Printing system

Abstract

Space-saving and improved workability of a printing system having a printing device and a powder dispensing device. [Solution] A printing system 1 is provided, comprising a printing device 10 that prints by discharging liquid onto a transfer sheet M, and a powder dispensing device 20 that dispensing heat-meltable resin powder P onto the transfer sheet M. The printing device 10 includes a medium supply unit 101 that holds a roll-shaped transfer sheet M, and a liquid discharge unit 102 that discharges liquid onto the transfer sheet M supplied from the medium supply unit 101. The powder dispensing device 20 includes a powder storage unit 202 that contains heat-meltable resin powder P having a particle size of 10 μm or more and 350 μm or less, and a powder dispensing unit 220 that dispenses the heat-meltable resin powder P supplied from the powder storage unit 202 onto the transfer sheet M from which the liquid has been discharged. A first space S1 is provided between the printing device 10 and the powder dispensing device 20, allowing the roll-shaped transfer sheet M to be replaced relative to the medium supply unit 101.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various printing systems have been used. Among these, there is a printing system composed of a printing apparatus that discharges a liquid onto a transfer sheet for printing, and a powder spraying apparatus that sprays a heat-melting resin powder onto the transfer sheet printed by the printing apparatus. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a manufacturing apparatus for a heat transfer material for a belt-like base material, which includes an ink image layer forming unit that prints on a belt-like base material by inkjet printing, and a hot melt resin powder layer forming unit that sprays hot melt resin powder onto the belt-like base material printed by the ink image layer forming unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a conventional printing system composed of a printing apparatus and a powder spraying apparatus, such as the manufacturing apparatus for a heat transfer material for a belt-like base material of Patent Document 1, the workability when performing various operations such as replenishment of the heat-melting resin powder and replacement of the transfer sheet may not be good. This is because when the printing system is arranged in a narrow space, a large working space must be taken around each of the printing apparatus and the powder spraying apparatus, and thus the printing apparatus and the powder spraying apparatus must be arranged close to each other. When the printing apparatus and the powder spraying apparatus are arranged close to each other, there is also a risk that the heat-melting resin powder will reach the printing apparatus when replenishing the heat-melting resin powder in the powder spraying apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention, for solving the above problems, is a printing system comprising a printing device that prints by discharging liquid onto a transfer sheet, and a powder dispensing device that dispensing heat-meltable resin powder onto the transfer sheet, wherein the printing device comprises a medium supply unit that holds the transfer sheet wound in a roll shape, and a liquid discharge unit that discharges the liquid onto the transfer sheet supplied from the medium supply unit, and the powder dispensing device comprises a powder storage unit that contains the heat-meltable resin powder having a particle size of 10 μm or more and 350 μm or less, and a powder dispensing unit that dispenses the heat-meltable resin powder supplied from the powder storage unit onto the transfer sheet from which the liquid has been discharged, wherein the printing device and the powder dispensing device are installed with a first space secured between them, and the printing device is configured to allow the transfer sheet wound in a roll shape to be replaced with respect to the medium supply unit in the first space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of the printing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] Schematic perspective view of the printing apparatus of the printing system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the area around the opening / closing cover of the printing device. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing an example of the layout of the printing system in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows a bottom view of the print head of the printing device in the printing system. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram of a printing system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram showing an example layout of a printing system for reference. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] First, the present invention will be described in general terms. A first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is a printing system comprising a printing device for printing by discharging liquid onto a transfer sheet, and a powder spraying device for spraying heat-meltable resin powder onto the transfer sheet, wherein the printing device comprises a medium supply unit for holding the transfer sheet wound in a roll shape, and a liquid discharge unit for discharging the liquid onto the transfer sheet supplied from the medium supply unit, and the powder spraying device comprises a powder storage unit for storing the heat-meltable resin powder having a particle size of 10 μm or more and 350 μm or less, and a powder spraying unit for spraying the heat-meltable resin powder supplied from the powder storage unit onto the transfer sheet from which the liquid has been discharged, wherein the printing device and the powder spraying device are installed with a first space secured between them, and the printing device is configured to allow the transfer sheet wound in a roll shape relative to the medium supply unit to be replaced in the first space.

