Printing target holding member, printing device, and printing target holding member with printing target

Abstract

To provide a print target holding member that can hold multiple large print targets. [Solution] A printing target holding member (2) comprises a base portion (210), a platen portion (220) that holds the portion of the printing target (400) to be printed in a flat state, and a connecting portion (240) that connects the base portion (210) material and the platen portion (220) material such that a storage space (230) for accommodating the excess portion of the printing target (400) is formed between them in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the platen portion (220), and the platen portions (220) are provided in pairs with a gap (G) between them that forms an opening (250) leading to the storage space (230).

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing target holding member, a printing apparatus, and a printing target holding member with a printing target.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a printing target holding member including a base portion, a platen portion that holds a portion to be printed of a printing target in a flat state, and a connecting portion that connects the base portion and the platen portion such that an accommodation space for accommodating an excess portion of the printing target is formed between them in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the platen portion.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes such a printing target holding member that holds a cloth as a printing target. This holding member has holding portions provided at both longitudinal ends of the platen member and a relief portion provided at the central portion with a height lower than that of the holding portions. Socks, for example, having a smaller area than the platen member are placed on the respective holding portions, and the printing target is sandwiched between the outer peripheral portion of the platen member by a frame-shaped outer peripheral cover member. The excess portions outside both longitudinal ends of the platen member are accommodated in the accommodation space, and the excess portion located between the holding portions is positioned on the relief portion.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since the relief portion is only lower in height than the holding portions, the excess portion that can be escaped here is limited, and it has been difficult to hold a plurality of relatively large printing targets.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a platen member comprising a base portion, a platen portion that holds the portion of the object to be printed in a flat state, and a connecting portion that connects the base portion and the platen portion such that a storage space for accommodating the excess portion of the object to be printed is formed between them in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the platen portion, wherein the platen portions are provided in pairs with an opening that leads to the storage space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The print target holding member of the present invention can hold multiple large print targets. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] (a) is a perspective view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment, and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view of the same printing apparatus. [Figure 2] (a) is a plan view of the printing apparatus, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a bottom view. [Figure 3] (a) is a perspective view of the platen member of the printing apparatus, (b) is a front view of the platen member and frame member, and (c) is a perspective view of the frame member attached to the platen member. [Figure 4] (a) is a front view showing the frame member attached to the platen member, (b) is a right side view, and (c) is a rear view. [Figure 5] A diagram illustrating the procedure for holding fabric using the fabric holding member of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The printing apparatus according to this embodiment constitutes an apparatus (image application system) for applying an image to a fabric to be printed on. The printing apparatus of this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is an external perspective view (a) and a partially enlarged exploded perspective view (b) of the printing apparatus, and Figure 2 is a plan view (a), a front view (b), and a bottom view (c) of the printing apparatus.

[0009] The printing apparatus 1 includes a stage 110, which is a receiving member that moves back and forth while detachably holding a fabric holding member 2, which is a printing target holding member that holds a fabric 400 (see Figure 5) on which an image will be applied (printed). The printing apparatus 1 also includes a recording means 130 within the apparatus body 100 for printing on the fabric 400 held by the fabric holding member 2 held by the stage 110. Figures 1 and 2 show the state in which the stage 110 is positioned so that the entire fabric holding member 2 is exposed from the apparatus body 100 through an opening 120 formed in the outer case.

[0010] The main body of the device 100 has a mechanism for moving the stage 110 forward and backward. The mechanism for moving the stage forward and backward can consist of a transport guide member arranged along the direction of forward and backward movement on the bottom housing of the main body of the device 100, a slider part provided on the stage 110 and held movably by a transport guide member 115, and a drive mechanism connecting the stage 110. The entire system, including the fabric holding member 2, the stage 110, and the mechanism for moving the stage 110 forward and backward, can also be called a transport device that transports the object to be printed.

[0011] The device body 100 performs printing using the recording means 130 with the entire stage 110 inserted into the device body 100 through the opening 120 of the outer case. The recording means 130 can be an inkjet type liquid ejection device that ejects ink while scanning the ink ejection head in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction to form an image, but is not limited to this. In the case of inkjet printing, if drying is performed after printing, the image imparting system will also include a drying device. The drying device may be set with the holding member, or it may be removed from the holding member and only the printed object with the image printed on it may be set in the drying device.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1(b), the stage 110 has a lifting slider 111 and a lifting table 112 attached to its upper end. The fabric holding member 2 is set on the lifting table 112. Figure 1(b) shows the fabric holding member 2 suspended above the lifting table 112. As shown in the exploded view in Figure 1(b), the fabric holding member 2 consists of a platen member 200 and a frame member 300, separate from the platen member 200, which holds the object to be printed between itself and the peripheral edge of the platen member 200. The fabric holding member 2 will be described in detail later.

