PRINTING DEVICE

There is provided a printing apparatus including: a casing; a conveyance route formed in an internal space of the casing; a printing head positioned in the internal space of the casing, and configured to eject an ink to the sheet passing through the conveyance route; and a fixing device positioned in the internal space of the casing, at a location, of the conveyance route, at a downstream in the conveyance direction of the printing head, and configured to apply, to the sheet having the ink adhered thereon, an energy for fixing the ink so as to fix the ink to the sheet. A shortest distance A between the fixing device and the discharge port is longer than a shortest distance B between the printing head and the fixing device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus which applies, to a sheet having an ink ejected from a printing head adhered thereon, an energy for fixing the ink to the sheet so as to fix the ink to the sheet, and which discharges the sheet from a discharge port of a casing.

BACKGROUND ART

There is known a printing apparatus provided with a fixing device capable of applying, to a sheet having an ink ejected from a nozzle of a printing head adhered thereon, an energy for fixing the ink to the sheet. As an example of the fixing device, there is known a heater which heats a sheet having an ink adhered thereon, and there is known a printing apparatus which executes printing by heating, with the heater, a sheet having an ink ejected from a printing head adhered thereon. There is a long sheet which is continuous in a conveyance direction as an example of a print medium. The long sheet after the printing performed thereon is discharged from a discharge port of a casing to the outside of the casing.

SUMMARY

Regarding the printing apparatus having the fixing device such as a heater, etc., installed in the inside of the casing, a part or component arranged in the vicinity of the discharge port of the casing receives the heat generated in the fixing device such as the heater, etc., and thus is adversely affected in a variety of manner, in some cases. In particular, in a case that the casing is miniaturized to be placeable on a tabletop (desktop), the internal space of the casing becomes small, which in turn causes the heat radiation of the fixing device such as the heater, etc., easily affects the above-described part or component.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-described situation, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a means for causing any adverse effect of the heat radiated by the fixing device, such as the heater, etc., positioned in the internal space of the casing of the printing apparatus, to be less likely to occur.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing apparatus including a casing; a conveyance route formed in an internal space of the casing, wherein a sheet passes through the conveyance route in a conveyance direction toward a discharge port opened in an outer wall of the casing; a printing head positioned in the casing, and configured to eject an ink to the sheet passing through the conveyance route; and a fixing device positioned in the casing, at a location, of the conveyance route, at a downstream in the conveyance direction of the printing head, and configured to apply, to the sheet having the ink adhered thereon, an energy for fixing the ink so as to fix the ink to the sheet. A shortest distance A between the fixing device and the discharge port is longer than a shortest distance B between the printing head and the fixing device.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to reduce the size along the conveyance direction of the casing, while arranging the printing head and the heater such that any effect of the heat radiation from the heater is not generated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A printing apparatus10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained below. Note that an embodiment which is to be explained below is merely an example of the present disclosure; it is needless to say that the embodiment can be appropriately changed within a range not changing the gist of the present disclosure. Further, in the following explanation, an up-down direction7is defined, with a state in which the printing apparatus10is usably or operably installed (the state ofFIG. 1) as the reference; a front-rear direction8is defined, with a side on which a discharge port13is provided is defined as a front side (front surface); and a left-right direction9is defined, with the printing apparatus10as seen from the front side (front surface).

<Overall Configuration of Printing Apparatus10>

As depicted inFIG. 1, the printing apparatus10records an image on roll paper11(seeFIG. 2: an example of a “sheet”), etc., in the ink-jet recording system. A casing14has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the discharge port13is formed in a front surface14A (an example of a “surface of an outer wall”) of the casing14. The discharge port13is positioned in the front surface14A on the right side in the left-right direction9. The casing14has a size placeable on the tabletop (desktop). Namely, the printing apparatus10is suitable for being used while being placed on the tabletop. Of course, the printing apparatus10may be used while being placed on a floor surface.

An operation panel17is positioned, in the front surface14A of the casing14, on the left side in the left-right direction9with respect to the discharge port13. The operation panel17has, for example, a display, an input key, etc. A user performs, in the operation panel17, an input for operating the printing apparatus10and/or an input for confirming a variety of settings.

As depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, a circuit board17A in which an electronic part, etc., for controlling the display and the input key of the operation panel17is positioned at a location on the rear side of the operation panel17in the front-rear direction8. The circuit board17A is positioned at a location, on the left side in the left-right direction7, inside the casing17. The circuit board17A has a main surface orthogonal to the front-rear direction8. An input-output interface circuit with respect to the display and the input key is installed in the main surface of the circuit board17A. The circuit board17A is arranged at a position which is between an opening of the discharge port13and a CIS27in the front-rear direction8.

