Printer

A printer includes a medium transporter configured to feed out a medium in a rolled shape and transport the medium in a first direction; a head provided movably in a second direction and configured to eject droplets for image-forming downward along a vertical direction toward the medium which is transported; a receiver provided below a region of the medium facing the head along the vertical direction, and configured to receive the droplets ejected onto the medium from the head and having passed through the medium downward along the vertical direction; and a support member configured switchably arranged at a supporting position arranged between the medium and the receiver along the vertical direction and a retracted position that is retracted from the supporting position, and configured capable of supporting the medium in a state of being arranged at the supporting position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-027314, filed on Feb. 16, 2017. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a printer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

As a printer for printing on a medium such as a fabric or paper, for example an inkjet type printer that ejects droplets from a head onto the medium is known. The inkjet type printer includes a transporter for feeding out the rolled medium, and the head for ejecting the image-forming droplets toward a surface of the transported medium.

In such an inkjet type printer, for example, when the droplets are to be ejected onto a coarse medium such as a fabric, there is a case where a so-called fall-through, where the droplets having struck a front surface of the medium pass through the medium and fall from a back surface, may occur. Due to this, some inkjet type printers are provided with an ink receiver for receiving the droplets that have fallen through, without directly supporting the medium.

On the other hand, in a printer provided with an ink receiver, when a medium touches droplets received in the ink receiver, the medium is thereby contaminated. For example, when the medium on which printing is completed is to be cut, there is a possibility that a cut piece immediately after the cutting may fall into the receiver, upon which the droplets in the receiver may adhere to the cut piece. In order to prevent such a situation from occurring, a configuration that provides a guide or a cover for providing support to prevent the medium from falling in the receiver is known (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-96658).

SUMMARY

The guide or the cover described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-96658 remains in a state of being arranged in the receiver even in a case where droplets are ejected out from a head onto the medium. Due to this, the droplets that have fallen through the medium may adhere to the guide or the cover. When the droplets adhere to the guide or the cover, the droplets may adhere to the medium when the guide or the cover supports the medium, and the medium may thereby be contaminated.

The present disclosure is made in view of the foregoing, and aims to provide a printer that can inhibit a medium from being contaminated by droplets.

A printer according to the present disclosure includes a medium transporter configured to feed out a medium in a rolled shape and transport the medium in a first direction; a head provided movably in a second direction intersecting the first direction and configured to eject droplets for image-forming downward along a vertical direction toward the medium which is transported; a receiver provided below a region of the medium facing the head along the vertical direction, and configured to receive the droplets which are ejected onto the medium from the head and pass through the medium downward along the vertical direction; and a support member configured switchably arranged at a supporting position arranged between the medium and the receiver along the vertical direction and a retracted position that is retracted from the supporting position, and configured capable of supporting the medium in a state of being arranged at the supporting position.

According to the present disclosure, when the support member is arranged at the supporting position, it can support the medium upon cutting the medium. Due to this, the medium can be inhibited from contacting the receiver. Further, since the support member can be retracted to the retracted position, for example, when the droplets are ejected from the head, the support member can be shifted to a state of not covering the receiver. In this case, the droplets having passed through the medium can be inhibited from adhering to the support member, and thus the droplets can be inhibited from adhering to the medium when the medium is supported by the support member. Due to this, the medium can be inhibited from being contaminated by the droplets.

Further, in the above printer, the receiver may include a recess at a portion facing the medium, and the supporting position may be a position above the recess along the vertical direction, and may be a position where the support member covers an entirety of the recess in the first direction.

According to the present disclosure, since the support member is arranged at the position above the recess provided on the receiver along the vertical direction, which also is the position where the support member covers the entirety of the recess in the first direction, the medium can more surely be inhibited from entering into the recess.

Further, in the above printer, the support member may be formed by using at least one of a flexible sheet material and a flexible linear material.

According to the present disclosure, the support member can be loosened or stretched, and as such, it can be in a stretched state under a state of being arranged at the supporting position, and be in a loosened state under a state of being arranged at the retracted position, for example. Due to this, the support member can stand by in a desired state.

Further, the support member may be movable along the first direction between the supporting position and the retracted position.

According to the present disclosure, since the support member moves along the first direction between the supporting position and the retracted position, switching between the supporting position and the retracted position can be performed within a short period of time.

