Printing medium mounting apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printing medium mounting apparatus capable of holding a printing medium such as clothing while applying appropriate tension to the printing medium with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A printing medium mounting apparatus comprises a central printing table 22a on which a printing range of a printing medium P is placed, and a first end printing table 22b and a second end printing table 22c which are provided along opposite ends of the central printing table 22a. The first end printing table 22b and the second end printing table 22c are connected to the central printing table 22a so as to be rotatable toward a surface opposite to a placement surface 22f of the printing medium P of the central printing table 22a while holding the end of the printing medium P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a print medium setting device on which a print medium is set. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, it has been proposed to print not only on printing paper but also on various materials such as cloth, film, and wood.

[0003] When printing on clothing such as T-shirts, it is necessary to hold the clothing with an appropriate amount of tension applied to at least the printing area of ​​the clothing during printing. One such technique is to adjust the tension on both sides of the clothing platform, as shown in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-96036 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the structure of the clothing placement table becomes complicated and large, which causes a problem of the overall size of the printing device becoming large.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a print medium setting device that has a simple configuration and is capable of holding a print medium such as clothing while applying an appropriate tension to the print medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The printing medium installation device of the present invention comprises a central printing table on which the printing range of the printing medium is arranged, and a first end printing table and a second end printing table respectively arranged along opposing ends of the central printing table, and the first end printing table and the second end printing table are connected to the central printing table so as to be rotatable toward the surface opposite the printing medium placement surface of the central printing table while holding the ends of the printing medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The printing media installation device of the present invention comprises a central printing table on which the printing range of the printing media is positioned, and a first end printing table and a second end printing table respectively arranged along opposing ends of the central printing table, and the first end printing table and the second end printing table are connected to the central printing table so that they can be rotated toward the side opposite the printing media placement surface of the central printing table while holding the ends of the printing media, thereby making it possible to hold the printing media, such as clothing, while applying appropriate tension to the printing media with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of a printing medium setting device of the present invention; [Figure 2] AA line cross-sectional view of the print media placement device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print medium setting device with the print table open. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the first end printing table and the second end printing table are unfolded, and a state in which the first end printing table and the second end printing table are folded by rotating them to the rear side. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the printing medium setting device of the present invention; [Figure 6] EE line cross section of the print media placement device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print media setting device in a state where the locking mechanism is locked and the spring member is compressed, and in a state where the locking mechanism is released and the spring member is expanded; FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a stencil printing apparatus using a printing medium setting device according to a second embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus using a print medium setting device according to a second embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a serial type head unit; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A first embodiment of a printing medium setting device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a printing medium setting device 20 of this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printing medium setting device 20 shown in Fig. 1 taken along line AA.

[0011] The printing medium setting device 20 is where the printing medium P is set. Specifically, the printing medium setting device 20 includes a base 21 and a printing table 22. As shown in Fig. 1, the printing table 22 is stacked on the base 21 with a predetermined gap between them.

[0012] The printing bed 22 includes a central printing bed 22a, a first end printing bed 22b, and a second end printing bed 22c.

[0013] The central printing table 22a is configured from a plate-like member and is where the printing range of the printing medium P is placed. As shown in Fig. 1, the printing table 22 of this embodiment is formed to be smaller than the base 21. It has shoulder portions 22d onto which the shoulders of the T-shirt, which is the printing medium P, are hooked, and a neck portion 22e through which the neck of the T-shirt is passed.

[0014] The first and second end printing beds 22b and 22c are provided along opposite ends of the central printing bed 22a, respectively.

[0015] A hinge 25 is formed at one end of the base 21 and the central printing table 22a. As shown in Fig. 3, the printing medium setting device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the printing table 22 can rotate in the direction of arrow C relative to the base 21 by means of the hinge 25. With the printing table 22 open as shown in Fig. 3, the T-shirt, which is a cylindrical printing medium P, is placed on the printing table 22 by placing the printing table 22 over the inside of the T-shirt.

[0016] After the printing medium P is placed on the printing table 22 as described above, the first end printing table 22b and the second end printing table 22c are arranged to be rotatable toward the side opposite to the printing medium P placement surface 22f of the central printing table 22a (hereinafter referred to as the back side) while holding the end of the printing medium P.

[0017] Figures 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views taken along line BB of the print media placement device 20 shown in Figure 1. Figure 4A shows the first end printing table 22b and the second end printing table 22c in an unfolded state, and Figure 4B shows the first end printing table 22b and the second end printing table 22c in a folded state after being rotated backward.

[0018] 4A and 4B, first end printing bed 22b and second end printing bed 22c are connected to connecting member 26 provided on the back side of central printing bed 22a via hinge 27. Hinge 27 is provided near the end of central printing bed 22a, and by rotating first end printing bed 22b and second end printing bed 22c at hinge 27, first end printing bed 22b and second end printing bed 22c can be transitioned from an open state to a closed state or from a closed state to an open state.