[0008] According to this embodiment, the printing apparatus and the powder dispensing apparatus are installed with a first space secured, and the transfer sheet is configured to be replaceable in the first space, so that the transfer sheet can be replaced without requiring a large workspace around the printing system. Furthermore, by installing the printing apparatus and the powder dispensing apparatus with a first space secured, and using a heat-melting resin powder with a particle size of 10 μm to 350 μm, it is possible to suppress the scattering of heat-melting resin powder from the powder dispensing apparatus to the printing apparatus while the first space is secured, thereby suppressing malfunctions in the printing apparatus caused by leakage of heat-melting resin powder.

[0009] A printing system according to a second aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, characterized in that the medium supply unit is located above the liquid discharge unit.

[0010] In this embodiment, the media supply unit is located above the liquid discharge unit. With this configuration, the transfer sheet can be easily replaced not only when working from the first space side, but also when working from the opposite side of the first space side.

[0011] The printing system according to the third aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, wherein the medium supply unit is located below the liquid discharge unit.

[0012] According to this aspect, the medium supply unit is located below the liquid discharge unit. With such a configuration, the transfer sheet can be easily replaced by working from the first space side.

[0013] The printing system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, comprising a liquid supply unit that holds the liquid supplied to the liquid discharge unit, and the liquid supply unit is configured to enable replacement or replenishment of the liquid in the first space.

[0014] According to this aspect, the liquid supply unit is configured to enable replacement or replenishment of the liquid in the first space. With such a configuration, operations regarding liquid replacement or replenishment can also be performed in the first space, and the working space on the side opposite to the first space side of the printing apparatus can be reduced.

[0015] The printing system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the fourth aspect, wherein the liquid supply unit is located below the liquid discharge unit, and the transfer sheet on which the liquid has been discharged is conveyed above the liquid supply unit and sent to the powder spraying device.

[0016] According to this aspect, the liquid supply unit is located below the liquid discharge unit, and the transfer sheet on which the liquid has been discharged is conveyed above the liquid supply unit and sent to the powder spraying device. With such a configuration, the printing apparatus can be miniaturized in the horizontal direction, and further space saving of the printing system becomes possible.

[0017] The printing system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, wherein the thermally melted resin powder has an average particle size of 100 μm or more and 200 μm or less.

[0018] According to this aspect, the thermoplastic resin powder has an average particle size of 100 μm or more and 200 μm or less. By using such thermoplastic resin powder, it is possible to particularly effectively suppress the scattering of the thermoplastic resin powder from the powder spraying device to the printing device in a state where the first space is secured, and it is possible to particularly effectively suppress the problems in the printing device caused by the leakage of the thermoplastic resin powder.

[0019] [Example 1] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. First, an outline of a printing system 1A of Example 1, which is an example of the printing system 1 according to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In FIG. 1, some constituent members are simplified and omitted for easy understanding of the configuration. Here, in each figure, the X-axis direction in the figure is the horizontal direction and is the axial direction of a roll body R1 in which a transfer sheet M as a medium is wound in a roll shape, the Y-axis direction is the horizontal direction and is the front-rear direction of the printing system 1A and is a direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction. Also, hereinafter, the direction in which the arrow points is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the direction in which the arrow points is the - direction. For example, the vertically upward direction is the +Z direction, the vertically downward direction is the -Z direction, the front direction of the printing system 1A is the -Y direction, and the rear direction of the printing system 1A is the +Y direction.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1A of this embodiment is a printing system 1 including a printing device 10 that discharges and prints ink, which is a liquid, on a transfer sheet M, and a powder spraying device 20 that sprays thermoplastic resin powder P on the transfer sheet M. First, an outline of the printing device 10A of this embodiment as the printing device 10 constituting the printing system 1A will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing device 10A of this embodiment includes a housing 103, and leg frames 104 are attached to near both ends in the X-axis direction of the housing 103. Casters 105 are provided below the leg frames 104, and the printing device 10A can be easily moved using the casters 105.