[0013] On the upper surface of the stage 110, four peripheral areas are provided with excess fabric receiving members 113 to receive the excess portion of the fabric held by the fabric holding member 2 that hangs down around the periphery (the portion surrounding the area where printing will be performed, as described later).

[0014] Furthermore, fabric 400 can be used not only for items made from a single piece of fabric such as handkerchiefs and towels, but also for fabrics that have been processed into clothing such as T-shirts and sweatshirts, and fabrics that are part of products such as tote bags.

[0015] Next, the fabric holding member 2 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the platen member 200 of the fabric holding member 2 (a), a front view of the platen member 200 and the frame member 300 (b), and a perspective view of the frame member 300 attached only to the platen member 200 (c). Figure 4 is a front view (a), a right side view (b), and a rear view (c) of the frame member 300 attached only to the platen member 200.

[0016] As shown in Figure 3(a), the platen member 200 of the fabric holding member 2 in this embodiment comprises a base portion 210 and a platen portion 220 that holds the portion of the printable material in a flat state. The platen member 200 also includes a connecting portion 240 that connects the base portion 210 and the platen portion 220 such that a storage space 230 for accommodating the excess portion of the printable material is formed between them in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the platen portion 220. The excess portion would be, for example, both sleeves, the collar, and the hem when printing on the front of a T-shirt.

[0017] The platen members 200 are provided in pairs with a gap G between them, where the platen portion 220 forms an opening 250 leading to the storage space 230. If the platen member 200 is A3 size, the platen portion 220 should be slightly smaller than A4 size, and considering the ease of storing the excess portion of the fabric 400 into the storage space 230, which will be described later, it is preferable to ensure a gap of 5 cm or more, preferably about 10 cm.

[0018] Furthermore, the connecting portion 240 connects the peripheral edge of the platen portion 220 to the base portion 210. Also, the connecting portion 240 is formed by cutting out a portion 240a of the platen member 200 corresponding to the side wall between the platen portion 220 and the base portion 210, which is continuous with the width of the opening 250. In the upper part of Figure 3(a), the virtual planar portion 250a of the platen portion corresponding to the opening 250 and the portion corresponding to the cut-out side wall portion 240a are shown by dashed lines.

[0019] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1(b) and 3(b), the fabric holding member 2 of this embodiment is provided with a pair of frame members 300 for each platen portion 220, which are separate from the platen member 200 and sandwich the fabric 400 between them and the peripheral edge of the platen member 200. The inner diameter of each frame member 300 is larger than the outer diameter of the platen portion 220 by a certain extent to allow the fabric to be interposed. In Figure 3(b), the inner diameter width W2 of the frame member 300 in the same direction as the outer diameter width W1 of the platen portion 220 in the longitudinal direction of the platen member 200 is shown, and the inner diameter width W2 is larger than the outer diameter width W1. The same applies to each width in the short direction of the platen member 200.

[0020] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3(b), the height T2 of each frame member 300 is lower than the height T1 of the platen portion 220. As shown in Figure 3(c), this difference in height ensures that when the frame member 300 is attached to the platen portion 220 such that their upper ends are at approximately the same height, a passage 230a to the storage space 230 is secured below the frame member 300.

[0021] To sandwich the cloth between the peripheral part of the platen member 200, only the outer surface of the side wall extending downward from the three sides other than the opening 250 of the platen part 220 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the frame member 300 may be used. In addition to this, or instead of this, a eaves part narrowing inward may be provided at the upper peripheral part of the frame member 300, and this eaves part may be used to sandwich the cloth. Specifically, the lower surface of the eaves part may sandwich the cloth between the upper end surface at the peripheral part of the platen part 220. A stepped part with a lower outer side may be provided at the upper end surface part at the peripheral part of the platen part 220, and the lower surface of the eaves part may abut against the lower outer surface at the stepped part.