A cover16is provided at a location below the operation panel17. The cover16is opened to thereby expose an internal space of the casing14. A tank70(to be described later on) is positioned at the rear side of the cover16. The cover16in a closed state is a part of the front surface14A of the casing14.

<Internal Structure of Printing Apparatus10>

As depicted inFIG. 2, a sheet storing space15capable of storing the roll sheet11therein is formed in the internal space of the casing14, at the rear side in the front-rear direction8. The sheet storing space15is a space defined in the internal space of the casing14by a partition wall18. In the sheet storing space15, the roll paper11is stored, with the left-right direction9as a roll axis direction (roll shaft direction). The sheet storing space15is opened to orient upward, at the rear side in the front-rear direction9. Namely, a gap, through which a sheet pulled or drawn from the roll sheet11is passable, is defined between the partition wall18and a rear wall14B of the casing14.

Feeding rollers20and21are positioned in the sheet storing space15and at a location immediately above the sheet storing space15, respectively. The sheet drawn rearward from the roll paper11is wound on the feeding roller20and extends upward, and further is wound on the feeding roller21and extends frontward. An uppermost position in the circumferential surface of the feeding roller21is similar, in the up-down direction7, to the discharge port13.

A conveyance route22is formed to span between the feeding roller21and the discharge port13. The conveyance route22extends substantially linearly. Although not depicted in detail in the respective drawings, the conveyance route22is a space which is defined by guide members positioned away from each other in the up-down direction7, a printing head24, a platen25, a heater26, etc., and through which the sheet is passable. In the conveyance route22, the front side is the downstream side in the conveyance direction.

As depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, a conveyance roller pair54is provided on the conveyance route22at the upstream in the conveyance direction of the printing head24. The conveyance roller pair54has a conveyance roller60and a pinch roller61. A conveyance roller pair55is provided on the conveyance route22at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the heater26. The conveyance roller pair55has a conveyance roller62and a pinch roller63. The conveyance roller60and the conveyance roller62are rotated by rotation of a motor (not depicted in the drawings) transmitted thereto. The conveyance roller60and the conveyance roller62rotate in a state that a sheet extending from the roll paper11is pinched or held between the respective rollers constructing the conveyance roller pairs54and55, and the conveyance roller pair54and the conveyance roller pair55thereby convey the sheet.

In the front-rear direction8, the printing head24, the platen25and the heater26are positioned between the conveyance roller pair54and the conveyance roller pair55. Further, any other conveyance roller is not positioned in a part, of the conveyance route22, between the conveyance roller pair54and the conveyance roller pair55.

As depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, the printing head24is located above the conveyance route22and faces the platen25, at the downstream of the conveyance roller pair54. The printing head24is positioned above the sheet storing space15. The printing head24has a part overlapping with the sheet storing space15in the up-down direction7.

The printing head24of the present embodiment includes an ejecting module242provided with a plurality of nozzles30, and a carriage241to which the ejecting module240is attached. The carriage241is attached to a rail (not depicted in the drawings) extending along the left-right direction9so that the carriage241is slidably movable thereon. As depicted inFIG. 4, the plurality of nozzles30are formed while being aligned in the left-right direction9in a lower surface of the printing head24, namely a lower surface of the printing head24. The printing apparatus10of the present embodiment is an ink-jet printer of the line system which ejects an ink to a sheet which is being conveyed, in a state that the printing head24stands still at a printing position which is a position at which the printing head24faces the sheet passing on the platen25during a printing operation. The plurality of nozzles30of the ejecting module242are aligned over the entire length of the sheet which is being conveyed. In a case that the printing apparatus10is in a standby state, or that the printing apparatus10is switched OFF, the printing head24stands by at a standby position located on the left side with respect to the conveyance route22.

As depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, the tank70is positioned in the internal space of the casing14, at a location on the rear side of the cover16. The tank70stores the ink. As depicted inFIG. 4, the ink is supplied to the printing head24from the tank70via a tube71. The tank70is of a cartridge type which is attachable/detachable with respect to the casing14; in a case that the cover16is opened, the tank70is removable toward the front side from the casing14.

The ink is a liquid including a pigment, minute particles of a resin, etc., and is a so-called latex ink. The ink has a viscosity which is suitable for dispersing the pigment and/or the minute particles of the resin uniformly in the ink. The pigment serves as a color of the ink. The minute particles of the resin is for fixing the pigment to the sheet, and are, for example, minute particles of a synthetic resin which exceed the glass-transition temperature by being heated by the heater26. The latex ink includes another publicly known component(s), as the composition thereof.