[0022] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 10A of this embodiment includes a media supply unit 101 that holds a roll body R1 at the upper part of the interior of the housing 103. The media supply unit 101 supports the roll body R1 around which the transfer sheet M is wound and supplies the transfer sheet M to a position facing the ink discharge surface 102A of the head 102, which serves as a liquid discharge unit.

[0023] Furthermore, an operation panel 107 is provided on the housing 103. An opening / closing cover 108 is provided at the ends of the housing 103 on both the +X and -Y directions. Inside the opening / closing cover 108 is the standby position of the head 102 when printing is not in progress, the so-called home position of the head 102. As shown in Figure 3, a cap 404 is provided to cover the nozzles of the ink ejection surface 102A, facing the ink ejection surface 102A when the head 102 is in the home position. The detailed configuration of the head 102 will be described later. In addition, a flushing box 403 for flushing is provided adjacent to the cap 404 on the +X direction, and a suction cap 402 for sucking the nozzles of the ink ejection surface 102A is provided adjacent to the flushing box 403 on the +X direction. Furthermore, a degassing unit 405 for removing air bubbles from the ink is provided adjacent to the suction cap 402 on the +X direction.

[0024] Furthermore, a cloth wiper 401 capable of wiping the ink ejection surface 102A is provided on the +X side of the degassing unit 405. The cloth wiper 401 is movable along the Y axis, and while moving along the Y axis, it wipes the ink ejection surface 102A with a roll of cloth 401A that is wound in a roll shape. The home position of the cloth wiper 401 is on the +Y side of the movement range of the head 102, and when the opening / closing cover 108 is opened when the head 102 has moved to its maximum position in the +X direction, the ink ejection surface 102A can be visually inspected from below through the space created by the movement of the cloth wiper 401 in the +Y direction, making it possible to clean the ink ejection surface 102A with a cotton swab or the like. To facilitate such work, the opening / closing cover 108 is configured to open to a deep position in the -Z direction.

[0025] In other words, the inside of the opening / closing cover 108 is both the home position of the head 102 and a maintenance position for performing maintenance on the head 102. From another perspective, the opening / closing cover 108 in this embodiment is a maintenance cover that can be opened and closed by an operator when performing maintenance on the head 102. Furthermore, by opening the opening / closing cover 108, the maintenance unit, including the cloth wiper 401, suction cap 402, flushing box 403, cap 404, and deaeration unit 405, can be replaced and cleaned. Such maintenance work can be performed in the first space S1, which will be described later.

[0026] In the printing apparatus 10A of this embodiment, when the transfer sheet M is transported in the transport direction A, the roll body R1 supported by the media supply unit 101 rotates in the rotation direction C. In Figure 1, the roll body R1 is wound so that the image-forming surface is on the outside, but if the roll body R1 is wound so that the image-forming surface is on the inside, the media supply unit 101 can rotate the roll body R1 in the opposite direction to the rotation direction C to feed out the transfer sheet M.

[0027] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 10A of this embodiment includes a transport path for the transfer sheet M, which consists of a platen (not shown) or the like that supports the transfer sheet M on a support surface. The printing apparatus 10A also includes a pair of transport rollers (not shown) as a transport section for transporting the transfer sheet M in the transport direction A along the transport path. However, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the transport section.

[0028] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 10A of this embodiment includes a head 102, which is a liquid ejection unit that has multiple nozzles and ejects liquid ink from these nozzles to form an image, and a carriage on which the head 102 is mounted and which is capable of reciprocating in the width direction B. That is, the width direction B corresponds to the scanning direction of the carriage.