[0022] In FIG. 4, reference numeral 450 is a positioning pin inserted into a hole formed in the lifting table 112 of the apparatus main body 100, reference numeral 460 is a guide plate that rubs against the upper outer edge part of the lifting table 112 during the mounting operation while lowering the fabric holding member 2 toward the lifting table 112 to guide the lowering posture and the like, and reference numeral 470 is a mounting plate for fixing the positioning pin 450 and the guide plate 460 to the lower surface of the platen member 200 of the fabric holding member 2.

[0023] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure for holding, for example, a T-shirt as the fabric 400 using the fabric holding member 2 of the present embodiment. The fabric 400 on the fabric holding member 2 is placed (arrow 5A) so that the area 400A to be printed on the fabric 400 is located on one platen part 220 (the example shown in the figure is the platen part 220 on the right side in the figure) on the fabric holding member 2.

[0024] Next, the surplus part not located on the platen part 220 is inserted into and accommodated in the accommodation space 230 below the platen part 220 on which the area 400A to be printed is placed through the opening 250 (arrow B). When recording is performed in the area shown by 5A in the front of the T-shirt in the figure, among both sleeves, collar openings, hem, etc., the parts located between adjacent platen parts 220 or placed on adjacent platen parts 220 are accommodated in this accommodation space 230.

[0025] Any excess portion of the platen member 200 that is not located between it and the adjacent platen portion 220 or resting on the adjacent platen portion 220 is left hanging down on the outside of the platen member 200. When the fabric holding member 2 is set on the lifting table 112, this hanging portion is received by the excess fabric receiving member 113 provided on the stage 110 as shown in Figure 1(b), etc.

[0026] The excess portion of the fabric 400 is placed in the storage area, and the frame member 300 is fitted onto the platen section 220 on which the area 400A to be printed is placed, with the fabric 400 in between (arrow 5C), thereby clamping and fixing the position of the fabric 400.

[0027] The order in which the steps indicated by arrows 5B and 5C are performed does not matter, but if the step indicated by arrow 5B is performed first, a wider passage to the storage space 230 is secured, making it easier to store the excess portion. Conversely, if the step indicated by arrow 5C is performed first, the occurrence of shifting or wrinkling in the fabric 400 portion on the platen portion 220 during the step indicated by arrow 5B can be suppressed. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3(c), a passage 230a to the storage space 230 is secured even when the frame member 300 is set. If such a passage 230a is not secured, the step indicated by arrow 5B is performed first.

[0028] The other platen section 220 is used to fix the fabric to be printed on in the same manner. This allows the two pieces of fabric 400 to be held by the fabric holding member 2. As described above, the pair of fabrics 400 are set on the fabric holding member 2. This setting may be done with the platen member 200 of the fabric holding member 2 mounted on the lifting table 112 of the device body 100, or the fabrics 400 may be set on the platen member 200 before it is mounted on the lifting table 112. In any case, with the fabric holding member 2 holding the two pieces of fabric 400 mounted on the lifting table 112, the stage 110 is pulled into the device body 100, and printing is performed on the two pieces of fabric by the recording means 130.

[0029] Furthermore, if the requirements for ensuring the smoothness of the fabric on the platen portion 220 and suppressing wrinkles are not particularly high, the wall portion of the frame member 300 corresponding to the opening 250 may be cut out entirely or partially in the height direction to secure a passage to the storage space 230 through the opening 250. Also, in this embodiment, a frame member 300 is provided for each of the pair of platen portions 220, but a single large frame member may be used to sandwich the pair of fabrics 400 between the overall peripheral edges of the pair of platen portions 220.

[0030] Furthermore, by using a pair of frame members for a pair of platen sections spaced apart from each other, and especially by using frame members with side walls on all four sides, the effect of ensuring the smoothness of the printed object on the platen section and suppressing wrinkles is excellent. This configuration is also effective for printable object holding members that do not have an opening leading to a storage space between the opposing platen sections.

[0031] The fabric holding member 2 is detachable from the lifting table 112 of the device body 100. By preparing multiple fabric holding members 2 and setting up fabrics in each, they can be swapped and attached to the lifting table 112. Therefore, by preparing multiple fabric holding members 2, each set with a fabric, printing of the next fabric can be started quickly simply by replacing the fabric holding member 2 after printing is completed.

[0032] As described above, according to this embodiment, the platen sections 220 are provided in pairs with a gap G between them that forms an opening 250 leading to the storage space 230. Therefore, the excess portion of the printing object located between the pair of platen sections 220 can be accommodated in the storage space through this opening 250. Thus, it is possible to hold multiple printing objects that are so large that when placed on the platen member in pairs, excess portions extend between the pair of platen sections or even into the other platen section.

