Solution application device and method for producing printed matter

Abstract

To obtain a printed matter obtained by coating a surface with a functional material while reducing a used amount of the functional material.SOLUTION: There are provided: a solution applicator which includes a conveyance unit for conveying a printed matter at least partially including an application range where a functional material solution is applied along a predetermined conveyance path, an application unit that is arranged at a predetermined position on the conveyance path and can set the coating unit in either an application mode of applying the functional material solution on the printed matter or a stop mode of stopping application of the functional material solution to the printed matter, and a control unit for setting the application unit in the application mode when a start position in the application range of the printed matter arrives a predetermined set position set in the vicinity of an arrangement position of the application unit; and a method for manufacturing the printed matter by the same.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a solution application device and a method for producing a printed matter. [Background technology]

[0002] Known methods for imparting antibacterial, antiviral, and other properties to printed matter include using paper to which functional materials such as antibacterial agents have been added, and applying, for example, varnish containing an antibacterial agent to the surface of the printed matter after printing (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the method of adding antibacterial properties to paper, the antibacterial effect is not exerted in the areas where images are formed by printing. In particular, the antibacterial effect is reduced in printed matter with many solid areas. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-184986 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to apply a varnish containing an antibacterial agent to the surface of the printed matter after printing, forming a layer of varnish on the surface of the printed matter. With this method, the antibacterial effect is exerted even after printing. However, the application of the varnish impairs the texture of the paper. In addition, the amount of varnish used increases, which increases the cost.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and one of its objects is to reduce the amount of functional material used while obtaining printed matter having the functional material applied to its surface, thereby reducing costs and making it possible to take advantage of the texture of the paper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention that solves the problems of the conventional examples described above is a solution application device that applies a functional material solution to a printed material, the solution application device including a transport unit that transports the printed material, at least a portion of which includes a coating area to be coated with the functional material solution, along a predetermined transport path, a coating unit that is arranged at a predetermined position on the transport path and can be set to either a coating mode in which the functional material solution is applied to the printed material or a stop mode in which the application of the functional material solution to the printed material is stopped, and a control unit that sets the coating unit to the coating mode when the start position of the coating area on the printed material arrives at a predetermined setting position set by the transport unit near the position of the coating unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a printed matter having a surface coated with a functional material while reducing the amount of the functional material used. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a solution coating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a solution application unit included in a solution application device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating another example of a solution application unit included in a solution application apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a control method for a solution application device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a printed matter produced by a solution application device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating another example of the solution application unit included in the solution application device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7]11A to 11C are explanatory diagrams illustrating examples of shapes of components according to another example of the solution application unit included in the solution application device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A solution application device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention applies a predetermined functional material solution to a printed matter, and basically includes a paper feed section 11, a first conveying section 12, a first paper detection section 13, a solution application unit 14, a drying section 15, a second conveying section 16, a second paper detection section 17, a discharge section 18, and a control section 19, as illustrated in FIG.

[0011] In the following explanation, the size, ratio, spacing, etc. of each part shown in the figure have been changed from the actual ones for the convenience of explanation, and the size, ratio, spacing, etc. are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate.

[0012] The functional material solution here is a solution in which, for example, a copper ion antibacterial agent or a silver ion antibacterial agent is dispersed in a volatile solvent, and in the following example, it is assumed to have antibacterial and antiviral properties. However, the function of the functional material solution is not limited to antibacterial and antiviral properties, and may have other functions. Furthermore, in one example of this embodiment, a binder material that fixes the antibacterial agent to the surface of the printed matter is mixed into this functional material solution.

[0013] In this embodiment, the concentration of the functional material, etc. is experimentally adjusted as appropriate depending on the type of medium, such as paper, on which printing is being performed (this does not necessarily have to be paper, but can be other sheet-like materials such as cloth).

[0014] The paper feed unit 11 accumulates unprocessed printed matter after printing. In this embodiment, the unprocessed printed matter is in a state before being cut off. The first transport unit 12 transports the printed matter from the paper feed unit 11 toward the solution application unit 14. The first transport unit 12 includes at least a pair of rollers 12a, 12b located upstream of the first paper detection unit 13 (on the paper feed unit 11 side) along the transport path C of the printed matter, and transports the printed matter one by one along the predetermined transport path C by rotating the rollers 12a, 12b in different directions.

[0015] For the sake of explanation, the transport direction of the printed matter on transport path C is defined as the positive direction on the X-axis, and the direction on one side of the normal direction of the surface of the printed matter transported on transport path C (the transport trajectory of the printed matter) (hereinafter referred to as the upper side of transport path C) is defined as the positive direction on the Y-axis. Note that the other side of the normal direction of the surface of the printed matter transported on transport path C (the negative direction on the Y-axis) is hereinafter referred to as the lower side of transport path C. Also, for convenience, the direction perpendicular to this XY plane and facing into the paper is defined as the positive direction on the Z-axis.