[0029] A liquid supply passage (not shown), consisting of a tube or the like, is connected to the head 102, and ink is supplied to the head 102 from the ink cartridge mounting section 106, which acts as a liquid supply section, via the liquid supply passage. In this embodiment of the printing apparatus 10A, the transport direction A at the position facing the ink ejection surface 102A of the head 102 is the -Y direction, the movement direction of the head 102, i.e., the width direction B which is the scanning direction of the carriage, is along the X axis direction, and the ink ejection direction is the -Z direction.

[0030] With the above configuration, the head 102 can form an image by ejecting ink from its nozzles onto the transported transfer sheet M while reciprocating in the width direction B, which is a direction intersecting the transport direction A. The printing apparatus 10A of this embodiment can form a desired image on the transfer sheet M by repeatedly transporting the transfer sheet M in the transport direction A at a predetermined transport amount, and ejecting ink while moving the head 102 in the width direction B with the transfer sheet M stopped. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and a so-called line head configuration in which nozzles that eject ink along the width direction B are arranged over the entire width of the transfer sheet M may also be used.

[0031] The transfer sheet M, printed by the head 102, is discharged from the printing device 10A and sent to the powder spreading device 20. In this embodiment of the printing system 1A, the printing device 10A and the powder spreading device 20 are arranged with a distance L1 in the Y-axis direction. Next, the powder spreading device 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0032] The powder dispensing device 20 of this embodiment includes a housing 203, and casters 205 are provided on the lower part of the housing 203, allowing the powder dispensing device 20 to be easily moved using the casters 205. The powder dispensing device 20 is equipped with a sensor 201 on the outside of the housing 203 for detecting the transfer sheet M. The transfer sheet M, which is transported from the printing device 10A to the powder dispensing device 20, is transported in a hanging state as shown in Figure 1, and the sensor 201 detects the transfer sheet M in a hanging state between the printing device 10A and the powder dispensing device 20. The powder dispensing device 20 may also be equipped with a mounting table for placing the transfer sheet M, which is transported from the printing device 10A to the powder dispensing device 20, in a transportable state. The mounting table may have a flat surface and support the transfer sheet M discharged from the printing device 10A with its flat surface to prevent it from hanging down. The mounting platform may be configured to allow for changes in the angle at which it extends toward the printing device 10A.

[0033] Furthermore, the powder dispensing device 20 is equipped with a heater 204 located inside the housing 203 and downstream of the sensor 201 in the transport direction A, for heating the transfer sheet M on which ink has been ejected by the printing device 10A. In this embodiment, the heater 204 heats the transfer sheet M from the side opposite to the image forming surface of the transfer sheet M, but there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the heater. For example, an infrared heater may be used. If the powder dispensing device 20 is equipped with a mounting table that supports the transfer sheet M to prevent it from sagging, the mounting table may be equipped with a heater for heating the transfer sheet M.

[0034] Furthermore, the powder dispensing device 20 includes a powder storage section 202 for storing the heat-meltable resin powder P, located downstream of the heater 204 in the conveying direction A, and a powder dispensing section 220 for dispensing the heat-meltable resin powder P supplied from the powder storage section 202 onto the transfer sheet M. In the powder dispensing device 20 of this embodiment, heat-meltable resin powder P with a particle size of 10 μm to 350 μm is used. The heat-meltable resin powder P is dispersed onto the image-forming surface of the transfer sheet M by the powder dispensing section 220. The heat-meltable resin powder P is dispersed over the entire width of the transfer sheet M by the powder dispensing section 220. It is preferable that the heat-meltable resin powder P is dispersed while the ink ejected onto the image-forming surface of the transfer sheet M is still wet. By dispensing the heat-meltable resin powder P while the surface is wet, the heat-meltable resin powder P can be adhered only to the wet areas.

