Printing device, pretreatment agent ejection device, and printing method

Abstract

To provide a pretreatment agent to a medium preferably.SOLUTION: A printer 1 includes: a support part 4 which supports a medium M; an injection part 11 which injects a pretreatment agent to the medium M supported by the support part 4; a lid member 12 to which the injection part 11 is attached and which may cover a print area R1 of the medium M; a discharge part 3 which discharges an ink to the print area R1 to which the pretreatment agent is injected by the injection part 11; and a moving part 5 which moves the support part 4 between a first position P1 where the lid member 12 can cover the print area R1 and a second position P2 where the discharge part 3 may discharge the ink to the print area R1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a pretreatment agent ejection apparatus, and a printing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various printing devices have been used. Among such printing devices, there are printing devices that print on media such as fabric. When printing on fabric, etc., a pretreatment agent may be applied to the printing area before forming an image on the medium. Means for applying the pretreatment agent to the printing area include application by a roller and spraying by a spray. In addition, as described in Patent Document 1, a pretreatment means for applying the pretreatment agent in granular form may be provided in the printing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-246734 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-235235 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when applying the pretreatment agent using a roller, uneven application may occur depending on the skill of the worker. When applying the pretreatment agent using a spray, it is difficult to spray the pretreatment agent only on the printing area, so the pretreatment agent may scatter around the medium and the periphery of the medium may become dirty with the pretreatment agent. It is also possible to use a coating device having a spray as described in Patent Document 2, for example, but the periphery of the medium may become dirty with the pretreatment agent, and a separate coating device may be prepared, which may require installation space and increase costs. That is, when using a conventional printing device that applies the pretreatment agent to the printing area of ​​the medium and then prints, it is difficult to apply the pretreatment agent appropriately to the printing area of ​​the medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the printing device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a support section that supports a medium, an ejection section that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium supported by the support section, a lid member to which the ejection section is attached and which can cover a printing area of ​​the medium, an ejection section that ejects ink onto the printing area onto which the pretreatment agent has been ejected by the ejection section, and a moving section that moves the support section to a first position where the lid member can cover the printing area and a second position where ink can be ejected from the ejection section onto the printing area.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the pretreatment agent spraying device of the present invention is a pretreatment agent spraying device used in a printing device that prints by ejecting ink onto a pretreatment agent applied to a printing area of ​​a medium, and is characterized in that it comprises an ejection section that sprays the pretreatment agent, and a cover member to which the ejection section is attached and which is capable of covering the printing area.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the printing method of the present invention is a printing method for a printing device that includes a support section that supports a medium, an ejection section that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium supported by the support section, a lid member to which the ejection section is attached and capable of covering a printing area of ​​the medium, an ejection section that ejects ink onto the printing area onto which the pretreatment agent has been ejected by the ejection section, and a moving section that moves the support section to a first position where the printing area can be covered by the lid member and a second position where ink can be ejected from the ejection section onto the printing area, wherein the printing method includes supporting the medium on the support section at the first position, covering the printing area with the lid member while the support section is in the first position, ejecting the pretreatment agent onto the medium from the ejection section while the lid member is covering the printing area, moving the support section from the first position to the second position, and ejecting the ink from the ejection section to print. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which a print area of ​​a medium is not covered by a lid member. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which a print area of ​​a medium is covered with a lid member. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic side view of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of a pretreatment agent ejection device of the printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a support unit and a cover member that can be used in the printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a cover member that can be used in the printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is different from that in FIG. 7 . [Figure 9]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a heater unit that can be used in the printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a cover member. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cover member housing unit of the printing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a printing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a printing method of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a pretreatment agent spraying device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First, the present invention will be briefly described. In order to solve the above problem, a printing device of a first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a support section that supports a medium, an ejection section that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium supported by the support section, a lid member to which the ejection section is attached and which is capable of covering a printing area of ​​the medium, an ejection section that ejects ink onto the printing area onto which the pretreatment agent has been ejected by the ejection section, and a moving section that moves the support section to a first position where the lid member can cover the printing area and a second position where ink can be ejected from the ejection section onto the printing area.

[0010] According to this aspect, the device is provided with an ejection unit that ejects the pretreatment agent onto the medium and a lid member that can cover the printing area. Therefore, by covering the printing area with the lid member and ejecting the pretreatment agent from the ejection unit in this state, scattering of the pretreatment agent can be suppressed and the pretreatment agent can be preferably applied to the printing area of ​​the medium.

