Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

The objective of this invention is to suppress wrinkles in recording media. [Solution] A liquid dispensing device 100 comprising a printing unit 3 for dispensing liquid onto paper P, and a drying unit 6 provided downstream of the printing unit 3 in the recording medium transport direction for heating and drying the recording medium, characterized in that superheated steam is supplied to the paper P from the side opposite to the drying unit 6 at a position facing the drying unit 6 in the recording medium transport direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In a liquid ejection apparatus, a drying unit heats the surface of a recording medium onto which liquid has been ejected, to dry the liquid on the recording medium.

[0003] As such a liquid ejection apparatus, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 5401998) jets superheated steam onto a recording medium before liquid is ejected to form an image, thereby heating and humidifying the recording medium. After that, liquid is ejected onto the recording medium to form an image, and the recording medium is dried by a drying unit.

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the recording medium is dried by the drying unit, a difference in moisture content occurs between the portion where the liquid adheres and the portion where the liquid does not adhere, which causes a problem of wrinkling of the recording medium.

[0005] The present invention addresses the problem of suppressing wrinkling of the recording medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problem, the present invention is a liquid ejection apparatus comprising: a liquid ejection unit that ejects liquid onto a recording medium; and a drying unit that is provided downstream of the liquid ejection unit in the recording medium conveyance direction and heats and dries the recording medium, wherein superheated steam is supplied to the recording medium from a side opposite to the drying unit side at a position facing the drying unit in the recording medium conveyance direction.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, wrinkling of the recording medium can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the procedure for image formation using the liquid dispensing device. [Figure 3] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the humidifying suction section and its surrounding area. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of BB. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the humidifying suction unit and its surrounding area. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing a superheated steam generator. [Figure 7] This is a functional block diagram of the control unit for the liquid dispensing device. [Figure 8] This is a functional block diagram of the control unit in a modified example of a liquid dispensing device. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of a liquid dispensing device. [Figure 10] This is a front cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the humidifying suction section. [Figure 11] This is a side cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the humidifying suction section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of image formation operation by the liquid dispensing device of Figure 1.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the liquid dispensing device 100 includes a paper feeding unit 1, a paper orientation adjustment unit 2, a printing unit 3 as a liquid dispensing unit, a first transport belt 4 as a first transport member, a suction unit 5, a drying unit 6, a second transport belt 7 as a second transport member, a humidifying suction unit 20, a straightening and cooling unit 8, a reversing unit 10, and a paper discharge unit 11. In order from the upstream side in the paper transport direction, the paper feeding unit 1, paper orientation adjustment unit 2, printing unit 3 and the first transport belt 4 and suction unit 5, the drying unit 6 and the second transport belt 7 and humidifying suction unit 20, the straightening and cooling unit 8, the reversing unit 10, and the paper discharge unit 11 are provided. The paper may also be humidified by the suction unit 5.

[0012] At the start of the image forming operation, the paper type is first selected (S1 in Figure 2). Printing conditions, drying conditions, and humidification conditions are selected according to the paper type. Correction conditions and cooling conditions may also be set in S4 in Figure 2.

[0013] Then, paper, to be used as a recording medium, is fed from the paper feeding unit 1 and transported in the direction of arrow A. First, the orientation of the paper is adjusted by the paper orientation adjustment unit 2 (for example, the position and tilt in the width direction are corrected). After that, the paper is transported by the first transport belt 4 while being sucked towards the first transport belt 4 by the suction unit 5, and ink is ejected by multiple liquid ejection heads provided in the printing unit, forming an image on the surface of the paper (S2 in Figure 2).

[0014] Subsequently, the paper is transferred from the first conveyor belt 4 to the second conveyor belt 7. The paper is transported by the second conveyor belt 7 while being sucked towards the second conveyor belt 7 by the humidifying suction unit 20, and the image-forming surface of the paper is heated and dried by the drying unit 6. At this time, the humidifying suction unit 20 humidifies the paper from the opposite side of the drying unit 6 (S3 in Figure 2). The configuration of the humidifying suction unit 20 will be described later.

[0015] Thereafter, the sheet is heated and pressurized by the correction cooling unit 8 as necessary, thereby correcting wrinkles and curls of the sheet. Further, the correction cooling unit 8 cools the sheet to lower the temperature at the time of sheet discharge and prevent blocking (S4 in FIG. 2). In addition, by cooling the sheet with the correction cooling unit 8, during duplex printing, the sheet can be conveyed to the printing unit 3 in a low temperature state, and damage to the liquid ejection head due to heating can be prevented.

