Printing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a printing device with which a device size reduction is possible.　This printing device comprises: a table having a placement surface on which food is placed; and a carriage on which a head that discharges edible ink toward the food and an ink supply unit that supplies ink to the head are mounted and which is movable in a main scanning direction along the placement surface.

Description

printing device

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Known devices for forming letters, designs, etc. on food such as confectionery include inkjet printing devices that eject edible ink onto the food (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent No. 6888719

[0004] The above-mentioned printing apparatus is required to be compact.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to provide a printing device that can be made compact.

[0006] The printing device of the present invention comprises a table having a surface on which food is placed, a head that ejects edible ink toward the food, an ink supply unit that supplies ink to the head, and a carriage that is movable in the main scanning direction along the surface.

[0007] The printing device according to the present invention also comprises a table having a surface on which food is placed, a carriage equipped with a head that ejects edible ink toward the food and that is movable in a main scanning direction relative to the table, a guide bar that is arranged along the main scanning direction and that guides the carriage, and a carriage drive unit that is arranged on the rear side of the guide bar when the device is viewed from the front, in a range that does not protrude from the guide bar in the main scanning direction, and that drives the carriage.

[0008] a control unit that controls the operation of the table, the operation of the carriage, and the operation of the head, wherein the head has a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in the sub-scanning direction, and the nozzle row is arranged in a plurality of rows in the main scanning direction, and when the head starts to eject the ink onto a region to be printed on the medium, the control unit positions the head and the table so that ends of the nozzle row and the region to be printed on the side in the sub-scanning direction that face the movement direction of the table face each other, and ejects the ink onto the region to be printed from the nozzle facing the region to be printed while moving the head in the main scanning direction while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the table and the head in the sub-scanning direction.

[0009] According to the present invention, the device can be made compact.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a table unit. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of a cover member. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the configuration of an image forming unit. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a carriage as viewed from below on the front side. FIG. 8 is a view of a carriage as viewed from the front side. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example of an ink cartridge. FIG. 10 is a view of a carriage as viewed from the rear side. FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an example of the rear side of a carriage. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a carriage drive unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a carriage drive unit. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a carriage drive unit. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a carriage drive unit. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing operation in the printing device. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing operation in the printing device. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing device according to the present embodiment.

[0011] An embodiment of a printing device 100 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiment include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially identical.

[0012] In this embodiment, directions in the figures are described using an XYZ coordinate system. In this XYZ coordinate system, a plane parallel to the floor on which the printing device 100 is placed is referred to as the XY plane. In this XY plane, the main scanning direction, which is the direction of head movement, is referred to as the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X direction on the XY plane is referred to as the X direction. The direction perpendicular to the XY plane (height direction) is referred to as the Z direction. The X, Y, and Z directions are described assuming that the direction of the arrow in the figure is the + direction and the direction opposite to the arrow is the - direction. In this embodiment, the +X direction may be referred to as the front direction (front side), the -X direction as the rear direction (rear side), the +Y direction as the left (left side), the -Y direction as the right (right side), the +Z direction as the up (upper side), and the -Z direction as the down (lower side).

[0013] 1 to 3 are diagrams showing an example of a printing device 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 1 is a perspective view, Fig. 2 is a view with the housing 10 removed, and Fig. 3 is a front view. Fig. 2 also shows a state in which the carriage 31 is positioned at a standby position P1 and a state in which the carriage 31 is positioned at a travel end position P3.

[0014] The printing device 100 includes a housing 10, a table unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a maintenance unit 50, and a control unit CONT. The printing device 100 illustrated in this embodiment is an inkjet printing device that ejects edible ink onto food, for example, as a device for forming letters, designs, etc. on food such as confectionery. The control unit CONT comprehensively controls the operation of the table unit 20, the image forming unit 30, and the maintenance unit 50.

[0015] The housing 10 forms the exterior of the printing device 100. The housing 10 is provided with an operation unit 11. An operator uses the operation unit 11 to perform various operations on the printing device 100. The operation unit 11 is provided with operation members 12, a slot 13, etc. Examples of the operation members 12 include buttons and dials. The operation members 12 are formed so as to minimize the gap between the housing 10 and the operation members 12. The slot 13 is provided with a removable storage medium that stores data such as the number of prints made by the printing device 100. The housing 10 also has a lid 14. Opening the lid 14 enables access to a standby position P1, which will be described later. The housing 10 may also be provided with a cleaning window, for example, on at least one side surface in the Y direction.

[0016] The table unit 20 has a base 21, a table 22, and a table driving unit 23. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the table unit 20 according to this embodiment.

[0017] The base 21 supports the table 22 and the table driving unit 23. The base 21 has a guide unit 24 that guides the table 22. The guide unit 24 is formed along the X direction.

[0018] The table 22 has a top plate portion 25 and a top plate support portion 26. The top plate portion 25 is detachable from the top plate support portion 26. The top plate portion 25 is, for example, flat and includes a placement surface 25a. The placement surface 25a is positioned horizontally when the top plate portion 25 is attached to the top plate support portion 26, and media M is placed thereon. The media M is, for example, food such as confectionery. The placement surface 25a is formed flat to make it easy to remove foreign matter.

[0019] The top plate support portion 26 supports the top plate portion 25. The top plate support portion 26 has a plate-shaped portion 26a and a column-shaped portion 26b. The top plate portion 25 is disposed on the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 26a.

