Printing device

Abstract

To provide a printer which dries ink on a printing surface without heating a printing medium more than necessary until the printing medium reaches a roller contacting with the printing surface while preventing the printing medium from contacting with a front surface of a heating unit.SOLUTION: A drying mechanism 21 of a printer 1 includes conveying rollers 13A, R3, R4, R6, R7 which contact with a rear surface of continuous paper WP without ink adhered, a printing surface contact roller 31 which contacts with a printing surface FF of the continuous paper WP, and heating units H1, H2, H4 which are arranged opposite to the printing surface of the continuous paper WP and heat the continuous paper WP in a non-contact state. The continuous paper WP is conveyed without being heated between the conveying roller R4 and the conveying roller R6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints on a long print medium. [Background technology]

[0002] The printing device includes a drying mechanism for drying ink attached to a print medium (for example, continuous paper) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The drying mechanism includes at least one of a heating drum, a blowing unit, and an infrared heating unit.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a drying device in which a print medium is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of a heating drum (heat roller) that has a large mass and a high specific heat, and the print medium is heated by contact from the back surface (non-printing surface).

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes an air turn bar provided along the transport path of the print medium. The air turn bar injects air. This allows the print medium to be transported while providing a gap between the air turn bar and the surface (printed surface) of the print medium. Therefore, the air turn bar can turn the print medium around the surface of the print medium as the inner circumference without coming into contact with the surface of the print medium. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-186342 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-119609 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, conventional printing devices have the following problems. Specifically, the heating drum heats the print medium (e.g., continuous paper) by contacting the back side of the print medium. Contact heating from the back side can heat the print medium more than necessary. This can result in a decrease in paper quality after printing, for example by causing the continuous paper to lose its flexibility. Also, because the ink is heated via the print medium, this can cause a decrease in drying efficiency.

[0007] Furthermore, if the print medium becomes loose due to an emergency stop or the like, the print medium may come into contact with the front surface of the heating unit depending on the orientation of the non-contact heating unit. This may result in overheating of the print medium at the contact area. Furthermore, if the print surface comes into contact with the roller before the ink is dry, the ink may be transferred. For this reason, there is a demand for the ink on the print medium to be dried to a degree that does not cause transfer before it reaches the roller that comes into contact with the print surface. This demand would be met without using the air turn bar described in Patent Document 2.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a printing device that dries the ink on the printing surface without heating the printing medium more than necessary before it reaches the roller that contacts the printing surface, while preventing the printing medium from coming into contact with the front of the heating unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration: That is, the printing device according to the present invention includes a printing unit that applies ink to a printing surface of a long print medium being transported, and a drying mechanism that heats the print medium transported from the printing unit to dry the ink, and the drying mechanism includes at least first to fourth direction-changing rollers that come into contact with a back surface of the print medium transported from the printing unit on which no ink is attached to change the transport direction of the print medium, and a printing surface that is disposed downstream of the fourth direction-changing roller in the transport direction and comes into contact with the printing surface of the print medium to change the transport direction of the print medium. a contact roller, at least first and second heating units for heating the print medium guided by the first to fourth direction-changing rollers and the print surface contact roller, a guide roller arranged downstream of the printing section and upstream of the first direction-changing roller, contacting the back surface to guide the print medium, and a fourth heating unit for heating at least the print medium guided by the guide roller, the guide roller guides the print medium discharged from the printing section so that the print surface of the print medium faces upward, The direction-changing roller changes the direction of the printing medium guided by the guide roller vertically downward or diagonally downward so that the printing surface of the printing medium faces upward, the second direction-changing roller changes the direction of the printing medium changed by the first direction-changing roller in a direction in which the printing surface faces downward, the third direction-changing roller changes the direction of the printing medium changed by the second direction-changing roller vertically upward or diagonally upward so that the printing surface of the printing medium faces upward, and the fourth direction-changing roller a guide roller that redirects the print medium redirected by the third direction-changing roller to a horizontal direction so that the print surface faces upward or to a diagonally downward direction so that the print surface faces upward; a fourth heating unit that is disposed between the guide roller and the first direction-changing roller to face the print surface of the print medium and heats the print medium in a non-contact state; and a first heating unit that is disposed between the first direction-changing roller and the second direction-changing roller to face the print surface of the print medium and heats the print medium in a non-contact state;Between the second direction-changing roller and the third direction-changing roller, a heating unit is not provided below the transport path of the print medium, the print medium is transported between the second direction-changing roller and the third direction-changing roller without being heated, the second heating unit is disposed facing the printing surface of the print medium between the third direction-changing roller and the fourth direction-changing roller and heats the print medium in a non-contact state, and the print surface contact roller is a roller that first contacts the printing surface of the print medium after ink is applied, and guides the print medium in a direction toward an outlet of the drying mechanism by folding back the print medium from which the ink has been dried.

[0010] According to the printing device of the present invention, the long print medium is conveyed to the print surface contact roller in a spiral manner while being redirected by the first to fourth direction-changing rollers. The print surface contact roller is the roller that first comes into contact with the print surface after ink is applied. Heating units are disposed between the guide roller and the first direction-changing roller, between the first and second direction-changing rollers, and between the third and fourth direction-changing rollers, so as to face the print surface of the print medium. This arrangement allows the drying mechanism to be made compact.

[0011] In addition, since each heating unit is disposed opposite the printing surface, it can directly heat the ink adhering to the printing surface. Therefore, the ink can be dried without heating the printing medium more than necessary. In addition, each heating unit is not disposed facing upward. Furthermore, no heating unit is disposed in the section where the printing surface faces downward (between the second and third direction changing rollers). This is because the heating units that are disposed face upward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the printing medium from coming into contact with the front surface of the heating unit when the printing medium becomes slack. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the printing medium from being overheated.

[0012] In addition, in the above-mentioned printing device, it is preferable that the guide roller redirects the printing medium conveyed out of the printing section diagonally downward so that the printing surface of the printing medium faces upward, and the first direction-changing roller redirects the printing medium redirected by the guide roller.

