Printing jig and printer equipped with same

Abstract

This printing jig 60 comprises: first and second shafts 73, 75 which are capable of supporting a large-diameter cylindrical substrate 6A and arranged with a first gap D11 therebetween; a rotation mechanism 80 which rotates the first shaft 73 or the second shaft 75; and a small-diameter supporting member 100 which is supported so as to be able to be attached to and detached from the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 from above and capable of supporting a small-diameter cylindrical substrate 6B. The small-diameter supporting member 100 comprises: a main body 101; first and second shaft members 103, 105 which are supported by the main body 101, extend in a first direction Y, and are arranged with a second gap D12 narrower than the first gap D11 therebetween; and first and second rotary rollers 121, 122 which are supported by the first and second shaft members 103, 105 in a rotatable manner with respect to the main body 101, come in contact with a circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylindrical substrate 6B, and rotate with rotation of the first and second shafts 73, 75.

Description

Printing jig and printer equipped with same

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing jig and a printer equipped with the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a printing jig used to print on a cylindrical printing object having at least a portion of its outer periphery shaped like a cylinder while rotating the object, and a printer equipped with the printing jig.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device for cylindrical substrates that prints on the surface of a cylindrical substrate. This printing device includes a rotatable first support shaft, a second support shaft arranged parallel to the first support shaft, an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the distance between the first support shaft and the second support shaft and the height of the first support shaft and the second support shaft, and a printing unit that is arranged above the first support shaft and the second support shaft and ejects ink.

[0003] When printing on the surface of the cylindrical substrate, the cylindrical substrate is placed between the first support shaft and the second support shaft from above, and the cylindrical substrate is supported by the first support shaft and the second support shaft. Thereafter, the cylindrical substrate is rotated by rotating the first support shaft, while ink is ejected from the printing unit, thereby printing on the surface of the cylindrical substrate.

[0004] In the printing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when printing on a cylindrical substrate with a small diameter, the adjustment mechanism is controlled to reduce the distance between the first support shaft and the second support shaft. On the other hand, when printing on a cylindrical substrate with a large diameter, the adjustment mechanism is controlled to increase the distance between the first support shaft and the second support shaft. In this way, by adjusting the distance between the first support shaft and the second support shaft, it is possible to print on the surfaces of cylindrical substrates with different diameters.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-207265

[0006] As described above, in the printing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to adjust the distance between the first support shaft and the second support shaft each time printing is performed on the surface of a cylindrical substrate having a different diameter, and therefore the control for adjusting the distance is cumbersome. Even when printing on cylindrical substrates having different diameters, it is preferable to omit the control for adjusting the distance between the first support shaft and the second support shaft as much as possible.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and its purpose is to provide a printing jig and a printer equipped with the same that can reduce the complexity of control when printing on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical printing object, at least a portion of which has a cylindrical outer circumferential shape and which has different diameters.

[0008] The printing jig disclosed herein is a printing jig that is detachably attached to a support table in a printer equipped with the support table and that rotates and prints a cylindrical substrate, at least a portion of which has a cylindrical outer periphery. The printing jig includes a jig main body, a first shaft, a second shaft, a rotation mechanism, and a small-diameter support member. The jig main body is supported by the support table. The first shaft is supported by the jig main body and extends in a first direction. The second shaft is supported by the jig main body and is arranged alongside the first shaft at a first interval in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and is capable of supporting a large-diameter cylindrical substrate having a first diameter together with the first shaft. The rotation mechanism rotates at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft. The small-diameter support member is detachably supported by the first shaft and the second shaft and is capable of supporting a small-diameter cylindrical substrate having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The small-diameter support member includes a main body, a first shaft member, a second shaft member, a first rotating roller, and a second rotating roller. The main body has a first supported portion supported by the first shaft and a second supported portion supported by the second shaft. The first shaft member is supported by the main body and extends in the first direction. The second shaft member is supported by the main body, extends in the first direction, and is arranged alongside the first shaft member in the second direction at a second interval narrower than the first interval, and is capable of supporting the small-diameter cylindrical substrate together with the first shaft member. The first rotating roller is supported by the first shaft member so as to be rotatable relative to the main body, contacts the circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylindrical substrate, and is configured to rotate with rotation of the first shaft. The second rotating roller is supported by the second shaft member so as to be rotatable relative to the main body, contacts the circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylindrical substrate, and is configured to rotate with rotation of the second shaft.

[0009] According to the printing jig, when printing on the circumferential surface of a large-diameter cylindrical substrate having a relatively large diameter, the small-diameter support member is removed from the first shaft and the second shaft, and the large-diameter cylindrical substrate is placed between the first shaft and the second shaft, and the large-diameter cylindrical substrate is supported by the first shaft and the second shaft. The large-diameter cylindrical substrate can then be rotated by rotating at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft. On the other hand, when printing on the circumferential surface of a small-diameter cylindrical substrate having a relatively small diameter, the small-diameter support member is supported by the first shaft and the second shaft, the small-diameter cylindrical substrate is placed between the first and second shafts of the small-diameter support member, and the first and second rotating rollers are brought into contact with the circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylindrical substrate, and the small-diameter cylindrical substrate is supported by the first and second rotating rollers. By rotating at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft, at least one of the first shaft member and the second shaft member and at least one of the first rotating roller and the second rotating roller rotate, allowing the small-diameter cylindrical printing object to be rotated. In this way, without adjusting the gap between the first shaft and the second shaft, cylindrical printing objects of different diameters can be rotated and the circumferential surface of the cylindrical printing object can be printed by supporting the small-diameter support member on the first shaft and the second shaft. Therefore, since there is no need to control the gap between the first shaft and the second shaft, it is possible to reduce the complexity of control.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing jig and a printer equipped with the same that can reduce the complexity of control when printing on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical printing object, at least a portion of which has a cylindrical outer circumferential shape and which has different diameters.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which a printing substrate is supported on a support table. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a printing jig supported on a support table in the first embodiment, showing a state in which the printing jig supports a large-diameter cylindrical printing substrate. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a printing jig supported on a support table in the first embodiment, showing a state in which the printing jig supports a large-diameter cylindrical printing substrate. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the printing jig taken along the V-V section of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a printing jig supported on a support table in the first embodiment, showing a state in which the printing jig supports a small-diameter cylindrical printing substrate. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a printing jig supported on a support table in the first embodiment, showing a state in which the printing jig supports a small-diameter cylindrical printing substrate. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the printing jig taken along the VIII-VIII section of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a small diameter support member of a printing jig according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a small diameter support member of a printing jig according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a left side view showing a small diameter support member of a printing jig according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a printing jig according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the printing jig from the right in the second embodiment, showing a state in which the first shaft and the second shaft support the small diameter support member. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a printing jig according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a small diameter support member of a printing jig according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a right side view showing a small diameter support member of a printing jig according to the second embodiment, showing a state in which the small diameter support member is supported by the first shaft and the second shaft. FIG. 17 is a right side view showing a small diameter support member of a printing jig according to the second embodiment, showing a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole. Figure 18 is a right side view showing the small diameter support member of the printing jig according to the second embodiment, and shows the state in which the first shaft member and the second shaft member are positioned at the lowest positions of the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole, respectively.

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used to designate components and parts that perform the same functions, and redundant descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0013] First Embodiment First, a printer 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment. In the drawings, the symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D indicate the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10, respectively. The symbols X, Y, and Z indicate the sub-scanning direction, main scanning direction, and height direction, respectively. For example, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The sub-scanning direction X intersects with the main scanning direction Y in a plan view and is perpendicular to the main scanning direction Y in this plan view. The sub-scanning direction X is, for example, the front-to-rear direction. The height direction Z is also referred to as the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction Y is an example of a first direction. The sub-scanning direction X is an example of a second direction intersecting with the first direction. However, these directions are merely defined for convenience of explanation and do not limit the installation manner of the printer 10.

[0014] The printer 10 is an inkjet printer. However, there are no particular limitations on the printing method of the printer 10. The printer 10 may be, for example, a dot impact printer, a laser printer, or a thermal printer.

[0015] The printer 10 according to this embodiment is capable of printing on a substrate 5 (see FIG. 2 ) supported by a support table 50 (see FIG. 2 ), which will be described later. Furthermore, the printer 10 is capable of printing on the surface (i.e., the circumferential surface) of a cylindrical substrate 6 (see FIGS. 3 and 6 ) using a printing jig 60 (see FIG. 3 ), which will be described later. FIG. 2 shows the substrate 5 supported by the support table 50. The substrate 5 shown in FIG. 2 has at least a flat surface extending in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. Printing is performed on this flat surface. The substrate 5 is, for example, recording paper. However, the substrate 5 is not limited to recording paper. For example, the substrate 5 may be a relatively thick object such as a sheet made of a resin material such as PVC or polyester, a metal plate, a glass plate, or a wooden plate. The substrate 5 may also be a three-dimensional object such as a smartphone case.

