Air bars, drying devices, and inkjet printing devices

Abstract

Provided are: an air bar that curbs air consumption amount and increases floating amount; a drying device; and an ink-jet printing device. This air bar comprises: a cylindrical body part composed of a porous material having a plurality of pores that penetrate the outer and inner circumferential surfaces thereof; an air feeding mechanism part which feeds air into the interior of the body part; and a cover part which prevents leakage of air from opposite ends of the body part. The outer circumferential surface of the body part includes a non-discharge region where pores are blocked and a discharge region that is other than the non-discharge region. The discharge region is disposed at a position corresponding to a guide surface of the air bar for contactlessly guiding a web-like workpiece, and the non-discharge region is disposed at a position corresponding to an outer surface of the air bar other than said guide surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air bar, a drying device, and an inkjet printing device, and more particularly to a technique for guiding a web-like substrate without contact. [Background technology]

[0002] A conveying device for conveying a web-like substrate is known. When conveying a substrate that has been printed with ink using this conveying device, it is required to guide the substrate without contacting the ink-applied surface of the substrate until the applied ink dries.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a direction-changing device that changes the running direction of a long sheet while keeping it in a floating state. This direction-changing device is configured by wrapping a porous sheet around a pillar-shaped pipe with holes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-251803 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the direction-changing device described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to achieve close contact between the pipe and the porous layer, and pressure escapes through this gap, causing air to leak out from the surface not used for flotation. This not only increases air consumption, but also reduces the amount of flotation due to the loss of air pressure, which is the energy required to flot the long sheet.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an air bar, a drying device, and an inkjet printing device that reduce the amount of air consumption and increase the amount of floating. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of an air bar for achieving the above-mentioned object is an air bar that guides a web-like workpiece in a non-contact manner on a guide surface of its outer surface, and is equipped with: a main body portion that has a cylindrical shape with a first outer surface and a first inner surface, and is made of a porous body having a plurality of first holes that penetrate the first outer surface and the first inner surface; an air supply mechanism portion for supplying air into the inside of the main body portion; and cover portions that are provided on both side ends of the main body portion and prevent air from leaking from both side ends, and the first outer surface of the main body portion includes a first non-ejection area in which the first holes are blocked, and a first ejection area other than the first non-ejection area, and the first ejection area is positioned corresponding to the guide surface of the air bar, and the first non-ejection area is positioned corresponding to the outer surface of the air bar other than the guide surface. According to this aspect, air is ejected only from the first ejection area of ​​the main body portion, which is positioned at a position corresponding to the guide surface of the air bar, and air is not ejected from the first non-ejection area of ​​the main body portion, which is positioned at a position corresponding to an outer surface other than the guide surface, thereby reducing air consumption and increasing the amount of lift.

[0008] It is preferable that the first discharge area of ​​the main body constitutes the guide surface of the air bar, and the first non-discharge area of ​​the main body constitutes the outer surface of the air bar other than the guide surface. Since air is discharged only from the first discharge area of ​​the main body that constitutes the guide surface of the air bar, and air is not discharged from the first non-discharge area of ​​the main body that constitutes the outer surface other than the guide surface, it is possible to suppress air consumption and increase the amount of floating.

[0009] The air bar includes a perforated container having a cylindrical shape with a second outer peripheral surface and a second inner peripheral surface and having a plurality of second holes penetrating the second outer peripheral surface and the second inner peripheral surface, the perforated container being disposed inside the main body, and the air supply mechanism preferably supplies air to the inside of the perforated container. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the outer surface when force is applied to the outer surface during workpiece transport and air bar maintenance.

[0010] The perforated container preferably includes a second discharge region having a second hole and a second non-discharge region other than the second discharge region, the second discharge region being located at a position corresponding to the guide surface of the air bar, and the second non-discharge region being located at a position corresponding to the outer surface of the air bar other than the guide surface. Since air is discharged only from the second discharge region of the perforated container located at a position corresponding to the guide surface of the air bar, and air is not discharged from the second non-discharge region of the perforated container located at a position corresponding to the outer surface other than the guide surface, it is possible to suppress air consumption and increase the amount of flotation.

[0011] The first non-ejection region is preferably formed by a surface coating, which allows the first non-ejection region to be appropriately configured.

[0012] It is preferable that the first ejection area and the first non-ejection area are configured in different colors, which improves the workability when assembling the air bar to the device and adjusting the air bar.

[0013] The air supply mechanism is preferably provided in the cover or the first non-ejection area of ​​the main body, thereby enabling air to be appropriately supplied to the inside of the main body.

[0014] It is preferable to provide a static elimination brush that contacts the air bar or an ionizer that supplies ions to the guide surface. The static elimination brush or ionizer can eliminate static electricity from the air bar, thereby suppressing adverse effects on the substrate guide caused by charging the air bar.

[0015] A charging device may be provided that charges the workpiece with the same polarity as the polarity to which the air bar is charged by air. The charging device allows the workpiece to be transported without contact by utilizing electrostatic repulsion.

[0016] The porous body is preferably made of resin. The porous body preferably contains one of PE (Polyethylene), PP (Polypropylene), and PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene). This allows the main body to be appropriately configured.

[0017] One aspect of a drying device for achieving the above object is a drying device including an air bar that guides a web-like workpiece to which a liquid has been applied in a non-contact manner, and the drying device includes the air bar and a heating device that heats the workpiece. According to this aspect, when drying a web-like workpiece to which a liquid has been applied in a non-contact manner, it is possible to reduce air consumption and increase the amount of floating.