[0013] Furthermore, a printing device according to the present invention includes a printing unit that applies ink to a printing surface of a long print medium being transported, and a drying mechanism that heats the print medium transported from the printing unit to dry the ink, the drying mechanism including at least first to fifth direction changing rollers that come into contact with a back surface of the print medium transported from the printing unit on which no ink is attached to change the transport direction of the print medium, a print surface contact roller that is disposed downstream of the fifth direction changing roller in the transport direction and comes into contact with the print surface of the print medium to change the transport direction of the print medium, and a drying mechanism that heats the print medium transported from the printing unit to dry the ink. a guide roller that is disposed downstream of the printing section and upstream of the first direction changing roller and that contacts the back surface of the print medium to guide the print medium; and a fourth heating unit that heats at least the print medium that is guided by the guide roller, the guide roller guides the print medium discharged from the printing section so that the print surface of the print medium faces upward, and the first direction changing roller heats the print medium by being guided by the guide roller. the second direction-changing roller changes the direction of the printing medium guided by the first direction-changing roller in a direction in which the printing surface faces downward; the third direction-changing roller changes the direction of the printing medium changed by the second direction-changing roller in a direction in which the printing surface faces upward; the fourth direction-changing roller changes the direction of the printing medium changed by the third direction-changing roller in a direction in which the printing surface faces upward; and the fifth direction-changing roller changes the direction of the printing medium changed by the fourth direction-changing roller in a direction in which the printing surface faces upward. the print medium whose direction has been changed by the guide roller is changed vertically downward, the fourth heating unit is disposed between the guide roller and the first direction changing roller to face the printing surface of the print medium and heats the print medium in a non-contact state, the first heating unit is disposed between the first direction changing roller and the second direction changing roller to face the printing surface of the print medium and heats the print medium in a non-contact state, and a heating unit is not provided below a transport path of the print medium between the second direction changing roller and the third direction changing roller,The printing medium is transported between the second direction-changing roller and the third direction-changing roller without being heated, the second heating unit is disposed between the third direction-changing roller and the fourth direction-changing roller facing the printing surface of the printing medium and heats the printing medium in a non-contact state, and the printing surface contact roller is a roller that first contacts the printing surface of the printing medium after ink is applied, and guides the printing medium in a direction toward an outlet of the drying mechanism by folding back the printing medium from which the ink has been dried.

[0014] A printing device according to the present invention includes a printing unit that applies ink to a printing surface of a long print medium being transported, and a drying mechanism that heats the print medium transported from the printing unit to dry the ink, the drying mechanism including at least first to fourth direction-changing rollers that come into contact with a back surface of the print medium transported from the printing unit on which no ink is attached to change the transport direction of the print medium, a print surface contact roller that is disposed downstream of the fourth direction-changing roller in the transport direction and comes into contact with the print surface of the print medium to change the transport direction of the print medium, and a drying mechanism that heats the print medium transported from the printing unit to dry the ink. and at least first and second heating units for heating the print medium guided by the direction-changing roller and the printing surface contact roller, wherein the first direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium conveyed out of the printing section vertically downward or diagonally downward so that the print surface of the print medium faces upward, the second direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium changed by the first direction-changing roller so that the print surface faces downward, and the third direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium changed by the second direction-changing roller. the fourth direction changing roller changes the direction of the print medium changed by the third direction changing roller either vertically upward or obliquely upward so that the print surface of the print medium faces upward, the fourth direction changing roller changes the direction of the print medium changed by the third direction changing roller either horizontally so that the print surface faces upward or obliquely downward so that the print surface faces upward, the first heating unit is disposed between the first direction changing roller and the second direction changing roller to face the print surface of the print medium and heats the print medium in a non-contact state, and the second heating unit is disposed between the third direction changing roller and the fourth direction changing roller to face the print surface of the print medium and heats the print medium in a non-contact state, a printing surface contact roller that is disposed opposite the printing surface of the printing medium between the first direction changing roller and the second direction changing roller, and heats the printing medium in a non-contact state; the printing surface contact roller is a roller that first comes into contact with the printing surface of the printing medium after the ink is applied, and guides the printing medium in a direction toward an outlet of the drying mechanism by folding back the printing medium from which the ink has been dried; the printing device is disposed downstream of the printing surface contact roller and a first reflector that is disposed on the opposite side of the first heating unit, with the printing medium being transported between the first direction changing roller and the second direction changing roller,and a plurality of downstream guide rollers configured to guide the print medium to an outlet of the drying mechanism, wherein two of the plurality of downstream guide rollers are disposed on the opposite side of the first heating unit with the print medium transported between the first direction changing roller and the second direction changing roller and the first reflector interposed therebetween, and are configured to guide the print medium transported from the printing surface contact roller.

[0015] According to the printing device of the present invention, the first reflector is disposed on the opposite side of the first heating unit, sandwiching the print medium transported between the first direction-changing roller and the second direction-changing roller. Furthermore, two downstream guide rollers among the multiple downstream guide rollers are disposed on the opposite side of the first heating unit, sandwiching the print medium transported between the first direction-changing roller and the second direction-changing roller and the first reflector, and are configured to guide the print medium transported from the printing surface contact roller. The placement of the first reflector prevents excessive heat from being applied from the first heating unit.

[0016] In addition, in the above-mentioned printing device, it is preferable that a heating unit is not provided below the transport path of the printing medium between the second direction changing roller and the third direction changing roller, and the printing medium is transported between the second direction changing roller and the third direction changing roller without being heated.

[0017] In the above-mentioned printing device, it is preferable that each of the first and second heating units includes a heater that irradiates the printing surface of the printing medium with electromagnetic waves. By irradiating the printing surface with electromagnetic waves from the heater, the printing surface can be directly heated.

[0018] In the printing apparatus described above, it is preferable that the heater is a carbon heater. By using a carbon heater, it is possible to irradiate infrared rays with an optimum wavelength for heating the ink.

[0019] In the above-mentioned printing device, it is preferable that each of the first and second heating units further includes a blower that blows gas heated by the heater onto the printing surface. The ink on the printing surface can be dried by irradiation of electromagnetic waves and hot air.

[0020] In the printing device described above, it is preferable that the first direction-changing roller changes the direction of the printing medium discharged from the printing section vertically downward, and the third direction-changing roller changes the direction of the printing medium changed by the second direction-changing roller vertically upward. This allows both the first and second heating units to be arranged in a vertical position. Therefore, the drying mechanism can be made compact in the horizontal length direction in which the first and second heating units are arranged. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the printing device of the present invention, the ink on the printing surface can be dried without heating the printing medium more than necessary before it reaches the roller that contacts the printing surface, while preventing the printing medium from coming into contact with the front surface of the heating unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a drying mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the heating unit taken along the width direction of the web paper, and FIG. 4B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the heating unit taken along the transport direction of the web paper. [Figure 4] FIG. 1A is a plan view for explaining the maintenance space, and FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a drying mechanism according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a drying mechanism according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a drying mechanism according to the fourth embodiment. Example 1

[0023] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing device 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a drying mechanism 21 according to the first embodiment.

[0024] <Configuration of Printer 1> 1, the printing device 1 of this embodiment is an inkjet printing device. The printing device 1 includes a paper feed section 3, a printing device main body 5, and a paper discharge section .

