Media processing apparatus and printing apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a media processing device and a printing apparatus that can reduce the amount of evaporated components discharged to the outside. [Solution] The media processing apparatus 16 comprises a media support section that supports a medium being transported along a transport path R, and a drying section 50 that is positioned opposite the media support section with the medium supported by the media support section in between, and dries the ink adhering to the medium. The drying section 50 is positioned at a distance from the medium and comprises a heating section 56 that heats the medium in a heating region F, an air outlet 81 that blows gas toward the medium and then sends out gas that flows along the medium, an air intake 83 that takes in gas passing through the heating region F, a communication channel S1 that connects the air outlet 81 and the air intake 83 and allows the gas to flow, and a recovery path S2 that is located downstream of the air intake 83 in the direction in which the gas flows along the medium and recovers a portion of the gas that is not taken in by the air intake 83.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium processing device and a printing device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a heating device, a medium processing device, and a medium processing method thereof that can preferably discharge vapor generated from a medium. The medium processing device of Patent Document 1 includes a support surface that supports the medium on the downstream side of the recording unit in the conveyance direction in which the medium to which liquid is attached by the recording unit is conveyed, a heating unit for heating the medium supported by the support surface, a flow path having an inlet and an outlet that opens toward the support surface, and a blower disposed in the flow path for blowing out the gas flowing in from the inlet from the outlet. The inlet is opened so that at least a part of the gas blown out from the outlet flows in. The outlet is located on the side where the recording unit is located with respect to the inlet, and the blowing direction faces the side where the inlet is located in the direction along the support surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a medium processing device such as Patent Document 1, evaporation components generated due to overheating of the medium are discharged to the outside of the device. Therefore, in such a medium processing device, there is a risk that the evaporation components discharged to the outside of the device will condense at the installation location of the device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One embodiment for solving the above problems is a media processing apparatus comprising a housing that includes a media support section for supporting the medium being transported along a transport path, a drying section facing the media support section with the medium supported by the media support section in between, and for drying ink adhering to the medium, wherein the drying section is spaced apart from the medium and includes a heating section for heating the medium in a heating region, an air outlet for sending out gas that is blown toward the medium and then flows along the medium, an air intake for taking in the gas that has passed through the heating region, a communication path connecting the air outlet and the air intake for the gas to flow, and a recovery path located downstream of the air intake in the direction in which the gas flows along the medium, for recovering a portion of the gas that is not taken in by the air intake.

[0006] Another embodiment for solving the above problems is a printing apparatus comprising a housing that includes: an ejection unit for ejecting ink onto a medium; a medium transport unit for transporting the medium; a medium support unit for supporting the medium being transported along a transport path; and a drying unit that is positioned opposite the medium support unit, sandwiching the medium supported by the medium support unit, and dries the ink adhering to the medium, wherein the drying unit is positioned at a distance from the medium and includes: a heating unit for heating the medium in a heating region; an air outlet for sending out gas that is blown toward the medium and then flows along the medium; an air intake for taking in the gas that has passed through the heating region; a communication channel connecting the air outlet and the air intake and for the gas to flow; and a recovery path located downstream of the air intake in the direction in which the gas flows along the medium, for recovering a portion of the gas that is not taken in by the air intake. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic side view showing a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] A schematic side view of a media processing device. [Figure 3] A schematic plan view showing a media processing device. [Figure 4] Temperature distribution diagram during operation of the media processing device. [Figure 5]Humidity distribution diagram during operation of a media processing device. [Figure 6] A schematic side view showing a modified media processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing a printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 1, the reference numeral FR indicates the front of the printing apparatus 1 when it is installed on a mounting surface and in a state of normal use, and the reference numeral UP indicates the top of the printing apparatus 1. In the following description, the directions perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the up-to-down direction of the printing apparatus 1 are referred to as the left-to-right direction of the printing apparatus 1, and each direction is a direction along these directions of the printing apparatus 1. The up-to-down direction coincides with the vertical direction, and the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction coincide with the horizontal direction. In Figure 1, the printing section 10 and the drying section 50 are shown in cross-sections in planes perpendicular to the left-right direction. In Figure 1, the transport direction T of the printing device 1 is indicated by the arrow T.