[0016] The cylindrical printing object 6 shown in Figures 3 and 6 is a three-dimensional object having at least a portion of its outer periphery in a cylindrical shape. Here, the portion of the cylindrical printing object 6 having a cylindrical outer periphery refers to the portion that comes into contact with the printing jig 60 (more specifically, the large diameter roller 77 (see Figure 5) described below, or the rotating roller 107 (see Figure 8) described below). In this embodiment, the cylindrical printing object 6 has a cylindrical outer periphery at its outermost portion. The cylindrical printing object 6 includes a three-dimensional object having an internal space, such as a cylindrical three-dimensional object. The type of cylindrical printing object 6 is not particularly limited, but examples include bottles and cups. Furthermore, the material from which the cylindrical printing object 6 is formed is also not particularly limited. The cylindrical printing object 6 may be made of glass, resin, or wood.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a printer main body 20. The printer main body 20 includes a base 21 (see FIG. 2), a case 22, and a cover 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the base 21 is a plate-like member that forms the bottom of the printer main body 20. The shape of the base 21 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is rectangular in plan view. An installation hole 25 in which a support base 50 is installed is formed in the center of the base 21 in the main scanning direction Y. This installation hole 25 has a rectangular shape that is longer in the sub-scanning direction X than in the main scanning direction Y.

[0018] In this embodiment, the printer main body 20 has an inner wall 26 that rises from the base portion 21. The inner wall 26 extends in the main scanning direction Y and the height direction Z. An opening (not shown) that penetrates the inner wall 26 in the sub-scanning direction X is formed in the inner wall 26. The support base 50 is configured to be able to pass through the opening in the inner wall 26 when moving in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0019] The case 22 shown in Fig. 1 is disposed on the base portion 21 and supported by the base portion 21. Here, a space is surrounded by the case 22 and the base portion 21, and printing takes place in this space. In this embodiment, an inner wall 26 (see Fig. 2) is disposed in the space surrounded by the case 22 and the base portion 21. As shown in Fig. 1, an opening 28 is formed in the front portion of the case 22.

[0020] The cover 24 is supported by the case 22 so that an opening 28 can be freely opened and closed. The cover 24 is configured to be rotatable, for example, around an axis at the rear end. A window 29 is provided at the top of the cover 24. The window 29 is formed from a transparent or translucent member, for example, an acrylic plate. A user can view the internal space surrounded by the case 22 and the base portion 21 through the window 29.

[0021] Next, the internal configuration of the printer 10 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 includes a guide rail 30, a carriage 42, an ink head 44, a head movement mechanism 45, a support base 50, a support base movement mechanism 55, and an elevator mechanism 58. The guide rail 30 extends in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the guide rail 30 is supported on the front surface of the inner wall 26 and is positioned above the support base 50.

[0022] The carriage 42 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 30. The carriage 42 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 30. The ink head 44 is mounted on the carriage 42 so that its bottom surface is exposed downward. The number of ink heads 44 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, there are three ink heads 44. The three ink heads 44 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. Although not shown in the figure, the bottom surface of the ink head 44 is formed with a plurality of nozzles that eject ink.

[0023] Here, the ink ejected from the ink head 44 is so-called ultraviolet curable ink. Ultraviolet curable ink is ink whose hardening is promoted when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Although not shown, the carriage 42 may be provided with an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet light toward the ink ejected from the ink head 44 onto the printing substrate 5 or the cylindrical printing substrate 6. The ultraviolet irradiation device is provided, for example, to the left or right of the ink head 44. In this way, the hardening of the ink ejected from the ink head 44 is promoted by the ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation device.

[0024] The head moving mechanism 45 is a mechanism that moves the carriage 42 and the ink head 44 in the main scanning direction Y. Note that the configuration of the head moving mechanism 45 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the head moving mechanism 45 includes left and right pulleys 46 and 47, an endless belt 48, and a head motor 49. The left pulley 46 is provided around the left end of the guide rail 30. The right pulley 47 is provided around the right end of the guide rail 30. The belt 48 is wound around the left and right pulleys 46 and 47. The carriage 42 is fixed to the belt 48. The head motor 49 is connected to, for example, the right pulley 47. In this case, the head motor 49 is driven to rotate the right pulley 47, causing the belt 48 to run between the left and right pulleys 46 and 47. As the belt 48 runs, the carriage 42 and the ink head 44 move in the main scanning direction Y.

[0025] The support table 50 selectively supports either the printing substrate 5 or the printing jig 60 (see FIG. 3 ). Here, as shown in FIG. 2 , when printing on the printing substrate 5, the printing substrate 5 is placed on the support table 50, and printing on the printing substrate 5 is performed on the support table 50. The upper surface of the support table 50, which selectively supports either the printing substrate 5 or the printing jig 60, is a surface that extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. The support table 50 is disposed below the guide rail 30, the carriage 42, and the ink head 44. Here, the support table 50 is mounted in an installation hole 25 formed in the base portion 21. The support table 50 is configured to be movable in the sub-scanning direction X by a support table moving mechanism 55.

[0026] As described above, the support table moving mechanism 55 is a mechanism that moves the support table 50 in the sub-scanning direction X (here, the front-rear direction). The configuration of the support table moving mechanism 55 is not particularly limited. Here, the support table moving mechanism 55 includes a support table carriage 56 that supports the support table 50 and a pair of left and right slide rails (not shown) that slidably support the support table carriage 56 and extend in the sub-scanning direction X. Although not shown, the support table moving mechanism 55 also includes a pair of front and rear pulleys provided in front and behind the slide rails, and a belt wound around the pair of front and rear pulleys. The support table carriage 56 is fixed to this belt. A feed motor is connected to one of the pair of front and rear pulleys. Here, the feed motor is driven to run the belt, and the support table 50 moves in the sub-scanning direction X together with the support table carriage 56.

[0027] The lifting mechanism 58 is a mechanism for raising and lowering the support base 50. Here, the support base 50 is configured to be able to rise and fall. The configuration of the lifting mechanism 58 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 58 includes a lower member 59a, an upper member 59b, and an lifting motor (not shown). The upper member 59b is insertable into the lower member 59a and is slidable up and down relative to the lower member 59a. The support base 50 is provided on the upper surface of the upper member 59b. The lifting motor is connected to, for example, the upper member 59b. Here, when the lifting motor is driven, the upper member 59b rises and falls relative to the lower member 59a. The support base 50 is configured to rise and fall in accordance with the rise and fall of the upper member 59b.

[0028] In this embodiment, when printing on the printing substrate 5, as shown in FIG. 2 , the printing substrate 5 is supported on a support table 50. Then, the head moving mechanism 45 is operated to move the ink head 44 in the main scanning direction Y, while ink is ejected from the ink head 44 toward the printing substrate 5, thereby printing one line. After printing one line, the support table moving mechanism 55 moves the support table 50, which supports the printing substrate 5, a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction X. Thereafter, the ink head 44 is moved in the main scanning direction Y to print the next line. In this way, printing one line and moving the support table 50 in the sub-scanning direction X are alternately and repeatedly performed, thereby printing on the printing substrate 5.

[0029] 3 and 6 are perspective views showing the printing jig 60 supported on the support table 50. FIGS. 4 and 7 are plan views showing the printing jig 60 supported on the support table 50. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the printing jig 60 at the V-V section of FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the printing jig 60 at the VIII-VIII section of FIG. 7. As described above, the printer 10 according to this embodiment is capable of printing on a cylindrical printing substrate 6, at least a portion of which has a cylindrical outer periphery, in addition to the printing substrate 5, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.

[0030] In this embodiment, the printer 10 is equipped with a printing jig 60. The printing jig 60 is used when printing on a cylindrical printing object 6 while rotating it. The printing jig 60 supports the cylindrical printing object 6. The printing jig 60 is supported by the support table 50, and in this case, is placed on the upper surface of the support table 50. The printing jig 60 is provided so as to be detachable from the support table 50.

[0031] The printing jig 60 is configured to be movable in the sub-scanning direction X and the height direction Z in accordance with the movement of the support table 50. The printing jig 60 is attached and fixed to the support table 50 when printing on the cylindrical printing substrate 6, and is detached from the support table 50 when printing on the printing substrate 5.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 3, the printing jig 60 includes a jig main body 71, a first shaft 73, a second shaft 75, a large diameter roller 77, a rotation mechanism 80, and a small diameter support member 100 (see Fig. 6). As shown in Fig. 3, the jig main body 71 is directly supported by the support base 50, and in this example, is placed on the upper surface of the support base 50. The jig main body 71 is box-shaped and open at the top.

[0033] In this embodiment, the jig body 71 has a bottom plate 72D, a front plate 72F, a rear plate 72Rr, a left plate 72L, and a right plate 72R. The bottom plate 72D overlaps the upper surface of the support base 50 and extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. The front plate 72F extends upward from the front end of the bottom plate 72D. The rear plate 72Rr extends upward from the rear end of the bottom plate 72D. The left plate 72L extends upward from the left end of the bottom plate 72D and is connected to the left ends of the front plate 72F and the rear plate 72Rr. The right plate 72R extends upward from the right end of the bottom plate 72D and is connected to the right ends of the front plate 72F and the rear plate 72Rr.

[0034] The size of the jig body 71 is not particularly limited. Here, as shown in Fig. 4, the jig body 71 is large enough to overlap the support base 50 in its entirety in a plan view. The jig body 71 is large enough not to protrude outside the support base 50 in a plan view.

[0035] The first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 extend in the main scanning direction Y. The first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 are provided in the front portion of the jig main body 71. The first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 are rotatably supported by the jig main body 71. Here, the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 are bridged between a left plate 72L and a right plate 72R of the jig main body 71. The left ends of the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 are rotatably supported by the left plate 72L, and the right ends of the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 are rotatably supported by the right plate 72R.

