Printing device

Abstract

The printing device (1) includes a transport member (31) that transports the medium (M), a printing unit (4) located above the transport member (31), a liquid tank unit (5) located below the transport member (31), and a recovery unit (6) located below the liquid tank (51) of the liquid tank unit (5). The recovery unit (6) has a circulation flow path section (6A) that forms a flow path through which the liquid (L) stored in the liquid tank (51) circulates via the liquid tank (51), and recovery members (62, 63) that can recover adhering matter (A) contained in the liquid (L) flowing through the circulation flow path section (6A).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a printing device, a device equipped with a conveying member that conveys a print medium to be printed is known. In this type of printing device, ink for printing that has passed through the print medium may adhere to the surface of the conveying member. For this reason, it is necessary to remove and collect the ink and other deposits that have adhered to the conveying member. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device equipped with a cleaning brush, a flocculation tank, and a filter as a structure for removing and collecting deposits on the conveying member. The cleaning brush removes deposits from the conveying member by cleaning the conveying member using a cleaning liquid stored in a storage tank. The flocculation tank stores the cleaning liquid after cleaning in a state in which a flocculant has been added. The filter collects the flocs including the deposits on the conveying member by separating the flocs from the cleaning liquid stored in the flocculation tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-83155 Summary of the Invention

[0004] A printing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a conveying member having a conveying surface capable of supporting and conveying a print medium, a printing unit located above the conveying member and capable of printing an image on the print medium on the conveying surface, a liquid tank unit located below the conveying member and having a liquid tank capable of storing liquid and a transfer member capable of sending adhesions attached to the conveying surface to the liquid tank, and a recovery unit located below the liquid tank and having a circulation flow path portion forming a flow path through which the liquid stored in the liquid tank circulates through the liquid tank and a recovery member capable of recovering the adhesions contained in the liquid flowing through the circulation flow path portion. According to the printing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the workability of maintenance work for each member related to removing and recovering adhesions on the conveying member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus taken along line II-II of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between a transport unit, a liquid tank unit, and a recovery unit provided in the printing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] In the printing device, in order to maintain the effect of removing deposits from the transport member, for example, maintenance work needs to be performed on the cleaning brush, and in order to maintain the effect of collecting deposits, for example, maintenance work needs to be performed on the filter.

[0007] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 as described above, the cleaning brush is installed in the storage tank, and the filter is connected to the coagulation tank. Therefore, the maintenance work for the cleaning brush is performed around the storage tank, and the maintenance work for the filter is performed around the coagulation tank away from the storage tank. In this case, there is a problem that the workability of the maintenance work for each component related to removing and collecting the deposits on the transport member is poor.

[0008] Therefore, there is a demand for a printing apparatus that can improve the efficiency of maintenance work on each component related to removing and collecting deposits on the transport member.

[0009] A printing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that directional relationships will be described below using XY Cartesian coordinates that are mutually orthogonal on a horizontal plane. The vertical direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is defined as the Z direction.

[0010] The printing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is a device equipped with an ink unit capable of applying ink to a medium M, which is a wide and long printing medium. The printing device 1 prints an image by applying ink to the medium M by the ink unit. Examples of the printing device 1 include a screen printing device and an inkjet device. When the printing device 1 is a screen printing device, the ink unit includes a screen plate having a plurality of openings and a squeegee. In this case, the ink unit applies ink to the medium M through the openings of the screen plate by moving the ink along the screen plate in response to the movement of the squeegee. On the other hand, when the printing device 1 is an inkjet device, the ink unit applies ink to the medium M by ejecting ink onto the medium M. The case where the printing device 1 is an inkjet device will be described in detail below.

[0011] The inkjet printing device 1 is suitable for digital textile printing that prints images such as characters and patterns on a medium M, which is a cloth member made of a fabric such as a woven fabric or knitted fabric. Of course, the printing device 1 can also be used to print various images on printing media such as paper sheets and resin sheets.

[0012] The printing apparatus 1 includes a device frame 2, a transport unit 3, a printing unit 4, a liquid tank unit 5, and a recovery unit 6. The device frame 2 forms the framework of the printing apparatus 1. In the printing apparatus 1, the transport unit 3, the printing unit 4, the liquid tank unit 5, and the recovery unit 6 are attached to the device frame 2.

[0013] The transport unit 3 is a unit for transporting the medium M in the Y direction. The transport unit 3 has a transport member 31, a first transport roller 32, and a second transport roller 33.

[0014] The transport member 31 is a member capable of transporting the media M. In this embodiment, the transport member 31 is an endless belt having a width in the X direction and extending in the Y direction. The transport member 31, which is an endless belt, has a transport surface 311 capable of supporting and transporting the media M in an area facing upward on the surface of the transport member 31, and is capable of circular movement. The transport member 31 forms a transport path 3R for the media M along the transport surface 311. The transport path 3R has a width in the X direction and extends linearly in the Y direction. The transport member 31 moves circularly along the Y direction, so that the media M in contact with the transport surface 311 facing upward on the surface of the transport member 31 can be transported along the transport path 3R in a transport direction H1, which is a linear direction from one side of the Y direction to the other. An adhesive layer made of an adhesive that adheres the media M is formed on the surface of the transport member 31.

[0015] The first conveying roller 32 is a cylindrical roller extending in the X direction, and is a roller around which the conveying member 31 is wound at the most downstream position of the conveying path 3R. The first conveying roller 32 is rotated in response to the circular movement of the conveying member 31. The second conveying roller 33 is a cylindrical roller extending in the X direction, and is a roller around which the conveying member 31 is wound at the most upstream position of the conveying path 3R. The second conveying roller 33 is rotated by a driving motor (not shown) to move the conveying member 31 in a circular movement. The conveying member 31 is stretched by the first conveying roller 32 and the second conveying roller 33 so that a conveying surface 311 formed by an area facing upward and a non-conveying surface 312 formed by an area facing downward on the surface of the conveying member 31 are spread in the X direction and the Y direction and are horizontal. The transport member 31 moves in a circular motion in response to the rotational drive of the second transport roller 33, thereby being able to transport the medium M in the transport direction H1 along the transport path 3R.

