Can product manufacturing device

Abstract

To provide a can product manufacturing device allowing a user to easily dispose a conveying part of a printing object medium and taking out a can product.SOLUTION: A can product manufacturing device 10 comprises: a printing unit 20 that prints an image on at least a first portion of a printing object medium W including the first portion and a second portion; a connection unit 30 that connects a front member A covered with the first portion and a back member B to manufacture a can product C; a first container 90 for containing the can product C; a second container 100 for containing the second portion; a conveyance unit 80 that conveys the printing object medium W from the printing unit 20 to the connection unit 30 and conveys the second portion separated from the first portion in the printing object medium W from the connection unit 30 to the second container 100; and a device body 11 provided with the printing unit 20, the connection unit 30 and the conveyance unit 80 and having a front surface 15b on which the first container 90 and the second container 100 are mounted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a can product making machine. [Background technology]

[0002] A known example of a conventional can product manufacturing device is the can product manufacturing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. This can product manufacturing device has an assembly chamber inside its housing. A user opens the door to the assembly chamber and places a transparent film with an image printed on it on a front cover placed in the assembly chamber. When the user then closes the door, the back cover is joined to the front cover so that the peripheral portion of the transparent film that protrudes around the front cover is sandwiched between the front and back covers, thereby producing a can badge. The produced can badge is ejected from a can badge ejection port and provided to the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-136210 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described conventional can product production device, the user manually places the printed transparent film on the top lid. However, when automating the feeding of the transparent film onto the top lid, the transparent film may be provided with a feeding section for feeding the transparent film in addition to the section to be placed on the top lid. In this case, there is a problem in that the remaining feeding section of the transparent film must be disposed of after the can product is produced, along with the removal of the can product.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a can product manufacturing apparatus that allows the transported portion of the print medium to be easily discarded and the can product to be easily removed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The can product manufacturing device according to the present disclosure includes a printing unit that prints an image on at least the first portion of a printing medium including a first portion and a second portion; a connection unit that connects a front member covered on the first portion to a back member to manufacture a can product; a first container that accommodates the can product; a second container that accommodates the second portion; a transport unit that transports the printing medium from the printing unit to the connection unit and transports the second portion of the printing medium that has been separated from the first portion from the connection unit to the second container; and an apparatus body that is provided with the printing unit, the connection unit, and the transport unit and has a front surface on which the first container and the second container are attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the first container and the second container are attached to the front of the device body, so that both the canned products housed in the first container and the second part, such as the conveying part, housed in the second container can be easily removed from the front of the device body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a can product making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2] 3 is a block diagram showing a control device of the can product manufacturing apparatus and a drive section of each unit. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a can product. [Figure 4] Figure 4A is a perspective view of the front member, and Figure 4B is a perspective view of the back member. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a print medium as viewed from above. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a top view of the can product making apparatus with the cover removed; FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the transport unit and the first container. [Figure 9]1 is a perspective view of the can product manufacturing apparatus with the cover opening opened by the movable portion of the cover and the conveying unit removed from the housing. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view showing a part of an apparatus for making can products in which a first container and a second container are attached to the front surface of the apparatus main body. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the can product manufacturing apparatus, showing the cut upper part of the first container from below. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first container of an apparatus for manufacturing a can product according to a first modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <Can product manufacturing equipment> As shown in Fig. 1, a can product manufacturing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an apparatus main body 11, a first container 90, and a second container 100. As shown in Fig. 3, the apparatus main body 11 manufactures a can product C using a print medium W, a front member A, and a back member B. As shown in Fig. 1, the first container 90 contains the manufactured can product C. The second container 100 contains the second portion of the print medium W, which has a first portion and a second portion.

[0010] In the following description, the first portion is a second covered portion Wb that covers the front member A, and the second portion is a second conveying portion Wa of the print medium W other than the second covered portion Wb. However, the first portion and the second portion are not limited to this. The details of the device main body 11, the first container 90, and the second container 100 will be described later.

[0011] Furthermore, the can product manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a control device 13, as shown in Fig. 2. The control device 13 is, for example, a computer, and includes a calculation unit such as a CPU for processing data, and a storage unit such as a memory for storing data. The control device 13 is electrically connected to the drive units, such as motors, in each unit of the can product manufacturing apparatus 10 via drive circuits 14a to 14g, and controls the operation of these units. This unit includes a connection unit 30 that connects the front member A, which is covered on the print medium W, with the back member B, and a transport unit 80 that transports the print medium W to the connection unit 30.

[0012] <Canned products> As shown in Fig. 3, this can product manufacturing apparatus 10 manufactures a can product C by connecting (e.g., crimping) a front member A, which is covered with a backing sheet F and a print medium W, to a back member B. The can product C is a product that uses a can member, such as a can badge. The front member A and back member B are can members, and are formed of a magnetic material such as a tin-plated steel sheet.

[0013] As shown in Figure 4A, the front member A has a circular front plate portion A1 when viewed from above and an annular front edge portion A2 that protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the front plate portion A1. As shown in Figure 4B, the back member B has a circular back plate portion B1 when viewed from above and an annular back edge portion B2 that protrudes upward from the outer periphery of the back plate portion B1.

[0014] 3, a first covered portion Fb of a backing sheet F is placed on the surface of a front member A, and a second covered portion Wb of a print medium W is placed on the first covered portion Fb. Of these covered portions Fb and Wb, the portions that protrude from the surface of the front plate portion A1 are bent downward from the outer periphery of the front plate portion A1 to cover the surface of the front edge portion A2.

[0015] Furthermore, the portion extending beyond the surface of front edge A2 is folded upward from the lower end of front edge A2 and sandwiched between the back surface of front edge A2 and the surface of back edge B2 of back member B. Then, with the covered portions Fb, Wb sandwiched between the opposing front edge A2 and back edge B2, at least one of front member A and back member B is deformed (for example, crimped) to produce can product C. Note that the backing sheet F may not be used for can product C, and the front member A may be covered by the print-receiving medium W without being covered by the backing sheet F.

[0016] <Print media> As shown in Figure 5, the print medium W is, for example, a rectangular transparent sheet. The print medium W has a transparent resin film and an ink-receiving layer formed on one surface of the resin film. The print medium W has a downstream end We1 and an upstream end We2 in the first transport direction D1 in which it is transported to the connection unit 30 by the transport unit 80. The print medium W has a second covered portion Wb that covers the front member A, and a second transport portion Wa that is the remaining portion of the second covered portion Wb.