[0016] When performing duplex printing on a sheet, the sheet is reversed in the reversing unit 10 and sent out to the reverse conveyance path 12 (S5 in FIG. 2). Then, the sheet is conveyed again from the sheet posture adjustment unit 2 to form an image.

[0017] The sheet that has completed the image forming operation is discharged to the sheet discharge unit 11.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the humidifying suction unit 20 and its surroundings will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the humidifying suction unit and its peripheral portion, FIG. 4 is a B-B cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the humidifying suction unit and its peripheral portion.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the drying unit 6 faces the image forming surface of the sheet P (the upper surface in FIG. 3), and heats the image forming surface of the sheet P to dry the ink on the surface. The drying unit 6 is configured by a combination of an IR heater, a superheated steam supply unit, a hot air supply unit, and the like.

[0020] The second conveyance belt 7 faces the surface of the sheet P opposite to the image forming surface. A plurality of suction holes 7a (see FIG. 5) are formed on the surface of the second conveyance belt 7. The second conveyance belt 7 can be formed of, for example, a metal such as SUS or a resin such as PI. Alternatively, it can be a mesh-shaped belt formed of glass fiber.

[0021] The second conveyor belt 7 is stretched by a driven roller 13A and a drive roller 13B. The drive roller 13B rotates when power is transmitted from a drive motor or the like, causing the second conveyor belt 7 to travel in a circular motion. As a result, the driven roller 13A rotates in a driven motion. The driven roller 13A may also be configured to be heated. The configuration of the first conveyor belt 4 (see Figure 1) is basically the same as that of the second conveyor belt 7.

[0022] The humidifying suction unit 20 is provided with an air chamber 21, which serves as a supply chamber. The air chamber 21 is located inside the second conveyor belt 7. In other words, the air chamber 21 is located in the portion sandwiched between the upper and lower belts that make up the conveyor belt 7.

[0023] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the air chamber 21 is provided with a supply port 21a for supplying superheated steam. The supply port 21a is angled upward from the outside to the inside of the air chamber 21 so that superheated steam can be injected toward the back side of the paper P. The supply port 21a is connected to a superheated steam generator 22 that supplies superheated steam via a superheated steam supply path. The air chamber 21 also has a suction port 21b for creating negative pressure inside the air chamber 21 and a recovery port 21c for collecting condensed water inside the air chamber 21.

[0024] The air chamber 21 is a container-shaped member with walls on its front, rear, sides, and bottom, and its top is open through a belt-side opening 21d. This belt-side opening 21d is covered by the conveyor belt 7, and the inside of the air chamber 21 is a sealed box-shaped space except for the supply port 21a, the suction port 21b, and the recovery port 21c. Therefore, by sucking air from inside the air chamber 21 through the suction port 21b, this space can be made to have negative pressure. As a result, the back side of the paper P can be sucked through the belt-side opening 21d and the suction hole 7a of the conveyor belt 7.

[0025] Furthermore, superheated steam is supplied into the air chamber 21 from the supply port 21a, and moisture is supplied to the back surface of the paper P through the belt-side opening 21d and the suction holes 7a of the conveyor belt 7. In this way, the air chamber 21 in this embodiment functions as a humidifying section that humidifies the paper P, and is opposite the drying section 6 via the paper P and the conveyor belt 7. The space inside the air chamber 21 does not directly contact the paper P, but is a space with the conveyor belt 7 in between, and superheated steam is supplied to this space.

[0026] As described above, according to this embodiment, the drying unit 6 heats and dries the image-forming surface of the paper P, while the humidifying suction unit 20 humidifies the surface of the paper P opposite to the image-forming surface. In other words, at a position where the drying unit 6 in the paper transport direction faces the image-forming surface of the paper P, the humidifying suction unit 20 humidifies the paper P from the opposite side of the drying unit 6. This suppresses the difference in water absorption rates between the printed and blank areas of the paper P caused by heating of the paper P by the drying unit 6, thereby suppressing wrinkles (cockling) of the paper P. Furthermore, by humidifying the surface of the paper P opposite to the image-forming surface, even if water droplets remain on that surface, the ink in the printed area will not redisperse, and the formation of abnormal images on the paper P can be suppressed. In addition, since the paper P can be humidified using the air chamber 21 for sucking paper within the transport belt 7, there is no need to extend the paper transport path for the humidification configuration, and the liquid discharge device can be miniaturized. By humidifying with superheated steam, it becomes possible to humidify the paper P in a short time, such as 0.5 seconds, and sufficient humidification can be achieved even while the paper P is being transported over a short distance in the paper transport direction, i.e., the length of the air chamber 21 in the transport direction. In addition, since the transport belt 7 can be humidified simultaneously by the humidification suction unit 20, the temperature difference between the front and back surfaces of the paper P can be suppressed, and curling of the paper P can be suppressed.