[0016] The printing unit 4 is a unit for printing an image on the medium M on the transport surface 311 of the transport member 31. The printing unit 4 is a unit in which an inkjet head 42 having an ink head 421, a pretreatment liquid head 422, and a posttreatment liquid head 423 is mounted on a carriage 41. The printing unit 4 is located above the transport member 31. Specifically, the printing unit 4 is disposed to face from above the transport surface 311 that faces upward on the surface of the transport member 31 made of an endless belt. As shown in FIG. 2, an upstream end 4A of the printing unit 4 in the transport direction H1 along the transport surface 311 is located upstream of a central portion 311A ​​of the transport surface 311 in the transport direction H1. The upstream end 4A of the printing unit 4 may be located above the central portion 311A ​​of the transport surface 311.

[0017] The printing device 1 is a so-called serial printer that performs printing processing on the medium M using a serial printing method. In the printing device 1 using the serial printing method, a discharge operation in which various liquids are discharged from the inkjet head 42 while the carriage 41 is moved back and forth in the X direction that is perpendicular on a horizontal plane to the Y direction that is the transport direction H1 of the medium M, and a transport operation of the medium M by the transport member 31 are repeatedly performed. Another embodiment of the printing device 1 is a so-called line printer in which the position of the inkjet head 42 is fixed with respect to the medium M transported in the Y direction by the transport member 31.

[0018] A flat carriage guide 21 having a guide rail 211 extending in the X direction is attached to a position above the transport member 31 in the device frame 2. The carriage 41 is fixed to a timing belt 212 attached to the carriage guide 21 so as to be capable of circulating. The timing belt 212 is an endless belt, and is driven to circulate in the X direction while attached to the carriage guide 21. The carriage 41 is capable of reciprocating in the X direction along the carriage guide 21 while being guided by the guide rail 211 as the timing belt 212 circulates in the X direction.

[0019] Each of the ink head 421, the pre-treatment liquid head 422 and the post-treatment liquid head 423 included in the inkjet head 42 mounted on the carriage 41 can move relative to the media M in the X and Y directions as the media M is transported in the Y direction by the transport member 31 and the carriage 41 moves back and forth in the X direction.

[0020] The carriage 41 is equipped with a plurality of ink heads 421. Each of the ink heads 421 is an ink unit capable of depositing ink on the medium M on the transport member 31 by ejecting pigment ink containing a pigment as a coloring material. Each of the ink heads 421 includes a number of nozzles that eject ink droplets of the pigment ink by an ejection method such as a piezo method using a piezo element or a thermal method using a heating element, an ink flow path that guides the pigment ink to the nozzles, and a wiring board for controlling the ejection operation of the pigment ink. The ink heads 421 are mounted on the carriage 41 so as to be aligned in two rows in the X direction. Two ink heads 421 that eject pigment ink of the same color are mounted on the carriage 41 so as to be positioned at positions offset from each other in the X direction and the Y direction. As another embodiment, a configuration in which one ink head 421 is mounted on the carriage 41 can be mentioned.

[0021] The pretreatment liquid head 422 is mounted on the carriage 41 so as to be disposed upstream of the ink head 421 in the transport direction H1 of the medium M by the transport member 31. The pretreatment liquid head 422 is a pretreatment liquid unit capable of applying the pretreatment liquid to the medium M on the transport member 31 before the pigment ink by ejecting the pretreatment liquid. The pretreatment liquid head 422 includes a number of nozzles that eject the pretreatment liquid by an ejection method such as a piezo method using a piezo element or a thermal method using a heating element, a pretreatment liquid flow path that guides the pretreatment liquid to the nozzles, and a wiring board for controlling the ejection operation of the pretreatment liquid. The pretreatment liquid is a treatment liquid that comes into contact with the pigment ink in a non-dried state on the medium M, and is a non-coloring treatment liquid that does not develop color even when attached to the medium M. Note that the pretreatment liquid unit that applies the pretreatment liquid to the medium M on the transport member 31 is not limited to a head structure such as the pretreatment liquid head 422, and may be a spray type structure that sprays the pretreatment liquid.

[0022] The post-treatment liquid head 423 is mounted on the carriage 41 so as to be disposed downstream of the ink head 421 in the transport direction H1 of the medium M by the transport member 31. The post-treatment liquid head 423 is a post-treatment liquid unit capable of attaching the post-treatment liquid to the medium M on the transport member 31 after the pigment ink by ejecting the post-treatment liquid. The post-treatment liquid head 423 includes a number of nozzles that eject the post-treatment liquid by an ejection method such as a piezo method using a piezo element or a thermal method using a heating element, a post-treatment liquid flow path that guides the post-treatment liquid to the nozzles, and a wiring board for controlling the ejection operation of the post-treatment liquid. The post-treatment liquid is a treatment liquid that comes into contact with the pigment ink in a non-dried state on the medium M, and is a non-coloring treatment liquid that does not develop color even when attached to the medium M. The post-treatment liquid has a function of increasing the fixation of the pigment ink on the medium M. As such a post-treatment liquid, a treatment liquid containing silicone oil or the like can be used. The silicone oil is stably dispersed in the post-treatment liquid. The post-processing liquid unit that applies the post-processing liquid to the media M on the transport member 31 is not limited to a head structure such as the post-processing liquid head 423, and may have a spray type structure that sprays the post-processing liquid.

[0023] In the printing unit 4, a liquid ejection operation is performed in which a pretreatment liquid is ejected from the pretreatment liquid head 422, a pigment ink is ejected from the ink head 421, and, if necessary, a posttreatment liquid is ejected from the posttreatment liquid head 423 onto the medium M on the transport surface 311 of the transport member 31. This causes an image to be printed on the medium M. That is, on the medium M on the transport surface 311 of the transport member 31, the pretreatment liquid ejected from the pretreatment liquid head 422 adheres, and then the pigment ink ejected from the ink head 421 adheres, and then, if necessary, the posttreatment liquid ejected from the posttreatment liquid head 423 adheres.