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, the printing device 1 is an inkjet printer that records images such as characters and photographs onto a printing medium 99 by spraying ink, which is an example of a liquid. The printing medium 99 is, for example, a roll of paper in which printing paper is wound into a cylindrical shape.

[0010] The printing apparatus 1 comprises a printing unit 10 for printing on a printing medium 99, a support unit 12 for supporting the printing medium 99, a transport unit 14 for transporting the printing medium 99 along the support unit 12, and a media processing device 16 for heating the printing medium 99. In the printing apparatus 1, one end of the printing medium 99 attached to the roll shaft 18 is pulled out, and after being supported by various parts of the support section 12, it is transported by the transport section 14 and then wound onto the winding shaft 19, forming a transport path R. While being transported along the transport path R, the printing medium 99 is printed on by the printing section 10 and then heated by the media processing device 16. In the following explanation, the direction in which the printing medium 99 is transported along the transport path R is referred to as the transport direction T. The media processing device 16 is an example of a "media processing device".

[0011] The support section 12 comprises a first support plate 20 and a second support plate 22. Each of the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 22 is a plate-shaped member. In the printing apparatus 1, the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 22 are arranged in order from the upstream side in the transport direction T of the printing medium 99 transported by the transport section 14. At least a portion of the support surface 20A, which is one surface of the first support plate 20, and the support surface 22A, which is one surface of the second support plate 22, are both arranged to face substantially the same direction, and support the printing medium 99 from below in the transport path R. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the support surface 20A and the support surface 22A are surfaces facing vertically upward.

[0012] The transport unit 14 includes a plurality of transport rollers 30 that transport the printing medium 99 by rotating in contact with the printing medium 99. In this embodiment, the transport rollers 30 are positioned adjacent to each end of the second support plate 22 in the transport direction T of the printing medium 99. The transport rollers 30 located upstream of the second support plate 22 in the transport direction T are positioned between the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 22.

[0013] The transport direction T of the printing medium 99 transported by the transport unit 14 is along the support surfaces 20A and 22A. In this embodiment, the transport unit 14 is equipped with two transport rollers 30, but it is not limited to this, and one or more transport rollers 30 may be provided as long as it is possible to transport the printing medium 99.

[0014] The printing unit 10 includes a printing unit housing 40. An opening 41 is provided on one side of the printing unit housing 40, which allows communication between the inside and outside of the printing unit housing 40. The printing unit housing 40 is positioned with a gap between it and the support unit 12 so as to provide the opening 41.

[0015] Inside the printing unit housing 40, there are provided a head 42 for ejecting a liquid, a carriage 44 for holding the head 42, and a guide shaft 46 for guiding the movement of the carriage 44. The liquid ejected from the head 42 is, for example, ink. The head 42 is disposed at a position where it can face the second support plate 22, and ejects the liquid onto the printing medium 99 supported by the second support plate 22. In the printing apparatus 1, an image is printed on the printing medium 99 by ejecting the liquid onto the printing medium 99 by the printing unit 10. The head 42 ejects the ink while reciprocating together with the carriage 44 along the guide shaft 46 extending in the width direction of the printing medium 99. Note that the width direction of the printing medium 99 is different from the conveyance direction of the printing medium 99 and coincides with the left - right direction of the printing apparatus 1.

[0016] The medium processing device 16 heats the printing medium 99 to which the liquid has been attached by the printing unit 10, evaporates the liquid attached to the printing medium 99 by heating, and performs a process of drying the printing medium 99 by blowing air onto the printing medium 99. The medium processing device 16 includes a drying unit 50 and a third support plate 52. The third support plate 52 is an example of a "medium support portion".

[0017] The third support plate 52 is a plate - shaped member. In the printing apparatus 1, it is disposed on the downstream side of the second support plate 22 in the conveyance direction T. The support surface 52A, which is one surface of the third support plate 52, supports the printing medium 99 to which the liquid has been attached by the head 42, on the downstream side of the head 42. In the present embodiment, the support surface 52A is a surface facing the vertically upward side.

