to the drawings. <Printing System> As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system 11 includes a printing device 12 and a drying device 13. The printing device 12 is configured to print on a medium 99. The printing device 12 is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints images such as characters and photographs by ejecting ink onto a medium 99 such as paper or fabric. The ink contains glycerin and water. Glycerin and water are solvents of the ink. The ink is, for example, pigment ink. The drying device 13 is configured to dry the printed medium 99. Specifically, the drying device 13 dries the medium 99 by heating the medium 99. That is, the drying device 13 evaporates glycerin and water from the ink adhering to the medium 99. The printing system 11 performs printing and drying on a long medium 99 extending from the printing device 12 to the drying device 13. The printing device 12 and the drying device 13 cooperate by transmitting signals to each other.

[0009] The printing device 12 and the drying device 13 are arranged in the conveying direction D1. The conveying direction D1 is the direction in which the medium 99 is conveyed from the printing device 12 to the drying device 13. In one example, the printing device 12 and the drying device 13 are arranged at intervals in the conveying direction D1. This is because a user may enter between the printing device 12 and the drying device 13.

[0010] The printing system 11 includes an input unit 14. The input unit 14 is an interface for inputting information into the printing system 11. The user operates the printing system 11 by operating the input unit 14. The input unit 14 is, for example, a touch panel. The input unit 14 may include buttons, levers, switches, etc. The input unit 14 may be attached to the printing device 12 or the drying device 13. The input unit 14 may be provided in the printing device 12 or the drying device 13. The input unit 14 may be provided in each of the printing device 12 and the drying device 13.

[0011] <Printing device> The printing device 12 may include a feeding unit 21. The feeding unit 21 is configured to feed the medium 99. The feeding unit 21 feeds the medium 99 from, for example, a roll body. The roll body is an article around which the medium 99 is wound.

[0012] The feeding unit 21 has a feeding case 22. The feeding case 22 houses the first roll body R1. The first roll body R1 is a roll body around which the medium 99 before printing is wound. The feeding unit 21 has a feeding section 23. The feeding section 23 is accommodated in a feeding case 22. The feeding section 23 feeds the medium 99 from the first roll body R1. The feeding section 23 has a feeding shaft 24. The feeding shaft 24 rotatably supports the first roll body R1. The feeding shaft 24 may rotate actively, may rotate passively, or may be fixed to the feeding case 22. When the first roll body R1 rotates, the medium 99 is fed from the first roll body R1. In the feeding section 23, the first roll body R1 may rotate when the feeding shaft 24 rotates, or may rotate when the medium 99 is pulled.

[0013] The printing device 12 includes a printing unit 25. The printing unit 25 is configured to print on the medium 99. The printing unit 25 prints on the medium 99 fed from the feeding unit 21. The printing unit 25 may also print on the medium 99 fed from another device.

[0014] The printing unit 25 has a housing 26. The housing 26 is adjacent to the feeding case 22, for example. In one example, the housing 26 is aligned with the feeding case 22 in the conveying direction D1. The printing unit 25 has a printing section 27. The printing section 27 is accommodated in the housing 26. The printing section 27 prints on the medium 99 by discharging ink onto the medium 99. The printing section 27 prints on the medium 99 fed from the feeding section 23. The printing section 27 prints on the medium 99 conveyed within the housing 26.

[0015] The printing section 27 has a head 28. The head 28 has a nozzle surface 30 in which one or more nozzles 29 open. The head 28 discharges ink from the nozzles 29 onto the medium 99. The nozzle surface 30 faces the medium 99.

[0016] The printing unit 27 may have a carriage 31. The carriage 31 mounts the head 28. The carriage 31 scans the medium 99. That is, in one example, the head 28 is a serial head that prints across the width of the medium 99 by scanning the medium 99. The head 28 may also be a line head capable of ejecting ink all at once across the width of the medium 99.

[0017] The printing unit 25 has a conveyance unit 32. The conveyance unit 32 is configured to convey the medium 99. The conveyance unit 32 conveys the medium 99 within the housing 26. In one example, the conveyance unit 32 conveys the medium 99 in the conveyance direction D1. In one example, the conveyance unit 32 conveys the medium 99 intermittently. This is because, in one example, the head 28 is a serial head. If the head 28 is a line head, the conveyance unit 32 may convey the medium 99 continuously.