[0018] One aspect of an inkjet printing device for achieving the above object is an inkjet printing device including an inkjet head that applies ink to a web-like workpiece to record an image, and the drying device described above. According to this aspect, when applying ink to a web-like workpiece to record an image and drying the web-like workpiece in a non-contact manner, it is possible to reduce air consumption and increase the floating amount. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the amount of air consumption and increase the amount of flying height. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of the drying device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air roll. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing how the substrate is guided by an air roll. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing how the substrate is guided by an air roll. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing how the substrate is guided by an air roll. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an air roll. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the aluminum core bar. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the results of the levitation evaluation. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the main body. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the air roll. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a static elimination brush. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an ionizer. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a charging device. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] <Drying equipment> Fig. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a drying device 10. The drying device 10 is a device that dries a web-like substrate 1 (an example of a workpiece) having a liquid applied to its liquid-application surface 1A while transporting the substrate along a transport path. As shown in Fig. 1, the drying device 10 includes a plurality of pass rollers 12, a plurality of hot air heaters 14, a return roller 16, and a plurality of air rolls 18.

[0023] The pass roller 12 contacts the opposite surface 1B of the substrate 1, which is the back surface of the liquid application surface 1A, and functions as a guide roller that rotates in accordance with the transport of the substrate 1 to guide the substrate 1. The pass roller 12 on the entrance side of the drying device 10 (upstream side of the transport path of the substrate 1) INThe substrate 1 guided from the roller 12 is conveyed into the drying device 10. IN The substrate 1 guided from the drying device 10 is guided by a plurality of pass rollers 12 toward the center of the drying device 10 and conveyed to a return roller 16.

[0024] A plurality of hot air heaters 14 are arranged on the transport path from the entrance of the drying device 10 to the turning roller 16. Each hot air heater 14 is arranged with its air blowing surface facing the liquid-application surface 1A of the substrate 1. Each hot air heater 14 blows hot air toward the liquid-application surface 1A of the substrate 1 to heat the substrate 1 and functions as a heating device that dries the liquid applied to the liquid-application surface 1A.

[0025] The folding roller 16 is rotated by a motor (not shown), contacts the opposite surface 1B of the substrate 1, and transports the substrate 1, folding the substrate 1, which has been guided toward the center of the drying device 10, back toward the outside of the drying device 10.

[0026] The air roll 18 is an example of an air bar, and functions as a non-contact direction changing device that changes the traveling direction of the substrate 1 by guiding the substrate 1 in a non-contact manner on a guide surface of the outer surface.

[0027] In the drying device 10, the substrate 1 conveyed by the return roller 16 is guided toward the outside of the drying device 10 by a plurality of air rolls 18, and the substrate 1 is conveyed by a pass roller 12 on the outlet side of the drying device 10 (downstream side of the conveyance path of the substrate 1). OUT The rollers 12 are conveyed to the OUT The substrate 1 is transported to the outside of the drying device 10 by the drying device 10, and the liquid applied to the liquid-application surface 1A of the substrate 1 is dried. "Dry" refers to a state in which, for example, when the liquid is ink, the ink on the liquid-application surface 1A of the substrate 1 does not bleed through to the opposite surface 1B when the substrate 1 is wound up.

[0028] In this way, the drying device 10 dries the liquid applied to the liquid-application surface 1A while transporting the substrate 1 without coming into contact with the liquid-application surface 1A of the substrate 1.

[0029] First Embodiment [Configuration of Air Roll] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the air roll 18. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Fig. 2.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the air roll 18 includes a main body 20, a flange 26, and an air supply port 28.

[0031] The main body 20 is made of a porous body and has a cylindrical shape (an example of a cylindrical shape) with a first outer peripheral surface 20A and a first inner peripheral surface 20B. The porous body has a plurality of first holes (not shown) penetrating the first outer peripheral surface 20A and the first inner peripheral surface 20B. The porous body is a carbon porous body, a metal porous body, or a resin porous body. The resin porous body includes any one of PE (Polyethylene), PP (Polypropylene), and PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene). When the air roll 18 is used in a drying oven with a higher temperature, PTFE is selected as the resin porous body.

[0032] In this embodiment, the main body 20 is a porous pipe made of ultra-high precision PE (Polyethylene) with an average pore diameter of 10 μm. The porous pipe has, for example, an outer diameter of φ70 mm and an inner diameter of φ40 mm.

[0033] A flange 26 is erected on each of both side ends of the main body 20. An air supply port 28 is provided on the flange 26. The air supply port 28 (an example of an air supply mechanism) is an opening for supplying air to the inside of the main body 20, i.e., the inside of the first inner circumferential surface 20B of the main body 20. An air supply pipe (not shown) is connected to the air supply port 28, and an air blower fan (not shown) is further connected to the air supply pipe. The air blower fan supplies air to the inside of the main body 20. Instead of the air blower fan, compressed air may be supplied from a compressor.

[0034] The flanges 26 function as covers that prevent air from leaking out from both side ends of the main body 20. Here, an air supply port 28 is provided on each of the two flanges 26, but an air supply port 28 may be provided on only one of the flanges 26.

[0035] The first outer peripheral surface 20A of the main body 20 constitutes the outer surface of the air roll 18. The first outer peripheral surface 20A includes a first non-ejection area 24A where the first hole is closed by the closing member 22 and the air supplied from the air supply port 28 is not ejected, and a first ejection area 24B which is an area other than the first non-ejection area 24A and where the air supplied from the air supply port 28 is ejected.

[0036] The blocking member 22 is provided along the axial direction (here, the X direction) of the cylindrical shape of the main body 20. In this embodiment, the blocking member 22 is an olefin-based resin that is surface-coated on the first outer peripheral surface 20A. The blocking member 22 may be a sealing member attached to the first outer peripheral surface 20A, or may be a substance whose physical properties have been changed by processing the first outer peripheral surface 20A such as remelting, or an object whose breathability is different from that of the porous body of the main body 20 may be attached to the first outer peripheral surface 20A.