[0036] The first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 are arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction X. In this example, the second shaft 75 is arranged behind the first shaft 73. However, the second shaft 75 may also be arranged in front of the first shaft 73. As shown in FIG. 5 , the distance between the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 is a first distance D11. The first distance D11 refers to the distance between the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0037] In this embodiment, the printing jig 60 is capable of supporting a cylindrical printing object 6 having a first diameter D21 (see FIG. 5 ) and a cylindrical printing object 6 having a second diameter D22 (see FIG. 8 ). The second diameter D22 is smaller than the first diameter D21. As shown in FIG. 5 , the cylindrical printing object 6 having the first diameter D21 is referred to as a large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8 , the cylindrical printing object 6 having the second diameter D22 is referred to as a small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B. As shown in FIG. 5 , the first diameter D21 of the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A is larger than the first distance D11 between the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. Therefore, the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A is supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. 8, the second diameter D22 of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B is smaller than the first distance D11. Also, the second diameter D22 of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B is smaller than the distance D13 between the first large-diameter roller 78A and the second large-diameter roller 78B, which will be described later. Therefore, the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B cannot be supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, and passes between the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. Support of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B will be described later.

[0038] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, when printing is performed while rotating the large-diameter cylindrical object 6A to be printed, the large-diameter cylindrical object 6A to be printed is disposed between the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 so that the direction of the central axis of the large-diameter cylindrical object 6A to be printed is the main scanning direction Y. In this way, as shown in Fig. 5, the front part of the large-diameter cylindrical object 6A to be printed is supported by the first shaft 73, and the rear part of the large-diameter cylindrical object 6A to be printed is supported by the second shaft 75.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3 , the large diameter roller 77 is inserted into the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. Hereinafter, the large diameter roller 77 inserted into the first shaft 73 will also be referred to as the first large diameter roller 78A. The large diameter roller 77 inserted into the second shaft 75 will also be referred to as the second large diameter roller 78B. The first large diameter roller 78A rotates together with the first shaft 73. The second large diameter roller 78B rotates together with the second shaft 75. As shown in FIG. 5 , the first large diameter roller 78A and the second large diameter roller 78B are in direct contact with the large diameter cylindrical printing object 6A. Here, the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 indirectly support the large diameter cylindrical printing object 6A via the large diameter roller 77.

[0040] The number of first large diameter rollers 78A and the number of second large diameter rollers 78B are not particularly limited, and here, both are plural. The number of first large diameter rollers 78A and the number of second large diameter rollers 78B are the same, but may be different. The first large diameter rollers 78A and the second large diameter rollers 78B are detachable from the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, respectively, and their numbers can be changed as appropriate. The spacing between the first large diameter rollers 78A and the second large diameter rollers 78B can also be changed as appropriate. The material forming the large diameter rollers 77 is not particularly limited, but is an elastic material here. The large diameter rollers 77 are made of, for example, rubber. This makes it difficult for the large diameter cylindrical printing object 6A to slip on the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75.

[0041] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the first large diameter roller 78A is smaller than the outer diameter of the second large diameter roller 78B. Here, as shown in FIG. 5 , the first shaft 73 is positioned higher than the second shaft 75 so that the height of the upper end of the first large diameter roller 78A and the height of the upper end of the second large diameter roller 78B are the same. The outer diameter of the first large diameter roller 78A may be the same as the outer diameter of the second large diameter roller 78B, or may be larger than the outer diameter of the second large diameter roller 78B. For example, if the outer diameters of the first large diameter roller 78A and the second large diameter roller 78B are the same, the height positions of the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 may be the same.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3 , the rotation mechanism 80 is provided on the jig main body 71, and in this case, is provided on the right plate 72R of the jig main body 71. The rotation mechanism 80 is configured to rotate the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. The rotation mechanism 80 is configured to rotate the cylindrical printing substrate 6 by rotating the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. The configuration of the rotation mechanism 80 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the rotation mechanism 80 has a rotation motor 80A, a first gear 81, a second gear 82, a third gear 83 (see FIG. 4 ), a fourth gear 84, a support shaft 85, a first idler pulley 86, a second idler pulley 87, and a conveyor belt 88.

[0043] The rotation motor 80A is disposed, for example, inside the jig body 71, and in this case, is disposed to the left of the rear of the right plate 72R. The rotation motor 80A is disposed rearward of the second shaft 75. The first gear 81 is located outside the jig body 71, and in this case, is connected to the rotation motor 80A to the right of the right plate 72R of the jig body 71. The second gear 82 meshes with the first gear 81 in front of the first gear 81. As shown in FIG. 4 , the third gear 83 is formed integrally with the second gear 82 to the left of the second gear 82. The second gear 82 and the third gear 83 are mounted on a rotation shaft 80B extending rightward from the right plate 72R of the jig body 71. The fourth gear 84 meshes with the third gear 83 in front of the third gear 83. The support shaft 85 extends rightward from the right plate 72R of the jig body 71. The support shaft 85 is inserted into the fourth gear 84 and is formed integrally with the fourth gear 84 .

[0044] The first idler pulley 86 and the second idler pulley 87 extend rightward from the right plate 72R of the jig body 71. The first idler pulley 86 is disposed forward of the support shaft 85. The second idler pulley 87 is disposed forward of the support shaft 85 and rearward of the first idler pulley 86. Here, as shown in FIG. 3 , the first shaft 73 is located between the first idler pulley 86 and the second idler pulley 87 and is located higher than the first idler pulley 86 and the second idler pulley 87. The second shaft 75 is located between the second idler pulley 87 and the support shaft 85 and is located higher than the second idler pulley 87 and the support shaft 85. The conveyor belt 88 is wound around the support shaft 85 , the first idler pulley 86 , the right end 73 R of the first shaft 73 , the second idler pulley 87 , and the right end 75 R of the second shaft 75 .

[0045] In this embodiment, the conveyor belt 88 is driven by driving the rotary motor 80A. The first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 are rotated by the movement of the conveyor belt 88. In this embodiment, when the rotation mechanism 80 is activated and the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 rotate in directions R11 and R21, respectively, as shown in FIG. 5 , the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A rotates in direction R31. On the other hand, when the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 rotate in directions R12 and R22, respectively, the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A rotates in direction R32.

[0046] In this embodiment, when printing on the circumferential surface of the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A, the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A is placed between the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, above the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. This results in the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A being supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. In this state, while the ink head 44 (see FIG. 2) is moved in the main scanning direction Y by the head moving mechanism 45 (see FIG. 2), ink is ejected from the ink head 44 toward the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A, printing one line. This one line is printed on the top surface of the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A. After printing one line, the rotation mechanism 80 (see FIG. 3) of the printing jig 60 is operated to rotate the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, thereby rotating the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A by a predetermined amount. Thereafter, the ink head 44 is moved in the main scanning direction Y, and the next line is printed on the upper surface of the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A. In this way, by repeatedly printing one line and rotating the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A, printing can be performed on the peripheral surface of the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A.

[0047] As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to rotate and print a small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B (see FIG. 8) having a second diameter D22 (see FIG. 8) that is smaller than the first diameter D21 (see FIG. 5) of the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B can be rotated using a small-diameter support member 100 provided in the printing jig 60. The small-diameter support member 100 will be described below.

[0048] As shown in Figure 8, the small diameter support member 100 is capable of supporting a small diameter cylindrical object to be printed 6B. The small diameter support member 100 is detachably supported from above by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 of the printing jig 60. That is, in this embodiment, the small diameter support member 100 is placed on the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. The small diameter cylindrical object to be printed 6B is placed on the small diameter support member 100 placed on the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75.

[0049] The configuration of the small diameter support member 100 is not particularly limited. Figures 9, 10, and 11 are a perspective view, a plan view, and a left side view, respectively, showing the small diameter support member 100 of the printing jig 60. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the small diameter support member 100 includes a main body 101, a first shaft member 103, a second shaft member 105, and a rotating roller 107.

[0050] The main body 101 has a first main body portion 111 and a second main body portion 112, and is composed of two members. However, the number of members constituting the main body 101 is not limited to two and may be one, or three or more. The first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112 are plate-shaped members that extend in the sub-scanning direction X and the height direction Z. As shown in FIG. 10 , the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y.

[0051] 11 , the main body 101 has a first supported portion 113 and a second supported portion 114. The first supported portion 113 constitutes the portion of the main body 101 that is supported by the first shaft 73. The second supported portion 114 constitutes the portion of the main body 101 that is supported by the second shaft 75. Here, the first supported portion 113 and the second supported portion 114 are provided on both the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112.

[0052] In this embodiment, the first supported portion 113 is provided with a first recess 115 recessed upward from the lower surface of the main body 101, i.e., the lower surface of the first main body portion 111, and the lower surface of the second main body portion 112. The second supported portion 114 is provided with a second recess 116 recessed upward from the lower surface of the main body 101, i.e., the lower surface of the first main body portion 111, and the lower surface of the second main body portion 112. Note that the second supported portion 114 and the second recess 116 provided in the second main body portion 112 are not shown in FIG. 11 . As shown in FIG. 11 , the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 engage with the first recess 115 and the second recess 116, respectively, so that the first supported portion 113 and the second supported portion 114 are supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, respectively.

[0053] The first recess 115 and the second recess 116 are arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction X. In this embodiment, at the same height (in other words, at a position in the height direction Z), the width of the first recess 115 (here, the length in the sub-scanning direction X) is greater than the width of the second recess 116. This is because, as described above, the first shaft 73 is arranged at a higher position than the second shaft 75. For example, when the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 are at the same height, the width of the first recess 115 may be the same as the width of the second recess 116 at the same height.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10 , the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 are rod-shaped and supported by the main body 101, extending in the primary scanning direction Y. The first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 are arranged parallel to each other. The first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 span a first main body portion 111 and a second main body portion 112 of the main body 101. One end of the first shaft member 103 and one end of the second shaft member 105 are connected to the first main body portion 111. The other end of the first shaft member 103 and the other end of the second shaft member 105 are connected to the second main body portion 112. As shown in FIG. 11 , the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 are arranged above the first supported portion 113 and the second supported portion 114 and between the first supported portion 113 and the second supported portion 114.