[0018] The conveyance unit 32 is housed in the housing 26. The conveyance unit 32 conveys the medium 99 fed out from the feeding unit 23. The conveyance unit 32 may cause the feeding unit 23 to feed out the medium 99 by pulling the medium 99 from the first roll body R1. The conveyance unit 32 faces the printing unit 27. In one example, the conveyance unit 32 is located directly below the printing unit 27.

[0019] The conveyance unit 32 conveys the medium 99 at a predetermined conveyance speed. The conveyance speed is indicated, for example, by the average speed of the medium 99. The conveyance speed is set, for example, when the user operates the input unit 14.

[0020] The conveyance unit 32 has a first pulley 33, a second pulley 34, and a belt 35. The first pulley 33 and the second pulley 34 are arranged, for example, in the conveyance direction D1. The belt 35 is wound around the first pulley 33 and the second pulley 34. The belt 35 rotates together with the first pulley 33 and the second pulley 34.

[0021] Belt 35 supports medium 99. Specifically, belt 35 is configured to adsorb medium 99. In one example, belt 35 adsorbs medium 99 with an adhesive. An adhesive is applied to the surface of belt 35. Belt 35 holds medium 99 by adsorbing it, thereby stabilizing the posture of medium 99. Belt 35 may adsorb medium 99 by, for example, static electricity or by negative pressure due to suction. As belt 35 rotates while adsorbing medium 99, medium 99 is conveyed. The conveying unit 32 is not limited to conveying medium 99 by belt 35, and may convey medium 99 by, for example, rollers.

[0022] The printing unit 25 may have one or more printing guide rollers. In one example, the printing unit 25 has a first printing guide roller 36 and a second printing guide roller 37. The printing guide roller is configured to guide medium 99. The printing guide roller guides medium 99 by contacting it. The printing guide roller guides medium 99 from the feeding unit 21 to the printing unit 25 or from the printing device 12 to the drying device 13.

[0023] The printing guide roller may be located inside the housing 26 or outside the housing 26. In one example, the first printing guide roller 36 and the second printing guide roller 37 are located outside the housing 26. The first printing guide roller 36 guides medium 99 so that medium 99 is supplied from outside the housing 26 into the housing 26. In one example, the first printing guide roller 36 guides the medium 99 fed from the feeding section 23 into the housing 26. The second printing guide roller 37 guides medium 99 so that it is discharged from inside the housing 26 to outside the housing 26. Specifically, the second printing guide roller 37 guides the printed medium 99 outside the housing 26.

[0024] The printing unit 25 has a printing control unit 38. The printing control unit 38 controls the printing unit 25. Specifically, the printing control unit 38 controls the printing unit 27 and the conveying unit 32. In addition to the printing unit 25, the printing control unit 38 may control the feeding unit 21. For example, the printing control unit 38 may control the feeding unit 23.

[0025] The printing control unit 38 may be composed of one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program. The printing control unit 38 may be composed of one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as application-specific integrated circuits that execute at least some of the various processes. The printing control unit 38 may be composed of a circuit including a combination of a processor and a hardware circuit. The processor includes a CPU and a memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code configured to cause the CPU to execute processing or instructions. The memory, that is, the computer-readable medium, includes any available readable medium accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0026] The printing control unit 38 communicates with the drying device 13. The printing control unit 38 transmits various signals to the drying device 13. By transmitting a signal to the drying device 13, the printing control unit 38 notifies the state of the printing device 12. The printing control unit 38 receives various signals from the drying device 13. By receiving a signal from the drying device 13, the printing control unit 38 grasps the state of the drying device 13.

[0027] <Drying device> The drying device 13 has a winding unit 41. The winding unit 41 is configured to wind the medium 99. The winding unit 41 forms a roll body by winding the medium 99.

[0028] The winding unit 41 has a winding case 42. The winding case 42 houses the second roll body R2. The second roll body R2 is a roll body around which the printed medium 99 is wound.