[0018] The third support plate 52 of the present embodiment extends while inclining from vertically upward to vertically downward from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction T of the printing medium 99. That is, the third support plate 52 is arranged such that the upstream portion in the conveyance direction is located vertically above the downstream portion. For this reason, the support surface 52A of the third support plate 52 is an inclined surface. The conveyance roller 30 located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction T with respect to the second support plate 22 is disposed between the second support plate 22 and the third support plate 52.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the media processing apparatus 16. In FIG. 2, the drying unit 50 shows a cross section in a plane orthogonal to the left - right direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drying unit 50 includes a drying unit housing 54. The drying unit housing 54 is arranged such that an opposing surface 54A, which is one surface, faces the support surface 52A of the third support plate 52. The drying unit housing 54 is arranged at a distance from the support surface 52A. The printed medium 99 conveyed to the conveying unit 14 passes through the region between the support surface 52A and the drying unit 50. The drying unit 50 heats the printed medium 99 to which liquid is attached by the head 42 and conveyed by the conveying unit 14.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the media processing apparatus 16. In FIG. 3, it is a view of the media processing apparatus 16 seen from the support surface 52A. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an irradiation opening 59, which is a rectangular opening for communicating the inside and outside of the drying unit housing 54, is provided in the opposing surface 54A. The irradiation opening 59 extends substantially over the entire length in the left - right direction of the opposing surface 54A and is formed at substantially the central portion of the opposing surface 54A in the conveying direction T. Note that the irradiation opening 59 may be closed by a member that can transmit infrared light, such as a transparent member.

[0021] The drying unit 50 includes a heating unit 56 provided inside the drying unit housing 54. The heating unit 56 includes a heating element that generates heat, and dries the printed medium 99 by heating with the heat source. The heating unit 56 includes a heating housing 58 formed in a housing shape that partitions the internal space S of the drying unit housing 54 and surrounds the irradiation opening 59. The entire surface of the heating housing 58 facing the support surface 52A becomes the irradiation opening 59. The heating housing 58 has substantially the same width dimension as the drying unit housing 54 in the left - right direction and is formed with a length dimension shorter than that of the drying unit housing 54 in the conveying direction T. The heating housing 58 is arranged at substantially the central portion of the drying unit housing 54 in the conveying direction T.

[0022] Inside the heating housing 58 are a heating element consisting of a heater tube 60 extending linearly along the width direction of the printing medium 99 and a reflector plate 62 that reflects the heat from the heating element. The heater tube 60 has a length dimension approximately the same as the support surface 52A in the left-right direction, and each of its ends in the left-right direction is located outward from each of the ends of the printing medium 99 in the width direction that is supported by the support surface 52A. Therefore, each of the heater tubes 60 is positioned to overlap the printing medium 99 over the entire width direction of the printing medium 99 in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, two heater tubes 60 are arranged side by side along the transport direction T. In this embodiment, a heater tube 60 is used as the heating element, but any component capable of heating the printing medium 99 will suffice.

[0023] The reflector 62 surrounds the heater tube 60 from the opposite side of the opposing surface 54A, reflecting the infrared radiation emitted from the heater tube 60 towards the support surface 52A. The surface of the reflector 62 facing the heater tube 60 is formed as a parabolic or ellipsoidal reflector, and the central axis P of the heater tube 60 is located at the focal point of the parabolic or ellipsoidal reflector. In the reflector 62, each of the end portions 62A positioned close to the support surface 52A extends to a position that overlaps with the illumination aperture 59.

[0024] The heating unit 56 heats the support surface 52A and the space between the drying unit 50 and the third support plate 52 by having infrared rays emitted from the heater tube 60 and infrared rays reflected by the reflector plate 62 both emitted from the irradiation aperture 59. In the following description, the support surface 52A heated by the heating unit 56 and the space between the drying unit 50 and the third support plate 52 will be referred to as the heating region F.

[0025] Next, the drying section housing 54 will be described in detail. The drying section housing 54 includes a first outer wall 70 that forms a surface located on the opposite side of the opposing surface 54A, with the internal space S of the drying section housing 54 in between. The first outer wall 70 extends along the conveying direction T. At the end of the first outer wall 70 located upstream in the conveying direction T, a second outer wall 72 is provided that extends toward the third support plate 52, and at the end located downstream in the conveying direction T, a third outer wall 74 is provided that extends toward the third support plate 52.

