Sheet material cutting device, coating device, and printing apparatus

A sheet material cutting device includes a cutting blade and a guard member. The cutting blade is displaceably disposed and cuts a web-shaped sheet material. The guard member faces the sheet material and has a slit through which the cutting blade passes when the cutting blade is displaced to a cutting position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-228407, filed on Dec. 18, 2019, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a sheet material cutting device, a coating device, and a printing apparatus.

Related Art

Generally, there is a printing apparatus including a plurality of cutting units that are arranged at a plurality of places along a conveyance path of a recording medium and cut the recording medium based on a conveyance state of the recording medium.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a sheet material cutting device that includes a cutting blade and a guard member. The cutting blade is displaceably disposed and cuts a web-shaped sheet material. The guard member faces the sheet material and has a slit through which the cutting blade passes when the cutting blade is displaced to a cutting position.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a coating device that includes a coater to coat a coating liquid on the sheet material and the sheet material cutting device.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing apparatus that includes the coating device.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing apparatus that includes the sheet material cutting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First, a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIG.1.FIG.1is a schematic illustration of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

The printing apparatus1includes an unwinding device10, a coating device20, a first discharge device50A, a first drying device60A, a second discharge device50B, a second drying device60B, and a winding device90.

The unwinding device10is a carry-in unit to unwind and carry in a sheet material P, which is a web such as continuous form sheet, from an original winding roller11. The coating device20is a pre-treatment unit to apply treatment liquid as coating liquid onto both faces of the sheet material P conveyed from the unwinding device10.

The first discharge device50A is a printing unit including a first discharger to discharge and print liquid containing colorant onto one face of the sheet material P, both faces of which are coated with the treatment liquid by the coating device20. The first drying device60A is a drier to heat and dry the sheet material P onto which the liquid is discharged by the first discharge device50A.

The second discharge device50B is a printing unit including a second discharger to discharge and print liquid containing colorant onto the other face of the sheet material P heated in the first drying device60A. The second drying device60B is a drier to heat and dry the sheet material P onto which the liquid is discharged by the second discharge device50B.

The winding device90is a carry-out unit to wind the sheet material P, which has been dried by passing through the second drying device60B, onto the winding roller91.

Next, an example of the first discharge device50A and the second discharge device50B is described with reference toFIG.2.FIG.2is an illustration of an example of the discharger of each of the above-described discharge devices.

Each of the first discharge device50A and the second discharge device50B includes a discharger500. The discharger500of the first discharge device50A is referred to as a first discharger, and the discharger500of the second discharge device50B is referred to as a second discharger.

In the discharger500, full-line type head arrays551A,551B,551C, and551D for four colors (hereinafter referred to as “head array551” when colors are not distinguished), are arranged from the upstream side in a conveyance direction of a sheet material P.

Each head array551is a liquid discharger and discharges liquid of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), or yellow (Y) to the sheet material P to be conveyed. Note that the type and number of color are not limited to the above-described four colors.

The head array551includes, for example, liquid discharge heads (which are also simply referred to as “heads”)100arranged in a zigzag manner on a base member552. However, the arrangement of heads is not limited to such arrangement.

Next, an example of the coating device is described with reference toFIGS.3and4.FIG.3is an illustration of the coating device, andFIG.4is an illustration of a coater of the coating device.

The coating device20as an example of the coating device includes a first coater21A, a second coater21B, a plurality of guide rollers23, a sheet material cutting device400, and so forth. Furthermore, the coating device20has an S-shaped conveyance path25immediately upstream from an outlet in the conveyance direction of the sheet material P to enhance the running stability of the sheet material P.

The first coater21A is a treatment liquid applicator to apply treatment liquid201as coating liquid onto one face (front face) of the sheet material P being conveyed. The second coater21B is a treatment liquid applicator to apply the treatment liquid201onto the other face (back face) of the sheet material P.

Each of the first coater21A and the second coater21B are configured with a coater200illustrated inFIG.4.

The coater200includes a treatment liquid container202to contain the treatment liquid201. The treatment liquid container202may be integrated with a case member203that is a housing of the coater200.

The coater200includes a transfer roller205and a coating roller206. The transfer roller205is accommodated in the treatment liquid container202to scoop the treatment liquid201. The coating roller206applies the treatment liquid201to the sheet material P after the treatment liquid201is transferred onto the coating roller206by the transfer roller205. The transfer roller205is rotated at a speed slightly slower than the conveyance speed of the sheet material P.

