Printing system

Abstract

It controls ink temperature with low power consumption. [Solution] A printing apparatus 20 comprising a transport unit 29 for transporting a medium M, a printing unit 27 for printing an image by ejecting ink onto the medium M transported by the transport unit 29, and a housing 21 having a first space 22 in which the printing unit 27 is located; a drying apparatus 10 comprising a drying oven 14 into which the medium M into which the image printed by the printing unit 27 enters, and a heating unit 15 located in the drying oven 14 for heating the medium M; and a gas flow path 13 for discharging gas from the drying oven 14 to the outside of the drying oven 14, and a first flow path 13A connecting the drying oven 14 and the first space 22.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various printing systems that print an image on a medium by ejecting ink have been used. Among these, there is a printing system provided with a temperature control mechanism for adjusting the temperature of the ink in order to stably eject the ink in a printing unit that ejects the ink. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet recording apparatus provided with a plurality of heating units in the ink supply direction in order to set the ink temperature within an appropriate range. In addition, by adjusting the temperature of the ink, the landing accuracy of the ink can be improved, and the waveform of the voltage applied to the element for ejecting the ink can be simplified. On the other hand, there is a printing system provided with a drying device for drying the ink ejected onto the medium by the printing device at the subsequent stage of a printing device that prints an image on the medium by ejecting the ink.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional printing system provided with a temperature control mechanism for adjusting the temperature of the ink, since it has a dedicated heating unit for setting the ink temperature within an appropriate range, power consumption occurs in such a dedicated heating unit. Therefore, in such a printing system, there has been a tendency for large power consumption to occur in the entire printing system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention, for solving the above problems, is characterized by comprising: a printing apparatus comprising: a transport unit for transporting a medium; a printing unit for printing an image by ejecting ink onto the medium transported by the transport unit; and a housing having a first space in which the printing unit is arranged; a drying apparatus comprising: a drying oven into which the medium on which the image has been printed by the printing unit enters; and a heating unit arranged in the drying oven for heating the medium; and a first flow path for discharging gas from the drying oven to the outside of the drying oven, which connects the drying oven and the first space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic side view showing the printing system of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] A schematic side view showing the printing system of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] First, the present invention will be described in general terms. A printing system according to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is characterized by comprising: a printing apparatus comprising: a transport unit for transporting a medium; a printing unit for printing an image by ejecting ink onto the medium transported by the transport unit; and a housing having a first space in which the printing unit is arranged; a drying apparatus comprising: a drying oven into which the medium on which the image has been printed by the printing unit enters; and a heating unit arranged in the drying oven for heating the medium; and a gas flow path for discharging gas from the drying oven to the outside of the drying oven, the first flow path connecting the drying oven and the first space.

[0008] According to this embodiment, the system includes a gas flow channel for discharging gas from the drying oven to the outside of the drying oven, and a first flow channel connecting the drying oven and a first space. In other words, the heated gas generated in the drying device can be used to adjust the temperature of the ink. Therefore, the need for a dedicated heating unit is eliminated, and the ink temperature can be controlled with low power consumption when considering the printing system as a whole.

[0009] A printing system according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in an aspect dependent on the first aspect, it comprises a blower fan disposed in the flow path section for generating an airflow to discharge the gas in the drying oven to the outside of the drying oven.

[0010] According to this embodiment, a blower fan is provided in the flow path section to generate an airflow for discharging the gas inside the drying oven to the outside of the drying oven. With this configuration, for example, the heated gas generated in the drying apparatus can be efficiently sent to the first space, and the temperature of the ink can be efficiently adjusted.

[0011] A printing system according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in an embodiment dependent on the first or second aspect, it comprises a check valve disposed in the flow path section to suppress the backflow of gas from outside the drying oven into the drying oven.

[0012] According to this embodiment, a check valve is provided in the flow path to suppress the backflow of gas from outside the drying oven into the drying oven. With this configuration, for example, heated gas generated in the drying apparatus can be efficiently sent to the first space, and the temperature of the ink can be efficiently adjusted.

[0013] A printing system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in an aspect dependent on any one of the first to third aspects, it comprises an exhaust duct for discharging gas from a first space, and a second flow path section that constitutes the flow path section and connects the drying oven and the exhaust duct.

[0014] According to this embodiment, the device includes an exhaust duct for discharging gas from a first space and a second flow path connecting the drying oven and the exhaust duct. With this configuration, the heated gas generated in the drying device can be sent not only to the first space but also discharged via the second flow path without being sent to the first space. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first space from overheating and to adjust the ink temperature with high precision.