[0025] The paper feed unit 3 holds a roll of continuous paper (web paper) WP so that it can rotate around a horizontal axis. The paper feed unit 3 supplies the continuous paper WP from the roll to the printing device main body 5. The printing device main body 5 prints on the long continuous paper WP. The paper discharge unit 7 then winds up the continuous paper WP printed by the printing device main body 5 around a horizontal axis. The paper discharge unit 7 is equipped with an electric motor for winding up the continuous paper WP. If the supply side of the continuous paper WP is considered to be upstream and the discharge side of the continuous paper WP is considered to be downstream, the paper feed unit 3 is positioned upstream of the printing device main body 5. The continuous paper WP corresponds to the printing medium of the present invention.

[0026] The printing device body 5 is equipped with two drive rollers 9, 11, a plurality of transport rollers 13, and a nip roller 15. The drive roller 9 is disposed on the entrance side of the printing device body 5. The drive roller 11 is disposed on the exit side of the printing device body 5. The two drive rollers 9, 11 are each rotatably supported and driven by an electric motor. The drive roller 9 takes in the continuous paper WP from the paper feed section 3. The drive roller 11 sends the continuous paper WP to the paper discharge section 7. The two drive rollers 9, 11 each provide power for transporting the continuous paper WP. The plurality of transport rollers 13 are rotatably supported and guide the continuous paper WP. The plurality of transport rollers 13 are not equipped with an electric motor like the drive roller 11, and do not provide power for transporting the continuous paper WP.

[0027] The printing device main body 5 further includes, in order from the upstream side, a printing unit 19, a drying mechanism 21, a cooling unit 23, and an inspection unit 25.

[0028] The printing unit 19 deposits ink (ink droplets) onto the printing surface FF of the transported continuous paper WP. The printing unit 19 includes, for example, four inkjet heads 19A-19D. The four inkjet heads 19A-19D eject ink droplets, for example, by a piezoelectric element method or a thermal (bubble) method. The most upstream inkjet head 19A ejects black (K) ink droplets. The next inkjet head 19B ejects cyan (C) ink droplets. The next inkjet head 19C ejects magenta (M) ink droplets. The next inkjet head 19D ejects yellow (Y) ink droplets.

[0029] In this example, the printing unit 19 includes four inkjet heads 19A to 19D, but is not limited to this. For example, the printing unit 19 may include one, two, or six inkjet heads.

[0030] The drying mechanism 21 heats the continuous paper WP carried out (transported) from the printing unit 19 to dry the ink. A detailed configuration of the drying mechanism 21 will be described later. The cooling unit 23 cools the continuous paper WP heated by the drying mechanism 21. The cooling unit 23 includes, for example, a water-cooled roller incorporating a flow path for passing cooling water. The inspection unit 25 includes, for example, a CCD sensor or a CIS sensor (contact image sensor). The inspection unit 25 inspects the image printed on the continuous paper WP.

[0031] The printer 1 includes a control unit 27 and a storage unit (e.g., a memory) not shown. The control unit 27 includes a central processing unit (CPU). The control unit 27 controls each component of the printer 1 (e.g., the printing unit 19 and the drying mechanism 21). The storage unit stores programs necessary for the operation of the printer 1.

[0032] (1) Configuration of drying mechanism 21 Next, the drying mechanism 21, which is a characteristic feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0033] (1-1) Configuration of multiple rollers The drying mechanism 21 includes eight transport rollers R1 to R8, a print surface contact roller 31, and seven transport rollers 33. The transport rollers and print surface contact rollers are referred to as "rollers" where appropriate. In the continuous paper WP, the print surface FF is the surface to which ink is applied by the printing unit 19. The back surface BF is the surface opposite the print surface FF, and is the surface to which no ink is applied.

[0034] These rollers R1 to R8, 31, 33 are configured in the same manner as the above-mentioned transport roller 13. Specifically, the rollers R1 to R8, 31, 33 are each rotatably supported and guide the web paper WP. Unlike the drive roller 11, the transport rollers R1 to R8, 31, 33 do not include an electric motor and do not provide power for transporting the web paper WP.

[0035] The eight transport rollers R1 to R8 come into contact with the back surface BF of the web paper WP discharged from the printing unit 19 to change the transport direction of the web paper WP. The printing surface contact roller 31 is disposed downstream of the eight transport rollers R1 to R8 and comes into contact with the printing surface FF of the web paper WP to change the transport direction of the web paper WP. The web paper WP is transported in a spiral manner by the eight transport rollers R1 to R8 and the printing surface contact roller 33. As will be apparent from the following description, the transport roller R3 corresponds to the first direction changing roller of the present invention, the transport roller R4 corresponds to the second direction changing roller of the present invention, the transport roller R6 corresponds to the third direction changing roller of the present invention, the transport roller R7 corresponds to the fourth direction changing roller of the present invention, and the printing surface contact roller 31 corresponds to the printing surface contact roller of the present invention.

[0036] First, the continuous paper WP discharged from the printing unit 19 is transported in the order of roller 13A, roller R1, roller R2, and roller R3. These transport rollers 13A, R1 to R3 are disposed downstream of the printing unit 19 and in front of the printing unit 19 in a plan view.

[0037] The transport roller 13A is disposed downstream of the printing unit 19 (i.e., the inkjet head 19D) and upstream of the transport roller R3. The transport roller 13A is disposed near the inkjet head 19D. The transport roller 13A contacts the back surface BF of the web paper WP. The three transport rollers 13A, R1, and R2 each guide the web paper WP diagonally downward so that the print surface FF of the web paper WP faces upward. The inclination angle (absolute value) of the web paper WP increases toward the transport roller R3. The transport rollers 13A, R1, and R2 correspond to the guide rollers of the present invention. The transport roller R3 corresponds to the first direction change roller. The transport roller R3 changes the direction of the web paper WP, which has been changed by the three transport rollers 13A, R1, and R2, vertically downward.

[0038] After the continuous paper WP is transported to transport roller R3, the continuous paper WP is transported in the order of roller R4, roller R5, roller R6, roller R7, and roller R8.

[0039] The transport roller R4 corresponds to a second direction changing roller. The transport roller R4 changes the direction of the web paper WP, which has been changed by the transport roller R3, diagonally downward so that the printing surface FF of the web paper WP faces downward. The transport roller R5 is disposed at a lower position than the transport roller R4. The transport roller R5 changes the direction of the web paper WP diagonally upward so that the printing surface FF of the web paper WP faces downward. The transport roller R6 is disposed at a higher position than the transport roller R5. The transport roller R6 is also disposed at approximately the same height as the transport roller R4.

