PRINTING APPARATUS

A printing apparatus includes: a transport unit configured to transport a medium in a transport direction; a printing unit configured to cause ink to adhere to the medium to perform printing; and a blowing device including an air blowing port and configured to blow air from the air blowing port to the medium to which the ink adheres. A guide member is disposed, at the air blowing port, downstream in an air blowing direction. Of end portions of the guide member, a third end portion that faces the medium extends along the transport direction.

The present application is based on and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2022-155982, filed on Sep. 29, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus including a blowing device.

2. Related Art

As described in JP-A-2016-215428, there is known a printing apparatus including a blowing device configured to blow a dry air flow to a medium on which ink has been discharged, and the dry air flow is used to dry the ink. The blowing device includes an air blowing port formed so as to be opened toward the medium transported along a predetermined transport path, and air is blown from this air blowing port to the medium.

However, in a case of the printing apparatus as described in JP-A-2016-215428, the leading end of the transported medium may deviate and lift from the transport path. In addition, when the leading end of the medium lifts at or around the blowing device, the leading end of the medium gets caught at the air blowing port, which may lead to an incident in which the medium is not transport properly.

SUMMARY

A printing apparatus includes a transport unit configured to transport a medium in a transport direction, a printing unit configured to cause a liquid to adhere to the medium to perform printing, and a blowing device including an air blowing port and configured to blow air from the air blowing port to the medium to which the liquid adheres, in which a guide member is disposed, at the air blowing port, downstream in an air blowing direction, and an end portion, of the guide member, that faces the medium extends along the transport direction.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

1. First Embodiment

Below, a printing apparatus1according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The printing apparatus1according to the present embodiment is, for example, an inkjet printer configured to discharge ink serving as one example of a liquid to a transported medium2such as a sheet to print an image such as a letter or a photo on the medium2.

In each of the drawings except forFIG.3, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis intersecting each other are illustrated. Specifically, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis is parallel to an installation surface of the printing apparatus1. The X-axis corresponds to the width direction of the printing apparatus1, and corresponds to the width direction of the medium2. The Y-axis is parallel to the installation surface of the printing apparatus1. The Y-axis corresponds to the depth direction of the printing apparatus1. The Z-axis is perpendicular to the installation surface of the printing apparatus1. The Z-axis corresponds to the height direction of the printing apparatus1.

Hereinafter, the +Y direction parallel to the Y-axis is a direction in which the medium2is transported in a printing unit13configured to discharge ink. The −Y direction parallel to the Y-axis is a direction opposite to the +Y direction. On the assumption that the transport direction is the left direction, the +X direction parallel to the X-axis is a direction heading from the near side toward the far side. The −X direction parallel to the X-axis is a direction opposite to the +X direction. The +Z direction parallel to the Z-axis is a direction heading upward. In addition, the −Z direction parallel to the Z-axis is a direction opposite to the +Z direction, and is a direction in which the printing unit13discharges ink. Note that, in the present specification, viewing from a direction along the X-axis is referred to as side view.

FIG.1is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the printing apparatus1.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the printing apparatus1includes three support portions11a,11b, and11c, a transport unit12, a printing unit13, and a blowing device14.

The support portions11a,11b, and11care members each configured to support the long medium2transported in the transport direction. The medium2is transported along the front surfaces of the support portions11a,11b, and11c. That is, the transport direction in the present embodiment is a direction along the front surface of each of the support portions11a,11b, and11c, and at the same time, is a direction intersecting the X-axis. The support portions11a,11b, and11care fixed at a frame or the like that is not illustrated in the drawing and is configured to support the entire printing apparatus1.

The support portion11asupports a portion, of the medium2, upstream in the transport direction of a portion, of the medium2, that faces the printing unit13. In many cases, the support portion11asupports a portion before being subjected to printing by the printing unit13. The support portion11bis disposed in the −Z direction of the printing unit13and downstream of the support portion11ain the transport direction. The support portion11bsupports a portion, of the medium2, on which printing is being performed by the printing unit13. The front surface, at the +Z side, of the support portion11bis substantially horizontal, and the medium2is transported in the +Y direction over the front surface of the support portion11b. The support portion11cis disposed downstream of the support portion11bin the transport direction. The support portion11csupports a portion, of the medium2, downstream in the transport direction of a portion, of the medium2, that faces the printing unit13. The support portion11coften supports a portion after being subjected to printing by the printing unit13. The support portion11cserves as one example of a medium support portion. Note that, in the drawing, the medium2is illustrated so as to be spaced apart from the support portions11a,11b, and11c. However, the medium2is brought into contact with the support portions11a,11b, and11c, and is transported on the front surfaces of the support portions11a,11b, and11cin a sliding manner. In other words, the front surfaces of the support portions11a,11b, and11cconstitute a transport path for the medium2.