[0017] Furthermore, the print medium W is provided with a second connecting portion Wc connecting the second covered portion Wb and the second conveying portion Wa, and a second linear weak portion Wd extending linearly from the second connecting portion Wc to the downstream end We1. The second covered portion Wb has a second circular portion Wb1 that is circular and covers the surface of the front plate portion A1 of the front member A, a second annular portion Wb2 that is annular and covers the surface of the front edge portion A2, and a second annular clamped portion Wb3 that is clamped between the back surface of the front edge portion A2 and the back edge portion B2 of the back member B. The second connecting portion Wc and the second linear weak portion Wd are weak portions, such as perforations, that are weaker in strength than the second covered portion Wb and the second conveying portion Wa.

[0018] <Backing paper> 6, the backing sheet F is, for example, a rectangular white sheet. The backing sheet F has the same shape and size as the print medium W and, except for the material, has basically the same configuration as the print medium W. Therefore, the backing sheet F has a downstream end Fe1 and an upstream end Fe2 in the first transport direction D1, a first covered portion Fb, a first transport portion Fa, a first connecting portion Fc, and a first linear weak portion Fd. The first covered portion Fb has a first circular portion Fb1, a first annular portion Fb2, and a first clamped portion Fb3.

[0019] The downstream end Fe1, upstream end Fe2, first covered portion Fb, first conveying portion Fa, first connecting portion Fc, and first linear weak portion Fd of the mount F correspond to the downstream end We1, upstream end We2, second covered portion Wb, second conveying portion Wa, second connecting portion Wc, and second linear weak portion Wd, respectively, of the print medium W. The first circular portion Fb1, first annular portion Fb2, and first clamped portion Fb3 of the first covered portion Fb correspond to the second circular portion Wb1, second annular portion Wb2, and second clamped portion Wb3, respectively, of the second covered portion Wb. Hereinafter, the mount F and the print medium W may be referred to as sheets F and W when, for example, there is no need to distinguish between them and the two are included.

[0020] <Device body> As shown in Fig. 9, the device main body 11 has a housing 15. The housing 15 is, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a top surface 15a, a front surface 15b, and an internal space. The top surface 15a of the housing 15 is covered by a cover 12. The cover 12 has a fixed portion 12a and a movable portion 12b. The fixed portion 12a is detachably attached to the housing 15 and has a cover opening 12a1. The movable portion 12b covers (Fig. 1) and opens (Fig. 9) the cover opening 12a1.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the device main body 11 includes a first supply unit 40 that supplies the front member A to the connection unit 30. The first supply unit 40 is disposed on the upper surface 15a of the housing 15, and includes a first stocker 41, a first slider 42, a first pusher 43, and a first pusher motor 44 (FIG. 2). The first stocker 41 is cylindrical and accommodates a plurality of front members A stacked vertically. The first slider 42 extends from a position below the first stocker 41 to the first lower mold 31 disposed at the first unit position P1 of the connection unit 30.

[0022] The first pusher 43 is disposed on the first slider 42, and is driven by a first pusher motor 44 to move back and forth along the first slider 42. The driving of this first pusher motor 44 is controlled by the control device 13. As a result, the front member A descends from the first stocker 41 onto the first slider 42, is pushed by the first pusher 43 toward the first lower die 31, moves on the first slider 42, and is supplied to the first lower die 31.

[0023] Furthermore, the device main body 11 is equipped with a second supply unit 50 that supplies the backing material B to the connection unit 30. The second supply unit 50 is disposed on the upper surface 15a of the housing 15, and has a second stocker 51, a second slider 52, a second pusher 53, and a second pusher motor 54 (FIG. 2). The second stocker 51 is cylindrical and stores multiple backing materials B stacked vertically. The second slider 52 extends from a position below the second stocker 51 to the second lower mold 32 that is disposed at the first unit position P1 of the connection unit 30.

[0024] The second pusher 53 is disposed on the second slider 52, and is driven by a second pusher motor 54 to move back and forth along the second slider 52. The driving of this second pusher motor 54 is controlled by the control device 13. As a result, the backing member B descends from the second stocker 51 onto the second slider 52, is pushed by the second pusher 53 toward the second lower die 32, moves on the second slider 52, and is supplied to the second lower die 32.

[0025] The device main body 11 also has a printing unit 20 that prints an image on at least the second covered portion Wb of the print medium W. The printing unit 20 is disposed within the interior space of the housing 15 and is, for example, an inkjet printer, and includes a print head 21 (FIG. 2) and a first conveying motor 22 (FIG. 2). The print head 21 is an inkjet head that ejects ink droplets by driving a piezoelectric element or a heater. A paper discharge port 24 (FIG. 1) for the sheets F and W is also provided on the front surface 15b of the housing 15. A first tray 23 that accommodates the backing sheet F is provided on the rear surface of the housing 15, and a second tray 25 (FIG. 1) that accommodates the print medium W is also provided within the housing 15. The second tray 25 can be inserted into or removed from the housing 15 through an opening provided on the front surface 15b of the housing 15.

[0026] The print medium W is transported by the first transport motor 22 from the second tray 25 through a position facing the print head 21 to the paper discharge port 24, and is then discharged from the paper discharge port 24. At this facing position, the print head 21 ejects ink onto the print medium W. This causes an image to be printed on at least the second covered portion Wb of the print medium W. This image is inverted so that it appears normal when viewed by a user from the side of the print medium W opposite the side on which the image is printed.

[0027] Furthermore, the printing unit 20 does not print an image on the backing sheet F, but instead drives the first transport motor 22 to discharge the backing sheet F from the first tray 23 through the paper discharge port 24. The driving of the print head 21 and the first transport motor 22 is controlled by the control device 13. Note that the printing unit 20 is not limited to an inkjet printer, and may be a printer such as a laser printer or a thermal printer, as long as it prints an image on the print medium W.

[0028] In the above configuration, of the mount F and the transparent film covering the mount F, the transparent film is used as the printing medium, and the printing unit 20 prints an image on the transparent film, which is the printing medium. However, the printing medium is not limited to this. At least one of the mount F and the transparent film may be used as the printing medium. For example, the image may be printed on the mount F without being printed on the transparent film. This image is a normal image that is not inverted.

[0029] Furthermore, as described above, the device main body 11 has a transport unit 80 that transports the print medium W from the printing unit 20 to the connection unit 30. The transport unit 80 is detachably attached to the front surface 15b of the housing 15. As shown in FIG. 8, the transport unit 80 has a second transport motor 81 (FIG. 2), multiple rollers 82, and a support portion 84. The multiple rollers 82 rotate forward or backward when driven by the second transport motor 81. The drive of this second transport motor 81 is controlled by the control device 13.

[0030] The support portion 84 rotatably supports the plurality of rollers 82. As shown in Fig. 9, the support portion 84 has a vertical portion 84d extending in the up-down direction and a horizontal portion 84c extending rearward from an upper portion of the vertical portion 84d. When the transport unit 80 is attached to the housing 15, the horizontal portion 84c is disposed on the upper surface 15a of the housing 15, and the rear surface 84b (Fig. 8) of the vertical portion 84d faces the front surface 15b of the housing 15.