[0016] The first paper detection unit 13 is disposed at a position X1 upstream of the solution application unit 14 along the transport path C of the printed material, and when the paper reaches this position, it outputs a signal indicating that fact to the control unit 19. This first paper detection unit 13 is, for example, a photointerrupter, and has a light emitting unit and a photodetector disposed at opposing positions above and below the transport path C of the printed material.

[0017] That is, this first paper detection unit 13 is disposed at position X1 between rollers 12a, 12b that are closest to solution application unit 14 among the rollers included in first transport unit 12, and the solution application position by solution application unit 14. When the leading edge of the printed paper reaches position X1 and the light from the light-emitting unit is no longer detected by the photodetector, first paper detection unit 13 outputs a signal to that effect to control unit 19.

[0018] The solution application unit 14 can be set to either a coating mode in which the functional material solution is applied to the printed matter, or a stop mode in which the application of the functional material solution to the printed matter is stopped, and is controlled by a control unit 19, which will be described later. When in the coating mode, the solution application unit 14 applies the functional material solution to the printed matter by pressing the front and back of the surface of the printed matter on the transport path C. When in the stop mode, the solution application unit 14 stops applying the functional material solution to the printed matter. The detailed configuration and operation of the solution application unit 14 will be described later.

[0019] The drying section 15 is disposed downstream (discharge section 18 side) of the solution application unit 14 on the transport path C of the printed material. The drying sections 15 are disposed above and below the transport path C, and blow airflows generated by fans onto the upper and lower sides of the printed material on the transport path C, respectively.

[0020] The second transport section 16 is disposed downstream of the solution application unit 14 and the drying section 15. The second transport section 16 is provided with a pair of rollers 16a, 16b that are disposed at opposing positions above and below the transport path C (transport trajectory of the printed material) of the printed material and are controlled to rotate in opposite directions. The second transport section 16 is controlled by the control section 19, and the rollers 16a, 16b are rotated based on the control to transport the printed material along the transport path C to the discharge section 18. When the leading edge of the printed material reaches the position sandwiched between the rollers 16a, 16b, the second transport section 16 outputs a signal indicating this to the control section 19. The above-mentioned first transport section 12 and the second transport section 16 correspond to the transport unit of the present invention.

[0021] The second paper detection unit 17 is disposed at position X2 further downstream than the second transport unit 16, and when a printed matter is present at that position, it outputs a signal indicating that fact to the control unit 19. This second paper detection unit 17 is, for example, a photointerrupter, and performs the same operation as the first paper detection unit 13. The discharge unit 18 receives and accumulates the printed matter that has been coated with the functional material solution and dried.

[0022] The control unit 19 is realized by using a program control device such as a computer. The control unit 19 is connected to a memory or a disk device, and operates according to a program stored in the memory or the disk device. The program is provided by being stored in a computer-readable and non-transitory recording medium, and may be stored in the memory or the like. In this embodiment, the control unit 19 controls each of the above units according to the program. The method of this control will be described in detail later.

[0023] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the solution coating unit 14. Figures 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the configuration of the solution coating unit 14. In this example of the present embodiment, the solution coating unit 14 includes a storage tank 141 for storing the functional material solution, a pipe 142, a supply control unit 143, and a pair of coating sub-units 144.

[0024] The application subunit 144a, which is one of the application subunits 144, includes a support 21a, a spreading member 22a, an application member 23a, and a pressing body 24a, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The application subunit 144b, which is the other of the application subunits 144, includes a support 21b, a spreading member 22b, an application member 23b, a pressing body 24b, a first actuator 25b, and a second actuator 26b, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows the application subunit 144 cut in the XY plane and viewed from the Z-axis direction, and Figure 3 shows the application subunit 144 cut in the YZ plane and viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0025] The pipe 142 corresponds to a supply path of the present invention, and one end of the pipe 142 is connected to the storage tank 141. The other end of the pipe 142 is connected to each of the spraying members 22a, b of the pair of application subunits 144a, b.

[0026] The supply control unit 143 is equipped with a pump U, and upon receiving an instruction to drive it from the control unit 19, draws out the functional material solution from the storage tank 141 through a pipe 142, and supplies the drawn out functional material solution to the spraying members 22a, b of the application subunits 144a, b through the pipe 142.

[0027] The pair of coating subunits 144a, b are respectively disposed above and below the printed material transport path C. In the following description, the coating subunit 144a disposed below the printed material transport path C serves as a first coating subunit, and the coating subunit 144b disposed below the printed material transport path C serves as a second coating subunit.

[0028] The support 21a of the application subunit 144a includes an upper support 21aU and a lower support 21aD. Both the upper support 21aU and the lower support 21aD are columnar members having a substantially U-shaped cross section. Specifically, the upper support 21aU is longer in the longitudinal direction than the length of the width direction (Z-axis direction) of the conveying path C (the moving path of the printed material), and its cross section (XY cross section) has a flat portion 231a, and both ends 231aR and 231aL in the X-axis direction of the flat portion 231a are bent in the Y-axis direction (opposite side from the conveying path C). The lower support 21aD may be formed slightly larger in the X-axis direction than the upper support 21aU, and both ends 231aR and 231aL in the X-axis direction of the flat portion 231a are bent in the direction of the conveying path C to form a cavity Va between the upper support 21aU and the lower support 21aD.