[0024] The pretreatment liquid discharged from the pretreatment liquid head 422 is a treatment liquid containing water or an aqueous solvent consisting of water and an organic solvent, and an aggregate-forming component that is a component capable of forming an aggregate with a pigment. Examples of organic solvents that the pretreatment liquid can contain include glycols, alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, ethers, vegetable oils, and the like. The aggregate-forming component is soluble in the aqueous solvent. Examples of the aggregate-forming component include ionic resins that have different ionicity from the pigment contained in the pigment ink. Examples of the ionic resin include cationic resins that are positively charged. Examples of the cationic resin include ammonium-containing resins, amine-containing resins, polyallylamine, polyvinylamine, polyimine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethyleneimine, polyvinylpyridine, aminoacetalized polyvinyl alcohol, ionene polymers, polyvinylimidazole, polyvinylbenzylphosphonium, polyalkylallylammonium, polyamidine, polyamine sulfone, and the like. In the pretreatment liquid, the aggregate-forming components react with the pigment contained in the pigment ink to aggregate, thereby ensuring excellent color development.

[0025] The pigment ink ejected from the ink head 421 is an ink containing an aqueous medium, a pigment, and a binder resin. The aqueous medium is a medium containing water as a main component. Specific examples of the aqueous medium include water, or a mixture of water and a polar solvent. Examples of polar solvents contained in the aqueous medium include methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, and methyl ethyl ketone. The binder resin exists in a state of being dispersed in the aqueous medium as resin particles. The resin particles of the binder resin function as a binder that bonds the media M and the pigment. The volume median diameter of the resin particles of the binder resin is, for example, 50 nm or more and 150 nm or less. Examples of the binder resin include urethane resin, (meth)acrylic resin, styrene-(meth)acrylic resin, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, vinyl naphthalene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, and vinyl naphthalene-maleic acid copolymer. The pigment can be a dispersible pigment that exists dispersed in the aqueous medium as pigment particles. From the viewpoint of obtaining a pigment ink excellent in image density, hue, and color stability, the volume median diameter of the pigment is, for example, 50 nm or more and 150 nm or less. The pigment may be an anionic pigment. Examples of the anionic pigment include pigments having an anionic group such as a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, a phosphonic acid group, a phenylsulfonic acid group, and a phenylcarboxyl group. The anionic pigment causes electrical reaction and aggregation on the medium M with a cationic resin as an aggregate forming component contained in the pretreatment liquid discharged from the pretreatment liquid head 422, so that the binder resin contained in the pigment ink can be suppressed from penetrating into the medium M. This can reduce the binder resin penetrating into the gaps between fibers and binding the fibers together when the medium M is a cloth member. This can improve the texture, such as the feel of the cloth member.

[0026] In the printing device 1, when the medium M is, for example, a thin cloth material or a cloth material finished with a coarse weave or knit, at least the pigment ink, pre-treatment liquid, post-treatment liquid, and fibers that have fallen off the cloth material that have permeated the medium M during the liquid ejection operation onto the medium M by the printing unit 4 may adhere to the transport member 31. Adherent matter A such as pigment ink and post-treatment liquid present on the transport member 31 may cause the medium M to become dirty and may also cause the adhesive layer formed on the surface of the transport member 31 to reduce the adhesiveness of the medium M, thereby reducing the printing quality of the media M. For this reason, it is necessary to remove the adhering matter A present on the transport member 31 and to collect the adhering matter A.

[0027] The printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a liquid tank unit 5 as a unit that removes adhering matter A from the transport member 31, and a recovery unit 6 as a unit that recovers the adhering matter A. The liquid tank unit 5 and the recovery unit 6 will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 in addition to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0028] The liquid tank unit 5 is a unit for removing the adhering matter A present on the transport member 31 from the transport member 31. The liquid tank unit 5 is located below the transport member 31. Specifically, the liquid tank unit 5 is disposed so as to face from below the non-transport surface 312 that faces downward on the surface of the transport member 31 made of an endless belt. The liquid tank unit 5 is located below the transport member 31, downstream of the upstream end 4A of the printing unit 4 in the transport direction H1 along the transport surface 311. In this case, the liquid tank unit 5 is located below the transport member 31, downstream of the central portion 311A ​​of the transport surface 311 of the transport member 31 in the transport direction H1. Since the liquid tank unit 5 is located below the transport member 31, the adhering matter A can be efficiently removed from the transport member 31.

[0029] A pair of guide rails 22 extending in the Y direction along the conveying path 3R are attached to the device frame 2 at a position below the conveying member 31. The pair of guide rails 22 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the X direction. The liquid tank unit 5 is supported by the pair of guide rails 22 so as to be movable in the Y direction. This allows the liquid tank unit 5 to move along the conveying path 3R along the conveying surface 311 below the conveying member 31. Specifically, the liquid tank unit 5 is movable between a first position below the conveying member 31 and a second position below the conveying member 31 and downstream of the conveying member 31 in the conveying direction H1 of the conveying path 3R along the conveying surface 311. When the liquid tank unit 5 is arranged at the first position below the conveying member 31, the liquid tank unit 5 can remove the deposit A ​​present on the conveying member 31. On the other hand, when the liquid tank unit 5 is arranged at the second position downstream of the conveying member 31 on the conveying path 3R, the liquid tank unit 5 is located outside the device frame 2. In this case, an operator can easily perform maintenance work on the liquid vessel unit 5.

[0030] The liquid vessel unit 5 has a liquid vessel 51 , a transfer member 52 , and a blade 53 .

[0031] The liquid tank 51 is located below the conveying member 31 and is capable of storing the liquid L. The liquid L is, for example, water. The liquid tank 51 is located below the conveying member 31, downstream of the upstream end 4A of the printing unit 4 in the conveying direction H1 along the conveying surface 311. In this case, the liquid tank 51 is located below the conveying member 31, downstream of the central portion 311A ​​of the conveying surface 311 of the conveying member 31 in the conveying direction H1. The liquid tank 51 has a liquid tank body 51A located within the installation area of ​​the conveying member 31 when the conveying member 31 is viewed from above. In other words, the liquid tank 51 may have a portion located outside the installation area of ​​the conveying member 31 as long as it has the liquid tank body 51A located within the installation area of ​​the conveying member 31 when the conveying member 31 is viewed from above. In this embodiment, the entire liquid tank 51 is located within the installation area of ​​the conveying member 31 when the conveying member 31 is viewed from above. The liquid tank 51 has a flat bottom wall 511 extending in the X and Y directions, and a peripheral wall 512 extending upward from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 511. The liquid tank 51 is a box-shaped tank with an open upper side so that the bottom wall 511 faces the transport member 31. The width dimension of the liquid tank 51 in the X direction is approximately the same as the width dimension of the transport member 31 in the X direction.

