Media handling device, media handling unit, and printing system

Abstract

The present invention provides a media handling device that can automatically and quickly push any portion of the media mounted on the platen into the space below the platen, even if that portion protrudes beyond the space below the platen. [Solution] The media handling device 26 includes a first electric cylinder 71 that is movable between a first approach position that is close to the right edge 38A of the platen 38 and a first separation position that is further away from the right edge 38A than the first approach position, a first push rod 72 fixed to the first electric cylinder 71 and located in the space 46 below the platen 38 when the first electric cylinder 71 is in the first approach position, and a controller 130. After the T-shirt 100 is mounted on the platen 38, the controller 130 moves the first electric cylinder 71 from the first separation position to the first approach position, thereby performing a first pushing process in which the first push rod 72 comes into contact with the right sleeve 100C of the T-shirt 100.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a media handling device, a media handling unit, and a printing system for handling media mounted on a platen.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, first, an operator inserts a mounting table into a T-shirt through the hem portion, and aligns the mounting table so that the portion to be printed on the T-shirt comes to the inserted mounting table. Next, the operator inserts the sleeve portion, hem portion, and neck portion of the T-shirt protruding from the mounting table inside the mounting table, and presses the T-shirt with a clamping member. This prevents portions other than the portion to be printed on the T-shirt from contacting a print head or the like and getting dirty.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the operation of inserting the sleeve portion, hem portion, and neck portion of the T-shirt protruding from the mounting table inside the mounting table is performed manually by an operator. Therefore, the operator may forget to insert the sleeve portion, hem portion, and neck portion of the T-shirt inside the mounting table. If the T-shirt is printed in a state where it protrudes from the mounting table, there is a risk that ink mist generated from the head adheres to the non-printing area of the T-shirt and stains the T-shirt. To solve this problem, for example, if the operation of inserting the sleeve portion, hem portion, and neck portion of the T-shirt inside the mounting table is automatically performed by a robot arm, the movement of the robot arm becomes complicated, so the throughput of the controller becomes slow and the productivity deteriorates

[0005] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a media handling device, a media handling unit, and a printing system that can automatically and quickly push a portion of the media mounted on the platen into the space below the platen, even if that portion protrudes beyond the space below the platen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) This disclosure relates to a media handling device. The media handling device handles a cylindrical medium mounted on a platen such that the first layer is located on the upper surface of a platen that extends in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction when viewed from above, and the second layer is located in a lower space below the platen. The media handling device includes a first movable part that is movable in the second direction between a first approach position that is close to the first edge of the platen extending in the first direction and a first separation position that is further away from the first edge than the first approach position; a first contact part fixed to the first movable part and located in the lower space when the first movable part is in the first approach position; and a controller. After the medium is mounted on the platen, the controller moves the first moving part from the first separated position to the first approached position, thereby bringing the first contact part into contact with the first protruding region located between the first and second layers of the medium and extending outward in the second direction of the platen beyond the first edge, and performing a first pushing process to push the first protruding region into the downward space.

[0007] Even if a portion of the medium attached to the platen protrudes outward in the second direction beyond the first edge of the platen, the first protruding region is automatically pushed into the space below the platen by the first contact portion. Since the first protruding region can be pushed into the space below the platen simply by moving the first moving portion from the first separated position to the first approached position in the second direction, the first protruding region can be pushed into the space below the platen much more quickly than when performing complex movements such as those of a robotic arm.

[0008] (2) The media handling device may further include a second movable part that is movable in the second direction between a second approach position that is close to the first edge of the platen and a second separation position that is further away from the first edge than the second approach position, and a second contact part that is fixed to the second movable part below the first contact part and is located in the lower space when the second movable part is in the second approach position. The controller may, after performing the first pushing process, perform a second pushing process in which the second movable part is moved from the second separation position to the second approach position, thereby bringing the second contact part into contact with the first overhanging area and pushing the first overhanging area into the lower space.

[0009] After the upper part of the first overhang region is pushed into the space below the platen by the first contact portion, the lower part of the first overhang region is pushed into the space below the platen by the second contact portion, so that the first overhang region is pushed into the space below the platen more reliably.

[0010] (3) The first contact portion may have a rod shape that extends parallel to the first edge of the platen.

[0011] Even if the first overhang region is longer in the direction in which the first edge of the platen extends, the first contact portion can push the first overhang region into the space below the platen.

[0012] (4) The second contact portion may have a rod shape that extends parallel to the first edge of the platen.

[0013] Even if the first overhang region is wide in the direction in which the first edge of the platen extends, the second contact portion can push the first overhang region into the space below the platen.

[0014] (5) The first contact portion and the second contact portion may be longer than the length of the first edge in the first direction.

[0015] Even if the first overhang region is wide in the direction in which the first edge extends, the first and second contact portions can more reliably push the first overhang region into the space below the platen.

[0016] (6) The first moving part may be a first electric cylinder having a first rod that extends in the second direction and has the first contact part fixed to its tip in the second direction, a first motor, and a first conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the first shaft of the first motor into linear motion of the first rod in the second direction.

[0017] Since the first moving part moves in a second direction between a first separated position and a first approached position using a single first motor, the first pushing process becomes faster compared to when a robot arm operated by multiple motors pushes the first overhanging region into the space below the platen.

[0018] (7) The second moving part may be a second electric cylinder having a second rod that extends in the second direction and has the second contact part fixed to its tip in the second direction, a second motor, and a second conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the second shaft of the second motor into linear motion of the second rod in the second direction.

[0019] Since a single second motor moves the second moving part in a second direction between the first separation position and the first approach position, the second pushing process becomes faster compared to when a robot arm operated by multiple motors pushes the first overhang area into the space below the platen.

[0020] (8) The first protruding area may be the sleeve of the garment. The first contact portion may contact the sleeve in the first pushing process.

[0021] Even if the sleeve of the garment mounted on the platen protrudes outward in the second direction of the platen from the first edge, the first contact portion can push the sleeve into the lower space of the platen.

[0022] (9) The second contact portion may contact the sleeve in the second pushing process.

[0023] The second contact portion can push the sleeve area into the lower space of the platen.

[0024] (10) The medium handling device has a third moving portion that is movable in the second direction between a third approaching position close to a second edge extending in the first direction on the opposite side of the first edge of the platen in the second direction, and a third separating position farther from the second edge than the third approaching position, and a third contact portion fixed to the third moving portion and located in the lower space when the third moving portion is in the third approaching position. The controller may execute a third pushing process of pushing the second protruding area into the lower space by moving the third moving portion in the second direction from the third separating position to the third approaching position simultaneously with the first pushing process, and causing the third contact portion to contact a second protruding area that is located between the first layer and the second layer in the medium and protrudes outward in the second direction of the platen from the second edge.

[0025] As the first protruding area and the second protruding area, for example, both sleeves of the garment mounted on the platen can be simultaneously pushed into the lower space of the platen.

[0026] (11) The above-described media handling device may further include a fourth moving part that is movable in the second direction between a fourth approaching position close to the second edge of the platen and a fourth separating position separated from the second edge further than the fourth approaching position, and a fourth abutting part that is fixed to the fourth moving part below the third abutting part and is located in the lower space when the fourth moving part is in the fourth approaching position. After executing the third pushing process, the controller may execute a fourth pushing process of pushing the second protruding area into the lower space by moving the fourth moving part from the fourth separating position to the fourth approaching position and abutting the fourth abutting part against the second protruding area.

[0027] After the upper part of the second protruding area is pushed into the lower space of the platen by the third abutting part, the lower part of the second protruding area is pushed into the lower space of the platen by the fourth abutting part, so that the second protruding area is more reliably pushed into the lower space of the platen.

[0028] (12) The above-described media handling device may further include a fifth moving part that is movable in the first direction between a fifth approaching position close to a third edge that connects the first edge and the second edge of the platen and extends in the second direction and a fifth separating position separated from the third edge further than the fifth approaching position, and a fifth abutting part that is fixed to the fifth moving part and is located in the lower space when the fifth moving part is in the fifth approaching position. After the fourth pushing process, the controller may execute a fifth pushing process of pushing the third protruding area into the lower space by moving the third moving part in the first direction from the fifth separating position to the fifth approaching position and abutting the fifth abutting part against the third protruding area that is located between the first layer and the second layer of the medium and protrudes outward in the first direction of the platen beyond the third edge.

[0029] After the first protruding area and the second protruding area are pushed into the lower space of the platen, the third protruding area can be pushed into the lower space of the platen.

[0030] (13) The media handling device may further include: a sixth movable part that is movable in the first direction between a sixth approach position that is close to the third edge of the platen and a sixth separation position that is further away from the third edge than the sixth approach position; and a sixth contact part that is fixed to the sixth movable part below the fifth contact part and is located in the lower space when the sixth movable part is in the sixth approach position. The controller may, after performing the fifth pushing process, perform a sixth pushing process in which the sixth movable part is moved in the first direction from the sixth separation position to the sixth approach position, thereby bringing the sixth contact part into contact with the third overhanging area and pushing the third overhanging area into the lower space.

[0031] After the upper part of the third overhang region is pushed into the space below the platen by the fifth contact portion, the lower part of the third overhang region is pushed into the space below the platen by the sixth contact portion, so that the third overhang region is pushed into the space below the platen more reliably.

[0032] (14) The third protruding area may be the collar of the garment. The fifth contact portion may come into contact with the collar during the fifth pressing process.

[0033] Even if the collar of the garment attached to the platen protrudes outward from the platen in the first direction beyond the third edge, the fifth contact portion can push the collar into the space below the platen.

[0034] (15) The sixth contact portion may come into contact with the collar during the sixth pushing process.

[0035] The sixth contact portion allows the collar to be pushed into the space below the platen.