[0035] Furthermore, the powder dispensing device 20 is provided with a brush roller 206 downstream of the powder dispensing section 220 in the conveying direction A. The brush roller 206 rotates while in contact with the surface of the transfer sheet M opposite to the image forming surface. The brush roller 206 is configured to vibrate the transfer sheet M by striking the surface of the transfer sheet M opposite to the image forming surface, thereby removing excess heat-melted resin powder P that has adhered to the image forming surface of the transfer sheet M.

[0036] Furthermore, the powder spreading device 20 is provided with a pickup roller 207 and a conveying section 210 downstream of the brush roller 206 in the conveying direction A. The conveying section 210 consists of a drive roller 211, a driven roller 212, and an endless belt 213, which is stretched between the drive roller 211 and the driven roller 212. When the drive roller 211 rotates in the rotation direction C by the driving force of a motor (not shown), the driven roller 212 also rotates in the rotation direction C via the endless belt 213.

[0037] Furthermore, a heating unit 209 having multiple infrared heaters 208 is provided at a position opposite the pickup roller 207 and the transport unit 210. By applying heat treatment in the heating unit 209 to heat the image-forming surface of the transfer sheet M on which the heat-molten resin powder P is scattered, the heat-molten resin powder P is fixed to the image-forming surface of the transfer sheet M.

[0038] Furthermore, the powder dispensing device 20 is provided with a blower unit 214 downstream of the heating unit 209 in the conveying direction A. The blower unit 214 cools the image-forming surface of the transfer sheet M on which the molten resin powder P is dispensed, causing the molten resin powder P to solidify. As a result, a resin layer is formed on the image-forming surface of the transfer sheet M.

[0039] Furthermore, the powder dispensing device 20 is provided with a winding section 215 located downstream of the air blowing section 214 in the conveying direction A, which is capable of winding the transfer sheet M into a roll. The winding section 215 winds up the transfer sheet M, on which a resin layer has been formed on the image forming surface, thereby forming a roll body R2.

[0040] As described above, the printing system 1A of this embodiment has a printing device 10A comprising a medium supply unit 101 that holds a rolled transfer sheet M, and a head 102 that ejects ink onto the transfer sheet M supplied from the medium supply unit 101. It also has a powder dispensing device 20 comprising a powder storage unit 202 that contains heat-meltable resin powder P having a particle size of 10 μm to 350 μm, and a powder dispensing unit 220 that disperses the heat-meltable resin powder P supplied from the powder storage unit 202 onto the transfer sheet M from which the ink has been ejected. The arrangement of the printing device 10A and the powder dispensing device 20 in the printing system 1A of this embodiment will now be described.

[0041] As described above, in the printing system 1A of this embodiment, the printing device 10A and the powder spreading device 20 are arranged with a distance of length L1 in the Y-axis direction. In other words, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, in the printing system 1A of this embodiment, the printing device 10A and the powder spreading device 20 are installed with a first space S1 secured between them. With the printing device 10A and the powder spreading device 20 arranged in this manner in the printing system 1A of this embodiment, the printing device 10A can replace the roll-shaped transfer sheet M, i.e., the roll body R1, wound onto the media supply unit 101 in the first space S1. It is preferable that the first space S1 is large enough for an operator to perform various tasks.

[0042] Figure 4 shows an example of the arrangement of the printing device 10A and the powder dispensing device 20 in the printing system 1A of this embodiment. The printing device 10A and the powder dispensing device 20 are installed in a first space S1, and the transfer sheet M is configured to be replaceable in the first space S1. This allows the transfer sheet M to be replaced without requiring a large workspace around the printing system 1. Specifically, the required length L0 of the workspace on the +Y direction side (opposite side from where the powder dispensing device 20 is located) of the printing device 10A can be made shorter, for example, almost zero, thereby reducing the overall workspace S2 of the printing system 1.