[0011] A printing device of a second aspect of the present invention comprises an ink storage section for storing the ink, an ink flow path connecting the ink storage section and the ejection section, a pretreatment agent storage section for storing the pretreatment agent, a pretreatment agent flow path connecting the pretreatment agent storage section and the ejection section, and a drive section for applying a driving force to supply the ink from the ink storage section to the ejection section, and is characterized in that the drive section is configured to be capable of applying a driving force to supply the pretreatment agent from the pretreatment agent storage section to the ejection section.

[0012] According to this aspect, a common drive unit is used to apply a driving force to supply ink from the ink storage unit to the ejection unit, and a common drive unit is used to apply a driving force to supply pre-treatment agent from the pre-treatment agent storage unit to the ejection unit, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the printing device and to improve the efficiency of driving the printing device.

[0013] A printing device of a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the cover member is configured to cover the printing area together with the support part on which the medium is supported, thereby being positioned and forming an enclosed space inside.

[0014] According to this aspect, the lid member is configured to cover the printing area together with the support part that supports the medium, thereby being positioned and forming an enclosed space inside, which allows for easy positioning and prevents the pretreatment agent from leaking to the outside and contaminating the outside with the pretreatment agent.

[0015] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, characterized in that the cover member is detachable from the ejection unit.

[0016] According to this aspect, the ejection portion is detachable from the cover member, which makes it easy to replace or clean the cover member.

[0017] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, characterized in that the cover member is detachably mountable to a heater unit instead of the ejection section.

[0018] According to this aspect, the heater unit can be detachably attached to the cover member instead of the ejection section, so that the ink, pretreatment agent, etc. on the medium can be dried appropriately after the printing process is completed, etc.

[0019] A sixth aspect of the printing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fourth or fifth aspect, a first support part and a second support part differing in at least one of size and shape from the first support part can be used as the support part, and a first cover member corresponding to the first support part and a second cover member corresponding to the second support part can be used as the lid member.

[0020] According to this aspect, a first supporting part and a second supporting part can be used as the supporting part, and a first covering member corresponding to the first supporting part and a second covering member corresponding to the second supporting part can be used as the lid member. This makes it possible to suitably apply the pretreatment agent to the print area on media of a variety of sizes and shapes.

[0021] A seventh aspect of the printing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, a first support part and a second support part differing in at least one of size and shape from the first support part can be used as the support part, and the cover member has a first fitting part that fits into the first support part and a second fitting part that fits into the second support part.

[0022] According to this aspect, a first supporting part and a second supporting part can be used as the supporting part, and the lid member has a first fitting part that fits into the first supporting part and a second fitting part that fits into the second supporting part. Therefore, the pretreatment agent can be applied appropriately to the print area of ​​media of a variety of sizes and shapes without having to replace the lid member used.

[0023] The eighth aspect of the printing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the cover member is capable of covering not only the printing area but also the non-printing area surrounding the printing area, and inside the cover member, the distance between the cover member and the non-printing area is narrower than the distance between the cover member and the printing area.

[0024] According to this aspect, inside the lid member, the gap between the lid member and the non-printed region is narrower than the gap between the lid member and the printed region. That is, the height of the non-printed region inside the lid member is lower than the printed region. Therefore, a smaller amount of pretreatment agent is applied to the non-printed region than to the printed region. Therefore, boundary marks of the pretreatment agent at the boundary between the printed region and the non-printed region are not noticeable.

[0025] A ninth aspect of the printing device of the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, comprises a housing part that houses the ejection part, and an arm member having one end connected to the housing part and the other end connected to the lid member, and is characterized in that the arm member is displaceable between a cover position in which the lid member covers the printing area when the support part is in the first position, and an open position in which the lid member does not cover the printing area when the support part is in the first position and does not hinder movement of the support part by the moving part.

[0026] According to this aspect, the arm member has one end connected to the housing and the other end connected to the lid member, and is displaceable between a covered position and an open position. This allows the lid member to be accurately positioned in a suitable position during the application of the pretreatment agent, and also allows the lid member to be positioned so as not to get in the way when the application of the pretreatment agent is not being performed, such as during a printing process.

[0027] A printing device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the printing device according to the ninth aspect, characterized in that the arm member is capable of attaching and detaching the cover member.

[0028] According to this aspect, the lid member is detachable from the arm member, so that the lid member can be detached when the pretreatment agent application process is not being performed, and the lid member can be positioned so as not to get in the way.