[0029] The winding unit 41 has a winding section 43. The winding section 43 winds the medium 99. Specifically, the winding section 43 winds the dried medium 99. The winding section 43 has a winding shaft 44. The winding shaft 44 is accommodated in a winding case 42. The winding shaft 44 rotatably supports the second roll body R2. When the winding shaft 44 rotates, the medium 99 is wound. That is, the winding shaft 44 rotates and the second roll body R2 rotates. The medium 99 is conveyed in the drying device 13 by being wound by the winding section 43.

[0030] The winding section 43 is driven to wind the medium 99 at a speed faster than that of the conveying section 32. That is, the winding section 43 is driven so that the winding speed is faster than the conveying speed. Thereby, tension is applied to the medium 99 between the conveying section 32 and the winding section 43. When tension is applied to the medium 99, the posture of the medium 99 is stabilized. In one example, when tension is applied to the medium 99, it becomes easier to peel the medium 99 from the belt 35.

[0031] The winding section 43 may have a dancer roller 45. The dancer roller 45 may be located inside the winding case 42 or outside the winding case 42. The medium 99 is wound around the dancer roller 45. Specifically, the medium 99 before being wound around the winding shaft 44 is wound around the dancer roller 45. The dancer roller 45 is configured to be displaced. The dancer roller 45 adjusts the tension applied to the medium 99 by being displaced. Thereby, it becomes easier for the winding shaft 44 to stably wind the medium 99.

[0032] The drying device 13 includes a drying unit 46. The drying unit 46 is configured to dry the medium 99. The drying unit 46 dries the medium 99 printed by the printing device 12. After the medium 99 is dried by the drying unit 46, it is wound by the winding unit 41.

[0033] The drying unit 46 has a drying oven 47. The drying oven 47 is adjacent to the winding case 42. In one example, the drying oven 47 is aligned with the winding case 42 in the conveying direction D1. The printed medium 99 enters the drying oven 47.

[0034] The drying oven 47 has a plurality of surfaces. The drying oven 47 has a front face 48 where the medium 99 enters. The drying oven 47 has a back face 49 where the medium 99 is discharged. The drying oven 47 has an upper face 50. The front face 48 is the face that faces the printing device 12 in the drying oven 47. The back face 49 is the face that faces the winding unit 41 in the drying oven 47. The upper face 50 is the face that faces upward.

[0035] The drying unit 46 has a heating part 51. The heating part 51 is accommodated in the drying oven 47. The heating part 51 heats the medium 99. The heating part 51 heats the medium 99 at, for example, 160 °C. Thereby, the ink adhering to the medium 99 evaporates. As a result, the medium 99 dries.

[0036] The heating part 51 has one or more heating members 52. In one example, the heating part 51 has a plurality of heating members 52. The heating member 52 is, for example, an infrared heater. The plurality of heating members 52 are aligned in the conveying direction D1. The heating member 52 is positioned, for example, so as to face the printed surface of the medium 99. The heating member 52 irradiates infrared rays onto the printed surface of the medium 99.

[0037] The heating member 52 extends in the longitudinal direction D2. The longitudinal direction D2 is a direction different from the conveying direction D1. The longitudinal direction D2 is a direction that serves as an index indicating the width of the medium 99. By extending in the longitudinal direction D2, the heating member 52 can irradiate infrared rays over the entire width of the medium 99.

[0038] When the heating unit 51 heats the medium 99, first, water evaporates from the ink. This is because the boiling point of water is lower than that of glycerin. The boiling point of water is 100°C. The boiling point of glycerin is 290°C. When water evaporates and the amount of water in the ink decreases, glycerin evaporates together with water when the heating unit 51 heats the medium 99. This is so-called azeotropy. When the glycerin and water in the ink decrease, the ink adheres to the medium 99 when the heating unit 51 heats the medium 99. Thus, when the heating unit 51 heats the medium 99, vapor is likely to be generated at the initial stage. That is, vapor is likely to be generated in the space located upstream in the conveyance direction D1 in the drying furnace 47.