As depicted inFIG. 4, the printing head24is connected to a sub tank31by two channels32A and32B. Each of the channels32A and32B is formed, for example, of a tube made of a synthetic resin. The channel32A via which the ink is supplied from the sub tank31to the printing head24is provided with a pump34. The pump34is driven to circulate the ink between the printing head24and the sub tank31while the printing head24is ejecting the ink. The sub tank31is connected to the tank70by the tube71. A pump72is provided on the tube71. In a case that a remaining amount of the ink inside the sub tank31becomes small, the pump72is driven to thereby supply the ink from the tank70to the sub tank31. The sub tank31is arranged on the left side with respect to the conveyance route22.

As depicted inFIG. 4, the ejecting module242has the plurality of nozzles30, a supplying manifold33, a plurality of supplying channels331, a plurality of piezoelectric elements35, a discharging manifold36, a plurality of discharging channels361, a plurality of pressure chambers37and a plurality of descenders38. The plurality of nozzles30, the plurality of descenders38, the plurality of pressure chambers37, the plurality of supplying channels331and the plurality of discharging channels361are a plurality of individual channels provided corresponding to the plurality of nozzles30, respectively.

Note thatFIG. 4depicts a cross section, of the ejecting module241, which is orthogonal to the left-right direction9. On the other hand, the plurality of individual channels are arranged side by side in the left-right direction9. Accordingly,FIG. 4depicts a nozzle30, a descender38, a pressure chamber37, a supplying channel331and a discharging channel361constructing a certain individual channel among the plurality of individual channels. Further, the plurality of piezoelectric elements35are arranged side by side in the left-right direction9in a number which is same as the number of the plurality of nozzles30. The supplying manifold36is a common channel which is provided commonly to the plurality of individual channels.

The supplying manifold33is a space communicating with the channel32A. The supplying manifold33is communicated with the plurality of pressure chambers37via the plurality of supplying channels331, respectively. The supplying manifold33supplies the ink to each of the plurality of nozzles30via one of the plurality of pressure chambers37. The discharging manifold36is a space communicating with the channel32B. The discharging manifold36is communicated with the plurality of descenders38via the plurality of discharging channels361, respectively. The ink which is not ejected from the plurality of nozzles30flows into the discharging manifold36.

The plurality of pressure chambers37are spaces provided on the plurality of nozzles30, respectively. The plurality of descenders38are formed from the plurality of pressure chambers37toward the plurality of nozzles30, respectively. The ink in each of the plurality of nozzles37is allowed to pass through one of the plurality of descenders38and to flow into one of the plurality of nozzles30.

The ejecting modules242has a structure in which a nozzle plate100, a channel member200, a vibration plate300, and the plurality of piezoelectric elements35are overlaid in the up-down direction7. The plurality of nozzles30are formed in the nozzle plate100. The supplying manifold33, the plurality of supplying channels331, the discharging manifold36, the plurality of discharging channels361, the plurality of pressure chambers37, and the plurality of descenders38are formed in the channel member200. Note that the channel member200may be a stacked body in which a plurality of plates are stacked on each other in the up-down direction7. The vibration plate300is stacked on the channel member200, and the vibration plate300covers the supply manifold33, the plurality of pressure chambers37and the discharging manifold366. The plurality of piezoelectric elements35are arranged side by side on the vibration plate200.

The plurality of piezoelectric elements35are positioned on the plurality of pressure chambers37, respectively. Each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements35is deformed by being applied with a voltage so as to reduce the volume of one of the plurality of pressure chambers37. In a case that the volume of a pressure chamber37, among the plurality of pressure chambers37, is reduced accompanying with the deformation of a certain piezoelectric elements35among the plurality of piezoelectric elements35, the ink stored in the pressure chamber37flows into a nozzle30, among the plurality of nozzles30via a descender38, among the plurality of descenders38, and is ejected from the nozzle30to the outside as a fine or minute ink droplet. The ink droplets of the ink are selectively ejected from the plurality of nozzles30to thereby cause the ink to be adhered, in a shape of an image and/or letter, to the sheet passing below the printing head24.

The pump34is driven while the ink is being ejected from the nozzle(s)30, namely, while the printing is being performed, thereby circulating the ink from the sub tank31, via the two channels32A and21B, and through the supplying manifold33, the plurality of pressure chambers37, the plurality of descenders38and the discharging manifold36.