The transport unit12is configured to transport the medium2in the transport direction. The transport unit12includes a feeding shaft21, a transport roller22, and a winding shaft23. The transport unit12may include a plurality of transport rollers22. The feeding shaft21and the winding shaft23are rod-shaped members each extending along the X-axis, and are each supported at both end portions in the ±X direction thereof by a frame or the like that is not illustrated in the drawing. The feeding shaft21and the winding shaft23rotatably support a roll around which the long medium2is wound in a tubular shape.

The feeding shaft21is located upstream of the transport roller22in the transport direction. The feeding shaft21rotates to unwind the medium2that has been wound around, thereby feeding it. With driving of a driving mechanism that is not illustrated in the drawing, the transport roller22transports the fed medium2along the support portions11a,11b, and11c. The winding shaft23is located downstream of the transport roller22in the transport direction. The winding shaft23winds the transported medium2.

The printing unit13causes ink to adhere to the medium2to perform printing. The printing unit13according to the present embodiment is of a serial type configured to perform printing while moving in the ±X direction that is the width direction of the medium2. The printing unit13may be configured as a line type provided over the width direction of the medium2.

The printing unit13includes a discharging head25, a carriage26, and a guide shaft27. A plurality of nozzles28configured to discharge ink are formed in the discharging head25. The guide shaft27is a rod-shaped member extending along the X-axis, and is supported at both end portions in the ±X direction by a frame or the like that is not illustrated in the drawing. The guide shaft27guides movement of the carriage26. The carriage26holds the discharging head25. With driving of a driving mechanism that is not illustrated in the drawing, the carriage26causes the discharging head25to reciprocate in the ±X direction along the guide shaft27. The discharging head25discharges ink toward the medium2while moving, to perform printing on the medium2.

In the present embodiment, the winding shaft23is located in the +Y direction and the −Z direction of the printing unit13. For this reason, the support portion11cis disposed sloped from downstream of the supporting portion11btoward the winding shaft23in order to guide, to the winding shaft23, the medium2on which printing has been performed by the printing unit13. That is, the medium2on which printing has been performed by the printing unit13is transported along the support portion11cin an oblique direction having the +Y component and the −Z component, and then, is wound by the winding shaft23.

Hereinafter, a coordinate axis intersecting the X-axis and extending along the sloped direction of the support portion11cis referred to as a U axis, and a coordinate axis intersecting the X-axis and the U axis is referred to as a V axis. Specifically, the X-axis, the U axis, and the V axis are perpendicular to each other. In addition, of directions parallel to the U axis, a transport direction for the medium2transported along the front surface of the support portion11cis referred to as the +U direction, and the direction opposite to this direction is referred to as the −U direction. Furthermore, of directions parallel to the V axis, a direction in which the medium2is located as viewed from the support portion11cis referred to as the +V direction, and the direction opposite to this direction is referred to as the −V direction.

FIG.2is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the blowing device14according to the present embodiment.FIG.3is a perspective view of the blowing device14.

As illustrated inFIGS.1to3, the blowing device14is disposed at a position facing the support portion11cwith the medium2interposed therebetween. The blowing device14is supported by a frame or the like that is not illustrated in the drawing. The blowing device14blows air toward the medium2on which printing has been performed, that is, toward the medium2transported on the support portion11cand supported by the support portion11c, thereby drying ink adhering to the medium2. The blowing device14has an elongated shape along the X-axis so as to be able to blow air to the entire region in the width direction of the medium2. The blowing device14includes a flow path member31, an air blowing fan32, a heating unit33, and a guide member34.

The flow path member31is a member that constitutes a flow path35for air, and is comprised, for example, of a plate member made of metal. In addition, at corresponding ends of the flow path35, the flow path member31forms an air intake port36where air is drawn from the outside, and an air blowing port37where air is blown to the outside. In other words, the blowing device14includes the air intake port36and the air blowing port37, draws air from the air intake port36, and blows air from the air blowing port37to the medium2to which ink adheres. In the present embodiment, the air intake port36and the air blowing port37both include an opening at the −U direction.