[0015] A printing system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in an aspect dependent on the fourth aspect, it includes an adjustment unit for adjusting the flow rate of gas flowing from the drying oven to the first flow channel and the flow rate of gas flowing from the drying oven to the second flow channel.

[0016] According to this embodiment, the system is equipped with an adjustment unit that adjusts the flow rate of gas flowing from the drying oven to the first channel and the flow rate of gas flowing from the drying oven to the second channel. With this configuration, the need for the user to manually adjust the flow rates of gas flowing from the first channel to the first channel and the flow rate of gas flowing from the second channel is eliminated, and the flow rates of gas flowing from the first channel to the first channel and the flow rate of gas flowing from the second channel can be adjusted automatically. Therefore, usability can be improved.

[0017] A printing system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in an aspect dependent on the fifth aspect, comprises a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the first space, and the adjustment unit adjusts the flow rate of gas flowing in the first flow channel and the flow rate of gas flowing in the second flow channel based on the detection result of the first temperature sensor.

[0018] According to this embodiment, a first temperature sensor is provided to detect the temperature of the first space, and the adjustment unit adjusts the flow rate of gas flowing through the first channel and the flow rate of gas flowing through the second channel based on the detection result of the first temperature sensor. With this configuration, the flow rate of gas flowing through the first channel and the flow rate of gas flowing through the second channel can be adjusted with particularly high precision. Therefore, it is possible to suppress overheating of the first space and adjust the ink temperature with particularly high precision.

[0019] A printing system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in an aspect dependent on the fifth aspect, comprises a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the ink in the printing section, and the adjustment unit adjusts the flow rate of the gas flowing in the first flow channel and the flow rate of the gas flowing in the second flow channel based on the detection result of the second temperature sensor.

[0020] According to this aspect, a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the ink in the printing unit is provided, and the adjusting unit adjusts the flow rate of the gas flowing through the first flow path unit and the flow rate of the gas flowing through the second flow path unit based on the detection result of the second temperature sensor. By adopting such a configuration, the flow rate of the gas flowing through the first flow path unit and the flow rate of the gas flowing through the second flow path unit can be adjusted with particularly high precision. Therefore, it is possible to suppress overheating of the first space, and the temperature of the ink can be adjusted with particularly high precision.

[0021] The printing system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is an aspect subordinate to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the conveying unit has a conveying belt disposed in the first space and having an adhesive layer coated with an adhesive, and the gas discharged from the first flow path unit in the first space is blown toward the conveying belt.

[0022] According to this aspect, the conveying unit has a conveying belt disposed in the first space and having an adhesive layer coated with an adhesive. By adopting such a configuration, for example, a medium such as a large and soft fabric can be stably conveyed. And the gas discharged from the first flow path unit in the first space is blown toward the conveying belt. By adopting such a configuration, the adhesive disposed on the conveying belt can also be heated, the adhesiveness of the adhesive can be improved, and the conveying stability by the conveying belt can be improved.

[0023] The printing system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is an aspect subordinate to the eighth aspect, and has a cleaning unit for cleaning the conveying belt downstream of the printing unit in the moving direction of the conveying belt, and the position where the gas discharged from the first flow path unit is blown is between the printing unit and the cleaning unit in the moving direction of the conveying belt.

[0024] According to this aspect, there is a cleaning unit that cleans the conveyor belt downstream of the printing unit in the moving direction of the conveyor belt, and the position where the gas discharged from the first flow path unit is blown is between the printing unit and the cleaning unit in the moving direction of the conveyor belt. With such a configuration, between the printing unit and the cleaning unit, that is, before cleaning in the cleaning unit, the gas moistened with the volatile components of the ink sent from the drying furnace to the first space can be blown onto the conveyor belt, and the cleaning effect in the cleaning unit can be improved.

[0025] [Example 1] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, referring to FIG. 1, an overview of a printing system 1A of Example 1 as an example of the printing system 1 of the present invention, which includes a printing device 20 and a drying device 10, will be described. <�

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1A of this embodiment includes a holding unit 2 that can rotatably hold a roll body R1 in which a medium M such as a fabric is wound in a roll shape. Further, it includes a conveying unit 29 that conveys the medium M, a head 27 as a printing unit that prints an image by discharging ink onto the medium M conveyed by the conveying unit 29, and a housing 21 that has a first space 22 in which the head 27 is disposed, that is, a printing device 20. Further, it includes a drying furnace 14 into which the medium M on which an image is printed by the head 27 enters, and a heating unit 15 disposed in the drying furnace 14 that heats the medium M, that is, a drying device 10. Furthermore, it includes a winding unit 3 that can form a roll body R2 by winding the medium M that has been printed by the printing device 20 and dried by the drying device 10 in a roll shape.