Further, the coater200includes a pressure roller207facing the coating roller206to press the sheet material P and a pressure adjusting device208to adjust the pressing pressure of the pressure roller207.

In the coater200, the transfer roller205transfers the treatment liquid201onto the surface of the coating roller206in the shape of a thin film.

Then, the coating roller206is pressed against the rotating pressure roller207and the coating roller206is rotated. At this time, the coater200conveys the sheet material P into a gap between the coating roller206and the pressure roller207to apply the treatment liquid201onto the surface of the sheet material P.

The pressure adjusting device208controls the nip pressure arising when the treatment liquid201is applied to the sheet material P (i.e., the pressure acting at a position where the coating roller206and the pressure roller207are in contact with each other). The applied amount (application amount, film thickness, liquid amount, adhesion amount, dry adhesion amount, etc.) of the treatment liquid201can be adjusted by changing the nip pressure using the pressure adjusting device208.

Further, the applied amount of the treatment liquid201can be also controlled by changing the rotational speeds of the coating roller206and the pressure roller207.

A liquid of which the agglutination reaction with ink does not change significantly in either a wet state or a dry state, is used as the treatment liquid201. For example, a pre-coating liquid as described in JP-2019-019315-A may be cited.

Next, an example of the drier constituting each of the first drying device and the second drying device is described with reference toFIG.5.FIG.5is an illustration of the drier of each of the above-described drying devices. Note that, inFIG.5, the rotating bodies having the same function are indicated with the same hatch or dot pattern, and the reference numerals are omitted.

Each of the first drying device60A and the second drying device60B includes a drier600. The drier600of the first drying device60A is referred to as a first drier, and the drier600of the second drying device60B is referred to as a second drier.

The drier600includes a plurality of heating rollers611and a heating drum612to heat a sheet material P in contact with the sheet material P. Further, the drier600includes a plurality of guide rollers613to guide the sheet material P so that the sheet material P contacts necessary heating rollers611among the plurality of heating rollers611.

A heating conveyance path (or a conveyance path) for heating the sheet material P is configured by the plurality of heating rollers611, the heating drum612, and the plurality of guide rollers613. The sheet material P is conveyed while contacting the outer peripheral side of the plurality of heating rollers611arranged in an arc shape on the upstream side of the heating drum612in the conveyance direction of the sheet material P. Then, the sheet material P passes through the heating drum612, and is conveyed by the guide roller613while contacting the inner peripheral side of the plurality of heating rollers611.

In other words, in the present embodiment, the sheet material P is brought into contact with the heating roller611from different directions and heated by the heating rollers611.

Further, in the drier600, a plurality of non-contact heating units616that heats the sheet material P from a liquid applied face side are arranged on the outer peripheral side of the arrangement of the plurality of heating rollers611, and a plurality of non-contact heating units616are also arranged around the heating drum612. The non-contact heating unit616can be configured with, for example, an air blowout unit or an infrared (IR) heater. Note that, in the present embodiment, “liquid applied face” refers to a face on which liquid has been applied by discharge of the discharger500of the first discharge device50A or the second discharge device50B.

Further, the drier600includes a plurality of guide rollers617that guides the sheet material P to carry the sheet P into and out the drier600.

As the flow of a drying process in the drier600thus configured, the non-contact heating units616, for example, blow air to the liquid applied face to heat the liquid applied face, while the opposite face of the liquid applied face of the sheet material P is brought into contact with and heated by the heating rollers611.

Then, the non-contact heating units616, for example, blow air to the liquid applied face to heat the liquid applied face, while the opposite face of the liquid applied face of the sheet material P is brought into contact with and heated by the heating drum612, which is disposed inside the arrangement of the plurality of heating rollers611.

Thereafter, while the guide rollers613are brought into contact with the liquid applied face of the sheet material P, the heating rollers611contact the face opposite to the liquid applied face of the sheet material P and heat the sheet material P to dry the liquid applied to the sheet material P.

At this time, the treatment liquid201applied to both faces of the sheet material P by the coating device20is also dried, and the treatment liquid201is in a dry state.

As above described, the printing apparatus1includes the coating device20including the first coater21A and the second coater21B, each of which is configured with the coater200that applies the coating liquid (treatment liquid201) on both faces of the sheet material P.

The printing apparatus1further includes the first discharge device50A and the first drying device60A. The first discharge device50A receives the sheet material P, of which the treatment liquid201is applied on both faces by the coating device20, as it is and discharges liquid to one face of the sheet material P. The first drying device60A dries the sheet material P applied with the liquid in the first discharge device50A.