[0037] It is preferable that the blocking member 22 is not colorless but is colored in a color different from that of the first outer peripheral surface 20A. By configuring the first non-discharge area 24A and the first discharge area 24B in different colors, it is possible to improve the workability when assembling the air roll 18 to the drying device 10 and when adjusting the air roll 18 installed in the drying device 10.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first discharge area 24B of the main body 20 forms the guide surface of the air roll 18, and the first non-discharge area 24A of the main body 20 forms the outer surface of the air roll 18 other than the guide surface. Note that the first outer peripheral surface 20A of the main body 20 may be covered with a breathable member. In this case, the first discharge area 24B of the main body 20 is arranged at a position corresponding to the guide surface of the air roll 18, and the first non-discharge area 24A of the main body 20 is arranged at a position corresponding to the outer surface of the air roll 18 other than the guide surface.

[0039] Air supplied from the air supply port 28 into the main body 20 passes through the first holes from the first inner peripheral surface 20B toward the first outer peripheral surface 20A and is discharged from the first discharge area 24B of the first outer peripheral surface 20A. As a result, the air roll 18 guides the substrate 1 by a predetermined amount from the guide surface formed by the first discharge area 24B, changing the direction of travel of the substrate 1. Furthermore, the discharge of air from the first non-discharge area 24A of the first outer peripheral surface 20A is suppressed by the blocking member 22. In this way, by providing the first non-discharge area 24A on the outermost surface of the air roll 18, consumed air can be concentrated in the first discharge area 24B, which is the guide surface.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing how the substrate 1 is guided by the air roll 18. The air roll 18 shown in Fig. 5 changes the traveling direction of the substrate 1 by 90 degrees. Here, of the first outer peripheral surface 20A of the main body 20 of the air roll 18, approximately 3 / 4 of the circumference is the first non-ejection region 24A, and approximately 1 / 4 of the circumference is the first ejection region 24B.

[0041] The angle of the traveling direction of the substrate 1 changed by the air roll 18 is not limited to 90 degrees. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing how the substrate 1 is guided by the air roll 18. The air roll 18 shown in Fig. 6 changes the traveling direction of the substrate 1 by 180 degrees. Here, of the first outer peripheral surface 20A of the main body 20 of the air roll 18, approximately 1 / 2 of the circumference is the first non-ejection region 24A, and approximately 1 / 2 of the circumference is the first ejection region 24B.

[0042] Although the example described here shows the traveling direction of the substrate 1 and the axial direction of the air roll 18 intersecting at right angles, the traveling direction of the substrate 1 and the axial direction of the air roll 18 may form an angle other than perpendicular. For example, by arranging the axial direction of the air roll 18 at an angle of 45 degrees from the traveling direction of the substrate 1 within the plane of the substrate 1, the traveling direction of the substrate 1 can be changed by 90 degrees within the plane of the substrate 1. In this case, the surface of the outer surface of the air roll 18 that faces the substrate 1 can be used as a guide surface to determine the ranges of the first non-ejection region 24A and the first ejection region 24B. In this way, by determining the ranges of the first non-ejection region 24A and the first ejection region 24B depending on the direction and angle of the traveling direction of the substrate 1, the substrate 1 can be guided along any transport path.

[0043] Furthermore, the air roll 18 is not limited to a cylindrical shape and may have other shapes. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing how the substrate 1 is guided by the semi-cylindrical air roll 18 with a D-shaped cross section. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the flat portion of the first outer peripheral surface 20A of the main body 20 is the first non-ejection region 24A, and the curved portion is the first ejection region 24B. Here, the traveling direction of the substrate 1 is changed by 180 degrees, so the entire curved portion constitutes the first ejection region 24B. However, depending on the angle at which the traveling direction is changed, only a portion of the curved portion may constitute the first ejection region 24B. The air roll 18 may also be a square tube shape with the side ridges of the outer peripheral surface chamfered into a curved shape.

[0044] The main body 20 may have a cylindrical shape when the air roll 18 is configured, and this embodiment also includes a flat porous body that has been formed into a cylindrical shape by rolling or bending it so that one surface of the porous body becomes the outer peripheral surface and the other surface becomes the inner peripheral surface.

[0045] <Second embodiment> [Configuration of Air Roll] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an air roll 30 according to a second embodiment. In FIG. 8, F8A is a cross-sectional view taken in the same direction as FIG. 4, and F8B is a cross-sectional view taken in the same direction as FIG. 3. Here, parts common to the air roll 18 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The air roll 30 has a length of 580 mm in the direction corresponding to the width of the substrate 1. The main body 20 has a length of approximately 580 mm in the direction corresponding to the width of the substrate 1, an outer diameter of 70 mm, and an inner diameter of 40 mm. The width of the substrate 1 refers to the length in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the substrate 1.

[0046] The air roll 30 has an aluminum core 32 inside the main body 20. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the aluminum core 32. The aluminum core 32 (an example of a perforated container) is made of aluminum and has a cylindrical shape with a second outer peripheral surface 32A and a second inner peripheral surface 32B. Here, the aluminum core 32 has a length of approximately 580 mm in the direction corresponding to the width of the substrate 1 and an outer diameter of φ30 mm.

[0047] The second outer peripheral surface 32A includes a second non-ejection region 34A and a second ejection region 34B. A plurality of second holes 36 penetrating the second outer peripheral surface 32A and the second inner peripheral surface 32B are arranged in the second ejection region 34B, while no second holes 36 are arranged in the second non-ejection region 34A. The second ejection region 34B is arranged at a position corresponding to the guide surface of the air roll 30, and the second non-ejection region 34A is arranged at a position corresponding to the outer surface of the air roll 30 other than the guide surface. In other words, the second ejection region 34B of the aluminum core 32 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the first ejection region 24B of the main body 20, and the second non-ejection region 34A of the aluminum core 32 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the first non-ejection region 24A of the main body 20.