[0027] The holding unit 2 holds a paper tube that constitutes the rotation axis of the roll body R1, and can rotate in the rotation direction C to feed the medium M from the roll body R1 to the conveying unit 29 of the printing device 20. Note that the holding unit 2 may be configured separately from the printing device 20, or may be a part of the constituent members of the printing device 20.

[0028] The printing apparatus 20 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer capable of forming an image on a medium M by ejecting liquid ink in droplet form. The printing apparatus 20 includes a transport section 29 in a first space 22 inside the housing 21, which comprises a driven roller 23 located upstream of the transport direction A, which is the transport direction of the medium M, a drive roller 24 located downstream of the transport direction A, and a transport belt 25, which is an endless belt stretched between the driven roller 23 and the drive roller 24. Here, the transport belt 25 is an adhesive belt having an outer peripheral surface 25a on which an adhesive is applied to the support surface of the medium M, which is the outer surface. An exhaust duct 9 for discharging gas from inside the first space 22 is also connected to the housing 21.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, in the transport section 29, the medium M is supported and transported by the transport belt 25 with the medium M attached to its outer surface 25a. In the printing apparatus 20 of this embodiment, the medium support region that supports the medium M on the transport belt 25 is the upper region bridged by the driven roller 23 and the drive roller 24. The drive roller 24 is a roller that rotates in the rotational direction C by the driving force of a motor (not shown), and the driven roller 23 is a roller that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the transport belt 25 caused by the rotation of the drive roller 24.

[0030] In other words, when transporting the medium M, the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 25 is the rotational direction C, and the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 25 in the medium support area is the transport direction A. However, when not transporting the medium M, it is also possible to rotate the drive roller 24 in the opposite direction to the rotational direction C, thereby moving the conveyor belt 25 in the opposite direction to the rotational direction C.

[0031] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 20 of this embodiment includes a carriage 26 that can reciprocate in the width direction B of the conveyor belt 25, and a head 27 attached to the carriage 26. The head 27 is a printing unit that can form an image by ejecting liquid ink onto a medium M that is conveyed in the conveying direction A based on the printing data.

[0032] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 20 of this embodiment is capable of forming an image by ejecting ink from the head 27 onto the transported medium M while reciprocating the carriage 26 in the width direction B intersecting the transport direction A. By having a carriage 26 configured in this way, the printing apparatus 20 of this embodiment can form a desired image on the medium M by repeatedly transporting the medium M in the transport direction A at a predetermined transport amount, and ejecting ink while moving the carriage 26 in the width direction B with the medium M stopped. However, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the printing unit. For example, a so-called line head, in which nozzles for ejecting ink are provided over the entire width direction B of the medium M, may be used as the printing unit.

[0033] The medium M, on which an image has been formed by ejecting ink from the head 27, is discharged from the printing apparatus 20 of this embodiment and sent to a drying apparatus 10 located downstream of the printing apparatus 20 in the transport direction A, which volatilizes the components of the ink ejected onto the medium M. In this way, the drying apparatus 10 of this embodiment, together with the printing apparatus 20, constitutes the printing system 1.

[0034] Here, the medium M can preferably be a material to be printed. A material to be printed refers to fabrics, clothing, or other fashion products that are to be printed. Fabrics include woven, knitted, and nonwoven fabrics made of natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and wool, or synthetic fibers such as nylon, or composite fibers made by mixing these. Clothing and other fashion products include T-shirts, handkerchiefs, scarves, towels, tote bags, cloth bags, curtains, sheets, bedspreads, and other furniture after sewing, as well as fabrics before and after cutting that exist as parts before sewing. However, in addition to the above-mentioned materials to be printed, inkjet-specific papers such as plain paper, fine paper, and glossy paper can also be used.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the drying apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a heating unit 15 for heating the medium M, and a drying oven 14 in which the heating unit 15 is located for drying the medium M. Two heating units 15 are provided in the transport path of the medium M. Specifically, a first heating unit 15A is provided at a position facing the surface of the medium M, which is the side from which ink is ejected from the head 27, and a second heating unit 15B is provided at a position facing the back surface of the medium M, which is the opposite side of the surface. In this embodiment, both the first heating unit 15A and the second heating unit 15B are configured to blow heated air onto the medium M. However, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the heating unit 15, and it may be configured to irradiate the medium M with infrared rays, or it may be a heater consisting of an electric heating wire, etc.