[0029] A pretreatment agent spraying device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a pretreatment agent spraying device used in a printing device that prints by ejecting ink onto a medium, and is characterized in that it comprises an ejection section that sprays the pretreatment agent, and a cover member to which the ejection section is attached and which is capable of covering the printing area of ​​the printing device.

[0030] According to this aspect, the device is provided with an ejection unit that ejects the pretreatment agent and a lid member that can cover the printing area. Therefore, by covering the printing area with the lid member and ejecting the pretreatment agent from the ejection unit in this state, scattering of the pretreatment agent can be suppressed and the pretreatment agent can be preferably applied to the printing area of ​​the medium.

[0031] A printing method of a twelfth aspect of the present invention is a printing method for a printing device including a support section that supports a medium, an ejection section that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium supported by the support section, a lid member to which the ejection section is attached and capable of covering a printing area of ​​the medium, an ejection section that ejects ink onto the printing area onto which the pretreatment agent has been ejected by the ejection section, and a moving section that moves the support section to a first position where the printing area can be covered by the lid member and a second position where ink can be ejected from the ejection section onto the printing area, wherein the printing method includes supporting the medium on the support section at the first position, covering the printing area with the lid member while the support section is in the first position, ejecting the pretreatment agent onto the medium from the ejection section while the lid member is covering the printing area, moving the support section from the first position to the second position, and ejecting the ink from the ejection section to print.

[0032] According to this aspect, the medium is supported by the support part at a first position, the print area is covered with the lid member while the support part is in the first position, the pretreatment agent is sprayed from the spray part onto the medium while the print area is covered with the lid member, the support part is moved from the first position to the second position, and ink is sprayed from the spray part to print. Therefore, after the pretreatment agent is applied appropriately to the print area of ​​the medium, the printing process can be performed appropriately.

[0033] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0034] [Example 1] First, an overview of a printing device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 1, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes a support unit 4 that supports a medium M, and a discharge unit 3 that discharges ink. An image is formed in a printing region R1 of the medium M by alternately repeating moving the support unit 4 supporting the medium M along a transport direction A and discharging ink while moving the discharge unit 3 back and forth in a scanning direction B.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the ejection unit 3 is provided inside the housing unit 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the support unit 4 can move between a first position P1, which is a set position of the medium M and can cover the printing area R1 of the medium M with a cover member 12 described later, and a second position P2, which can eject ink from the ejection unit 3 to the printing area R1. As shown in FIG. 4, the first position P1 is outside the housing unit 2, and the second position P2 is inside the housing unit 2. Note that, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an opening 2b is provided in the front part 2a of the housing unit 2, and the support unit 4 can move between the first position P1 and the second position P2 through the opening 2b. The support unit 4 is detachably supported by the support base 5, and moves along the transport direction A by moving the support base 5 along the transport direction A. That is, the support base 5 serves as a moving part for the support unit 4 together with a drive motor (not shown) that moves the support base 5. When setting the medium M on the support part 4, it is possible to remove the support part 4 from the support base 5 and set the medium M on the support part 4 at a location other than the printing device 1, but since the first position P1 is outside the housing part 2 and is open to the surroundings, even if the medium M is set on the support part 4 with the support part 4 attached to the support base 5, a decrease in workability is suppressed.

[0036] When performing a printing process, the printing device 1 of this embodiment transports the support part 4 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in the direction A1, and then transports the support part 4 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 in the direction A2 to form an image in the printing area R1 of the medium M. The printing device 1 of this embodiment is configured to print by alternately repeating the movement of the support part 4 along the transport direction A and the reciprocating movement of the discharge part 3 in the scanning direction B, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the discharge part 3 may be configured to include a so-called line head in which nozzles are formed to discharge ink over the entire printing area R1 in a direction intersecting the transport direction A. There is also no particular limitation on the type of ink that can be used, and in addition to color inks that form images, such as black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink, white ink that forms a white base before forming an image on the dark-colored medium P, and varnish ink that overcoats the image can be used as necessary.

