Device for discharging liquid

Abstract

To provide a device that can suppress deviation of an object to be imparted.SOLUTION: A device for discharging liquid includes: a head 10 for discharging liquid to a fabric 400; and a platen member 40 for holding the fabric 400. The platen member 40 is a flat plate-like member having a rectangular flat plate shape and includes a top face 40a to place the fabric 400 thereon and a lateral face 40b; and a plurality of needle-like members 141 capable of coming into contact with the fabric 400 in the vicinity of four rectangular sides. The needle-like members 141 are provided while being oriented obliquely downward from the lateral face 40b of the platen member 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for discharging a liquid.

Background Art

[0002] As a printing apparatus, there is an apparatus that performs printing on a fabric such as a T-shirt as an object to which a liquid is applied.

[0003] Conventionally, as a holding member for holding a fabric, one in which mounting protrusions having a flat tip surface are arranged on the entire surface is known (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the center surface of the mounting protrusion is a flat surface, there is a problem that the object to which the fabric or the like is mounted is displaced.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress displacement of an object to which a liquid is applied in an apparatus for discharging a liquid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, an apparatus for discharging a liquid according to claim 1 of the present invention includes: liquid discharging means for discharging a liquid; a platen member on which an object to which the liquid is applied is placed, wherein the platen member has a needle-like member that can come into contact with the object to which the liquid is applied, The needle-like member is provided so as to face obliquely downward from the side surface of the platen member. It is configured as such.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, in an apparatus for discharging a liquid, displacement of an object to which the liquid is applied can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory view of the printing apparatus, FIG. 2 is a plan explanatory view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a front explanatory view thereof.

[0011] The printing apparatus 1 includes a carriage 11 on which a head 10, which is a liquid discharging means for discharging a liquid, is mounted. Guide members 12 and 13 hold the carriage 11 so as to be reciprocally movable in the main scanning direction X. The carriage 11 is connected to a timing belt 17 wound around a driving pulley 15 and a driven pulley 16 that are rotated by a main scanning motor 14, and the carriage 11 is reciprocally moved in the main scanning direction X by driving the main scanning motor 14.

[0012] An encoder sheet 18 is arranged along the main scanning direction X. The encoder sheet 18 is provided with periodic slits. The carriage 11 has a reading sensor for reading the slits of the encoder sheet 18, and the position of the carriage 11 in the main scanning direction X can be detected from the reading result of the reading sensor.

[0013] The controller board 50 controls the discharge of ink, which is a liquid, from the head 10 by adjusting the timing at the discharge position based on the carriage position obtained from the reading result of the reading sensor of the carriage 11.

[0014] Four heads 10 are mounted on the carriage 11. Each head 10 has two nozzle arrays in which nozzles for discharging liquid are arranged. The carriage 11 is also equipped with a sub-tank for temporarily storing the liquid supplied to the head 10. Liquid of the required color is fed from the main tank 21 to the sub-tank by a liquid feed pump via a supply tube.

[0015] The printing apparatus 1 includes a platen member 40 which is a holding member for holding a fabric 400 as an application target (printing target) to which liquid is to be applied. The platen member 40 is mounted on an elevating mechanism 41 so that the height in the vertical direction Z can be adjusted. The elevating mechanism 41 of the platen member 40 is mounted on a slider 42. The slider 42 is movably placed on a slide rail 43 extending in the sub-scanning direction Y orthogonal to the main scanning direction X.

[0016] The slider 42 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y by a sub-scanning drive mechanism via a timing belt 45. When the slider 42 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y, the platen member 40 is also reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y.

[0017] On one end side in the main scanning direction, a maintenance unit 60 for performing maintenance and recovery of the head 10 is arranged. The maintenance unit 60 includes a suction cap 61 for capping the nozzle surface of the head 10, a moisture retention cap 62 for capping the nozzle surface of the head 10 for moisture retention, and a wiping member 63 for wiping the nozzle surface of the head 10. A suction pump is connected to the suction cap 61.