[0055] The first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 are arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction X. In this embodiment, the first shaft member 103 is arranged closer to the first supported portion 113 than the second shaft member 105, and here, the first shaft member 103 is arranged forward of the second shaft member 105. However, the first shaft member 103 may be arranged closer to the second supported portion 114 than the second shaft member 105, i.e., rearward of the second shaft member 105. As shown in FIG. 8 , the distance between the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 (in other words, the distance in the sub-scanning direction X) is a second distance D12. This second distance D12 is smaller than the first distance D11, which is the distance between the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. The second distance D12 is also smaller than the distance D13 between the first large diameter roller 78A and the second large diameter roller 78B. Here, the second distance D12 is larger than the second diameter D22 of the small-diameter cylindrical object 6B to be printed, but may be smaller than the second diameter D22. In this embodiment, the small-diameter cylindrical object 6B to be printed can be supported by the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105, and can be placed on the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105.

[0056] 11 , in a state in which the small diameter support member 100 is supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 are disposed at a higher position than the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. In other words, the central axis A21 of the first shaft member 103 and the central axis A22 of the second shaft member 105 are disposed at a higher position than the central axis A11 of the first shaft 73 and the central axis A12 of the second shaft 75.

[0057] 10 , the rotating rollers 107 are rotatably inserted into the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105. Here, the roller of the rotating rollers 107 inserted into the first shaft member 103 is referred to as the first rotating roller 121. The roller of the rotating rollers 107 inserted into the second shaft member 105 is referred to as the second rotating roller 122. The first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122 are supported by the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105, respectively, so as to be rotatable relative to the main body 101. In this embodiment, the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122 are disposed between the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8, the rotating roller 107 is in direct contact with the circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B. Here, the first rotating roller 121 is in direct contact with the front portion of the circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B, supporting the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B. The second rotating roller 122 is in direct contact with the rear portion of the circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B, supporting the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B. The first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 indirectly support the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B via the rotating roller 107.

[0059] In this embodiment, the distance D14 between the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122 is smaller than the second diameter D22 of the small-diameter cylindrical object to be printed 6B. Therefore, when the small-diameter cylindrical object to be printed 6B is supported by the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105, the small-diameter cylindrical object to be printed 6B comes into contact with the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122 without passing between them.

[0060] The rotating roller 107 rotates together with the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, which are rotated by the rotation mechanism 80 (see FIG. 6). The circumferential surface of the rotating roller 107 comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the large diameter roller 77, and as the large diameter roller 77 rotates, the rotational force of the large diameter roller 77 is transmitted to the rotating roller 107, causing the rotating roller 107 to rotate. As the rotating roller 107 rotates, the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B also rotates.

[0061] Here, the first rotary roller 121 and the second rotary roller 122 are configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, respectively. Specifically, the circumferential surface of the first rotary roller 121 contacts the circumferential surface of the first large diameter roller 78A inserted into the first shaft 73. The circumferential surface of the second rotary roller 122 contacts the circumferential surface of the second large diameter roller 78B inserted into the second shaft 75. The first large diameter roller 78A rotates together with the first shaft 73, causing the first rotary roller 121 to rotate. The second large diameter roller 78B rotates together with the second shaft 75, causing the second rotary roller 122 to rotate. In this embodiment, the rotation mechanism 80 causes the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 to rotate simultaneously in the same direction. Therefore, the first rotary roller 121 and the second rotary roller 122 also rotate simultaneously in the same direction.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 8 , for example, when the first shaft 73 and the first large diameter roller 78A rotate in direction R11, the first rotating roller 121 rotates in direction R41. When the second shaft 75 and the second large diameter roller 78B rotate in direction R21, the second rotating roller 122 rotates in direction R51. This causes the small diameter cylindrical substrate 6B to rotate in direction R61. On the other hand, when the first shaft 73 and the first large diameter roller 78A rotate in direction R12, the first rotating roller 121 rotates in direction R42. When the second shaft 75 and the second large diameter roller 78B rotate in direction R22, the second rotating roller 122 rotates in direction R52. This causes the small diameter cylindrical substrate 6B to rotate in direction R62.

[0063] The material forming the rotating rollers 107, i.e., the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122, is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, at least the circumferential surfaces of the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122 are formed of an elastic material, such as rubber. Portions of the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122 other than the circumferential surfaces may be formed of an elastic material, such as rubber, or may be formed of a material other than an elastic material, such as metal.

[0064] In this embodiment, the circumferential surface of the rotating roller 107 has the same hardness as the circumferential surface of the large diameter roller 77 or is softer than the circumferential surface of the large diameter roller 77. Here, for example, the large diameter roller 77 is made of a material having a first hardness. The rotating rollers 107 (specifically, the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122) are made of a material having a second hardness. Here, the second hardness is the same as the first hardness or a hardness softer than the first hardness.

[0065] The configuration of the small diameter support member 100 has been described above. Next, the procedure for printing on the circumferential surface of the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B while rotating the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B will be described. Here, as shown in FIG. 6 , the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B is rotated using two small diameter support members 100. One small diameter support member 100 supports one end of the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B. The other small diameter support member 100 supports the other end of the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B. Note that the number of small diameter support members 100 used to rotate the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B is not limited to two and may be three or more. The number of small diameter support members 100 is set according to the length of the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B in the axial direction (here, the main scanning direction Y).

[0066] In this embodiment, first, two small diameter support members 100 are supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. Here, as shown in FIG. 11 , the first shaft 73 is engaged with the first recess 115 of the first supported portion 113 of the main body 101 of the small diameter support member 100, so that the first supported portion 113 is supported by the first shaft 73. The second shaft 75 is engaged with the second recess 116 of the second supported portion 114 of the main body 101, so that the second supported portion 114 is supported by the second shaft 75. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8 , the circumferential surface of the first rotating roller 121 of the small diameter support member 100 is brought into contact with the circumferential surface of the first large diameter roller 78A inserted on the first shaft 73. The circumferential surface of the second rotating roller 122 is brought into contact with the circumferential surface of the second large diameter roller 78B inserted on the second shaft 75.

[0067] In this embodiment, the positions of the small diameter support members 100 relative to the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 can be changed as needed. Therefore, it is advisable to determine the positions of the two small diameter support members 100 according to the length of the small diameter cylindrical printing material 6B in the main scanning direction Y.

[0068] In this way, after the two small diameter support members 100 are supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, the small diameter cylindrical object to be printed 6B is supported by the two small diameter support members 100. At this time, the small diameter cylindrical object to be printed 6B is placed from above on the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 between the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 of the small diameter support members 100. As a result, the small diameter cylindrical object to be printed 6B comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the first rotating roller 121 inserted into the first shaft member 103, and also comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the second rotating roller 122 inserted into the second shaft member 105.

[0069] In this state, while the ink head 44 is moved in the main scanning direction Y by the head moving mechanism 45 (see FIG. 2), ink is ejected from the ink head 44 toward the small-diameter cylindrical printing material 6B, printing one line. This one line is printed on the top surface of the small-diameter cylindrical printing material 6B. After printing one line, the small-diameter cylindrical printing material 6B is rotated a predetermined amount. Here, by operating the rotation mechanism 80, the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 rotate, as shown in FIG. 8. The first large-diameter roller 78A rotates with the rotation of the first shaft 73. When the first large-diameter roller 78A rotates, the first rotating roller 121, which is in contact with the first large-diameter roller 78A, rotates. Similarly, the second large-diameter roller 78B rotates with the rotation of the second shaft 75, and the second rotating roller 122, which is in contact with the second large-diameter roller 78B, rotates. The rotation of the first rotary roller 121 and the second rotary roller 122 causes the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B to rotate.

[0070] After rotating the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B by a predetermined amount in this manner, the ink head 44 is moved in the main scanning direction Y, and the next line of printing is performed on the upper surface of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B. By repeating the printing of one line of printing and the rotation of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B in this manner, printing can be performed on the peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B.

[0071] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 , the printing jig 60 is detachably attached to the support table 50 in the printer 10 equipped with the support table 50, and is used to rotate and print a cylindrical printing substrate 6, at least a portion of which has a cylindrical outer periphery. As shown in FIG. 6 , the printing jig 60 includes a jig main body 71 supported by the support table 50, a first shaft 73, a second shaft 75, a rotation mechanism 80, and a small-diameter support member 100. As shown in FIG. 4 , the first shaft 73 is supported by the jig main body 71 and extends in the main scanning direction Y. The second shaft 75 is supported by the jig main body 71 and is arranged alongside the first shaft 73 with a first distance D11 (see FIG. 5 ) between them in the sub-scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. 5 , the second shaft 75, together with the first shaft 73, is capable of supporting a large-diameter cylindrical printing substrate 6A having a first diameter D21. As shown in FIG. 3 , the rotation mechanism 80 rotates the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 .