[0048] In this way, the air roll 30 having the aluminum core 32 can suppress deformation of the outer surface when force is applied to the outer surface during transport of the substrate 1 and maintenance of the air roll 18. Here, the aluminum core 32 has a cylindrical shape, but if the cross section of the main body 20 is not cylindrical, it may have a shape that matches the cross section of the main body 20. Furthermore, the material of the perforated container placed inside the main body 20 is not limited to aluminum, and it may be made of any material that has relatively higher strength than the porous body.

[0049] <Emergency evaluation> The floating amount of the substrate 1 guided by the air roll 30 was evaluated. Figure 10 is a graph showing the results of the floating evaluation. Here, air at a pressure of 0.05 MPa was supplied from the air supply port 28, and the floating amount [μm] of the substrate 1 was measured using a laser displacement meter when tensions of 30, 60, 90, and 120 N / m were applied to the substrate 1. The substrate 1 was a PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) sheet with a width of 400 mm and a thickness of 25 μm. The thickness of the substrate 1 is the length in the direction perpendicular to the liquid application surface 1A.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 10, when the air roll 30 was used, the floating amount of the substrate 1 was 650 μm when the tension was 30 N / m, 430 μm when the tension was 60 N / m, 340 μm when the tension was 90 N / m, and 230 μm when the tension was 120 N / m.

[0051] Figure 10 shows the results of similar measurements of the flying height using a porous carbon air roll as another example. Air was supplied to this air roll at a pressure of 0.5 MPa. As shown in Figure 10, when a porous carbon air roll was used, the flying height was 320 μm when the tension was 30 N / m, 200 μm when the tension was 60 N / m, 150 μm when the tension was 90 N / m, and 110 μm when the tension was 120 N / m.

[0052] As described above, it was found that the air consumption can be reduced and the floating amount can be increased by using the air roll 30 or the air roll made of porous carbon. In particular, the air roll 30 made of porous resin resulted in a large floating amount, even though the pressure of the supplied air was one order of magnitude lower.

[0053] <Modification> The supply of air to the inside of the air roll is not limited to supplying it from the flange. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a main body 40 according to a modified example. The main body 40 has an air supply port 42 that penetrates the first outer peripheral surface 20A and the first inner peripheral surface 20B in the first non-ejection area 24A.

[0054] 12 is a perspective view of an air roll 50 using the main body 40. Flanges 52 are erected on both side ends of the air roll 50. The flanges 52 do not have air supply ports. An axial flow fan 54 is provided at the air supply port 42 of the air roll 50. Air is supplied from the axial flow fan 54 to the inside of the main body 40.

[0055] In this way, air may be supplied from the air supply port 42 provided in the first non-ejection region 24A. When the aluminum core 32 is provided inside the main body 20, an air supply port penetrating the second outer peripheral surface 32A and the second inner peripheral surface 32B may be provided in the aluminum core 32, and the air supply port of the aluminum core 32 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the air supply port 42 of the main body 40.

[0056] Furthermore, when a porous resin body is used for the main body, the surface of the porous resin body is likely to become charged, which may adversely affect the conveyance of the substrate 1. Therefore, it is preferable to suppress charging of the air roll.

[0057] 13 is a schematic diagram showing a static elimination brush 60 that eliminates static electricity from the first non-discharge region 24A of the air roll 18. The static elimination brush 60 is configured so that a brush portion made of conductive fibers comes into contact with the first non-discharge region 24A when the substrate 1 is being transported, and is movable in the axial direction of the air roll 18 and in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. This allows the brush portion to come into contact with the entire first non-discharge region 24A of the air roll 18.

[0058] 14 is a schematic diagram showing an ionizer 62 that neutralizes the first discharge region 24B that constitutes the guide surface of the air roll 18. The ionizer 62 may be configured to be movable in the axial direction of the air roll 18 and in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The ionizer 62 generates ions by discharge and supplies the generated ions to the first discharge region 24B. This allows the ionizer 62 to neutralize the guide surface (first discharge region 24B) when the substrate 1 is transported.

[0059] In this way, by eliminating the charge on the guide surface of the air roll 18, it is possible to suppress the adverse effects on the transport of the substrate 1 caused by the charge on the air roll 18. On the other hand, the substrate 1 may also be charged by utilizing the charge on the air roll 18, and transported using electrostatic repulsion.

[0060] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a charging device 64 that charges the substrate 1. The charging device 64 is, for example, a non-contact charging roller. The charging device 64 is arranged upstream of the air roll 18 in the transport path of the substrate 1, facing the liquid application surface 1A of the substrate 1. The charging device 64 has a length greater than the width of the substrate 1, and charges the opposing substrate 1 uniformly to a required potential of a required polarity in a non-contact manner. The polarity of the charge is the same as the polarity to which the air roll 18 is charged. This makes it possible to transport the substrate 1 in a non-contact manner by utilizing electrostatic repulsion.

[0061] The charging device 64 may be a contact-type charging roller that contacts the opposite surface 1B of the substrate 1 to charge the substrate 1.

[0062] <Printing device> [Configuration of Inkjet Printing Device] FIG. 16 is an overall configuration diagram of an inkjet printing apparatus 100 to which a drying device 10 is applied. The inkjet printing apparatus 100 is a printing apparatus that prints an image on a web-like film substrate 2, which is an impermeable medium, using a single pass method. The film substrate 2 is a transparent medium used for flexible packaging. The film substrate 2 is, for example, ONY (Oriented Nylon), OPP (Oriented Polypropylene), or PET. The inkjet printing apparatus 100 produces reverse-printed printed matter in which the printing target is visible from the opposite side, that is, the back side of the printing surface, of the film substrate 2.