[0026] In the second outer wall 72, the portion that is closer to the third support plate 52 than the first outer wall 70 extends inclined from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction T of the printing medium 99 as it moves from the first outer wall 70 toward the third support plate 52, and its end is located on the same plane as the opposing surface 54A. The third outer wall 74 rises from the first outer wall 70 and extends substantially perpendicular to the support surface 52A. In the direction rising from the first outer wall 70, the end portion 74A of the third outer wall 74, which is on the opposite side from the first outer wall 70, extends to a position closer to the support surface 52A than to the opposing surface 54A. In this embodiment, the end portion 74A is positioned to leave a gap between itself and the support surface 52A sufficient for the printing medium 99 to pass through. The third outer wall 74 is an example of a "second bulkhead." The drying section housing 54 is equipped with a pair of side walls 76 that surround the internal space S from both sides in the left-right direction.

[0027] A partition wall 80 is provided inside the drying section housing 54. The partition wall 80 is formed in the shape of a plate that rises from the first outer wall 70 and extends substantially perpendicular to the support surface 52A, and is positioned between the heating housing 58 and the third outer wall 74 in the transport direction T. In this embodiment, the end of the partition wall 80 that is opposite to the end connected to the first outer wall 70 is located on substantially the same plane as the opposing surface 54A.

[0028] In the drying section housing 54, an air outlet 81 is provided on the opposing surface 54A. The air outlet 81 is positioned adjacent to the irradiation opening 59 from the upstream side in the transport direction T, and extends over substantially the entire left-right direction of the opposing surface 54A. In the circumferential direction, the air outlet 81 is surrounded by the guide wall 82, the second outer wall 72, and a pair of side walls 76.

[0029] The guide wall 82 is positioned upstream of the heating housing 58 in the transport direction T and is formed as a plate that rises from the opposing surface 54A toward the first outer wall 70. The guide wall 82 extends substantially over the entire left-right direction of the opposing surface 54A and has a plane that extends substantially parallel to the second outer wall 72 near the air outlet 81.

[0030] An air intake port 83 is provided on the opposing surface 54A. The air intake port 83 is positioned adjacent to the irradiation opening 59 from the downstream side in the transport direction T, and extends substantially over the entire left-right direction of the opposing surface 54A. In the circumferential direction, the air intake port 83 is surrounded by the partition wall 80, the heating housing 58, and a pair of side walls 76. In the transport direction T, the drying section housing 54 is provided with an air outlet 81 located upstream of the heating region F, and an air intake 83 located downstream of the heating region F.

[0031] Inside the drying section housing 54, there is a communication channel S1, which is a space formed by being surrounded by a partition wall 80, a first outer wall 70, a second outer wall 72, a heating housing 58, and a side wall 76. In the transport direction T, an air outlet 81 is located at one end of the communication channel S1 on the upstream side, and an air intake port 83 is located at the other end of the communication channel S1 on the downstream side. The communication channel S1 communicates with the outside of the drying section housing 54 via the air outlet 81 and the air intake port 83, respectively.

[0032] A mounting plate 84, which is a plate-shaped member, is provided in the communication channel S1. In the direction from the first outer wall 70 toward the support surface 52A, one end of the mounting plate 84 is connected to the first outer wall 70 and the other end is connected to the heating housing 58. In the left-right direction, each end of the mounting plate 84 is connected to each of the side walls 76. Therefore, in the transport direction T, the mounting plate 84 divides the communication channel S1 into an upstream side and a downstream side.

[0033] The mounting plate 84 is provided with a communication opening 85, which is a through hole that penetrates in the thickness direction of the plate. Multiple communication openings 85 are provided on the mounting plate 84, arranged side by side in the left-right direction. A blower 86 is attached to the communication opening 85. When the blower 86 is driven, it blows air in the opposite direction to the conveying direction T. As a result, in the media processing device 16, air or other gas is taken into the communication channel S1 from the intake port 83, flows through the communication channel S1, and is then discharged to the outside of the drying section housing 54 from the blower port 81. Furthermore, the drying section housing 54 is not limited to being equipped with a blower 86; any configuration is acceptable as long as gas can be blown in the communication channel S1 in the direction opposite to the transport direction T.