[0036] (16) This disclosure relates to a media handling unit. The media handling unit comprises the media handling device and the platen.

[0037] Even if a portion of the medium attached to the platen protrudes outward in the second direction beyond the first edge of the platen, the first protruding region is automatically pushed into the space below the platen by the first contact portion. Since the first protruding region can be pushed into the space below the platen simply by moving the first moving portion from the first separated position to the first approached position in the second direction, the first protruding region can be pushed into the space below the platen much more quickly than when performing complex movements such as those of a robotic arm.

[0038] (17) The media handling unit may further include a platen moving unit for moving the platen in the first direction. After the controller has performed the first pressing process, the controller may cause the platen moving unit to perform a moving process for moving the platen from the media mounting position where the first pressing process was performed to the printing position where printing is performed on the media.

[0039] Since the platen automatically moves from the media mounting position to the printing position, the time from when the media is mounted on the platen until printing is done on the media is reduced.

[0040] (18) The media handling unit may further include a platen moving unit that moves the platen in the second direction. After the controller has performed the first pressing process, the controller may cause the platen moving unit to perform a moving process that moves the platen from the media mounting position where the first pressing process was performed to the printing position where printing is performed on the media.

[0041] Since the platen automatically moves from the media mounting position to the printing position, the time from when the media is mounted on the platen until printing is done on the media is reduced.

[0042] (19) The platen moving unit may move the platen and the media handling device together.

[0043] Since the platen does not come into contact with the media handling device when it moves from the media mounting position to the printing position, the platen can be easily moved in the first or second direction by the platen moving part.

[0044] (20) This disclosure relates to a printing system. The printing system comprises a media handling unit and an inkjet head for ejecting ink onto a medium mounted on a platen.

[0045] Even if a portion of the media mounted on the platen extends outward in the second direction beyond the first edge of the platen, the first protruding region is automatically pushed into the space below the platen by the first contact portion. Since the first protruding region can be pushed into the space below the platen simply by moving the first moving portion from the first separated position to the first approached position in the second direction, the first protruding region can be pushed into the space below the platen much more quickly than when performing complex movements such as those of a robotic arm. In addition, even if ink mist is generated by the ejection of ink from the inkjet head, the ink mist is less likely to adhere to the non-printed areas of the media.

[0046] (21) The printing system may further include a platen moving unit that moves the platen in the first direction. After the controller has performed the first pressing process, the controller may cause the platen moving unit to perform a moving process that moves the platen from the media mounting position where the first pressing process was performed to a printing position where printing is performed on the medium by ink ejected from the inkjet head.

[0047] Since the platen automatically moves from the media mounting position to the printing position, the time from when the media is mounted on the platen until printing is done on the media is reduced.

[0048] (22) The printing system may further include a platen moving unit that moves the platen in the second direction. After the controller has performed the first pressing process, the controller may cause the platen moving unit to perform a moving process that moves the platen from the media mounting position where the first pressing process was performed to the printing position where printing is performed on the media.

[0049] Since the platen automatically moves from the media mounting position to the printing position, the time from when the media is mounted on the platen until printing is done on the media is reduced.

[0050] (23) The platen moving unit may move the platen and the media handling device together.

[0051] Since the platen does not come into contact with the media handling device when it moves from the media mounting position to the printing position, the platen can be easily moved in the first or second direction by the platen moving part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0052] According to this disclosure, even if a portion of the medium mounted on the platen protrudes beyond the space below the platen, the protruding portion can be automatically and quickly pushed into the space below the platen. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0053] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view of printing system 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the platen unit 24. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view of the platen unit 24. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view of the platen unit 24. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a platen unit 24, in which a T-shirt 100 is attached to a platen 38, cut by a plane perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the platen unit 24 and the right handling device 151. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a side view of the right handling device 151. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the state in which the first electric cylinder 71 is positioned in a first approach position, where the tip 111 of the first rod 71B is close to the right edge 38A of the platen 38. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the state in which the second electric cylinder 73 is positioned at a second approach position, where the tip 113 of the second rod 73B is close to the right edge 38A of the platen 38. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the platen unit 24 and the left handling device 152. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a side view of the left handling device 152. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows the state in which the third electric cylinder 81 is positioned in a third approach position, where the tip 115 of the third rod 81B is close to the left edge 38B of the platen 38. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows the state in which the fourth electric cylinder 83 is positioned in the fourth approach position, where the tip 116 of the fourth rod 83B is close to the left edge 38B of the platen 38. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the platen unit 24 and the front handling device 153. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a side view of the front handling device 153. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows the state in which the fifth electric cylinder 91 is positioned at the fifth approach position, where the tip portion 118 of the fifth rod 91B is close to the leading edge 38C of the platen 38. [Figure 17] Figure 17 shows the state in which the tip portion 129 of the sixth rod 93B is in the sixth approach position, close to the leading edge 38C of the platen 38. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a functional block diagram of the printing system 1. [Figure 19]Figure 19 is a flowchart showing the print control process. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram showing the right sleeve 100C, left sleeve 100D, and collar 100E of a T-shirt 100. [Figure 21] Figure 21 shows the state in which the first pushing rod 72 pushes the upper part of the right sleeve 100C into the lower space 46 of the platen 38, while the third pushing rod 82 pushes the upper part of the left sleeve 100D into the lower space 46 of the platen 38. [Figure 22] Figure 22 shows the state in which the second pushing rod 74 pushes the lower part of the right sleeve 100C into the lower space 46 of the platen 38, while the fourth pushing rod 84 pushes the lower part of the left sleeve 100D into the lower space 46 of the platen 38. [Figure 23] Figure 23 shows the state in which the fifth pushing rod 92 has pushed the upper part of the collar 100E into the lower space 46 of the platen 38. [Figure 24] Figure 24 shows the state in which the sixth push rod 94 pushes the lower part of the neck area 100E backward into the space 46 below the platen 38. [Figure 25] Figure 25 is a plan view showing a modified printing system 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0054] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are merely examples of this disclosure, and the embodiments of this disclosure can be modified as appropriate without altering the gist of this disclosure. In the following description, the left-right, front-back, and up-down directions, indicated by arrows in the figures, will be used. The left-right, front-back, and up-down directions are orthogonal to each other.

[0055] As shown in Figure 1, the printing system 1 is a system that can sequentially perform pre-processing and printing processes on a medium while transporting a platen unit 24 having a platen 38 on which a cylindrical medium is mounted. The cylindrical medium is, for example, clothing. In this embodiment, a T-shirt 100 is used as the clothing. The printing system 1 comprises a platen moving unit 21, a pre-processing device 22, an inkjet printer 23, a platen unit 24, a mounting robot 25, a medium handling device 26, and a controller 130 (see Figure 18).

[0056] The platen moving unit 21 transports the platen unit 24 in the order of media mounting position 31, pre-processing position 32, and printing position 33. The platen moving unit 21 returns the platen unit 24 in the order of printing position 33, pre-processing position 32, and media mounting position 31. The media mounting position 31 is the position where the T-shirt 100 is mounted on the platen 38. The pre-processing position 32 is the position where pre-processing is performed on the T-shirt 100 mounted on the platen 38. The printing position 33 is the position where printing is performed on the T-shirt 100 mounted on the platen 38. The platen moving unit 21 has a transport belt 78 and a belt motor 77 (see Figure 18).

[0057] The conveyor belt 78 is an annular belt extending in the front-rear direction. The conveyor belt 78 is stretched over drive pulleys and driven pulleys that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The conveyor belt 78 has a mounting surface 78A that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The platen unit 24 is placed on the mounting surface 78A. The media mounting position 31 is located at the front end of the mounting surface 78A. The pre-processing position 32 is located behind the media mounting position 31 on the mounting surface 78A. The printing position 33 is located behind the pre-processing position 32 on the mounting surface 78A. The conveyor belt 78 conveys the platen unit 24 in the front-rear direction with the platen unit 24 placed on the mounting surface 78A. The belt motor 77 moves the conveyor belt 78 in the front-rear direction by driving the drive pulleys. When the belt motor 77 rotates forward, the conveyor belt 78 conveys the platen 38 backward. When the belt motor 77 rotates in reverse, the conveyor belt 78 conveys the platen 38 forward.

[0058] The pretreatment device 22 is positioned in a location that overlaps with the pretreatment position 32 in the front-to-back direction. The pretreatment device 22 pretreatments the T-shirt 100 mounted on the platen 38 located at the pretreatment position 32. The pretreatment device 22 includes, for example, a coating unit and a heat treatment unit. The coating unit sprays a pretreatment agent and applies the pretreatment agent to the T-shirt 100 mounted on the platen 38. The pretreatment agent is a base coat agent that is applied to the T-shirt 100 before the ink is applied. The pretreatment agent is a liquid that forms a film between the fibers of the T-shirt 100 so that the ink remains on the T-shirt 100 for a longer period of time, and for example, contains a resin component. The pretreatment agent also includes, as an example, a divalent metal salt (for example, CaCl2 or Ca(NO2)2) to make the ink color more vivid.

[0059] The inkjet printer 23 is positioned so as to overlap with the printing position 33 in the front-to-back direction. A transport belt 78 extends in the front-to-back direction within the internal space of the inkjet printer 23. The inkjet printer 23 has an inkjet head 35 with multiple nozzles for ejecting ink. When a piezoelectric element 45 (see Figure 18) corresponding to each nozzle is driven, an ink droplet is ejected from each nozzle. The inkjet printer 23 prints on the T-shirt 100, which is mounted on a platen 38 located at the printing position 33, by ejecting ink from the multiple nozzles.