[0018] On the other end side in the main scanning direction, a discharge receiver 66 is arranged. During printing, the controller board 50 performs maintenance and recovery of the head 10 by discharging liquid from the head 10 to the discharge receiver 66.

[0019] Also, on one end side and the other end side in the main scanning direction, a light emitting part 80A and a light receiving part 80B of a height detection means 80 for detecting the fabric 400 on the platen member 40 are arranged. The height detection means 80 is attached to the frame body 2.

[0020] Further, the printing apparatus 1 includes a power button 70, an operation unit 71, a power supply unit 72, and the like.

[0021] In this printing apparatus 1, when printing on a fabric (printing target) such as a T-shirt, the fabric 400 is set on the platen member 40. Thereafter, an operation on the operation unit 71 causes an operation of completely pulling the platen member 40 rearward in the apparatus via the slider 42.

[0022] When the platen member 40 is pulled in, the height detection means 80 detects whether the fabric 400 on the platen member 40 interferes with the head 10 or not. At this time, if the head 10 and the fabric 400 collide, the pulling-in of the platen member 40 is stopped, or the platen member 40 is returned to the position where the fabric 400 is set.

[0023] When the pulling-in of the platen member 40 is completed, the printing data standby state is entered. Here, when the printing apparatus 1 receives printing data from an external information processing apparatus, the printing operation is started. Alternatively, when printing data is stored in the controller board 50 in advance, the printing operation is started by selecting the printing data on the operation unit 71.

[0024] When the printing operation is started, the platen member 40 is moved to the printing start position via the slider 42. Thereafter, the carriage 11 is moved and liquid is ejected from the head 10, and one line is printed. When one line is printed, the platen member 40 is moved by one line via the slider 42. By repeating one scan of the carriage 11 and the intermittent movement of the slider 42, printing is performed on a desired area of the fabric 400. After printing is completed, the platen member 40 is returned to the front of the apparatus and the printing ends.

[0025] Next, the platen member according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the platen member, where (a) is a perspective explanatory view, and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along line B1-B1 of (a) and an enlarged view of the main part of part A1. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation of the platen member.

[0026] The platen member 40 is a flat plate member having a rectangular planar shape, and has an upper surface 40a on which the fabric 400 is placed and a side surface 40b. The platen member 40 has a plurality of needle-like members 141 that come into contact with the fabric 400 in the vicinity of its four sides. The needle-like members 141 are oriented obliquely downward in the vertical direction from the side surface 40b of the platen member 40. In other words, they are provided so as to project obliquely downward from the side surface 40b. The needle-like members 141 are preferably formed of an elastic member.

[0027] The needle-like member 141 is a member that can pierce the fabric 400. In other words, it is a sharp member that can be inserted between the fibers of the fabric 400. It has a certain hardness so as to be able to hold the displacement of the fabric 400. There is a conventionally known platen that holds the fabric by friction with the recording medium, but since the present invention can physically pierce, the present invention has a higher effect.

[0028] With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the fabric 400 is placed on the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40, and as shown in FIG. 5(b), the surplus portion 400a of the fabric 400 protruding from the upper surface 40a is hung down toward the side surface 40b side of the platen member 40, so that the fabric 400 comes into contact with the needle-like members 141.

[0029] As a result, the needle-like members 141 bite into the surplus portion 400a of the fabric 400, making it difficult for the surplus portion 400a of the fabric 400 to be drawn back toward the upper surface 40a side of the platen member 40, and suppressing the occurrence of displacement and wrinkles. There is a conventionally known platen that holds the fabric by friction with the recording medium, but since the present invention can physically pierce, the present invention has a higher effect.

[0030] In addition, in the present embodiment, since the fabric 400 can be fixed and held by the needle-like member 141, a separate frame member is not necessary. However, if necessary, the fabric 400 may be fixed using a frame member.