As depicted inFIG. 2, the platen25is located at a location below the printing head24. An upper surface of the platen25is a surface supporting the sheet. Although not depicted in the respective drawings, an opening in which suction pressure is generated is formed in the upper surface of the platen25. By the suction pressure generated on the upper surface of the platen25, the sheet makes tight contact with the upper surface of the platen25.

As depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, the heater26is positioned at a location which is above the conveyance route22and which is at the downstream of the printing head24and at the upstream of the conveyance roller pair55. Namely, in the front-rear direction8, the heater26is positioned between the conveyance roller pair55and the head24. The heater26has a part which overlaps with the platen25in the up-down direction7. In the present embodiment, a downstream end in the conveyance direction of the platen25is positioned at the downstream of an upstream end in the conveyance direction of the heater26.

The heater26is a so-called halogen heater and has a halogen lamp40as a heating element, a reflective plate41, and a casing42. The casing42has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An opening43along the left-right direction9is formed at a lower wall of the casing42. The heat from the halogen lamp40and/or the reflective plate41is radiated to the outside, via the opening43. The halogen lamp40is positioned in an internal space of the casing42. The halogen lamp40has a slender cylindrical shape of which longitudinal direction is the left-right direction9. In the internal space of the casing42, the reflective plate41is positioned at a location above the halogen lamp40. The reflective plate41is a metallic plate on which a ceramic film, etc., is coated or applied, and is curved to have a circular-arc shape of which center axis is in the vicinity of the opening43. Note that it is allowable to use, instead of using the reflective plate41, a halogen lamp40on which a ceramic film, etc., is coated. The heater26heats the ink adhered to the sheet passing a location below the opening43. The ink is heated to thereby allow the minute particles of the resin to undergo the glass transition, which in turn melts the minute particles of the resin. After the sheet has passed the location below the heater26, the sheet is cooled to thereby cure the molten resin, and to fix the ink to the sheet.

As depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, a CIS27(contact image sensor: an example of a “reading sensor”) is positioned at a location above the conveyance route22, and at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the heater26. In a case that a reflected light, of a light emitted from a light source such as an LED and reflected by the sheet, is collected to a line sensor by a SELFOC (trade name) lens, the CIS27is configured to output an electric signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light received by the line sensor. The CIS27is arranged so that the left-right direction9is a read-line. The CIS27is provided so as to detect whether or not there is any defect in an image formed on the sheet by the printing head24.

As depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, a cutter unit28is positioned in the conveyance route22at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the CIS27. The cutter unit28is constructed such that a cutter45is installed in a carriage46. The carriage46moves in the conveyance route22in the left-right direction9, by a non-illustrated belt driving mechanism, etc. The cutter unit45is positioned to as to cross the conveyance route22in the up-down direction7, and moves in the conveyance route22in the left-right direction9, accompanying with the movement of the carriage46. The sheet positioned in the conveyance route22is cut along the left-right direction9(an example of a “direction crossing the conveyance direction”) by the movement of the cutter45.

<Arrangement of Respective Members in Internal Space of Casing14>

As depicted inFIG. 2, a shortest distance A between the heater26and the discharge port13is longer than a shortest distance B between the printing head24and the heater26(A>B). Here, the term “shortest distance” is the shortest distance among distances connecting the end parts of the respective elements, respectively, such as the heater26, the printing head24, etc. In the present embodiment, a distance in the front-rear direction8from an end part on the front side of the casing42to an end part on the rear side of the discharge port13is the shortest distance A. Further, in the present embodiment, a distance in the front-rear direction8from an end part on the front side of the printing head24to an end part on the rear side of the casing42is the shortest distance B. Noter that it is not necessarily indispensable that the shortest distance is the distance along the front-rear direction8. For example, as depicted inFIG. 5, in a case that the heater26is arranged to be shifted to the upper side in the up-down direction8, a distance from a lower corner part on the front side of the casing42to an end part on the rear side of the discharge port13becomes a shorted distance A′. Further, a distance from an end part on the front side of the printing head24to a lower corner part on the rear side of the casing42becomes to be the shortest distance B′.

Further, as depicted inFIG. 2, in the present embodiment, a shortest distance C between the heater26and the cutter unit28is longer than the shortest distance B (C>B). Furthermore, a shortest distance D between the heater26and the CIS27is longer than the shortest distance B (D>B). Namely, the CIS27and the cutter unit28are positioned at positions, respectively, which are farther from the printing head24, with respect to the heater26. In the present embodiment, a distance in the front-rear direction8from the end part on the front side of the casing42to an end part on the rear side of the cutter unit28is the shortest distance C. Further, in the present embodiment, a distance in the front-rear direction8from the end part on the front side of the casing42to an end part on the rear side of the CIS27is the shortest distance D. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the shortest distance D between the heater26and the CIS27is longer than a shortest distance E between the heater26and the plurality of nozzles30(D>E).