[0031] 8, the conveying unit 80 further includes a supply path 83c and a recovery path 83d. The supply path 83c and the recovery path 83d are conveying paths for the sheets F and W, whose conveying portions Fa and Wa are sandwiched between pairs of rollers 82, and are provided in the support section 84. The supply path 83c is provided between the paper discharge port 24 of the printing unit 20 and the first lower mold 31 disposed at the first unit position P1 in the connection unit 30. The pair of rollers 82, sandwiching the conveying portions Fa and Wa of the sheets F and W between them, are rotated forward by the drive of the second conveying motor 81, thereby conveying the sheets F and W along the supply path 83c. As a result, the sheets F and W are conveyed (supplied) from the paper discharge port 24 to above the front member A of the first lower mold 31 along the first conveying direction D1.

[0032] Then, when the coated portions Wb, Fb of the sheets F, W are supplied onto the first lower mold 31, the conveying portions Fa, Wa become unnecessary and are conveyed (recovered) to the second container 100 as discarded portions. This recovery path 83d is provided between the first lower mold 31, which is disposed at the first unit position P1 in the connection unit 30, and the second entrance 101 of the second container 100. The pair of rollers 82 sandwich the conveying portions Fa, Wa, which have been separated from the coated portions Fb, Wb, between them, and are rotated in reverse by the drive of the second conveying motor 81, thereby conveying the conveying portions Fa, Wa along the recovery path 83d. As a result, the conveying portions Fa, Wa are conveyed (recovered) from above the first lower mold 31 to the second container 100 via the recovery path 83d along the second conveying direction D2, which is the opposite direction to the first conveying direction D1.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the device main body 11 is equipped with a cutting unit 60 that cuts the sheets F and W. The cutting unit 60 is disposed on the upper surface 15a of the housing 15 in front of the second supply unit 50, and includes a pressure head 61 and a pressure motor 62 (FIG. 2). The pressure head 61 is driven by the pressure motor 62 to move between a pressure position where it presses the coated portions Fb and Wb of the sheets F and W and a spaced position away from the pressure position. The drive of this pressure motor 62 is controlled by the control device 13. The pressure head 61 moves from the spaced position to the pressure position and presses the coated portions Fb and Wb of the sheets F and W. This causes at least a portion of the connecting portions Fc and Wc between the coated portions Fb and Wb and the conveying portions Fa and Wa to be cut.

[0034] Furthermore, as described above, the device main body 11 is equipped with a connection unit 30 that connects the front member A coated on the print medium W with the back member B. The connection unit 30 is arranged on the upper surface 15a of the housing 15, and has a first lower die 31, a second lower die 32, a rotary table 33, an elevating device 34, and an upper die 35. The first lower die 31 supports the front member A supplied by the first supply unit 40 from below, and the second lower die 32 supports the back member B supplied by the second supply unit 50 from below. The first lower die 31 and the second lower die 32 are arranged on the rotary table 33.

[0035] The rotary table 33 has a rotary motor 33a (FIG. 2), and the first lower mold 31 and the second lower mold 32 are rotated by driving the rotary motor 33a. The driving of this rotary motor 33a is controlled by the control device 13. As a result, the first lower mold 31 and the second lower mold 32 move between the second unit position P2 and the first unit position P1. When the first lower mold 31 is positioned at one of the first unit position P1 and the second unit position P2, the second lower mold 32 is positioned at the other. The second unit position P2 is a position facing the upper mold 35 in the vertical direction. The first unit position P1 is a position different from the second unit position P2, and is, for example, positioned in front of the second unit position P2 and between the first slider 42 and the second slider 52. As a result, the front member A is supplied from the first slider 42 to the first lower mold 31 positioned at the first unit position P1, and the back member B is supplied from the second slider 52 to the second lower mold 32 positioned at the first unit position P1.

[0036] The lifting device 34 has a lifting motor 34a (FIG. 2), and the upper mold 35 is disposed on the lifting device 34. The lifting device 34 raises and lowers the upper mold 35 at the second unit position P2 by driving the lifting motor 34a. The driving of this lifting motor 34a is controlled by the control device 13. As a result, the upper mold 35 descends toward the first lower mold 31 on which the covering portions Fb, Wb and the front member A are disposed, thereby covering the front member A with the covering portions Fb, Wb and then holding them. Then, while holding the covering portions Fb, Wb and the front member A, the upper mold 35 descends toward the second lower mold 32 on which the back member B is disposed. As a result, the upper mold 35 crimps (connects) the front member A and the back member B together to produce a can product C.

[0037] The device main body 11 further includes a take-out unit 70 that takes out the canned products C produced by the connection unit 30. The take-out unit 70 is disposed on the upper surface 15a of the housing 15 in front of the first supply unit 40, and includes a moving device 71 and a first inclined surface 72a. The moving device 71 includes a swing arm 71a, a take-out motor 71b (FIG. 2), and a magnet 71c. The swing arm 71a has a magnet 71c attached to its tip. The swing arm 71a is rotated by driving the take-out motor 71b so that the magnet 71c moves between the first unit position P1 of the connection unit 30 and the first inclined surface 72a. The driving of this take-out motor 71b is controlled by the control device 13.

[0038] Further, the second lower die 32 is disposed at the first unit position P1 of the connection unit 30, and a can product C is supported by the second lower die 32. In this case, the magnet 71c at the tip of the swing arm 71a adheres to the can product C on the second lower die 32 at the first unit position P1.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 10, the first inclined surface 72a is provided with a recess 72a2. The recess 72a2 is larger than the tip of the swing arm 71a and smaller than the canned product C. Therefore, when the tip of the swing arm 71a moves toward the recess 72a2 with the canned product C attached to it, the canned product C remains on the first inclined surface 72a, but the tip of the swing arm 71a is inserted from the first inclined surface 72a into the recess 72a2. As a result, the canned product C separates from the swing arm 71a on the first inclined surface 72a.

[0040] The first inclined surface 72a is inclined downward toward the first inlet 91, which is an upper opening of the first container 90, so that the canned products C slide down to the first inlet 91. For example, the first inclined surface 72a is inclined obliquely downward and forward from a portion of the edge of the recessed portion 72a2 that is forward of the recessed portion 72a2 toward the first inlet 91 of the first container 90. Therefore, when the canned products C leave the tip of the swing arm 71a at the recessed portion 72a2, they slide down the downward inclined first inclined surface 72a to the first inlet 91 of the first container 90, and are stored in the first container 90 through the first inlet 91.