[0063] "Non-permeable" refers to being non-permeable to the aqueous primer and aqueous ink described below. "Flexible packaging" refers to packaging made of a material that deforms depending on the shape of the packaged item. "Transparent" refers to a visible light transmittance of 30% or more and 100% or less, preferably 70% or more and 100% or less.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 16, the inkjet printing apparatus 100 includes a conveying section 120, an unwinding section 130, a precoating section 150, a jetting section 180, a main drying section 200, and a winding section 220.

[0065] [Transportation section] The conveying section 120 conveys the film substrate 2 from the unwinding section 130 to the winding section 220 along a conveying path.

[0066] The unwinding unit 130 includes an unwinding roll 132. The unwinding roll 132 includes a rotatably supported reel (not shown). The film substrate 2 before an image is printed is wound in a roll around the reel. On the other hand, the winding unit 220 includes a winding roll 222. The winding roll 222 includes a rotatably supported reel (not shown). One end of the film substrate 2 is connected to the reel. The winding roll 222 includes a winding motor (not shown) that rotates the reel.

[0067] The conveying section 120 includes a plurality of pass rollers 122 that function as guide rollers. The conveying section 120 conveys the film substrate 2 by the plurality of pass rollers 122, a first suction drum 184, a first drive roller 134, an application roller 154, a second suction drum 186, a turn-back roller 16 that corresponds to the third drive roller, a fourth drive roller 230, and a take-up roll 222.

[0068] Furthermore, the conveying unit 120 detects the conveying tension of the film substrate 2 by a first tension pickup roller 123, a second tension pickup roller 124, a third tension pickup roller 125, a fourth tension pickup roller 126, a fifth tension pickup roller 127, and a sixth tension pickup roller 128. The conveying tension is a tensile force that the film substrate 2 receives in the traveling direction of the film substrate 2.

[0069] The conveying unit 120 rotates the first suction drum 184 using a motor (not shown), causing the film substrate 2 to be unwound from the unwinding roll 132. The conveying unit 120 also rotates the reel of the winding roll 222 using a winding motor, causing the printed film substrate 2 to be wound onto the winding roll 222.

[0070] In the conveying section 120, the film substrate 2 unwound from the unwinding roll 132 is guided by pass rollers 122 and the like, and conveyed through the unwinding section 130, precoat section 150, jetting section 180, main drying section 200, and winding section 220 in this order.

[0071] In this way, the film substrate 2 is transported by the transport unit 120 in a roll-to-roll manner along a transport path from the unwind roll 132 to the take-up roll 222. Note that, hereinafter, the transport path of the film substrate 2 will simply be referred to as the "transport path."

[0072] [Unwinding section] The unwinding section 130 includes an unwinding roll 132, a first drive roller 134, a second drive roller 136, and a corona treatment section 138. Pass rollers 122, 122, ... are arranged on the conveyance path of the unwinding section 130. The film substrate 2 unwound from the unwinding roll 132 is guided by the pass rollers 122, 122 and conveyed to the first drive roller 134.

[0073] The first drive roller 134 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and comes into contact with the film substrate 2 to transport the film substrate 2. The film substrate 2 transported by the first drive roller 134 is transported to the second drive roller 136. The second drive roller 136 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and comes into contact with the film substrate 2 to transport the film substrate 2.

[0074] The film substrate 2 transported by the second drive roller 136 is transported to a position facing the corona treatment section 138.

[0075] The corona treatment unit 138 is disposed upstream of the conveyance path from the precoat unit 150. The corona treatment unit 138 applies corona discharge treatment to the printing surface of the film substrate 2, improving the adhesion between the water-repellent printing surface and the aqueous primer and water-based ink.

[0076] The film substrate 2, whose printing surface has been modified in the corona treatment section 138, is guided by pass rollers 122, 122 and conveyed to the first tension pickup roller 123. The film substrate 2, whose conveying tension has been detected by the first tension pickup roller 123, is guided by the pass roller 122 and conveyed from the unwinding section 130 to the pre-coating section 150.

[0077] [Precoat section] The precoat unit 150 is disposed upstream of the jetting unit 180 on the transport path. The precoat unit 150 applies an aqueous primer to the printing surface of the film substrate 2. The aqueous primer is a liquid containing water and a component that aggregates, insolubilizes, or thickens the coloring material components in the aqueous ink, and thickens by reacting with the aqueous color ink and aqueous white ink.

[0078] The precoat unit 150 includes a coater 152 and a PC (Precoat) drying unit 158. Pass rollers 122, 122, ... are arranged on the conveyance path of the precoat unit 150. The film substrate 2 conveyed from the unwinding unit 130 is guided by the pass rollers 122, 122, ... and conveyed to a position opposite the coater 152.

[0079] The coater 152 is a chamber doctor type coater. The coater 152 includes an application roller 154, a chamber 155, an opposing roller 156, and a blade (not shown). The application roller 154 is rotated by a motor (not shown). The chamber 155 stores an aqueous primer. The coater 152 supplies the aqueous primer from the chamber 155 to the surface of the rotating application roller 154. The blade scrapes off excess aqueous primer from the surface of the rotating application roller 154. The application roller 154 sandwiches the film substrate 2 between itself and the opposing roller 156, and the surface to which the aqueous primer has been supplied is brought into contact with the printed surface of the film substrate 2, applying the aqueous primer supplied to the surface to the printed surface of the film substrate 2.

[0080] The film substrate 2 coated with the aqueous primer is guided by the pass rollers 122, 122, . . . and conveyed to a position opposite the PC drying unit 158.