[0060] The platen unit 24 is located at the media mounting position 31 on the mounting surface 78A of the conveyor belt 78. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the platen unit 24 has a base 36, a support base 37, and a platen 38. The base 36 is placed on the media mounting position 31 (see Figure 1) on the mounting surface 78A of the conveyor belt 78. The base 36 has a substantially tray shape. Specifically, the base 36 has a bottom plate 36A, a front plate 36B, a right plate 36C, a left plate 36D, and a rear plate 36E.

[0061] The bottom plate 36A has a flat shape that extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. When viewed from above, the bottom plate 36A has a rectangular shape that is longer in the front-to-back direction than in the left-to-right direction. The front plate 36B rises upward from the front end of the bottom plate 36A. The front plate 36B has a flat shape that extends in the up-to-down and left-to-right directions. The front plate 36B extends from the left end to the right end of the bottom plate 36A in the left-to-right direction. The right plate 36C rises upward from the right end of the bottom plate 36A. The right plate 36C has a flat shape that extends in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. The right plate 36C extends from the front end to the rear end of the bottom plate 36A in the front-to-back direction. The left plate 36D rises upward from the left end of the bottom plate 36A. The left plate 36D has a flat shape that extends in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. The left plate 36D extends in the front-to-back direction from the front end to the rear end of the bottom plate 36A. The rear plate 36E rises upward from the rear end of the bottom plate 36A. The rear plate 36E has a flat shape that extends in the vertical and horizontal directions. In the vertical direction, the rear plate 36E extends higher than the front plate 36B, the left plate 36D, and the right plate 36C. The rear plate 36E extends in the horizontal direction from the left end to the right end of the bottom plate 36A.

[0062] The support base 37 is located on the upper surface of the bottom plate 36A. The support base 37 has a roughly inverted U-shape when viewed from the front-to-back direction. Specifically, the support base 37 has a right wall 37A, a left wall 37B, and an upper wall 37C.

[0063] The right wall 37A extends upward from a position to the right of the center in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the base plate 36A. The right wall 37A has a substantially flat shape that expands in the front-rear and up-down directions. The right wall 37A extends in the front-rear direction from a position slightly behind the front end of the upper surface of the base plate 36A to the rear end of the upper surface of the base plate 36A. The right wall 37A is fixed to the upper surface of the base plate 36A and the front surface of the rear plate 36E. The front end of the right wall 37A is inclined in the up-down direction so as it goes downwards and then backwards. The right wall 37A has a right notch 41 that cuts out of the right wall 37A so as to extend backwards from the lower end of the front end of the right wall 37A. The right notch 41 penetrates the right wall 37A in the left-right direction.

[0064] The left wall 37B is symmetrical to the right wall 37A. The left wall 37B extends upward from a position to the left of the center in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the base plate 36A. The left wall 37B has a substantially flat shape that extends in the front-rear and up-down directions. The left wall 37B extends in the front-rear direction from a position slightly behind the front end of the upper surface of the base plate 36A to the rear end of the upper surface of the base plate 36A. The left wall 37B is fixed to the upper surface of the base plate 36A and the front surface of the rear plate 36E. The front end of the left wall 37B is inclined in the up-down direction so as it goes downwards and then backwards. The left wall 37B has a left notch 42 that cuts out of the left wall 37B so as to extend backwards from the lower end of the front end of the left wall 37B. The left notch 42 penetrates the left wall 37B in the left-right direction.

[0065] The upper wall 37C connects the upper end of the right wall 37A and the upper end of the left wall 37B. The upper wall 37C has a flat plate shape that extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The upper wall 37C extends in the front-to-back direction from the front end to the rear end of the right wall 37A and the left wall 37B. The upper wall 37C is fixed to the front surface of the rear plate 36E.

[0066] The platen 38 is fixed to the upper surface of the upper wall 37C. The platen 38 has a flat plate shape that extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. When viewed from above, the platen 38 has a pentagonal shape. The right edge 38A of the platen 38 extends in the front-to-back direction. The entire right edge 38A of the platen 38 is located to the right of the right surface of the right wall 37A. The right edge 38A is an example of a first edge. The left edge 38B of the platen 38, located on the opposite side of the right edge 38A in the left-to-right direction, extends parallel to the right edge 38A in the front-to-back direction. The entire left edge 38B of the platen 38 is located to the left of the left surface of the left wall 37B. The left edge 38B is an example of a second edge. The front edge 38C of the platen 38 connects the right edge 38A and the left edge 38B. The front edge 38C of the platen 38 extends in the left-to-right direction. The entire leading edge 38C of the platen 38 is located forward of the leading edge of the upper wall 37C. The leading edge 38C is an example of a third edge. The trailing edge of the platen 38 has a right-sloping edge 38D and a left-sloping edge 38E. The right-sloping edge 38D is sloped laterally so as it moves to the left from the trailing edge 38A. The left end of the right-sloping edge 38D is located in the left-right center of the platen 38. The left-sloping edge 38E is sloped laterally so as it moves to the right from the trailing edge 38B. The right end of the left-sloping edge 38E is connected to the left end of the right-sloping edge 38D. The front-back direction is an example of a first direction. The left-right direction is an example of a second direction.

[0067] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a lower space 46 is located below the platen 38. The lower space 46 is located between the lower surface 38F of the platen 38 and the upper surface 43 of the base plate 36A (see Figure 2). The lower end of the lower space 46 is defined by the upper surface 43 of the base plate 36A. The upper end of the lower space 46 is defined by the lower surface 44 of the upper wall 37C and the lower surface 38F of the platen 38. Specifically, the upper end of the lower space 46 is defined by the portion where the lower surface 44 of the upper wall 37C overlaps with the platen 38 when viewed from above, and the portion where the lower surface 38F of the platen 38 does not overlap with the upper wall 37C when viewed from above. The right end of the lower space 46 is continuous with the space located to the right of the right edge 38A of the platen 38. The left end of the lower space 46 is continuous with the space located to the left of the left edge 38B of the platen 38. The front end of the lower space 46 is continuous with the space located forward of the leading edge 38C of the platen 38. The rear end of the lower space 46 is continuous with the space located backward of the trailing edge of the platen 38.

[0068] As shown in Figure 1, the mounting robot 25 is positioned at a distance from the conveyor belt 78 in the left-right direction. The mounting robot 25 is positioned so as to overlap with the front end of the conveyor belt 78 in the front-rear direction. The mounting robot 25 is configured to be able to attach the T-shirt 100 to the platen 38 located at the media mounting position 31. The mounting robot 25 is configured to be able to remove the T-shirt 100 attached to the platen 38 from the platen 38.

[0069] T-shirt 100 has a front panel 100A, a back panel 100B, a collar 100E, a right sleeve 100C, and a left sleeve 100D (see Figures 5 and 20). The front panel 100A is located on the front side of T-shirt 100. The back panel 100B is located on the back side of T-shirt 100. The collar 100E is the neck and shoulder area of ​​T-shirt 100. The right sleeve 100C is located to the right of the collar 100E between the front panel 100A and the back panel 100B. The left sleeve 100D is located to the left of the collar 100E between the front panel 100A and the back panel 100B.

[0070] The mounted robot 25 has a right robot arm 101 and a left robot arm 102. The right robot arm 101 is fixed to a right arm mounting base 121 which is positioned at a distance to the right of the conveyor belt 78. The right arm mounting base 121 is positioned so as to overlap with the front end of the conveyor belt 78 in the front-rear direction. The right robot arm 101 has an arm 101A and a hand 101B. The arm 101A has a plurality of joints, a plurality of links rotatably attached to each joint, and a plurality of motors that rotate each link. The hand 101B is rotatably attached to the tip of the arm 101A. The hand 101B has a gripping part consisting of two fingers, a motor that rotates the gripping part, and a motor that moves the two fingers.

[0071] The left robot arm 102 is fixed to a left arm mounting base 122, which is positioned at a distance to the left of the conveyor belt 78. The left arm mounting base 122 is positioned so as to overlap with the front end of the conveyor belt 78 in the front-rear direction. The left robot arm 102 has the same structure as the right robot arm 101. Therefore, elements in the left robot arm 102 that correspond to those in the right robot arm 101 are given the same reference numerals as those in the right robot arm 101, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0072] The mounting robot 25 has a robot control unit 25A (see Figure 18). The robot control unit 25A operates the right robot arm 101 and the left robot arm 102 based on a program programmed to perform a mounting operation in which the hems of the T-shirts 100 placed on shelves 123 positioned at intervals in front of the conveyor belt 78 are grasped and attached to the platen 38. Multiple T-shirts 100 are stacked on the shelves 123.

[0073] Specifically, the mounting robot 25 extends the arm 101A of the right robot arm 101 and the arm 101A of the left robot arm 102 to the shelf 123, grasps the hem of the topmost T-shirt 100 on the shelf 123 with the two hands 101B, 101B, and carries the T-shirt 100 to the platen 38. Next, the mounting robot 25 inserts the platen 38 into the T-shirt 100 through the right notch 41 and the left notch 42 from the front edge 38C of the platen 38. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, the front body 100A of the T-shirt 100 is positioned on the upper surface 38G of the platen 38, and the back body 100B of the T-shirt 100 is positioned in the space 46 below the platen 38. The front body 100A is an example of the first layer. The back body 100B is an example of the second layer.

[0074] The robot control unit 25A operates the right robot arm 101 and the left robot arm 102 based on a program programmed to perform an removal operation in which the T-shirt 100 attached to the platen 38 is removed from the platen 38 and placed into the basket 124 located in front of the shelf 123.

[0075] Specifically, the wearable robot 25 extends the arm 101A of the right robot arm 101 and the arm 101A of the left robot arm 102 to the neckline of the T-shirt 100 attached to the platen 38, and with the two hands 101B, 101B grasping the neckline of the T-shirt 100, it pulls the T-shirt 100 forward from the platen 38. Then, the wearable robot 25 extends the arm 101A of the right robot arm 101 and the arm 101A of the left robot arm 102 to the top of the basket 124, opens the two hands 101B, 101B and places the T-shirt 100 into the basket 124. The structure of the wearable robot 25 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of performing the attachment and removal operations.