[0036] Furthermore, the drying oven 14 is equipped with two blower fans 16 that generate an airflow to discharge the gas inside the drying oven 14 to the outside of the drying oven 14. The first blower fan 16A of the blower fans 16 is located at the inlet on the drying apparatus 10 side of the first flow path section 13A, which is a gas flow path section 13 that connects the drying oven 14 of the drying apparatus 10 and the first space 22 of the printing apparatus 20. Here, the outlet on the printing apparatus 20 side of the first flow path section 13A is located opposite the conveyor belt 25. By driving the first blower fan 16A, air flows in the direction F1 from the drying apparatus 10 to the printing apparatus 20 in the first flow path section 13A.

[0037] The second blower fan 16B of the blower fan 16 is installed at the inlet on the drying apparatus 10 side of the second flow path section 13B, which is a gas flow path section 13 connecting the drying oven 14 of the drying apparatus 10 and the exhaust duct 9 connected to the printing apparatus 20. By driving the second blower fan 16B, air flows in direction F2 from the drying apparatus 10 to the exhaust duct 9 in the second flow path section 13B. In the exhaust duct 9, air flows in direction F0 toward the outside of the printing apparatus 20 and the drying apparatus 10.

[0038] In this embodiment, the printing system 1A is configured to prevent backflow of airflow by providing a check valve 12 in the flow path section 13. Specifically, a first check valve 12A is provided in the first flow path section 13A, and a second check valve 12B is provided in the second flow path section 13B.

[0039] Furthermore, as described above, the printing system 1A of this embodiment includes a winding unit 3. The winding unit 3 holds a paper tube as a rotating shaft for forming a roll body R2, and can form a roll body R2 by rotating in the rotational direction C and winding the medium M onto the paper tube. Note that the winding unit 3 may be configured separately from the drying device 10, or it may be part of the components of the drying device 10.

[0040] As described above, the printing system 1A of this embodiment includes a printing device 20 and a drying device 10 as described above, and also includes a gas flow path section 13A that connects the drying device 14 and the first space 22 of the printing device 20, and is used to discharge the gas inside the drying oven 14 of the drying device 10 to the outside of the drying oven 14. With this configuration, the heated gas inside the drying oven 14 can be sent via the first flow path section 13A to the first space 22 where the print head 27 to which ink is supplied is located.

[0041] Therefore, the printing system 1A of this embodiment is configured to adjust the ink temperature in the printing device 20 by utilizing the gas in the drying oven 14, that is, the heated gas generated in the drying device 10. Consequently, the printing system 1A of this embodiment eliminates the need for a dedicated heating unit, and when considered as a whole, the printing system 1A is configured to control the ink temperature with low power consumption. For example, the ink temperature can be adjusted to approximately 32°C ± 3°C. By controlling the ink temperature, the waveform of the voltage applied to the ink ejection element provided in the head 27 can be simplified.

[0042] Furthermore, this configuration allows the inside of the first space 22 to be kept at a constant temperature, suppressing expansion and contraction of components such as the head 27 and frame of the printing device 20 inside the first space 22, and improving ink ejection accuracy. Although the printing device 20 in this embodiment does not have one, it may be equipped with a cooling device, heating device, or other mechanism that can adjust the temperature of the head 27 and other components.

[0043] In a typical printing system 1 configuration, if the drying device 10 and the printing device 20 are installed in close proximity, the heat generated by the drying device 10 may heat the entire printing device 20, potentially causing thermal expansion and deformation of the components of the printing device 20. For this reason, conventionally, the drying device 10 and the printing device 20 were placed at a predetermined distance apart. However, with a configuration like that of printing system 1A in this embodiment, the heat generated by the drying device 10 can heat only the interior of the first space 22, rather than the entire printing device 20. Therefore, it becomes possible to install the drying device 10 and the printing device 20 in close proximity, thereby saving space for the printing system 1.