[0041] <How to make canned products> In the can product manufacturing apparatus 10, the first supply unit 40 uses the first pusher 43 to push the front member A on the first slider 42. As a result, the front member A is supplied to the first lower die 31 arranged at the first unit position P1 of the connection unit 30.

[0042] Furthermore, the printing unit 20 moves (supplies) the backing sheet F, on which no image is printed, from the first tray 23 through the paper discharge port 24 to the transport unit 80. When the transport unit 80 rotates the rollers 82 in the forward direction, the first transport portion Fa of the backing sheet F is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 82 and transported from the printing unit 20 to the connection unit 30 through the supply path 83c. As a result, the backing sheet F is transported above the front member A arranged on the first lower mold 31 of the connection unit 30.

[0043] Then, the cutting unit 60 moves the pressing head 61 from the separated position to the pressing position, whereby the first covering portion Fb of the backing sheet F is pressed by the pressing head 61, and at least a part of the first connecting portion Fc between the first covering portion Fb of the backing sheet F and the first conveying portion Fa is cut.

[0044] Next, the transport unit 80 reversely rotates the rollers 82 with the first covered portion Fb of the backing sheet F being pressed by the press head 61. As a result, the first connecting portion Fc and the first linear weak portion Fd of the backing sheet F are entirely cut, and the first covered portion Fb and the first transport portion Fa of the backing sheet F are separated. Then, with the first covered portion Fb remaining above the front member A of the first lower mold 31, the first transport portion Fa is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 82 and transported from the connection unit 30 to the second container 100 through the recovery path 83d. As a result, the first transport portion Fa is contained in the second container 100.

[0045] Next, the printing unit 20 prints an image on the print medium W and moves (supplies) it from the second tray 25 through the paper discharge port 24 to the transport unit 80. Then, like the backing sheet F, the print medium W is transported by the transport unit 80 above the front member A placed on the first lower mold 31 of the connection unit 30. Then, the second covered portion Wb of the print medium W is pressed by the press head 61 of the cutting unit 60, and at least a portion of the second connecting portion Wc is cut. Next, when the roller 82 rotates in the reverse direction while the second covered portion Wb is pressed by the press head 61, the second connecting portion Wc and the second linear weak portion Wd are entirely cut, and the second covered portion Wb and the second transport portion Wa are separated. Then, the second covered portion Wb remains above the front member A of the first lower mold 31, while the second transport portion Wa is transported to the second container 100.

[0046] Next, the rotary table 33 of the connection unit 30 moves the first lower mold 31 from the first unit position P1 to the second unit position P2. As a result, the front member A loaded in the first lower mold 31 and the covering portions Fb and Wb arranged above the front member A are positioned at the second unit position P2. In addition, the second lower mold 32 moves from the second unit position P2 to the first unit position P1.

[0047] Next, the lifting device 34 of the connection unit 30 lowers the upper mold 35 to the first lower mold 31. The upper mold 35 presses the covering portions Fb, Wb on the first lower mold 31 against the front member A. As a result, the front member A is covered by the covering portions Fb, Wb, moves from the first lower mold 31 to the upper mold 35, and is held by the upper mold 35 in a state covered by the covering portions Fb, Wb. Then, the lifting device 34 raises the upper mold 35.

[0048] Furthermore, the second supply unit 50 uses the second pusher 53 to push the backing material B on the second slider 52. As a result, the backing material B is supplied to the second lower mold 32 arranged at the first unit position P1 of the connection unit 30.

[0049] Next, the rotary table 33 of the connection unit 30 moves the second lower mold 32 from the first unit position P1 to the second unit position P2. Then, the lifting device 34 of the connection unit 30 lowers the upper mold 35 holding the front member A toward the second lower mold 32 supporting the back member B. As a result, the front member A covered with the covering portions Fb, Wb is pressed against the back member B. With the sandwiched portions Fb3, Wb3 of the covering portions Fb, Wb sandwiched between the front edge portion A2 of the front member A and the back edge portion B2 of the back member B, the front member A and the back member B are crimped (connected) to produce a can product C.

[0050] Next, the turntable 33 of the connection unit 30 moves the second lower mold 32, on which the can product C is placed, from the second unit position P2 to the first unit position P1. Then, the take-out unit 70 moves the tip of the swing arm 71a to the second lower mold 32 placed at the first unit position P1, and causes the magnet 71c at the tip to attract the can product C. Then, the take-out unit 70 moves the tip of the swing arm 71a from the second lower mold 32 to the first inclined surface 72a, thereby moving the can product C attracted to the tip to the first inclined surface 72a. The can product C separates from the tip at the recess 72a2 of the first inclined surface 72a, slides down the downwardly sloping first inclined surface 72a into the first container 90, and is stored in the first container 90.

[0051] <Second container> As shown in Figures 8 and 10, the second container 100 is attached to the front surface 11a of the device main body 11. As described above, the device main body 11 has the housing 15 and the transport unit 80 attached to the front surface 15b of the housing 15. A portion of the front surface 15b of the housing 15 faces the rear surface 84b of the support portion 84 of the transport unit 80, and the front surface 84a of the support portion 84 appears in front of a portion of this front surface 15b. Therefore, the front surface 11a of the device main body 11 includes the front surface 15b of the housing 15 and the front surface 84a of the support portion 84 of the transport unit 80. The second container 100 is attached to the front surface 84a, which is the front surface 11a.

[0052] The second container 100 has a generally box-like shape with an open top, and is detachably attached to the front surface 11a of the device body 11. For example, an opening 80a is provided in the front surface 84a, which is the front surface 11a, and the second container 100 is attached to the front surface 84a by inserting the rear portion of the second container 100 into the support portion 84 through the opening 80a. The second container 100 is removed from the front surface 84a by removing the rear portion of the second container 100 from the support portion 84 through the opening 80a. In this way, the second container 100 is detachably attached to the front surface 84a, which is the front surface 11a of the device body 11, so that the second container 100 can be easily attached and detached from the front of the device body 11.

[0053] The second container 100 has a second peripheral wall 102 that surrounds the storage space of the transfer sections Fa and Wa, and an outlet 103 for the transfer sections Fa and Wa. The second peripheral wall 102 has a second front wall 102a, a second rear wall 102b, a second left wall 102c, a second right wall 102d, and a second bottom wall 102e. These walls have, for example, a rectangular flat plate shape. When the second container 100 is attached to the front surface 84a, the front portion of the second peripheral wall 102 (the front portions of the second front wall 102a, the second right wall 102d, the second left wall 102c, and the second bottom wall 102e) is located forward of the front surface 84a of the transfer unit 80. The removal opening 103 is located forward of the front surface 84a, and is surrounded by the upper end of the second front wall 102a, the upper end of the second right wall 102d, the upper end of the second left wall 102c, and the front surface 84a of the transport unit 80. In this way, because the removal opening 103 appears forward of the front surface 84a, the user can easily remove the transport parts Fa and Wa from the front of the device body 11 through the removal opening 103.