In a case that the printing apparatus10performs the printing operation, the halogen lamp40radiates the heat, and the heat radiation is generated in the surrounding of the heater26. According to the configuration of the printing apparatus10, however, it is possible to make the size along the front-rear direction8of the casing14to be small, while arranging, with respect to the heater26, the printing head24, the CIS27, the cutter unit28and the discharge port13so that there is no effect of the heat radiation from the heater26.

Further, in the conveyance route22, the printing head24and the heater26are positioned between the conveyance roller pair54and the conveyance roller pair55and any other conveyance roller is not positioned between the conveyance roller pair54and the conveyance roller pair55. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size along the front-rear direction8of the casing14to be small.

Furthermore, since the heater26has the part overlapping with the platen26in the up-down direction7in the conveyance route22, it is possible to reduce the size along the front-rear direction8of the casing14to be small.

Moreover, since the discharge port13and the operation panel17are positioned in the front surface14A of the casing14, it is possible for the user to receive the sheet after the printing and discharged from the discharge port13, and to operate the operation panel17, on the side of the front surface14A of the casing14. Thus, there is provided a satisfactory operability.

Further, since the printing head24has the part overlapping with the sheet storing space15in the up-down direction7, it is possible to reduce the size along the up-down direction7and the front-rear direction8of the casing14to be small.

Furthermore, the printing head24has the structure in which the ink is circulated. The sub tank31is arranged at the position further away from the heater26than the printing head24. Namely, the distance from the sub tank31to the heater26is greater than the distance from the printing head24to the heater26. Accordingly, the sub tank31is less likely to be affected by the heat radiation of the heater26, than the printing head24, and the sub tank31is a more cooled state than the printing head24. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust the temperature of the printing head24to be not more than a predetermined temperature, by the circulation of the ink. With this, the printing head24is less likely to adversely affected by the head radiation of the heater26. For example, it is possible to prevent such a situation that any distortion is generated in the printing head24due the heat received by the printing head24from the heater26, and that the ejection of the ink is adversely affected. Further, it is possible to prevent such a situation that adhesion between the constituent elements constructing the printing head24is disintegrated (peeled off from each other) due to, for example, any distortion generated in the printing head24, and that the printing head24is destroyed.

Furthermore, the ejecting module242has the configuration in which the ink in the vicinity of the nozzles30is circulated during the printing operation. Accordingly, any drying of the ink and/or any increase in the viscosity of the ink due to the heat received from the heater26are/is less likely to be generated.

In the above-described explanation, each of the shortest distance A, the shortest distance B, the shortest distance C and the shortest distance D is explained as being defined as the shortest distance among the distances between the respective ends of the respective constituent elements such as the heater26and the printing head24, etc., for the purpose of explaining the arrangement relationship among the respective constituent elements. It is allowable, however, to define each of the shortest distance A, the shortest distance B, the shortest distance C and the shortest distance D as the shortest distance among the distances between the respective ends of the respective constituent elements such as the halogen lamp40and the printing head24, etc., instead of the heater26.

Namely, a shortest distance A between an end part on the front side of the halogen lamp40and the end part on the rear side of the discharge port13is longer than a shortest distance B between the end part on the front side of the printing head24and an end part on the rear side of the halogen lamp40(A>B). Further, a shortest distance C between the end part on the front side of the halogen lamp40and the end part on the rear side of the cutter unit28is longer than the shortest distance B (C>B). Furthermore, a shortest distance D between the end part on the front side of the halogen lamp40and the end part on the rear side of the CIS27is longer than the shortest distance B (D>B). Namely, the CIS27and the cutter unit28are positioned at positions, respectively, which are farther from the printing head24, with respect to the halogen lamp40.

Moreover, it is allowable to define the arrangement of the respective members in the internal space of the casing14by a distance A, a distance B, a distance C and a distance D each of which is a direction along the conveyance direction (in the above-described embodiment, the front-rear direction8), instead of the shortest distance A, the shortest distance B, the shortest distance C and the shortest distance D as described above. In this case, it is not necessary that each of the distance A, the distance B, the distance C and the distance D is the shortest distance. In the resent embodiment, the conveyance direction is a direction along a horizontal direction. Accordingly, it is allowable to define the arrangements of the respective members in the internal space of the casing14based on the distance A, the distance B, the distance C and the distance D each of which is the distance along the horizontal direction, instead of the shortest distance A, the shortest distance B, the shortest distance C and the shortest distance D as described above.