[0020] The plate-shaped portion 26a has positioning portions 26c on its upper surface. The positioning portions 26c may be protrusions or recesses formed on the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 26a. Examples of protrusions include the heads of screw portions provided on the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 26a. The positioning portions 26c are provided at the four corners of the plate-shaped portion 26a. The top plate portion 25 has cutout portions 25c formed in locations corresponding to the four corners. By arranging the four cutout portions 25c at positions corresponding to the four positioning portions 26c, horizontal movement of the top plate portion 25 is restricted.

[0021] The pillar portion 26b is connected to a cover member 29 that covers the table driving unit 23. With the pillar portion 26b connected to the cover member 29, the table 22 moves in the X direction along the guide portion 24 together with the table driving unit 23 and the cover member 29.

[0022] The table driving unit 23 moves the table 22 in the X and Z directions. The table driving unit 23 has an X driving system 23a that moves the table 22 in the X direction and a Y driving system 23b that moves the table 22 in the Y direction. The X driving system 23a and the Y driving system 23b each have a driving source such as a motor and a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the driving source to the table 22. An example of the transmission mechanism of the X driving system 23a is a belt mechanism. An example of the transmission mechanism of the Y driving system 23b is a cam mechanism. The configurations of the X driving system 23a and the Y driving system 23b are not limited to those described above and may be other configurations.

[0023] The cover member 29 is formed in a box shape to accommodate the table drive unit 23. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the cover member 29. As shown in FIG. 5, the cover member 29 has a frame portion 29a and a lid portion 29b. The frame portion 29a is formed in a rectangular frame shape to surround the sides (front, back, left, and right) of the table drive unit 23. The lid portion 29b is arranged to cover the frame portion 29a from above. The lid portion 29b is arranged to cover the outer periphery and upper side of the frame portion 29a. The lid portion 29b prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the cover member 29. The upper surface of the lid portion 29b is formed flat.

[0024] The front and rear surfaces of the frame portion 29a are provided with bottom bent pieces 29c that bend inward from the lower end. The bottom bent pieces 29c can more reliably prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the cover member 29.

[0025] The configuration of the cover member is not limited to the above-mentioned cover member 29, but may be, for example, a bellows-like configuration that is arranged above the table drive unit 23 and is extendable in the movement direction (X direction) of the table drive unit 23.

[0026] The image forming unit 30 has a carriage 31, a guide bar 32, and a carriage drive unit 33. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a part of the configuration of the image forming unit 30. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the carriage 31 as seen from below the front side. Fig. 8 is a view of the carriage 31 as seen from the front side.

[0027] The carriage 31 is formed in a box shape and is supported by a guide bar 32. The carriage 31 is movable in the Y direction along the guide bar 32. A head 34 and an ink supply unit are mounted on the carriage 31. A carriage cover 31a is provided on the front side of the carriage 31. The carriage cover 31a covers the part of the front side of the carriage 31 below the holder 37, i.e., the part where the head 34 is provided.

[0028] A plurality of heads 34 are provided on the bottom surface of the carriage 31. The plurality of heads 34 are arranged side by side in the Y direction, which is the main scanning direction. In this embodiment, for example, two heads 34 are arranged with a gap in the Y direction. These two heads 34 are arranged at positions offset in the X direction.

[0029] Each head 34 has a plurality of nozzles 34N. The plurality of nozzles 34N are arranged in a line in the X direction to form a nozzle row 34L. The nozzle rows 34L are arranged in a plurality of rows in the Y direction, for example, corresponding to the number of holders 37. Each head 34 ejects ink for image formation from the nozzles 34N onto the mounting surface 25a of the table 22. The head 34 ejects, as the ink, edible ink, for example, onto the mounting surface 25a. As such edible ink, black edible ink, colored edible ink, etc. can be used as appropriate depending on the color of the image, for example. The carriage 31 scans the mounting surface 25a in the Y direction, which is the main scanning direction, by moving over the mounting surface 25a.

[0030] The ink supply unit supplies ink to the head 34. The ink supply unit has an ink cartridge 36, a holder 37, a flow mechanism 38, and a guide member 39.

[0031] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the ink cartridge 36. As shown in Fig. 9, the ink cartridge 36 has a cartridge body 36a, an ink containing bag 36b, and an ink remaining amount detection plate 36c.

[0032] The cartridge body 36a has a storage section 36d and a lid section 36e. The storage section 36d stores the ink storage bag 36b. The storage section 36d is provided with a positioning section 36g that positions the supply port 36f of the ink storage bag 36b. The lid section 36e opens and closes the storage section 36d.

[0033] The ink containing bag 36b is detachably provided to the cartridge body 36a. The ink containing bag 36b contains ink and is deformed according to the amount of ink contained.

[0034] The ink level detection plate 36c is supported by, for example, the lid portion 36e of the cartridge body 36a. The ink level detection plate 36c is biased toward the bottom of the ink storage section 36d by the elastic member 36i. When the lid portion 36e is closed with the ink storage bag 36b housed in the cartridge body 36a, the elastic force of the elastic member 36i sandwiches the ink storage bag 36b between the bottom of the ink storage section 36d and the ink level detection plate 36c. As the amount of ink contained in the ink storage bag 36b decreases due to ink use, the ink level detection plate 36c moves toward the bottom of the ink storage section 36d in response to deformation (contraction) of the ink storage bag 36b. A portion of the ink level detection plate 36c protrudes outside the cartridge body 36a. This allows the position of the ink level detection plate 36c to be detected from outside the ink cartridge 36 when the ink cartridge 36 is attached to the holder 37.