[0072] As shown in Fig. 8, the small-diameter support member 100 is detachably supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 and can support a small-diameter cylindrical printing substrate 6B having a second diameter D22 smaller than the first diameter D21. As shown in Fig. 9, the small-diameter support member 100 includes a main body 101, a first shaft member 103, a second shaft member 105, a first rotating roller 121, and a second rotating roller 122. As shown in Fig. 11, the main body 101 has a first supported portion 113 supported by the first shaft 73 and a second supported portion 114 supported by the second shaft 75. As shown in Fig. 10, the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 are supported by the main body 101 and extend in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. 8 , the second shaft member 105 is arranged alongside the first shaft member 103 in the sub-scanning direction X at a second distance D12 that is narrower than the first distance D11. The second shaft member 105, together with the first shaft member 103, can support the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B. Here, at least one of the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 (here, both the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105) is configured to rotate with the rotation of the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, which are rotated by the rotation mechanism 80. In this embodiment, the first rotating roller 121 is supported by the first shaft member 103 so as to be rotatable relative to the main body 101 and contacts the circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B. The second rotating roller 122 is supported by the second shaft member 105 so as to be rotatable relative to the main body 101 and contacts the circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B.

[0073] 5 , when printing on the peripheral surface of a large-diameter cylindrical object to be printed 6A having a relatively large diameter, the small-diameter support member 100 is removed from the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, and the large-diameter cylindrical object to be printed 6A is placed between the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, and the large-diameter cylindrical object to be printed 6A is supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. Then, by rotating at least one of the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, the large-diameter cylindrical object to be printed 6A can be rotated.

[0074] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8, when printing on the circumferential surface of a small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B with a relatively small diameter, the small-diameter support member 100 is supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B is placed between the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 of the small-diameter support member 100, and the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122 are brought into contact with the circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B, and the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B is supported by the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122. Then, by rotating the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122 rotate. The rotation of the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122 causes the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B to rotate. In this way, the cylindrical printing objects 6A, 6B having different diameters can be rotated and the circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical printing objects 6A, 6B can be printed by whether or not the small diameter support member 100 is supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, without adjusting the distance between the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. Therefore, since there is no need for control to adjust the distance between the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, it is possible to suppress the complexity of control.

[0075] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the rotation mechanism 80 is configured so that the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 can rotate. As shown in FIG. 8 , the first rotating roller 121 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the first shaft 73. The second rotating roller 122 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the second shaft 75. This allows the first rotating roller 121 to rotate using the rotational force of the first shaft 73, and the second rotating roller 122 to rotate using the rotational force of the second shaft 75. The small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B is supported on both the front and rear sides by the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122, and rotates by the rotational force of the first rotating roller 121 and the rotational force of the second rotating roller 122. Therefore, the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B can be rotated using two rotational forces, allowing for stable rotation.

[0076] In this embodiment, the printing jig 60 includes a large diameter roller 77 inserted into the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. The circumferential surface of the rotating roller 107 contacts the circumferential surface of the large diameter roller 77. The rotating roller 107 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the large diameter roller 77. This allows the rotational force of the first shaft 73 or the second shaft 75 to be transmitted to the rotating roller 107 at the contact portion between the large diameter roller 77 and the rotating roller 107. Therefore, with a simple configuration in which the large diameter roller 77 and the rotating roller 107 are brought into contact and rotated, the rotational force of the first shaft 73 or the second shaft 75 can be used to rotate the small diameter cylindrical printing material 6B.

[0077] In this embodiment, the circumferential surface of the large diameter roller 77 is formed of a material having a first hardness. The circumferential surface of the rotating roller 107 is formed of a material having the same hardness as the first hardness or a second hardness softer than the first hardness. That is, the circumferential surface of the rotating roller 107 is softer than the circumferential surface of the large diameter roller 77. In other words, the circumferential surface of the rotating roller 107 has a greater frictional force than the circumferential surface of the large diameter roller 77. For example, the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B has a smaller diameter than the large diameter cylindrical printing object 6A and is lighter in weight than the large diameter cylindrical printing object 6A. The small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B, which is relatively light in weight, is relatively slippery relative to the rotating roller 107. Therefore, in this embodiment, the circumferential surface of the rotating roller 107 is made relatively soft, thereby increasing the frictional force with the circumferential surface of the rotating roller 107. Therefore, when the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B is rotated, the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B is less likely to slip on the rotating roller 107, and can be easily rotated.

[0078] 11 , the first supported portion 113 and the second supported portion 114 of the small diameter support member 100 are provided with a first recess 115 and a second recess 116, respectively, which are recessed upward from the lower surface of the main body 101. The first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 are engaged with the first recess 115 and the second recess 116, respectively. This allows the first supported portion 113 and the second supported portion 114 to be supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, respectively, with a simple configuration in which the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 are engaged with the first recess 115 and the second recess 116, respectively. Therefore, the small diameter support member 100 can be supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 with a relatively simple configuration.

[0079] 10 , the main body 101 of the small diameter support member 100 has a first main body portion 111 to which one end of the first shaft member 103 and one end of the second shaft member 105 are connected, and a second main body portion 112 to which the other end of the first shaft member 103 and the other end of the second shaft member 105 are connected and which is arranged alongside the first main body portion 111 in the main scanning direction Y. As a result, the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 are bridged by the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112. Therefore, the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 can be stably supported by the main body 101.

[0080] 2, the printer 10 is provided with an ink head 44 disposed above the support base 50, which ejects ink, and an elevating mechanism 58 which raises and lowers the support base 50. As shown in FIG. 11, when the small diameter support member 100 is supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, the central axis A21 of the first shaft member 103 and the central axis A22 of the second shaft member 105 are positioned higher than the central axis A11 of the first shaft 73 and the central axis A12 of the second shaft 75. As a result, compared to a case in which the small diameter support member 100 is not used and the small diameter cylindrical object 6B is supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 by adjusting the spacing between the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, the small diameter support member 100 can position the upper end of the small diameter cylindrical object 6B higher. Therefore, the upper end of the small-diameter cylindrical printing material 6B can be disposed close to the ink head 44, and the distance by which the lifting mechanism 58 lifts the support table 50 can be made relatively short.

[0081] Second Embodiment Next, a printing jig 160 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the following description of the printing jig 160 according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to designate components and parts that have the same configuration or function as the printing jig 60 according to the first embodiment, and redundant descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0082] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a printing jig 160 according to this embodiment. Although not shown, the printing jig 160 according to this embodiment, like the printing jig 60 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 3), is detachably supported on the support base 50 (see FIG. 3) and is used when printing on a rotating cylindrical substrate 6. As shown in FIG. 12, the printing jig 160 includes a test printing stage 190 and a small diameter support member 200. The test printing stage 190 is used to perform test printing while the printing jig 160 is supported on the support base 50. The test printing stage 190 is plate-shaped.

[0083] The test printing stage 190 has a test printing surface 191. The test printing surface 191 is the surface on which test printing is performed. The test printing surface 191 forms the upper surface of the test printing stage 190 and extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. In this example, the test printing surface 191 is a rectangular surface that is longer in the main scanning direction Y than in the sub-scanning direction X. The test printing surface 191 supports a printing substrate 5 (see FIG. 2) for test printing. During test printing, the printing substrate 5 for test printing is placed on the test printing surface 191. Test printing is performed on the printing substrate 5 supported on the test printing surface 191. Here, the printing substrate 5 for test printing is, for example, recording paper.

[0084] The position of the test printing stage 190 is not particularly limited. Here, as shown in FIG. 12 , the test printing stage 190 is provided on the jig main body 71 so that the test printing surface 191 is exposed upward. In this embodiment, the test printing stage 190 is disposed at the rear of the jig main body 71 and is connected to the upper end of the rear plate 72Rr of the jig main body 71, the upper end of the rear portion of the left plate 72L, and the upper end of the rear portion of the right plate 72R. The test printing stage 190 is disposed rearward of the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. However, the test printing stage 190 may also be disposed forward of the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75.

[0085] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the printing jig 160 viewed from the right, illustrating the state in which the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 support the small diameter support member 200. As shown in FIG. 13 , the test printing surface 191 is positioned at the highest position among the components constituting the printing jig 160, i.e., the position closest to the ink head 44 (see FIG. 2 ). In this example, the test printing surface 191 is positioned above the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. The test printing surface 191 is also positioned above the jig body 71, i.e., above the bottom plate 72D, front plate 72F, rear plate 72Rr, left plate 72L, and right plate 72R. The test printing surface 191 is positioned above the small diameter support member 200 supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. That is, when the small diameter support member 200 is attached to the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 , the test printing surface 191 is positioned above the upper end of the small diameter support member 200 .

[0086] The test printing surface 191 is positioned below the upper end of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B supported by the small-diameter support member 200. Also, although not shown, the test printing surface 191 is positioned below the upper end of the large-diameter cylindrical printing object 6A (see FIG. 5 ) supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. In this embodiment, when printing is performed on the cylindrical printing object 6, the test printing surface 191 is positioned below the upper end of the cylindrical printing object 6 supported by the printing jig 160.

[0087] The test printing stage 190 may be formed integrally with the jig body 71 , or may be a separate body from the jig body 71 and attached to the jig body 71 .

[0088] Test printing performed on the test printing substrate 5 at the test printing stage 190 is, for example, printing to inspect the state of ink ejection from the nozzles (not shown) of the ink head 44. Test printing may be, for example, printing of a test pattern to inspect the ink landing position in both directions during bidirectional printing, or printing of a test pattern to check for nozzle clogs in the ink head 44. In this embodiment, test printing at the test printing stage 190 is performed before printing on, for example, a cylindrical substrate 6. Note that during test printing at the test printing stage 190, the cylindrical substrate 6 (more specifically, the large-diameter cylindrical substrate 6A and the small-diameter cylindrical substrate 6B) is not supported on the printing jig 160, and the substrate 5 is supported on the test printing surface 191. Then, test printing is performed by ejecting ink from the ink head 44 onto the substrate 5 supported on the test printing surface 191.