[0027] The humidifying suction unit 20 preferably humidifies the paper P after drying by the drying unit 6 so that the moisture content is 4-6%. The cylinder temperature of the superheated steam is preferably set to 300°C or lower in the humidifying suction unit 20. Furthermore, when superheated steam is used in the drying unit 6, the cylinder temperature is preferably 400°C or higher.

[0028] It is preferable that the paper P being transported on the second conveyor belt 7 is heated by the drying unit 6 so that its temperature is 100°C or lower. This makes it easier for condensation to form on the surface of the paper P, allowing for efficient humidification of the paper P. To keep the temperature of the paper P below 100°C, for example, the upper limit of the heating temperature by the drying unit 6 can be set to 100°C or lower. Alternatively, by increasing the suction flow rate from the suction holes 7a of the second conveyor belt 7, the paper can be cooled while being sucked in, thereby keeping the temperature of the paper P below 100°C.

[0029] It is preferable that the suction pressure from the suction hole 7a (see Figure 5) of the second conveyor belt 7, caused by creating a negative pressure in the air chamber 21, is greater than the injection pressure of superheated steam from the suction hole 7a. This prevents the paper P from floating up due to the injection of superheated steam, and does not impair the paper transport performance of the conveyor belt 7.

[0030] Furthermore, it is preferable that the second conveyor belt 7 has a mesh shape. This reduces the contact area between the second conveyor belt 7 and the paper P, and allows the parts of the paper P that are in contact with the second conveyor belt 7 and parts that are not in contact (i.e., parts facing the holes of the second conveyor belt 7) to be distributed across the entire paper P. Therefore, uneven temperature distribution on the paper P can be suppressed, and image unevenness due to temperature differences can be suppressed. In addition, the mesh shape of the second conveyor belt 7 reduces heat transfer between the second conveyor belt 7 and the paper P, allowing the drying section 6 to heat and dry the paper P efficiently. Also, the mesh shape of the second conveyor belt 7 makes it difficult for heat to flow from the paper P to the second conveyor belt 7, making it easier to keep the second conveyor belt 7 below 100°C and enhancing the humidifying effect on the paper P.

[0031] Figure 6 shows the superheated steam generator 22.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6, a steam generation path 22a is provided inside the superheated steam generator 22. In this embodiment, the steam generation path 22a makes multiple reciprocating movements in the left-right direction of Figure 6, and its path length is made long. A heating section 23 is provided in the superheated steam generator 22. An insulating material 24 is provided around the heating section 23.

[0033] Water and, if necessary, air are supplied from the supply port 22b to the steam generation path 22a within the superheated steam generator 22 by a pump. The heating unit 23 heats the water in the steam generation path 22a, forming superheated steam. The steam generation path 22a has a small cross-sectional area, allowing heat from the heating unit 23 to be efficiently transferred to the water. The insulating material 24 suppresses heat from flowing out of the heating unit 23 to the superheated steam generator 22, allowing the water in the steam generation path 22a to be heated efficiently. By superheating the water in the steam generation path 22a to 100°C or higher, preferably 150°C or higher, superheated steam is injected from the injection port 22c and supplied to the humidification suction unit 20 (see Figure 5).

[0034] Figure 7 is a functional block diagram of the control unit of the liquid dispensing device.

[0035] The control unit 200 includes a main control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a printing control unit 203, a drying control unit 204, and a humidification control unit 205.

[0036] The main control unit 201 is a CPU or similar device that issues instructions to the memory unit 202, print control unit 203, drying control unit 204, and humidification control unit 205. The memory unit 202 is an HDD or similar device that holds data such as the image to be printed. The print control unit 203 controls the liquid ejection operation by the liquid ejection head based on instructions from the main control unit 201. The drying control unit 204 controls the paper heating and drying operation by the drying unit 6 based on instructions from the main control unit 201. The humidification control unit 205 controls the humidification operation of the humidification suction unit 20 based on instructions from the main control unit 201.