[0035] The ink cartridge 36 is attached to the holder 37. The ink cartridge 36 is detachable from the holder 37. In this example, the ink cartridge 36 can be attached and detached from the holder 37 from its front side. The cartridge body 36a has a protrusion 36h on the upper front side when attached to the holder 37. The protrusion 36h is formed so as to protrude upward from the top of the cartridge body 36a. The protrusion 36h is a portion on which a user places their finger when removing the ink cartridge 36 attached to the holder 37.

[0036] The distribution mechanism 38 distributes ink from the ink cartridges 36 attached to the holders 37 to the heads 34. Figure 10 is a view of the carriage 31 as seen from the rear side. The distribution mechanism 38 has a valve 38a, a tube 38b, and a damper 38c. The valve 38a is disposed on the rear side of each holder 37. The valve 38a has a rectangular shape that is elongated in one direction as seen from the rear side. As seen from the rear side, the valve 38a is disposed in a state inclined with respect to the up-down direction. This arrangement allows the valves 38a to be disposed compactly in the left-right direction.

[0037] The tube 38b extends downward from the valve 38a. Ink flows through the tube 38b. The damper 38c is connected to the lower end of the tube 38b. The damper 38c supplies the ink that has passed through the tube 38b to the head 34.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the rear side of the carriage 31. The carriage 31 is omitted from the illustration in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the guide member 39 is disposed from the rear side of the carriage 31 to below the valve 38a (see FIGS. 8, 10, etc.). The guide member 39 has a locking portion 39a, a first flat portion 39b, a step portion 39c, a second flat portion 39d, and a support portion 39e. The locking portion 39a is locked to the housing of the airflow generating unit 54, which will be described later. The first flat portion 39b is disposed downward from the front end of the locking portion 39a. The first flat portion 39b is disposed along the YZ plane. The step portion 39c extends from the lower end of the first flat portion 39b toward the front side. The step portion 39c is disposed along the XY plane. The second flat portion 39d is disposed downward from the front end of the step portion 39c. The second flat surface 39d is disposed along the YZ plane. The support portion 39e extends from the lower end of the second flat surface 39d toward the front side. The guide member 39 guides ink leaking from the flow mechanism 38 to a predetermined position P4. An absorbing member 40 that absorbs ink is provided at the predetermined position P4. The absorbing member 40 has, for example, a rectangular plate shape and is supported by the support portion 39e of the guide member 39. The absorbing member 40 is disposed above the damper 38c. The absorbing member 40 is disposed along the XY plane. The absorbing member 40 has a slit 40a. The slit 40a is formed along the X direction from the front end of the absorbing member 40 to the center. Multiple slits 40a are disposed in the Y direction. The absorbing member 40 may be made of a porous material such as a sponge. The predetermined position P4 is disposed above the maintenance unit 50, which is disposed at the standby position P1 of the carriage 31. The maintenance unit 50 includes a wiping device 51 that wipes the nozzle surface of the head 34, a suction device 52 that sucks the nozzle surface of the head 34, and an absorbing member 53 (see FIG. 6) that absorbs ink removed from the head 34 by performing maintenance on the head 34. The absorbing member 53 of the maintenance unit 50 may be used as the absorbing member 40 described above. That is, the guide member 39 may be configured to guide ink to the absorbing member 53. The wiping device 51 may be provided with a replaceable wiper 51a that comes into contact with the head 34. The wiper 51a may also have a dismountable structure.

[0039] The carriage 31 also has an airflow generating unit 54 that generates an airflow in the main scanning direction. The airflow generating unit 54 is, for example, a fan. By having the airflow generating unit 54 generate an airflow in the main scanning direction, the direction of the airflow generated by the movement of the carriage 31 can be made to coincide with the direction of the airflow generated by the airflow generating unit 54, thereby efficiently cooling the carriage 31. Furthermore, by generating an airflow in the main scanning direction, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust that is generated as the carriage 31 moves from falling onto the table 22 side.

[0040] The guide bar 32 is provided above the table unit 20. The guide bar 32 is linearly provided along the main scanning direction, which is parallel to the Y-axis direction. The guide bar 32 guides the reciprocating movement of the carriage 31 along the main scanning direction. Guided by the guide bar 32, the carriage 31 moves from the left to the right in the main scanning direction between a standby position P1, a print cleaning position P2, and a movement end position P3. The standby position P1 is a position where the carriage 31 waits (the so-called home position). The print cleaning position P2 is a position above the table 22 where ink is ejected from the head 34 to perform printing. Furthermore, the print cleaning position P2 can also be used to clean various parts of the carriage 31. The movement end position P3 is the end position in the movement direction of the carriage 31 when it moves in the opposite direction from the standby position P1. In other words, the carriage 31 does not move to the other side (right side) of the movement end position P3.

[0041] The guide bar 32 is disposed so as to protrude on both sides of the table 22 in the main scanning direction. The amount by which the guide bar 32 protrudes from the table 22 in the main scanning direction (to the right: the movement end position P3 side) is shorter than the dimension of the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction (see FIG. 3). In other words, the position immediately after the head 34 clears the mounting surface 25a of the table 22 is the movement end position P3 of the carriage 31. This reduces the dimension of the printing device 100 in the Y direction.