[0029] The spraying member 22a is supported (in the cavity Va) in a suspended state by the upper support 21aU, and is a pipe arranged along the Z-axis direction of the transport path C, with a plurality of openings provided on its surface. When the functional material solution is supplied through the pipe 142, the spraying member 22a sprays the supplied functional material solution through the openings.

[0030] The coating member 23a is made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric, and is configured to receive the functional material solution sprayed by the spraying member 22a and to have the functional material solution permeate the entire coating member 23a by capillary action or the like. The coating member 23a is wound around the outer periphery of the upper support 21aU and the pressing body 24a. In this example, the spraying member 22a is positioned between the coating member 23a and the upper support 21aU, and the functional material solution sprayed by the spraying member 22a is received by the lower surface of the coating member 23 and permeates the entire coating member 23a by capillary action or the like.

[0031] The pressing body 24a is a quadrangular prism-shaped member that is stacked on the flat surface portion 231a of the upper support 21aU, is longer in the longitudinal direction than the length in the width direction (Z-axis direction) of the transport path C (the movement path of the printed material), and has a rectangular cross section (XY cross section). The pressing body 24a may be made of an elastic body such as urethane or rubber.

[0032] In this embodiment, the coating subunit 144a is fixed so that a portion of the coating member 23a located on the upper side surface of the pressing body 24a is in contact with the transport path C. For example, the coating subunit 144a may be fixed to a housing (not shown) of the solution coating device 1, and since such a fixing method is widely known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0033] Moreover, the support 21b of the coating subunit 144b includes an upper support 21bU and a lower support 21bD. Both the upper support 21bU and the lower support 21bD are columnar members having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and specifically, the upper support 21bU is longer in the longitudinal direction than the length of the width direction (Z-axis direction) of the transport path C (movement trajectory of the printed material), and its cross section (XY cross section) has a flat portion 231b, and both ends 231bR and 231bL in the X-axis direction of the flat portion 231b are bent in the Y-axis direction (towards the transport path C).

[0034] The lower support 21bD is formed slightly larger in the X-axis direction than the upper support 21bU, and both ends 231bR, 231bL in the X-axis direction of the flat portion 231b are bent away from the transport path C. As a result, a cavity Vb is formed between the upper support 21bU and the lower support 21bD.

[0035] The spraying member 22b is supported in a suspended state on the back side (the cavity Vb side) of the flat portion 231b of the upper support 21bU. The spraying member 22b is a pipe disposed along the Z-axis direction of the transport path C, and has a plurality of openings on its surface. When the functional material solution is supplied through the pipe 142, the spraying member 22b sprays the supplied functional material solution through the openings.

[0036] The coating member 23b is made of the same material as the coating member 23a, for example, a nonwoven fabric, and is configured to receive the functional material solution sprayed by the spraying member 22b and to allow the functional material solution to permeate the entire coating member 23b by capillary action or the like. In this embodiment, the coating member 23b is wound around the outer periphery of the lower support 21aD and the pressing body 24b. In this example, the spraying member 22b is located above the coating member 23b, between the coating member 23b and the upper support 21bU. Therefore, the functional material solution sprayed by the spraying member 22b is received by the upper surface of the coating member 23b and permeates the entire coating member 23b by capillary action or the like.

[0037] The pressing body 24b is a quadrangular prism-shaped member that is stacked below the flat portion 231b of the lower support 21aD, is longer in the longitudinal direction than the length of the width direction (Z-axis direction) of the transport path C (the movement path of the printed material), and has a rectangular cross section (XY cross section). The pressing body 24b may also be made of an elastic body such as urethane or rubber. The pressing body 24b is disposed at a position opposite the pressing body 24a of the application subunit 144a across the transport path C.

[0038] The first actuators 25b are linear actuators such as solenoids, and are disposed at both ends of the support 21b, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The first actuators 25b each have a driver 251 that moves up and down, and the driver 251 is fixed to the end of the support 21b. In this example, the support 21b is fixed to the housing of the solution coating device 1 via the first actuator 25b in a state in which it can move up and down. The first actuator 25b moves the driver 251 in the Y-axis direction (up and down) in response to an instruction from the control unit 19.

[0039] That is, the first actuator 25b moves the support 21b in the Y-axis direction by moving the driving body 251, so that the lower surface of the application member 23b moves between a position (lower position Y1) in contact with (or close to) the transport path C and an upper position (upper position Y2) where the lower surface of the application member 23b is away from the transport path C.