[0076] The media handling device 26 handles the T-shirts 100 mounted on the platen 38. The media handling device 26 is configured separately from the platen unit 24. The media handling device 26 and the platen unit 24 are examples of media handling units. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the media handling device 26 has a right handling device 151, a left handling device 152, and a front handling device 153. The right handling device 151 is positioned at a distance to the right of the conveyor belt 78. The right handling device 151 is positioned to coincide with the media mounting position 31 in the front-rear direction. The right handling device 151 is fixed to the upper surface of the right handling platform 125, which is positioned at a distance to the right of the conveyor belt 78. The right handling platform 125 is positioned to coincide with the media mounting position 31 in the front-rear direction.

[0077] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the right handling device 151 includes a first electric cylinder 71, a first push rod 72, a second electric cylinder 73, and a second push rod 74. The first electric cylinder 71 includes a first housing 71A, a first rod 71B, a first motor 71C, and a first conversion mechanism 71D. The first electric cylinder 71 is an example of a first moving part.

[0078] The first housing 71A is fixed to the upper surface of the right support plate 141. The right support plate 141 has a flat plate shape that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The right support plate 141 is fixed to the upper surface of the right handling platform 125 (see Figure 1). The first housing 71A has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction. The first rod 71B is supported on the upper surface of the first housing 71A so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The first rod 71B has a substantially flat plate shape that extends in the left-right and front-rear directions. The first rod 71B is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction. The tip 111 of the first rod 71B is bent in an L-shape so as to extend upward and to the left. The first motor 71C is located at the right end inside the first housing 71A.

[0079] The first conversion mechanism 71D is located to the left of the first motor 71C within the first housing 71A. The first conversion mechanism 71D converts the rotational motion of the first shaft 112 of the first motor 71C into linear motion of the first rod 71B in the left-right direction. The first conversion mechanism 71D moves the first rod 71B in the left-right direction between a first approach position and a first separation position. As shown in Figure 8, the first approach position is the position where the tip 111 of the first rod 71B is close to the right edge 38A of the platen 38. In this embodiment, the first approach position is the position where the tip of the first rod 71B is located in the space 46 below the platen 38, slightly to the right of the right wall 37A of the support base 37, and close to the lower surface 38F of the platen 38. The first separation position is a position where the tip of the first rod 71B is further to the right of the right edge 38A of the platen 38 than the first approach position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the first separation position is a position where the tip of the first rod 71B is located to the right of the right plate 36C of the base 36.

[0080] The first push rod 72 is fixed to the tip of the first rod 71B. The first push rod 72 has a rod shape that extends parallel to the right edge 38A of the platen 38. The first push rod 72 is cylindrical. The first push rod 72 is longer than the right edge 38A of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. The front end of the first push rod 72 is located in front of the front end of the right edge 38A of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the first push rod 72 is located behind the rear end of the right edge 38A of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. In the first approach position, the first push rod 72 is located close to the right wall 37A of the support base 37 in the space 46 below the platen 38, and close to the lower surface 38F of the platen 38 (see Figure 8). In the first distance position, the first push rod 72 is located to the right of the right plate 36C of the base 36. The first push rod 72 is an example of the first contact portion.

[0081] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second electric cylinder 73 is fixed to the upper surface of the right support plate 141 behind the first electric cylinder 71. The second electric cylinder 73 includes a second housing 73A, a second rod 73B, a second motor 73C, and a second conversion mechanism 73D. The second electric cylinder 73 is an example of a second moving part.

[0082] The second housing 73A is fixed to the upper surface of the right support plate 141. The second housing 73A has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the left-right direction. The second rod 73B is supported on the upper surface of the second housing 73A so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The second rod 73B has a substantially flat plate shape that extends in the left-right and front-back directions. The second rod 73B is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-back direction. The tip 113 of the second rod 73B is bent in an L-shape so as to extend downward and to the left. The tip of the second rod 73B is located below the tip of the first rod 71B in the vertical direction. The second motor 73C is located at the right end inside the second housing 73A.

[0083] The second conversion mechanism 73D is located to the left of the second motor 73C within the second housing 73A. The second conversion mechanism 73D converts the rotational motion of the second shaft 114 of the second motor 73C into linear motion of the second rod 73B in the left-right direction. The second conversion mechanism 73D moves the second rod 73B in the left-right direction between the second approach position and the second separation position. As shown in Figure 9, the second approach position is the position where the tip 113 of the second rod 73B is close to the right edge 38A of the platen 38. In this embodiment, the second approach position is the position where the tip of the second rod 73B is located slightly to the right of the right wall 37A of the support base 37 in the space below the platen 38, and below the vertical center of the space below the platen 38 46. The second separation position is the position where the tip of the second rod 73B is further to the right of the right edge 38A of the platen 38 than the second approach position. In this embodiment, the second separation position is the position where the tip of the second rod 73B is located to the right of the right plate 36C of the base 36 (see Figure 6).

[0084] The second push rod 74 is fixed to the tip of the second rod 73B. The second push rod 74 has a rod shape that extends parallel to the right edge 38A of the platen 38. The second push rod 74 is cylindrical. The second push rod 74 is longer than the right edge 38A of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. The front end of the second push rod 74 is located in front of the front end of the right edge 38A of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the second push rod 74 is located behind the rear end of the right edge 38A of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. In the second approach position, the second push rod 74 is located close to the right wall 37A in the lower space 46 of the platen 38, and below the vertical center of the lower space 46 of the platen 38. In the second distance position, the second push rod 74 is located to the right of the right plate 36C of the base 36 (see Figure 6). The second push rod 74 is an example of the second contact portion.

[0085] As shown in Figure 1, the left handling device 152 is positioned at a distance to the left of the conveyor belt 78. The left handling device 152 is positioned in a location that coincides with the media mounting position 31 in the front-rear direction. The left handling device 152 is fixed to the upper surface of the left handling platform 126, which is positioned at a distance to the left of the conveyor belt 78. The left handling platform 126 is positioned in a location that coincides with the media mounting position 31 in the front-rear direction.

[0086] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the left handling device 152 includes a third electric cylinder 81, a third push rod 82, a fourth electric cylinder 83, and a fourth push rod 84. The third electric cylinder 81 includes a third housing 81A, a third rod 81B, a third motor 81C, and a third conversion mechanism 81D. The third electric cylinder 81 is an example of a third moving part.

[0087] The third housing 81A is fixed to the upper surface of the left support plate 142. The left support plate 142 has a flat plate shape that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The left support plate 142 is fixed to the upper surface of the left handling platform 126 (see Figure 1). The third housing 81A has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction. The third rod 81B is supported on the upper surface of the third housing 81A so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The third rod 81B has a substantially flat plate shape that extends in the left-right and front-rear directions. The third rod 81B is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction. The tip 115 of the third rod 81B is bent in an L-shape so as to extend upward and to the right. The third motor 81C is located at the left end inside the third housing 81A.

[0088] The third conversion mechanism 81D is located to the left of the third motor 81C within the third housing 81A. The third conversion mechanism 81D converts the rotational motion of the third shaft 161 of the third motor 81C into linear motion of the third rod 81B in the left-right direction. The third conversion mechanism 81D moves the third rod 81B in the left-right direction between the third approach position and the third separation position. The third approach position is the position where the tip 115 of the third rod 81B is close to the left edge 38B of the platen 38. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 12, the third approach position is the position where the tip of the third rod 81B is located in the space 46 below the platen 38, slightly to the left of the left wall 37B of the support base 37, and close to the lower surface 38F of the platen 38. The third separation position is the position where the tip of the third rod 81B is further to the left of the left edge 38B of the platen 38 than the third approach position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, the third separation position is the position where the tip of the third rod 81B is located to the left of the left plate 36D of the base 36.

[0089] The third push rod 82 is fixed to the tip of the third rod 81B. The third push rod 82 has a rod shape that extends parallel to the left edge 38B of the platen 38. The third push rod 82 is cylindrical. The third push rod 82 is longer than the left edge 38B of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. The front end of the third push rod 82 is located in front of the front end of the left edge 38B of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the third push rod 82 is located behind the rear end of the left edge 38B of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. In the third approach position, the third push rod 82 is located in a position that approaches the left wall 37B of the support base 37 in the space 46 below the platen 38, and also approaches the lower surface 38F of the platen 38 (see Figure 12). The third push rod 82 is located to the left of the left plate 36D of the base 36 at the third spaced position (see Figure 10). The third push rod 82 is an example of the third contact portion.

[0090] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the fourth electric cylinder 83 is fixed to the upper surface of the left support plate 142 behind the third electric cylinder 81. The fourth electric cylinder 83 has a fourth housing 83A, a fourth rod 83B, a fourth motor 83C, and a fourth conversion mechanism 83D. The fourth electric cylinder 83 is an example of a fourth moving part.

[0091] The fourth housing 83A is fixed to the upper surface of the left support plate 142. The fourth housing 83A has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the left-right direction. The fourth rod 83B is supported on the upper surface of the fourth housing 83A so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The fourth rod 83B has a substantially flat plate shape that extends in the left-right and front-back directions. The fourth rod 83B is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-back direction. The tip 116 of the fourth rod 83B is bent in an L-shape so as to extend downward and to the right. The tip of the fourth rod 83B is located below the tip of the third rod 81B in the vertical direction. The fourth motor 83C is located at the left end inside the fourth housing 83A.