[0043] Here, we consider a reference example printing system 1C in which the roll body R1 is not configured to be replaceable from the -Y direction side relative to the printing device 10, and a first space S1 is not secured between the printing device 10 and the powder spreading device 20. In Figure 7, which shows an example of the arrangement of the reference example printing system 1C, the required length L2 as workspace on the -Y direction side (opposite side from where the printing device 10 is located) from the powder spreading device 20 is the same as that of the printing system 1A in this embodiment, and the length L1 can be made slightly shorter than that of the printing system 1A in this embodiment, but the length L0 cannot be made shorter. For this reason, as is clear from comparing Figure 4 and Figure 7, the printing system 1A in this embodiment can reduce the overall workspace S2 of the printing system 1 compared to the reference example printing system 1C.

[0044] In the printing system 1A of this embodiment shown in Figure 4, the area occupied by the printing device 10 in a plan view is 1.2 m². 2 The area occupied by the powder dispensing device 20 in a plan view is 2.44 m². 2 In plan view, the total workspace S2 of printing system 1 occupies 7.68 m². 2 On the other hand, in the reference example printing system 1C shown in Figure 7, the area occupied by the printing device 10 in plan view is 1.38 m². 2 The area occupied by the powder dispensing device 20 in a plan view is 2.44 m². 2 The total workspace S2 of printing system 1 in plan view occupies 12.39 m². 2 That's how it is.

[0045] Furthermore, as in the printing system 1A of this embodiment, the printing device 10 and the powder dispensing device 20 are installed with a first space S1 secured, and by using heat-meltable resin powder P having a particle size of 10 μm to 350 μm, the scattering of heat-meltable resin powder P from the powder dispensing device 20 to the printing device 10 can be suppressed, and malfunctions in the printing device 10 caused by leakage of heat-meltable resin powder P can be suppressed. When securing the first space S1, it is preferable that the length L1, which is the distance between the printing device 10 and the powder dispensing device 20, be 500 mm or more. By setting the length L1 to 500 mm or more, various operations in the first space S1 become easier, and the adhesion of heat-meltable resin powder P scattered from the powder dispensing device 20 to the printing device 10A can be particularly effectively suppressed. Furthermore, if necessary, a resin powder leakage prevention section, such as a curtain-like section or an air curtain section, can be provided in the first space S1. Furthermore, if the powder dispensing device 20 is equipped with a mounting platform that supports the transfer sheet M so as not to hang down, it is preferable that the mounting platform be foldable in order to secure the first space S1.

[0046] Furthermore, it is even more preferable that the heat-meltable resin powder P used has an average particle size of 100 μm or more and 200 μm or less. This is because using such heat-meltable resin powder P can particularly effectively suppress the scattering of heat-meltable resin powder P from the powder dispensing device 20 to the printing device 10, and can particularly effectively suppress malfunctions in the printing device 10 caused by leakage of heat-meltable resin powder P.

[0047] Furthermore, as described above, in the printing system 1A of this embodiment, the printing device 10A is equipped with an ink cartridge mounting section 106, which serves as a liquid supply section for holding ink supplied to the head 102. Here, the ink cartridge mounting section 106 is configured so that the ink cartridge can be replaced in the first space S1. In this way, it is preferable that the liquid supply section is configured so that the liquid (ink) can be replaced or replenished in the first space S1. With such a configuration, the replacement or replenishment of the liquid can also be performed in the first space S1, and the workspace on the opposite side of the printing device 10 from the first space S1 can be reduced.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, in the printing system 1A of this embodiment, the operation panel 107 of the printing device 10A is provided on the -Y direction side (first space S1 side) of the housing 103. With this configuration, various instructions for the printing device 10A can also be performed in the first space S1, and the workspace on the opposite side of the printing device 10 from the first space S1 can be reduced.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, in the printing system 1A of this embodiment, the ink cartridge mounting section 106 is located below the head 102, and the transfer sheet M on which the ink has been ejected is transported above the ink cartridge mounting section 106 and sent to the powder dispensing device 20. This configuration allows for miniaturization of the printing device 10 in the horizontal direction, enabling further space savings for the printing system 1. In addition, when the heat-meltable resin powder P is scattered between the printing device 10A and the powder dispensing device 20, the transfer sheet M transported from the printing device 10A to the powder dispensing device 20 can prevent the heat-meltable resin powder P from reaching the ink cartridge mounting section 106. In the printing system 1A of this embodiment, the ink cartridge mounting section 106 is located in the X-axis direction between the leg frames 104 provided near both ends of the housing 103.