[0042] The carriage drive unit 33 moves (scans) the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction relative to the guide bar 32. Figures 12 to 15 are diagrams showing an example of the carriage drive unit 33. Figure 12 is a view from the front left, Figure 13 is a view from the rear left, Figure 14 is a view from the front, and Figure 15 is a view from the left. The carriage drive unit 33 moves the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction, thereby moving the head 34 in the main scanning direction. The carriage drive unit 33 is arranged on the rear side of the guide bar 32. The carriage drive unit 33 is provided in a range along the main scanning direction that does not protrude from the guide bar 32, and drives the carriage 31.

[0043] The carriage drive unit 33 has a belt member 41, a rotation drive source 42, a guide member 43, a movable unit 44, and a cable chain 45. The carriage drive unit 33 is disposed on the rear side of the guide bar 32, and is provided in a range where the carriage drive unit 33 does not protrude from the guide bar 32 in the main scanning direction when viewed from the front.

[0044] The belt member 41 is endless and is provided so as to be stretched between pulleys 46 arranged on both the left and right sides. The belt member 41 is detachably connected to the carriage 31 at a connecting portion.

[0045] The rotary drive source 42 generates a rotary drive force that rotates the belt member 41. The rotary drive source 42 has an output shaft 42a that extends along the front-to-rear direction. The center of the output shaft 42a is the rotation axis AX. The rotation axis AX is parallel to the front-to-rear direction.

[0046] The guide member 43 is attached to the front surface of the guide bar 32. The guide member 43 can be made of a metal such as aluminum. The guide member 43 is disposed so as to extend linearly in the main scanning direction.

[0047] The movable part 44 is supported by the guide member 43 of the guide bar 32. The movable part 44 is fixed to the belt member 41. A plurality of movable parts 44, for example, two, are provided in the Y direction. The movable parts 44 are also connected to the carriage 31. The movable parts 44 are movable in the main scanning direction along the guide members 43. The carriage 31 is provided so as to be detachable from the movable part 44. For example, the carriage 31 is attached to the movable part 44 using a screw member or the like. In this case, the carriage 31 can be removed from the movable part 44 by removing the screw member. The operation of attaching and detaching the carriage 31 to and from the movable part 44 can be performed, for example, at the print cleaning position P2. Note that the print cleaning position P2 may be provided with a portion on which the removed carriage 31 can be hung.

[0048] In this embodiment, the belt member 41 and the movable parts 44 are disposed on both sides of the guide bar 32 in the front-to-rear direction. With this configuration, the force acting on the movable parts 44 is uniform across the two movable parts 44 when the carriage 31 accelerates and decelerates. This reduces wear between the guide member 43 and the movable parts 44, thereby extending the life of the guide member 43.

[0049] One longitudinal end of the cable chain 45 is connected to the carriage 31, and the other longitudinal end is connected to the guide bar 32. The cable chain 45 holds a cable extending from the carriage 31. The cable chain 45 deforms in accordance with the movement of the carriage 31. The cable chain 45 is curved and folded back in the vertical direction at the end on the other side (right side) opposite to one side (left side) in the main scanning direction. The cable chain 45 is provided with the other longitudinal side open.

[0050] A receiving member 55 is provided on the bottom of the guide bar 32. The receiving member 55 is positioned to protrude from the bottom of the guide bar 32 toward the front side. The receiving member 55 receives foreign matter from the carriage drive unit 33, such as dust generated by the rotation of the belt member 41, and prevents the foreign matter from falling toward the table 22. The receiving member 55 is provided on at least the range of the guide bar 32 over which the carriage 31 moves in the main scanning direction, that is, from the inner end (right side in the Y direction) of the standby position P1 to the inner end (left side in the Y direction) of the movement end position P3. The receiving member 55 may be provided over the entire range of the guide bar 32 in the main scanning direction. The receiving member 55 may be detachable. For example, a strip-shaped plate-like member may be placed on the receiving member 55, and the plate-like member may be replaced.

[0051] An area sensor 60 is also provided inside the housing 10. The area sensor 60 emits detection light in the main scanning direction and detects the media M placed on the placement surface 25a of the table 22 based on the detection results of the detection light. The area sensor 60 can detect, for example, the height of the media M relative to the placement surface 25a by emitting the detection light. The area sensor 60 can be located inside the housing 10, for example, on the rear side of the carriage 31. In this embodiment, the area sensor 60 has a detection light emitter and a light receiver located at the left end inside the housing 10, and emits the detection light horizontally toward the right, i.e., toward the placement surface 25a of the table 22. A reflector (not shown) that reflects the detection light is also located on the right side of the table 22. If the detection light emitted from the light emitter is not irradiated onto the media M on the placement surface 25a, the detection light passes over the placement surface 25a, is reflected by the reflector, and is received by the light receiver. On the other hand, when the detection light emitted from the light-emitting unit is irradiated onto the media M on the mounting surface 25a, the detection light does not reach the reflecting unit and is therefore not received by the light-receiving unit. Therefore, the height of the media M can be measured by determining the light-receiving unit's light reception results for each emission position (height) of the light-emitting unit.

[0052] Next, an example of the operation of the printing device 100 configured as described above will be described. Figures 16 and 17 are diagrams showing an example of the printing operation of the printing device 100. Figures 16 and 17 show an example of the operation of starting to eject ink onto the printing target area on the placement surface 25a of the table 22. As shown in Figure 16(A), a medium (food) M is placed on the placement surface 25a of the table 22. Note that the upper surface Ma of the medium M includes a target area R, which is the printing target area in this embodiment.