Further, the printing apparatus1includes the second discharge device50B and the second drying device60B. The second discharge device50B discharges liquid to the other face of the sheet material P having passed through the first drying device60A. The second drying device60B dries the sheet material P applied with the liquid which is discharged in the second discharge device50B.

Thus, in the printing apparatus1, the coating liquid is applied to both faces of the sheet material P, the liquid is discharged to the sheet material P conveyed to the first discharge device50A, which is the first discharger, without being heated, and then printing and drying are performed. As a result, the coating liquid applied to the sheet material P and the printing liquid applied in the first discharge device50are dried. Thereafter, the liquid is discharged in the second discharge device50B, which is the second discharger, onto the other face of the sheet material P, and then printing and drying are performed.

Next, the sheet material cutting device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.6and7.FIG.6is a side view of the sheet material cutting device andFIG.7is a perspective view of a guard member of the sheet cutting device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

The sheet material cutting device400according to the first embodiment includes a cutter mechanism401disposed between two guide rollers23(23A and23B).

The cutter mechanism401includes an arm member411. The arm member411is rotatably supported by a shaft412. A cutting blade413for cutting the sheet material P is attached to one end of the arm member411. Thus, the cutting blade413is disposed so that the cutting blade413can be displaced between a cutting position of the sheet material P and an evacuation position.

A contact member414in contact with the sheet material P is attached to the other end of the arm member411. The contact member414can be a rotating body rotated by conveyance of the sheet material P or a member that simply guides a sheet material P.

Further, the cutter mechanism401includes a biasing member415to rotate and bias the arm member411in a direction in which the contact member414comes into contact with the sheet material P, and a stopper416to define the initial position of the arm member411. In the initial position, the arm member411is in contact with the stopper416. The position at which the cutting blade413is placed when the arm member411is in the initial position is the evacuation position.

The sheet material cutting device400includes a guard member402disposed between the sheet material P and the cutter mechanism401to face the sheet material P. The guard member402has a slit421through which the cutting blade413can pass when the cutting blade413is displaced to the cutting position for cutting the sheet material P.

Next, a cutting operation according to the present embodiment is described with reference toFIGS.8A to8C.FIGS.8A to8Care side views of the cutting operation of the sheet material cutting device according to the present embodiment.

When the sheet material P is being conveyed with the required tension, as illustrated inFIG.6or8A, the contact member414at the other end of the arm member411is in contact with the sheet material P, and the cutting blade413at one end of the arm member411does not protrude from the slit421of the guard member402toward the sheet material P.

The tension of the sheet material P may be higher than the normal state due to abnormalities such as a defect of the feeding-out or unwinding amount of the sheet material P and stopping of the conveying motor. As the tension of the sheet material P increases, the sheet material P is pulled in the direction of arrow B inFIG.8A.

As the sheet material P is pulled in the direction of arrow B, as illustrated inFIG.8B, the contact member414of the arm member411is pressed by the sheet material P, and the arm member411rotates in the direction of arrow A against the biasing force of the biasing member415.

As a result, the cutting blade413passes through the slit421of the guard member402, contacts the sheet material P, and bites into the sheet material P. Thereafter, the sheet material P is cut by the cutting blade413, as illustrated inFIG.8C.

When the sheet material P is cut, the force to push the contact member414is eliminated. Accordingly, the arm member411is rotated by the biasing force of the biasing member415in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A to return to the initial position. As a result, the cutting blade413returns to the position at which the cutting blade413does not protrude from the slit421of the guard member402.

Next, the state of the sheet material cutting device for loading the sheet material is described with reference toFIG.6.

When the sheet material P is not loaded, the arm member411is biased to the biasing member415by the biasing force, and one end portion of the arm member411is in contact with the stopper416. At this time, the cutting blade413is in a position at which the cutting blade413does not protrude from the slit421of the guard member402.

Such a configuration prevents the sheet material P from interfering with the cutting blade413when the sheet material P is loaded into the coating device20, thereby enhancing the loadability of the sheet material P.

Next, a sheet material cutting device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.9and10.FIG.9is a side view of the sheet material cutting device according to the second embodiment andFIG.10is a perspective view of a guard member of the sheet cutting device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the present embodiment, the guard member402in the first embodiment has support portions422. Each support portion422has a through-hole422a, and a shaft412of an arm member411is inserted through the through-hole422a. As a result, the guard member402is rotatably supported on the shaft412of the arm member411.