[0044] Furthermore, as described above, the printing system 1A of this embodiment includes a blower fan 16 located in the flow path section 13 that generates an airflow for discharging the gas inside the drying oven 14 to the outside of the drying oven 14. More specifically, it includes a first blower fan 16A located in the first flow path section 13A that generates an airflow for discharging the gas inside the drying oven 14 to the outside of the drying oven 14, and a second blower fan 16B located in the second flow path section 13B that generates an airflow for discharging the gas inside the drying oven 14 to the outside of the drying oven 14.

[0045] With this configuration, the printing system 1A of this embodiment can efficiently send the heated gas generated in the drying device 10 to the first space 22, and efficiently adjust the ink temperature. In addition, the gas can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the drying oven 14 via the second flow path 13B to prevent the temperature inside the drying oven 14 from becoming too high.

[0046] Furthermore, as described above, the printing system 1A of this embodiment is equipped with a check valve 12 located in the flow path section 13 to suppress the backflow of gas from outside the drying oven 14 into the drying oven 14. More specifically, it is equipped with a first check valve 12A located in the first flow path section 13A to suppress the backflow of gas from outside the drying oven 14 into the drying oven 14, and a second check valve 12B located in the second flow path section 13B to suppress the backflow of gas from outside the drying oven 14 into the drying oven 14.

[0047] The printing system 1A of this embodiment, with this configuration, can efficiently send the heated gas generated in the drying device 10 to the first space 22, and efficiently adjust the ink temperature. In addition, the gas can be efficiently discharged outside the drying oven 14 via the second flow path 13B to prevent the temperature inside the drying oven 14 from becoming too high. Furthermore, this configuration prevents low-temperature gas from flowing into the drying oven 14 from the first space 22 or the exhaust duct 9. In other words, it prevents a decrease in drying efficiency due to a drop in temperature inside the drying oven 14.

[0048] Furthermore, as described above, the printing system 1A of this embodiment includes an exhaust duct 9 for discharging gas from the first space 22, and a second flow path section 13B that constitutes a flow path section 13 and connects the drying oven 14 and the exhaust duct 9. With this configuration, the printing system 1A of this embodiment can not only send the heated gas generated in the drying device 10 to the first space 22, but also discharge it via the second flow path section 13B without sending it to the first space 22. Therefore, it is possible to suppress overheating of the first space 22 and to adjust the ink temperature with high precision.

[0049] Here, as shown in Figure 1, the printing system 1A of this embodiment includes a control unit 11 capable of controlling the entire printing system 1A. The control unit 11 adjusts the drive of the first blower fan 16A and the second blower fan 16B, and acts as a control unit to adjust the flow rate of gas flowing from the drying oven 14 to the first flow channel 13A and the flow rate of gas flowing from the drying oven 14 to the second flow channel 13B.

[0050] The printing system 1A of this embodiment includes a control unit 11 that acts as an adjustment unit, eliminating the need for the user to manually adjust the flow rate of gas flowing through the first flow path 13A and the flow rate of gas flowing through the second flow path 13B. The flow rate of gas flowing through the first flow path 13A and the flow rate of gas flowing through the second flow path 13B can be adjusted automatically. Therefore, the printing system 1A of this embodiment has improved usability.

[0051] As shown in Figure 1, the printing system 1A of this embodiment includes a blower fan drive unit 17 that is electrically connected to the control unit 11 and can adjust the drive of the blower fan 16. The blower fan drive unit 17 can adjust the drive of the first blower fan 16A and the second blower fan 16B, respectively.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the printing system 1A of this embodiment is electrically connected to the control unit 11 and includes a temperature sensor 18 capable of detecting temperature. Specifically, the temperature sensor 18 includes a first temperature sensor 18A that detects the temperature of the first space 22. Based on the detection result of the first temperature sensor 18A, the control unit 11 can adjust the flow rate of gas flowing through the first flow channel 13A and the flow rate of gas flowing through the second flow channel 13B.

[0053] The printing system 1A of this embodiment, with this configuration, can adjust the flow rate of gas flowing through the first flow channel 13A and the flow rate of gas flowing through the second flow channel 13B with particularly high precision. Therefore, the printing system 1A of this embodiment can prevent overheating of the first space 22 and can adjust the ink temperature with particularly high precision.