Further, the support member may be arranged in plurality with an interval in between them along the second direction, and the plurality of support members may be integrally movable between the supporting position and the retracted position.

According to the present disclosure, since the plurality of support members arranged with the interval in between them along the second direction can move integrally along the first direction, the switching in the arrangements of the support members can surely be performed while reducing an amount of usage of the support members.

Further, the support member may be movable along the second direction between the supporting position and the retracted position.

According to the present disclosure, spaces on sides along the first direction, which is a transporting direction of the medium, can be used efficiently by enabling the movement in the second direction.

Further, the printer may further include a detector capable of detecting a state in which the support member is arranged at the supporting position.

According to the present disclosure, a detection result obtained by detecting the state in which the support member is arranged at the supporting position can be used as a trigger for work or operations related to printing or the like of the medium. For example, the medium may be cut when the state in which the support member is arranged at the supporting position is confirmed. Due to this, the medium can more surely be inhibited from contacting the receiver.

Further, the printer may further include a controller configured to cause the head to halt an ejecting operation of the droplets when the state in which the support member is arranged at the supporting position is detected by the detector.

According to the present disclosure, since the ejecting operation of the droplets is halted when the state in which the support member is arranged at the supporting position is detected, the droplets can be inhibited from adhering to the support member.

Further, the controller may restart the ejecting operation when the state in which the support member is arranged at the supporting position is no longer detected.

According to the present disclosure, since the ejecting operation is automatically restarted when the support member retracts from the supporting position, efficient printing can be performed.

According to the present disclosure, the droplets can be inhibited from adhering to the support member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinbelow, embodiments of a printer according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited by these embodiments. Further, constituent features of the below embodiments include those which a person skilled in the art can replace, or those that are substantially same.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer according to a first embodiment.FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating a configuration seen along a direction of an arrow A inFIG. 1. In the below description, explanation will proceed with an up and down direction along a vertical direction, being an up and down direction in a normal state of use of a printer100as a Z direction, a direction (second direction) along which a carriage40to be described later moves during printing using the printer100as a Y direction, and a direction (first direction) which intersects orthogonally to both the Y and Z directions as an X direction. The printer100is an apparatus that performs print processing of letters and figures by ejecting liquid such as ink onto a recording surface (printing surface) of a sheet-like medium M, such as a fabric or a resin sheet (for example, made of vinyl chloride, polyester, and the like).

The printer100includes a main body2formed in a laterally-elongated rectangular box shape, and a support3for supporting the main body2at a height position which facilitates work thereon. The support3includes legs3aon both sides along the Y direction, and the printer100is set at a desired position by these legs3abeing in contact with a floor. Further, a medium feeding mechanism4for feeding out an unprocessed medium M wound up in a roll, that is, the medium M before printing process, to the main body2, and a medium winding mechanism5for winding up the medium M on which printing is finished are provided on both sides of the support3along the X direction. The medium feeding mechanism4and the medium winding mechanism5configure a part of a medium transporter1configured to transport the medium M.

The main body2includes a body10, a medium support20, a medium transporting mechanism30, a carriage40, a carriage moving mechanism50, recording heads60, and a control unit70. The body10is provided as an attachment base for respective mechanisms. The body10includes a body frame11. The body frame11includes an upper frame11aand a lower frame11b. The medium support20, the medium transporting mechanism30, and the like are provided on the lower frame11b. A roller assembly of the medium transporting mechanism30, a support structure of the carriage40, and the like are provided on the upper frame11a. A medium inserting portion15where the medium M passes is formed between the upper frame11aand the lower frame11b. The body10is surrounded by a front cover13acovering a center portion of the body frame11and side covers13bcovering left and right sides of the body frame11, and is configured in a laterally-elongated rectangular box shape as a whole.

The medium support20is provided at a position on an upstream side of the medium transporting mechanism30in a transport path of the medium M. The medium support20supports the medium M from below, and sends out the medium M, which is fed thereto from a medium feeding mechanism4side, toward the medium transporting mechanism30by making the medium M be in a horizontal state. The medium support20is provided with a medium supporting surface6being a smooth curved surface. The medium supporting surface6may be provided with a mechanism for suck-retaining the medium M.