[0032] A float sensor 54 is provided in the liquid tank 51. The float sensor 54 is a sensor for detecting the height position of the liquid level LS of the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 from the bottom wall 511. The liquid tank 51 is capable of storing the liquid L such that the liquid level LS of the liquid L is located in a range between a preset upper limit height position P1 and a preset lower limit height position P2.

[0033] A first flow path joint 5111 and a second flow path joint 5112 are connected to the bottom wall 511 of the liquid tank 51. A first connection flow path section 71 of a connection flow path member 7 in the recovery unit 6 described below is connected to the first flow path joint 5111. A second connection flow path section 72 of a connection flow path member 7 in the recovery unit 6 is connected to the second flow path joint 5112. As shown in FIG. 2, an upper end of the first flow path joint 5111 connected to the bottom wall 511 is located on the inner surface of the bottom wall 511. An upper end of the second flow path joint 5112 connected to the bottom wall 511 is located above an upper limit height position P1 of the liquid level LS of the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 from the bottom wall 511.

[0034] Further, a third flow path joint 5113 is connected to the bottom wall 511 of the liquid tank 51. A liquid supply member 73 is connected to the third flow path joint 5113. The liquid supply member 73 is a member that forms a flow path that supplies the liquid L to the liquid tank 51. The liquid supply member 73 is a flexible member. The liquid level LS of the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 drops due to evaporation of the liquid L, etc. When the float sensor 54 detects that the liquid level LS of the liquid L in the liquid tank 51 has reached the lower limit height position P2, the liquid L is supplied to the liquid tank 51 through the liquid supply member 73 so that the liquid level LS is located in the range between the upper limit height position P1 and the lower limit height position P2.

[0035] The transfer member 52 is a member capable of removing the adhering matter A from the conveying member 31 by sending the adhering matter A present on the conveying member 31 to the liquid tank 51. In this embodiment, the transfer member 52 is located in the liquid tank body 51A of the liquid tank 51, and is capable of sending the adhering matter A present on the conveying member 31 to the liquid tank 51 while using the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51. By being located in the liquid tank body 51A, the transfer member 52 is located within the installation area of ​​the conveying member 31 when the conveying member 31 is viewed from above. In the example shown in FIG. 2, two transfer members 52 are attached in the liquid tank body 51A of the liquid tank 51. The transfer member 52 has a cylindrical shaft portion 521 extending in the X direction and a brush portion 522 extending radially from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 521. The shaft portion 521 is rotatably supported by the peripheral wall 512 of the liquid tank 51. In the transfer member 52, the brush portion 522 is partially immersed in the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51, and is in contact with the downward-facing non-transport surface 312 on the surface of the transport member 31. In this state, the brush portion 522 rotates around the shaft portion 521 in response to the rotation of the shaft portion 521, thereby enabling the transfer member 522 to transfer the deposit A ​​present on the transport member 31 to the liquid tank 51 while using the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51. The transfer member 52 is capable of removing the deposit A ​​present on the transport member 31 from the transport member 31 by sending it to the liquid tank 51, thereby cleaning the transport member 31.

[0036] The blade 53 is a plate-shaped rubber member extending in the X direction and attached to the peripheral wall 512 of the liquid tank 51 so as to abut against the downward non-transport surface 312 on the surface of the transport member 31. In this embodiment, two blades 53 are attached to the peripheral wall 512. The blades 53 are capable of removing the liquid L remaining on the transport member 31 after the transfer member 52 cleans the transport member 31 in accordance with the circular movement of the transport member 31.

[0037] In the printing device 1, the deposits A on the conveying member 31, such as the pigment ink, the pre-treatment liquid, the post-treatment liquid, and fibers derived from the medium M, are sent to the liquid tank 51 by the transfer member 52. In this case, the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 contains the deposits A. The deposits A include aggregates generated on the conveying member 31 or in the liquid L, in addition to fibers derived from the medium M, the pigment ink, the pre-treatment liquid, and the post-treatment liquid. The aggregates are generated when the pigment ink comes into contact with the pre-treatment liquid, causing a reaction and aggregation between the pigment contained in the pigment ink and the aggregate-forming components contained in the pre-treatment liquid. The aggregates are generated by contact between the pigment ink used to print an image on the medium M and the pre-treatment liquid, even if a flocculant or the like is not added to the liquid L.

[0038] When the transfer member 52 immersed in the liquid L containing the deposits A such as fibers and aggregates originating from the media M comes into contact with the transport member 31, the deposits A in the liquid L may re-adhere to the transport member 31, making it difficult to accurately remove the deposits A from the transport member 31. To address this issue, the printing device 1 is provided with a recovery unit 6.

[0039] The recovery unit 6 is a unit capable of recovering adhering matter A contained in the liquid L flowing out of the liquid tank 51. The recovery unit 6 is located below the liquid tank 51. Specifically, the recovery unit 6 is disposed so as to face the bottom wall 511 of the liquid tank 51 from below. The recovery unit 6 is located below the liquid tank 51 and downstream of the upstream end 4A of the printing unit 4 in the transport direction H1 along the transport surface 311. In this case, the recovery unit 6 is located below the liquid tank 51 and downstream of the central portion 311A ​​of the transport surface 311 of the transport member 31 in the transport direction H1.

[0040] The recovery unit 6 includes a circulation channel portion 6 A, a strainer 62 , a filtration filter 63 , and a pump 64 .

[0041] The circulation flow path section 6A forms a flow path through which the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 circulates via the liquid tank 51. The circulation flow path section 6A has a recovery flow path member 61 and a connection flow path member .

[0042] The recovery flow path member 61 is a flow path member to which the strainer 62, the filtration filter 63, and the pump 64 are connected. The recovery flow path member 61 is located below the liquid tank 51, and forms a flow path through which the liquid L flowing out of the liquid tank 51 flows in a flow direction D1. The recovery flow path member 61 is located below the liquid tank 51, downstream of the upstream end 4A of the printing unit 4 in the transport direction H1 along the transport surface 311. In this case, the recovery flow path member 61 is located below the liquid tank 51, downstream of the central portion 311A ​​of the transport surface 311 of the transport member 31 in the transport direction H1.