[0040] The transport roller R6 corresponds to a third direction-changing roller. The transport roller R6 redirects the web paper WP, whose direction has been changed by the two transport rollers R4 and R5, vertically upward. The transport roller R7 is disposed at a higher position than the transport roller R6. The transport roller R7 is disposed at approximately the same height as the transport roller R3. The transport roller R7 is also disposed between the transport roller R6 and the web paper WP, which is transported between the transport roller 13A and the transport roller R3. As shown in FIG. 2, the four transport rollers R3, R4, R6, and R7 are disposed to form an approximately rectangular shape when viewed in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction TD of the web paper WP.

[0041] The transport roller R7 corresponds to a fourth direction-changing roller. The transport roller R7 redirects the web paper WP, whose direction has been changed by the transport roller R6, obliquely downward so that the printing surface FF faces upward. The transport roller R8 is disposed at a lower position than the transport roller R7. The transport roller R8 and the printing surface contact roller 31 are disposed between the four transport rollers R3, R4, R6, and R7, as shown in FIG. 2. In other words, the transport roller R8 and the printing surface contact roller 31 are disposed at a position surrounded by the web paper WP transported between the two transport rollers R3 and R7. In addition, in order to transport the web paper WP along the diagonal line of a substantially rectangular shape, the transport roller R8 and the printing surface contact roller 31 are disposed near the transport roller R4. Note that the inclination angle (absolute value) of the transport direction between the transport roller R8 and the printing surface contact roller 31 is larger than the inclination angle (absolute value) of the transport direction between the two transport rollers R7 and R8.

[0042] The printing surface contact roller 31 corresponds to the printing surface contact roller of the present invention. The printing surface contact roller 31 is a roller that first comes into contact with the printing surface FF of the web paper WP after the ink is attached. The printing surface contact roller 31 guides the web paper WP toward the exit of the drying mechanism 21 by folding back the web paper WP on which the ink has been dried. The guidance to the exit of the drying mechanism 21 is specifically performed not only by the printing surface contact roller 31 but also by seven transport rollers 33. The seven transport rollers 33 correspond to the downstream guide roller of the present invention. The seven transport rollers 33 are disposed downstream of the printing surface contact roller 31. The seven transport rollers 33 guide the web paper WP folded back by the printing surface contact roller 31 to the exit of the drying mechanism 21 while passing through the gap CL1 between the web paper WP transported between the two transport rollers 13A and R3 and the web paper WP transported between the transport roller R7 and the printing surface contact roller 31. The numbers of the rollers 13A, R1 to R8, 31, and 33 are set appropriately.

[0043] (1-2) Configuration of the four heating units H1 to H4 The drying mechanism 21 also includes four heating units H1 to H4. The four heating units H1 to H4 heat the web paper WP guided by the transport rollers 13A, R1 to R8 and the print surface contact roller 31. The fourth heating unit H4, the first heating unit H1, the second heating unit H2, and the third heating unit H3 are arranged in this order along the transport path of the web paper WP. The four heating units H1 to H4 heat the web paper WP in a non-contact state. As will be apparent from the following description, the heating unit H1 corresponds to the first heating unit of the present invention, the heating unit H2 corresponds to the second heating unit of the present invention, the heating unit H3 corresponds to the third heating unit of the present invention, and the heating unit H4 corresponds to the fourth heating unit of the present invention.

[0044] The fourth heating unit H4 is disposed between the two transport rollers 13A, R3 (specifically, between the two transport rollers R1, R2) facing the print surface FF of the web paper WP. That is, the fourth heating unit H4 is disposed on the print surface FF side of the web paper WP transported between the two transport rollers 13A, R3. The first heating unit H1 is disposed between the two transport rollers R3, R4 facing the print surface FF of the web paper WP. The second heating unit H2 is disposed between the two transport rollers R6, R7 facing the print surface FF of the web paper WP. The third heating unit H3 is disposed between the transport roller R7 and the print surface contact roller 31 (specifically, between the two transport rollers R7, R8) facing the print surface FF of the web paper WP. That is, the four heating units H1 to H4 in this embodiment are not disposed so as to face the back surface BF of the web paper WP.

[0045] Furthermore, the continuous paper WP is transported between the two transport rollers R4, R6 without being heated by the heating unit. The reason for this will be explained. Between the two transport rollers R4, R6, the printing surface FF faces downward. Therefore, when the front surface (the heated surface) of the heating unit faces the printing surface FF, the front surface of the heating unit faces upward. As a result, when the continuous paper WP slackens, the continuous paper WP comes into contact with the front surface of the heating unit and becomes overheated. To avoid such overheating of the continuous paper WP, the continuous paper WP is transported between the two transport rollers R4, R6 without being heated by the heating unit.

[0046] Also, for example, the fourth heating unit H4 heats the print surface FF of the continuous paper WP transported between the two transport rollers 13A, R3 with infrared rays (electromagnetic waves). Here, the fourth heating unit H4 is configured so that, for example, the two transport rollers R1, R2 do not enter the infrared irradiation area (heating area) of the fourth heating unit H4. This prevents the two transport rollers R1, R2 from being overheated. The other heating units H1 to H3 are configured in the same way.

[0047] Fig. 3(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the heating unit H1 along the width direction WD of the web paper WP. Fig. 3(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the heating unit H1 along the transport direction TD of the web paper WP. The width direction WD is perpendicular to the transport direction TD. The four heating units H1 to H4 have the same configuration. Therefore, the detailed configuration of the first heating unit H1 will be described as a representative of these.

[0048] The first heating unit H1 includes a plurality of carbon heaters 35 that irradiate the web paper WP with infrared rays. The plurality of carbon heaters 35 are arranged flat along the width direction WD. Each carbon heater 35 is formed in a rod shape and arranged longitudinally along the transport direction TD. Therefore, the plurality of carbon heaters 35 are arranged in a two-dimensional plane in order to be parallel to the web paper WP. Note that the first heating unit H1 may include a single carbon heater 35 instead of multiple heaters. In this case, the single carbon heater 35 is arranged in a two-dimensional plane by bending it.

[0049] The printing surface FF (ink and continuous paper WP) can be directly heated by irradiating infrared rays from the carbon heater 35 to the printing surface FF. By using the carbon heater 35, it is possible to irradiate infrared rays of an optimum wavelength for heating (drying) the ink. In other words, the carbon heater 35 can irradiate infrared rays of a wavelength that is highly absorbent by water.

[0050] The multiple carbon heaters 35 are housed in a housing 37. The housing 37 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A front surface 37A of the housing 37 is open. Note that a lattice fence (not shown) for preventing contact between the web paper WP and the carbon heaters 35 may be provided on the front surface 37A.