[0037] The memory unit 202 stores data such as printing conditions, drying conditions, humidification conditions, correction conditions, and cooling conditions according to the type of paper. By the user selecting the type of paper on which to form the image, the main control unit 201 can be configured to perform the image formation operation according to the conditions of the paper type, based on the information from the memory unit 202.

[0038] Printing conditions, depending on the type of paper, include factors such as the amount of ink droplets applied, the ink droplet ejection speed by the liquid ejection head, and the size of the ink droplets.

[0039] Drying conditions, depending on the type of paper, include the drying temperature of the drying unit 6, the paper transport speed of the second transport belt at the position opposite the drying unit 6, and the selection of the drying method.

[0040] Humidification conditions, depending on the type of paper, include the temperature and humidity of the superheated steam supplied to the humidification suction unit 20, the paper transport speed by the second transport belt at a position opposite the humidification suction unit 20, the amount of superheated steam supplied to the air chamber, and, if there are multiple supply chambers, which supply chamber to which the superheated steam is supplied.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 200 may be equipped with artificial intelligence (AI). In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 8, the liquid dispensing device has an image detection means 51, a supply chamber information detection means 52, a superheated steam detection means 53, and a supply chamber data prediction means 206 provided within the control unit 200.

[0042] The image detection means 51 detects image information formed on the paper P. The AI ​​function provided in the control unit 200 collects the detection information from the image detection means 51 and calculates various printing conditions that result in optimal image quality for each type of paper. This makes it possible to handle paper types other than those for which data has been pre-stored in the storage unit 202.

[0043] The supply chamber information detection means 52 is, for example, a means for detecting the temperature and humidity inside the chamber. The superheated steam detection means 53 is, for example, a means for detecting the amount and temperature of superheated steam supplied into the chamber. The supply chamber data prediction means 206 predicts supply chamber data suitable for image formation based on the detection results of these detection means, using a machine learning-based supply chamber data prediction program.

[0044] Based on the detection information from the image detection means 51, the supply room information detection means 52, and the superheated steam detection means 53, the artificial intelligence of the control unit may set optimal printing conditions such as printing conditions, drying conditions, humidification conditions, straightening conditions, and cooling conditions. It is not necessary to rely on all of the detection information from the image detection means 51, the supply room information detection means 52, and the superheated steam detection means 53; it may be based on only some of it.

[0045] In this embodiment, since the entire air chamber 21 constitutes a supply chamber that supplies superheated steam to the paper P, the supply chamber information detection means 52 detects information about the air chamber 21. However, if only a part of the air chamber 21 is the supply chamber, the supply chamber information detection means 52 detects information about the supply chamber.

[0046] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit of the liquid dispensing device of this embodiment, which is equipped with the above-mentioned AI function, will be explained with reference to Figure 9.

[0047] As shown in Figure 9, the liquid dispensing device 100 of this embodiment includes a control unit 200 that uses AI functionality to predict the optimal conditions for ink application, drying, and humidification according to the type of paper during its operation (liquid dispensing operation, drying process of the medium after liquid dispensing, and humidification process of the medium performed during the drying process).

[0048] The machine learning server 102 plays a central role in generating the trained model, which is a noise prediction program for realizing this AI function. The data server 105 is responsible for collecting training data used for machine learning on the machine learning server 102 from external devices such as the liquid dispensing device 100 and providing it to the machine learning server 102.

[0049] The liquid dispensing device 100 can receive trained models generated by the machine learning server 102 as needed and implement specific AI functions using these trained models. The machine learning server 102 also receives training data necessary for training a training model to implement a specific AI function from the data server 105, the liquid dispensing device 100, the general-purpose computer 103, etc. The machine learning server 102 then generates a trained model by performing training processing using some or all of this data.

[0050] The liquid dispensing device 100 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1201, RAM (Random Access Memory) 1202, and ROM (Read Only Memory) 1203. It also has a hardware group including an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1204 as a storage means, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 1221, a network IF 1210 as a transmitting and receiving unit, and various other detection means (sensors) and functions.

[0051] The hardware group includes an image detection means 51, a supply room information detection means 52, a superheated steam detection means 53, and the like.