[0033] Especially when printing on fabric, the frame member 300 can apply a certain amount of tension to the fabric, allowing it to be held tightly against the platen section 220. This makes it easier to smooth out wrinkles and eliminates the risk of excess fabric hitting the printer head. In particular, since a pair of independent frame members 300, separate from the fabric holding member 2, are used for each platen section 220, the fabric can be set for each platen section 220, making it easier to smooth out wrinkles in the fabric compared to when the platen frames are not separate but integrated.

[0034] Furthermore, because the platen component, consisting of the base, connecting section, and platen section, is a single integrated structure, the number of steps required when replacing the platen component is reduced.

[0035] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as described in the claims, unless otherwise specifically limited in the above description. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferred effects arising from the present invention, and the effects according to the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention provides specific effects for each of the following embodiments. In the description of the embodiments, the symbols in parentheses after the component names are examples of corresponding components and are not limited to these examples. (Aspect 1) A printing target holding member (2) comprises a base portion (210), a platen portion (220) that holds the portion of the printing target (400) to be printed in a flat state, and a connecting portion (240) that connects the base portion (210) material and the platen portion (220) material such that a storage space (230) for accommodating the excess portion of the printing target (400) is formed between them in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the platen portion (220), wherein the platen portions (220) are provided in pairs with a gap (G) between them that forms an opening (250) leading to the storage space (230). According to this, it is possible to hold multiple printing targets that are so large that when placed on a platen member in pairs, there is excess material between the platen parts of the pair and even onto the other platen part.

[0037] (Aspect 2) In the printing target holding member (2) described in Embodiment 1, the connecting portion (240) is characterized in that it connects the peripheral edge of the platen portion (220) material, which has a pair of platen portions (220), to the base portion (210). According to this, since the connecting portion is located on the periphery of the platen portion (220), even if an external force is applied to the platen portion (2) via the frame member (300) when attaching the frame member (300) that sandwiches the object to be printed (400) between the periphery of the platen portion (220), the platen portion (220) is less likely to tilt relative to the base portion (210) compared to, for example, when it is connected to the base portion (210) by a support portion provided in the center of the platen portion.

[0038] (Aspect 3) In the print target holding member (2) described in embodiment 1 or 2, the connecting portion (240) is characterized in that a portion (240) corresponding to the side wall between the peripheral edge of the platen portion (220) material and the base portion (210), which is continuous with the width of the opening (250), is missing. According to this, compared to the case where this section (240) remains, it is easier to store the excess portion of the print target in the storage space (230).

[0039] (Aspect 4) The printing target holding member (2) described in Embodiment 3 is characterized in that a frame member (300) is provided that is separate from the base portion (210) and platen portion (220) material connected by the connecting portion (240), and that sandwiches the printing target (400) between itself and the peripheral edge of the platen portion (220) material. According to this, since the frame member (300) is separate from the platen member, it is easier to attach the platen member after placing the object to be printed on it.

[0040] (Aspect 5) In the printing target holding member (2) described in Embodiment 1, the connecting portion (240) is formed in such a way that a portion (240) corresponding to the side wall between the peripheral edge of the platen portion (220) material and the base portion (210), which is continuous with the width of the opening (250), is missing, and a frame member (300) that sandwiches the printing target (400) between the peripheral edge of the platen portion (220) material and the base portion (210) material connected by the connecting portion (240) is provided in pairs on the pair of platen portions (220). According to this design, the object to be printed can be placed on each platen section and the frame member can be attached to it, making it easier to hold the object to be printed compared to when the frame members for each pair of platen sections are not separate but are integrated.

[0041] (Aspect 6) A platen member comprising a base portion (210), a platen portion (220) that holds the portion of the printable object (400) to be printed in a flat state, and a connecting portion (240) that connects the base portion (210) material and the platen portion (220) material such that a storage space (230) for accommodating the excess portion of the printable object (400) is formed between them in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the platen portion (220), wherein the platen portions (220) are provided in pairs at intervals, and a frame member (300) that is separate from the base portion (210) and platen portion (220) material connected by the connecting portion (240) is provided in pairs on the pair of platen portions (220) to sandwich the printable object (400) between the peripheral edge of the platen portion (220) material. According to this design, the object to be printed can be placed on each platen section and the frame member can be attached to it, making it easier to hold the object to be printed compared to when the frame members for each pair of platen sections are not separate but are integrated.