[0051] The first heating unit H1 also includes a blower fan 39 and a guide plate 41. The blower fan 39 is provided on the side of the housing 37 and is driven by an electric motor. The blower fan 39 sends gas into the housing 37. This allows the gas around the carbon heater 35, which has been heated by the carbon heater 35, to be sent to the printing surface FF. The guide plate 41 is provided inside the housing 37 and is configured to allow air to flow evenly from the front surface 37A of the housing 37. In other words, the first heating unit H1 is configured to heat the printing surface FF with radiant heat from the carbon heater 35 and to blow hot air onto the printing surface FF. The blower fan 39 corresponds to the blower section of the present invention.

[0052] The first heating unit H1 also includes two exhaust sections 43. The two exhaust sections 43 are provided on the upstream and downstream side surfaces of the housing 37, sandwiching the housing 37 that houses the carbon heater 35 and the like. The openings of the two exhaust sections 43 face the printing surface FF. This allows hot air blown from the front surface 37A by the blower fan 39 to be exhausted on the upstream and downstream sides of the housing 37.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 3(b), the printing device 1 includes four reflectors RF1 to RF4. The fourth reflector RF4 is disposed on the opposite side of the fourth heating unit H4, sandwiching the continuous paper WP transported between the two transport rollers 13A and R3. Similarly, the first reflector RF1 is disposed on the opposite side of the first heating unit H1, sandwiching the continuous paper WP transported between the two transport rollers R3 and R4. The second reflector RF2 is disposed on the opposite side of the second heating unit H2, sandwiching the continuous paper WP transported between the two transport rollers R6 and R7. The third reflector RF3 is disposed on the opposite side of the third heating unit H3, sandwiching the continuous paper WP transported between the transport roller R7 and the printing surface contact roller 31.

[0054] Each of the four reflectors RF1 to RF4 is made of a shiny metal. Each of the four reflectors RF1 to RF4 reflects infrared rays that are irradiated from the carbon heater 35 and transmitted through the web paper WP. The reflected infrared rays can be re-irradiated onto the web paper WP. This allows the infrared rays irradiated from the carbon heater 35 to be used effectively.

[0055] 2, the front surfaces 37A of the three heating units H1, H2, and H4 are arranged to face the third heating unit H3. Since at least three reflectors RF1, RF2, and RF4 are arranged, it is possible to prevent the third heating unit H3 from being subjected to too much heat from the outside.

[0056] The drying mechanism 21 includes an exhaust gas collecting section (not shown). The exhaust gas collecting section is disposed above the rollers 13A, R1 to R8, 31, and 33 and the four heating units H1 to H4. The exhaust gas collecting section is connected to the exhaust sections 43 of each of the four heating units H1 to H4. The exhaust gas collecting section collects the gas sucked by each of the exhaust sections 43 and sends the collected gas to an exhaust duct of the factory.

[0057] (1-3) Configuration of maintenance spaces MS1 and MS2 Please refer to Fig. 2. The drying mechanism 21 has two maintenance spaces MS1, MS2 for maintenance. The first maintenance space MS1 is provided so as to be surrounded by the web paper WP transported between the transport roller R4 and the print surface contact roller 31. Furthermore, the side of the first maintenance space MS1 is formed in a shape (e.g., a rectangle) that fits the web paper WP transported between the transport roller R4 and the print surface contact roller 31.

[0058] The second maintenance space MS2 is provided so as to be surrounded by the continuous paper WP transported between the transport rollers 33A and 33C and the third heating unit H3. The side of the second maintenance space MS2 is formed in a substantially L-shape. The two maintenance spaces MS1 and MS2 are spaces in which nothing is placed.

[0059] Here, as an example of maintenance, the paper threading operation will be described. See FIG. 1. The paper threading operation is the operation of passing the continuous paper WP sent from the paper feed unit 3 through the inside of the printing device main body 5 before printing is performed. This operation is also performed on the drying mechanism 21. One end of the continuous paper WP sent from the paper feed unit 3 is attached to a transport bar 51 (see FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)). Two guide rails (not shown) are provided to feed the transport bar 51 along the transport path of the continuous paper WP. The two guide rails are arranged to sandwich the continuous paper WP in the width direction WD, and guide both ends of the transport bar 51.

[0060] Please refer to Figure 2. An operator feeds the carrier bar 51 from the carrier roller 13A. In the section from the carrier roller 13A to the carrier roller R5, the carrier path is inclined downward. The carrier bar 51 descends the incline due to its own weight, so the carrier bar 51 is fed relatively smoothly to the carrier roller R5.

[0061] The worker inserts his / her hand into the first maintenance space MS1 along the width direction WD (for example, arrow AC1 in FIG. 4(a)). Then, while holding the transport bar 51, the worker moves the transport bar 51 from the transport roller R5 to the point where it has passed the transport roller R7. Here, the door 53 of the second reflector RF2 used to transport the transport bar 51 between the two transport rollers R6 and R7 will be described. Please refer to FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b).

[0062] The second reflector RF2 includes a door 53, an opening 55, and a reflector body 57. The opening 55 is provided in the reflector body 57. The door 53 is rotatably attached to the reflector body 57 and opens and closes the opening 55. The worker opens the door 53. After that, the worker moves the conveyor bar 51 between the two conveyor rollers R6 and R7 while inserting his / her hand further into the opening 55. Note that in FIG. 4(a), the door 53 may be configured to open in a direction that makes it easy for the worker's hand to enter the opening 55, such as when the worker's hand enters from the arrow AC2. The door 53 may also be configured as a sliding type or may be removable.

[0063] After the transport bar 51 passes the transport roller R7, the section from the transport roller R7 to the print surface contact roller 31 is inclined downward. Therefore, the transport bar 51 is sent relatively smoothly to the transport roller R5. Thereafter, the worker inserts his / her hand into the second maintenance space MS2 along the width direction WD, similar to the first maintenance space MS1. Then, while holding the transport bar 51, the worker moves the transport bar 51 between the print surface contact roller 31 and the transport roller 33C. Then, the worker further moves the transport bar 51. This causes the continuous paper WP to pass through the drying mechanism 21.

[0064] (2) Operation of Printer 1 Next, the operation of the printing device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The paper feed unit 3 supplies the continuous paper WP to the printing device main body 5. Ink (ink droplets) is ejected onto the continuous paper WP by the printing unit 19, and the continuous paper WP is transported to the drying mechanism 21. Here, the surface of the continuous paper WP to which the ink is attached is the printing surface FF. The surface opposite the printing surface FF is the back surface BF.