[0092] The fourth conversion mechanism 83D is located to the right of the fourth motor 83C within the fourth housing 83A. The fourth conversion mechanism 83D converts the rotational motion of the fourth shaft 117 of the fourth motor 83C into linear motion of the fourth rod 83B in the left-right direction. The fourth conversion mechanism 83D moves the fourth rod 83B in the left-right direction between the fourth approach position and the fourth separation position. The fourth approach position is the position where the tip of the fourth rod 83B is close to the left edge 38B of the platen 38. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, the fourth approach position is the position where the tip of the fourth rod 83B is located in the space below the platen 38, slightly to the left of the left wall 37B of the support base 37, and below the vertical center of the space below the platen 38. The fourth separation position is the position where the tip of the fourth rod 83B is further to the left of the left edge 38B of the platen 38 than the fourth approach position. In this embodiment, the fourth separation position is the position where the tip of the fourth rod 83B is located to the left of the left plate 36D of the base 36 (see Figure 10).

[0093] The fourth push rod 84 is fixed to the tip of the fourth rod 83B. The fourth push rod 84 has a rod shape that extends parallel to the left edge 38B of the platen 38. The fourth push rod 84 is cylindrical. The fourth push rod 84 is longer than the left edge 38B of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. The front end of the fourth push rod 84 is located in front of the front end of the left edge 38B of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the fourth push rod 84 is located behind the rear end of the left edge 38B of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. In the fourth approach position, the fourth push rod 84 is located close to the left wall 37B in the lower space 46 of the platen 38 and below the vertical center of the lower space 46 of the platen 38 (see Figure 13). In the second distance position, the fourth push rod 84 is located to the left of the left plate 36D of the base 36 (see Figure 10). The fourth push rod 84 is an example of the fourth contact portion.

[0094] As shown in Figure 1, the front handling device 153 is positioned at a distance forward from the conveyor belt 78. The front handling device 153 is positioned to overlap with the media mounting position 31 in the left-right direction. The front handling device 153 is fixed to a front handling mounting base 127 which is positioned at a distance forward from the conveyor belt 78.

[0095] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the front handling device 153 includes a fifth electric cylinder 91, a fifth push rod 92, a sixth electric cylinder 93, and a sixth push rod 94. The fifth electric cylinder 91 includes a fifth housing 91A, a fifth rod 91B, a fifth motor 91C, and a fifth conversion mechanism 91D. The fifth electric cylinder 91 is an example of a fifth moving part.

[0096] The fifth housing 91A is fixed to the upper surface of the front support plate 143. The front support plate 143 has a flat plate shape that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The front support plate 143 is fixed to the upper surface of the front handling mounting base 127 (see Figure 1). The fifth housing 91A has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction. The fifth rod 91B is supported on the upper surface of the fifth housing 91A so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The fifth rod 91B has a substantially flat plate shape that extends in the left-right and front-rear directions. The fifth rod 91B is longer in the front-rear direction than in the left-right direction. The tip portion 118 of the fifth rod 91B is bent in an L-shape so as to extend upward and backward. The fifth motor 91C is located at the front end inside the fifth housing 91A.

[0097] The fifth conversion mechanism 91D is located behind the fifth motor 91C within the fifth housing 91A. The fifth conversion mechanism 91D converts the rotational motion of the fifth shaft 119 of the fifth motor 91C into linear motion of the fifth rod 91B in the longitudinal direction. The fifth conversion mechanism 91D moves the fifth rod 91B in the longitudinal direction between the fifth approach position and the fifth separation position. The fifth approach position is the position where the tip 118 of the fifth rod 91B is close to the front edge 38C of the platen 38. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 16, the fifth approach position is the position where the tip of the fifth rod 91B is located in the space 46 below the platen 38, slightly forward from the front end of the left wall 37B and the front end of the right wall 37A of the support base 37, and close to the lower surface 38F of the platen 38. The fifth separation position is the position where the tip of the fifth rod 91B is further forward from the front edge 38C of the platen 38 than the fifth approach position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14, the fifth separation position is the position where the tip of the fifth rod 91B is located forward of the front plate 36B of the base 36.

[0098] The fifth push rod 92 is fixed to the tip of the fifth rod 91B. The fifth push rod 92 has a rod shape that extends parallel to the front edge 38C of the platen 38. The fifth push rod 92 is cylindrical. The fifth push rod 92 is longer than the front edge 38C of the platen 38 in the left-right direction. The right end of the fifth push rod 92 is located to the right of the right end of the front edge 38C of the platen 38 in the left-right direction. The left end of the fifth push rod 92 is located to the left of the left end of the front edge 38C of the platen 38 in the left-right direction. In the fifth approach position, the fifth push rod 92 is located close to the front end of the right wall 37A and the front end of the left wall 37B of the support base 37 in the space 46 below the platen 38, and close to the lower surface 38F of the platen 38 (see Figure 16). The fifth push rod 92 is located in front of the front plate 36B of the base 36 at the fifth spaced position (see Figure 14). The fifth push rod 92 is an example of the fifth contact portion.

[0099] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the sixth electric cylinder 93 is fixed to the upper surface of the front support plate 143 to the right of the fifth electric cylinder 91. The sixth electric cylinder 93 includes a sixth housing 93A, a sixth rod 93B, a sixth motor 93C, and a sixth conversion mechanism 93D. The sixth electric cylinder 93 is an example of the sixth moving part.

[0100] The sixth housing 93A is fixed to the upper surface of the front support plate 143. The sixth housing 93A has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction. The sixth rod 93B is supported on the upper surface of the sixth housing 93A so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The sixth rod 93B has a substantially flat plate shape that extends in the left-right and front-rear directions. The sixth rod 93B is longer in the front-rear direction than in the left-right direction. The tip 129 of the sixth rod 93B is bent in an L-shape so as to extend downward and backward. The tip of the sixth rod 93B is located below the tip of the fifth rod 91B in the vertical direction. The sixth motor 93C is located at the front end inside the sixth housing 93A.

[0101] The sixth conversion mechanism 93D is located behind the sixth motor 93C within the sixth housing 93A. The sixth conversion mechanism 93D converts the rotational motion of the sixth shaft 120 of the sixth motor 93C into linear motion of the sixth rod 93B in the longitudinal direction. The sixth conversion mechanism 93D moves the sixth rod 93B in the lateral direction between the sixth approach position and the sixth separation position. The sixth approach position is the position where the tip 129 of the sixth rod 93B is close to the front edge 38C of the platen 38. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 17, the sixth approach position is the position where the tip of the sixth rod 93B is located below the vertical center in the space 46 below the platen 38. The sixth separation position is the position where the tip of the sixth rod 93B is further forward from the front edge 38C of the platen 38 than in the sixth approach position. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14, the sixth spaced position is the position where the tip of the sixth rod 93B is located in front of the front plate 36B of the base 36.

[0102] The sixth push rod 94 is fixed to the tip of the sixth rod 93B. The sixth push rod 94 has a rod shape that extends parallel to the front edge 38C of the platen 38. The sixth push rod 94 is cylindrical. The sixth push rod 94 is longer than the front edge 38C of the platen 38 in the left-right direction. The right end of the sixth push rod 94 is located to the right of the right end of the front edge 38C of the platen 38 in the left-right direction. The left end of the sixth push rod 94 is located to the left of the left end of the front edge 38C of the platen 38 in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 17, the sixth push rod 94 is located below the vertical center of the space 46 below the platen 38 in the sixth approach position. The sixth push rod 94 is located in front of the front plate 36B of the base 36 in the sixth distance position (see Figure 14). The sixth push rod 94 is an example of the sixth contact portion.

[0103] The controller 130 controls various operations of the printing system 1. As shown in Figure 18, the controller 130 includes a CPU 131 and an ASIC 135. The memory 140 includes a ROM 132, a RAM 133, and an EEPROM 134. The CPU 131, ASIC 135, ROM 132, RAM 133, and EEPROM 134 are connected by an internal bus 137.

[0104] ROM132 stores programs that the CPU131 uses to control various operations. RAM133 is used as a temporary storage area for data and signals used by the CPU131 when executing the above programs, or as a working area for data processing. EEPROM134 stores settings and flags that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

[0105] An operation unit 14 is connected to the ASIC135. The operation unit 14 receives various inputs from the operator. The operation unit 14 sends a start signal to the ASIC135 to start printing. The operation unit 14 sends an end signal to the ASIC135 to end printing. A mounting position sensor 15 is connected to the ASIC135. The mounting position sensor 15 sends a detection signal to the ASIC135 when the platen 38 is located at the media mounting position 31. The robot control unit 25A of the mounting robot 25 is connected to the ASIC135. The ASIC135 sends a mounting signal to the robot control unit 25A, causing the mounting robot 25 to perform a mounting operation to mount the T-shirt 100 onto the platen 38. When the mounting operation is complete, the robot control unit 25A sends a mounting completion signal to the ASIC135. The ASIC135 sends a removal signal to the robot control unit 25A, causing the mounting robot 25 to perform a removal operation to remove the T-shirt 100 from the platen 38. When the removal operation is complete, the robot control unit 25A sends a removal completion signal to the ASIC 135.

[0106] The first motor 71C, second motor 73C, third motor 81C, fourth motor 83C, fifth motor 91C, and sixth motor 93C of the media handling device 26 are connected to the ASIC135. The ASIC135 controls the driving of the first motor 71C, second motor 73C, third motor 81C, fourth motor 83C, fifth motor 91C, and sixth motor 93C. The belt motor 77 is also connected to the ASIC135. The ASIC135 controls the driving of the belt motor 77.

[0107] A pre-processing position sensor 16 is connected to ASIC135. The pre-processing position sensor 16 transmits a detection signal to ASIC135 when the platen 38 is located at the pre-processing position 32. A pre-processing device 22 is connected to ASIC135. ASIC135 causes the pre-processing device 22 to perform pre-processing. A print position sensor 17 is connected to ASIC135. The print position sensor 17 transmits a detection signal to ASIC135 when the platen 38 is located at the print position 33. A piezoelectric element 45 is connected to ASIC135. ASIC135 controls the power supply to the piezoelectric element 45 and selectively ejects ink droplets from multiple nozzles.