[0034] In the communication channel S1, flat plate-shaped louvers 88 are provided at locations enclosed by the guide wall 82, the second outer wall 72, and the pair of side walls 76. The louvers 88 are positioned so that the pair of planes face the planes of the guide wall 82 and the second outer wall 72, respectively. The louvers 88 extend inclined from the first outer wall 70 toward the third support plate 52 as they move from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the transport direction T. The louvers 88 are connected to each of the side walls 76 at both ends in the left-right direction.

[0035] In the drying section housing 54, a recovery opening 87 is provided on the opposing surface 54A. The recovery opening 87 is positioned adjacent to the intake port 83 from the downstream side in the transport direction T, and extends over substantially the entire left-right direction of the opposing surface 54A. The recovery opening 87 is located downstream of the intake port 83 in the direction in which the gas discharged from the air outlet 81 flows along the printing medium 99. In the circumferential direction, the recovery opening 87 is surrounded by the third outer wall 74, the partition wall 80, and the pair of side walls 76.

[0036] Inside the drying section housing 54, there is a recovery passage S2, which is a space formed by being surrounded by a first outer wall 70, a third outer wall 74, a partition wall 80, and a pair of side walls 76. In a direction perpendicular to the support surface 52A, a recovery opening 87 is located at one end of the recovery passage S2. The recovery passage S2 can also be located downstream of the intake port 83 in the direction in which gas flows along the medium. The recovery passage S2 communicates with the outside of the drying section housing 54 via the recovery opening 87.

[0037] A discharge opening 91, which is a through-hole penetrating the side wall 76 in the thickness direction, is provided in one of the pair of side walls 76. In the side wall 76, the discharge opening 91 is positioned closer to the first outer wall 70 than the recovery opening 87. The discharge opening 91 may be provided in any of the first outer wall 70, the third outer wall 74, the partition wall 80, or the pair of side walls 76, as long as it is positioned closer to the first outer wall 70 than the recovery opening 87.

[0038] One end of a tubular connecting pipe 90 is attached to the discharge opening 91, and a recovery housing 92 is attached to the other end of the connecting pipe 90. The internal space V of the recovery housing 92 is connected to the recovery path S2 via the connecting pipe 90 and the discharge opening 91. A blower 94 is provided in the recovery enclosure 92. When the blower 94 is driven, it blows air from the recovery path S2 towards the internal space V of the recovery enclosure 92 via the discharge opening 91 and the connecting pipe 90. As a result, the media processing device 16 causes air and gases inside the recovery path S2 to flow into the recovery enclosure 92.

[0039] The recovery enclosure 92 may be equipped with a cooling device such as a radiator to cool the air or gas flowing into the internal space V. Alternatively, for example, a recovery container may be connected to the recovery enclosure 92 to recover components contained in the air condensed by the cooling device.

[0040] Next, the operation of the printing device 1 will be described. The printing medium 99 printed by the printing unit 10 is transported by the transport unit 14 between the third support plate 52 and the heating unit 56. When the printing medium 99 is placed in the heating area F, it is heated by infrared radiation emitted from the heating unit 56, and the ink is dried. In this case, the evaporative components of the ink evaporate and move from the printing medium 99 toward the drying unit 50 due to buoyancy.

[0041] Here, in the drying section 50, a blower 86 is driven to send gas such as air from the communication channel S1 to the printing medium 99 via the air outlet 81. The guide wall 82 and the portion of the second outer wall 72 that is closer to the third support plate 52 than the first outer wall 70 are preferably provided at an inclination angle that allows the gas sent by the blower 86 to be blown onto the printing medium 99 upstream of the heating region F in the transport direction T. Similarly, the louvers 88 are preferably provided at an inclination angle that allows the gas sent by the blower 86 to be blown onto the printing medium 99 upstream of the heating region F in the transport direction T. In other words, it is preferable that the air outlet 81 blows the gas onto the printing medium 99 toward a position away from the heating region F.

[0042] As a result, the media processing device 16 suppresses the blowing of gas from the air outlet 81 onto the heating region F. Therefore, the media processing device 16 suppresses a decrease in the temperature of the heating region F.