Further, the sheet material cutting device includes a biasing member425and a stopper426. The biasing member425that rotates and biases the guard member402is disposed on the opposite side of the support portions422of the guard member402. The stopper426defines an initial position of the guard member402.

Next, a cutting operation according to the present embodiment is described with reference toFIG.11.FIG.11is a side view of the cutting operation of the sheet material cutting device according to the present embodiment.

When the sheet material P is in a state of being conveyed at a required tension, as illustrated inFIG.9, the contact member414at the other end of the arm member411contacts the sheet material P, and the cutting blade413at one end of the arm member411does not protrude from the slit421of the guard member402toward the sheet material P.

When the tension of the sheet material P becomes larger than the normal state, as illustrated inFIG.11A, the contact member414of the arm member411is pressed by the sheet material P, and the arm member411rotates in the direction of arrow A against the biasing force of the biasing member415.

As a result, a part of the cutting blade413enters and passes through the slit421of the guard member402. When the arm member411is rotated and displaced from the above-described state to a predetermined position in the direction of arrow A, as illustrated inFIG.11B, the guard member402is pushed upward by the arm member411, and the guard member402and the cutting blade413are rotated and displaced together. Note that the “predetermined position” is the position at which the arm member411and the guard member402start to rotate together.

Then, the cutting blade413rotates in the state of protruding from the slit421of the guard member402, and contacts and bites into the sheet material P. Thus, the sheet material P is cut by the cutting blade413.

After the sheet material P is cut, the cutting blade413of the arm member411returns to the initial position (evacuation position) ofFIG.9by a restoring force of the biasing member415, and the guard member402returns to the initial position (evacuation position) ofFIG.9by a restoring force of the biasing member425.

Next, a sheet material cutting device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.12and13.FIG.12is a side view of the sheet material cutting device according to the third embodiment andFIG.13is a perspective view of an opposing member of the sheet material cutting device according to the third embodiment.

In the present embodiment, in the configuration of the second embodiment, an opposing member403is disposed opposite the guard member402across the sheet material P. The opposing member403has a slit431through which the cutting blade413can enter. The width of the slit431(the width of the slit431in the conveyance direction of the sheet material P) may be either a width through which a part of the cutting blade413does not pass or a width through which a part of the cutting blade413passes.

Next, a cutting operation according to the present embodiment is described with reference toFIGS.14A and14B.FIGS.14A and14Bare side views of the cutting operation of the sheet material cutting device according to the present embodiment.

When the sheet material P is in a state of being conveyed at a required tension, as illustrated inFIG.12, the contact member414at the other end of the arm member411contacts the sheet material P, and the cutting blade413at one end of the arm member411does not protrude from the slit421of the guard member402toward the sheet material P. Here, when the tension of the sheet material P is larger than the normal state, as illustrated inFIG.14A, the contact member414of the arm member411is pressed by the sheet material P, and the arm member411rotates in the direction of arrow A against the biasing force of the biasing member415.

As a result, a part of the cutting blade413enters and passes through the slit421of the guard member402. When the arm member411is rotated and displaced from the above-described state to a predetermined position in the direction of arrow A, as illustrated inFIG.14B, the guard member402is pushed up by the arm member411, and the guard member402and the cutting blade413are rotated and displaced together.

The cutting blade413rotates in a state of protruding from the slit421of the guard member402, and contacts and bites into the sheet material P. Thus, a part of the cutting blade413enters the slit431of the opposing member403, and the sheet material P is cut by the cutting blade413.

After the sheet material P is cut, the cutting blade413of the arm member411returns to the initial position (evacuation position) ofFIG.12by a restoring force of the biasing member415, and the guard member402returns to the initial position (evacuation position) ofFIG.12by a restoring force of the biasing member425.

Thus, when the sheet material P is cut by the cutting blade413, the opposing member403regulates the sheet material P from moving in the direction in which the sheet material P is pushed by the cutting blade413, and the cutting by the cutting blade413can be easily performed.

In the above-described printing apparatus, the printing unit is described with a configuration of performing printing with the discharger to discharge liquid. Alternatively, for example, printing may be performed by an electrophotographic method. In each of the above-described embodiments, the sheet material cutting device is described with the example of being disposed downstream of the coater of the coating device in the conveyance direction of a sheet material. Alternatively, the sheet material cutting device can also be disposed upstream of the coater. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the sheet material cutting device is described with the example of being disposed in the coating device. Alternatively, for example, the sheet material cutting device can also be disposed in a device other than the coating device such as in a drying device.