[0089] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the printing jig 160, partially enlarged. As shown in FIG. 14 , in this embodiment, the printing jig 160 includes a regulating portion 180. The regulating portion 180 regulates the movement of the small-diameter support member 200 supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. 12 , the regulating portion 180 is provided on the jig main body 71. Here, the regulating portion 180 is disposed rearward of the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, but it may also be disposed forward of the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. The regulating portion 180 is disposed forward of the test printing stage 190. The regulating portion 180 may be formed integrally with the test printing stage 190 or may be separate from the test printing stage 190.

[0090] There are no particular limitations on the configuration and shape of the restricting portion 180. In this embodiment, the restricting portion 180 is a plate-like member that extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. The restricting portion 180 is rectangular and is longer in the main scanning direction Y than in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0091] 14 , a notch 181 is formed in the restricting portion 180. A portion of the main body 101 of the small diameter support member 200 fits into the notch 181. More specifically, when the small diameter support member 200 is supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, the rear portions of the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112 of the main body 101 fit into the notch 181. The notch 181 is recessed rearward from the front end of the restricting portion 180. The notch 181 opens forward, and a portion of the main body 101 of the small diameter support member 200 fits into the opening.

[0092] The cutout 181 has a first edge 185 and a second edge 186. The first edge 185 constitutes the edge of the cutout 181 on one side in the main scanning direction X, in this case the left edge of the cutout 181. The second edge 186 constitutes the edge of the cutout 181 on the other side in the main scanning direction X, in this case the right edge of the cutout 181. The first edge 185 and the second edge 186 extend in the sub-scanning direction X. The first edge 185 and the second edge 186 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y and face each other.

[0093] The first edge 185 and the second edge 186 are spaced apart, and the main body 101 of the small diameter support member 200 fits between the first edge 185 and the second edge 186. When the main body 101 fits into the cutout 181, the first edge 185 is located on one side of the main body 101 in the main scanning direction Y (here, the left side), and the second edge 186 is located on the other side of the main body 101 in the main scanning direction Y (here, the right side). Note that when a portion of the main body 101 of the small diameter support member 200 fits into the cutout 181, the portion of the main body 101 may contact either the first edge 185 or the second edge 186, or both, or neither. Here, contact of the main body 101 with the first edge 185 restricts further leftward movement of the small diameter support member 200 relative to the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. When the main body 101 comes into contact with the second edge portion 186 , the small diameter support member 200 is restricted from moving further to the right relative to the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 .

[0094] The number of notches 181 is not particularly limited. Here, multiple notches 181 are formed in the regulating portion 180. The multiple notches 181 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. In this embodiment, the intervals between adjacent notches 181 in the main scanning direction Y are the same, but may be different. Here, the notches 181 are arranged in the main scanning direction Y between the large diameter rollers 77 adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction Y (i.e., between the adjacent first large diameter rollers 78A or between the adjacent second large diameter rollers 78B). In this embodiment, two notches 181 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y between the two large diameter rollers 77 adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction Y. Of the two notches 181, the rear part of the first main body part 111 fits into the notch 181 on the left side of the large diameter roller 77, and the rear part of the second main body part 112 fits into the notch 181 on the right side of the large diameter roller 77.

[0095] Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the small diameter support member 200 according to this embodiment. Fig. 16 is a right side view showing the small diameter support member 200, and shows a state in which the small diameter support member 200 is supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. Next, the small diameter support member 200 shown in Fig. 15 will be described. As shown in Fig. 13, the small diameter support member 200 according to this embodiment is capable of supporting a small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B, and is supported from above by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75 of the printing jig 160 in a detachable manner.

[0096] 16 , the main body 101 of the small diameter support member 200 is provided with a first supported portion 213 supported by the first shaft 73 and a second supported portion 214 supported by the second shaft 75. The first supported portion 213 is provided on both the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112 of the main body 101. Here, the first supported portion 213 has a first small diameter restricting portion 220 that restricts movement in the up-down direction Z of the small diameter support member 200 supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. While supported by the first shaft 73, the first small diameter restricting portion 220 restricts movement in the up-down direction Z of the small diameter support member 200 relative to the first shaft 73.

[0097] Here, the first small diameter restricting portion 220 is formed with a first restricting recess 221. The first restricting recess 221 has a vertical space 222a extending in the up-down direction Z and a horizontal space 222b that is continuous with the vertical space 222a and extends in the sub-scanning direction X. The vertical space 222a extends upward from the lower end of the main body 101 (here, the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112) and opens downward. The horizontal space 222b extends forward from the upper portion of the vertical space 222a. Here, the vertical space 222a and the horizontal space 222b form an L-shaped space. In this embodiment, when the small diameter support member 200 is supported by the first shaft 73, the first shaft 73 is inserted into the first restricting recess 221 from the lower end of the vertical space 222a and moved into the horizontal space 222b. At this time, in the horizontal space 222b, the first shaft 73 is sandwiched in the vertical direction Z by the first small diameter restricting portion 220, and the movement of the small diameter support member 200 in the vertical direction Z relative to the first shaft 73 is restricted.

[0098] 16 , the first small diameter restricting portion 220 has a lower restricting edge 225 and an upper restricting edge 226. The lower restricting edge 225 is disposed below the first shaft 73 when the first shaft 73 supports the first supported portion 213. Here, the lower restricting edge 225 constitutes part of the edge that forms the first restricting recess 221, and more specifically, constitutes the lower edge of the lateral space 222b. The lower restricting edge 225 extends in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0099] The upper regulating edge 226 is disposed above the first shaft 73 when the first shaft 73 supports the first supported portion 213. The upper regulating edge 226, together with the lower regulating edge 225, sandwiches the first shaft 73. Here, the upper regulating edge 226 constitutes part of the edge that forms the first regulating recess 221, and more specifically, constitutes the upper edge of the lateral space 222b. The upper regulating edge 226 faces the lower regulating edge 225 in the up-down direction Z, sandwiching the lateral space 222b therebetween. The upper regulating edge 226 extends in the sub-scanning direction X and is parallel to the lower regulating edge 225.

[0100] When the first shaft 73 supports the first supported portion 213 and is disposed in the horizontal space 222b, the first shaft 73 is in contact with the lower restricting edge 225 and the upper restricting edge 226. However, the first shaft 73 does not have to be in contact with the upper restricting edge 226. Here, the first shaft 73 contacts the lower restricting edge 225 to restrict the small diameter support member 200 from moving further downward relative to the first shaft 73. The first shaft 73 contacts the upper restricting edge 226 to restrict the small diameter support member 200 from moving further upward relative to the first shaft 73.

[0101] The second supported portion 214 is provided on both the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112 of the main body 101. The second supported portion 214 has a second small diameter restricting portion 230 that restricts movement in the sub-scanning direction X of the small diameter support member 200 supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. While supported by the second shaft 75, the second small diameter restricting portion 230 restricts movement in the sub-scanning direction X of the small diameter support member 200 relative to the second shaft 75.

[0102] Here, a second restricting recess 231 is formed in the second small diameter restricting portion 230. The second restricting recess 231 extends in the up-down direction Z and is recessed upward from the lower end of the main body 101 (specifically, the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112). The second restricting recess 231 opens downward. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16 , when the small diameter support member 200 is supported by the second shaft 75, the second shaft 75 is inserted into the second restricting recess 231. At this time, the second shaft 75 is sandwiched between the second small diameter restricting portion 230 in the sub-scanning direction X, and movement of the small diameter support member 200 in the sub-scanning direction X relative to the second shaft 75 is restricted.

[0103] In this embodiment, the second small diameter restricting portion 230 has a first restricting edge portion 235 and a second restricting edge portion 236. The first restricting edge portion 235 and the second restricting edge portion 236 are respectively disposed on one side (here, the front side) and the other side (here, the rear side) of the second shaft 75 in the sub-scanning direction X when the second shaft 75 supports the second supported portion 214. When the second shaft 75 supports the second supported portion 214, the second shaft 75 is in contact with the first restricting edge portion 235 and the second restricting edge portion 236. The second shaft 75's contact with the first restricting edge portion 235 and the second restricting edge portion 236 restricts the small diameter support member 200 from moving further forward or rearward relative to the second shaft 75. Here, the first restricting edge portion 235 and the second restricting edge portion 236 constitute the front and rear edges of the second restricting recess 231, respectively. The first restricting edge portion 235 and the second restricting edge portion 236 face each other in the sub-scanning direction X. The second shaft 75 is sandwiched between the first restricting edge portion 235 and the second restricting edge portion 236. Here, the second restricting recess 231 is formed between the first restricting edge portion 235 and the second restricting edge portion 236.

[0104] In this embodiment, the first restricting edge 235 is inclined toward the second restricting edge 236 as it extends upward. The second restricting edge 236 is inclined toward the first restricting edge 235 as it extends upward. Here, the distance between the first restricting edge 235 and the second restricting edge 236 becomes narrower as it extends upward.