[0039] The drying unit 46 has one or more mounting portions 53. In one example, the drying unit 46 has a plurality of mounting portions 53. The mounting portion 53 is attached to the drying furnace 47. The mounting portion 53 is located inside the drying furnace 47. The plurality of mounting portions 53 are arranged in the conveyance direction D1. The mounting portion 53 is configured such that a partition plate 54 described later can be attached thereto. The mounting portion 53 holds the partition plate 54. The mounting portion 53 holds the partition plate 54, for example, by sandwiching the partition plate 54.

[0040] The drying unit 46 has a partition plate 54. The partition plate 54 is attached to the mounting portion 53. Thereby, the partition plate 54 is attached to the drying furnace 47. The partition plate 54 divides the space inside the drying furnace 47 into two. Specifically, the partition plate 54 divides the space located above the medium 99 in the drying furnace 47 into two in the conveyance direction D1. The partition plate 54 divides the inside of the drying furnace 47 into a first space A1 and a second space A2. The first space A1 is located upstream of the second space A2 in the conveyance direction D1.

[0041] The partition plate 54 extends in the longitudinal direction D2. The partition plate 54 extends vertically. The partition plate 54 extends so as to pass between the heating members 52. Therefore, the heating members 52 are located in both the first space A1 and the second space A2. Accordingly, the medium 99 is heated in both the first space A1 and the second space A2. In the first space A1, when the medium 99 is heated, vapor is generated from the medium 99. As a result, vapor tends to accumulate in the first space A1. In the second space A2, even when the medium 99 is heated, it is difficult for vapor to be generated from the medium 99. In the second space A2, when the medium 99 is heated, the ink is fixed to the medium 99.

[0042] The partition plate 54 is attached to one of the plurality of attachment portions 53. Thereby, in the drying furnace 47, the position of the partition plate 54 is changed. When the position of the partition plate 54 is changed, the volume of the first space A1 and the volume of the second space A2 change. The position of the partition plate 54 is changed by the user. The user changes the position of the partition plate 54, for example, according to the type of the medium 99, the amount of ink adhering to the medium 99, and the like. For example, when the amount of ink adhering to the medium 99 is large, the user changes the position of the partition plate 54 so that the volume of the first space A1 becomes large. Thereby, the vapor generated from the medium 99 is concentrated in the first space A1.

[0043] The drying unit 46 has an exhaust duct 55. The exhaust duct 55 is a duct for exhausting from the drying furnace 47. The exhaust duct 55 extends from the drying furnace 47. The exhaust duct 55 is attached to the drying furnace 47. In one example, the exhaust duct 55 is attached to the upper surface 50. Thereby, the vapor in the drying furnace 47 is easily exhausted. This is because the vapor tends to float upward in the drying furnace 47 when heated by the heating unit 51. The exhaust duct 55 is not limited to the upper surface 50 and may be attached to, for example, the front surface 48. When the vapor is exhausted from the drying furnace 47, the drying of the medium 99 is promoted.

[0044] The exhaust duct 55 communicates with the first space A1. That is, the exhaust duct 55 is attached on the upper surface 50 upstream of the plurality of attachment parts 53 in the conveyance direction D1. Thereby, steam is exhausted from the first space A1 through the exhaust duct 55. Therefore, steam is effectively exhausted from the drying furnace 47. Regarding the second space A2, since steam hardly accumulates, the necessity for exhaust is small. The steam floating in the second space A2 flows into the first space A1 through, for example, between the partition plate 54 and the medium 99.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust duct 55 has one or more intake pipes 56 and an exhaust pipe 57. In one example, the exhaust duct 55 has three intake pipes 56 and one exhaust pipe 57. The intake pipes 56 extend from the upper surface 50. Steam is sucked from the first space A1 through the intake pipes 56. The three intake pipes 56 merge respectively. The three intake pipes 56 are arranged in one direction. In one example, the three intake pipes 56 are arranged in the longitudinal direction D2. Thereby, steam is sucked into the intake pipes 56 from the entire first space A1. The three intake pipes 56 may be arranged, for example, in the conveyance direction D1. The exhaust pipe 57 communicates with the intake pipes 56. In one example, the exhaust pipe 57 communicates with the three intake pipes 56. Steam is exhausted from the intake pipes 56 through the exhaust pipe 57.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, the drying unit 46 has an exhaust fan 58. The exhaust fan 58 is a fan that exhausts from the drying furnace 47. The exhaust fan 58 is attached to the drying furnace 47. In one example, the exhaust fan 58 is attached to the upper surface 50. The exhaust fan 58 is not limited to being outside the drying furnace 47 and may be located inside the drying furnace 47. The exhaust fan 58 is attached to the exhaust duct 55. Specifically, the exhaust fan 58 is attached to the exhaust pipe 57. The exhaust fan 58 is not limited to being outside the exhaust duct 55 and may be located inside the exhaust duct 55.