[0037] Furthermore, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can print on various types of media M. Among these, printing is particularly suitable for fabrics such as T-shirts. When printing on fabrics as the medium M, it is preferable to apply a pretreatment agent to the printing area R1 of the medium M before forming an image. For this reason, the printing device 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to apply a pretreatment agent to the printing area R1 of the medium M. Below, a pretreatment agent spraying device 10 that is provided in the printing device 1 and applies a pretreatment agent to the printing area R1 of the medium M will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 as well as FIGS. 5 to 10.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the pretreatment agent spraying device 10 has an spraying unit 11 that sprays the pretreatment agent, and a cover member 12 that can cover a support unit 4 that supports a medium M, as shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5, the pretreatment agent spraying device 10 has a pretreatment agent storage unit 14 that stores the pretreatment agent, and a tube 13 that is a flow path for air or the pretreatment agent.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the spray unit 11 has a spray nozzle forming part 11a that is provided in the interior 12a of the cover member 12 and sprays the pretreatment agent in a mist form in the interior 12a, and an electromagnetic valve 11b connected to an air flow tube 13A of the tube 13. As shown in Fig. 5, the pretreatment agent storage part 14 is connected to the air flow tube 13A, and is provided with a stirrer 14a and a stirrer drive part 14b, and is connected to the spray unit 11 by a pretreatment agent flow tube 13B of the tube 13. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the air flow tube 13A is provided in the side part 2c of the housing part 2 and is extended from the inside to the outside of the housing part 2 through an opening 2d that also serves as an air inlet and outlet, and the pretreatment agent storage part 14 is disposed on the outside of the housing part 2. However, the pretreatment agent storage part 14 may be disposed inside the housing part 2.

[0040] 5, a pressure pump 8 capable of adjusting the pressure in the air flow path tube 13A and a control unit 7 for controlling the overall operation of the printing device 1 are provided inside the housing 2 of the printing device 1. Here, the pressure pump 8 is connected to an ink flow path tube 9 connecting the ejection unit 3 and an ink storage unit 6 for storing ink to be supplied to the ejection unit 3, and also serves as a drive unit that imparts a driving force for supplying ink from the ink storage unit 6 to the ejection unit 3. Although the pressure pump 8 in this embodiment is a pressure boosting pump, a pressure reducing pump may be used, and furthermore, a drive unit other than the pressure pump may be used.

[0041] 5, the control unit 7 is connected by electric wires L not only to the discharge unit 3 and the pressure pump 8, but also to the solenoid valve 11b and the stirrer drive unit 14b. In other words, the control unit 7 serves both as a control unit used for purposes other than controlling the drive of the pre-treatment agent spraying device 10 and as a control unit that controls the drive of the pre-treatment agent spraying device 10. Similarly, the pressure pump 8 serves both as a drive unit used for purposes other than driving the pre-treatment agent spraying device 10 and as a drive unit that drives the pre-treatment agent spraying device 10. Therefore, the control unit 7 and the pressure pump 8 can also be considered to constitute part of the pre-treatment agent spraying device 10.

[0042] 6, the cover member 12 has a hole 12b formed in an opposing surface 12d that faces the support part 4, and a side surface 12c that intersects with the opposing surface 12d is configured to fit with the support part 4. Since the medium M is thin, even if the medium M is placed so as to protrude from the support part 4, the side surface 12c fits with the support part 4 via the medium M. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the cover member 12 may be configured to be placed on the support part 4. The ejection part 11 is attached to the hole 12b of the cover member 12, and is configured to be detachable from the cover member 12.

[0043] As described above, the ejection unit 11 is detachable from the lid member 12, and the support unit 4 is detachably supported by the support base 5. Therefore, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can use a plurality of support units 4 and lid members 12 according to the size and shape of the medium M to be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when a large medium M is used, a large support unit 4A and a large lid member 12A can be used. Also, a support unit 4B smaller than the support unit 4A and a lid member 12B smaller than the lid member 12A can be used. Furthermore, a support unit 4C smaller than the support unit 4B and a lid member 12C smaller than the lid member 12B can be used.

[0044] To summarize, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes a support unit 4 that supports the medium M, an ejection unit 11 that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium M supported by the support unit 4, and a lid member 12 to which the ejection unit 11 is attached and which is capable of covering a printing area R1 of the medium M. The printing device 1 of this embodiment also includes a discharge unit 3 that is configured to be able to eject ink onto the printing area R1 onto which the pretreatment agent has been ejected by the ejection unit 11. The printing device 1 of this embodiment also includes a support base 5 that serves as a moving unit as described above, and the support base 5 is configured to be able to move the support unit 4 between a first position P1 where the lid member 12 can cover the printing area R1, and a second position P2 where ink can be ejected from the ejection unit 3 onto the printing area R1.