The flow path member31includes a first member31a, a second member31b, and a third member31c. The first member31aand the second member31bare flat plate-shaped members disposed in a posture along the front surface of the support portion11c. The first member31ais disposed at a side closer to the support portion11cthan the second member31b, that is, at the −V side. The first member31afaces the medium2supported by the support portion11c. An end portion in the +U direction of the second member31bis coupled to one end of the third member31c. The third member31cis a member having a substantially letter −U shape and bent with the +U direction thereof being convex, and the flow path35is bent along this shape. The third member31cis bent to surround an end portion in the +U direction of the first member31a. The other end of the third member31creaches a position at the −V side that is closer to the support portion11cthan the first member31a.

A fourth member31d(seeFIG.3) along the U-V plane is coupled to end portions in the −X direction of the first member31a, the second member31b, and the third member31c. A fifth member31e(seeFIG.3) along the U-V plane is coupled to end portions in the +X direction of the first member31a, the second member31b, and the third member31c. In addition, end portions in the −U direction of the first member31a, the second member31b, the fourth member31d, and the fifth member31eform an air intake port36. A filter38used to prevent a foreign material such as dust from coming into is disposed at the air intake port36. Furthermore, the first member31a, the third member31c, the fourth member31d, and the fifth member31eform an air blowing port37at the −V side of the first member31a. The air blowing port37is located in the +U direction and the −V direction of the air intake port36. Note that a configuration may be employed in which a plurality of members of the first member31a, the second member31b, the third member31c, the fourth member31d, and the fifth member31eare integrally formed.

The air blowing fan32is disposed within the flow path35. In association with driving of a motor or the like that is not illustrated in the drawing, the air blowing fan32rotates to generate an airflow within the flow path35. As the air blowing fan32rotates to generate an airflow, the outside air is drawn from the air intake port36as indicated by the dashed line in the drawing, and the drawn air advances in the +U direction. After this, the direction in which the drawn air advances turns by 180° along the third member31c, and is emitted from the air blowing port37to the −U direction. With this configuration, air is blown to the medium2. The air blowing fan32is comprised, for example, of a propeller fan, a sirocco fan, a turbo fan, or the like. Note that a configuration may be employed in which a plurality of air blowing fans32are arrayed along the X-axis.

The heating unit33is disposed within the flow path35. Specifically, the heating unit33is disposed upstream of the air blowing port37in the air blowing direction and downstream of the air blowing fan32in the air blowing direction. The heating unit33is comprised of a long heat generating element such as a heater tube. The heating unit33extends along the X-axis to heat air within the flow path35. The heating unit33heats air within the flow path, and hence, air blown from the air blowing port37has a temperature higher than that of air drawn from the air intake port36. Note that the heat generating element that constitutes the heating unit33is not limited to the heater tube, and may be comprised of a heating wire, a heat source lamp, or the like. In addition, the configuration of the heating unit33is not limited to the configuration comprised of one long heat generating element. A configuration may be employed in which a plurality of heat generating elements are arrayed along the X-axis. Furthermore, the heating unit33may be disposed upstream of the air blowing fan32in the air blowing direction. The inner surface of the flow path member31may be comprised of a heat insulating material.

A plurality of guide members34are disposed outside of the air blowing port37, that is, at the −U side that is downstream in the air blowing direction. The guide members34are made of resin such as plastic or rubber, and are plate-shaped members each having a substantially right triangle shape in side view. The postures of the guide members34are postures along the U-V plane, and the plurality of guide members34having substantially the same shape are arrayed at the air blowing port37along the X-axis in substantially the same posture (seeFIG.3). Thus, air emitted from the air blowing port37passes through a space between guide members34, and is sprayed onto the medium2. Note that the configuration is not limited to the mode in which all the guide members34have the same shape and posture. For example, a mode may be employed in which the guide members34are different from each other in at least one of shape or posture depending on locations in the X-axis direction.

The guide member34includes three end portions corresponding to individual sides of the right triangle. Specifically, the guide member34includes a first end portion41extending along the U axis, a second end portion42extending along the V axis and substantially perpendicular to the first end portion41, and a third end portion43corresponding to the hypotenuse of the right triangle.