[0052] Image quality data collected by the image detection means 51, temperature and humidity data in the air chamber collected by the supply chamber information detection means 52, and data on the amount and temperature of superheated steam collected by the water vapor detection means are stored in the HDD 1204 as training data. In addition, paper information such as the paper size, paper thickness, and paper type of the recording paper being transported, as well as the print mode, acquired from the general-purpose computer 103, are also stored in the HDD 1204 as training data.

[0053] The CPU 1201 is a control unit that comprehensively controls the liquid dispensing device 100. The RAM 1202 is the system work memory for the operation of the CPU 1201 and is an image memory for temporarily storing image data, etc. The network IF 1210 is connected to a LAN, etc., and communicates (sends and receives) with the general-purpose computer 103, other computer terminals on the LAN, and external devices 300 such as the machine learning server 102 and the data server 105. It also includes data communication with an external facsimile device and wireless communication functions for wirelessly connecting with external terminals.

[0054] ROM1203 stores programs executed by CPU1201, etc. HDD1204 stores system software, image data, software counter values, etc. Alternatively, other storage devices such as solid-state drives (SSDs) may be provided instead of or in conjunction with the HDDs.

[0055] The GPU1221 can perform calculations more efficiently by processing data in parallel.

[0056] The data server 105 and the general-purpose computer 103 can be implemented with the same hardware configuration as the machine learning server 102 described above. Furthermore, the machine learning server 102 and the data server 105 may be implemented on the same computer.

[0057] Furthermore, the machine learning server 102 and the data server 105 may be implemented by a single computer or by multiple computers. For example, the machine learning server 102 and the data server 105 may be implemented using cloud computing technology.

[0058] Next, a modified example of the humidifying suction unit 20 will be explained using Figure 10.

[0059] As shown in Figure 10, in this embodiment, the air chamber 21 of the humidifying suction unit 20 is partitioned by a partition 25, dividing it into a supply chamber 21A for supplying superheated steam and a suction chamber 21B. The partition 25 is provided with a plurality of communication holes 25a, which connect the supply chamber 21A and the suction chamber 21B. The supply chamber 21A is provided with a supply port 21a, through which superheated steam is supplied. The suction chamber 21B is provided with a suction port 21b and a recovery port 21c. In this embodiment, the supply chamber 21A is located at the top of the air chamber 21, and the suction chamber 21B is located at the bottom of the air chamber 21. Points that are not explained are basically the same as in the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0060] Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the entire air chamber 21 provided within the second conveyor belt 7 constitutes a supply chamber for superheated steam. However, as in this embodiment, the air chamber 21 may be partitioned, with only a portion of it constituting the supply chamber.

[0061] In this embodiment, by separating the supply chamber 21A, which supplies superheated steam, from the suction chamber 21B, the supply chamber 21A can be made semi-sealed (the degree of sealing can be increased). Therefore, even if the injection pressure of superheated steam from the superheated steam generator to the supply chamber 21A is lower, the supply chamber 21A can be filled with superheated steam. Consequently, even if the injection pressure of superheated steam from the supply port 21a is lower, sufficient humidification capacity for the paper P can be obtained. This makes it easier to humidify the back surface of the paper P without lifting it.

[0062] Another modified example of the humidifying suction unit 20 will be explained using Figure 11.

[0063] As shown in Figure 11, the humidifying suction unit 20 of this embodiment, like the embodiment in Figure 10, has an air chamber 21 divided into a supply chamber 21A and a suction chamber 21B by a partition 25. A difference from the embodiment in Figure 10 is that the supply chamber 21A is provided only in the upstream portion of the second conveyor belt 7 in the paper transport direction. Conversely, the supply chamber 21A may be provided only in the downstream portion of the second conveyor belt 7 in the paper transport direction. Points not explained are basically the same as in the embodiment in Figure 10. Note that the paper width direction is the direction along the surface of the paper and perpendicular to the paper transport direction.

[0064] Thus, the supply chamber for supplying superheated steam can be provided only in a portion of the position facing the drying section 6 in the paper transport direction, or it can be divided into multiple chambers in the paper transport direction and width direction. This allows for appropriate adjustment of the moisture content of the paper P, making it easier to achieve the aforementioned moisture content of 4-6%.

[0065] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0066] In the above explanation, the humidifying suction unit 20 that supplies superheated steam to the paper P also served as the part that sucked the paper P toward the second conveyor belt 7. However, it is not necessarily limited to this, and it may only supply superheated steam.