[0043] The recovery flow path member 61 is located within the installation area of ​​the liquid tank 51 when the liquid tank 51 is viewed from above. In this embodiment, the entire recovery flow path member 61 is located within the installation area of ​​the liquid tank 51 when the liquid tank 51 is viewed from above.

[0044] The recovery flow path member 61, with the strainer 62, filtration filter 63, and pump 64 connected, extends linearly along the X direction, which is the width direction of the liquid tank 51. The recovery flow path member 61 is a member having enough rigidity to maintain a state in which it extends linearly. In this case, the flow direction D1 of the liquid L flowing through the recovery flow path member 61 is a linear direction along the X direction. Because the recovery flow path member 61 is a member that extends linearly, the pressure loss when the liquid L flows through the recovery flow path member 61 can be reduced compared to when the recovery flow path member 61 is bent, for example.

[0045] The connection flow path member 7 is a member that connects the recovery flow path member 61 and the liquid tank 51, and forms a circulation flow path for the liquid L that passes through the liquid tank 51 and the recovery flow path member 61. The connection flow path member 7 directly connects the liquid tank 51 and the recovery flow path member 61. That is, the connection flow path member 7 directly connects the liquid tank 51 and the recovery flow path member 61 without a storage section capable of storing the liquid L being interposed between the liquid tank 51 and the recovery flow path member 61. The connection flow path member 7 may have a curved portion when the liquid tank 51 and the recovery flow path member 61 are directly connected. Furthermore, the connection flow path member 7 may have a portion that is located outside the installation area of ​​the liquid tank 51 when the liquid tank 51 is viewed from above when the liquid tank 51 and the recovery flow path member 61 are directly connected. The liquid L that flows out of the liquid tank 51 flows through the circulation flow path section 6A including the recovery flow path member 61 and the connection flow path member 7 and is returned to the liquid tank 51. Since the recovery flow path member 61 is located within the installation area below the liquid tank 51, and the connection flow path member 7 directly connects the liquid tank 51 and the recovery flow path member 61, the length of the connection flow path member 7 can be made as short as possible. This makes it possible to reduce pressure loss when the liquid L circulates via the liquid tank 51, the recovery flow path member 61, and the connection flow path member 7.

[0046] The pump 64 is connected to the recovery flow path member 61. The pump 64 is a circulation pump capable of circulating the liquid L via the liquid tank 51, the recovery flow path member 61, and the connection flow path member 7. When the pump 64 is driven, the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 flows out of the liquid tank 51 and is circulated via the liquid tank 51, the recovery flow path member 61, and the connection flow path member 7.

[0047] The recovery channel member 61 includes a first recovery channel section 611 and a second recovery channel section 612 located downstream of the first recovery channel section 611 in the flow direction D1 of the liquid L. The first recovery channel section 611 and the second recovery channel section 612 are located within the installation area of ​​the liquid tank 51 when the liquid tank 51 is viewed from above. Each of the first recovery channel section 611 and the second recovery channel section 612 extends linearly in the X direction, which is the width direction of the liquid tank 51. In this case, the flow direction D1 of the liquid L flowing through each of the first recovery channel section 611 and the second recovery channel section 612 is a linear direction along the X direction. The first recovery channel section 611 has a first upstream end section 611A indicating the upstream end section in the flow direction D1, and a first downstream end section 611B indicating the downstream end section opposite to the first upstream end section 611A. Similarly, the second recovery channel section 612 has a second upstream end 612A that indicates the upstream end in the flow direction D1, and a second downstream end 612B that indicates the downstream end opposite the second upstream end 612A.

[0048] The pump 64 is connected between the first downstream end 611B of the first recovery channel section 611 and the second upstream end 612A of the second recovery channel section 612. Specifically, the pump 64 is connected to the first downstream end 611B of the first recovery channel section 611 via a first connection member 641, and is connected to the second upstream end 612A of the second recovery channel section 612 via a second connection member 642. The first connection member 641 is a flexible channel member that connects the pump 64 and the first recovery channel section 611. Similarly, the second connection member 642 is a flexible channel member that connects the pump 64 and the second recovery channel section 612.

[0049] The connection flow path member 7 includes a first connection flow path section 71 and a second connection flow path section 72. The first connection flow path section 71 directly connects a first upstream end section 611A of the first recovery flow path section 611 and a first flow path joint 5111 of the bottom wall 511 of the liquid tank 51. The second connection flow path section 72 directly connects a second downstream end section 612B of the second recovery flow path section 612 and a second flow path joint 5112 of the bottom wall 511 of the liquid tank 51.

[0050] In response to the drive of the pump 64, the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 flows through the first connection flow path section 71 connected to the first flow path joint 5111 of the bottom wall 511, and flows into the first recovery flow path section 611 through the first upstream end section 611A. Since the first connection flow path section 71 is connected to the first flow path joint 5111 of the bottom wall 511, the liquid L including the deposits A that may settle on the bottom wall 511 flows into the first recovery flow path section 611.

[0051] The liquid L that has flowed into the first recovery channel section 611 flows through the first recovery channel section 611 in flow direction D1, and is introduced into the pump 64 through the first downstream end section 611B. The liquid L that has passed through the pump 64 flows into the second recovery channel section 612 through the second upstream end section 612A. The liquid L that has flowed into the second recovery channel section 612 flows through the second recovery channel section 612 in flow direction D1. The liquid L that has passed through the second recovery channel section 612 flows through the second connection channel section 72 connected to the second channel joint 5112 of the bottom wall 511, and flows into the liquid tank 51 through the second channel joint 5112.