The first end portion41is an end portion facing a surface, of the first member31a, that faces the medium2, in other words, the first end portion41is an end portion facing the external surface of the first member31a. The first end portion41is coupled to the external surface of the first member31a. The second end portion42is an end portion facing the air blowing port37. The second end portion42extends from the first member31ato an end portion in the −U direction of the third member31c, crossing the air blowing port37along the V axis. The third end portion43is an end portion that faces the medium2supported by the support portion11c. The third end portion43extends along the transport direction of the medium2. Specifically, the third end portion43is comprised of a side coupling the top end in the −U direction of the first end portion41and the top end in the −V direction of the second end portion42, and extends in an oblique direction relative to the U axis and the V axis. More specifically, the third end portion43is sloped to approach the support portion11cand the medium2toward the +U direction that is the transport direction. In other words, on the third end portion43, of any given two portions that are spaced apart from each other in the transport direction, a distance from the support portion11cand a first portion located upstream in the transport direction is longer than a distance from the support portion11cand a second portion located downstream in the transport direction. The third end portion43serves as one example of an “end portion that faces the medium”.

In a case of the printing apparatus1as described above, even when the leading end in the transport direction of the medium2transported on the support portion11cunintentionally lifts from the support portion11c, the leading end of the medium is brought into contact with the third end portion43of the guide member34, and hence, does not enter the air blowing port37. In addition, since this third end portion43extends along the transport direction, the leading end of the medium2that is brought into contact with the guide member34is guided in the originally intended transport direction by the guide member34. Furthermore, the distance from the third end portion43of the guide member34to the support portion11cis shorter toward downstream in the transport direction, and hence, the third end portion43guides the leading end of the medium2so as to head toward the support portion11c.

As described above, with the printing apparatus1according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the following effects.

With the present embodiment, the guide member34is provided downstream of the air blowing port37configured to blow air to the medium2, and of the end portions of the guide member34, the third end portion43that faces the medium2extends along the transport direction of the medium2. Thus, when the leading end of the medium2on which printing has been performed deviates from the originally intended transport path and gets closer to the air blowing port37, the medium2is guided by the guide member34to the originally intended transport direction. This makes it possible to suppress catching of the medium2at the air blowing port37, thereby suppressing blockage of the normal transport of the medium2. In addition, since the medium2does not get caught at the air blowing port37, it is possible to dispose the blowing device14so as to be close to the medium2. This makes it possible to efficiently dry the medium2.

Furthermore, with the present embodiment, the plurality of guide members34are arrayed downstream of the air blowing port37and along the X-axis. This makes it possible to further suppress catching of the medium2at the air blowing port37. In addition, as the airflow emitted from the air blowing port37is straightened by the plurality of guide members34, it is possible to efficiently blow air.

Furthermore, with the present embodiment, the third end portion43, of the guide member34, that faces the medium2is sloped to approach the support portion11ctoward downstream in the transport direction of the medium2. This makes it possible to return, back to the support portion11c, the medium2that deviates from the support portion11cand heads toward the air blowing port37.

In addition, with the present embodiment, the blowing device14blows, to the medium2, air heated by the heating unit33. This makes it possible to efficiently dry the medium2on which ink has been discharged.

Furthermore, with the present embodiment, the heating unit33is disposed downstream of the air blowing fan32. This makes it possible to suppress damage to the air blowing fan32due to the heat generated by the heating unit33.

In addition, with the present embodiment, the guide member34is made of resin that is a material having relatively low thermal conductivity. Thus, even when the temperature at or around the air blowing port37increases due to the heat generated by the heating unit33, it is possible to suppress increase in temperature of the guide member34itself. Thus, when a finger of a user or the leading end of the medium2is brought into contact with the guide member34, it is possible to suppress excessive heat transfer to the finger or the medium2. Note that it is only necessary that at least the front surface of the guide member34is made of resin. For example, a configuration may be employed in which a front surface made of a metal material is covered with resin.

2. Second Embodiment

Below, a printing apparatus1according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG.4is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a blowing device15included in the printing apparatus1according to the second embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the blowing device15according to the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the blowing device15according to the present embodiment is configured to draw the outside air from the air intake port36formed at the +U side of the flow path member31, and blow air, toward the −V direction, from the air blowing port37disposed at the −U side of the air intake port36. Note that description will not be made of configurations common to those of the first embodiment.