[0105] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15 , in the small diameter support member 200, the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 are supported by the main body 101; in other words, they are connected to the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112. FIG. 17 is a right side view of the small diameter support member 200, showing the first insertion hole 241 and the second insertion hole 242. As shown in FIG. 17 , the main body 101 is formed with the first insertion hole 241 and the second insertion hole 242. The first shaft member 103 is inserted into the first insertion hole 241. The second shaft member 105 is inserted into the second insertion hole 242. In this embodiment, the first insertion hole 241 and the second insertion hole 242 are formed in the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112. The first shaft member 103 is connected to the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112 by being inserted into the first insertion hole 241. The second shaft member 105 is inserted into the second insertion hole 242 to be connected to the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112 .

[0106] The first insertion hole 241 and the second insertion hole 242 are elongated holes extending in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 are movable in the vertical direction Z relative to the first insertion hole 241 and the second insertion hole 242 while inserted into the first insertion hole 241 and the second insertion hole 242, respectively. The first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 are inserted into the first insertion hole 241 and the second insertion hole 242 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction Z. Here, the first insertion hole 241 and the second insertion hole 242 have the same size, but they may be different sizes.

[0107] In this embodiment, the first shaft member 103 is provided with a first fastener 245 (see FIG. 15 ) to make it difficult for the first shaft member 103 to be removed from the first insertion hole 241. Similarly, the second shaft member 105 is provided with a second fastener 246 (see FIG. 15 ). The first fastener 245 has a shape that is partially larger than the first insertion hole 241 and is provided on a portion of the first shaft member 103 on the outer side of the main body 101 (here, on the opposite side from the rotating roller 107). As shown in FIG. 15 , the first fastener 245 is provided on the opposite side from the rotating roller 107 of the second main body portion 112. The second fastener 246 has a similar configuration to the first fastener 245. Note that the first fastener 245 and the second fastener 246 are omitted from FIG. 17 .

[0108] 18 is a right side view showing the small diameter support member 200, illustrating a state in which the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 are respectively positioned at the lowest positions in the first insertion hole 241 and the second insertion hole 242. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18 , the main body 101 has a first overlapping portion 201 and a second overlapping portion 202. The first overlapping portion 201 and the second overlapping portion 202 are portions that, when viewed from the main scanning direction Y, overlap in the sub-scanning direction X with the first rotating roller 121 inserted in the first shaft member 103 and the second rotating roller 122 inserted in the second shaft member 105, respectively. Here, the first overlapping portion 201 has the same front end position as the first rotating roller 121, and the same rear end position as the first rotating roller 121. The second overlapping portion 202 has a front end positioned at the same position as the second rotating roller 122 and a rear end positioned at the same position as the second rotating roller 122 .

[0109] In this embodiment, when the first shaft member 103 is disposed at the lowest position relative to the first insertion hole 241 (for example, a position where the first shaft member 103 contacts the lower edge of the first insertion hole 241), the first rotating roller 121 protrudes upward from the first overlapping portion 201. Here, a portion (more specifically, an upper portion) of the first rotating roller 121 protrudes upward from the first overlapping portion 201. Similarly, when the second shaft member 105 is disposed at the lowest position relative to the second insertion hole 242, the second rotating roller 122 protrudes upward from the second overlapping portion 202. Here, a portion (more specifically, an upper portion) of the second rotating roller 122 protrudes upward from the second overlapping portion 202.

[0110] 15 , the small diameter support member 200 has a first connecting rod 251 and a second connecting rod 252. The first connecting rod 251 and the second connecting rod 252 are rods that extend in the main scanning direction Y and connect the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112. Here, the first connecting rod 251 and the second connecting rod 252 are aligned in the sub-scanning direction X. The first connecting rod 251 is disposed forward of the second connecting rod 252. The first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 are disposed between the first connecting rod 251 and the second connecting rod 252.

[0111] When the small diameter support member 200 according to this embodiment is supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, as shown in FIG. 14 , the rear portions of the first body portion 111 and the second body portion 112 of the main body 101 are first inserted into the notches 181 of the restricting portion 180 of the jig main body 71 to determine the position of the small diameter support member 200 in the main scanning direction Y. Next, as shown in FIG. 16 , the position of the small diameter support member 200 in the up-down direction Z is determined by sandwiching the first shaft 73 between the lower restricting edge portion 225 and the upper restricting edge portion 226 of the first small diameter restricting portion 220 of the main body 101. Next, the position of the small diameter support member 200 in the sub-scanning direction X is determined by sandwiching the second shaft 75 between the first restricting edge portion 235 and the second restricting edge portion 236 of the second small diameter restricting portion 230 of the main body 101. In this way, once the position of the small diameter support member 200 in the main scanning direction Y, the sub-scanning direction X, and the vertical direction Z is determined, the small diameter support member 200 is properly supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75.

[0112] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 14 , the printing jig 160 includes a restricting portion 180 provided on the jig body 71 that restricts movement in the main scanning direction Y of the small diameter support member 200 supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. This makes it possible to make it difficult for the small diameter support member 200 to move in the main scanning direction Y when supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. Therefore, when using the small diameter support member 200 to rotate and print a small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B (see Fig. 13 ), it is possible to make it difficult for the small diameter support member 200 and the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B to move in the main scanning direction Y.

[0113] 14 , the restricting portion 180 has a notch 181 formed therein into which a portion of the main body 101 of the small diameter support member 200 fits. The notch 181 has a first edge 185 disposed on one side (here, the left side) of the main body 101 in the main scanning direction Y, and a second edge 186 disposed on the other side (here, the right side) of the main body 101 in the main scanning direction Y and sandwiching a portion of the main body 101 together with the first edge 185. By disposing the main body 101 between the first edge 185 and the second edge 186 in this way, it is possible to make it difficult for the small diameter support member 200 to move in the main scanning direction Y relative to the jig main body 71.

[0114] 16 , the first supported portion 213 has a first small diameter restricting portion 220 that restricts movement in the up-down direction Z of the small diameter support member 200 supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. This makes it possible to make it difficult for the small diameter support member 200 to move in the up-down direction Z when supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. Therefore, when the small diameter support member 200 is used to rotate and print a small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B, it is possible to make it difficult for the small diameter support member 200 and the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B to move in the up-down direction Z.

[0115] In this embodiment, the first small diameter restricting portion 220 has a lower restricting edge 225 arranged below the first shaft 73, and an upper restricting edge 226 arranged above the first shaft 73 and sandwiching the first shaft 73 together with the lower restricting edge 225. In this way, by disposing the first shaft 73 between the lower restricting edge 225 and the upper restricting edge 226, it is possible to make it difficult for the small diameter support member 200 to move in the up-down direction Z relative to the first shaft 73.

[0116] In this embodiment, the second supported portion 214 of the small diameter support member 200 has a second small diameter restricting portion 230 that restricts movement in the sub-scanning direction X of the small diameter support member 200 supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. This makes it possible to make it difficult for the small diameter support member 200 to move in the sub-scanning direction X when supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. Therefore, when using the small diameter support member 200 to rotate and print on the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B, it is possible to make it difficult for the small diameter support member 200 and the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B to move in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0117] In this embodiment, the second small diameter restricting portion 230 has a first restricting edge portion 235 arranged on one side (here, the front side) of the second shaft 75 in the sub-scanning direction X, and a second restricting edge portion 236 arranged on the other side (here, the rear side) of the second shaft 75 in the sub-scanning direction X and sandwiching the second shaft 75 together with the first restricting edge portion 235. In this way, by disposing the second shaft 75 between the first restricting edge portion 235 and the second restricting edge portion 236, it is possible to make it difficult for the small diameter support member 200 to move in the sub-scanning direction X relative to the second shaft 75.

[0118] In this embodiment, the distance between the first restricting edge portion 235 and the second restricting edge portion 236 narrows upward. As a result, even if the diameter of the second shaft 75 varies, the position of the second shaft 75 in the up-down direction Z relative to the first restricting edge portion 235 and the second restricting edge portion 236 can be changed depending on the diameter of the second shaft 75, so that the second shaft 75 can come into contact with the first restricting edge portion 235 and the second restricting edge portion 236. Therefore, even if the diameter of the second shaft 75 varies, it is possible to make it difficult for the small diameter support member 200 to move in the sub-scanning direction X relative to the second shaft 75.

[0119] 17 , the main body 101 of the small diameter support member 200 is formed with a first insertion hole 241, which is an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction Z and into which the first shaft member 103 is slidably inserted in the vertical direction Z, and a second insertion hole 242, which is an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction Z and into which the second shaft member 105 is slidably inserted in the vertical direction Z. Here, in order to rotate the small diameter cylindrical printing material 6B supported by the small diameter support member 200, the first rotating roller 121 inserted in the first shaft member 103 is brought into appropriate contact with the first large diameter roller 78A inserted in the first shaft 73, and the second rotating roller 122 inserted in the second shaft member 105 is brought into appropriate contact with the second large diameter roller 78B inserted in the second shaft 75. Here, assembly errors or individual differences due to the components of the printing jig 160 may result in improper contact between the first rotating roller 121 and the first large diameter roller 78A, or between the second rotating roller 122 and the second large diameter roller 78B. However, in this embodiment, the first insertion hole 241 into which the first shaft member 103 is inserted and the second insertion hole 242 into which the second shaft member 105 is inserted are elongated holes extending in the vertical direction Z. This allows the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 to move in the vertical direction Z relative to the first insertion hole 241 and the second insertion hole 242, respectively, and the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122 rest on the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75, respectively, using their own weight, thereby absorbing the assembly errors and individual differences. Therefore, even if the above-mentioned assembly errors or individual differences occur, the first rotating roller 121 and the first large diameter roller 78A can be brought into proper contact, and the second rotating roller 122 and the second large diameter roller 78B can be brought into proper contact.