[0054] The second container 100 also has second inlets 101 for the transport sections Fa and Wa. When the second container 100 is attached to the front surface 84a, the rear portions of the second peripheral wall 102 (the second rear wall 102b and the rear portions of the second lower wall 102e) are inserted into the support section 84 through the opening 80a in the front surface 84a. The second inlets 101 for the transport sections Fa and Wa are provided in the support section 84, forward of the rear end of the second rear wall 102b. The second inlets 101 are disposed lower than the discharge outlet 83d1 of the transport unit 80 in the up-down direction. The discharge outlet 83d1 is located at the downstream end of the recovery path 83d, between a pair of rollers 82 that are closest to the second inlet 101, among the multiple rollers 82 that constitute the recovery path 83d. Therefore, the transported portions Fa and Wa are transported along the recovery path 83d, discharged from the discharge port 83d1 at the downstream end of the recovery path 83d, and then passed through the second inlet 101 to be reliably accommodated in the second container 100.

[0055] Furthermore, a first guide 102f is provided within the support portion 84 to guide the transport portions Fa and Wa to the second inlet 101. The first guide 102f is connected to the rear end of the second rear wall 102b of the second container 100 and has an inclined portion 102f1 and an extending portion 102f2. The inclined portion 102f1 is inclined obliquely upward and forward from the rear end of the first guide 102f. The extending portion 102f2 extends forward from the front end of the inclined portion 102f1 and is connected to the rear end of the second rear wall 102b, and extends horizontally between the front end of the inclined portion 102f1 and the rear end of the second rear wall 102b. For example, the extending portion 102f2 is disposed between the discharge port 83d1 of the recovery path 83d and the lower end of the lower roller 82 of the pair of rollers 82 that form the discharge port 83d1 in the vertical direction, and is more preferably disposed at the same height as the discharge port 83d1. As a result, the transport portions Fa and Wa move forward from the discharge port 83d1 along the extension portion 102f2 of the first guide 102f, pass through the second inlet 101, and are reliably received in the second container 100.

[0056] Furthermore, the first guide 102f is disposed in the front-rear direction between the discharge opening 83d1 of the recovery path 83d and the storage space of the second container 100, which is located forward of the second rear wall 102b. As a result, the first guide 102f guides the transport portions Fa and Wa discharged from the discharge opening 83d1 of the recovery path 83d into the storage space of the second container 100. The height of the extension 102f2 of this first guide 102f is the same as or approximately the same as the height of the discharge opening 83d1 of the recovery path 83d. Therefore, the second container 100 can store the transport portions Fa and Wa up to the height of the extension 102f2 of the first guide 102f.

[0057] Additionally, a second guide 85 is provided within the support portion 84 to guide the transport portions Fa and Wa to the second inlet 101. The second guide 85 extends forward from above the first guide 102f, passes above the second inlet 101, and is connected to the upper end of the opening 80a on the front surface 84a. The second guide 85 is inclined diagonally downward from above the first guide 102f. This allows the transport portions Fa and Wa to move forward from the discharge port 83d1, pass between the first guide 102f and the second guide 85, and be reliably contained in the second container 100 through the second inlet 101.

[0058] The second rear wall 102b of the second container 100 has its upper end connected to the front end of the first guide 102f and inclined obliquely downward and forward from the front end of the first guide 102f. The rear end of the second lower wall 102e is connected to the lower end of the second rear wall 102b. The second lower wall 102e is inclined obliquely downward and forward from the lower end of the second rear wall 102b relative to the second rear wall 102b. The inclination angle θ1 of the second lower wall 102e relative to the second rear wall 102b is an obtuse angle. This allows the transport portions Fa and Wa to easily slide down the second rear wall 102b and second lower wall 102e in sequence from the first guide 102f through the second inlet 101 within the second container 100, thereby allowing them to be easily accommodated in the second container 100.

[0059] The upper surface of the second lower wall 102e, which is the bottom surface of the second container 100, is inclined downward and forward from the lower end of the second rear wall 102b. The second lower wall 102e is inclined downward in the horizontal direction from the lower end of the second rear wall 102b toward the front. The inclination angle θ2 of the second lower wall 102e relative to the horizontal direction is, for example, 22.5°. The front end of the second lower wall 102e is connected to the lower end of the second front wall 102a. The second front wall 102a extends upward from the front end of the second lower wall 102e. Because the bottom surface of the second container 100 is inclined downward toward the front, the transport sections Fa and Wa slide down on the second lower wall 102e within the second container 100, and the front ends of the transport sections Fa and Wa hit the second front wall 102a, causing the transport sections Fa and Wa to be stacked one on top of the other in the vertical direction on the upper surface of the second lower wall 102e. This makes it less likely that the transport sections Fa and Wa will bend, reducing wasted space within the second container 100 due to bending of the transport sections Fa and Wa, and allowing more transport sections Fa and Wa to be accommodated in the second container 100.

[0060] Furthermore, the size of the upper surface of the second lower wall 102e is larger than the size of the transport portions Fa and Wa. For example, the longitudinal dimension of the transport portions Fa and Wa is 127 mm, while the longitudinal dimension of the second lower wall 102e is 130 mm. The longitudinal direction of this second lower wall 102e is, for example, the front-to-rear direction. The transport portions Fa and Wa are stacked on the upper surface of the second lower wall 102e so that the longitudinal directions of the transport portions Fa and Wa and the second lower wall 102e are parallel to each other. As a result, the entire transport portions Fa and Wa rest on the upper surface of the second lower wall 102e, allowing more transport portions Fa and Wa to be accommodated in the second container 100.

[0061] Furthermore, in the left-right direction, the dimension (width) of the discharge opening 83d1 in the support portion 84 is equal to or greater than the dimension of the transport portions Fa and Wa, and equal to or less than the dimension (width) of the second container 100. The width of the discharge opening 83d1 is the distance between the left face 84e (FIG. 10) and the right face 84f (FIGS. 8 and 9) of the support portion 84. The width of the second container 100 is the distance between the second left wall 102c and the second right wall 102d. As a result, the transport portions Fa and Wa move forward from the discharge opening 83d1, passing between the left face 84e and the right face 84f of the support portion 84, and are received in the second container 100 through the second inlet 101. Misalignment of the transport portions Fa and Wa in the left-right direction is restricted by the left face 84e and the right face 84f of the support portion 84. Therefore, the wasted space inside the second container 100 due to the misalignment of the transport portions Fa and Wa in the left-right direction can be reduced, and more of the transport portions Fa and Wa can be accommodated in the second container 100.