[0019] Then, as shown in Figure 4B, after the first end printing table 22b and the second end printing table 22c are closed, the printing table 22 is closed and returned to the state shown in Figure 2. A restricting portion 22g is provided at the end of the central printing table 22a opposite the hinge 25. The restricting portion 22g is a wall member that stands perpendicular to the central printing table 22a. When the printing table 22 is closed, the restricting portion 22g abuts against the surface of the base 21, thereby maintaining a gap between the printing table 22 and the base 21.

[0020] The printing medium setting device 20 on which the printing medium P has been set as described above is then provided to a printing drum or inkjet head for stencil printing or inkjet printing, the configuration of which will be described in detail later.

[0021] According to the printing medium setting device 20 of the first embodiment described above, it is equipped with a central printing table 22a, a first end printing table 22b, and a second end printing table 22c, and the first end printing table 22b and the second end printing table 22c are configured to be rotatable toward the back side of the central printing table 22a while holding the ends of the printing medium P, so that the printing medium P, such as clothing, can be held while applying appropriate tension to the printing medium P with a simple configuration.

[0022] Next, a second embodiment of the printing medium placing device 20 of the present invention will be described. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the printing medium placing device 30 of this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the printing medium placing device 30 shown in Fig. 1 taken along line EE.

[0023] The print medium placing device 30 of the second embodiment is different from the print medium placing device 20 of the first embodiment in that it is provided with a print receiving member 23 and a pressing mechanism 24. The following description will focus on the configuration that differs from the print medium placing device 20 of the first embodiment.

[0024] A print receiving member 23 and a pressing mechanism 24 are provided on the central printing table 22a of the print medium setting device 30 of the second embodiment. The pressing mechanism 24 is provided between the print receiving member 23 and the central printing table 22a. For convenience, the components that will be underneath the outer surface of the print medium P are shown with solid lines in Figure 5.

[0025] The print receiving member 23 is a rectangular plate-like member that supports the print medium P on the central printing table 22a. As shown in Fig. 5, the print receiving member 23 is formed to be smaller in size than the central printing table 22a. The hatched area in Fig. 5 is the printing range of the print medium P.

[0026] 6, an inclined surface 23a that slopes downward toward the end is formed on both end portions of the print receiver 23. The print medium P is placed along this inclined surface 23a.

[0027] The pressing mechanism 24 includes a spring member 24a and a link mechanism 24b. One end of the spring member 24a is connected to the central printing table 22a, and the other end is connected to the print receiving member 23. The elasticity of the spring member 24a allows the print receiving member 23 to move in the direction of arrow F shown in Figure 6 (directions moving away from and toward the placement surface 22f of the central printing table 22a).

[0028] The link mechanism 24b includes two link members 24c arranged in parallel, with the spring member 24a sandwiched between the two link members 24c at a predetermined distance.

[0029] One end of the link member 24c is rotatably connected to the central printing stand 22a, and the other end is rotatably connected to the print receiving member 23. By configuring the link mechanism 24b using two link members 24c in this way, the elastic force of the spring member 24a is applied evenly to the surface of the print receiving member 23. This makes it possible to apply a more uniform tension to the printing medium P on the print receiving member 23.

[0030] When placing a print medium P on the print medium placing device 30 of the second embodiment, it is preferable to have the spring member 24a of the pressing mechanism 24 in a contracted state, as shown in FIG. 7A, because this makes it easier to place a cylindrical print medium P such as a T-shirt. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, it is preferable to provide a locking mechanism (not shown) that can maintain the spring member 24a in a contracted state. This makes it easier to place the print medium P. A known mechanism can be used as the locking mechanism, such as a mechanism that temporarily holds the end of the print receiving member 23 when the spring member 24a is contracted.

[0031] After the printing medium P is placed, the locking mechanism is released, the spring member 24a is stretched as shown in FIG. 7B, and the printing medium P is pressed by the print receiving member 23, thereby applying further tension to the printing medium P.

[0032] Next, a stencil printing machine 1 that performs stencil printing using the printing medium setting devices 20, 30 of the first and second embodiments described above will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the stencil printing machine 1. Note that Fig. 8 shows the printing medium setting device 30 of the second embodiment, and stencil printing using the printing medium setting device 30 of the second embodiment will be described below, but the same applies to the printing medium setting device 20 of the first embodiment.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the stencil printing machine 1 of this embodiment includes a printing drum 10 housed in a housing 2, and the printing medium setting device 30 of the second embodiment described above.