[0053] When the medium M is placed on the placement surface 25a, the control unit CONT aligns the rear edge of the head 34 with the rear edge of the medium M. When starting to eject ink onto a target region R on the medium M, the control unit CONT positions the head 34 and the table 22 so that the ends of the nozzle row 34L and the target region R that are on the side of the movement direction of the table 22 in the sub-scanning direction face each other, as shown in FIG.

[0054] Next, the control unit CONT moves the head 34 in the main scanning direction while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the table 22 and the head 34 in the sub-scanning direction, and causes the nozzles 34N facing the target region R to eject ink (FIG. 16B). The control unit CONT causes the nozzles 34N to eject ink without changing the relative positional relationship between the table 22 and the head 34 in the sub-scanning direction. This operation forms an ejection pattern Q1 at the rear end of the target region R.

[0055] After the ejection pattern Q1 is formed in the target area, the control unit CONT moves the table 22 a predetermined amount in the sub-scanning direction. Then, similarly, while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the table 22 and the head 34 in the sub-scanning direction, the head 34 is moved in the main scanning direction, and ink is ejected from the nozzles 34N onto the target area R (FIG. 16C). The control unit CONT moves the table 22 in stages by a predetermined amount, and with each movement of the table 22, ink is ejected onto the target area R from the nozzles 34N facing the target area R. Through this operation, an ejection pattern Q2 is formed from the rear end of the target area R toward the front side.

[0056] When the front edge of the head 34 reaches the front edge of the medium M due to the movement of the table 22, the control unit CONT ejects ink from the nozzles 34N onto the target region R while moving the head 34 in the main scanning direction while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the table 22 and the head 34 in the sub-scanning direction (FIG. 17A). The control unit CONT performs the ejection operation by controlling the nozzles 34N without changing the relative positional relationship between the table 22 and the head 34 in the sub-scanning direction. This operation forms an ejection pattern Q3 in a predetermined range spanning from the rear edge to the front edge of the target region R (FIG. 17B).

[0057] As described above, the printing device 100 according to this embodiment comprises a table 22 having a placement surface 25a on which food is placed, a head 34 that ejects edible ink toward the placement surface 25a, an ink supply unit that supplies ink to the head 34, and a carriage 31 that is movable in the main scanning direction along the placement surface 25a.

[0058] In the printing device 100 that forms letters and designs on food, the carriage 31 can be made compact by mounting the head 34 and the ink supply unit on the carriage 31.

[0059] In addition, in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the ink supply unit is disposed above the head 34 .

[0060] This configuration allows ink to be efficiently supplied from the ink supply unit to the head 34 .

[0061] In addition, in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the ink supply unit includes an ink cartridge 36 that contains ink, a holder 37 that allows the ink cartridge 36 to be attached and detached from its front side, and a distribution mechanism 38 that distributes ink from the ink cartridge 36 attached to the holder 37 to the head 34.

[0062] With this configuration, ink can be efficiently supplied from the ink supply section to the head 34 through the ink cartridge 36 , the holder 37 and the distribution mechanism 38 .

[0063] Furthermore, in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the circulation mechanism 38 has a valve 38a arranged on the rear side of the holder 37, the ink cartridges 36 and the holders 37 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction, and a valve 38a is provided for each holder 37. When viewed from the rear side, these are each rectangular in shape extending in one direction and are arranged at an angle relative to the up-down direction.

[0064] The valve 38a has a rectangular shape that extends in one direction and is arranged in a state inclined with respect to the vertical direction, so that the ink cartridges 36 and holders 37 can be arranged close together in the main scanning direction.

[0065] Furthermore, in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the ink cartridge 36 has a protrusion 36h that protrudes upward from the top of the front side when it is attached to the holder 37.

[0066] With this configuration, the worker can hook his / her finger or the like on the protrusion 36h to remove the ink cartridge 36, so that the ink cartridges 36 can be arranged close together on the left and right.

[0067] Furthermore, in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the ink cartridge 36 has a cartridge body 36a, an ink storage bag 36b that is detachably attached to the cartridge body 36a, stores ink, and deforms according to the amount of ink stored, and an ink remaining amount detection plate 36c that is supported by the cartridge body 36a, is pressed against the ink storage bag 36b, and moves according to the deformation of the ink storage bag 36b.

[0068] By configuring the ink containing bag 36b to be replaced with a different cartridge body 36a, the cost of the parts to be replaced can be reduced.

[0069] The printing device 100 according to this embodiment also includes a table 22 having a placement surface 25a on which food is placed, a carriage 31 that is equipped with a head 34 that ejects edible ink toward the placement surface 25a and that is movable in the main scanning direction relative to the table 22, a guide bar 32 that is arranged along the main scanning direction and guides the carriage 31, and a carriage drive unit 33 that is arranged on the back side of the guide bar 32, is provided in a range that does not protrude from the guide bar 32 in the main scanning direction, and drives the carriage 31.

[0070] In this configuration, the carriage drive unit 33 is provided in a range that does not protrude from the guide bar 32 in the main scanning direction, so the dimensions of the device in the main scanning direction can be reduced, thereby making the device more compact.

[0071] Furthermore, in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the carriage drive unit 33 is endless, is provided within a range that fits within the rear side of the guide bar 32 when viewed from the front, has a portion that extends along the main scanning direction, and has a belt member 41 connected to the carriage 31 and a rotary drive source 42 that rotates the belt member 41, and the rotary drive source 42 has a rotation axis AX that is arranged along the front-to-rear direction.