[0047] The exhaust fan 58 exhausts air from the drying furnace 47 through the exhaust duct 55. Specifically, the exhaust fan 58 exhausts air from the first space A1 through the exhaust duct 55. As a result, the exhaust volume of the exhaust fan 58 can be smaller compared to the case where the exhaust fan 58 exhausts air from the entire drying furnace 47. That is, the risk of the exhaust fan 58 becoming larger in size is reduced.

[0048] The exhaust fan 58 exhausts the inside of the drying furnace 47 at a predetermined exhaust volume. The exhaust volume is set, for example, by the user operating the input unit 14. The user may change the exhaust volume according to the position of the partition plate 54. For example, when the position of the partition plate 54 is changed so that the volume of the first space A1 becomes smaller, the user may reduce the exhaust volume.

[0049] The drying unit 46 may have a blower fan 59. The blower fan 59 is located inside the drying furnace 47. The blower fan 59 blows air so as to generate an upward airflow in the first space A1. In one example, the blower fan 59 is located below the medium 99 inside the drying furnace 47. The blower fan 59 blows air onto the medium 99. The blower fan 59 blows air toward the first space A1 through the medium 99. Thereby, the exhaust of steam is promoted.

[0050] The drying unit 46 may have one or more drying guide rollers. In one example, the drying unit 46 has a first drying guide roller 60 and a second drying guide roller 61. The drying guide roller is configured to guide the medium 99 in the same manner as the printing guide roller. The drying guide roller guides the medium 99 by contacting the medium 99. The drying guide roller guides the medium 99 from the printing device 12 to the drying device 13 or from the drying unit 46 to the winding unit 41.

[0051] The drying guide roller may be located inside the drying furnace 47 or outside the drying furnace 47. In one example, the first drying guide roller 60 and the second drying guide roller 61 are located outside the drying furnace 47. The first drying guide roller 60 guides the medium 99 so that the medium 99 is supplied from outside the drying furnace 47 into the drying furnace 47. In one example, the first drying guide roller 60 guides the medium 99 conveyed from the printing device 12 into the drying furnace 47. The second drying guide roller 61 guides the medium 99 so that the medium 99 is discharged from inside the drying furnace 47 to the outside of the drying furnace 47. Specifically, the second drying guide roller 61 guides the dried medium 99 to the outside of the drying furnace 47.

[0052] The drying unit 46 has a drying control unit 62. The drying control unit 62 controls the drying unit 46. Specifically, the drying control unit 62 controls the heating unit 51, the exhaust fan 58, and the blower fan 59. The drying control unit 62 may control the winding unit 41 in addition to the drying unit 46. The drying control unit 62 may control, for example, the winding unit 43. The drying control unit 62 may be composed of a processor, a hardware circuit, or a circuit including a combination thereof, similar to the printing control unit 38.

[0053] The drying control unit 62 communicates with the printing device 12. Specifically, the drying control unit 62 communicates with the printing control unit 38. The drying control unit 62 transmits various signals to the printing control unit 38. The drying control unit 62 notifies the state of the drying device 13 by transmitting a signal to the printing control unit 38. The drying control unit 62 receives various signals from the printing control unit 38. The drying control unit 62 grasps the state of the printing device 12 by receiving a signal from the printing control unit 38.