[0054] There are no particular limitations on the method for adjusting the flow rate of gas flowing through the first flow path section 13A and the flow rate of gas flowing through the second flow path section 13B. The flow rate of gas flowing through the first flow path section 13A and the flow rate of gas flowing through the second flow path section 13B can be adjusted by changing the drive amount of the first blower fan 16A and the second blower fan 16B, as in this embodiment. Alternatively, for example, shutters or the like may be provided separately in the first flow path section 13A and the second flow path section 13B, and the amount of opening and closing of the shutters or the like may be adjusted.

[0055] Furthermore, the printing system 1A of this embodiment includes a second temperature sensor 18B as a temperature sensor 18, which detects the temperature of the ink in the head 27. The control unit 11 can adjust the flow rate of the gas flowing through the first flow channel 13A and the flow rate of the gas flowing through the second flow channel 13B based on the detection result of the second temperature sensor 18B.

[0056] The printing system 1A of this embodiment, with this configuration, can adjust the flow rate of gas flowing through the first flow channel 13A and the flow rate of gas flowing through the second flow channel 13B with particularly high precision. Therefore, from this viewpoint as well, the printing system 1A of this embodiment can suppress overheating of the first space 22 and can adjust the ink temperature with particularly high precision.

[0057] In this embodiment, the printing system 1A allows the user to arbitrarily set the internal temperature of the drying oven 14. Therefore, when the detection results of the first temperature sensor 18A and the second temperature sensor 18B exceed a threshold, the system is configured to automatically change the flow rate of gas flowing through the first flow channel 13A and the flow rate of gas flowing through the second flow channel 13B. Increasing the flow rate of gas flowing through the first flow channel 13A raises the temperature of the first space 22, and decreasing the flow rate of gas flowing through the first flow channel 13A lowers the temperature of the first space 22.

[0058] Furthermore, as described above, in the printing system 1A of this embodiment, the transport unit 29 is located in the first space 22 and has a transport belt 25 having an adhesive layer to which an adhesive is applied. The gas discharged from the first flow channel 13A in the first space 22 is blown toward the outer circumferential surface 25a of the transport belt 25.

[0059] The printing system 1A of this embodiment has a transport section 29 that includes a transport belt 25 having an adhesive layer on its outer surface 25a coated with an adhesive, allowing for stable transport of a medium M, such as a large, soft cloth. Furthermore, the system is configured such that the gas discharged from the first flow channel 13A in the first space 22 is blown toward the outer surface 25a of the transport belt 25, thereby raising the temperature of the adhesive placed on the transport belt 25, improving the adhesiveness of the adhesive and enhancing the transport stability of the transport belt 25.

[0060] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the printing system 1A of this embodiment has a cleaning unit 28 that cleans the conveyor belt 25 downstream of the head 27 in the rotation direction C, which is the direction in which the conveyor belt 25 moves. The position where the gas discharged from the first flow path 13A is blown is between the head 27 and the cleaning unit 28 in the direction in which the conveyor belt 25 moves.

[0061] In this embodiment, the printing system 1A, with this configuration, can spray gas moistened with volatile components of ink sent from the drying oven 14 to the first space 22 onto the conveyor belt 25 between the head 27 and the cleaning unit 28, that is, before cleaning in the cleaning unit 28, thereby improving the cleaning effect in the cleaning unit 28.

[0062] Furthermore, the cleaning unit 28 of this embodiment includes a container holding cleaning fluid, a rotating brush that is partially submerged in the cleaning fluid and partially in contact with the outer surface 25a, and a wiper that wipes off the cleaning fluid adhering to the outer surface 25a. The printing system 1A of this embodiment has a cleaning unit 28 with such a configuration, and is configured to spray a gas moistened with volatile components of ink sent from the drying oven 14 to the first space 22 onto the conveyor belt 25 before cleaning in the cleaning unit 28, thereby enabling efficient recovery of volatile components of ink without causing condensation in places unintended by the user. However, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the cleaning unit 28. However, by improving the cleaning effect in the cleaning unit 28 with such a configuration, it becomes possible to reduce costs by, for example, reducing the number of rotating brushes.

[0063] [Example 2] Next, the printing system 1B of Example 2 will be described using Figure 2. Figure 2 corresponds to Figure 1 in the printing system 1A of Example 1. In Figure 2, components common to Example 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations will be omitted. Here, the printing system 1B of this example has the same configuration as the printing system 1A of Example 1, except for the parts described below. Therefore, with respect to parts other than those described below, the printing system 1B of this example has the same characteristics as the printing system 1A of Example 1.