[0062] Furthermore, the width of the second container 100 in the left-right direction is greater than the width of the discharge opening 83d1. In the left-right direction, the left surface 84e and the right surface 84f of the support member 84 are disposed between the second left wall 102c and the second right wall 102d of the second container 100. As a result, when the transfer sections Fa and Wa pass between the left surface 84e and the right surface 84f of the support member 84 from the discharge opening 83d1 to be accommodated in the second container 100, the movement of the transfer sections Fa and Wa is less likely to be interfered with by the second left wall 102c and the second right wall 102d of the second container 100. Therefore, misalignment of the transfer sections Fa and Wa due to the second left wall 102c and the second right wall 102d is suppressed, thereby reducing wasted space within the second container 100 due to the misalignment of the transfer sections Fa and Wa, and allowing more transfer sections Fa and Wa to be accommodated in the second container 100.

[0063] The second container 100 is attached to the front surface 84a of the transport unit 80, which is disposed in front of the connection unit 30. Therefore, the second entrance 101 of the second container 100, the transport unit 80, and the first lower mold 31 disposed at the first unit position P1 of the connection unit 30 are arranged in this order from front to rear. The recovery path 83d of the transport unit 80 extends in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, when the transport portions Fa and Wa are separated from the covering portions Fb and Wb on the first lower mold 31, the transport unit 80 transports them forward from the first lower mold 31 along the recovery path 83d to the second entrance 101 of the second container 100. In this way, the transport unit 80 can transport the transport portions Fa and Wa from the first lower mold 31 to the second container 100 without changing the transport direction of the transport portions Fa and Wa.

[0064] The second container 100 is disposed so as to overlap with the center in the left-right direction of the front surface 11a of the device body 11 when viewed from the front. In the example of Fig. 1, the center in the left-right direction of the second container 100 overlaps with the center in the left-right direction of the front surface 11a of the device body 11 when viewed from the front. However, the arrangement of the second container 100 is not limited to this. It is sufficient that a position other than the center in the left-right direction of the second container 100 overlaps with the center in the left-right direction of the front surface 11a of the device body 11 when viewed from the front.

[0065] In this way, by arranging the second container 100 at the center of the device body 11 in the left-right direction, the connection unit 30, which is arranged behind the second container 100, is arranged at the center of the device body 11 in the left-right direction. Therefore, it is possible to arrange, around the connection unit 30, a first supply unit 40 that supplies the front member A to the connection unit 30, a second supply unit 50 that supplies the back member B to the connection unit 30, and a transport unit 80 that transports the sheets F and W to the connection unit 30. Therefore, these members can be efficiently supplied to the connection unit 30.

[0066] The second container 100 has a size capable of accommodating a predetermined number or more of second transport portions Wa of print media W. For example, the first stocker 41 (FIG. 9) of the first supply unit 40 has a size capable of accommodating a predetermined number of front members A, and the second stocker 51 (FIG. 9) of the second supply unit 50 has a size capable of accommodating a predetermined number of back members B. A predetermined number or less of can products C are produced using a predetermined number or less of front members A accommodated in the first stocker 41 and a predetermined number or less of back members B accommodated in the second stocker 51.

[0067] Furthermore, by using a predetermined number or less of print media W together with these front member A and back member B, a second transport portion Wa of the predetermined number or less of print media W is generated. The second container 100 can accommodate a predetermined number or less of second transport portions Wa. This prevents a situation in which the second container 100 cannot accommodate the second transport portion Wa and the second transport portion Wa must be removed from the second container 100 during the production of can products C using the front member A and back member B stored in the stockers 41, 51.

[0068] When the front member A is covered by the backing sheet F as well as the print medium W, the first transport portions Fa of the backing sheet F are also contained in the second container 100 as waste portions in addition to the second transport portions Wa of the print medium W. Since the number of first transport portions Fa is the same as the number of second transport portions Wa, the second container 100 has a size that can contain a predetermined number or more of second transport portions Wa and a predetermined number or more of first transport portions Fa.

[0069] <1st container> The first container 90 is attached to the front surface 11a of the device body 11. As described above, the front surface 11a of the device body 11 includes the front surface 15b of the housing 15 and the front surface 84a of the transport unit 80. The second container 100 is attached to the front surface 84a of the transport unit 80, and the first container 90 is attached to the front surface 15b of the housing 15. In this manner, the first container 90 and the second container 100 are attached to the front surface 11a of the device body 11. This allows the user to easily both remove the product from the first container 90 and remove (dispose of) the transport portions Fa and Wa from the second container 100 from the front of the device body 11.

[0070] When viewed from the front, the first container 90 is disposed between the second container 100 and the left end or the right end of the front surface 11a of the device body 11. In the example of Fig. 10, when viewed from the front, the first container 90 is disposed on the front surface 15b of the housing 15 between the right end of the second container 100 and the right end of the front surface 11a of the device body 11. By disposing the first container 90 in this manner, the removal unit 70, which removes canned products C from the connection unit 30 to the first container 90, can be disposed around the connection unit 30.

[0071] The first container 90 is generally box-shaped and open at the top, and has a first inlet 91 and a first peripheral wall 92. The first inlet 91 is an opening at the top of the first container 90 through which the canned products C pass, and is surrounded by the upper end of the first peripheral wall 92. The first peripheral wall 92 surrounds a space for accommodating the canned products C. This allows a user to easily check the canned products C inside the first peripheral wall 92 from the first inlet 91.

[0072] The first peripheral wall 92 has, for example, a first front wall 92a, a first rear wall 92b, a first left wall 92c, a first right wall 92d, and a first bottom wall 92e. Each of these walls has a flat plate shape. The first bottom wall 92e covers the opening at the bottom of the first container 90, which is surrounded by the lower end of the first peripheral wall 92, and forms the bottom of the first container 90. A handle 90a is provided on the front surface of the first front wall 92a.

[0073] When viewed from above, the front end 72a1 of the first inclined surface 72a of the take-out unit 70 is located within the first peripheral wall 92 that surrounds the first inlet 91 of the first container 90. This area within the first peripheral wall 92 includes the first inlet 91 within the first peripheral wall 92 and the top of the first peripheral wall 92. The front end 72a1 of the first inclined surface 72a has a linear portion extending in the left-right direction and a curved portion that curves obliquely rearward to the right from the right end of the linear portion. The left end of this front end 72a1 is located on the first left wall 92c of the first peripheral wall 92. The right end of the front end 72a1 is located between the first left wall 92c and the first right wall 92d of the first peripheral wall 92 of the first container 90 in the left-right direction.