[0065] Please refer to Fig. 2. The web paper WP is transported in a spiral shape from transport roller 13A to print surface contact roller 31, passing through eight transport rollers R1 to R8. In the section from transport roller 13A to transport roller R3, the web paper WP is transported diagonally downward with the print surface FF facing upward (i.e., a diagonal direction combining a forward direction and a downward direction). In this section, the fourth heating unit H4 heats the web paper WP in a non-contact state.

[0066] The web paper WP is then transported vertically downward between the two transport rollers R3 and R4. In this section, the first heating unit H1 heats the web paper WP in a non-contact manner. The web paper WP is then transported with the print surface FF facing downward between the two transport rollers R4 and R6. In this section, the web paper WP is also transported without being heated by, for example, a heating unit similar to the first heating unit H1.

[0067] Thereafter, the web paper WP is transported vertically upward in the section between the two transport rollers R6, R7. In this section, the second heating unit H2 heats the web paper WP in a non-contact state. Thereafter, in the section from the transport roller R7 to the print surface contact roller 31, the web paper WP is transported diagonally downward with the print surface FF facing upward. In this section, the third heating unit H3 heats the web paper WP in a non-contact state. As a result, the web paper WP is heated by the four heating units H1 to H4. As a result, the ink on the print surface FF dries.

[0068] Thereafter, the printing surface contact roller 31 first comes into contact with the printing surface FF of the web paper WP after the ink is applied by the printing unit 19. The ink on the printing surface is dry enough not to transfer. Therefore, even if the printing surface contact roller 31 comes into contact with the printing surface, the ink is prevented from transferring. The printing surface contact roller 31 turns the web paper WP while contacting the printing surface FF. The seven transport rollers 33 guide the web paper WP turned back by the printing surface contact roller 31 to the outlet of the drying mechanism 21 and the cooling unit 23 while passing through the gap CL1 between the web paper WP transported between the transport roller 13A and the transport roller R3 and the web paper WP transported between the transport roller R7 and the printing surface contact roller 31. That is, the seven transport rollers 33 guide the web paper WP guided to the inside of the spiral to the outside of the spiral, while guiding the web paper WP to the outlet of the drying mechanism 21.

[0069] The cooling section 23 cools the web paper WP heated by the drying mechanism 21. Because the drying mechanism 21 does not heat the web paper WP more than necessary, the load on the cooling section 23 can be reduced. The web paper WP cooled by the cooling section 23 is then transported to the inspection section 25. The inspection section 25 inspects the printed portion (characters and figures). The web paper WP inspected by the inspection section 25 is taken up by the paper discharge section 7.

[0070] According to this embodiment, the web paper WP is conveyed in a spiral manner to the print surface contact roller 31 while being changed in direction by the conveyance rollers 13A, R1 to R8. The print surface contact roller 31 is the roller that first comes into contact with the print surface FF after ink is attached. Heating units H1 to H4 are disposed between the two conveyance rollers 13A, R3, between the two conveyance rollers R3, R4, between the two conveyance rollers R6, R7, and between the conveyance roller R7 and the print surface contact roller 31, so as to face the print surface FF of the web paper WP. This arrangement allows the drying mechanism 21, i.e. the printing device 1, to be made compact.

[0071] In addition, since each of the heating units H1 to H4 is disposed facing the printing surface FF, it is possible to directly heat the ink adhering to the printing surface FF. Therefore, the ink can be dried without heating the web paper WP more than necessary. Furthermore, each of the heating units H1 to H4 is not disposed facing upward. Furthermore, no heating units are disposed in the section where the printing surface FF faces downward (between the two transport rollers R4, R6). This is because the heating units that are disposed face upward. Therefore, when the web paper WP becomes slack, it is possible to prevent the web paper WP from coming into contact with the front surface 37A (front surface) of each of the heating units H1 to H4. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the web paper WP from being overheated.

[0072] Furthermore, the transport roller R7 redirects the web paper WP, whose direction has been changed by the transport roller R6, diagonally downward so that the print surface FF faces upward. The third heating unit H3 is disposed in an inclined position along the web paper WP, whose direction has been changed by the transport roller R7. As a result, the third heating unit can be disposed by efficiently utilizing the rectangular parallelepiped space between the web paper WP transported between the transport roller R3 and the transport roller R4 and the web paper WP transported between the transport roller R6 and the transport roller R7. This allows the drying mechanism 21 to be made compact.

[0073] The transport roller R3 redirects the web paper WP discharged from the printing unit 19 vertically downward, and the transport roller R6 redirects the web paper WP redirected by the transport rollers R4 and R5 vertically upward. As a result, both of the two heating units H1 and H2 are arranged in a vertical position. Therefore, the drying mechanism 21 can be made compact in the horizontal length direction (front-to-back direction) in which the two heating units H1 and H2 are arranged.

[0074] Furthermore, the drying mechanism 21 does not have a heating drum as in conventional devices. A heating drum requires a relatively long preparation period from start-up until actual operation. Also, the heating drum is likely to affect the transport state of the web paper WP. Therefore, the drying mechanism 21 of this embodiment can relatively shorten the preparation period and suppress the effect on the transport state of the web paper WP. Example 2

[0075] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that descriptions overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a printing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the transport roller R7 redirects the web paper WP diagonally downward so that the print surface FF faces upward (see FIG. 2). In this regard, in the second embodiment, the transport roller R7 may redirect the web paper WP horizontally so that the print surface FF faces upward. That is, the third heating unit H3 is disposed in a horizontal position.

[0077] See Fig. 5. As in the first embodiment, the web paper WP is transported in the section from transport roller 13A to transport roller R7. Then, transport roller R7, while contacting the back surface BF of the web paper WP, redirects the web paper WP, which has been redirected by transport roller R6, to the horizontal direction in which the print surface FF faces upward. As a result, the web paper WP is transported horizontally in the section between the two transport rollers R7 and R8. In addition, the third heating unit H3, i.e., the multiple carbon heaters 35, are arranged in a horizontal position.

[0078] This embodiment has the same effects as those of the embodiment 1. However, as shown in Fig. 5, the third heating unit H3 (the multiple carbon heaters 35) is not disposed at an angle between the two heating units H1 and H2. Therefore, the drying mechanism 21A shown in Fig. 5 may be larger in the height direction than the drying mechanism 21 shown in Fig. 2.

[0079] In addition, in Fig. 5, the first heating unit H1 is disposed at the same height as the second heating unit H2. In this regard, as shown by the symbol MO in Fig. 5, the first heating unit H1 may be disposed at a higher position than the second heating unit H2. Example 3

[0080] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that descriptions overlapping with the first and second embodiments will be omitted. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a printing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

[0081] In the first and second embodiments, the transport roller R3 redirects the web paper WP vertically downward, and the transport roller R6 redirects the web paper WP vertically upward (see FIG. 2). In this regard, in the third embodiment, the transport roller R3 may redirect the web paper WP diagonally downward so that the printing surface FF faces upward, and the transport roller R6 may redirect the web paper WP diagonally upward so that the printing surface FF faces upward.