[0040] In addition, when the first actuator 25b is turned on (current is supplied), it moves the driver 251 upward to position the lower side of the application member 23b at the upper position Y2, and when it is turned off, it does not pull up (control) the driver 251 but allows it to fall by gravity, thereby pulling the driver 251 downward and moving the position of the lower side of the application member 23b to the lower position Y1 (which may be a position closer to the conveying path C than the upper position Y2).

[0041] The second actuator 26b is a linear actuator such as a solenoid, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of actuators (two actuators in FIG. 3) are disposed above the support 21b (above the upper position Y2). The second actuator 26b includes a driver 261, and moves the driver 261 in the Y-axis direction in response to an instruction from the control unit 19. In the present embodiment, the second actuator 26b moves the driver 261 between a first position where the driver 261 presses the flat surface 231b of the upper support 21bU in the negative Y-axis direction to a state where the lower surface of the application member 23b is pressed toward the transport path C (a position further pressed from the lower position Y1) and a second position where the driver 261 does not press the flat surface 231b of the upper support 21bU.

[0042] Furthermore, when the second actuator 26b is turned on (when current is supplied), it may move the driving body 261 downward so that the lower surface of the application member 23b is pressed against the transport path C, and when it is turned off, it may not control the driving body 261 and may control it so that no downward pressing force is applied.

[0043] These first and second actuators 25b, 26b press the coating member 23b against the printed material, and control is performed between a coating mode in which the coating member 23a pressed by the pressing body 24a of the coating subunit 144a and the coating member 23b sandwich the printed material on the transport path C to coat both sides of the printed material with the functional material solution, and a stop mode in which the coating member 23b is moved to a position away from the transport path C. In other words, the state in which the lower surface of the coating member 23b is set to the upper position Y2 by the first actuator 25b corresponds to the stop mode state (this stop mode state is particularly referred to as the retracted stop mode to distinguish it from other stop modes described later).

[0044] The state in which the lower surface of the coating member 23b is set to the lower position Y1 by the first actuator 25b and the lower surface of the coating member 23b is pressed toward the transport path C by the second actuator 26b corresponds to the coating mode. In this coating mode, the front side of the printed matter on the transport path C receives a pressing force from the coating member 23b of the coating subunit 144b, and the back side is pressed against the coating member 23a of the coating subunit 144a (and therefore receives a pressing force as a reaction). In this way, the printed matter is transported while receiving pressing forces from both the front and back sides. For this reason, the pressing force of the second actuator 26b may be experimentally set to a force that does not interfere with the transport of the printed matter.

[0045] In addition, a state in which the lower surface of the application member 23b is set to the lower position Y1 by the first actuator 25b and the second actuator 26b does not press the lower surface of the application member 23b toward the conveying path C also corresponds to a stop mode in which no application is performed (when it is necessary to distinguish this from the retracted stop mode, this is called a non-driven stop mode).

[0046] [Control unit operation] Next, an example of the operation of the control unit 19 of this embodiment will be described. The control unit 19 receives an instruction to start processing from a user and operates as illustrated in Fig. 4. The control unit 19 first turns on the first transport unit 12 to transport the printed material from the paper feed unit 11 (S1). The control unit 19 also instructs the supply control unit 143 of the solution application unit 14 to draw out the functional material solution from the storage tank 141 through the pipe 142 and to supply the drawn out functional material solution to the spray members 22a, b of the application subunits 144a, b through the pipe 142 (S2: instruction to start supplying the functional material solution).

[0047] At this time, the spraying members 22a, 22b of the application subunits 144a, 144b spray the supplied functional material solution, causing the application members 23a, 23b to become saturated with the functional material solution.

[0048] The control unit 19 waits until a signal is input from the first paper detection unit 13 indicating that the leading edge of the printed paper has arrived (S3), and upon receiving the signal, instructs the supply control unit 143 of the solution application unit 14 to stop discharging the functional material solution (S4). At this time, the control unit 19 also controls the first actuator 25b of the application subunit 144b to move the support 21b in the positive direction of the Y axis, and to move the lower surface of the application member 23b to an upper position (upper position Y2) away from the transport path C (S5: instruction for retraction stop mode). The control unit 19 then waits for a signal from the second transport unit 16 (S6).

[0049] During this time, the first transport unit 12 continues transporting the printed material, and the leading edge of the printed material moves in the positive direction of the X-axis along the transport path C, passes the position where the coating subunit 14 faces, and reaches the rollers 16a, b of the second transport unit 16. At this time, the second transport unit 16 outputs a signal to the control unit 19 indicating that the leading edge of the printed material has arrived.

[0050] In step S6, when the control unit 19 receives the signal from the second transport unit 16, it cancels the instruction for the retracted stop mode and controls the first actuator 25b of the coating subunit 144b to move the support 21b in the negative Y-axis direction and move the lower surface of the coating member 23b to a position (lower position Y1) close to the transport path C (S7: transition to non-driven stop mode). At this time, the transport of the printed material by the first transport unit 12 and the second transport unit 16 may be temporarily stopped.