The flow path member31according to the present embodiment includes the first member31a, the second member31b, and the third member31c, as in the first embodiment. The first member31aand the second member31bare flat plate-shaped members disposed in a posture along the front surface of the support portion11c. The first member31ais disposed at a side closer to the support portion11cthan the second member31b, that is, at the −V side. The first member31afaces the medium2supported by the support portion11c. An end portion in the −U direction of the second member31bis coupled to one end of the third member31c. The third member31cis a member configured to bend the flow path35. The other end of the third member31cis located farther in the −U direction than the end portion in the −U direction of the first member31a.

The fourth member31dand the fifth member31e(not illustrated) along the U-V plane are coupled to end portions in the ±X direction of the first member31a, the second member31b, and the third member31c, as in the first embodiment. In addition, end portions in the +U direction of the first member31a, the second member31b, the fourth member31d, and the fifth member31eform the air intake port36. A filter38used to prevent a foreign material such as dust from coming into is disposed at the air intake port36. Furthermore, the first member31a, the third member31c, the fourth member31d, and the fifth member31eform the air blowing port37at the −U side of the first member31a. In other words, the air blowing port37is located in the −U direction of the air intake port36.

A guide member39having a triangle shape in side view is disposed at the outside of the air blowing port37, that is, at the −V side that is downstream in the air blowing direction. The posture of the guide member39is a posture along the U-V plane. At the air blowing port37, a plurality of guide members39having substantially the same shape are arrayed along the X-axis in substantially the same posture. A corner portion44corresponding to one vertex of a triangle is located in the −U direction and the −V direction of the air blowing port37. That is, the guide member39protrudes from the air blowing port37in an oblique direction having a −U component and a −V component.

The guide member39includes a first end portion45, a second end portion46, and a third end portion47corresponding to individual sides of a triangle. The first end portion45is an end portion comprised of a side coupling the corner portion44and an end portion in the −V direction of the third member31cthat constitutes the air blowing port37. The second end portion46is an end portion facing the air blowing port37. The second end portion46extends from the end portion in the −V direction of the third member31cto the first member31a, crossing the air blowing port37along the U axis. The third end portion47is an end portion that faces the medium2supported by the support portion11c, and extends along the transport direction of the medium2. Specifically, the third end portion47is an end portion comprised of a side coupling the corner portion44and the tip end in the +U direction of the second end portion46.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the blowing device15according to the present embodiment is disposed, for example, in the vicinity of a curved portion50of which transport direction is curved into a convex shape. Specifically, the curved portion50is a position where a change of the transport direction starts from the +Y direction below the printing unit13into the +U direction along the support portion11c. In such a configuration, when, at the curved portion50, the medium2advances in a straight line in the +Y direction without changing its transport direction, the medium2is brought into contact with the third end portion47of the guide member39, and is guided to the +U direction that is the originally intended transport direction.

As described above, with the printing apparatus1according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain effects similar to those in the first embodiment.

Note that the positions of the air intake port36and the air blowing port37, the air blowing direction from the air blowing port37, and the shapes of the guide members34and39are not limited to the configurations described in the first and second embodiments as examples, and are freely selected. In addition, the sloped directions of the third end portions43and47of the guide members34and39are not limited to the configuration described above. The third end portions43and47are only necessary to be sloped such that the medium2deviated from the originally intended transport path and traveling toward the air blowing port37is returned back to the originally intended transport path.

Each of the embodiments described above may be modified in the following manner.

The embodiments described above indicate the configuration in which the heating unit33configured to heat air within the flow path35is disposed within the flow path35. However, the configuration of the blowing device is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be employed in which a heating unit61used to heat the medium2is provided at the outside of the flow path35, that is, at the outside of the flow path member31, as with the blowing device16illustrated inFIG.5. In addition, a configuration may be employed in which a reflecting mirror62is provided to efficiently heat the medium2using the heat generated by the heating unit61. In this case, the reflecting mirror62may be disposed in the +V direction of the heating unit61, which is a direction opposite to a direction in which the medium2is located. This makes it possible to reflect the heat radiated to the +V side from the heating unit61, to the −V side where the medium2is located. Furthermore, part of the heat generated by the heating unit61is transferred through the first member31ato the inside of the flow path35, and hence, it is possible to also heat air within the flow path35by the heating unit61, that is, heat the air used to be blown to the medium2. In addition, although illustration is not given, a configuration may be employed in which the heating unit61configured to heat the medium2is provided at the support portion11cside. In this case, the heating unit33or61may not be provided at the blowing device14.