[0074] Furthermore, the front end 72a1 of the first inclined surface 72a is disposed between the first front wall 92a and the first rear wall 92b of the first peripheral wall 92 of the first container 90 in the front-rear direction. Since the front end 72a1 is positioned within the first peripheral wall 92 in this manner, the canned product C can slide forward down the first inclined surface 72a and pass through the front end 72a1 of the first inclined surface 72a, into the first container 90, and be more reliably accommodated therein. Note that the entire front end 72a1 of the first inclined surface 72a may be disposed within the first peripheral wall 92. In this case, for example, both ends of the front end 72a1 of the first inclined surface 72a in the left-right direction may be disposed between the first left wall 92c and the first right wall 92d.

[0075] Furthermore, the first inclined surface 72a is disposed above the first rear wall 92b of the first container 90. In contrast, in the vertical direction, the upper end of the first front wall 92a is located higher than the upper end of the first rear wall 92b, and the first front wall 92a extends higher than the first rear wall 92b. Therefore, even if the canned product C is positioned higher when it slides forward along the first inclined surface 72a, the canned product C will hit the first front wall 92a of the first container 90, and will be more reliably contained in the first container 90.

[0076] The first container 90 is detachably attached to the front surface 11a of the device body 11. For example, the first container 90 is attached to the front surface 15b below the take-out unit 70. The take-out unit 70 has an inclined plate 72 and a first protrusion 73. The inclined plate 72 has an upper surface that serves as a first inclined surface 72a, and protrudes forward from the front surface 15b. A portion of the inclined plate 72 forward of the front end of the recess 72a2 is located above the first inlet 91 of the first container 90.

[0077] The first protrusion 73 extends downward from the edge of the first inclined surface 72a. The edge of the first inclined surface 72a has a front end 72a1 and a right end 72a3. The right end 72a3 extends rearward in a straight line from the right end of the front end 72a1. The first protrusion 73 has a flat plate-like portion 73a extending downward from the straight portion of the front end 72a1, a curved plate-like portion 73b extending downward from the curved portion of the front end 72a1, and a flat plate-like portion 73c extending downward from the right end 72a3.

[0078] The right surface of the first left wall 92c of the first container 90 faces the left end of the first protrusion 73. As a result, when the first container 90 moves to the right, the first left wall 92c hits the first protrusion 73, restricting the movement of the first container 90 to the right.

[0079] A first slit 92b1 is provided in the first rear wall 92b of the first container 90. The first slit 92b1 extends downward from the upper end of the first rear wall 92b. The lower part of the flat portion 73c of the first protrusion 73 is inserted into this first slit 92b1. As a result, the first protrusion 73 is supported by both ends of the first rear wall 92b that sandwich the first slit 92b1 in the left-right direction, limiting the movement of the first container 90 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, when the first container 90 moves upward, the lower end of the first protrusion 73 hits the first rear wall 92b, limiting the upward movement of the first container 90.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 11, a plurality of second protrusions 74 are provided on the underside of the inclined plate 72. The plurality of second protrusions 74 are provided at intervals in the left-right direction. The second protrusions 74 have a flat plate shape and protrude downward from the underside of the inclined plate 72, extending in the front-rear direction. The front end of each second protrusion 74 is connected to the rear surface of the flat portion 73a of the first protrusion 73, and the upper end is connected to the underside of the inclined plate 72.

[0081] The upper part of the rear end of the second protrusion 74 is connected to the front surface 11a of the device body 11, and a second slit 74a is provided in the lower part of the rear end of the second protrusion 74 below this connection. The second slit 74a extends upward from the lower end of the second protrusion 74. The upper part of the first rear wall 92b of the first container 90 is inserted into the second slit 74a. The upper part of the first rear wall 92b of the first container 90 is sandwiched between the second protrusion 74 and the front surface 11a of the device body 11 in the front-to-rear direction, thereby restricting movement of the first container 90 in the front-to-rear direction. In addition, the upper end of the first rear wall 92b abuts against the second protrusion 74, and the upward movement of the first container 90 is restricted by the second protrusion 74.

[0082] The first container 90 is disposed on the cartridge housing portion 16, which houses an ink cartridge. This ink cartridge (not shown) is a container that stores ink, and is detachably attached to the cartridge housing portion 16. The ink cartridge is in communication with the print head 21 of the printing unit 20 via an ink flow path, and supplies ink to the print head 21. As a result, the print head 21 ejects ink onto the print medium W, thereby printing an image on the print medium W.

[0083] The cartridge holder 16 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, has an ink cartridge storage space therein, and protrudes forward from the front surface 11a of the device body 11. The first container 90 is disposed on the upper surface of the cartridge holder 16 and is supported from below by the cartridge holder 16. As a result, the first container 90 is sandwiched between the cartridge holder 16 and the first protrusion 73 of the ejection unit 70 in the vertical direction.

[0084] The user holds the first container 90 by the handle 90a or the like, tilts the first container 90 so that the first rear wall 92b faces diagonally upward and rearward, and inserts the upper part of the first rear wall 92b into the second slit 74a of the second protrusion 74, and also inserts the first protrusion 73 into the first slit 92b1 of the first rear wall 92b. Then, the user rotates the first container 90 while abutting the upper end of the first rear wall 92b against the second protrusion 74, and places the first container 90 on the cartridge accommodating section 16, thereby attaching the first container 90 to the front surface 11a of the device body 11.

[0085] Conversely, the user holds the first container 90 by the handle 90a or the like, lifts the first container 90 from above the cartridge accommodating section 16, and then tilts the first container 90 so that the first rear wall 92b faces diagonally upward and rearward. The user then removes the upper portion of the first rear wall 92b of the first container 90 from the second slit 74a of the second protruding portion 74, and also removes the first protruding portion 73 from the first slit 92b1 of the first rear wall 92b. This allows the user to remove the first container 90 from the front surface 11a of the device body 11. This attachment and detachment of the first container 90 can be easily performed from the front surface of the device body 11, similar to the attachment and detachment of the second container 100.

[0086] The first container 90 has a size capable of accommodating a predetermined number or more of can products C. For example, as described above, the first stocker 41 of the first supply unit 40 has a size capable of accommodating a predetermined number of front members A, and the second stocker 51 of the second supply unit 50 has a size capable of accommodating a predetermined number of back members B. A predetermined number or less of can products C are produced using a predetermined number or less of front members A stored in the first stocker 41 and a predetermined number or less of back members B stored in the second stocker 51. Because the first container 90 has a size capable of accommodating a predetermined number or more of can products C, it can accommodate the produced can products C. This prevents a situation in which the can products C must be removed from the first container 90 due to insufficient storage during production of can products C using the front members A and back members B stored in the stockers 41 and 51.

[0087] <First Modification> In the can product manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the first modified example, as shown in FIG. 12, the first container 90 may have a second inclined surface 93a that is inclined downwardly toward the front below the front end 72a1 of the first inclined surface 72a.