[0050] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 10A of this embodiment is configured to allow multiple types of ink cartridges to be installed in the ink cartridge mounting section 106, and to eject multiple types of ink. As shown in Figure 5, the head 102 of this embodiment has multiple nozzle rows 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, 1027, and 1028 provided on the ink ejection surface 102A to correspond to multiple types of ink.

[0051] In this embodiment, the printing apparatus 10A is capable of ejecting white ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and black ink. In this case, for example, the ink ejected from nozzle rows 1021, 1022, 1027, and 1028 can be white ink, the ink ejected from nozzle row 1023 can be cyan ink, the ink ejected from nozzle row 1024 can be magenta ink, the ink ejected from nozzle row 1025 can be yellow ink, and the ink ejected from nozzle row 1026 can be black ink.

[0052] Thus, it is preferable to eject the white ink from the nozzle row at the end of the carriage in the scanning direction corresponding to the width B. This is because ejecting the white ink from the nozzle row at the end of the carriage in the scanning direction corresponding to the width B makes it less likely to affect the degradation of the printed image.

[0053] In a printing apparatus 10 used in conjunction with a powder dispensing device 20, such as the printing apparatus 10A of this embodiment, a cloth wiper 401 having a cloth roll 401A, that is, a cloth wiper 401 that wipes by pressing a cloth against a roller supported at both ends, is used as a maintenance mechanism for the head 102. In a cloth wiper 401 with such a configuration, the area closer to both ends of the roller is pressed more strongly against the ink discharge surface 102A, and the water-repellent film on the ink discharge surface 102A is easily scraped and scratched. If the ink discharge surface 102A is scratched near the nozzle, the direction of ink discharge changes, and there is a risk that the landing position of the ink discharged onto the transfer sheet M will vary. White ink is often used as a binder to adhere the heat-meltable resin powder P to the transfer sheet M, and white ink has fewer problems due to variations in the ink landing position compared to other color inks used for image formation. For this reason, it is preferable to discharge the white ink from the nozzle row at the end in the scanning direction of the carriage corresponding to the width direction B.

[0054] Furthermore, in the printing system 1A of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the media supply unit 101 is located above the head 102. From another perspective, in the printing system 1A of this embodiment, the media supply unit 101 is located above the media transport path. With this configuration, the roll body R1 of the transfer sheet M can be easily replaced not only when working from the first space S1 side, but also when working from the opposite side of the first space S1 side. In the printing system 1A of this embodiment, the media supply unit 101 is located on the +Y side of the head 102 in a plan view. The media supply unit 101 is located furthest to the +Y side in the media transport path. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0055] [Example 2] Next, the printing system 1B of Example 2 will be described with reference to Figure 6. In Figure 6, components common to Example 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations will be omitted. Note that Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 1 in the printing system 1A of Example 1. Here, the printing system 1B of this example has the same configuration as the printing system 1A of Example 1, except for the configuration of the printing device 10 that constitutes the printing system 1. For this reason, the printing system 1B of this example has the same characteristics as the printing system 1A of Example 1, except for the parts described below.