[0108] [Print control processing] Next, with reference to Figure 19, the print control process by the controller 130 will be explained. Initially, the platen unit 24 is positioned at the media mounting position 31.

[0109] The controller 130 determines whether or not it has received a start signal from the operation unit 14 (step S1). If the controller 130 determines that it has not received a start signal from the operation unit 14 (step S1; No), it waits until it receives a start signal from the operation unit 14. If the controller 130 determines that it has received a start signal from the operation unit 14 (step S1; Yes), it determines whether or not it has received a detection signal from the mounting position sensor 15 (step S2). If the controller 130 has not received a detection signal from the mounting position sensor 15 (step S2; No), it waits until it receives a detection signal from the mounting position sensor 15. If the controller 130 determines that it has received a detection signal from the mounting position sensor 15 (step S2; Yes), it sends a mounting signal to the robot control unit 25A and causes the mounting robot 25 to perform the mounting operation (step S3). As a result, the mounting robot 25 performs a mounting operation in which it grasps the T-shirt 100 placed on the shelf 123 and mounts it on the platen 38.

[0110] As shown in Figures 5 and 20, when the mounting operation is complete, the right sleeve 100C of the T-shirt 100 extends to the right of the right edge 38A of the platen 38 and hangs down to the upper surface 43 of the bottom plate 36A (see Figure 2). If the T-shirt 100 is large, the right sleeve 100C to the hem may extend to the right of the right edge 38A of the platen 38. In this embodiment, only the right sleeve 100C extends to the right of the right edge 38A of the platen 38. The right sleeve 100C is an example of the first overhanging area. The right sleeve 100C is an example of a sleeve. The right side is an example of the outward side. Furthermore, the left sleeve 100D of the T-shirt 100 extends to the left of the left edge 38B of the platen 38 and hangs down to the upper surface 43 of the bottom plate 36A (see Figure 2). If the T-shirt 100 is too large, the left sleeve 100D to the hem may extend beyond the left edge 38B of the platen 38 to the left. In this embodiment, only the left sleeve 100D extends beyond the left edge 38B of the platen 38 to the left. The left sleeve 100D is an example of a second overhang area. To the left is an example of an outward direction. Furthermore, the collar 100E of the T-shirt 100 extends forward beyond the front edge 38C of the platen 38 and hangs down to the upper surface 43 of the bottom plate 36A (see Figure 2). The collar 100E is an example of a third overhang area. Forward is an example of an outward direction.

[0111] The controller 130 determines whether or not it has received an installation completion signal from the robot control unit 25A (step S4). If the controller 130 determines that it has not received an installation completion signal from the robot control unit 25A (step S4; No), it waits until it receives an installation completion signal from the robot control unit 25A. If the controller 130 determines that it has received an installation completion signal from the robot control unit 25A (step S4; Yes), it causes the right handling device 151 to perform a first right sleeve pushing process, which moves the first rod 71B from a first separated position to a first approached position by driving the first motor 71C by a preset amount (step S5). As a result, as shown in Figure 21, the first pushing rod 72 contacts the upper part of the right sleeve 100C from the right, pushing the upper part of the right sleeve 100C to the left into the space 46 below the platen 38. At this time, the lower part of the right sleeve 100C also moves to the left toward the space 46 below the platen 38, following the upper part of the right sleeve 100C. Note that in Figure 21, only the T-shirt 100 is shown in cross-section. The first right sleeve pushing process is an example of the first pushing process. Simultaneously, the controller 130 drives the third motor 81C by a preset amount, causing the left handling device 152 to perform the first left sleeve pushing process, which moves the third rod 81B from the third separated position to the third approached position (step S5). As a result, as shown in Figure 21, the third pushing rod 82 contacts the upper part of the left sleeve 100D from the left, pushing the upper part of the left sleeve 100D toward the space 46 below the platen 38 to the right. At this time, the lower part of the left sleeve 100D also moves to the right toward the space 46 below the platen 38, following the upper part of the left sleeve 100D. The first left sleeve tucking process is an example of the third tucking process.

[0112] In this state, if the T-shirt 100 is small, for example, if the T-shirt 100 is a size S, the lower part of the right sleeve 100C and the lower part of the left sleeve 100D will also be pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38. On the other hand, if the T-shirt 100 is large, for example, if the T-shirt 100 is a size M or L, the lower part of the right sleeve 100D and the lower part of the left sleeve 100D may not be pushed sufficiently into the lower space 46 of the platen 38, as shown in Figure 21, and may remain outside the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0113] The controller 130 drives the second motor 73C by a preset amount, causing the right handling device 151 to perform a second right sleeve pushing process, which moves the second rod 73B from the second separated position to the second approached position (step S6). As a result, as shown in Figure 22, the second pushing rod 74 contacts the lower part of the right sleeve 100C from the right, pushing the lower part of the right sleeve 100C to the left into the space 46 below the platen 38. As a result, the entire right sleeve 100C is pushed into the space 46 below the platen 38. Note that in Figure 22, only the T-shirt 100 is shown in cross-section. The second right sleeve pushing process is an example of a second pushing process. At the same time, the controller 130 drives the fourth motor 83C by a preset amount, causing the left handling device 152 to perform a second left sleeve pushing process, which moves the fourth rod 83B from the fourth separated position to the fourth approached position (step S6). As a result, as shown in Figure 22, the fourth pushing rod 84 contacts the lower part of the left sleeve 100D from the left, pushing the lower part of the left sleeve 100D to the right into the lower space 46 of the platen 38. Consequently, the entire left sleeve 100D is pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38. The second left sleeve pushing process is an example of the fourth pushing process.

[0114] The controller 130 performs a first retraction process (step S7) by driving the first motor 71C and the second motor 73C by a preset amount to move the first rod 71B from the first approach position to the first separation position, and the second rod 73B from the second approach position to the second separation position. Simultaneously, the controller 130 performs a second retraction process (step S7) by driving the third motor 81C and the fourth motor 83C by a preset amount to move the third rod 81B from the third approach position to the third separation position, and the fourth rod 83B from the fourth approach position to the fourth separation position.

[0115] The controller 130 drives the fifth motor 91C by a preset amount, causing the front handling device 153 to perform a first neck rotation pushing process that moves the fifth rod 91B from the fifth separated position to the fifth approached position (step S8). As a result, as shown in Figure 23, the fifth pushing rod 92 contacts the upper part of the collar 100E from the front, pushing the upper part of the collar 100E backward into the space 46 below the platen 38. The first neck rotation pushing process is an example of the fifth pushing process. The controller 130 drives the sixth motor 93C by a preset amount, causing the front handling device 153 to perform a second neck rotation pushing process that moves the sixth rod 93B from the sixth separated position to the sixth approached position (step S9). As a result, as shown in Figure 24, the sixth pushing rod 94 contacts the lower part of the collar 100E from the front, pushing the lower part of the neck area 100E backward into the lower space 46 of the platen 38. Consequently, the entire collar 100E is pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38. The second neck area pushing process is an example of the sixth pushing process.

[0116] The controller 130 drives the fifth motor 91C and the sixth motor 93C by a preset amount to move the fifth rod 91B from the fifth approach position to the fifth separation position, and to perform a third retraction process to move the sixth rod 93B from the sixth approach position to the sixth separation position (step S10).

[0117] The controller 130 drives the belt motor 77 by a preset amount to move the platen unit 24 from the media mounting position 31 to the pre-processing position 32 (step S11). The controller 130 determines whether or not it has received a detection signal from the pre-processing position sensor 16 (step S12). If the controller 130 determines that it has not received a detection signal from the pre-processing position sensor 16 (step S12; No), it waits until it receives a detection signal from the pre-processing position sensor 16. If the controller 130 determines that it has received a detection signal from the pre-processing position sensor 16 (step S12; Yes), it causes the pre-processing device 22 to perform pre-processing (step S13). As a result, pre-processing is applied to the front body 100A of the T-shirt 100 mounted on the platen 38.

[0118] The controller 130 drives the belt motor 77 by a preset amount to move the platen unit 24 from the pre-processing position 32 to the printing position 33 (step S14). The controller 130 determines whether or not it has received a detection signal from the printing position sensor 17 (step S15). If the controller 130 determines that it has not received a detection signal from the printing position sensor 17 (step S15; No), it waits until it receives a detection signal from the printing position sensor 17. If the controller 130 determines that it has received a detection signal from the printing position sensor 17 (step S15; Yes), it controls the power supply to the piezoelectric element 45 to perform a printing process that selectively ejects ink droplets from multiple nozzles (step S16). As a result, printing is applied to the front panel 100A of the T-shirt 100 which is mounted on the platen 38 at the printing position 33.

[0119] The controller 130 moves the platen unit 24 from the printing position 33 to the media mounting position 31 by driving the belt motor 77 by a preset amount (step S17). The controller 130 determines whether or not it has received a detection signal from the mounting position sensor 15 (step S18). If the controller 130 determines that it has not received a detection signal from the mounting position sensor 15 (step S18; No), it waits until it receives a detection signal from the mounting position sensor 15. If the controller 130 determines that it has received a detection signal from the mounting position sensor 15 (step S18; Yes), it sends a removal signal to the robot control unit 25A and causes the mounting robot 25 to perform a removal operation (step S19). As a result, the mounting robot 25 performs a removal operation to pull the T-shirt 100 from the platen 38 and place it in the basket 124.