[0088] For example, a sloped base 93 is provided inside the first container 90. The sloped base 93 has a triangular prism shape and has an upper surface that is a second sloped surface 93a. The sloped base 93 is fixed to a first rear wall 92b and a first lower wall 92e of the first container 90. The second sloped surface 93a has a triangular shape and is arranged so that its dimension in the left-right direction decreases toward the front. Furthermore, the second sloped surface 93a is inclined diagonally downward toward the front, and has a downward slope toward the front.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12 , the second inclined surface 93a is located between the right and left ends of the front end 72a1 of the first inclined surface 72a in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the front end 72a1 of the first inclined surface 72a is located between the rear and front ends of the second inclined surface 93a in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the second inclined surface 93a is located below the front end 72a1 of the first inclined surface 72a, and the front end 72a1 crosses the second inclined surface 93a in the left-right direction when viewed from above. Therefore, the canned product C slides forward down the first inclined surface 72a, passes through the front end 72a1 of the first inclined surface 72a, and falls onto the second inclined surface 93a via the first inlet 91. The canned product C then slides forward down the second inclined surface 93a and moves forward or left-right along the second inclined surface 93a. This prevents the can products C stored in the first container 90 from becoming unevenly distributed, thereby preventing a decrease in the number of can products C stored due to the uneven distribution, and allows more can products C to be stored in the first container 90.

[0090] Although the second inclined surface 93a is inclined downward toward the front, the inclination of the second inclined surface 93a is not limited to this. For example, the second inclined surface 93a may be inclined downward toward at least one of the right and left in addition to the front. This allows the canned products C to slide down a wide range along the second inclined surface 93a, thereby suppressing uneven distribution of the canned products C in the first container 90 and allowing more canned products C to be stored in the first container 90.

[0091] <Other variations> In all of the above embodiments and modified examples, a first slit 92b1 is provided in the first rear wall 92b of the first peripheral wall 92 of the first container 90. The first protrusion 73 of the delivery unit 70 is inserted into this first slit 92b1, and the first protrusion 73 is supported by both ends of the first rear wall 92b that sandwich the first slit 92b1. However, it is sufficient if either the first peripheral wall 92 or the first protrusion 73 has a slit into which the other is inserted. For example, the first protrusion 73 may be provided with a slit extending upward from its lower end, and the first rear wall 92b of the first peripheral wall 92 may be inserted into this slit. In this case, the first rear wall 92b is supported by both ends of the first protrusion 73 that sandwich the slit.

[0092] In all of the above embodiments and modified examples, a second slit 74a is formed in the second protrusion 74 of the inclined plate 72. The first rear wall 92b of the first container 90 is inserted into this second slit 74a, and the first rear wall 92b is sandwiched between the second protrusion 74 and the front surface 11a of the device body 11 and supported thereby. However, it is sufficient if either the first rear wall 92b or the second protrusion 74 has a slit into which the other is inserted. For example, the first rear wall 92b may have a slit extending downward from its upper end, and the second protrusion 74 may be inserted into this slit. In this case, the second protrusion 74 is supported by both ends of the first rear wall 92b that sandwich the slit.

[0093] In all of the above embodiments and modified examples, the backing sheet F is stored in the first tray 23 and the print medium W is stored in the second tray 25, but the method of storing the backing sheet F and the print medium W is not limited to this. For example, the backing sheet F and the print medium W may be stacked alternately and stored in the second tray 25. In this case, by driving the first transport motor 22, the backing sheet F and the print medium W are transported alternately from the second tray 25 to the transport unit 80 via the paper discharge port 24.

[0094] It should be noted that many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description. Therefore, the above description should be construed as merely illustrative and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present disclosure. Details of the structure and / or function thereof may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 10: Can product manufacturing equipment 11: Device body 11a:Front 15b:Front 16: Cartridge storage section 20: Printing unit 30: Connection unit 41: First Stocker 51: Second Stocker 70: Removal unit 71: Mobile device 72a: 1st slope 72a1: Front end 73: First protrusion (protrusion) 74: Second protrusion (protrusion) 80: Transport unit 83d1 :Exhaust port 84a:Front 90: 1st container 91: Entrance 1 93a: 2nd slope 100: 2nd container 101: Second Entrance

Claims

1. a printing unit configured to print an image on at least the first portion of a print medium including a first portion and a second portion; a connecting unit that connects a front member coated on the first portion to a back member to form a can product; a first container for containing the canned product; a second container containing the second portion; a transport unit that transports the print medium from the printing unit to the connection unit and transports the second portion of the print medium separated from the first portion from the connection unit to the second container; an apparatus main body having a front surface on which the printing unit, the connection unit, and the transport unit are provided and on which the first container and the second container are attached; Equipped with Can product manufacturing equipment.

2. The first container and the second container are each detachably attached to the front surface of the device body.

2. The can product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. the device body has a first stocker capable of accommodating a predetermined number of the front members and a second stocker capable of accommodating the predetermined number of the back members, the first container has a size capable of accommodating at least the predetermined number of the canned products, the second container has a size capable of accommodating at least the predetermined number of the second portions; 2. The can product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. the first container is disposed between the second container and the left end or the right end of the front surface of the device body when viewed from the front, The second container is arranged so as to overlap with the center in the left-right direction of the front surface of the device body when viewed from the front.

2. The can product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. a removal unit for removing the canned product from the connection unit; The first container has a first inlet at an upper portion through which the canned products pass, The take-out unit has a first inclined surface that slopes downward toward the first inlet of the first container, and a moving device that moves the canned products from the connecting unit onto the first inclined surface.

2. The can product making apparatus of claim 1.

6. When viewed from above, a front end of the first inclined surface is located within a peripheral wall surrounding the first inlet of the first container.

6. The can product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. the device body has a cartridge housing portion that houses a cartridge that stores ink used for printing by the printing unit, the first container is disposed on the cartridge receiving portion and has a peripheral wall surrounding a space for receiving the canned products; the take-out unit has an inclined plate including the first inclined surface as an upper surface, and a protrusion extending downward from the inclined plate; One of the peripheral wall and the protruding portion has a slit into which the other is inserted.

6. The can product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5.

8. The first container has a second inclined surface that is inclined downwardly toward the front below the front end of the first inclined surface.

6. The can product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5.

9. the transport unit is disposed forward of the connection unit, The second container is attached to the front surface of the transport unit.

2. The can product making apparatus of claim 1.

10. the transport unit has a discharge port for discharging the second portion, The second container has a second inlet at an upper portion thereof, the second inlet being disposed below the outlet and through which the second portion passes.

10. The apparatus for making can products according to claim 9.

11. The width of the second container in the left-right direction is larger than the width of the outlet.

11. The apparatus for making can products according to claim 10.

12. The bottom surface of the second container is inclined downward toward the front.

11. The apparatus for making can products according to claim 10.

Images