[0081] The PC drying unit 158 ​​corresponds to a precoat (PC) drying means that dries the aqueous primer applied to the printed surface of the film substrate 2 by the precoat unit 150. The PC drying unit 158 ​​is equipped with a hot air heater (not shown). The hot air heater has two slit nozzles (not shown) that span the entire width of the film substrate 2. The PC drying unit 158 ​​blows hot air from the slit nozzles of the hot air heater toward the printed surface of the film substrate 2 to dry the aqueous primer.

[0082] The film substrate 2 on which the aqueous primer has dried is transported from the precoat section 150 to the jetting section 180 .

[0083] [Jetting section] The jetting unit 180 prints an image on the printing surface of the film substrate 2. To maintain print quality, the jetting unit 180 controls the temperature of the film substrate 2 to be between 23°C and 30°C. The jetting unit 180 includes a first non-contact turn unit 160, a first suction drum 184, a second suction drum 186, a color printing unit 188, a white printing unit 190, and a second non-contact turn unit 192.

[0084] The film substrate 2 transported from the pre-coat unit 150 is transported to the second tension pickup roller 124. The film substrate 2, whose transport tension has been detected by the second tension pickup roller 124, is guided by the pass rollers 122, 122 and transported to the first non-contact turn unit 160.

[0085] The first non-contact turn unit 160 changes the traveling direction of the film substrate 2 from downward to upward without contacting the printing surface of the film substrate 2. That is, the film substrate 2 guided downward by the pass roller 122 is guided upward by the first non-contact turn unit 160. An air roll 18 can be used as the first non-contact turn unit 160.

[0086] The first non-contact turning section 160 lifts the film substrate 2 from the guide surface by a predetermined lift amount, changing the direction of the transport path of the film substrate 2 by 180 degrees from downward to upward. The film substrate 2, whose direction of travel has been changed by the first non-contact turning section 160, is transported to the first suction drum 184.

[0087] The first suction drum 184 is disposed upstream of the color printing unit 188 and the white printing unit 190 on the transport path.

[0088] The first suction drum 184 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and adsorbs and transports the film substrate 2 onto its outer circumferential surface. The first suction drum 184 has multiple adsorption holes (not shown) on its outer circumferential surface. The first suction drum 184 adsorbs the film substrate 2 onto its outer circumferential surface by suctioning the adsorption holes with a pump (not shown).

[0089] The film substrate 2 transported by the first suction drum 184 is supported and guided by the pass rollers 122, 122, ... and transported to the third tension pickup roller 125. The film substrate 2, for which transport tension has been detected by the third tension pickup roller 125, is transported to the second suction drum 186.

[0090] The second suction drum 186 is disposed downstream of the color printing unit 188 and the white printing unit 190 on the transport path and upstream of the main drying unit 200. The second suction drum 186 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and transports the film substrate 2 by suction onto its outer peripheral surface. The second suction drum 186 has the same configuration as the first suction drum 184.

[0091] A color printing unit 188, a white printing unit 190, and an inspection unit 197 are arranged on the transport path between the first suction drum 184 and the second suction drum 186. That is, the first suction drum 184 and the second suction drum 186 are arranged before and after the color printing unit 188, the white printing unit 190, and the inspection unit 197. The reason that the first suction drum 184 and the second suction drum 186 are arranged before and after the color printing unit 188, the white printing unit 190, and the inspection unit 197 is to set transport tension on the film substrate 2 without contacting the printed surface of the film substrate 2.

[0092] The film substrate 2 transported from the first suction drum 184 is transported to a position facing the color printing unit 188. The color printing unit 188 prints a color image by applying water-based color inks to the printing surface of the film substrate 2. The color printing unit 188 is equipped with inkjet heads 196K, 196C, 196M, and 196Y.

[0093] Inkjet heads 196K, 196C, 196M, and 196Y eject water-based inks of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), respectively. Water-based ink refers to ink in which coloring materials such as dyes and pigments are dissolved or dispersed in water and a water-soluble solvent. Organic pigments are used as the pigments for each water-based ink. The viscosity of each water-based ink is 0.5 cP or more and 5.0 cP or less. Water-based ink is supplied to each of inkjet heads 196K, 196C, 196M, and 196Y from an ink tank (not shown) of the corresponding color via a piping path (not shown).

[0094] Inkjet heads 196K, 196C, 196M, and 196Y are each configured as a line-type recording head capable of printing, in a single scan, on film substrate 2 transported by transport unit 120. Inkjet heads 196K, 196C, 196M, and 196Y are each arranged such that their nozzle surfaces (not shown) face path rollers 122, 122, .... That is, inkjet heads 196K, 196C, 196M, and 196Y are arranged at regular intervals along the transport path.

[0095] A plurality of nozzles, which are ejection ports for ejecting water-based ink, are arranged two-dimensionally on the nozzle surface of each of the inkjet heads 196K, 196C, 196M, and 196Y. The nozzle surface refers to the ejection surface on which the nozzles are formed.

[0096] Each of the inkjet heads 196K, 196C, 196M, and 196Y can be configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in the width direction of the film substrate 2.

[0097] Droplets of water-based ink are ejected from at least one of inkjet heads 196K, 196C, 196M, and 196Y toward the printing surface of the film substrate 2 being transported by the transport section 120, and the ejected droplets adhere to the film substrate 2, thereby printing an image on the printing surface of the film substrate 2.

[0098] Although a configuration using four water-based inks of different colors is shown here, the ink colors and the number of colors are not limited to those in this embodiment. For example, inkjet heads that eject light color inks such as light magenta and light cyan, special color inks such as green, orange, and violet, clear ink, metallic ink, etc. may be added. Furthermore, the arrangement order of the inkjet heads of each color is not limited.

[0099] The film substrate 2 on which the color image has been printed by the color printing unit 188 is transported to a position opposite the white printing unit 190.