[0051] The control unit 19 further controls the second actuator 26b to press the flat surface 231b of the upper support 21bU in the negative direction of the Y axis, and moves the lower surface of the application member 23b to a first position where it is pressed against the transport path C (S8: instruction for application mode). At this time, the control unit 19 further instructs the supply control unit 143 of the solution application unit 14 to draw the functional material solution from the storage tank 141 through the pipe 142 and supply the drawn functional material solution to the spray members 22a, b of the application subunits 144a, b through the pipe 142, and also operates the drying unit 15 to blow airflow onto the printed matter.

[0052] If the transport of the printed matter by the first transport unit 12 and the second transport unit 16 was temporarily stopped at the previous stage, the transport of the printed matter by the first transport unit 12 and the second transport unit 16 is resumed at this point.

[0053] As a result, the spraying members 22a, b of the coating subunits 144a, b first spray the supplied functional material solution, causing the coating members 23a, b to soak in the functional material solution. The coating members 23a, b are then pressed against the printed matter from both sides thereof, and while maintaining the state of pressing the functional material solution against the surface of the printed matter to coat it, the printed matter is transported along the transport path C by the first transport unit 12 and the second transport unit 16.

[0054] It should be noted that the first transport section 12 stops operating when the rear end of one printed sheet passes between the rollers 12a and 12b (when transport of one printed sheet is completed).

[0055] The control unit 19 further waits (S9) until the second paper detection unit 17 stops outputting a signal indicating that a printed material is present at position X2 (the rear end of the printed material reaches position X2 of the second paper detection unit 17), and when the rear end of the printed material reaches position X2, stops the entire operation (S10: stop control).

[0056] In this stop control, the control unit 19 instructs the supply control unit 143 of the solution applying unit 14 to stop the delivery of the functional material solution, and causes the first and second actuators 25b and 26b to transition to a non-driving stop mode. The control unit 19 also stops the drying unit 15.

[0057] The control unit 19 then returns to step S1 and continues the process (A) until a stop command is received from the user or there are no more printed materials in the paper feed unit 11.

[0058] However, after processing the first printed matter, for the second printed matter and thereafter, as a result of processing the previously processed printed matter, the functional material solution continues to infiltrate into the coating member 23 even after the rear end of the printed matter passes the position of the coating subunit 144 in step S8, so step S2 may be omitted.

[0059] [Operation] This embodiment has the above configuration and operates as follows: In the following example, it is assumed that when the solution applying unit 14 is in the applying mode, the distance between the applying subunit 144 and the second transport section 16 is set so that the cut-off line is included in the range where the applying members 23a, b of the applying subunit 144 contact the printed material.

[0060] A user prints on paper, stacks the printed matter before cutting in the paper feed section 11 of the solution application device 1 of this embodiment, and issues an instruction to the solution application device 1 to start processing.

[0061] Then, the solution application device 1 turns on the first transport section 12, extracts only one printed material from the paper feed section 11, and starts transporting it along the transport path C. At this time, the supply control section 143 of the solution application unit 14 draws out the functional material solution from the storage tank 141 through the pipe 142, and supplies the drawn out functional material solution to the spray members 22a, b of the application subunits 144a, b through the pipe 142.

[0062] Then, the spraying members 22a, b of the coating subunits 144a, b spray the supplied functional material solution, soaking the coating members 23a, b with the functional material solution. After that, when the leading edge of the printed paper reaches the position of the first paper detection unit 13, the control unit 19 receives a signal from the first paper detection unit 13 and issues an instruction to stop the supply of the functional material solution. Therefore, the spraying of the functional material solution from the spraying members 22a, b stops.

[0063] Furthermore, the control unit 19 instructs the application subunit 144b to enter the evacuation stop mode, and the first actuator 25b moves the support 21b in the positive direction of the Y axis, moving the lower surface of the application member 23b to an upper position (upper position Y2) away from the transport path C.

[0064] Thereafter, when the leading edge of the printed material reaches the position of rollers 16a, b of second transport section 16, second transport section 16 outputs a signal to control section 19 to the effect that the leading edge of the printed material has arrived. In response to this signal, control section 19 temporarily stops transport of the printed material by first transport section 12 and second transport section 16, controls first actuator 25b of coating subunit 144b, moves support body 21b in the negative Y-axis direction, and moves the lower surface of coating member 23b to a position close to transport path C (lower position Y1).

[0065] The control unit 19 further controls the second actuator 26b to press the flat portion 231b of the upper support 21bU in the negative direction of the Y axis, moving the lower surface of the application member 23b to a first position where it is pressed toward the transport path C.

[0066] Furthermore, the control unit 19 instructs the supply control unit 143 of the solution applying unit 14 to draw out the functional material solution from the storage tank 141 through the pipe 142 and to supply the drawn out functional material solution to the spraying members 22a, b of the applying subunits 144a, b through the pipe 142. The control unit 19 also operates the drying unit 15 to start blowing air onto the printed matter.