[0082] See Fig. 6. While contacting the back surface BF of the web paper WP, the transport roller R3 redirects the web paper WP, which has been redirected by the transport roller R2, diagonally downward so that the printed surface FF faces upward. Meanwhile, while contacting the back surface BF, the transport roller R6 redirects the web paper WP, which has been redirected by the transport roller R5, diagonally upward so that the printed surface FF faces upward. As a result, the two heating units H1, H2 are positioned such that the gap CL2 between the two heating units H1, H2 becomes wider toward the bottom.

[0083] This embodiment has the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In addition, both of the two heating units H1 and H2 are arranged at an angle. Therefore, the drying mechanism 21B shown in FIG. 6 can be smaller in the height direction than the drying mechanism 21 shown in FIG. 2. However, the drying mechanism 21B shown in FIG. 6 may be larger in the front-rear direction than the drying mechanism 21 shown in FIG. 2. Example 4

[0084] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a printing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

[0085] In the first embodiment, the transport roller R7 changes the direction of the web paper WP, and the web paper WP changed in direction by the transport roller R7 is transported to the downstream transport roller R8 (see FIG. 2). In this regard, in the fourth embodiment, the two transport rollers R7 and R9 change the direction of the web paper WP, and the web paper WP changed in direction by the two transport rollers R7 and R9 may be transported to the downstream transport roller R8.

[0086] Please refer to FIG. 7. The conveying roller R7, while contacting the back surface BF, changes the direction to the horizontal direction so that the printing surface FF, which has been changed by the conveying roller R6, faces upward. The conveying roller R7 may change the direction to a direction other than the horizontal direction as long as the printing surface FF faces upward. The conveying roller R9 is disposed between the two conveying rollers R7 and R8. That is, the conveying roller R9 is disposed downstream of the conveying roller R7 and upstream of the conveying roller R8. The conveying roller R9 corresponds to the fifth direction changing roller of the present invention. The conveying roller R9 changes the direction of the web paper WP, which has been changed by the conveying roller R7, which corresponds to the fourth direction changing roller, vertically downward while contacting the back surface BF. The third heating unit H3 is disposed between the two conveying rollers R9 and R8, facing the printing surface FF. The third heating unit H3 is disposed in a vertical position together with the two heating units H1 and H2.

[0087] This embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment. The third heating unit H3 is disposed in a vertical position. The drying mechanism 21C shown in FIG. 7 can be smaller in the front-rear direction than the drying mechanism 21 shown in FIG. 2. However, the printing surface contact roller 31 is disposed at a lower position than the third heating unit H3. Therefore, the drying mechanism 21C shown in FIG. 7 may be larger in the height direction than the drying mechanism 21 shown in FIG. 2.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be modified as follows.

[0089] (1) In each of the above-described embodiments, the drying mechanism 21 includes four heating units H1 to H4. However, the drying mechanism 21 may include five or more heating units. For example, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, the drying mechanism 21C may further include a fifth heating unit H5 disposed in the section between the two transport rollers R7 and R9. In this case, the fifth heating unit H5 is configured similarly to the four heating units H1 to H4, so that the drying mechanism 21 becomes longer in the front-rear direction. In addition, if the ink on the printing surface is sufficiently dried by the three heating units H1 to H3 before it reaches the printing surface contact roller 31, the fourth heating unit H4 may not be provided.

[0090] (2) In the above-described embodiments and modified example (1), each of the heating units H1 to H4 includes the carbon heater 35 as a heater, but is not limited to this. The heater may be, for example, a halogen lamp or a means for passing electricity through a nichrome wire.

[0091] (3) In the above-described embodiments and modifications, each of the heating units H1 to H4 was provided with the blower fan 39 and the exhaust section 43. In this regard, each of the heating units H1 to H4 may not be provided with at least one of the blower fan 39 or the exhaust section 43, if necessary. In addition, the drying mechanism 21 was provided with four reflectors RF1 to RF4. In this regard, the drying mechanism 21 may not be provided with the four reflectors RF1 to RF4, if necessary. In addition, the drying mechanism 21 was provided with two maintenance spaces MS1, MS2. In this regard, the drying mechanism 21 may not be provided with at least one of the two maintenance spaces MS1, MS2, if necessary.

[0092] (4) In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the drying mechanism 21 is not provided with a drive roller driven by an electric motor. In this regard, the drying mechanism 21 may be provided with a drive roller.

[0093] (5) In each of the embodiments and modified examples described above, the printing device 1 printed one side (first side) of the web paper WP, but it may print both sides (first and second sides) of the web paper WP. When the printing device 1 prints the first side of the web paper WP, the first side becomes the printing side FF and the second side becomes the back side BF. Thereafter, when the printing device 1 prints the second side of the web paper WP, the second side becomes the printing side FF and the first side becomes the back side BF.

[0094] (6) In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the continuous paper (web of paper) WP has been used as an example of a long print medium. The print medium is not limited to paper. For example, it may be a resin film.

[0095] (7) In each of the embodiments and modified examples described above, the printing unit 19 applied ink to the web paper WP using an inkjet method. In this regard, the printing unit may apply ink to the web paper WP using, for example, offset printing or gravure printing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1 … Printing device 19 … Printing Department 21,21A,21B,21C … Drying mechanism 13A, R1 to R9, 33 ... Transport rollers 31 ... Printing surface contact roller H1~H5 … Heating unit 35 ... Carbon heater 39... Blower fan RF1~RF4 … Reflector plate MS1, MS2 ... Maintenance space WP: Continuous paper