[0067] The term "liquid" includes not only ink but also paint.

[0068] In this application, "liquid dispensing device" refers to a device that includes a liquid dispensing head or a liquid dispensing unit and drives the liquid dispensing head to dispense liquid. A liquid dispensing device includes not only devices that can dispense liquid onto objects to which liquid can adhere, but also devices that dispense liquid into air or into liquid.

[0069] This "liquid dispensing device" may also include means for feeding, transporting, and dispensing paper onto materials to which liquid can adhere, as well as pre-treatment devices, post-treatment devices, etc.

[0070] For example, "liquid ejection devices" include image forming devices that eject ink to form images on paper, and three-dimensional molding devices that eject molding liquid into a powder layer formed in layers to create three-dimensional objects.

[0071] Furthermore, the term "liquid dispensing device" is not limited to those that visualize meaningful images such as letters or figures through the dispensed liquid. For example, it also includes devices that form patterns that do not have meaning in themselves, or devices that create three-dimensional images.

[0072] The term "materials to which liquid can adhere" above refers to materials to which liquid can adhere, at least temporarily, including materials that adhere and solidify, or materials that adhere and penetrate. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, film, and cloth; electronic components such as electronic circuit boards and piezoelectric elements; powder layers; organ models; and inspection cells. Unless otherwise specified, it includes all materials to which liquid can adhere.

[0073] The materials referred to as "materials to which liquid can adhere" above include paper, thread, fibers, fabrics, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc., as long as liquid can adhere to them, even temporarily.

[0074] Furthermore, while "liquid dispensing device" includes devices in which the liquid dispensing head and the object to which the liquid can adhere move relative to each other, it is not limited to these. Specific examples include serial-type devices in which the liquid dispensing head moves, and line-type devices in which the liquid dispensing head does not move.

[0075] Other examples of "liquid dispensing devices" include processing liquid coating devices that dispense processing liquid onto the surface of paper for purposes such as modifying the paper surface, and injection granulation devices that granulate fine particles of raw materials by spraying a compositional liquid, in which raw materials are dispersed in a solution, through a nozzle.

[0076] In this application, the terms image formation, recording, printing, copying, printing, and shaping are all considered synonymous.