[0067] Then, the control unit 19 causes the first transport unit 12 and the second transport unit 16 to resume transport of the printed matter.

[0068] As a result, the solution application unit 14 operates in application mode, and the spraying members 22a, b of the application subunits 144a, b spray the functional material solution supplied from the storage tank 141, causing the application members 23a, b to soak in the functional material solution. In addition, with the application members 23a, b pressed against the printed material from both sides thereof, the printed material is transported along the transport path C while maintaining the state in which the functional material solution is being applied to both sides of the printed material. As a result, when the first transport section 12 and the second transport section 16 resume transport of the printed material, the functional material solution is applied to the portion of the printed material from the portion that was located at the position of the solution application unit 14 to the rear end in the transport direction.

[0069] Thereafter, when the rear end of the printed matter passes position X2 of second paper detection unit 17, second paper detection unit 17 stops outputting the signal indicating the presence of the printed matter. In response to this signal, control unit 19 ends and stops the entire operation. In other words, spraying of the functional material solution is stopped at this stage.

[0070] Furthermore, if there are printed materials in the paper feed section 11, the solution applying device 1 repeats the operation of extracting only one printed material from the paper feed section 11 and starting to transport it.

[0071] In this manner, in this embodiment, when the start position (cut-off line) of the coating range of the printed matter reaches a predetermined set position (directly below coating subunit 144 in this example) set near the positions of the first and second coating subunits 144, the solution coating unit 14 is switched to coating mode.

[0072] [Generated printout] In the printed matter processed by the solution application device 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the functional material X is fitted into the minute concaves on the surface of the paper R and the ink layer P formed in the printed portion on this paper R, and is fixed by the binder material. The functional material in the convex portion is rubbed off by the rollers of the second conveying section 16, so that it becomes a discontinuous coating film, and the texture of the paper and the print are not damaged, and writing and stamping properties are not damaged. Furthermore, the solution is not applied (applied by pressing) to the outside of the cutting line on the leading edge side in the conveying direction (the portion to be cut off and discarded), so the functional material is not distributed to the minute concaves and convexes on the surface of the paper R and the ink layer P in this portion.

[0073] [Effects of the embodiment] In this way, the solution is not applied to unnecessary areas outside the cutting line, and the printed matter is transported while the application member is pressed against the printed matter during application of the solution, so that the functional material can be embedded into the minute irregularities on the surface of the printed matter, and an amount of functional material that can fully function can be fixed to the surface of the printed matter with a relatively small amount of functional material solution.

[0074] That is, according to this example, the functional material, for example, the copper ion material, is forced between the ink molecules on the ink surface in the printed area, and the functional material, for example, the copper ion material, is forced between the paper fibers in the non-printed area, so that the function of the functional material can be expected to be exerted over the entire surface (and both sides) of the printed item. Also, since the functional material is not fixed as a layer in which the functional material is dispersed, but is embedded in the unevenness of the printed item surface to coat the ink surface and paper surface of the printed item with the functional material, the texture of the print or paper is not impaired.

[0075] Furthermore, when the solution application device 1 of this embodiment is used, the solution is not applied to at least a part of the portion that does not need to be covered with the functional material, such as the portion to be cut off, so that the amount of the functional material solution used can be reduced. Also, by controlling the supply and spraying of the functional material solution not to occur until the application range of the printed matter reaches the position where the solution is to be applied, loss due to evaporation of the functional material solution can also be reduced.

[0076] [Variations] In the explanation so far, of the first and second application subunits 144 provided in the solution application unit 14, only the second application subunit 144b located above the transport path moves between a position separated from the transport path and a position close to the transport path, and in the application mode the application member 23b is pressed toward the transport path, but this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0077] For example, the application subunit 14a disposed below the transport path may also press the application member 23a toward the transport path in the application mode.

[0078] [Another embodiment of the coating unit] The solution application unit is not limited to the above-mentioned example. The solution application unit 14 according to another example of the present embodiment includes one application subunit 144' instead of the pair of application subunits 144. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the application subunit 144' may include a lower plate body 31 having an arc-shaped cross section in the XY plane and longer in the Z-axis direction than the width of the conveying path C, a cover body 32 having substantially the same shape as the lower plate body 31 but shorter in the X-axis direction, a material supply unit 33, a scraper 34, and a liquid level sensor 35.

[0079] In this example, the lower plate body 31 is disposed below the transport path C, and the lid body 32 is disposed above the transport path C, sandwiching the transport path C from the lower plate body 31. An opening 31a is formed in the bottom (lowest part) of the lower plate body 31.