[0054] <Actions and Effects> Next, the actions and effects of the above embodiment will be described. (1) The drying device 13 includes a partition plate 54 that divides the inside of the drying furnace 47 into a first space A1 and a second space A2, an exhaust duct 55 that communicates with the first space A1, and an exhaust fan 58 that exhausts air from the drying furnace 47 through the exhaust duct 55. When the medium 99 printed with ink containing glycerin and water is heated, first, the water with a lower boiling point evaporates. When the water in the ink decreases due to evaporation, glycerin azeotropes with water. When the glycerin and water in the ink decrease due to evaporation, the ink is fixed to the medium 99 by heating the medium 99. Thus, steam is likely to be generated in the space located upstream in the conveyance direction D1 within the drying furnace 47. That is, steam is likely to be generated in the first space A1. Therefore, the exhaust fan 58 can effectively exhaust the steam by exhausting it from the first space A1. Accordingly, according to the above configuration, the possibility of the exhaust fan 58 becoming larger in size is reduced compared to the case of exhausting air from the entire drying furnace 47.

[0055] (2) The plurality of intake pipes 56 are arranged in one direction. According to the above configuration, the exhaust fan 58 can exhaust steam from the entire first space A1 through the exhaust duct 55. (3) The exhaust duct 55 is attached to the upper surface 50. Steam is likely to rise upward within the drying furnace 47. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the steam is likely to be exhausted.

[0056] (4) The blower fan 59 blows air so as to generate an upward airflow in the first space A1. Due to the blower fan 59, the steam easily flows above the first space A1. According to the above configuration, the exhaust of the steam is promoted.

[0057] (5) The plurality of attachment parts 53 are arranged in the conveyance direction D1 within the drying furnace 47. According to the above configuration, the user can change the position of the partition plate 54. That is, the user can change the volume of the first space A1. Thereby, for example, the user can set the volume of the first space A1 according to the type of the medium 99, the amount of ink adhering to the medium 99, etc.

[0058] <Modified Example> The above embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiments and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non - conflicting range.

[0059] · The pay - out section 23 may have a dancer roller, similar to the take - up section 43. · The drying device 13 is not limited to conveying the medium 99 by the take - up section 43, and may convey the medium 99 by a drying conveyance section. In this case, the drying device 13 has a drying conveyance section for conveying the medium 99. The drying conveyance section is located within the drying furnace 47. The drying conveyance section may have the same configuration as the conveyance section 32 or may be composed of a plurality of rollers.

[0060] · In the drying device 13, the medium 99 may be conveyed by another device. That is, the medium 99 may be conveyed through the drying furnace 47 by being sent out from another device or pulled out by another device in the drying device 13.

[0061] <Technical idea> The following describes the technical idea and its effects grasped from the above - described embodiments and modification examples.

[0062] (A) The drying device includes a drying furnace into which a medium printed with ink containing glycerin and water enters, a heating unit for heating the medium, an exhaust duct extending from the drying furnace, an exhaust fan for exhausting air from the drying furnace through the exhaust duct, and a partition plate for partitioning the inside of the drying furnace into a first space and a second space. The first space is a space located upstream of the second space in the conveyance direction of the medium, and the exhaust duct communicates with the first space. When a medium printed with ink containing glycerin and water is heated, first, water with a lower boiling point evaporates. When the water in the ink decreases due to evaporation, glycerin azeotropes with water. When the glycerin and water in the ink decrease due to evaporation, the ink is fixed to the medium by heating the medium. Thus, steam is likely to be generated in the space located upstream in the conveyance direction in the drying furnace. That is, steam is likely to be generated in the first space. Therefore, the exhaust fan can effectively exhaust steam by exhausting it from the first space. Accordingly, according to the above configuration, the possibility of the exhaust fan becoming larger in size is reduced compared to the case of exhausting air from the entire drying furnace.

[0063] (B) In the above drying device, the exhaust duct has a plurality of intake pipes communicating with the drying furnace and an exhaust pipe communicating with the plurality of intake pipes, and the plurality of intake pipes may be arranged side by side in one direction. According to the above configuration, the exhaust fan can exhaust steam from the entire first space through the exhaust duct.

[0064] (C) In the above drying device, the exhaust duct may be attached to the upper surface of the drying furnace. Steam is likely to flow upward in the drying furnace. Therefore, according to the above configuration, steam is likely to be exhausted.