[0120] The controller 130 determines whether or not it has received a removal completion signal from the robot control unit 25A (step S20). If the controller 130 determines that it has not received a removal completion signal from the robot control unit 25A (step S20; No), it waits until it receives a removal completion signal from the robot control unit 25A. If the controller 130 determines that it has received a removal completion signal from the robot control unit 25A (step S20; Yes), it determines whether or not it has received an end signal from the operation unit 14 (step S21). If the controller 130 determines that it has not received an end signal from the operation unit 14 (step S21; No), it returns to step S3. If the controller 130 determines that it has received an end signal from the operation unit 14 (step S21; No), it terminates the print control process.

[0121] [Effects of the Embodiment] In the above embodiment, even if the right sleeve 100C of the T-shirt 100 attached to the platen 38 extends beyond the right edge 38A of the platen 38 to the right of the platen 38, the protruding right sleeve 100C is automatically pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 by the first pushing rod 72. Since the right sleeve 100C can be pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 simply by moving the first rod 71B of the first electric cylinder 71 to the left from the first separated position to the first approached position, the right sleeve 100C can be pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 much more quickly than when performing complex movements such as those of a robotic arm.

[0122] In the above embodiment, after the upper part of the right sleeve 100C is pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 by the first pushing rod 72, the lower part of the right sleeve 100C is pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 by the second pushing rod 74, so that the entire right sleeve 100C is easily pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0123] In the above embodiment, the first pushing rod 72 has a rod shape that extends parallel to the right edge 38A of the platen 38. Therefore, even if the right sleeve 100C is long in the front-rear direction in which the right edge 38A of the platen 38 extends, the first pushing rod 72 can push the right sleeve 100C into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the second pushing rod 74 has a rod shape that extends parallel to the right edge 38A of the platen 38. Therefore, even if the right sleeve 100C is long in the front-rear direction in which the right edge 38A of the platen 38 extends, the second pushing rod 74 can push the right sleeve 100C into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0125] In the above embodiment, the lengths of the first push rod 72 and the second push rod 74 in the front-rear direction are longer than the length of the right edge 38A of the platen 38 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, even if the right sleeve 100C is wide in the front-rear direction on which the right edge 38A of the platen 38 extends, the first push rod 72 and the second push rod 74 can easily push the right sleeve 100C into the space 46 below the platen 38.

[0126] In the above embodiment, a single first motor 71C causes the first rod 71B to move linearly from left to right between a first separated position and a first approached position, thereby pushing the upper part of the right sleeve 100C into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 by the first pushing rod 72. Therefore, the first right sleeve pushing process is faster compared to the case where a robot arm operated by multiple motors pushes the right sleeve 100C into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0127] In the above embodiment, a single second motor 73C causes the second rod 73B to move linearly from side to side between a second separated position and a second approached position, thereby pushing the lower part of the right sleeve 100C into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 by the second pushing rod 74. Therefore, the second right sleeve pushing process is faster compared to the case where a robot arm operated by multiple motors pushes the lower part of the right sleeve 100C into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0128] In the above embodiment, even if the right sleeve 100C of the T-shirt 100 attached to the platen 38 protrudes to the right of the right edge 38A of the platen 38, the first pushing rod 72 can push the right sleeve 100C into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the second pushing rod 74 contacts the lower part of the right sleeve 100C during the second right sleeve pushing process, so that the lower part of the right sleeve 100C can be pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the first right sleeve pushing process, which pushes the upper part of the right sleeve 100C into the lower space 46 of the platen 38, and the first left sleeve pushing process, which pushes the upper part of the left sleeve 100D into the lower space 46 of the platen 38, are performed simultaneously. Therefore, compared to the case where the first right sleeve pushing process and the first left sleeve pushing process are performed separately, the right sleeve 100C and the left sleeve 100D are pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 more quickly.

[0131] In the above embodiment, after the upper part of the left sleeve 100D is pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 by the third pushing rod 82, the lower part of the left sleeve 100D is pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 by the fourth pushing rod 84, so that the entire left sleeve 100D is easily pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0132] In the above embodiment, after the right sleeve 100C and the left sleeve 100D are pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38, the collar 100E is pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38. Therefore, during the printing process, ink mist generated from multiple nozzles is less likely to adhere to the non-printed areas of the T-shirt 100.

[0133] In the above embodiment, after the upper part of the collar 100E is pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 by the fifth pushing rod 92, the lower part of the collar 100E is pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 by the sixth pushing rod 94, so that the entire collar 100E is easily pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0134] In the above embodiment, the fifth pushing rod 92 contacts the upper part of the collar 100E during the first neck-around pushing process. Therefore, even if the collar 100E protrudes forward beyond the front edge 38C of the platen 38, the fifth pushing rod 92 can push the upper part of the collar 100E into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0135] In the above embodiment, the sixth pushing rod 94 contacts the lower part of the collar 100E during the second neck-circumference pushing process, so that the lower part of the collar 100E can be pushed into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the platen unit 24 is automatically moved from the media mounting position 31 to the printing position by the transport belt 78, so the time from when the T-shirt 100 is mounted on the platen 38 until printing is done on the T-shirt 100 is short.

[0137] [Differentiation] In the above embodiment, the left edge 38B of the platen 38 extended in the front-rear direction parallel to the right edge 38A of the platen 38, but it may also extend in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction.

[0138] In the above embodiment, the right handling device 151 has a second electric cylinder 73 and a second push rod 74, but the second electric cylinder 73 and the second push rod 74 may be omitted. In this case, the second right sleeve pushing process is omitted. The first push rod 72 may push the right sleeve 100C into the lower space 46 of the platen 38 by contacting the vertical center of the right sleeve 100C during the first right sleeve pushing process.

[0139] In the above embodiment, the left handling device 152 has a fourth electric cylinder 83 and a fourth push rod 84, but the fourth electric cylinder 83 and the fourth push rod 84 may be omitted. In this case, the second left sleeve pushing process is omitted. The second push rod 74 may, in the first left sleeve pushing process, contact the center of the left sleeve 100D in the vertical direction, thereby pushing the left sleeve 100D into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0140] In the above embodiment, the front handling device 153 had a sixth electric cylinder 93 and a sixth push rod 94, but the sixth electric cylinder 93 and the sixth push rod 94 may be omitted. In this case, the second neck-turning pushing process is omitted. The fifth push rod 92 may, in the first neck-turning pushing process, contact the vertical center of the collar 100E, thereby pushing the collar 100E into the lower space 46 of the platen 38.

[0141] In the above embodiment, the first push rod 72 and the second push rod 74 were cylindrical, but they are not limited to this as long as they can push the right sleeve 100C into the lower space 46 of the platen 38. For example, the first push rod 72 and the second push rod 74 may be prismatic or spherical.

[0142] In the above embodiment, the third push rod 82 and the fourth push rod 84 were cylindrical, but they are not limited to this as long as they can push the left sleeve 100D into the lower space 46 of the platen 38. For example, the third push rod 82 and the fourth push rod 84 may be prismatic or spherical.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the fifth push rod 92 and the sixth push rod 94 were cylindrical, but they are not limited to this as long as they can push the collar 100E into the lower space 46 of the platen 38. For example, the fifth push rod 92 and the sixth push rod 94 may be prismatic or spherical.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the first push rod 72 and the second push rod 74 were longer in the front-rear direction than the right edge 38A of the platen 38, but they may also be shorter in the front-rear direction than the right edge 38A of the platen 38.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the third push rod 82 and the fourth push rod 84 were longer in the front-rear direction than the left edge 38B of the platen 38, but they may also be shorter in the front-rear direction than the left edge 38B of the platen 38.

[0146] In the above embodiment, the fifth push rod 92 and the sixth push rod 94 were longer in the front-rear direction than the leading edge 38C of the platen 38, but they may also be shorter in the front-rear direction than the leading edge 38C of the platen 38.

[0147] In the above embodiment, the first left sleeve pressing process was performed simultaneously with the first right sleeve pressing process, but it does not have to be performed simultaneously with the first right sleeve pressing process. For example, the first left sleeve pressing process may be performed after the second right sleeve pressing process.

[0148] In the above embodiment, a preprocessing device 22 is provided, but the preprocessing device 22 may be omitted. In this case, in step S11, the controller 130 drives the belt motor 77 by a preset amount to perform a movement process that moves the platen unit 24 from the media mounting position 31 to the printing position 33. The processes from steps S12 to S14 are omitted.

[0149] In the above embodiment, the media handling device 26 is provided separately from the platen unit 24, but it may also be provided integrally with the platen unit 24. In this case, the media handling device 26 and the platen unit 24 may be provided integrally by, for example, fixing to the upper surface of a support plate that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The support plate is placed on the mounting surface 78A of the conveyor belt 78. The media handling device 26 and the platen unit 24 move integrally in the front-rear direction between the media mounting position 31 and the printing position 33 by the conveyor belt 78. At least one of the right handling device 151, left handling device 152, and front handling device 153 may be provided integrally with the platen unit 24.

[0150] In the above embodiment, the platen unit 24, which is placed on the mounting surface 78A of the conveyor belt 78, moves in the front-rear direction by the conveyor belt 78. However, as shown in Figure 25, it may also move in the left-right direction by the conveyor belt 78. In this case, the media handling device 26 is provided integrally with the platen unit 24 to avoid collision with the platen unit 24 when the platen unit 24 moves in the left-right direction by the conveyor belt 78. This modified example of the media handling device 26 and platen unit 24 is an example of a media handling unit. For example, the media handling device 26 and the platen unit 24 may be provided integrally by being fixed to the upper surface of a support plate 171 that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The support plate 171 is placed on the mounting surface 78A of the conveyor belt 78. The media handling device 26 and the platen unit 24 move integrally in the left-right direction between the media mounting position 31 and the printing position 33 by the conveyor belt 78. As shown in Figure 25, if the media mounting position 31 is located at the left end of the conveyor belt 78, only the right handling device 151 may be provided integrally with the platen unit 24. Also, if the media mounting position 31 is located at the right end of the conveyor belt 78, only the left handling device 152 may be provided integrally with the platen unit 24.