[0080] 6, the material supply unit 33 includes a three-way cock 331 disposed below the lower plate body 31 (in the negative direction of the Y-axis, i.e., in the direction of gravity), and a waste liquid storage tank 332 disposed further below the three-way cock 331. The three-way cock 331 includes an inlet pipe 331a connected to the storage tank 141 via a pipe 142, a supply pipe 331b connected to the opening 31a of the lower plate body 31, and a discharge pipe 331c connected to the waste liquid storage tank 332. The three-way cock 331 is controlled by the control unit 19 to electrically switch the flow path. In this example, the three-way cock 331 can be switched, by instructions from the control unit 19, to one of a supply mode in which the functional material solution supplied via the inlet pipe 331a is discharged to the supply pipe 331b, a drainage mode in which the functional material solution flowing in from the supply pipe 331b is discharged to the drain pipe 331c, or a blocking mode in which the supply pipe 331b of the three-way cock 331 is blocked.

[0081] The scraper 34 is disposed in the gap between the lower plate body 31 and the lid body 32 on the downstream side of the transport path C, and scrapes off excess functional material solution adhering to the surface of the printed matter that has arrived at this position. Specifically, the scraper 34 has a pair of rollers 34a, b that are disposed opposite each other across the transport path C, and scrapes off excess functional material solution from the surface of the printed matter as the printed matter passes between the rollers 34a, b (the positions of the lower plate body 31, the lid body 32, and the rollers 34a, b are set so that the fallen functional material solution can be received by the lower plate body 31).

[0082] The liquid amount sensor 35 detects the amount of the functional material solution stored in the lower plate body 31 , and outputs information on the detected liquid amount to the control unit 19 .

[0083] In this example, the pressure of the rollers 34a and 34b promotes penetration of the functional solution material into minute irregularities (such as gaps between molecules) on the surface of the print.

[0084] In this example of the present embodiment, in step S2 of the operation illustrated in Fig. 4, the control unit 19 drives the pump U of the supply control unit 143 of the solution application unit 14 to discharge the functional material solution from the storage tank 141 through the pipe 142. Then, the control unit 19 supplies the discharged functional material solution to the inlet pipe 331a of the three-way cock 331 of the application subunit 144'.

[0085] The control unit 19 also monitors the information input from the liquid level sensor and performs the following liquid level control process: When the control unit 19 determines from the information input from the liquid level sensor that the amount of the functional material solution stored in the lower plate body 31 is below a predetermined amount, it controls the three-way cock 331 to switch to the supply mode.

[0086] Under the control of the control unit 19, the three-way cock 331 directs the functional material solution supplied through the inlet pipe 331a to the supply pipe 331b, and fills the space between the lower plate body 31 and the lid body 32 with the functional material solution through the opening 31a of the lower plate body 31.

[0087] On the other hand, when the control unit 19 determines based on information input from the liquid volume sensor that the amount of functional material solution stored in the lower plate body 31 exceeds a predetermined amount, it stops driving the pump U of the supply control unit 143 and controls the three-way cock 331 to a blocked mode, thereby blocking the supply pipe 331b.

[0088] The control unit 19 repeatedly performs the liquid volume control process based on the information input from the liquid volume sensor described above, and keeps the liquid volume of the functional material solution between the lower plate body 31 and the lid body 32 constant.

[0089] Furthermore, when a signal indicating that the leading edge of the printed paper has arrived is input from the first paper detection unit 13, the control unit 19 instructs the supply control unit 143 of the solution application unit 14 to stop the discharge of the functional material solution by the operation of step S4, and controls the three-way cock 331 to be in the closed mode. Furthermore, in this example, the control unit 19 does not perform the operations of steps S5 and S7 (because the solution application unit 14 does not have an actuator).

[0090] When the second transport section 16 outputs a signal indicating that the leading edge of the printed material has arrived, the control section 19 receives this signal and instructs the solution application unit 14 to switch to application mode in step S8, and executes the above-mentioned liquid volume control process instead of the operation of step S8 in the previous example. As a result, the control section 19 keeps the liquid volume of the functional material solution between the lower plate body 31 and the lid body 32 constant. At this time, the control section 19 also operates the drying section 15 to blow an air current onto the printed material.

[0091] In this example, too, when the second transport unit 16 outputs a signal indicating that the leading edge of the printed material has arrived, the transport of the printed material by the first transport unit 12 and the second transport unit 16 may be temporarily stopped. In that case, in step S8, the transport of the printed material by the first transport unit 12 and the second transport unit 16 is resumed.

[0092] At this time, the control unit 19 performs a liquid amount control process, and the control unit 19 maintains a constant amount of the functional material solution between the lower plate body 31 and the lid body 32. As a result, the printed matter is immersed in the functional material solution, and both sides of the printed matter are coated with the functional material solution. Then, the first transport unit 12 and the second transport unit 16 transport the printed matter along the transport path C, so that at the time of step S8, both sides of the printed matter are coated with the functional material solution over an area on the transport path C that is downstream of the position between the lower plate body 31 and the lid body 32.

[0093] The control unit 19 then waits (S9) until the second paper detection unit 17 stops outputting a signal indicating that a printed material is present at position X2 (the rear end of the printed material reaches position X2 of the second paper detection unit 17), and stops the entire operation when the rear end of the printed material reaches position X2 (S10: stop control).