[0034] The printing drum 10 is supported rotatably about a rotation axis extending in its axial direction (a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 8), and is driven to rotate by a drum drive unit (not shown). The printing drum 10 is ink permeable, and a stencil paper S made in a stencil making unit (not shown) is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the printing drum 10.

[0035] An attachment portion 13 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the printing drum 10. One end of the stencil paper S is attached to and held by the attachment portion 13. Then, the stencil paper S is wound around the printing drum 10 with its one end held by the attachment portion 13.

[0036] A squeegee roller 11 and a doctor roller 12 are provided inside the printing drum 10. The squeegee roller 11 and the doctor roller 12 are each cylindrical members extending in the direction of the rotation axis of the printing drum 10. The squeegee roller 11 is supported so that it can rotate around an axis of rotation that is parallel to the axis of rotation of the printing drum 10. The doctor roller 12 is fixed to the squeegee roller 11 with a specified gap between them.

[0037] Ink is supplied from a predetermined ink supply means (not shown) between the squeegee roller 11 and the doctor roller 12. The ink supplied from the ink supply means is stored to form an ink pool extending in the direction of the rotation axis of the print drum 10.

[0038] The ink stored in the ink pool forms an ink film on the outer peripheral surface of the squeegee roller 11, with the supply amount adjusted by the gap between the squeegee roller 11 and the doctor roller 12. The squeegee roller 11 is positioned with a small gap from the inner peripheral surface of the printing drum 10, and is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the printing drum 10 via the ink film on the outer peripheral surface of the squeegee roller 11.

[0039] During printing, the print drum 10 rotates in the direction of arrow G shown in Fig. 8, and the squeegee roller 11 rotates in the direction of arrow H shown in Fig. 8. When the squeegee roller 11 rotates in the direction of arrow E, ink is drawn out of the ink reservoir and supplied to the area in contact with the print drum 10.

[0040] The printing medium placing device 30 moves in the direction of arrow J shown in Fig. 8 by a moving mechanism (not shown) in synchronization with the rotation of the printing drum 10. The printing medium placing device 30 moves while pressing the printing medium P against the stencil paper S wound around the printing drum 10. This causes the printing medium P to be pressed against the stencil paper S on the outer peripheral surface of the printing drum 10. This pressure causes ink from the printing drum 10 to pass through the holes in the stencil paper S and transfer to the printing medium P, thereby performing stencil printing.

[0041] The movement mechanism described above includes, for example, rails that support the print medium placement device 30 so that it can move horizontally, a rack provided below the print medium placement device 30, and a pinion that meshes with the rack. The pinion rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the print drum 10, causing the print medium placement device 30 to move horizontally along the rails.

[0042] When stencil printing is performed, the printing drum 10 rotates as described above, and the printing medium setting device 30 on which the printing medium P is set moves toward the printing drum 10.

[0043] The printing medium setting device 30 moves while pressing the printing medium P against the stencil paper S on the printing drum 10, and at this time, the spring member 24a contracts due to contact of the printing drum 10 with the print receiving member 23, and the print receiving member 23 moves downward (in the opposite direction to the direction toward the printing drum 10). At this time, the print receiving member 23 is urged toward the printing drum 10 by the elastic force of the spring member 24a, and the printing medium P on the print receiving member 23 is pressed against the stencil paper S on the printing drum 10.

[0044] While the printing drum 10 and the print receiving member 23 are in contact with each other, the spring member 24a is in a compressed state, and the printing medium P is pressed against the printing drum 10 at a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure.

[0045] After the printing drum 10 has passed the print receiving member 23, the spring member 24a is stretched, and the print receiving member 23 moves upward and returns to its original state.

[0046] The length of the printing medium setting device 30 in the movement direction is longer than the length of the printable range. The printable range is the circumferential length of the printing drum minus the length of the mounting portion 13. This allows the printing medium P that is longer than the printable range to be set on the printing medium setting device 30.

[0047] In the print medium placing device 30 of the second embodiment, the print receiving member 23 is provided so as to move up and down by the spring member 24a as described above, thereby making it possible to avoid collision with the mounting unit 13. The distance of vertical movement of the print receiving member 23 is set to be equal to or greater than the maximum height of the mounting unit 13 from the surface of the printing drum 10.

[0048] Furthermore, as described above, the spring member 24a and the link mechanism 24b are provided between the print receiving member 23 and the central printing table 22a, so that the print medium P on the print receiving member 23 can be uniformly pressed against the print drum 10. Furthermore, additional tension can be applied to the print medium P on the print receiving member 23.

[0049] Furthermore, by forming the inclined surface 23a on the print receiving member 23, it is possible to make it easier to receive the printing drum 10 when it comes into contact with the print receiving member 23. Furthermore, since it is possible to soften the impact when the attachment portion 13 comes into contact, it is possible to move the printing medium setting device 20 more smoothly and prevent the printing medium P from shifting due to contact with the printing drum 10.