[0045] As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes an ejection unit 11 that ejects the pretreatment agent onto the medium M and a lid member 12 that can cover the printing area R1. Therefore, by covering the printing area R1 with the lid member 12 and ejecting the pretreatment agent from the ejection unit 11 in this state, scattering of the pretreatment agent can be suppressed and the pretreatment agent can be suitably applied to the printing area R1 of the medium M. In addition, the support unit 4 is configured to move between a first position P1 where the printing area R1 can be covered by the lid member 12 and a second position P2 where ink can be ejected from the ejection unit 3 onto the printing area R1. Therefore, the support unit 4 can be positioned at the first position P1 to easily set the medium M, and the support unit 4 can be positioned at the second position P2 during printing to suitably perform the printing process.

[0046] As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes the ink storage unit 6 that stores ink, the ink flow path tube 9 that is an ink flow path connecting the ink storage unit 6 and the ejection unit 3, the pretreatment agent storage unit 14 that stores a pretreatment agent, the pretreatment agent flow path tube 13B that is a pretreatment agent flow path connecting the pretreatment agent storage unit 14 and the ejection unit 11, and the pressure pump 8 that is a drive unit that imparts a drive force to supply ink from the ink storage unit 6 to the ejection unit 3. The pressure pump 8 is also configured to be able to impart a drive force to supply the pretreatment agent from the pretreatment agent storage unit 14 to the ejection unit 11. That is, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the drive unit that imparts a drive force to supply ink from the ink storage unit 6 to the ejection unit 3 and the drive unit that imparts a drive force to supply the pretreatment agent from the pretreatment agent storage unit 14 to the ejection unit 11 are shared as the pressure pump 8, making it possible to reduce the size of the printing device 1 and to improve the efficiency of driving the printing device 1.

[0047] Furthermore, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the lid member 12 is positioned and configured so that the interior 12a becomes an enclosed space by covering the printing area R1 together with the support part 4 that supports the medium M. This makes it possible to easily position the lid member 12 with respect to the support part 4 and also prevents the pretreatment agent from leaking outside the lid member 12 and contaminating the outside with the pretreatment agent.

[0048] As described above, the ejection part 11 is detachable from the cover member 12. This allows the cover member 12 to be easily replaced or cleaned.

[0049] Here, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the ejection unit 11 can be removed from the lid member 12, and a heater unit 20 can be attached to the lid member 12 in place of the ejection unit 11, as shown in Fig. 9. In this way, since the heater unit 20 can be detachably attached to the lid member 12 in place of the ejection unit 11, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can suitably dry the ink, pretreatment agent, and the like on the medium M, for example after the printing process is completed. Note that, as shown in Fig. 9, the heater unit 20 of this embodiment has a heating wire 21 and a fan 22, but the configuration of the heater unit 20 is not particularly limited.

[0050] As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can use a plurality of different support parts 4 and can use a plurality of different lid members 12. In other words, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can use, as the support part 4, a first support part such as the support part 4A, and a second support part such as the support part 4B or the support part 4C that is different from the first support part in at least one of the size and the shape. As the lid member 12, for example, the lid member 12A as the first lid member corresponding to the first support part, and the lid member 12B or the lid member 12C as the second lid member corresponding to the second support part can be used. For this reason, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can suitably apply the pretreatment agent to the printing region R1 for media M of a plurality of sizes and shapes.

[0051] Furthermore, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can use the lid member 12D shown in FIG. 8 as the lid member 12. As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can use, as the support part 4, the support part 4A as the first support part, and the support part 4B as the second support part that is different from the support part 4A in at least one of the size and shape. Here, the lid member 12D has a side surface 12c as the first fitting part that fits into the support part 4A, and a side surface 12e as the second fitting part that fits into the support part 4B. Therefore, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can accommodate a plurality of support parts 4 without replacing the lid member 12 used, and can suitably apply the pretreatment agent to the printing region R1 for media M of a plurality of sizes and shapes.

[0052] In addition, when the support part 4A is used as the support part 4 as shown in FIG. 8, the medium M is placed in the inside 12a of the lid member 12 including the non-printing area R2, which is the area surrounding the printing area R1. In other words, the lid member 12D can cover not only the printing area R1 but also the non-printing area R2 surrounding the printing area R1, and the distance between the lid member 12D and the non-printing area R2 inside the lid member 12D is narrower than the distance between the lid member 12D and the printing area R1. In this arrangement, when the pretreatment agent is applied, the height of the non-printing area R2 in the inside 12a is lower than that of the printing area R1, so that a smaller amount of pretreatment agent is applied to the non-printing area R2 than to the printing area R1. Therefore, the boundary mark of the pretreatment agent at the boundary between the printing area R1 and the non-printing area R2 becomes less noticeable. In this way, by using a lid member 12 having a step-like step like the lid member 12D, the boundary mark of the pretreatment agent can be made less noticeable.