[0094] In this stop control, the control unit 19 instructs the supply control unit 143 of the solution applying unit 14 to stop the discharge of the functional material solution (stop mode). The control unit 19 also controls the three-way cock 331 to be in the closed mode. Then, the control unit 19 stops the drying unit 15.

[0095] Also in this example, the control unit 19 returns to step S1 and continues the process until a stop command is received from the user or the paper feed unit 11 runs out of printed matter.

[0096] When the control unit 19 receives a stop command from the user or when the operation is to be terminated due to the paper feed unit 11 running out of printed matter, the control unit 19 controls the three-way cock 331 to be in the drain mode. This causes the three-way cock 331 to operate to drain the functional material solution flowing in from the supply pipe 331b to the drain pipe 331c. In this example of the present embodiment, the three-way cock 331 and the drain tank 332 are disposed below the lower plate body 31, so when the flow path from the supply pipe 331b to the drain pipe 331c is opened, the functional material solution stored in the lower plate body 31 is drained by gravity through the opening 31a of the lower plate body 31, the supply pipe 331b, the three-way cock 331, and the drain pipe 331c to the drain tank 332.

[0097] The functional material solution stored in the drainage tank 332 may be returned to the storage tank 141. At this time, the functional material solution stored in the drainage tank 332 may be returned to the storage tank 141 after dust and the like are filtered out from the functional material solution stored in the drainage tank 332.

[0098] In this example of the present embodiment, in order to facilitate the passage of printed materials between the lower plate body 31 and the lid body 32, ridge portions 311 that convex in the transport path direction may be intermittently arranged in the Y-axis direction on at least one of the lower plate body 31 and the lid body 32 (Figure 7(a)). These ridge portions 311 may be arranged in a direction that intersects the X-axis at an angle (Figure 7(b)). Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an example in which ridge portions 311 are provided on the lower plate body 31.

[0099] According to the solution application device 1 equipped with the solution application unit 14 of this embodiment, it is possible to apply the functional material solution to the entire surfaces of a printed material that is not finished with cut-off edges.

[0100] Furthermore, in the solution application device 1 equipped with any of the types of solution application units 14 described above, functional material solution can be applied to media in an unprinted state, and if the printing is of a relatively low density, the overall effect of functional material application can be maintained even if the functional material solution is applied to the media in an unprinted state and then printing is performed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1 solution application device, 11 paper feed section, 12 first conveying section, 13 first paper detection section, 14 solution application unit, 15 drying section, 16 second conveying section, 17 second paper detection section, 18 discharge section, 19 control section, 21 support body, 22 spreading member, 23 application member, 24 pressing body, 25 first actuator, 26 second actuator, 31 lower plate body, 32 lid body, 33 material supply section, 34 scraper, 141 storage tank, 142 pipe, 143 supply control section, 144, 144' application subunit, 231 flat section, 251, 261 drive body, 311 ridge section.

Claims

1. A solution application device that applies a functional material solution to a printed material, a conveying unit that conveys a printed material, the printed material including at least a part of the coating area to be coated with the functional material solution, along a predetermined conveying path; a coating unit that is disposed at a predetermined position on the transport path and can be set to either a coating mode in which the functional material solution is coated on the printed material or a stop mode in which the coating of the functional material solution on the printed material is stopped; a control unit that sets the coating unit to the coating mode when a start position of a coating range of the printed material reaches a predetermined setting position that is set by the transport unit near a placement position of the coating unit; and A solution application device comprising:

2. The solution application device according to claim 1 , The application unit includes: a first coating sub-unit located below a transport path of the printed material; a second coating subunit disposed opposite to the first coating subunit across a transport trajectory of the printed material, the second coating subunit being settable to either a coating mode in which the functional material solution is applied to the printed material or a stop mode in which the coating of the functional material solution to the printed material is stopped; Including, The control unit sets the coating unit to a coating mode when the start position of the coating range of the printed material reaches a predetermined setting position set by the transport unit near the placement positions of the first and second coating sub-units.

3. The solution application device according to claim 2, the first coating subunit and the second coating subunit each have a coating member that is infiltrated with the functional material solution; The solution coating device further includes a pressing means for pressing the coating member of at least one of the first coating subunit and the second coating subunit in the direction of the transport trajectory when the coating unit is in the coating mode.

4. The solution application device according to claim 2 or 3, The coating unit further includes a storage tank that stores the functional material solution and is connected to one end of the supply path; a supply control unit that draws out the functional material solution from the storage tank through the supply path and supplies the functional material solution to the first coating sub-unit and the second coating sub-unit that are connected to the other end side of the supply path, The supply control unit stops the supply of the functional material solution when the coating unit is in the stop mode based on instructions from the control unit, and supplies the functional material solution to the first coating sub-unit and the second coating sub-unit when the coating unit is in the coating mode.

5. The solution application device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The functional material solution is a solution in which at least one of an antibacterial and an antiviral functional material is dispersed.

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