[0052] 3, the first recovery channel section 611 and the second recovery channel section 612 extend linearly in the X direction, which is the width direction of the liquid tank 51, and are spaced apart from each other in a direction intersecting the X direction. The first downstream end 611B of the first recovery channel section 611, which is connected to the pump 64, is located downstream in the flow direction D1 of the liquid L from the second upstream end 612A of the second recovery channel section 612. In this case, the distance along the flow direction D1 from the first upstream end 611A of the first recovery channel section 611 to the second downstream end 612B of the second recovery channel section 612 is shorter than in a structure in which the first recovery channel section 611 and the second recovery channel section 612 are arranged in a straight line with the pump 64 in between. For this reason, the length of the first connection flow path section 71 connecting the first upstream end 611A of the first recovery flow path section 611 and the liquid tank 51, and the length of the second connection flow path section 72 connecting the second downstream end 612B of the second recovery flow path section 612 and the liquid tank 51 can be made shorter than in a structure in which the first recovery flow path section 611 and the second recovery flow path section 612 are arranged in a straight line. This makes it possible to reduce pressure loss when the liquid L circulates via the liquid tank 51, the first connection flow path section 71, the first recovery flow path section 611, the second recovery flow path section 612, and the second connection flow path section 72.

[0053] As described above, the liquid tank unit 5 is movably supported by a pair of guide rails 22 assembled to the apparatus frame 2. This allows the liquid tank unit 5 to move along the transport path 3R along the transport surface 311 below the transport member 31, with the connection flow path member 7 connecting the liquid tank 51 and the recovery flow path member 61. As shown in FIG. 3, a first connecting member 221 extending in the X direction is fixed to the lower surface of the pair of guide rails 22. Furthermore, a second connecting member 222 extending in the X direction is fixed to the upstream end of the pair of guide rails 22 in the transport direction H1 along the transport path 3R. Each of the first connecting member 221 and the second connecting member 222 is a member that connects the pair of guide rails 22.

[0054] The recovery flow path member 61, which includes the first recovery flow path section 611 and the second recovery flow path section 612, is fixed to a first connecting member 221 that is fixed to a pair of guide rails 22. In this case, the liquid tank unit 5 is movable along the pair of guide rails 22, whereas the movement of the recovery unit 6 is restricted by fixing the recovery flow path member 61 to the first connecting member 221. Note that the recovery unit 6 may be movable integrally with the liquid tank unit 5. Furthermore, the recovery unit 6 may be movable separately from the liquid tank unit 5 between a position below the liquid tank 51 and a position downstream of the liquid tank 51 in the transport direction H1 along the transport path 3R.

[0055] The connection flow path member 7 including the first connection flow path section 71 and the second connection flow path section 72 is a flexible member. The length of the connection flow path member 7 is set to a movement allowance length that is long enough to allow movement of the liquid tank unit 5 in a state in which movement of the recovery unit 6 is restricted. In this case, the connection flow path member 7 is deformable in response to movement of the liquid tank unit 5 along the transport path 3R in a state in which the liquid tank 51 and the recovery flow path member 61 are directly connected. This allows movement of the liquid tank unit 5 in a state in which the liquid tank 51 and the recovery flow path member 61 are connected by the connection flow path member 7.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 3, the first connection flow path section 71 is in contact with the second coupling member 222 fixed to the pair of guide rails 22 in a state where the first upstream end 611A of the first recovery flow path section 611 and the first flow path joint 5111 of the liquid tank 51 are connected. The contact portion of the first connection flow path section 71 with the second coupling member 222 is fixed to the second coupling member 222 using a cable tie BM or the like. Similarly, the second connection flow path section 72 is in contact with the second coupling member 222 in a state where the second downstream end 612B of the second recovery flow path section 612 and the second flow path joint 5112 of the liquid tank 51 are connected. The contact portion of the second connection flow path section 72 with the second coupling member 222 is fixed to the second coupling member 222 using a cable tie BM or the like.

[0057] The strainer 62 is connected to the recovery passage member 61. Specifically, the strainer 62 is connected to the first recovery passage section 611. A passage through which the liquid L flows is formed inside the strainer 62. The strainer 62 is a recovery member capable of recovering fibers derived from the media M from the deposit A ​​contained in the liquid L flowing through the first recovery passage section 611 by filtering and separating them. The filtering accuracy of the strainer 62 is, for example, about 180 μm. Therefore, the strainer 62 can filter and separate the fibers from the deposit A ​​in the liquid L, but cannot separate aggregates having a volume median diameter smaller than the filtering accuracy. The volume median diameter of the aggregates in the deposit A ​​is larger than the volume median diameter of the pigment particles and smaller than the fibers derived from the media M. The volume median diameter of the aggregates has a wide distribution depending on the degree of reactive aggregation between the pigment in the pigment ink and the aggregate-forming component in the pretreatment liquid, and is, for example, 20 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

[0058] The filtration filter 63 is connected to the recovery passageway member 61. Specifically, the filtration filter 63 is connected to the second recovery passageway section 612. A passage through which the liquid L flows is formed inside the filtration filter 63. The filtration filter 63 is a recovery member capable of recovering aggregates of the deposits A contained in the liquid L flowing through the second recovery passageway section 612 by filtering and separating them.

[0059] In this embodiment, the filtration filter 63 has a first filter 631 and a second filter 632. For example, the first filter 631 and the second filter 632 can be a deep filtration type thread-wound filter in which a resin thread is wound around a core. The first filtration accuracy of the first filter 631 is set to, for example, about 50 μm, which is near the upper limit of the distribution of the volume median diameter of the aggregates to be collected. The second filtration accuracy of the second filter 632 is set to, for example, about 20 μm, which is higher than the first filtration accuracy, and is near the lower limit of the distribution of the volume median diameter of the aggregates to be collected. The first filter 631 and the second filter 632, which have different filtration accuracy, can accurately collect aggregates of the deposits A contained in the liquid L, and can suppress clogging of the filter compared to the case of using one filter.

[0060] As described above, in the printing device 1 according to this embodiment, the deposit A ​​contained in the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51 is collected by the strainer 62 and the filtration filter 63. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of deposit A ​​present in the liquid L stored in the liquid tank 51. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the ability of the liquid L to remove deposit A ​​on the conveying member 31.

[0061] In particular, when the pigment contained in the pigment ink is contained in the liquid L in the form of pigment particles, as described above, the pigment particles are minute particles with a very small particle diameter, and it is difficult to separate the pigment particles from the liquid L. When separating the pigment particles from the liquid L, for example, a method can be considered in which the liquid L containing the pigment particles is introduced into a specified storage tank and a flocculant or the like is added to the storage tank to flocculate the pigment particles. However, in this case, it is necessary to separately install a storage tank and a flow path for adding the flocculant, which necessitates a major design change of the printing device 1.