[0053] 10, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes a lid member storage unit 30 in which the lid member 12 can be placed when the pretreatment agent application process is not being performed. The lid member storage unit 30 of this embodiment is configured to extend from the housing unit 2 and to allow the lid member 12 to be placed therein by hooking the spray unit 11 thereon, but is not limited to such a configuration. The lower part of the lid member storage unit 30 includes a pretreatment agent receiver 31 that receives the pretreatment agent adhering to the spray unit 11 and the lid member 12. A replaceable absorbent 32 is placed in the pretreatment agent receiver 31. However, there is no particular limitation on the configuration of the pretreatment agent receiver 31, and the configuration may not include the pretreatment agent receiver 31.

[0054] [Example 2] Next, the printing device 1 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 4 showing the printing device 1 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 11, components common to the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted. The printing device 1 of the present embodiment has the same shape as the printing device 1 of the first embodiment, except that it is provided with an arm member 15 connected to the cover member 12 and the housing unit 2. Therefore, except for the parts described below, the printing device 1 of the present embodiment has the same characteristics as the printing device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0055] 11, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 2 that houses the ejection unit 3, similar to the printing device 1 of the first embodiment, and an arm member 15 having one end connected to a front portion 2a of the housing 2 via a rotating shaft 15a and the other end 15b connected to a cover member 12E serving as the cover member 12. The arm member 15 is displaceable between a cover position P1a, represented by a solid line in FIG. 11, where the cover member 12E covers the printing region R1 when the support unit 4 is in the first position P1, and an open position P1b, represented by a dashed line in FIG. 11, where the cover member 12E does not cover the printing region R1 when the support unit 4 is in the first position P1 and does not interfere with the movement of the support unit 4 by the support stand 5, which is the moving unit. For this reason, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can accurately position the lid member 12E at the cover position P1a, which is a suitable position, during the application process of the pretreatment agent, and can also position the lid member 12E at the open position P1b so as not to get in the way when the application process of the pretreatment agent is not being performed, such as during the printing process. Note that, although the printing device 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the operator manually moves the lid member 12E between the cover position P1a and the open position P1b, a configuration may also be adopted in which a drive motor for the arm member 15 or the like is provided and the lid member 12E is automatically moved between the cover position P1a and the open position P1b under the control of the control unit 7 or the like.

[0056] Furthermore, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the arm member 15 is detachable from the cover member 12E. Therefore, the cover member 12E can be detached when the pretreatment agent application process is not being performed, and the cover member 12E can be positioned so that it does not get in the way. This configuration also makes it easy to clean the cover member 12E.

[0057] [Example of printing method] Next, an embodiment of a printing method that can be executed by the printing device 1 of the first embodiment and the printing device 1 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0058] In the printing method of this embodiment, first, in step S110, the support unit 4 is positioned at the first position P1, and the medium M is supported by the support unit 4. Next, in step S120, the printing area R1 is covered by the lid member 12 while the support unit 4 is at the first position P1. Next, in step S130, the pretreatment agent is ejected from the ejection unit 11 onto the medium M while the printing area R1 is covered by the lid member 12. Then, in step S140, the lid member 12 is retracted from the printing area R1. Then, in step S150, the support unit 4 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2, ink is ejected from the ejection unit 3 to print, and the printing method of this embodiment is terminated upon completion of this step. Note that steps S110, S120, and S140 are manually performed by an operator, and steps S130 and S150 are automatically performed under the control of the control unit 7. By carrying out the printing method of this embodiment, it is possible to preferably apply the pretreatment agent to the print region R1 of the medium M, and then preferably carry out the printing process.

[0059] [Example of pretreatment agent spraying device] Next, an embodiment of a pretreatment agent ejection device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 13, which can be used with the printing device 1 of Example 1 and the printing device 1 of Example 2 from which the pretreatment agent ejection device 10 has been removed, and which can also be used with printing devices that eject ink onto the printing area R1 of the medium M for printing, without being limited to these.