[0072] According to this configuration, the belt member 41 and the rotation drive source 42 can be efficiently arranged in a limited space.

[0073] Furthermore, in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the carriage 31 has an airflow generating unit 54 that generates an airflow in the main scanning direction.

[0074] By having the airflow generating unit 54 generate an airflow in the main scanning direction, it is possible to align the direction of the airflow generated by the movement of the carriage 31 with the direction of the airflow generated by the airflow generating unit 54. This makes it possible to efficiently cool the carriage 31 without increasing the size of the airflow generating unit 54.

[0075] In addition, the printing device 100 according to this embodiment is further equipped with a maintenance unit 50 that is positioned at a standby position P1 on one side of the position of the table 22 in the main scanning direction and performs maintenance on the head 34, and a cable chain 45 that has one end in the main scanning direction connected to the carriage 31 and the other end connected to the guide bar 32, holds a cable extending from the carriage 31, and deforms in accordance with the movement of the carriage 31, and the end of the cable chain 45 on the other side opposite the one side in the main scanning direction is curved and folded back in the vertical direction.

[0076] According to this configuration, the cable chain 45 can be efficiently arranged in accordance with the configuration of the carriage 31.

[0077] In addition, the guide bar 32 of the printing device 100 according to this embodiment is positioned so as to protrude on both sides of the table 22 in the main scanning direction, and the amount of protrusion of the guide bar 32 from the table 22 is longer on one side than on the other side, and the amount of protrusion on the other side is shorter than the dimension of the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction.

[0078] This configuration allows the size of the printing device 100 in the main scanning direction to be reduced.

[0079] The printing device 100 according to this embodiment includes a table 22 having a mounting surface 25a on which the medium M is placed and movable in a sub-scanning direction along the mounting surface 25a, a carriage 31 having a head 34 that ejects ink toward the mounting surface 25a and movable in a main scanning direction that is a direction along the mounting surface 25a and perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction, and a control unit CONT that controls the operation of the table 22, the operation of the carriage 31, and the operation of the head 34. The head 34 has a nozzle row 34L in which a plurality of nozzles 34N are arranged in the sub-scanning direction, and the nozzle row 3 4L are arranged in multiple rows in the main scanning direction, and when starting to eject ink onto a target area R on the medium M, the control unit CONT positions the head 34 and the table 22 so that the ends of the nozzle row 34L and the target area R facing the direction of movement of the table 22 in the sub-scanning direction face each other, and while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the table 22 and the head 34 in the sub-scanning direction, moves the head 34 in the main scanning direction, ejecting ink from the nozzle 34N facing the target area R toward the mounting surface 25a.

[0080] With this configuration, ink can be ejected onto the edge of the target area R without positioning the head 34 beyond the edge of the target area R in the movement direction, and the size of the printing device 100 in the sub-scanning direction can be reduced, thereby making the device more compact.

[0081] Furthermore, in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the control unit CONT ejects ink from the nozzle 34N furthest to the rear in the direction of movement, then moves the table 22 in stages in the direction of movement by a predetermined amount, and ejects ink from the nozzle 34N facing the target area R toward the placement surface 25a while moving the head 34 in the main scanning direction with each movement of the table 22.

[0082] After ejecting ink onto the edge of the target area R, the table 22 is moved in stages by a predetermined amount in the movement direction, and the head 34 is moved in the main scanning direction with each movement of the table 22, thereby ejecting ink onto the mounting surface 25a from the nozzle 34N facing the target area R, thereby enabling an efficient ejection operation.

[0083] In the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, when the head 34 and the table 22 are positioned so that the rear end of the target area R in the movement direction faces the rear end of the nozzle row 34L in the same direction, the control unit CONT moves the head 34 in the main scanning direction while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the table 22 and the head 34 in the sub-scanning direction, and ejects ink from the nozzle 34N facing the target area R toward the mounting surface 25a.

[0084] With this configuration, when the ejection operation is completed, ejection can be performed on the edge of the target area R without positioning the head 34 beyond the rear end of the target area R in the movement direction, and the size of the printing device 100 in the sub-scanning direction can be reduced, thereby making it possible to make the device more compact.

[0085] In addition, the printing device 100 of this embodiment further includes an area sensor 60 that emits detection light in the main scanning direction and detects the media M placed on the table 22 based on the detection results of the detection light, and the area sensor 60 is arranged on the back side of the carriage 31.

[0086] With this configuration, the area sensor 60 can detect the media M even when the ejection operation is started from a state in which the head 34 and the table 22 are positioned so that the ends of the nozzle row 34L and the target area R facing the direction of movement of the table 22 in the sub-scanning direction face each other.

[0087] Furthermore, in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the medium M is a food product, and the ink is an edible ink.

[0088] According to this aspect, it is possible to make the device that ejects edible ink onto food compact.

[0089] Furthermore, the printing device 100 according to this embodiment includes a table 22 having a placement surface 25a on which food is placed, a carriage 31 that is equipped with a head 34 that ejects edible ink toward the placement surface 25a and is movable in the main scanning direction relative to the table 22, a guide bar 32 that is arranged along the main scanning direction and guides the carriage 31, a movable part 44 that is movable along the guide bar 32 and connected to the carriage 31, and a carriage drive unit 33 that has a rotational drive source 42 that moves the movable part 44 in the main scanning direction, and the carriage 31 is detachable from the movable part 44.