[0050] Furthermore, the printing medium placement devices 20 and 30 of the first and second embodiments can be used not only for stencil printing as described above, but also for inkjet printing. Specifically, for example, as shown in Figure 9, head units 40 to 45 are arranged, and the printing medium placement device 30 is moved directly below them in the direction of arrow K. Then, for example, a pre-treatment agent is ejected from the head unit 40, and then white, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are sequentially ejected from the head units 41 to 45, thereby performing a printing process on the printing medium P placed on the printing medium placement device 30.

[0051] The head sections 40 to 45 may be a line head in which multiple inkjet heads are arranged in a direction (front-to-back direction) perpendicular to the movement direction of the printing medium placing device 30, or a serial head system in which a single inkjet head scans in the front-to-back direction.

[0052] Alternatively, the inkjet heads 50 to 55 may be arranged as shown in FIG. 10 to form a head unit 60, and the head unit 60 may be scanned back and forth as the print medium setting device 30 moves to perform the printing process.

[0053] For example, inkjet head 51 ejects yellow ink, inkjet head 52 ejects black ink, inkjet head 53 ejects magenta ink, and inkjet head 54 ejects cyan ink.

[0054] In addition, the inkjet head 50 ejects white ink, and the inkjet head 55 ejects a pretreatment liquid.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 10, the inkjet heads 50 to 55 are arranged side by side in the movement direction (front-to-back direction) of the head unit 60, but the inkjet head 50 and the inkjet heads 51 to 54 are staggered, and the inkjet head 55 and the inkjet heads 51 to 54 are also staggered.

[0056] That is, inkjet heads 51-54 and inkjet heads 50, 55 are arranged at different positions in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of head unit 60 (movement direction of print medium placing device 30). Inkjet head 50 and inkjet head 55 are arranged at the same position in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of head unit 60. Inkjet heads 51-54 are also arranged at the same position in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of head unit 60.

[0057] The inkjet heads 50 to 55 have a plurality of nozzles that eject liquid such as ink or pretreatment liquid onto the printing medium P. The plurality of nozzles are arranged in the direction in which the printing medium placing device 30 moves.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the components can be modified and embodied in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, all of the components shown in the embodiments can be appropriately combined. Naturally, various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0059] The present invention further discloses the following supplementary notes.

[0060] (Appendix 1) The printing medium installation device of the present invention comprises a central printing table on which the printing range of the printing medium is arranged, and a first end printing table and a second end printing table respectively arranged along opposing ends of the central printing table, and the first end printing table and the second end printing table are connected to the central printing table so as to be rotatable toward the surface opposite the printing medium placement surface of the central printing table while holding the ends of the printing medium.

[0061] (Appendix 2) In the print medium setting device described in Supplementary Note 1, a print receiving member that is movable in a direction away from and toward the print medium placement surface can be provided on the print medium placement surface of the central printing table.

[0062] (Appendix 3) The printing media placement device described in Appendix 2 can be provided with an elastic member that supports the print receiving member so that it can move away from and towards the placement surface, and a link mechanism provided between the print receiving member and the central printing table.

[0063] (Appendix 4) The print media setting device described in Supplementary Note 3 may be provided with a locking mechanism that holds the print receiving member in a state in which the elastic member is contracted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Stencil printing device 10 Printing drum 11 Squeegee roller 12 Dr. Laura 13 Mounting part 20,30 Print media installation equipment 21 Foundation 22 Print stand 22a Central printing table 22b First end printing table 22c Second edge printing table 22d Shoulder 22e neck 22f Placement surface 22g Regulatory section 23 Print receiver 23a Slope 24 Pressing mechanism 24a Spring member 24b Link mechanism 24c Link member 25 hinge 26 Connecting member 27 Hinge 40~45 head 50~55 Inkjet head 60 Head P Print media S Duplicate paper

Claims

1. a central printing table on which the printing area of ​​the printing medium is placed; a first end printing bed and a second end printing bed respectively disposed along opposite ends of the central printing bed; A printing medium placing device in which the first end printing table and the second end printing table are connected to the central printing table so as to be rotatable toward the surface opposite the printing medium placement surface of the central printing table while holding the ends of the printing medium.

2. 2. The printing medium placing device according to claim 1, wherein a print receiving member is provided on a printing medium placing surface of the central printing table, the print receiving member being movable in a direction away from the placing surface and a direction toward the placing surface.

3. 3. The printing media placing device according to claim 2, further comprising: an elastic member that supports the print receiving member so that the print receiving member can move in directions away from and toward the placement surface; and a link mechanism provided between the print receiving member and the central printing table.

4. 4. The printing medium setting device according to claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism for holding the print receiving member in a contracted state of the elastic member.

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