[0042] (Aspect 7) The printing target holding member (2) described in any one of embodiments 1 to 6 is characterized in that the base portion (210), the platen portion (220), and the connecting portion (240) are integrated. According to this, the platen component (200) can be easily replaced.

[0043] (Pattern 8) The printing apparatus of embodiment 8 is characterized by comprising a printing target holding member (2) described in any one of embodiments 1 to 7, a receiving member that detachably holds the printing target holding member (2) and moves it back and forth, and a recording means (130) that prints on the printing target held by the printing target holding member (2). According to this, the printing target holding member (2) can hold the printing targets in pairs, allowing them to be printed at once, thus increasing the productivity of printing.

[0044] (Aspect 9) In the printing apparatus of embodiment 8, the receiving member is characterized by having a receiving portion (113) that receives the excess portion of the printing object (400) that protrudes from the printing object holding member. According to this, even large print targets that extend beyond the outside of the print target holding member can be printed using the recording means within the printing device itself.

[0045] (Aspect 10) The print target holding member (2) with a print target of embodiment 10 comprises the print target holding member (2) described in any one of embodiments 1 to 7 and a print target (400), characterized in that at least the portion of the print target (400) to be printed is held by the print target holding member (2). According to this, the printing target holder (2) with the printing target attached can be sequentially replaced in the printing device while printing, thereby increasing the productivity of printing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1:Printing device 2: Fabric holding member 5A: Arrow 5B: Arrow 5C: Arrow 100: Main unit of the device 110: Stage 111: Height-adjustable slider 112: Height-adjustable table 113: Excess fabric receiving member 115: Transport guide member 120:Aperture 130: Recording means 200: Platen component 210: Base section 220: Platen section 230: Containment space 230a:Aisle 240:Connection part 240a: Location 250:Aperture 250a: Virtual plane portion 300: Frame member 400: Fabric 400A:Area 450: Positioning pin 460: Guide plate [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0047] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7172379

Claims

1. A member for holding the object to be printed, The platen member comprises a base portion, a platen portion that holds the portion to be printed on the object to be printed in a flat state, and a connecting portion that connects the base portion and the platen portion such that a storage space is formed between them in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the platen portion to accommodate the excess portion of the object to be printed. The printing target holding member is characterized in that the platen portion is provided in pairs at intervals that form an opening leading to the housing space.

2. In the printing target holding member according to claim 1, The connecting portion is characterized by connecting the peripheral edge of the platen portion to the base portion, thereby providing a printing target holding member.

3. In the printing target holding member according to claim 2, The connecting portion is characterized in that it is formed in such a way that a portion corresponding to the side wall of the platen member between the platen portion and the base portion, which is continuous with the width of the opening, is missing.

4. In the printing target holding member according to claim 3, A printing target holding member is characterized by having a frame member that is separate from the base portion and platen member connected by the aforementioned connecting portion, and which sandwiches the printing target between itself and the peripheral edge of the platen member.

5. In the printing target holding member according to claim 1, The connecting portion is formed in such a way that a portion corresponding to the side wall between the peripheral edge of the platen member and the base portion, which is continuous with the width of the opening, is missing. A printing target holding member characterized in that a frame member, separate from the base portion and platen member connected by the aforementioned connecting portion, is provided in pairs on the platen portion, for sandwiching the printing target between itself and the peripheral edge of the platen member.

6. A member for holding the object to be printed, The platen member comprises a base portion, a platen portion that holds the portion to be printed on the object to be printed in a flat state, and a connecting portion that connects the base portion and the platen portion such that a storage space is formed between them in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the platen portion to accommodate the excess portion of the object to be printed. The aforementioned platen portions are provided in pairs at intervals. A printing target holding member characterized in that a frame member, separate from the base portion and platen member connected by the aforementioned connecting portion, is provided in pairs on the platen portion, for sandwiching the printing target between itself and the peripheral edge of the platen member.

7. In the printing target holding member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A printing target holding member characterized in that the base portion, the platen portion, and the connecting portion are integrated into a single unit.

8. A printing target holding member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A receiving member that detachably holds the printing target holding member and moves back and forth, A printing apparatus comprising a recording means for printing on a print target held by the print target holding member.

9. In the printing apparatus of claim 8, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the receiving member has a receiving portion that receives the excess portion of the print target that protrudes from the print target holding member.

10. A printing target holder with a printing target, comprising a printing target holder member and a printing target according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least the portion of the printing target to be applied is held by the printing target holder member.

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