[0056] As described above, in the printing device 10A of the printing system 1A of Embodiment 1, the media supply unit 101 was located above the head 102. However, as shown in Figure 6, in the printing device 10B of the printing system 1B of this embodiment, the media supply unit 101 is located below the head 102. From another point of view, in the printing system 1B of this embodiment, the media supply unit 101 is located below the media transport path. Also, in the printing device 10B of the printing system 1B of this embodiment, the media supply unit 101 may be located within the range in which the housing 103 is provided in a plan view. The media supply unit 101 may be located on the -Y side of the range in which the housing 103 is provided in a plan view. With this configuration, the roll body R1 of the transfer sheet M can be easily replaced by working from the first space S1 side. Furthermore, the media supply unit 101 of the printing device 10B is located on the -Y side of the media transport path, rather than the position on the +Y side. The media supply unit 101 of the printing device 10B is positioned so as to overlap with the media transport path downstream of the media supply unit 101 in a plan view, making it possible to shorten the length of the printing device 10B in the front-to-back direction. Preferably, the media supply unit 101 of the printing device 10B is positioned so as not to overlap with the ink cartridge mounting unit 106 in the X-axis direction.

[0057] In this embodiment, the printing apparatus 10B and the printing apparatus 10A of Embodiment 1 have only one media supply unit 101, but a configuration with multiple media supply units 101 is also possible. By having a configuration with multiple media supply units 101, it becomes possible to easily change and use transfer sheets M of different sizes and types.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. In addition, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1…Printing system, 1A…Printing system, 1B…Printing system, 10…Printing device, 10A…Printing device, 10B…Printing device, 20…Powder dispensing device, 101…Media supply unit, 102…Head (liquid ejection unit), 102A…Ink ejection surface, 103…Housing, 104…Leg frame, 105…Caster, 106…Ink cartridge mounting unit (liquid supply unit), 107…Operation panel, 108…Opening / closing cover, 201…Sensor, 202…Powder storage unit, 203…Housing, 204…Heater, 205…Caster, 206…B 207...Rashi roller, 208...Pickup roller, 209...Infrared heater, 210...Heating unit, 211...Drive roller, 212...Driven roller, 213...Endless belt, 220...Powder spraying unit, 401...Cloth wiper, 401A...Cloth roll, 402...Suction cap, 403...Flushing box, 404...Cap, 405...Degassing unit, L0...Length, L1...Length, L2...Length, M...Transfer sheet, R1...Roll body, R2...Roll body, S1...First space, S2...Overall work space

Claims

1. A printing system comprising a printing device that prints by dispensing liquid onto a transfer sheet, and a powder spraying device that sprays heat-meltable resin powder onto the transfer sheet, The printing apparatus comprises a medium supply unit that holds the transfer sheet wound in a roll shape, and a liquid discharge unit that discharges the liquid onto the transfer sheet supplied from the medium supply unit. The powder dispensing device comprises a powder storage section for storing the heat-meltable resin powder having a particle size of 10 μm or more and 350 μm or less, and a powder dispensing section for dispensing the heat-meltable resin powder supplied from the powder storage section onto the transfer sheet from which the liquid is discharged. The printing apparatus and the powder dispensing apparatus are installed with a first space secured between them. The printing apparatus is characterized in that the transfer sheet, which is wound in a roll shape with respect to the medium supply unit in the first space, is replaceable.

2. In the printing system described in claim 1, A printing system characterized in that the media supply unit is located above the liquid discharge unit.

3. In the printing system described in claim 1, The printing system is characterized in that the media supply unit is located below the liquid discharge unit.

4. In the printing system described in claim 1, The system includes a liquid supply unit that holds the liquid supplied to the liquid discharge unit, The printing system is characterized in that the liquid supply unit is configured to allow replacement or replenishment of the liquid in the first space.

5. In the printing system described in claim 4, The liquid supply unit is located below the liquid discharge unit. A printing system characterized in that the transfer sheet from which the liquid has been discharged is transported above the liquid supply unit and sent to the powder dispensing device.

6. In the printing system described in claim 1, The printing system is characterized in that the heat-meltable resin powder has an average particle size of 100 μm or more and 200 μm or less.

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