Namely, a distance A along the front-rear direction8between the end part on the front side of the heater26(namely, the end part on the front side of the casing42) and the end part on the rear side of the discharge port13is longer than a distance B along the front-rear direction8between the end part on the front side of the printing head24and the end part on the rear side of the heater26(namely, the end part on the rear side of the casing42) (A>B). Further, a distance C along the front-rear direction8between the end part on the front side of the heater26and the end part on the rear side of the cutter unit28is longer than the distance B (C>B). Furthermore, a distance D along the front-rear direction8between the end part on the front side of the heater26and the end part on the rear side of the CIS27is longer than the distance B (D>B).

Moreover, as a modification of the above-described embodiment, it is allowable to provide a cooling mechanism48on the printing head24, as depicted inFIG. 6. In a case that the cooling mechanism48is a cooling mechanism by (based on) the air cooling, a heat sink made of a metal is provided on the printing head24. Alternatively, in a case that the cooling mechanism48is a cooling mechanism by the water cooling, a water cooling block which is connected to a pump and in which a refrigerant medium is allowed to circulate may be provided on the printing head24. It is allowable that the cooling mechanism48is configured to cool a non-illustrated driving IC configured to drive the piezoelectric elements35, or is provided to adjust the temperature of the ink inside the printing head24.

Further, in the embodiment as described above, the heater26has the halogen lamp40as the heating element. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to this. For example, it is allowable to use a carbon heater, a ceramic heater, etc., instead of using the heater26.

In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus10is provided with the heater26. The heater26heats the sheet to which the ink has been ejected so as to fix the ink to the sheet. As described above, the ink is heated directly or indirectly by the heater26, to thereby subject the minute particles of the resin included in the ink to the glass transition. Then, the sheet is cooled to thereby cure the resin which has undergone the glass transition. In such a manner, the heater26applies the energy for subjecting the minute particles of the resin included in the ink to the glass transition to thereby cure the ink and to fix the ink to the sheet. In other words, the heater26functions as a fixing device which applies the energy necessary for curing ink so as to fix the ink to the sheet. Note that in the above-described disclosure, the ink is explained as being exemplified by a latex ink. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to or restricted by a thermo-curable ink such as the latex ink. For example, it is allowable to use a water-based ink such as a dye ink, a pigment ink, etc., as the ink. In such a case also, the heater26functions as a fixing device which applies the energy required for drying the ink adhered to the sheet so as to fix the ink to the sheet.

In the present disclosure, the fixing device which applies the energy required for curing the ink so as to fix the ink to the sheet is not limited to the heater which applies a thermal energy to the ink. For example, as a printing apparatus310as depicted inFIGS. 8 and 9, it is allowable to use a UV light source326as the fixing device. The printing apparatus310as depicted inFIG. 8has a similar configuration as that of the printing apparatus10of the above-described embodiment, except that the printing apparatus310does not have the heater26, but instead has a UV light source326. Same reference numerals are affixed to configurations, of the printing apparatus310, which are similar to those of the printing apparatus10, and the explanation therefor will be omitted.

The UV light source326has a UV lamp340which radiates a UV light, a reflective plate341and a casing342. Since the outer shape of the casing342is substantially same as the outer shape of the casing42of the heater26, any explanation therefor will be omitted. An opening343along the left-right direction9is formed in a lower wall of the casing342. The UV light from the UV lamp340and/or the reflective plate341is radiated to the outside, via the opening343. In the internal space of the casing342, the reflective plate341is positioned at a location above the UV lamp340. The reflective plate341is formed of, for example, a surface-treated aluminum member in which an anodic oxide film is formed on a surface thereof, and is capable reflecting the UV light. Further, the reflective plate341is curved to have a circular-arc shape of which center axis is in the vicinity of the opening343. Note that it is allowable to arrange a condensing lens between the UV lamp340and the sheet passing at a location below the opening343. In such a case, it is possible to efficiently collect the UV light radiated from the UV lamp240and to irradiate the sheet with the UV light.