[0031] Here, Comparative Example 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a perspective explanatory view of the comparative example 1, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the same.

[0032] Comparative Example 1 is an application target holding member 90 including a platen member 40 that does not have the needle-like member 141 of the present embodiment and a frame member 91 fitted into the outer peripheral portion of the platen member 40.

[0033] In the application target holding member 90 of this Comparative Example 1, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the fabric 400 is sandwiched and held between the platen member 40 and the frame member 91 for printing.

[0034] At this time, the holding force of only the frame member 91 is weak, and wrinkles and bulges occur in the held fabric 400 during printing as shown in FIG. 7(b) over time.

[0035] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the fabric 400 is locked by the needle-like member 141, the occurrence of displacement and wrinkles is suppressed, and the printing quality is improved.

[0036] Next, the platen member according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the platen member according to the same embodiment, (a) is a perspective explanatory view, and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along line B2 - B2 of (a) and an enlarged view of the main part of part A2.

[0037] The platen member 40 has a plurality of needle-like members 141 that come into contact with the fabric 400 near the four sides of the rectangular shape. The plurality of needle-like members 141 are provided on the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40 obliquely upward in the vertical direction and facing the outer edge direction.

[0038] With such a configuration, by placing the fabric 400 on the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40, the fabric 400 comes into contact with the needle-like members 141.

[0039] As a result, the needle-like members 141 bite into the fabric 400, making it difficult for the fabric 400 to be drawn toward the central portion of the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40, and suppressing the occurrence of displacement and wrinkles.

[0040] Next, the platen member according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the platen member according to this embodiment, (a) is a perspective explanatory view, and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along line B3-B3 of (a) and an enlarged view of the main part of part A3.

[0041] The platen member 40 has a plurality of needle-like members 141 that come into contact with the fabric 400 near the four sides of a rectangular shape. The plurality of needle-like members 141 are provided obliquely upward in the vertical direction from the chamfered portion 40c between the upper surface 40a and the side surface 40b of the platen member 40.

[0042] With such a configuration, by placing the fabric 400 on the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40, the fabric 400 comes into contact with the needle-like members 141.

[0043] As a result, the needle-like members 141 bite into the fabric 400, making it difficult for the fabric 400 to be drawn toward the central portion of the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40, and suppressing the occurrence of displacement and wrinkles.

[0044] Next, the platen member according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the platen member according to this embodiment in the X direction of the platen member of FIG. 11, and FIG. 11 is a plan explanatory view for explaining the directionality of the needle-like members in the same platen member.

[0045] The platen member 40 has a plurality of needle-like members 141 that come into contact with the fabric 400 on the entire upper surface 40a, which is the surface on the side for holding the fabric.

[0046] Here, among the plurality of needle-shaped members 141, the needle-shaped member 141 disposed at the central portion in the X direction is provided such that, with the central portion in the X direction as a boundary, the X1 side is obliquely upward in the vertical direction so as to face the X1 direction, and the X2 side is obliquely upward in the vertical direction so as to face the X2 direction.

[0047] Also, the needle-shaped members 141 disposed on both side portions in the Y direction are provided such that, with the central portion in the Y direction as a boundary, the Y1 side is obliquely upward in the vertical direction so as to face the Y1 direction, and the Y2 side is obliquely upward in the vertical direction so as to face the Y2 direction.

[0048] By providing the needle-shaped members 141 on the entire upper surface 40a of the platen member 40 in this way, the fabric 400 and the needle-shaped members 141 can be brought into contact with each other at more locations, and the occurrence of displacement and wrinkles can be further suppressed.

[0049] Next, the platen member according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a plan explanatory view for explaining the directionality of the needle-shaped members in the platen member according to the same embodiment.

[0050] Also in this embodiment, similar to the fourth embodiment, the platen member 40 has a plurality of needle-shaped members 141 that come into contact with the fabric 400 on the entire surface.