In the second embodiment described above, when a cutter groove11d(seeFIG.6) used to cut the medium2is provided at any of the support portions11band11c, a configuration may be employed in which the guide member39has a function of helping the cutting operation. The cutter groove11dextends in the X-axis, and a user uses a commercially available cutter or the like. A blade3of the cutter is engaged with the cutter groove11dat the outer side of the medium2in the +X direction or the −X direction. Then, the cutter is moved along the X-axis direction. This makes it possible to cut the medium2. In the configuration illustrated inFIG.6, the tip portion of the guide member39is configured so as to be able to be brought into contact with the side surface of the blade3of the cutter in a state of being engaged with the cutter groove11d. With this configuration, it is possible to perform an operation of moving the blade3of the cutter along the X-axis direction while receiving a help of the guide member34. This makes it possible to perform a stable cutting operation. In addition, as illustrated inFIG.6, when the guide member39includes a fourth end portion48provided at the tip portion and extending substantially parallel to the blade3of the cutter in a state of being engaged with the cutter groove11d, it is possible to more stabilize the posture of the blade3of the cutter, which makes it easier to perform the cutting operation.

In each of the embodiments described above, the number of guide members34and39arrayed along the X-axis is freely selected. For example, even with the configuration in which one guide member34,39is disposed at or around the center of the air blowing port37in the X-axis direction, it is possible to suppress entry of the medium2into the air blowing port37. However, in order to more reliably prevent entry of the medium2, a plurality of guide members34,39may be disposed at predetermined intervals. Furthermore, when the air blowing fan32or the heating unit33is disposed at or around the air blowing port37, or when there is a possibility that the air blowing port37itself has a high temperature, the intervals between guide members34,39may be narrowed such that a finger of the user who performs maintenance or the like does not reach the air blowing port37. Specifically, the intervals between guide members34,39in this case, that is, the width of the intervals may be equal to or less than 10 mm, and may be equal to or less than 7 mm.

In each of the embodiments described above, emboss processing may be applied to the front surface of the guide member34,39to form small asperities thereon. With this configuration, even in a case where the guide member34,39itself has a relatively high temperature due to the heat generated by the heating unit33, it is possible to suppress excessive heat transfer to a finger of a user or the leading end of the medium2when the finger or the leading end of the medium2is brought into contact with the guide member34,39.

In each of the embodiments described above, a configuration may be employed in which a protruding that protrudes in a direction along the X-axis is provided on the front surface of the guide member34,39that intersects the X-axis, that is, on the front surface along the U-V plane. With this configuration, the protruding is formed at the front surface of the guide member34,39. This facilitates separation of an airflow delivered from the air blowing port37along the guide member34,39. This makes it possible to improve air blowing efficiency or reduce noise.

In each of the embodiments described above, the guide member34,39is made of resin that is a material having relatively low thermal conductivity. However, the material of the guide member34,39is not limited to resin. For example, the guide member34,39may be made of a material such as a metal having relatively high thermal conductivity when the blowing device14,15,16has a structure in which a user is difficult to touch the guide member34,39, or when damage caused by heat of the guide member34,39to the medium2that is brought into contact with the guide member34,39is small to the extent that the damage can be ignored. In this case, heat is dissipated from the guide member34,39to air emitted from the air blowing port37. Thus, it is possible to efficiently heat the delivered air. Furthermore, by employing a configuration in which part of the heat generated by the heating unit33or waste heat from a motor that drives the air blowing fan32is transferred to the guide member34,39, it is possible to further improve the efficiency in utilizing heat.

In each of the embodiments described above, the liquid discharged by the printing unit13is not limited to ink. For example, the printing unit13may discharge an electrode material used to manufacture various types of displays or a liquid body containing a material such as a color material in a dispersed state or dissolved state.

In the embodiments described above, the printing method of the printing unit13is not limited to an inkjet method in which a liquid is ejected. For example, a printing method may be employed in which a plate is used to cause a liquid to adhere to the medium2.