[0077] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> A liquid dispensing unit that dispenses liquid onto a recording medium, A liquid dispensing device comprising: a drying unit provided downstream of the liquid dispensing unit in the direction of conveying the recording medium, which heats and dries the recording medium; A liquid dispensing device characterized by supplying superheated steam to the recording medium from the side opposite to the drying section at a position opposite to the drying section in the recording medium transport direction. <2> A conveyor belt for conveying the recording medium is provided at a position opposite the drying section, with the recording medium in the direction of recording medium transport. The superheated steam is supplied to the recording medium via a supply chamber located inside the conveyor belt. <1> The liquid dispensing device described above. <3> The supply chamber is provided with a suction port for creating negative pressure inside the supply chamber. By creating a negative pressure inside the supply chamber, the recording medium is attracted to the conveyor belt through the suction holes provided in the conveyor belt. <2> The liquid dispensing device described above. <4> The supply chamber is covered on the recording medium side by the transport belt. The space formed by the supply chamber and the conveyor belt is sealed except for the suction hole, the suction port, the supply port for supplying the superheated steam to the supply chamber, and the recovery port for recovering moisture in the supply chamber. <3> The liquid dispensing device described above. <5> The suction pressure applied to the recording medium from the suction hole is greater than the injection pressure of the superheated steam from the suction hole. <4> The liquid dispensing device described above. <6> The system further includes a superheated steam generator that generates the superheated steam to be supplied to the recording medium, The temperature of the superheated steam generated from the superheated steam generator is 150°C or higher. <1> from <5> Any of the liquid dispensing devices described above. <7> The drying unit heats the recording medium so that its temperature is 100°C or lower. <1> from <6> Any of the liquid dispensing devices described above. <8> An air chamber is provided within the conveyor belt. A portion of the air chamber is partitioned into a supply chamber that receives the superheated steam and supplies it to the recording medium. <2> The liquid dispensing device described above. <9> The air chamber is provided with a suction port for creating negative pressure inside the air chamber. By creating a negative pressure inside the air chamber, the recording medium is attracted to the conveyor belt through the suction holes provided in the conveyor belt. <8> The liquid dispensing device described above. <10> The air chamber is covered on the recording medium side by the conveyor belt. The space formed by the air chamber and the conveyor belt is sealed except for the suction hole, the suction port, the supply port for supplying the superheated steam to the supply chamber, and the recovery port for recovering moisture in the air chamber. <9> The liquid dispensing device described above. <11> The suction pressure applied to the recording medium from the suction hole is greater than the injection pressure of the superheated steam from the suction hole. <10> The liquid dispensing device described above. <12> The system further includes a superheated steam generator that generates the superheated steam to be supplied to the recording medium, The temperature of the superheated steam generated from the superheated steam generator is 150°C or higher. <8> from <11> Any of the liquid dispensing devices described above. <13> The drying unit heats the recording medium so that its temperature is 100°C or lower. <8> from <12> Any of the liquid dispensing devices described above. <14> The supply chamber is provided only in a portion of the range in the recording medium transport direction where the drying section is provided. <2> from <5> , <2> related <6> , <2> related <7> , <2> related <6> related <7> , <8> from <11> , <8> related <12> , <8> related <13> , <8> related <12> related <13> A liquid dispensing device as described in any of the following. <15> Image detection means for detecting an image formed on the recording medium by the discharge of liquid by the liquid discharge unit, A supply room information detection means for acquiring information within the supply room, At least one of the following: a superheated steam detection means for detecting information on the superheated steam supplied to the supply chamber; It has a control unit, The control unit selects appropriate printing conditions based on the detection result of at least one of the following: the image detection means, the supply chamber information detection means, and the superheated steam detection means. <2> from <5> , <2> related <6> , <2> related <7> , <2> related <6> related <7> , <8> from <11> , <8> related <12> , <8> related <13> , <8> related <12> related <13> One of the above, or relating to any of these. <14> The liquid dispensing device described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 3 Printing section (liquid discharge section) 6 Drying section 7. Second conveyor belt (conveyor belt) 7a Suction hole 20 Humidification suction section 21 Air chambers (supply chambers) 21a Supply port 21b Suction port 21c Collection port 21d Belt-side opening 22 Superheated steam generator 51 Image detection means 52 Supply Room Information Detection Means 53 Superheated steam detection means 100 Liquid dispensing device 200 Control Unit A. Paper transport direction (recording medium transport direction) P Paper (recording medium) [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0079] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5401998

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing unit that dispenses liquid onto a recording medium, A liquid dispensing device comprising: a drying unit provided downstream of the liquid dispensing unit in the direction of conveying the recording medium, which heats and dries the recording medium; A liquid dispensing device characterized by supplying superheated steam to the recording medium from the side opposite to the drying section at a position opposite to the drying section in the recording medium transport direction.

2. A conveyor belt for conveying the recording medium is provided at a position opposite the drying section, with the recording medium in the direction of recording medium transport. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the superheated steam is supplied to the recording medium via a supply chamber provided inside the conveyor belt.

3. The supply chamber is provided with a suction port for creating negative pressure inside the supply chamber. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the supply chamber is subjected to negative pressure, thereby adsorbing the recording medium toward the conveyor belt through a suction hole provided in the conveyor belt.

4. The supply chamber is covered on the recording medium side by the transport belt. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein the space formed by the supply chamber and the conveyor belt is sealed except for the suction hole, the suction port, the supply port for supplying the superheated steam to the supply chamber, and the recovery port for recovering moisture in the supply chamber.

5. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the suction pressure from the suction hole to the recording medium is greater than the injection pressure of the superheated steam from the suction hole.

6. The system further includes a superheated steam generator that generates the superheated steam to be supplied to the recording medium, The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the superheated steam generated from the superheated steam generator is 150°C or higher.

7. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drying section heats the recording medium so that the temperature of the recording medium is 100°C or less.

8. An air chamber is provided within the conveyor belt. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein a part of the air chamber is partitioned into a supply chamber that receives the superheated steam and supplies the superheated steam to the recording medium.

9. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the supply chamber is provided only in a portion of the range in the recording medium transport direction where the drying section is provided.

10. Image detection means for detecting an image formed on the recording medium by the discharge of liquid by the liquid discharge unit, A supply room information detection means for acquiring information within the supply room, At least one of the following: a superheated steam detection means for detecting information on the superheated steam supplied to the supply chamber; It has a control unit, The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit selects appropriate printing conditions based on the detection result of at least one of the image detection means, the supply chamber information detection means, and the superheated steam detection means.

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