[0100] The white printing unit 190 is located downstream of the color printing unit 188 on the transport path. The white printing unit 190 applies water-based white ink to the printing surface of the film substrate 2 to print a white background image. The water-based white ink uses titanium oxide as a pigment, which has a relatively higher specific gravity than the organic pigments in the color inks, making the ink liquid relatively heavy overall. The white printing unit 190 is equipped with inkjet heads 196W1 and 196W2.

[0101] Inkjet heads 196W1 and 196W2 have the same configuration as inkjet heads 196K, 196C, 196M, and 196Y. White aqueous ink is supplied to inkjet heads 196W1 and 196W2 from an ink tank (not shown) via a piping path (not shown). Inkjet heads 196W1 and 196W2 are arranged such that their nozzle surfaces (not shown) face path rollers 122, 122. That is, inkjet heads 196W1 and 196W2 are arranged at a fixed interval along the transport path.

[0102] Droplets of water-based white ink are ejected from at least one of the inkjet heads 196W1 and 196W2 toward the printing surface of the film substrate 2 being transported by the transport unit 120, and the ejected droplets adhere to the film substrate 2, thereby printing a white background image on the printing surface of the film substrate 2.

[0103] Although the configuration using two inkjet heads 196W1 and 196W2 is shown here, only one inkjet head may be used, or three or more inkjet heads may be used.

[0104] The water-based color inks and water-based white inks applied to the printing surface of the film substrate 2 in the jetting unit 180 undergo a condensation and thickening reaction with the water-based primer applied to the printing surface of the film substrate 2 in the precoat unit 150 .

[0105] The film substrate 2 on which the white background image has been printed by the white printing unit 190 is guided by the pass rollers 122 and transported to a position opposite the inspection unit 197 .

[0106] Inspection unit 197 inspects test pattern images, such as nozzle check patterns, printed on film substrate 2 by inkjet heads 196K, 196C, 196M, 196Y, 196W1, and 196W2. Inspection unit 197 includes a first scanner 198 and a second scanner 199. First scanner 198 and second scanner 199 each include an imaging device that captures the test pattern image printed on the printing surface of film substrate 2 and converts it into an electrical signal. A color CCD (Charge Coupled Device) linear image sensor can be used as the imaging device. Note that a color CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) linear image sensor can also be used instead of a color CCD linear image sensor.

[0107] The first scanner 198 and the second scanner 199 are each disposed on the printing surface side of the film substrate 2, and read, from the printing surface side, the test pattern image printed on the printing surface of the film substrate 2. The test pattern images read by the first scanner 198 and the second scanner 199 are judged by a judging unit (not shown), and defective nozzles are identified, etc.

[0108] The film substrate 2 whose test pattern image has been inspected by the inspection unit 197 is guided downward by the second suction drum 186 and transported to the second non-contact turning unit 192 .

[0109] The second non-contact turn unit 192 is disposed between the second suction drum 186 and the main drying unit 200 on the conveying path, and is disposed immediately after the white printing unit 190 on the conveying path. The second non-contact turn unit 192 changes the orientation of the conveying path from downward to upward without contacting the printed surface of the film substrate 2. The configuration of the second non-contact turn unit 192 is similar to that of the first non-contact turn unit 160, and an air roll 18 can be applied.

[0110] The second non-contact turn section 192 lifts the film substrate 2 by a predetermined lift amount, changing the direction of travel by 180 degrees. The second non-contact turn section 192 does not come into contact with the printing surface, and therefore does not affect the image printed on the printing surface.

[0111] The second non-contact turn section 192 may be provided with an air volume control device that adjusts the volume of the air being blown, and a temperature control device that adjusts the temperature of the air being blown. The temperature of the air affects the elongation of the film substrate 2. The volume of the air also affects the amount of lift of the film substrate 2.

[0112] The film substrate 2, whose traveling direction has been changed by the second non-contact turning portion 192, is guided by the pass rollers 122, 122, . . . and conveyed to the fourth tension pickup roller 126.

[0113] The film substrate 2, for which the transport tension has been detected by the fourth tension pickup roller 126, is transported from the jetting unit 180 to the main drying unit 200. In this way, the inkjet printing apparatus 100 turns the film substrate 2 in a non-contact manner between printing and drying.

[0114] [Main drying section] The main drying section 200 is disposed downstream of the jetting section 180 on the transport path. The main drying section 200 dries the aqueous ink applied to the printing surface of the film substrate 2. The main drying section 200 can be implemented by the drying device 10, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0115] The film substrate 2, on whose printed surface the aqueous ink has been dried, is transported from the main drying section 200 to the winding section 220.

[0116] [Winding section] The winding section 220 includes a winding roll 222, an inspection section 224, a fourth drive roller 230, a fifth drive roller 232, and a pressure roller 236. Pass rollers 122, 122, ... are arranged on the transport path of the winding section 220. The film substrate 2 transported from the main drying section 200 is guided by the pass roller 122 and transported to the fifth tension pickup roller 127. The film substrate 2 whose transport tension has been detected by the fifth tension pickup roller 127 is guided by the pass roller 122 and transported to a position opposite the inspection section 224.

[0117] The inspection unit 224 inspects the image printed on the printing surface of the film substrate 2. The inspection unit 224 includes a third scanner 226 and a fourth scanner 228. The configurations of the third scanner 226 and the fourth scanner 228 are similar to those of the first scanner 198 and the second scanner 199.

[0118] The third scanner 226 and the fourth scanner 228 are each disposed on the opposite side of the printed surface of the film substrate 2, and read the image printed on the printed surface of the film substrate 2 from the opposite side of the printed surface. The images read by the third scanner 226 and the fourth scanner 228 are judged as good or bad by a judging unit (not shown).