[0060] As described above, the pretreatment agent ejection device 100 of this embodiment is a pretreatment agent ejection device used in a printing device that ejects ink onto a printing area R1 of a medium M to print. As shown in Fig. 13, the pretreatment agent ejection device 100 is provided with an ejection unit 11 that ejects the pretreatment agent, and a lid member 12 to which the ejection unit 11 is attached and which is capable of covering the printing area R1. Therefore, by covering the printing area R1 with the lid member 12 and ejecting the pretreatment agent from the ejection unit 11 in this state, scattering of the pretreatment agent can be suppressed, and the pretreatment agent can be suitably applied to the printing area R1 of the medium M.

[0061] The pretreatment agent spraying device 100 of this embodiment also includes a pressure pump 18 that provides a driving force for supplying the pretreatment agent from the pretreatment agent storage section 14 to the spraying section 11, a control section 17 that is electrically connected to the pressure pump 18, the solenoid valve 11b, and the stirrer drive section 14b by electric wires L, and an interface terminal 19 that can be connected to a printing device. With this configuration, the pressure pump 18, the solenoid valve 11b, and the stirrer drive section 14b can be driven under the control of the control section 17, and the pressure pump 18, the solenoid valve 11b, and the stirrer drive section 14b can also be driven under the control of the control section of the printing device, for example, by the control section 17 cooperating with the control section of the printing device.

[0062] Although the pretreatment agent spraying device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a control unit 17, it is also possible to configure the device without the control unit 17 by having the control unit of the printing device execute a drive program for the pretreatment agent spraying device 100. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the device without the pressure pump 18 by connecting a tube or the like to the pressure pump of the printing device.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention column can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1...printing device, 2...casing, 2a...front portion, 2b...opening, 2c...side portion, 2d...opening, 3...ejection portion, 4...support portion, 4A...support portion (first support portion), 4B...support portion (second support portion), 4C...support portion (second support portion), 5...support base (moving portion), 6...ink storage portion, 7...control portion, 8...pressure pump (driving portion), 9...ink flow path tube, 10...pretreatment agent ejection device, 11...ejection portion, 11a...spray nozzle forming portion, 11b...solenoid valve, 12...lid member, 12A...lid member (first lid member), 12B...lid member (second lid member), 12C...lid member (second lid member), 12D...lid member, 12E...lid member, 12a...inside, 12b...hole portion, 12c...side (first fitting portion) , 12d... opposing surface, 12e... side surface (second fitting portion), 13... tube, 13A... air flow path tube, 13B... pre-treatment agent flow path tube (pre-treatment agent flow path), 14... pre-treatment agent storage section, 14a... stirrer, 14b... stirrer drive section, 15... arm member, 15a... rotating shaft, 15b... other end section, 17... control section, 18... pressure pump, 19... interface terminal, 20... heater unit, 21... heating wire, 22... fan, 30... cover member housing section, 31... pre-treatment agent receiver, 32... absorbent material, 100... pre-treatment agent spraying device, L... electric wire, M... medium, P1... first position, P1a... cover position, P1b... open position, P2... second position, R1... printing area, R2... non-printing area

Claims

1. A support portion that supports the medium; an ejection unit that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium supported by the support unit; a cover member to which the ejection unit is attached and capable of covering a printing area of ​​the medium; a discharge unit that discharges ink onto the printing area onto which the pretreatment agent has been sprayed by the spray unit; a moving unit that moves the support unit to a first position where the cover member can cover the printing area and a second position where the ejection unit can eject ink onto the printing area; Equipped with A printing device characterized in that the lid member is movable, relative to the support part located at the first position, between a cover position that covers the printing area and a retracted position that does not cover the printing area.

2. A support part that supports a medium; an ejection unit that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium supported by the support unit; a cover member to which the ejection unit is attached and capable of covering a printing area of ​​the medium; a discharge unit that discharges ink onto the printing area onto which the pretreatment agent has been sprayed by the spray unit; a moving unit that moves the support unit to a first position where the cover member can cover the printing area and a second position where the ejection unit can eject ink onto the printing area; an ink reservoir that stores the ink; an ink flow path connecting the ink reservoir and the ejection portion; a pretreatment agent storage section that stores the pretreatment agent; a pretreatment agent flow path connecting the pretreatment agent storage unit and the spray unit; a drive unit that applies a driving force to supply the ink from the ink storage unit to the ejection unit; Equipped with The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive section is configured to be capable of applying a drive force for supplying the pretreatment agent from the pretreatment agent storage section to the ejection section.