[0043] The blower 86 delivers gas through the communication channel S1 at a speed that allows the gas blown out from the air outlet 81 to reach the air intake 83 at a speed faster than the evaporation components of the ink reach the drying section 50. The gas delivered in this manner is blown onto the printing medium 99 upstream of the heating region F in the transport direction T, and then flows through the heating region F along the transport direction T. As a result, in the media processing apparatus 16, collisions between the delivered gas and the transported printing medium 99 in the transport direction T are suppressed, preventing displacement of the printing medium 99. The gas flowing through the heating region F along the transport direction T reaches the area downstream of the heating region F. As a result, the evaporated components of the ink reach the area downstream of the heating region F along with the gas.

[0044] The end portion 74A of the third outer wall 74 is positioned with a gap between it and the support surface 52A that is large enough for the printing medium 99 to pass through. As a result, the evaporated components of the ink are blocked by the third outer wall 74. The evaporated components of the ink, which are blocked by the third outer wall 74, are drawn into the recovery path S2 by the blower 94 along with air, and further drawn into the recovery enclosure 92.

[0045] This prevents the evaporation components of the ink from being discharged to the outside of the printing device 1. Therefore, the condensation of the evaporation components of the ink outside the printing device 1 can be suppressed.

[0046] In the media processing apparatus 16, a portion of the gas flowing through the heating region F flows into the communication channel S1 via the intake port 83. As described above, most of the evaporated components of the ink are drawn into the recovery channel S2, so the gas flowing into the communication channel S1 via the intake port 83 contains fewer evaporated components, is dry, and is hot because it has passed through the heating region F. Once this gas flows into the communication channel S1, it is blown onto the printing medium 99 from the air outlet 81 by the blower 86.

[0047] In this way, the media processing apparatus 16 can supply high-temperature gas with a low amount of evaporative components, i.e., low-humidity gas, to the printing medium 99 by taking the gas flowing through the heating region F into the communication channel S1. As a result, the media processing apparatus 16 can suppress the decrease in temperature and increase in humidity of the heating region F, and dry the ink on the printing medium 99 more efficiently.

[0048] Figure 4 shows the temperature distribution during operation of the media processing device 16. In Figure 4, areas with relatively high temperatures are indicated as high-temperature areas C1, areas with temperatures lower than high-temperature areas C1 are indicated as medium-temperature areas C2, and areas with temperatures lower than medium-temperature areas C2 are indicated as low-temperature areas C3. As shown in Figure 4, in the media processing apparatus 16, the heating unit 56, the third support plate 52, and the communication channel S1 become high-temperature areas C1. Therefore, the media processing apparatus 16 can take in high-temperature gas through the communication channel S1 and send this gas toward the printing medium 99, thereby drying the ink on the printing medium 99 more efficiently.

[0049] Figure 5 shows the humidity distribution diagram when the media processing device 16 is in operation. In Figure 5, areas with relatively high humidity are indicated as high humidity areas H1, areas with lower humidity than high humidity areas H1 are indicated as medium humidity areas H2, and areas with lower humidity than medium humidity areas H2 are indicated as low humidity areas H3. As shown in Figure 5, in the media processing apparatus 16, the recovery path S2 is a moderately humid area H2. In contrast, in the media processing apparatus 16, the heating area F, the heating section 56, the third support plate 52, and the communication channel S1 are low-humidity areas H3. As a result, the media processing apparatus 16 can send the evaporative components with relatively high humidity to the recovery path S2, and take in the gas with relatively low humidity into the communication channel S1. Therefore, the media processing apparatus 16 can send this gas toward the printing medium 99, and dry the ink on the printing medium 99 more efficiently.

[0050] The embodiments described above illustrate one aspect of the present invention and can be arbitrarily modified and applied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0051] Figure 6 is a side view showing a modified example of the media processing apparatus 16 of this embodiment. In Figure 6, the drying section 50 is shown in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 6, the drying section 50 may be positioned such that, in the transport direction T, the third outer wall 74 is located downstream of the end of the third support plate 52. In this case, the end 74A may be positioned further away from the recovery opening 87 than the support surface 52A in a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface 54A.

[0052] This allows the media processing device 16 to more reliably and effectively block more of the evaporated ink components with the third outer wall 74. Furthermore, when the media processing apparatus 16 is formed in this manner, it is desirable that the printing medium 99 being transported along the transport path R changes direction at the end located downstream of the third support plate 52 in the transport direction T, so as to avoid the third outer wall 74.