[0151] In the above embodiment, the media handling device 26 had a right handling device 151, a left handling device 152, and a front handling device 153, but the left handling device 152 and the front handling device 153 may be omitted. In this case, the right handling device 151 performs, for example, the first right sleeve pushing process, the second right sleeve pushing process, the first left sleeve pushing process, the second left sleeve pushing process, the first neck rotation pushing process, and the second neck rotation pushing process in this order. Specifically, the right handling device 151 is fixed to a rotating plate that rotates around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. When the right handling device 151 performs the first right sleeve pushing process and the second right sleeve pushing process, it is located to the right of the platen unit 24. When the right handling device 151 performs the first left sleeve pushing process and the second left sleeve pushing process, it moves to the left of the platen unit 24 as the rotating plate rotates. When the right handling device 151 performs the first neck rotation pushing process and the second neck rotation pushing process, the rotating plate moves forward of the platen unit 24 by the rotation of the rotating plate.

[0152] In the above embodiment, the media handling device 26 had a right handling device 151, a left handling device 152, and a front handling device 153, but the left handling device 152 and the front handling device 153 may be omitted. In this case, the right handling device 151 performs, for example, a first right sleeve pushing process and a second right sleeve pushing process in this order. Alternatively, the right handling device 151 and the front handling device 153 may be omitted. In this case, the left handling device 152 performs, for example, a first left sleeve pushing process and a second left sleeve pushing process in this order. Alternatively, the right handling device 151 and the left handling device 152 may be omitted. In this case, the front handling device 153 performs, for example, a first neck rotation pushing process and a second neck rotation pushing process in this order. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0153] 1. Printing System 21...Platen moving section 26. Media Handling Device 31...Media loading position 31 33...Print position 38...platen 38A... Right edge (first edge) 38B...Left border (second border) 38C... Leading edge (third edge) 38G...Top surface 46...Downward space 71...First electric cylinder (first moving part) 71C...First motor 71D...First Conversion Mechanism 72...First push rod (first contact part) 73. Second electric cylinder (second moving part) 73C...2nd motor 73D...Second conversion mechanism 74. Second push rod (second contact part) 81...Third electric cylinder (third moving part) 82...Third push rod (third contact part) 83...Fourth electric cylinder (fourth moving part) 84.. Fourth push rod (fourth contact part) 91... Fifth electric cylinder (fifth moving part) 92... Fifth push rod (fifth contact part) 93.. Sixth electric cylinder (sixth moving part) 94. Sixth push rod (sixth contact part) 100 T-shirts (medium) 100A...Front panel (1st layer) 100B...Back panel (2nd layer) 100C...Right sleeve (first overhang area) 100D...Left sleeve (second overhang area) 100E...Collar (Third overhang area) 112...First shaft 114...Second shaft 130... Controller

Claims

1. A media handling device for handling a cylindrical medium mounted on a platen, wherein the first layer is located on the upper surface of the platen which extends in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction when viewed from above, and the second layer is located in the space below the platen, A first movable part that can move in the second direction between a first approach position, which is close to the first edge extending in the first direction of the platen, and a first separation position, which is further away from the first edge than the first approach position, The first contact portion is fixed to the first movable part, and when the first movable part is in the first approach position, the first contact portion is located in the lower space, It is equipped with a controller, The controller is a media handling device that, after the medium is mounted on the platen, moves the first moving part from the first separated position to the first approached position, thereby bringing the first contact part into contact with the first protruding region located between the first layer and the second layer of the medium and extending outward in the second direction of the platen beyond the first edge, thereby pushing the first protruding region into the downward space.

2. A second movable part that can move in the second direction between a second approach position that is close to the first edge of the platen and a second separation position that is further from the first edge than the second approach position, The second contact portion is fixed to the second movable portion below the first contact portion, and is located in the lower space when the second movable portion is in the second approach position, and further comprises: The above controller is A media handling device according to claim 1, wherein, after performing the first pushing process described above, the second moving part is moved from the second separated position to the second approaching position, thereby bringing the second contact part into contact with the first protruding area, and a second pushing process is performed to push the first protruding area into the lower space.

3. The media handling device according to claim 2, wherein the first contact portion has a rod shape extending parallel to the first edge of the platen.

4. The media handling device according to claim 3, wherein the second contact portion has a rod shape that extends parallel to the first edge of the platen.

5. The media handling device according to claim 4, wherein the first contact portion and the second contact portion are longer than the length of the first edge in the first direction.

6. The above-mentioned first movable part is, A first rod extending in the second direction, with the first contact portion fixed to the tip in the second direction, First motor and The medium handling device according to claim 2, comprising a first electric cylinder having a first conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the first shaft of the first motor into linear motion of the first rod in the second direction.

7. The above-mentioned second movable part is, A second rod extending in the second direction, with the second contact portion fixed to its tip in the second direction, The second motor and The medium handling device according to claim 6, comprising a second electric cylinder having a second conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the second shaft of the second motor into linear motion of the second rod in the second direction.

8. The first overhanging area mentioned above is the sleeve of the garment. The media handling device according to claim 2, wherein the first contact portion contacts the sleeve in the first pressing process.

9. The media handling device according to claim 8, wherein the second contact portion abuts against the sleeve in the second pressing process.

10. A third movable part that can move in the second direction between a third approach position, which is on the opposite side of the first edge of the platen in the second direction and close to the second edge extending in the first direction, and a third separation position, which is further from the second edge than the third approach position, The third movable part is fixed to the third movable part, and when the third movable part is in the third approach position, it further comprises a third contact part located in the lower space, The above controller is The media handling device according to claim 2, wherein, simultaneously with the first pressing process described above, the third moving part is moved in the second direction from the third separated position to the third approaching position, thereby bringing the third contact part into contact with the second protruding region located between the first layer and the second layer of the medium and extending outward in the second direction of the platen beyond the second edge, thereby performing a third pressing process to push the second protruding region into the lower space.

11. A fourth movable part that can move in the second direction between a fourth approach position that is close to the second edge of the platen and a fourth separation position that is further away from the second edge than the fourth approach position, The fourth contact portion is fixed to the fourth movable portion below the third contact portion, and is located in the lower space when the fourth movable portion is in the fourth approach position, and further comprises: The above controller is A media handling device according to claim 10, wherein, after performing the third pushing process described above, the fourth moving part is moved from the fourth separated position to the fourth approaching position, thereby bringing the fourth contact part into contact with the second protruding area, and a fourth pushing process is performed to push the second protruding area into the lower space.

12. A fifth movable part that can move in the first direction between a fifth approaching position, which connects the first edge and the second edge of the platen and is close to the third edge extending in the second direction, and a fifth separation position, which is further from the third edge than the fifth approaching position, The fifth contact portion is fixed to the fifth movable portion and is located in the lower space when the fifth movable portion is in the fifth approach position, The above controller is A media handling device according to claim 11, wherein, after the fourth pressing process described above, the third moving part is moved in the first direction from the fifth separated position to the fifth approaching position, thereby bringing the fifth contact part into contact with the third protruding region located between the first layer and the second layer of the medium and extending outward in the first direction of the platen beyond the third edge, thereby performing a fifth pressing process to push the third protruding region into the lower space.

13. A sixth movable part that can move in the first direction between a sixth approach position that is close to the third edge of the platen and a sixth separation position that is further away from the third edge than the sixth approach position, The sixth contact portion is fixed to the sixth movable portion below the fifth contact portion, and is located in the lower space when the sixth movable portion is in the sixth approach position, and further comprises: The above controller is The media handling device according to claim 12, wherein, after performing the fifth pushing process described above, the sixth moving part is moved in the first direction from the sixth separated position to the sixth approaching position, thereby bringing the sixth contact part into contact with the third protruding area, and a sixth pushing process is performed to push the third protruding area into the lower space.

14. The third overhanging area mentioned above is the collar of the garment. The media handling device according to claim 13, wherein the fifth contact portion abuts against the collar in the fifth pressing process.

15. The media handling device according to claim 14, wherein the sixth contact portion contacts the collar in the sixth pressing process.

16. A media handling device according to claim 1, A media handling unit comprising the platen described above.

17. The system further includes a platen moving unit that moves the platen in the first direction. The media handling unit according to claim 16, wherein the controller causes the platen moving unit to perform a moving process to move the platen from the media mounting position where the first pressing process was performed to the printing position where printing is performed on the media, after the first pressing process has been performed.

18. The system further includes a platen moving unit that moves the platen in the second direction. The media handling unit according to claim 16, wherein the controller, after performing the first pressing process, causes the platen moving unit to perform a moving process to move the platen from the media mounting position where the first pressing process was performed to the printing position where printing is performed on the media.

19. The media handling unit according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the platen moving part moves the platen and the media handling device together.

20. A media handling unit according to claim 16, A printing system comprising an inkjet head that ejects ink onto a medium mounted on the platen mentioned above.

21. The system further includes a platen moving unit that moves the platen in the first direction. The printing system according to claim 20, wherein the controller, after performing the first pressing process, causes the platen moving unit to perform a moving process to move the platen from the media mounting position where the first pressing process was performed to a printing position where printing is performed on the medium by ink ejected from the inkjet head.

22. The system further includes a platen moving unit that moves the platen in the second direction. The printing system according to claim 20, wherein the controller, after performing the first pressing process, causes the platen moving unit to perform a moving process to move the platen from the media mounting position where the first pressing process was performed to the printing position where printing is performed on the media.

23. The printing system according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the platen moving unit moves the platen and the media handling device together.

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