[0051] Here, among the plurality of needle-shaped members 141, some of the needle-shaped members 141 disposed from the central portion to the corner portions of the platen member 40 are provided to be obliquely upward in the vertical direction so as to face the direction from the central portion of the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40 to the four corners. Note that the rest is the same as in the fourth embodiment.

[0052] Thereby, the generation of wrinkles in the vicinity of the corner portions of the platen member can be suppressed.

[0053] Next, a different example of the platen member according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a plan explanatory view for explaining a different example of the color-coding of the needle-shaped members in the platen member according to the same embodiment.

[0054] Also in this embodiment, similar to the fourth embodiment or the fifth embodiment, it has a plurality of needle-like members 141 that come into contact with the fabric 400 over the entire upper surface 40a of the platen member 40.

[0055] Then, in the first example shown in Fig. 13(a), the X direction of the platen member 40 is divided into two, and it is partitioned into two regions that are color-coded into a region of the needle-like members 141A of the first color and a region of the needle-like members 141B of a second color different from the first color.

[0056] As a result, the user can recognize the center line c in the Y direction passing through the center in the X direction of the platen member 40, and the workability such as the positioning work of the printing position when setting the fabric 400 is improved.

[0057] Also, in the second example shown in Fig. 13(a), the X direction and the Y direction of the platen member 40 are each divided, and it is partitioned into four regions that are color-coded into a region of the needle-like members 141A1, 141A2 of the first color and a region of the needle-like members 141B1, 141B2 of a second color different from the first color.

[0058] As a result, the user can recognize the center o and the center lines c1, c2 in the X direction and the Y direction of the platen member 40, and the workability such as the positioning work of the printing position when setting the fabric 400 is improved.

[0059] Next, the imparting object holding member according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a perspective explanatory view for explaining the imparting object holding member according to this embodiment.

[0060] The imparting object holding member 90 has a base member 201 and a platen member 40. One end of a cover member 202 is rotatably attached to the base member 201 by a hinge 203.

[0061] The platen member 40 has two application target placement parts 40A and 40B. The platen member 40 of the present embodiment is a platen member for shoes used when printing on a pair of application targets such as socks.

[0062] Therefore, in the present embodiment, by providing the needle-like members 141 with directions on the two application target placement parts 40A and 40B, the displacement and wrinkle generation of the application target are suppressed.

[0063] Next, the platen member according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a front explanatory view of the platen member according to the same embodiment.

[0064] The platen member 40 has two inclined surfaces 140a that are inclined obliquely downward in the vertical direction from the central part toward both end parts in a cross-sectional shape along the X direction, for example. And the platen member 40 has the needle-like members 141 on each inclined surface 140a.

[0065] Here, the needle-like members 141 provided on each inclined surface 140a are made to have a longer length as they go toward the outer edge direction, and as a whole, a virtual surface S connecting the tips of each needle-like member 141 is made to be substantially flat.

[0066] That is, when the needle-like members 141 are provided on the entire upper surface of the platen member 40, when the fabric 400 is placed on the tips of the needle-like members 141, since there is not much tension on the fabric 400 at the central part of the platen member 40, wrinkles are less likely to occur. However, at the outer edge part of the platen member 40, tension is strong such as being held down by a frame and wrinkles are likely to occur.

[0067] Therefore, by changing the length of the needle-like members 141 from the central part to the outer edge part of the platen member 40, wrinkles do not occur on the entire surface of the platen member 40.

[0068] Also, since the platen member 40 has the inclined surface 140a that is inclined downward from the central part, even when the discharged liquid comes off the fabric 400, it is likely to flow downwards.

[0069] Next, the member for holding an object to be applied according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of the member for holding an object to be applied according to this embodiment, where (a) is a perspective explanatory view, and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along line B4-B4 of (a) and an enlarged view of part A4.