[0053] In the second outer wall 72, the portion that is closer to the third support plate 52 than the first outer wall 70 may have an end on the opposite side of the first outer wall 70 that is closer to the support surface 52A than to the opposing surface 54A. As a result, the air outlet 81 is provided at an angle toward the support surface 52A and the air intake 83. Therefore, the drying section 50 can more efficiently deliver gas along the transport direction T, and the evaporated components of the ink can be sent downstream of the heating region F.

[0054] In the embodiment described above, the gas blown out from the air outlet 81 is blown onto the printing medium 99 upstream of the heating region F in the transport direction T. In this case, it is desirable that the gas blown out from the air outlet 81 is blown onto the printing medium 99 upstream of the point where the straight line passing through the central axis P of the heater tube 60 and the end 62A of the reflector plate 62 intersects the support surface 52A in the transport direction T. This allows the media processing apparatus 16 to more reliably suppress a decrease in the temperature of the heating region F.

[0055] The heating unit 56 may have only one heater tube 60 or three or more. If three or more heater tubes 60 are provided in the heating unit 56, the heater tubes 60 may be arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the heater tube 60. Alternatively, for example, three or more heater tubes 60 may be arranged in a row along the transport direction T.

[0056] The support surface 52A may be a flat surface parallel to the opposing surface 54A, or it may be formed in a curved shape. The drying unit 50 may be provided integrally with the printing unit housing 40. The blower 86 may be located inside the air outlet 81 or inside the air intake 83. The heating element in the heating section 56 is not limited to the heater tube 60; it may also be an electric heating wire, a heat source lamp, or a lamp capable of emitting ultraviolet light or electron beams.

[0057] The liquid ejected by the head 42 is not limited to ink; it may also be a liquid body in which particles of a functional material are dispersed or mixed in a liquid. For example, the head 42 may eject a liquid body containing, in the form of dispersion or dissolution, electrode materials or colorants (pixel materials) used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescent (EL) displays, and surface-emitting displays.

[0058] The head 42 may be configured to contact the printing medium 99 and thereby cause the liquid to adhere to the printing medium 99. The head 42 may be a line head type that extends over a long length in the width direction of the printing medium 99.

[0059] The printing device 1 may be a page printer that prints on a page-by-page basis. The drying section 50 may also be used to accelerate the drying of materials other than printed materials. The printing medium 99 is not limited to printing paper; it may also be a plastic film such as transfer film, a thin sheet material, or a fabric used in a printing apparatus.

[0060] In the embodiments described above, the horizontal and vertical directions and various shapes, unless otherwise specified, include an equal range that produces the same effects and functions as those directions and shapes.

[0061] [Summary of this disclosure] A summary of this disclosure is provided below.

[0062] (Note 1) A media processing apparatus comprising a housing comprising: a media support section for supporting a medium being transported along a transport path; a drying section facing the media support section with the medium supported by the media support section in between, for drying ink adhering to the medium, wherein the drying section is spaced apart from the medium and includes a heating section for heating the medium in a heating region; an air outlet for sending out gas that is blown toward the medium and then flows along the medium; an air intake for taking in the gas that has passed through the heating region; a communication path connecting the air outlet and the air intake for the gas to flow; and a recovery path located downstream of the air intake in the direction in which the gas flows along the medium, for recovering a portion of the gas that is not taken in by the air intake. This allows the media processing device to recover a large amount of vapor contained in the ink, thereby reducing the amount of vapor discharged to the outside.

[0063] (Note 2) The media processing apparatus according to Appendix 1, wherein the housing is provided with a first partition wall extending in a direction intersecting the direction of gas flow and separating the recovery passage from the intake port, and a second partition wall extending in a direction intersecting the direction of gas flow, covering the recovery passage from the downstream side in the direction of gas flow, and located downstream of the first partition wall, the second partition wall extending to a position closer to the media support portion than the first partition wall. This allows the media processing device to recover gas that was not taken into the air intake.

[0064] (Note 3) The media support portion comprises a support surface on which the media is placed on its upper surface, and the second partition wall is located downstream of one end of the support surface in the direction in which the gas flows, and extends to a position further away from the recovery path than the support surface, as described in Appendix 2. This allows the media processing device to recover more of the gas that was not taken into the air intake.