Claims

1. a printing unit that deposits ink onto a printing surface of the long print medium being conveyed; a drying mechanism that heats the print medium discharged from the printing unit to dry the ink, The drying mechanism includes: at least first to fourth direction changing rollers that come into contact with a back surface of the print medium, on which no ink is attached, of the print medium conveyed out from the printing unit to change the conveying direction of the print medium; a print surface contact roller that is disposed downstream of the fourth direction changing roller in the transport direction and that contacts the print surface of the print medium to change the transport direction of the print medium; At least first and second heating units for heating the printing medium guided by the first to fourth direction-changing rollers and the printing surface contact roller; a guide roller disposed downstream of the printing unit and upstream of the first direction changing roller, the guide roller contacting the back surface of the printing medium to guide the printing medium; a fourth heating unit that heats at least the print medium guided by the guide roller; the guide roller guides the print medium discharged from the printing unit so that a print surface of the print medium faces upward; the first direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium guided by the guide roller vertically downward or obliquely downward so that the print surface of the print medium faces upward; the second direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium, the direction of which has been changed by the first direction-changing roller, in a direction in which the print surface faces downward; the third direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium changed by the second direction-changing roller vertically upward or diagonally upward so that the print surface of the print medium faces upward; the fourth direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium changed by the third direction-changing roller to a horizontal direction in which the print surface faces upward or to an obliquely downward direction in which the print surface faces upward; the fourth heating unit is disposed between the guide roller and the first direction changing roller, facing the printing surface of the print medium, and heats the print medium in a non-contact state; the first heating unit is disposed between the first direction-changing roller and the second direction-changing roller, facing the printing surface of the print medium, and heats the print medium in a non-contact state; A heating unit is not provided below a transport path of the print medium between the second direction changing roller and the third direction changing roller, the print medium is transported between the second direction changing roller and the third direction changing roller without being heated; the second heating unit is disposed between the third direction-changing roller and the fourth direction-changing roller, facing the printing surface of the print medium, and heats the print medium in a non-contact state; The printing surface contact roller is a roller that first comes into contact with the printing surface of the printing medium after ink is applied, and is characterized in that it guides the printing medium in a direction toward the outlet of the drying mechanism by folding back the printing medium after the ink has been dried.

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the guide roller redirects the print medium discharged from the printing unit obliquely downward so that the print surface of the print medium faces upward; A printing device, characterized in that the first direction-changing roller changes the direction of the printing medium that has been changed in direction by the guide roller.

3. a printing unit that deposits ink onto a printing surface of the long print medium being conveyed; a drying mechanism that heats the print medium discharged from the printing unit to dry the ink, The drying mechanism includes: at least first to fifth direction-changing rollers that come into contact with a back surface of the print medium, on which no ink is attached, of the print medium conveyed out from the printing unit to change the conveying direction of the print medium; a print surface contact roller that is disposed downstream of the fifth direction changing roller in the transport direction and that contacts the print surface of the print medium to change the transport direction of the print medium; At least first and second heating units for heating the printing medium guided by the first to fifth direction-changing rollers and the printing surface contact roller; a guide roller disposed downstream of the printing unit and upstream of the first direction changing roller, the guide roller contacting the back surface of the printing medium to guide the printing medium; a fourth heating unit that heats at least the print medium guided by the guide roller; the guide roller guides the print medium discharged from the printing unit so that a print surface of the print medium faces upward; the first direction-changing roller changes the direction of the printing medium guided by the guide roller vertically downward; the second direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium changed by the first direction-changing roller in a direction in which the print surface faces downward; the third direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium changed by the second direction-changing roller vertically upward; the fourth direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium changed by the third direction-changing roller in a direction in which the print surface faces upward; the fifth direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium changed by the fourth direction-changing roller vertically downward; the fourth heating unit is disposed between the guide roller and the first direction changing roller, facing the printing surface of the print medium, and heats the print medium in a non-contact state; the first heating unit is disposed between the first direction-changing roller and the second direction-changing roller, facing the printing surface of the print medium, and heats the print medium in a non-contact state; A heating unit is not provided below a transport path of the print medium between the second direction changing roller and the third direction changing roller, the print medium is transported between the second direction changing roller and the third direction changing roller without being heated; the second heating unit is disposed between the third direction-changing roller and the fourth direction-changing roller, facing the printing surface of the print medium, and heats the print medium in a non-contact state; The printing surface contact roller is a roller that first comes into contact with the printing surface of the printing medium after ink is applied, and is characterized in that it guides the printing medium in a direction toward the outlet of the drying mechanism by folding back the printing medium after the ink has been dried.

4. a printing unit that deposits ink onto a printing surface of the long print medium being conveyed; a drying mechanism that heats the print medium discharged from the printing unit to dry the ink, The drying mechanism includes: at least first to fourth direction changing rollers that come into contact with a back surface of the print medium, on which no ink is attached, of the print medium conveyed out from the printing unit to change the conveying direction of the print medium; a print surface contact roller that is disposed downstream of the fourth direction changing roller in the transport direction and that contacts the print surface of the print medium to change the transport direction of the print medium; at least first and second heating units for heating the printing medium guided by the first to fourth direction-changing rollers and the printing surface contact roller; the first direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium conveyed out of the printing unit vertically downward or obliquely downward so that the print surface of the print medium faces upward; the second direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium, the direction of which has been changed by the first direction-changing roller, in a direction in which the print surface faces downward; the third direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium changed by the second direction-changing roller vertically upward or diagonally upward so that the print surface of the print medium faces upward; the fourth direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium changed by the third direction-changing roller to a horizontal direction in which the print surface faces upward or to an obliquely downward direction in which the print surface faces upward; the first heating unit is disposed between the first direction-changing roller and the second direction-changing roller, facing the printing surface of the print medium, and heats the print medium in a non-contact state; the second heating unit is disposed between the third direction-changing roller and the fourth direction-changing roller, facing the printing surface of the print medium, and heats the print medium in a non-contact state; the printing surface contact roller is a roller that first comes into contact with the printing surface of the printing medium after the ink is applied, and guides the printing medium in a direction toward an outlet of the drying mechanism by folding back the printing medium on which the ink has been dried; The printing device includes: a first reflector disposed on the opposite side of the first heating unit with the print medium being conveyed between the first direction-changing roller and the second direction-changing roller; a plurality of downstream guide rollers disposed downstream of the print surface contact roller and configured to guide the print medium to an outlet of the drying mechanism; A printing device characterized in that two of the multiple downstream guide rollers are arranged on the opposite side of the first heating unit, sandwiching the printing medium transported between the first direction changing roller and the second direction changing roller and the first reflector, and are configured to guide the printing medium transported from the printing surface contact roller.

5. 5. The printing device according to claim 4, A heating unit is not provided below a transport path of the print medium between the second direction changing roller and the third direction changing roller, A printing device, characterized in that the print medium is transported between the second direction changing roller and the third direction changing roller without being heated.

6. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, A printing apparatus, wherein the first and second heating units each include a heater that irradiates the printing surface of the printing medium with electromagnetic waves.

7. 7. The printing device according to claim 6, The printing apparatus, wherein the heater is a carbon heater.

8. 7. The printing device according to claim 6, a first heating unit that heats the first surface of the printing surface by heating the first heating unit and the second heating unit, and a blower that blows the gas heated by the heater to the printing surface;

9. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, the first direction-changing roller changes the direction of the print medium conveyed from the printing unit vertically downward; The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the third direction-changing roller changes the direction of the printing medium, the direction of which has been changed by the second direction-changing roller, vertically upward.

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