[0120] 18 , in this embodiment, the main body 101 has a first overlapping portion 201 that overlaps with the first rotating roller 121 in the sub-scanning direction X when viewed from the main scanning direction Y, and a second overlapping portion 202 that overlaps with the second rotating roller 122 in the sub-scanning direction X when viewed from the main scanning direction Y. When the first shaft member 103 is positioned at the lowest position relative to the first insertion hole 241, the first rotating roller 121 protrudes above the first overlapping portion 201. When the second shaft member 105 is positioned at the lowest position relative to the second insertion hole 242, the second rotating roller 122 protrudes above the second overlapping portion 202. As a result, when a small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B is supported by the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 of the small-diameter support member 200, the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B can be brought into contact with the circumferential surfaces of the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122 without coming into contact with the main body 101.

[0121] 12 , the printing jig 160 is provided with a test printing stage 190 that is provided on the jig body 71 and has a test printing surface 191 on which test printing is performed. This makes it possible to support the printing substrate 5 on the test printing surface 191 and perform test printing even when the printing jig 160 is attached to the support base 50.

[0122] 13 , in this embodiment, the test printing surface 191 is positioned above the small diameter support member 200 supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. This prevents interference between the ink head 44 and the small diameter support member 200 during test printing, even when the small diameter support member 200 is supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. Therefore, test printing can be performed appropriately even when the small diameter support member 200 is supported by the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75.

[0123] In this embodiment, the test printing surface 191 is positioned below the upper end of the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B supported by the small-diameter support member 200. This prevents interference between the ink head 44 and the test printing surface 191 when rotating and printing on the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B. This allows for appropriate printing on the small-diameter cylindrical printing object 6B.

[0124] In each of the above embodiments, the rotation mechanism 80 is configured to rotate both the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. However, the rotation mechanism 80 may be configured to rotate one of the first shaft 73 and the second shaft 75. For example, the rotation mechanism 80 may rotate only the first shaft 73 without rotating the second shaft 75, or may rotate only the second shaft 75 without rotating the first shaft 73.

[0125] In each of the above embodiments, in the small diameter support members 100, 200, the first rotating roller 121 is inserted into the first shaft member 103, and the second rotating roller 122 is inserted into the second shaft member 105. However, one of the first rotating roller 121 and the second rotating roller 122 may be omitted. For example, the first rotating roller 121 may be inserted into the first shaft member 103, and the second rotating roller 122 may not be inserted into the second shaft member 105. In this case, the small diameter cylindrical printing object 6B is supported in direct contact with the first rotating roller 121 and the second shaft member 105, and rotates due to the rotation of the first rotating roller 121.

[0126] In the above-described embodiments, the main body 101 of the small diameter support member 100, 200 is configured from two members, the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112. However, the main body 101 may be configured from a single member. For example, one of the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112 may be omitted.

[0127] In the above embodiments, the first large diameter roller 78A is inserted into the first shaft 73, and the second large diameter roller 78B is inserted into the second shaft 75. Furthermore, the rotating rollers 107 are inserted into the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105. However, as long as a configuration can be realized in which the rotational force of the first shaft 73 or the second shaft 75 can be transmitted to the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105 to rotate the first shaft member 103 and the second shaft member 105, any or all of the first large diameter roller 78A, the second large diameter roller 78B, and the rotating roller 107 may be omitted.

[0128] 6 Cylindrical printing object 6A Large diameter cylindrical printing object 6B Small diameter cylindrical printing object 10 Printer 44 Ink head 50 Support base 58 Lifting mechanism 60, 160 Printing jig 71 Jig body 73 First shaft 75 Second shaft 77 Large diameter roller 80 Rotation mechanism 100, 200 Small diameter support member 101 Body 103 First shaft member 105 Second shaft member 107 Rotating roller 111 First body portion 112 Second body portion 113, 213 First supported portion 114, 214 Second supported portion 115 First recess 116 Second recess 180 Restricting portion 181 Notch 185 First edge portion 186 Second edge portion 190 Test printing stage 191 Test printing surface 121 First rotating roller 122 Second rotating roller 201 First overlapping portion 202 Second overlapping portion 220 First small diameter restricting portion 225 Lower restricting edge portion 226 Upper restricting edge portion 230 Second small diameter restricting portion 235 First restricting edge portion 236 Second restricting edge portion 241 First insertion hole 242 Second insertion hole

Claims

1. In a printer provided with a support base, a printing jig for printing while rotating a cylindrical object to be printed, which is detachably provided on the support base and has a cylindrical outer peripheral shape at least partially, comprising: a jig body supported by the support base; a first shaft supported by the jig body and extending in a first direction; a second shaft supported by the jig body, arranged side by side with the first shaft with a first interval therebetween in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and capable of supporting a large-diameter cylindrical object to be printed having a first diameter together with the first shaft; a rotation mechanism for rotating at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft; a small-diameter support member detachably supported with respect to the first shaft and the second shaft and capable of supporting a small-diameter cylindrical object to be printed having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and comprising: the small-diameter support member includes: a main body having a first supported portion supported by the first shaft and a second supported portion supported by the second shaft; a first shaft member supported by the main body and extending in the first direction; a second shaft member supported by the main body, extending in the first direction, arranged side by side with the first shaft member with a second interval therebetween in the second direction, which is narrower than the first interval, and capable of supporting the small-diameter cylindrical object to be printed together with the first shaft member; a first rotating roller rotatably supported by the first shaft member with respect to the main body, contacting the peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylindrical object to be printed, and configured to rotate as the first shaft rotates; a second rotating roller rotatably supported by the second shaft member with respect to the main body, contacting the peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylindrical object to be printed, and configured to rotate as the second shaft rotates; A printing jig.

2. Comprising a large-diameter roller inserted into at least one of the shafts, The peripheral surface of the first rotating roller or the second rotating roller contacts the peripheral surface of the large-diameter roller, The printing jig according to claim 1, wherein the first rotating roller or the second rotating roller is configured to rotate as the large-diameter roller rotates.

3. The peripheral surface of the large-diameter roller is formed of a material having a first hardness, The printing jig according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral surface of the first rotating roller or the second rotating roller is formed of a material having the same hardness as the first hardness or a second hardness softer than the first hardness.

4. The first supported part of the small-diameter support member has a first small-diameter restricting part that restricts the vertical movement of the small-diameter support member supported by the first shaft and the second shaft. The printing jig according to claim 1.

5. The first small-diameter restricting part has a lower restricting edge part arranged below the first shaft, and an upper restricting edge part arranged above the first shaft and sandwiching the first shaft together with the lower restricting edge part. The printing jig according to claim 4.

6. The second supported part of the small-diameter support member has a second small-diameter restricting part that restricts the movement of the small-diameter support member supported by the first shaft and the second shaft in the second direction. The printing jig according to claim 1.

7. The second small-diameter restricting part has a first restricting edge part arranged on one side of the second shaft in the second direction, and a second restricting edge part arranged on the other side of the second shaft in the second direction and sandwiching the second shaft together with the first restricting edge part. The printing jig according to claim 6.

8. The distance between the first restricting edge part and the second restricting edge part becomes narrower as it goes upward. The printing jig according to claim 7.

9. The main body of the small-diameter support member has a first main body part to which one end of the first shaft member and one end of the second shaft member are connected, and a second main body part to which the other end of the first shaft member and the other end of the second shaft member are connected and which is arranged side by side with the first main body part in the first direction. The printing jig according to claim 1.

10. The printing jig according to claim 1, which restricts the movement of the small-diameter support member supported by the first shaft and the second shaft in the first direction and is provided with a restricting part provided on the jig main body.

11. A notch into which a part of the main body of the small-diameter support member enters is formed in the restricting part, and the notch has a first edge part arranged on one side of the main body in the first direction, and a second edge part arranged on the other side of the main body in the first direction and sandwiching a part of the main body together with the first edge part. The printing jig according to claim 10.

12. On the main body of the small-diameter support member, a first insertion hole, which is a long hole extending in the vertical direction and into which the first shaft member is slidably inserted in the vertical direction, The second shaft member is inserted slidably in the vertical direction, and a second insertion hole which is a long hole extending in the vertical direction, The printing jig according to claim 1, in which the second insertion hole is formed.

13. The main body, When viewed from the first direction, a first overlapping portion that overlaps with the first rotating roller in the second direction, When viewed from the first direction, a second overlapping portion that overlaps with the second rotating roller in the second direction, and has When the first shaft member is disposed at the lowermost position with respect to the first insertion hole, the first rotating roller protrudes above the first overlapping portion, The printing jig according to claim 12, wherein when the second shaft member is disposed at the lowermost position with respect to the second insertion hole, the second rotating roller protrudes above the second overlapping portion.

14. The printing jig according to claim 1, further comprising a test printing stage provided on the jig main body and having a test printing surface on which test printing is performed.

15. The printing jig according to claim 14, wherein the test printing surface is disposed above the small-diameter support member supported by the first shaft and the second shaft.

16. The printing jig according to claim 14, wherein the test printing surface is disposed below the upper end of the small-diameter cylindrical object to be printed supported by the small-diameter support member.

17. A printing jig according to any one of claims 1 to 16, An ink head disposed above the support base and discharging ink, A lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the support base, and comprising In a state where the small-diameter support member is supported by the first shaft and the second shaft, The central axis of the first shaft member is disposed at a position higher than the central axis of the first shaft and the central axis of the second shaft, A printer, wherein the central axis of the second shaft member is disposed at a position higher than the central axis of the first shaft and the central axis of the second shaft.