[0119] The film substrate 2, whose image has been inspected by the inspection unit 224, is guided by the pass roller 122 and transported to the fourth drive roller 230. The fourth drive roller 230 is rotated by a motor (not shown), and comes into contact with the film substrate 2 to transport it. The film substrate 2 transported by the fourth drive roller 230 is transported to the fifth drive roller 232. The fifth drive roller 232 is rotated by a motor (not shown), and comes into contact with the film substrate 2 to transport it.

[0120] The film substrate 2 transported by the fifth drive roller 232 is guided by the pass rollers 122, 122, ... and transported to the sixth tension pickup roller 128. The film substrate 2, whose transport tension has been detected by the sixth tension pickup roller 128, is guided by the pass roller 122 and taken up by the take-up roll 222.

[0121] A pressure roller 236 is disposed opposite the winding roll 222. The pressure roller 236 is provided at the tip of a swing arm 238. The swing arm 238 presses the pressure roller 236 against the film substrate 2 wound around the winding roll 222 by a pressing means (not shown).

[0122] The inkjet printing device 100 configured as described above transports the film substrate 2 through the unwinding section 130, pre-coating section 150, jetting section 180, main drying section 200, and winding section 220 in that order, and produces printed matter by performing each process on the substrate 1.

[0123] <Other> The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. The configurations and the like in each embodiment can be appropriately combined with each other within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1...Base material 1A...Liquid application surface 1B...Opposite side 2...Film substrate 10...Drying device 12...Pasroller 12 IN ...Pasrolla 12 OUT ...Pasrolla 14...Hot air heater 16...Laura 18...Air Roll 20...Main body 20A...First outer circumferential surface 20B...first inner peripheral surface 22...Blocking member 24A...First non-ejection area 24B...First discharge area 26...Flange 28...Air supply port 30...Air Roll 32...Aluminum core 32A...Second outer circumferential surface 32B...Second inner surface 34A...Second non-ejection area 34B...Second discharge area 36...Second hole 40...Main body 42...Air supply port 50...Air Roll 52...Flange 54...Axial fan 60...Anti-static brush 62...Ionizer 64...Charging device 100...Inkjet printing device 120...Transport unit 122...Pasrolla 123...First tension pickup roller 124...Second tension pickup roller 125...Third tension pickup roller 126...4th tension pickup roller 127...5th tension pickup roller 128...6th tension pickup roller 130...Unwinding section 132...Unwinding roll 134...first driving roller 136...second driving roller 138...Corona treatment section 150...Precoat section 152...Coater 154...Application roller 155...Chamber 156...opposing roller 158…PC drying section 160...First non-contact turn section 180...jetting section 184...First suction drum 186...Second suction drum 188...Color Printing Department 190...White printing section 192...Second non-contact turn section 196C...inkjet head 196K...inkjet head 196M...inkjet head 196W1...inkjet head 196W2...inkjet head 196Y...inkjet head 197…Inspection Department 198...First scanner 199...Second scanner 200...Main drying section 220...winding section 222...Winding roll 224…Inspection Department 226...Third scanner 228...4th scanner 230...Fourth driving roller 232...fifth driving roller 236...Pressure roller 238...Swingarm

Claims

1. An air bar that guides a web-like workpiece without contact on a guide surface of its outer surface, a main body portion having a cylindrical shape with a first outer peripheral surface and a first inner peripheral surface, the main body portion being made of a porous body having a plurality of first holes penetrating the first outer peripheral surface and the first inner peripheral surface; an air supply mechanism for supplying air to the inside of the main body; cover portions provided on both side ends of the main body portion to prevent the air from leaking out from the both side ends; Equipped with the first outer peripheral surface of the main body portion includes a first non-ejection region in which the first hole is closed, and a first ejection region other than the first non-ejection region, the first ejection region is disposed at a position corresponding to the guide surface of the air bar, and the first non-ejection region is disposed at a position corresponding to the outer surface other than the guide surface of the air bar, the first non-ejection area is formed by a surface coating; Air bar.

2. the first discharge area of ​​the main body portion constitutes the guide surface of the air bar, and the first non-discharge area of ​​the main body portion constitutes the outer surface of the air bar other than the guide surface; The air bar of claim 1 .

3. a perforated container having a cylindrical shape with a second outer peripheral surface and a second inner peripheral surface, the perforated container having a plurality of second holes penetrating the second outer peripheral surface and the second inner peripheral surface; the perforated container is disposed inside the body; The air supply mechanism supplies air to the inside of the perforated container. The air bar of claim 1 .

4. the perforated container includes a second discharge area in which the second hole is provided and a second non-discharge area other than the second discharge area, the second discharge area being disposed at a position corresponding to the guide surface of the air bar, and the second non-discharge area being disposed at a position corresponding to the outer surface of the air bar other than the guide surface; 4. The air bar of claim 3.

5. the first ejection region and the first non-ejection region are configured in different colors; The air bar of claim 1 .

6. the air supply mechanism is provided in the cover or the first non-ejection area of ​​the main body; The air bar of claim 1 .

7. a static elimination brush that contacts the air bar, or an ionizer that supplies ions to the guide surface; The air bar of claim 1 .

8. a charging device that charges the workpiece to the same polarity as the polarity to which the air bar is charged by the air; The air bar of claim 1 .

9. The porous body is made of resin. The air bar of claim 1 .

10. The porous body includes any one of PE (Polyethylene), PP (Polypropylene), and PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), 10. The air bar of claim 9.

11. An air bar that guides a web-like workpiece to which a liquid has been applied in a non-contact manner, the air bar being the air bar according to any one of claims 1 to 10; a heating device for heating the workpiece; A drying device comprising:

12. an inkjet head that applies ink to a web-like workpiece to record an image; and the drying device according to claim 11; An inkjet printing apparatus comprising:

Images