[0070] The member 90 for holding an object to be applied includes a platen member 40 that does not have a needle-shaped member, and a frame member 91 that is fitted into the outer peripheral edge portion of the platen member 40. First needle-shaped members 141C are provided on the inner surfaces 91a and 91b of the frame member 91 that face the platen member 40, respectively.

[0071] The first needle-shaped member 141C on the inner surface 91a of the frame member 91 that faces the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40 is provided so as to face the outer edge direction of the upper surface 40a of the platen member 40 and obliquely downward in the vertical direction. The first needle-shaped member 141C on the inner surface 91b of the frame member 91 that faces the side surface 40b of the platen member 40 is provided so as to face obliquely downward in the vertical direction.

[0072] As a result, when the fabric 400 is placed on the platen member 40, the fabric 400 does not come into contact with the first needle-shaped member 141C, so that the positioning work of the fabric 400 becomes easy. After the fabric 400 is positioned, by fitting the frame member 91, the first needle-shaped member 141C comes into contact with the fabric 400, and the occurrence of displacement and wrinkles of the fabric 400 is suppressed.

[0073] Next, the member for holding an object to be applied according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of the member for holding an object to be applied according to this embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional explanatory view before fitting the frame member, and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory view after fitting the frame member.

[0074] In this embodiment, second needle-shaped members 141D are provided at positions (regions) of the platen member 40 that face the frame member 91. In this case, by making the directions of the first needle-shaped member 141C and the second needle-shaped member 141D parallel to each other, the fabric 400 can be sandwiched between the needle-shaped members and fixed more firmly.

[0075] In addition, among the above-described embodiments, when the needle-like member 141 is provided on the platen member 40, by making it possible to automatically store the needle-like member 141 in the platen member 40, the operation of removing the printed fabric 400 becomes easier.

[0076] Also, by attaching the needle-like member 141 to the platen member 40 so that it can be replaced, it can be replaced when deterioration over time or the like occurs.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the case where the printing target is a fabric has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be similarly applied when printing a printing target other than a fabric is set on the holding member and printed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] 1 Printing apparatus (apparatus for discharging liquid) 10 Head (liquid discharge means) 11 Carriage 40 Platen member 90 Application target holding member 91 Frame member 141 Needle-like member 400 Fabric (application target)

Claims

1. A liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a platen member on which an object to which the liquid is to be applied is placed, The platen member has a needle-shaped member capable of coming into contact with the target, The needle-shaped member is provided facing obliquely downward from a side surface of the platen member. A liquid ejection device comprising:

2. A liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a platen member on which an object to which the liquid is to be applied is placed, The platen member has a needle-shaped member capable of coming into contact with the target, The needle-shaped member is provided so as to face obliquely upward from the upper surface of the platen member toward the nearest outer edge of the platen member when viewed from a direction along at least one side of the upper surface of the platen member. A liquid ejection device comprising:

3. A liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a platen member on which an object to which the liquid is to be applied is placed, The platen member has a needle-shaped member capable of coming into contact with the target, The needle-shaped member is provided from a chamfered portion between the upper surface and the side surface of the platen member, and is oriented obliquely upward in the vertical direction toward the outer edge of the platen member. A liquid ejection device comprising:

4. A liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a platen member on which an object to which the liquid is to be applied is placed, a plurality of needle-shaped members having a directionality capable of contacting the target on an upper surface of the platen member, Among the plurality of needle-shaped members, the needle-shaped members arranged from the center to the corners of the platen member have a directionality from the center toward the corners when viewed from at least one side direction of the upper surface of the platen member. A liquid ejection device comprising:

5. The platen member is rectangular and has a plurality of the needle members near the four sides.

4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device is a liquid ejection device.

6. The length of the needle members varies from the center to the outer edge of the platen member.

6. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 5.

7. The needle-shaped member is an elastic member.

7. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device is a liquid ejection device.

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