[0064] As shown in Figure 2, the printing system 1B of this embodiment integrates the printing device 20 and the drying device 10 into a single unit. This configuration allows the gas heated by the drying device 10 to be efficiently delivered to the first space 22 without losing heat to the outside. Therefore, the configuration of the gas flow path section 13 and other components can be simplified, for example by omitting the check valve 12, which in turn allows for miniaturization of the printing system 1 and a reduction in the cost of the printing system 1.

[0065] Here, the statement that the printing device 20 and the drying device 10 are integrally configured includes not only cases where the boundary between the printing device 20 and the drying device 10 is not clear, but also cases where the boundary between the printing device 20 and the drying device 10 is clear and at least a part of both is connected. Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the gas flow path section 13. The gas flow path section 13 may be a tubular configuration such as a duct, or it may be a simple hole-like configuration provided in the wall. Moreover, there may be no clear boundary between the first space 22 and the drying oven 14, and the configuration may be such that the airflow flows from the drying device 10 side to the printing device 20 side, that is, from the drying oven 14 side to the first space 22 side.

[0066] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included within the scope of the present invention. For example, a mist generating mechanism that generates mist capable of cooling the head 27 may be provided, or the wiper that wipes the head 27 may be configured to cool the head 27. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 1…Printing system, 1A…Printing system, 1B…Printing system, 2…Holding unit, 3…Winding unit, 9…Exhaust duct, 10…Drying device, 11…Control unit (adjustment unit), 12…Check valve, 12A…First check valve, 12B…Second check valve, 13…Flow path unit, 13A…First flow path unit, 13B…Second flow path unit, 14…Drying oven, 15…Heating unit, 15A…First heating unit, 15B…Second heating unit, 16…Blower fan, 16A…First blower fan N, 16B...Second blower fan, 17...Blower fan drive unit, 18...Temperature sensor, 18A...First temperature sensor, 18B...Second temperature sensor, 20...Printing device, 21...Housing, 22...First space, 23...Driven roller, 24...Driven roller, 25...Conveyor belt, 25a...Outer surface, 26...Carriage, 27...Head (printing unit), 28...Washing unit, 29...Conveyor unit, M...Media, R1...Roll body, R2...Roll body

Claims

1. A printing apparatus comprising: a transport unit for transporting a medium; a printing unit for printing an image by ejecting ink onto the medium transported by the transport unit; and a housing having a first space in which the printing unit is arranged. A drying apparatus comprising: a drying oven into which the medium on which the image has been printed in the printing section enters; and a heating section disposed in the drying oven for heating the medium; A gas flow path for discharging the gas inside the drying oven to the outside of the drying oven, comprising a first flow path connecting the drying oven and the first space, A printing system characterized by comprising the following features.

2. In the printing system according to claim 1, A printing system characterized by comprising a blower fan disposed in the flow path section for generating an airflow to discharge the gas inside the drying oven to the outside of the drying oven.

3. In the printing system according to claim 1, A printing system characterized by comprising a check valve disposed in the flow path section to suppress the backflow of gas from outside the drying oven into the drying oven.

4. In the printing system according to claim 1, An exhaust duct for discharging gas from the first space, A printing system characterized by comprising a second flow channel that constitutes the aforementioned flow channel and connects the drying oven and the exhaust duct.

5. In the printing system according to claim 4, A printing system characterized by comprising an adjustment unit for adjusting the flow rate of gas flowing from the drying oven to the first flow channel and the flow rate of gas flowing from the drying oven to the second flow channel.

6. In the printing system according to claim 5, The system includes a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the first space, The printing system is characterized in that the adjustment unit adjusts the flow rate of the gas flowing through the first flow channel and the flow rate of the gas flowing through the second flow channel based on the detection result of the first temperature sensor.

7. In the printing system according to claim 5, The printing section is equipped with a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the ink, The printing system is characterized in that the adjustment unit adjusts the flow rate of the gas flowing through the first flow channel and the flow rate of the gas flowing through the second flow channel based on the detection result of the second temperature sensor.

8. In the printing system according to claim 1, The transport unit is arranged in the first space and has a transport belt having an adhesive layer to which an adhesive is applied, A printing system characterized in that the gas discharged from the first flow channel in the first space is blown toward the conveyor belt.

9. In the printing system according to claim 8, The conveyor belt has a cleaning unit downstream of the printing unit in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt, A printing system characterized in that the position to which the gas discharged from the first flow channel is blown is between the printing section and the cleaning section in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

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