[0065] (D) The above drying device includes a blower fan located inside the drying furnace, and the blower fan may blow air so as to generate an upward airflow in the first space. Due to the blower fan, steam is likely to flow above the first space. According to the above configuration, the exhaust of steam is promoted.

[0066] (E) The drying device includes a plurality of mounting parts, the partition plate is attached to one of the plurality of mounting parts, and the plurality of mounting parts may be arranged in the conveying direction in the drying furnace. According to the above configuration, the user can change the position of the partition plate. That is, the user can change the volume of the first space. Thereby, for example, the user can set the volume of the first space according to the type of medium, the amount of ink adhering to the medium, etc.

[0067] (F) A printing system is a printing system including a printing device that prints on a medium and a drying device that dries the printed medium. The printing device includes a printing unit that prints on a medium with ink containing glycerin and water, and the drying device includes a drying furnace into which the printed medium enters, a heating unit that heats the medium, an exhaust duct extending from the drying furnace, an exhaust fan that exhausts from the drying furnace through the exhaust duct, and a partition plate that partitions the inside of the drying furnace into a first space and a second space. The first space is a space located upstream of the second space in the conveying direction of the medium, and the exhaust duct communicates with the first space. According to the above configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described drying device can be obtained.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0068] 11…Printing system, 12…Printing device, 13…Drying device, 14…Input unit, 21…Pay-out unit, 22…Pay-out case, 23…Pay-out section, 24…Pay-out shaft, 25…Printing unit, 26…Housing, 27…Printing section, 28…Head, 29…Nozzle, 30…Nozzle surface, 31…Carriage, 32…Conveying section, 33…First pulley, 34…Second pulley, 35…Belt, 36…First printing guide roller, 37…Second printing guide roller, 38…Printing control section, 41…Take-up unit, 42…Take-up case, 43…Take-up section, 44…Take-up shaft, 45…Dancer roller, 46…Drying unit, 47…Drying furnace, 48…Front, 49…Back, 50…Top, 51…Heating section, 52…Heating member, 53…Mounting section, 54…Partition plate, 55…Exhaust duct, 56…Intake pipe, 57…Exhaust pipe, 58…Exhaust fan, 59…Blower fan, 60…First drying guide roller, 61…Second drying guide roller, 62…Drying control section, 99…Medium, A1…First space, A2…Second space, D1…Conveying direction, D2…Longitudinal direction, R1…First roll body, R2…Second roll body.

Claims

1. A drying furnace into which a medium printed with an ink containing glycerin and water enters, A heating section for heating the medium, An exhaust duct extending from the drying furnace, An exhaust fan for exhausting air from the drying furnace through the exhaust duct, A partition plate for partitioning the inside of the drying furnace into a first space and a second space, and comprising: The first space is a space located upstream of the second space in the conveyance direction of the medium, The exhaust duct communicates with the first space, and a drying apparatus is characterized thereby.

2. The exhaust duct Has a plurality of intake pipes communicating with the drying furnace, And an exhaust pipe communicating with the plurality of intake pipes, The plurality of intake pipes are arranged in one direction, and the drying apparatus according to claim 1 is characterized thereby.

3. The exhaust duct is attached to the upper surface of the drying furnace, and the drying apparatus according to claim 1 is characterized thereby.

4. A blower fan located inside the drying furnace is provided, The blower fan blows air so as to generate an upward airflow in the first space, and the drying apparatus according to claim 1 is characterized thereby.

5. A plurality of mounting portions are provided, The partition plate is attached to one of the plurality of mounting portions, The plurality of mounting portions are arranged in the conveyance direction inside the drying furnace, and the drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is characterized thereby.

6. A printing system including a printing apparatus for printing on a medium and a drying apparatus for drying the printed medium, The printing apparatus includes a printing section for printing on a medium with an ink containing glycerin and water, The drying apparatus is A drying furnace into which a printed medium enters, A heating unit that heats the medium, An exhaust duct extending from the drying furnace, An exhaust fan that exhausts air from the drying furnace through the exhaust duct, A partition plate that divides the inside of the drying furnace into a first space and a second space, and is provided with, The first space is a space located upstream of the second space in the conveyance direction of the medium, The exhaust duct communicates with the first space, and a printing system is characterized by this.

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