In this modification, a UV curable ink is used as the ink. Further, the UV light source326radiates the UV light to the UV curable ink adhered to the sheet passing the location below the opening343. By radiating the UV light to the UV curable ink, the UV curable ink is cured. With this, the UV curable ink is fixed to the sheet.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the tank70is of the cartridge type which is attachable/detachable with respect to the casing14; in a case that the cover16is opened, the tank70is removable toward the front side from the casing14. Instead of this, it is allowable that the tank70is fixed in the internal space of the casing14, and that the ink can be replenished in the storing space of the tank70via an inlet port.

Furthermore, the tank70is not limited to a tank storing the ink of one color which is black, and may be tanks which store, for example, four color inks which are black, yellow, cyan and magenta, respectively.

Moreover, it is not necessarily indispensable that the discharge port13is formed in the front surface14A of the casing14. For example, it is allowable that the discharge port13is provided on the upper surface of the casing14, and that a part of the roll paper11after the printing which pass through the discharge port13is discharged obliquely upward or upward.

Further, although the printing apparatus10as described above is capable of performing printing on the roll paper11, the present disclosure is not limited to this. It is allowable that the printing apparatus10is an apparatus which performs printing on the roll paper11and a cut paper sheet (cut paper), or may be an apparatus which performs printing only on the cut paper sheet.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the CIS27and the cutter unit28are positioned in the inside of the casing14. Instead of this, it is allowable that the CIS27and the cutter unit28are positioned, at the outside of the casing14, at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the discharge port13, as depicted inFIG. 7. Moreover, it is allowable that the CIS28is omitted.

Further, although the above-described printing apparatus10is used in a state that the front surface14A and the rear surface14B of the casing14are along the up-down direction7and the left-right direction9, a posture in which the printing apparatus10is used is not limited to this.

Further, although the ejecting module242of the above-described embodiment is explained while being exemplified by having one nozzle array (row) in which the plurality of nozzles30are aligned in the left-right direction9, the present embodiment is not limited to this. It is allowable that an ejecting module in which a plurality of nozzle rows are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction9is used for the printing apparatus10.

Furthermore, although the printing head24as described above is explained as having one ejecting module242, the present embodiment is not limited to this. The printing apparatus10may be a printing apparatus10provided with, as the printing head24, a line head in which a plurality of ejecting modules242are installed in one carriage241.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, although the printing head24ejects the ink in the state that the printing head24stands still at the predetermined printing position during the printing operation, the printing apparatus10may be a printing apparatus10of the serial system in which the printing head24ejects the ink while the printing head24moves in the left-right direction9during the printing operation.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, although the printing head24is explained as being provided with the ejecting module242of such a type wherein the pump34is driven to thereby circulate the ink in the vicinity of the nozzles30during the printing operation, it is allowable to use an ejecting module in which an ink circulating route is formed only for the manifold, without circulating the ink in the individual channels, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2016-190431.

Further, the above-described embodiment is explained as making the ink inside the ejecting module242to circulated by the pump34during the printing operation. It is allowable, however, that the ink inside the ejecting module242is not circulated during the printing operation. Also in this case, a new ink is always supplied from the tank70or the sub tank31, due to the ejection of the ink by the printing operation. Since the ink in a cooled state than the printing head24is supplied from the tank70and/or the sub tank31, it is possible to cool the printing head24.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, although the route for circulating the ink is formed in the ejecting module242, it is allowable to use an ejecting module which does not have any route for circulating the ink.

The present disclosure can be applied to the following aspects. In the printing apparatus the fixing device may be a heater having a heating element, or may be a UV light source. Further, the printing apparatus may further include a cutter which is positioned in the casing, at a location, of the conveyance route, at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the heater, and which cuts the sheet in a direction crossing the conveyance direction, wherein a shortest distance C between the heater and the cutter may be longer than the shortest distance B.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to reduce the size along the conveyance direction of the casing, while arranging the cutter and the heater such that any effect of the heat radiation from the heater is not generated.

The printing apparatus may further include a cutter which is positioned at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the discharge port, and which cuts the sheet in a direction crossing the conveyance direction.

The printing apparatus may further include a reading sensor which is positioned in the casing, at a location, of the conveyance route, at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the heater, and which reads an image of a print surface of the sheet, wherein a shortest distance D between the fixing device and the reading sensor may be longer than the shortest distance B.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to reduce the size along the conveyance direction of the casing while arranging the reading sensor and the heater such that any effect due to the heat radiation of the fixing device such as the heater, etc., is not generated.

The printing apparatus may further include a reading sensor which is positioned at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the discharge port, and which reads an image of a print surface of the sheet.