[0090] According to this configuration, since the carriage 31 is detachable from the movable part 44, maintenance of the carriage 31 and the head 34 mounted on the carriage 31 can be easily performed.

[0091] Furthermore, in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the carriage 31 is equipped with an ink supply unit above the head 34 that supplies ink to the head 34, and the ink supply unit has an ink cartridge 36 that contains ink, a holder 37 that allows the ink cartridge 36 to be attached and detached from the front side, and a distribution mechanism 38 that distributes ink from the ink cartridge 36 attached to the holder 37 to the head 34.

[0092] According to this configuration, the ink supply unit is mounted above the head 34 on the carriage 31, making it possible to easily perform maintenance on the ink cartridge 36, holder 37, and circulation mechanism 38.

[0093] Furthermore, in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the circulation mechanism 38 has a valve 38a arranged on the rear side of the holder 37, a tube 38b extending downward from the valve 38a, and a damper 38c connected to the lower end of the tube 38b and supplying the ink that has passed through the tube 38b to the head 34, and further includes a guide member 39 that guides ink that has leaked from the circulation mechanism 38 to a predetermined position.

[0094] According to this configuration, ink leaking from the circulation mechanism 38 can be guided to a predetermined position by the guide member 39, making cleaning work easy.

[0095] Furthermore, an absorbing member 40 that absorbs ink is provided at a predetermined position in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0096] According to this configuration, cleaning of a predetermined position can be performed by replacing the absorbing member 40, so cleaning can be performed efficiently.

[0097] The printing device 100 according to this embodiment further includes a receiving member 55 that is disposed so as to protrude from the bottom of the guide bar 32 toward the front side and that receives foreign matter from the carriage driving unit 33 .

[0098] According to this configuration, the receiving member 55 can prevent foreign matter from the carriage 31 from falling onto the table 22, thereby reducing the effort required to clean the table 22.

[0099] Furthermore, in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the receiving member 55 is provided so as to cover at least the range in which the carriage 31 moves in the main scanning direction.

[0100] This configuration can efficiently prevent foreign objects from falling within the range in which the carriage 31 moves.

[0101] Furthermore, the receiving member 55 of the printing device 100 according to this embodiment is provided detachably.

[0102] According to this configuration, by replacing the receiving member 55, the receiving member 55 can be easily cleaned.

[0103] Furthermore, the printing device 100 according to this embodiment includes a table 22 having a mounting surface 25a on which media is placed, and a carriage 31 that is equipped with a head 34 that ejects edible ink toward the mounting surface 25a and is movable in the main scanning direction relative to the table 22, and the table 22 has a top plate portion 25 that includes the mounting surface 25a and a top plate support portion 26 that supports the top plate portion 25, and the top plate portion 25 is detachably attached to the top plate support portion 26.

[0104] According to this configuration, maintenance such as cleaning of the top plate portion 25 can be easily performed by replacing the top plate portion 25 .

[0105] Furthermore, the top board support portion 26 of the printing device 100 according to this embodiment has a positioning portion 26c that determines the position of the top board portion 25 in the horizontal direction.

[0106] According to this configuration, the top plate portion 25 can be positioned with high precision relative to the top plate support portion 26 .

[0107] In addition, the printing device 100 according to this embodiment further includes a table drive unit 23 that is disposed below the table 22 and moves the table 22 in a sub-scanning direction that intersects the main scanning direction, and a cover member 29 that is disposed between the table 22 and the table drive unit 23 and covers the table drive unit 23.

[0108] According to this configuration, the table driving unit 23 is covered by the cover member 29, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the table driving unit 23 side.

[0109] In the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the cover member 29 is formed in a box shape that houses the table driving unit 23 .

[0110] This configuration can more reliably prevent foreign matter from entering the table driving unit 23.

[0111] Furthermore, the cover member 29 of this embodiment is formed with a flat upper surface.

[0112] This configuration makes it easy to clean the top surface of the cover member 29 .

[0113] The cover member 29 may be disposed above the table driving unit 23 and may be an extending member that extends in the direction of movement of the table 22 as the table 22 moves.

[0114] This configuration also makes it possible to more reliably prevent foreign matter from entering the table driving unit 23.

[0115] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the external shape, dimensions, etc. of the printing device 100 can be modified as appropriate. FIG. 18 is a front view showing the configuration of a printing device according to a modified example. The printing device 100A shown in FIG. 18 includes a housing 10A, a table unit 20A, an image forming unit 30A, a maintenance unit 50A, and a control unit CONT. As in the printing device 100A illustrated in this modified example, the dimensions in the main scanning direction (left-right direction, Y direction) relative to the table 22 may be the same on both the left and right sides.