[0062] In contrast, the printing device 1 according to this embodiment utilizes the reactive aggregation of the pigment in the pigment ink used in printing an image on the medium M and the aggregate-forming components in the pretreatment liquid, and collects the aggregates generated by this reactive aggregation using the filtration filter 63. The filtration filter 63 can collect the aggregates more accurately than when they are collected in the form of pigment particles themselves.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a first pressure sensor 81, a second pressure sensor 82, and a third pressure sensor 83 are connected to the recovery passage member 61. The first pressure sensor 81 is connected to a portion upstream of the strainer 62 in the flow direction D1 of the liquid L in the first recovery passage section 611. The first pressure sensor 81 is a sensor that detects the pressure of the liquid L flowing into the strainer 62. The clogging state of the strainer 62 can be grasped based on the detection result of the first pressure sensor 81. The second pressure sensor 82 is connected to a portion upstream of the first filter 631 in the flow direction D1 of the liquid L in the second recovery passage section 612. The second pressure sensor 82 is a sensor that detects the pressure of the liquid L flowing into the first filter 631. The clogging state of the first filter 631 can be grasped based on the detection result of the second pressure sensor 82. The third pressure sensor 83 is connected to a portion upstream of the second filter 632 in the flow direction D1 of the liquid L in the second recovery passage section 612. The third pressure sensor 83 is a sensor that detects the pressure of the liquid L flowing into the second filter 632. Based on the detection result of the third pressure sensor 83, the clogging state of the second filter 632 can be grasped.

[0064] In the printing device 1, in order to maintain the effect of the liquid tank unit 5 in removing deposit A ​​from the transport member 31, it is necessary to perform maintenance work on the liquid tank unit 5. Maintenance work on the liquid tank unit 5 includes work such as cleaning the liquid tank 51 and the transfer member 52. When maintenance work is performed on the liquid tank unit 5, the liquid tank unit 5 is moved from a first position below the transport member 31 to a second position downstream of the transport member 31 in the transport direction H1 along the transport path 3R.

[0065] Furthermore, in the printing device 1, in order to maintain the collection effect of the collection unit 6 on the deposits A, it is necessary to perform maintenance work on the collection unit 6. Examples of maintenance work on the collection unit 6 include work to unclog the strainer 62 and work to replace the first filter 631 and the second filter 632 that have become clogged.

[0066] As described above, in the printing device 1, the liquid tank unit 5 is located below the transport member 31, and the recovery unit 6 is located below the liquid tank 51 of the liquid tank unit 5. In particular, in the liquid tank unit 5, the liquid tank 51 has a liquid tank body 51A that is located within the installation area of ​​the transport member 31 when the transport member 31 is viewed from above, and the transfer member 52 is located within this liquid tank body 51A. In addition, in the recovery unit 6, the recovery flow path member 61 of the circulation flow path section 6A is located within the installation area of ​​the liquid tank 51 when the liquid tank 51 is viewed from above, and a strainer 62 and a filtration filter 63 are connected to this recovery flow path member 61. In this case, each unit of the liquid tank unit 5 and the recovery unit 6 is installed in a state where it is concentrated within the area below the transport member 31 without moving out of the area below the transport member 31. This makes it possible to improve the workability of maintenance work on each unit of the liquid tank unit 5 and the recovery unit 6.

[0067] In this embodiment, the liquid tank unit 5 is located downstream of the upstream end 4A of the printing unit 4 in the transport direction H1, below the transport member 31. The recovery unit 6 is located downstream of the upstream end 4A of the printing unit 4 in the transport direction H1, below the liquid tank 51. In this case, the liquid tank unit 5 and the recovery unit 6 are installed in a concentrated state in an area downstream of the central part 311A ​​of the transport member 31 in the transport direction H1, below the transport member 31. In this case, maintenance work can be performed by accessing the liquid tank unit 5 and the recovery unit 6 from a position downstream of the transport member 31 in the transport direction H1 along the transport path 3R.

[0068] 1, the printing device 1 further includes a display unit 91 and a control unit 92. The display unit 91 is a display capable of displaying various types of information. The display of information on the display unit 91 is controlled by the control unit 92.

[0069] The control unit 92 is a personal computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage area such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory for storing processing programs, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a working area for the CPU. The control unit 92 performs a process of printing an image on the medium M based on control of the transport unit 3 and the printing unit 4 by the CPU executing the processing program stored in the HDD or flash memory. The control unit 92 also performs a process of transferring the deposit A ​​on the transport member 31 to the liquid tank 51 based on control of the transfer member 52 of the liquid tank unit 5. Furthermore, the control unit 92 performs a process of recovering the deposit A ​​during circulation of the liquid L via the liquid tank 51, the recovery flow path member 61, and the connection flow path member 7 based on control of the pump 64 of the recovery unit 6.

[0070] The control unit 92 may monitor the detection results of the first pressure sensor 81, the second pressure sensor 82, and the third pressure sensor 83 in controlling the pump 64 of the collection unit 6. When the detection results of the first pressure sensor 81, the second pressure sensor 82, and the third pressure sensor 83 exceed a predetermined threshold, the control unit 92 causes the display unit 91 to display collection maintenance information indicating information requesting the performance of maintenance work on the collection unit 6. The worker can perform maintenance work on the collection unit 6 by checking the collection maintenance information displayed on the display unit 91. At this time, the worker accesses the collection unit 6 located below the liquid tank 51 from a position downstream of the conveying member 31 in the conveying direction H1 along the conveying path 3R.

[0071] Control unit 92 may also periodically cause display unit 91 to display vat maintenance information indicating information requesting the performance of maintenance work on vat unit 5. The worker can perform maintenance work on vat unit 5 by checking the vat maintenance information displayed on display unit 91. At this time, the worker moves vat unit 5, which is located at a first position below transport member 31, to a second position that is downstream of transport member 31 in transport direction H1 along transport path 3R. This causes vat unit 5 to be pulled out to the outside of equipment frame 2. The worker can perform maintenance work on vat unit 5 in a state where it is pulled out to the outside of equipment frame 2.