[0065] (Note 4) The media processing apparatus according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein the air outlet blows the gas onto the medium toward a position outside the range heated by the heating unit. This allows the media processing device to blow air onto the media while suppressing a decrease in the temperature of the heated area.

[0066] (Note 5) The air outlet is provided at an angle toward the surface of the media support portion, as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4. This allows the media processing device to blow gas along the transport path.

[0067] (Note 6) The media processing apparatus according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, wherein the housing is provided with louvers that are inclined with respect to the surface of the media support portion inside the air outlet. This allows the media processing device to blow gas along the transport path.

[0068] (Note 7) A printing apparatus comprising a housing comprising: an ejection unit for ejecting ink onto a medium; a medium transport unit for transporting the medium; a medium support unit for supporting the medium being transported along a transport path; and a drying unit facing the medium support unit with the medium supported by the medium support unit in between, for drying the ink adhering to the medium, wherein the drying unit is positioned at a distance from the medium and includes a heating unit for heating the medium in a heating region; an air outlet for sending out gas that is blown toward the medium and then flows along the medium; an air intake for taking in the gas that has passed through the heating region; a communication path connecting the air outlet and the air intake for the gas to flow; and a recovery path located downstream of the air intake in the direction in which the gas flows along the medium, for recovering a portion of the gas that is not taken in by the air intake. This allows the printing equipment to recover more vapor-containing gas, reducing the amount of vapor discharged outside the equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1...Printing device, 10...Printing section, 12...Support section, 14...Conveying section, 16...Media processing device, 30...Conveying roller, 50...Drying section, 52...Third support plate, 52A...Support surface, 54...Drying section housing, 54A...Opposite surface, 56...Heating section, 58...Heating housing, 59...Irradiation aperture, 60...Heater tube, 62...Reflector, 62A...End, 70...First outer wall, 72...Second outer wall, 74...Third outer wall, 74A...End, 76...Side wall, 80...Partition wall, 81...Air outlet, 83...Air intake, 87...Recovery opening, 88...Louver, 99...Printing medium, R...Conveying path, S1...Communicating flow path, S2...Recovery path, T...Conveying direction.

Claims

1. A media support section that supports the medium being transported along the transport path, Opposite the media support portion is a drying portion for drying the ink adhering to the media, Equipped with, The drying section is A heating unit is positioned at a distance from the medium and heats the medium in the heating region, An air outlet that blows the gas towards the medium and then sends out the gas that flows along the medium, An air intake port for taking in the gas passing through the heating region, A connecting passage is provided through which the air outlet and the air intake are connected and through which the gas flows, A recovery path located downstream of the intake port in the direction in which the gas flows along the medium, which recovers a portion of the gas that is not taken into the intake port, The enclosure is equipped with a Media processing device.

2. The aforementioned housing includes, A first partition wall extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the gas flows and separates the recovery passage from the intake port, A second partition wall extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the gas flows, covers the recovery path from the downstream side in the direction in which the gas flows, and is located downstream of the first partition wall. A system was established, The second partition wall extends to a position closer to the media support portion than the first partition wall. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The media support portion includes a support surface on which the media is placed on its upper surface, The second partition wall is located downstream of one end of the support surface in the direction of gas flow and extends to a position further away from the recovery path than the support surface. The media processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned air outlet blows the gas onto the medium toward a position away from the heating region. A media processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The air outlet is provided at an angle toward the surface provided by the media support portion. A media processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The housing is provided with louvers inside the air outlet that are inclined with respect to the surface of the media support portion. A media processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. An ejection unit that ejects ink onto the medium, A media transport unit for transporting the aforementioned medium, A media support section that supports the medium being transported along the transport path, A drying section is located opposite the media support section, with the media supported by the media support section in between, and dries the ink adhering to the media. Equipped with, The drying section is A heating unit is positioned at a distance from the medium and heats the medium in the heating region, An air outlet that blows the gas towards the medium and then sends out the gas that flows along the medium, An air intake port for taking in the gas passing through the heating region, A connecting passage is provided through which the air outlet and the air intake are connected and through which the gas flows, A recovery path located downstream of the intake port in the direction in which the gas flows along the medium, which recovers a portion of the gas that is not taken into the intake port, The enclosure is equipped with a Printing device.

Images