3. A support part for supporting a medium; an ejection unit that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium supported by the support unit; a cover member to which the ejection unit is attached and capable of covering a printing area of ​​the medium; a discharge unit that discharges ink onto the printing area onto which the pretreatment agent has been sprayed by the spray unit; a moving unit that moves the support unit to a first position where the cover member can cover the printing area and a second position where the ejection unit can eject ink onto the printing area; Equipped with The printing device is characterized in that the lid member is configured to cover the printing area together with the support part on which the medium is supported, thereby being positioned and forming an enclosed space inside.

4. A support part for supporting a medium; an ejection unit that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium supported by the support unit; a cover member to which the ejection unit is attached and capable of covering a printing area of ​​the medium; a discharge unit that discharges ink onto the printing area onto which the pretreatment agent has been sprayed by the spray unit; a moving unit that moves the support unit to a first position where the cover member can cover the printing area and a second position where the ejection unit can eject ink onto the printing area; Equipped with The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ejection unit is detachably attached to the cover member.

5. 5. The printing device according to claim 4, A printing apparatus, characterized in that a heater unit can be detachably attached to the cover member in place of the ejection unit.

6. 6. The printing device according to claim 4, As the support portion, a first support portion and a second support portion having at least one of a size and a shape different from that of the first support portion can be used, A printing device, characterized in that a first lid member corresponding to the first support portion and a second lid member corresponding to the second support portion can be used as the lid member.

7. A support portion for supporting a medium; an ejection unit that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium supported by the support unit; a cover member to which the ejection unit is attached and capable of covering a printing area of ​​the medium; a discharge unit that discharges ink onto the printing area onto which the pretreatment agent has been sprayed by the spray unit; a moving unit that moves the support unit to a first position where the cover member can cover the printing area and a second position where the ejection unit can eject ink onto the printing area; Equipped with As the support portion, a first support portion and a second support portion having at least one of a size and a shape different from that of the first support portion can be used, A printing device, wherein the cover member has a first fitting portion that fits into the first support portion and a second fitting portion that fits into the second support portion.

8. A support portion for supporting a medium; an ejection unit that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium supported by the support unit; a cover member to which the ejection unit is attached and capable of covering a printing area of ​​the medium; a discharge unit that discharges ink onto the printing area onto which the pretreatment agent has been sprayed by the spray unit; a moving unit that moves the support unit to a first position where the cover member can cover the printing area and a second position where the ejection unit can eject ink onto the printing area; Equipped with The cover member can cover not only the printed area but also a non-printed area around the printed area, A printing device according to claim 1, wherein, inside said lid member, a gap between said lid member and said non-printing area is narrower than a gap between said lid member and said printing area.

9. A support portion for supporting a medium; an ejection unit that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium supported by the support unit; a cover member to which the ejection unit is attached and capable of covering a printing area of ​​the medium; a discharge unit that discharges ink onto the printing area onto which the pretreatment agent has been sprayed by the spray unit; a moving unit that moves the support unit to a first position where the cover member can cover the printing area and a second position where the ejection unit can eject ink onto the printing area; Equipped with A housing portion that houses the discharge portion; an arm member having one end connected to the housing and the other end connected to the cover member, A printing device characterized in that the arm member is displaceable between a cover position in which the lid member covers the printing area when the support part is in the first position, and an open position in which the lid member does not cover the printing area when the support part is in the first position and does not interfere with movement of the support part by the moving part.

10. 10. The printing device according to claim 9, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm member is capable of attaching and detaching the cover member.

11. 1. A pretreatment agent ejection device for use in a printing device that ejects ink onto a medium to print, comprising: an injection unit that injects the pretreatment agent; a cover member to which the ejection unit is attached and capable of covering a printing area of ​​the printing device; Equipped with The pretreatment agent spraying device, wherein the spraying part is detachably attached to the cover member.

12. A support portion that supports the medium; an ejection unit that ejects a pretreatment agent onto the medium supported by the support unit; a cover member to which the ejection unit is attached and capable of covering a printing area of ​​the medium; a discharge unit that discharges ink onto the printing area onto which the pretreatment agent has been sprayed by the spray unit; a moving unit that moves the support unit to a first position where the cover member can cover the printing area, and a second position where the ejection unit can eject ink onto the printing area, the moving unit comprising: The medium is supported by the support at the first position; With the support portion in the first position, the printing area is covered with the lid member, thereby positioning the printing area within an enclosed space surrounded by the support portion and the lid member; The pretreatment agent is sprayed onto the medium from the spraying unit while the printing area is covered with the lid member; A printing method comprising: moving the support portion from the first position to the second position; and ejecting the ink from the ejection portion to perform printing.

Images