The printing apparatus may further include: a first conveyance roller which is positioned in the casing at an upstream in the conveyance direction of the printing head, and which conveys the sheet in the conveyance direction; and a second conveyance roller which is positioned in the casing at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the heater, and which conveys the sheet in the conveyance direction. It is allowable that the printing head and the heater are positioned between the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller in the conveyance direction, and it is further allowable that another conveyance roller is not positioned between the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller in the conveyance direction.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to reduce the size along the conveyance direction of the casing while arranging the printing head and the heater in the range between the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller.

The printing apparatus may further include a platen which is positioned to face the printing head in the casing, and which supports the sheet. The platen may have a part overlapping with the fixing device in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction and orthogonal to a supporting surface of the platen.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to reduce the size along the conveyance direction of the casing while arranging the printing head, the platen and the fixing device in the range between the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller.

The printing apparatus may further include an operation panel which is positioned in a surface, of the outer wall of the casing, having the discharge port formed therein, and via which an input from a user is received.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to receive the sheet, after printing and discharged from the discharge port, on the surface, of the outer wall of the casing, in which the discharge port is formed and to operate the operation panel on the same surface. Thus, a satisfactory operability is provided.

The printing apparatus may further include a sheet storing space storing the sheet which is a roll-shaped sheet before printing, with a direction crossing the conveyance direction being a roll axis direction of the roll-shaped sheet. The printing head may have a part overlapping with the sheet storing space in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction and orthogonal to the roll axis direction.

According to the above-described configuration, a small-sized casing is realized by arranging the sheet storing space and the printing head efficiently in the casing.

The printing apparatus may further include: a tank configured to store the ink; a channel member defining a channel communicating the printing head and the tank with each other; and a pump which circulates the ink, via the channel, between the printing head and the tank.

According to the above-described configuration, since the printing head is cooled by the ink circulated in the printing head, the printing head is less likely to be affected by the heat radiation of the fixing device such as the heater, etc.

The printing head may have: a plurality of nozzles via which the ink to be ejected flows, and a manifold communicating with the plurality of nozzles; the channel may be communicated with the manifold; and the pump may be operated so as to circulate the ink between the manifold and the tank, via the channel.

The printing head may have a cooling mechanism by air coiling or water cooling.

The ink may be a liquid including minute particles of a resin, or may be a UV-curable ink.

The heating element may radiate an infrared ray.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing apparatus including: a casing; a conveyance route which is formed in an internal space of the casing and through which a sheet passes in a conveyance direction toward a discharge port opened in an outer wall of the casing; a printing head which is positioned in the casing and which ejects an ink to the sheet passing through the conveyance route; and a heater which has a heating element, which is positioned in the casing, at a location, of the conveyance route, at a downstream in the conveyance direction of the printing head, and which heats the sheet having the ink adhered thereon. A shortest distance A between the heating element and the discharge port is longer than a shortest distance B between the printing head and the heating element.

The printing apparatus may further include cutter which is positioned in the casing, at a location, of the conveyance route, at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the heater, and which cuts the sheet in a direction crossing the conveyance direction. A shortest distance C between the heating element and the cutter may be longer than the shortest distance B.

The printing apparatus may further include a reading sensor which is positioned in the casing, at a location, of the conveyance route, at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the heater, and which reads an image of a print surface of the sheet. A shortest distance D between the heating element and the reading sensor may be longer than the shortest distance B.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing apparatus including: a casing; a conveyance route which is formed in an internal space of the casing and through which a sheet passes in a conveyance direction toward a discharge port opened in an outer wall of the casing; a printing head which is positioned in the casing and which ejects an ink to the sheet passing through the conveyance route; and a fixing device which is positioned in the casing, at a location, of the conveyance route, at a downstream in the conveyance direction of the printing head, and which is configured to apply, to the sheet having the ink adhered thereon, an energy for fixing the ink so as to fix the ink to the sheet. A distance A along the conveyance direction between the fixing device and the discharge port is longer than a distance B along the conveyance direction between the printing head and the fixing device.

The printing apparatus may further include a cutter which is positioned in the casing, at a location, of the conveyance route, at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the heater, and which cuts the sheet in a direction crossing the conveyance direction. A distance C along the conveyance direction between the fixing device and the cutter may be longer than the distance B.

The printing apparatus may further include a reading sensor which is positioned in the casing, at a location, of the conveyance route, at the downstream in the conveyance direction of the fixing device, and which reads an image of a print surface of the sheet. A distance D along the conveyance direction between the fixing device and the reading sensor may be longer than the distance B.

According to the present disclosure, any adverse effect of the heat radiated by the fixing device, such as the heater, etc., positioned in the casing of the printing apparatus, is less likely to occur.