[0116] M...media, P1...standby position, P2...printing and cleaning position, R...target area, Q1, Q2, Q3...ejection pattern, P3...movement end position, P4...predetermined position, AX...rotation axis, Ma, 29d...top surface, CONT...control unit, 10, 10A...housing, 11...operation unit, 12...operation member, 13...slot, 14, 29b, 36e...lid unit, 20, 20A...table unit, 21...base, 22...table, 23...table driving unit, 23a...X drive system, 23b...Y drive system, 24...guide portion, 25...top plate portion, 25a...mounting surface, 25c...notch portion, 26...top plate support portion, 26a...plate-shaped portion, 26b...columnar portion, 26c, 36g...positioning portion, 29...cover member, 29a...frame portion, 29c...bottom bent piece, 30, 30A...image forming portion, 31...carriage, 31a...carriage cover, 32...guide bar, 33...carriage drive portion, 34...head 36a... nozzle row, 34N... nozzle, 36... ink cartridge, 36a... cartridge body, 36b... ink storage bag, 36c... ink remaining amount detection plate, 36d... storage section, 36f... supply port, 36h... protrusion, 36i... elastic member, 37... holder, 38... distribution mechanism, 38a... valve, 38b... tube, 38c... damper, 39... guide member, 39a... latching section, 39b... first flat section, 39c... step section, 39d ...second flat portion, 39e...support portion, 40, 53...absorption member, 40a...slit, 41...belt member, 42...rotational drive source, 42a...output shaft, 43...guide member, 44...movable portion, 45...cable chain, 46...pulley, 50, 50A...maintenance portion, 51...wiping device, 51a...wiper, 52...suction device, 54...airflow generating portion, 55...receiving member, 60...area sensor, 100, 100A...printing device

Claims

1. A printing device comprising: a table having a placement surface on which food is placed; a carriage that is equipped with a head that ejects edible ink toward the food and an ink supply unit that supplies ink to the head, and that is movable in a main scanning direction along the placement surface.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the ink supply unit is disposed above the head.

3. A printing device as described in claim 2, wherein the ink supply unit comprises: an ink cartridge that contains the ink; a holder that allows the ink cartridge to be attached and detached from the front side of the device; and a distribution mechanism that distributes the ink from the ink cartridge attached to the holder to the head.

4. A printing device as described in claim 3, wherein the circulation mechanism has a valve arranged on the rear side of the holder, the ink cartridges and the holders are arranged in a line in the left-right direction, and the valves are provided for each holder, each having a rectangular shape extending in one direction when viewed from the rear side of the holder, and are arranged inclined relative to the up-down direction.

5. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein said ink cartridge has a protrusion that protrudes upward from the upper front surface thereof when attached to said holder.

6. A printing device as described in claim 3, wherein the ink cartridge comprises: a cartridge body; an ink containing bag which is detachably attached to the cartridge body, contains the ink, and deforms in accordance with the amount of ink contained; and an ink remaining amount detection plate which is supported by the cartridge body, is pressed against the ink containing bag, and moves in accordance with the deformation of the ink containing bag.

7. A printing device comprising: a table having a surface on which food is placed; a carriage equipped with a head that ejects edible ink toward the food and movable in a main scanning direction relative to the table; a guide bar arranged along the main scanning direction to guide the carriage; and a carriage drive unit arranged on the rear side of the guide bar when the device is viewed from the front, in a range not protruding from the guide bar in the main scanning direction, and for driving the carriage.

8. The printing device described in claim 7, wherein the carriage drive unit is endless, is arranged within an area that fits within the rear side of the guide bar when the device is viewed from the front, has a portion extending along the main scanning direction, and has a belt member connected to the carriage and a rotary drive source that rotates the belt member, the rotary drive source having a rotary shaft arranged along the front-to-rear direction.

9. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein the carriage has an airflow generating section that generates an airflow in the main scanning direction.

10. A printing device as described in claim 7, further comprising: a maintenance unit that is arranged at a standby position on one side of the position of the table in the main scanning direction and performs maintenance on the head; and a cable chain having one end in the longitudinal direction connected to the carriage and the other end connected to the guide bar, holding a cable extending from the carriage and deforming in accordance with movement of the carriage, wherein the end of the cable chain on the other side opposite to the one side in the main scanning direction is curved and folded back in the vertical direction.

11. A printing device as described in claim 10, wherein the guide bar is arranged protruding on both sides of the table in the main scanning direction, and the amount of protrusion of the guide bar from the table to the other side is shorter than the dimension of the carriage in the main scanning direction.

12. A printing device comprising: a table having a mounting surface for placing a medium and movable in a sub-scanning direction along the mounting surface; a carriage carrying a head for ejecting ink toward the medium and movable in a main scanning direction along the mounting surface and intersecting the sub-scanning direction; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the table, the operation of the carriage, and the operation of the head, wherein the head has a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in the sub-scanning direction, and the nozzle row is configured to be arranged in a plurality of rows in the main scanning direction, and when ejection of the ink onto a printing area on the media is started, the control unit positions the head and the table so that ends of the nozzle row and the printing area on the side of the table movement direction in the sub-scanning direction face each other, and ejects the ink onto the printing area from a nozzle facing the printing area while moving the head in the main scanning direction while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the table and the head in the sub-scanning direction.

13. The printing device described in claim 12, wherein the control unit ejects the ink from the nozzle furthest from the rear in the direction of movement, then moves the table in stages in the direction of movement by a predetermined amount, and ejects the ink onto the area to be printed from the nozzle facing the area to be printed while moving the head in the main scanning direction with each movement of the table.

14. A printing device as described in claim 13, wherein when the head and the table are positioned so that the rear end of the nozzle row in the movement direction faces the rear end of the area to be printed in the movement direction, the control unit ejects the ink onto the area to be printed from the nozzle facing the area to be printed while moving the head in the main scanning direction while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the table and the head in the sub-scanning direction.

15. A printing device as described in claim 12, further comprising an area sensor that emits detection light in the main scanning direction and detects the media placed on the table based on the detection result of the detection light, wherein the area sensor is positioned on the rear side of the carriage when the device is viewed from the front.

16. The printing device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the medium is a food product, and the ink is an edible ink.

Images