[0072] Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to this and may take the following modified embodiments, for example.

[0073] In the liquid tank unit 5 for removing the deposit A ​​on the transport member 31 having an adhesive layer formed on the surface thereof, the liquid L, which is water stored in the liquid tank 51, may contain a surfactant. The surfactant has a function of enhancing the effect of removing the deposit A ​​on the transport member 31, particularly the silicone oil in the post-treatment liquid. Such a surfactant can be appropriately selected from anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, nonionic surfactants, etc., but in particular, nonionic surfactants can be suitably selected. Examples of nonionic surfactants include polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers and polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers.

[0074] In liquid tank unit 5, as brush portion 522 of transfer member 52 rotates, bubbles are generated in liquid L in liquid tank 51 due to the foaming action of the surfactant. The content of the surfactant in liquid L in liquid tank 51 is set within a range that can prevent bubbles generated in liquid L from overflowing from liquid tank 51. For example, the content of the surfactant can be set to 20 milliliters or less for 40 liters of liquid L. On the other hand, in order to maintain the cleaning effect, the content of the surfactant can be set to 0.02 milliliters or more for 40 liters of liquid L.

[0075] The surfactant contained in the liquid L is adsorbed to the silicone oil on the adhesive layer on the surface of the transport member 31, and the silicone oil is peeled off from the transport member 31 and dispersed in the liquid L. This enhances the effect of the liquid L containing the surfactant in removing the silicone oil on the transport member 31.

[0076] Furthermore, the liquid tank unit 5 may be configured to remove deposits A on the transport member 31 by the liquid L in which microbubbles are generated. In this case, when the liquid L is supplied to the liquid tank 51 through the liquid supply member 73 connected to the bottom wall 511 of the liquid tank 51, the liquid L in which microbubbles are generated by a microbubble generator is supplied to the liquid tank 51. Alternatively, the liquid L in which microbubbles are generated by the microbubble generator may be sprayed onto the transport member 31.

[0077] Microbubbles are minute bubbles with a diameter of about 1 μm to 100 μm. Since microbubbles have negatively charged surface potential characteristics, the microbubbles repel each other in the liquid L. Therefore, the microbubbles do not bond with each other in the liquid L, and a decrease in the bubble density is suppressed.

[0078] When the liquid L in which microbubbles are generated comes into contact with the transport member 31, the negatively charged microbubbles take in the attached matter A on the transport member 31, peeling the attached matter A off the transport member 31 and dispersing it in the liquid L. This enhances the effect of the liquid L in which microbubbles are generated to remove the attached matter A on the transport member 31. When the liquid L in which microbubbles are generated is sprayed onto the transport member 31, the physical impact of the sprayed liquid L on the transport member 31 enhances the effect of removing the attached matter A on the transport member 31.

[0079] Furthermore, a surfactant may be added to the liquid L and microbubbles may be generated in combination. That is, microbubbles may be generated by a microbubble generator using the liquid L containing a surfactant. In this case, the effect of removing the deposit A ​​on the transport member 31 is further enhanced by the synergistic effect of the surfactant and the microbubbles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 Printing device 3. Transport unit 31 Transporting member 4 Printing unit 5 Liquid tank unit 51 Liquid tank 52 Transfer member 6 Recovery Unit 6A Circulation flow path section 61 Recovery flow path member 611 First recovery flow path section 612 Second recovery flow path section 62 Strainer (recovery material) 63 Filtration filter (recovery material) 7 Connection flow path member 71 First connecting flow passage 72 Second connecting flow passage section

Claims

1. a conveying member having a conveying surface capable of supporting and conveying a print medium; a printing unit located above the transport member and capable of printing an image on the print medium on the transport surface; a liquid tank unit located below the conveying member and having a liquid tank capable of storing a liquid and a transfer member capable of sending matter adhering to the conveying surface to the liquid tank; a circulation flow path portion located below the liquid tank, forming a flow path through which the liquid stored in the liquid tank circulates via the liquid tank, and a recovery unit having a recovery member capable of recovering the deposit contained in the liquid flowing through the circulation flow path portion, the circulation flow path portion is located within an installation area of ​​the liquid tank when the liquid tank is viewed from above, and includes a recovery flow path member that extends linearly with the recovery member connected thereto, and a connection flow path member that directly connects the liquid tank and the recovery flow path member, the liquid tank unit is movable along the transport surface below the transport member with the connection flow path member connecting the liquid tank and the recovery flow path member.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid tank has a liquid tank body that is located within an installation area of ​​the transport member when the transport member is viewed from above.

3. The printing apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the transfer member is located within the fluid reservoir body.

4. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid tank unit is located downstream of an upstream end of the printing unit along the transport surface.

5. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recovery unit is located downstream of an upstream end of the printing unit along the transport surface.

6. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid tank unit is located downstream of a central portion of the transport surface of the transport member.

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the recovery unit is located downstream of a central portion of the transport surface of the transport member.

8. A printing device as described in claim 1, wherein the connecting flow path member directly connects the liquid tank and the recovery flow path member without a storage section for storing the liquid being interposed between the liquid tank and the recovery flow path member.

9. the recovery channel member includes a first recovery channel section, and a second recovery channel section located downstream of the first recovery channel section, the connection flow path member includes a first connection flow path portion that directly connects a first upstream end of the first recovery flow path portion and the liquid tank, and a second connection flow path portion that directly connects a second downstream end of the second recovery flow path portion and the liquid tank, 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the recovery unit has a pump connected between a first downstream end opposite the first upstream end of the first recovery flow path section and a second upstream end opposite the second downstream end of the second recovery flow path section, and capable of circulating the liquid via the liquid tank, the connection flow path member, and the recovery flow path member.

10. The printing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the first downstream end of the first recovery channel section is located downstream of the second upstream end of the second recovery channel section.

11. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid tank unit is movable between a first position below the transport member and a second position below the transport member and downstream of the transport member on the transport surface.

12. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the connection flow path member is a flexible member that is deformable in response to the movement of the liquid tank unit.

13. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the print medium is a cloth member made of a cloth material.

Images