The medium transporting mechanism30moves the medium M from the medium feeding mechanism4side to the medium winding mechanism5. The medium transporting mechanism30configures a part of the medium transporter1. The medium transporting mechanism30includes a feed roller31and pinch rollers36. The feed roller31is provided rotatably about a rotary axis extending in the Y direction. The pinch rollers36are positioned above the feed roller31, and are elastically in contact with the feed roller31. The pinch rollers36are arranged in plurality by being aligned along the Y direction. The medium transporting mechanism30transports the medium M by a feed amount according to a rotation angle of the feed roller31by rotating the feed roller31in a state where the medium M is held from above and below by the feed roller31and the pinch rollers36. The medium transporting mechanism30transports the medium M to a downstream side along the transporting direction by the feed amount according to a drive control value by the feed roller31rotating on the basis of a control signal outputted from the control unit70. The medium transporting mechanism30is provided for example with a servo motor (not illustrated) and the like as a drive source for driving the feed roller31.

The carriage40is arranged above the transport path of the medium M, and is supported to be freely movable in the Y direction (main scanning direction, second direction) along a guide rail45. The carriage moving mechanism50reciprocates the carriage40along the Y direction. The carriage moving mechanism50includes a driving pulley51and a driven pulley52, a servo motor53, and a timing belt55. The servo motor53rotates, as a result of which its rotation is transmitted to the carriage40through the timing belt55, and the carriage40thereby moves along the Y direction. The rotation of the servo motor53is controlled by the control unit70.

The recording heads60are retained by the carriage40in plurality. The recording heads60are arranged at positions by which a certain gap is provided from the medium M along the Z direction. The recording heads60are retained by the carriage40in plurality, and are provided facing the medium M. The recording heads60eject image-forming ink (droplets) onto the medium M from their nozzles that are not illustrated. As the recording heads60, for example, a configuration having plural nozzle rows having such nozzles aligned along the X direction may be exemplified. Further, for example, four recording heads60are provided along both the X and Y directions. It should be noted that a configuration, a number, an arrangement, and the like of the recording heads60are not limited to the above, and they may have other configuration, number, and arrangement.

The control unit70is provided as a controller configured to control operations of respective sections of the printer100, such as movement of the medium M along the X direction by the medium transporting mechanism30, movement of the carriage40along the Y direction by the carriage moving mechanism50, ink ejection from the respective nozzles of the recording heads60, feeding operation of the medium M by the medium feeding mechanism4and winding operation of the medium M by the medium winding mechanism5to be described later, and the like. The control unit70performs the printing process of letters and figures according to a processing program on the medium M by relatively moving the medium M and the recording heads60by combining the movement of the medium M along the X direction by the medium transporting mechanism30and the movement of the carriage40along the Y direction by the carriage moving mechanism50, and causing the respective nozzles of the recording heads60to eject the ink onto the medium M.

The control unit70is arranged in a vicinity of an upper portion of a position on one end side of the body10along the Y direction. This control unit70is provided with an operation panel75for performing input operations and the like to the control unit70, which includes a liquid crystal display for displaying various types of information, and various types of operating buttons, such as function keys for selecting a function to be set, a jog key for selecting an execution content, an enter key for entering a selected content, a clear key for deleting settings, and the like. Due to this, an operator can set printing conditions while confirming displayed contents of the liquid crystal display to perform the printing process.

A tension roller7is provided on the downstream side of the carriage40in the transporting direction of the medium M. The tension roller7configures a part of the medium transporter1. The tension roller7applies constant tension force on the medium M along a feed direction. The tension roller7is provided rotatably about a rotary axis extending along the Y direction. The tension roller7is arranged such that its end position along the Z direction becomes substantially same as that of the feed roller31.

In the medium support20, a recess21is formed below the carriage40. The recess21has an ink receiver25arranged therein. The ink receiver25is arranged below a facing region Ma of the medium M, which faces the recording heads60in the Z direction. The ink receiver25receives the ink having been ejected from the recording heads60onto the medium M and having passed through the medium M downward. The ink receiver25includes a recess25afor storing the ink. The recess25ais formed in a groove shape extending along the Y direction, for example. The ink receiver25is arranged to be positioned lower than upper end portions of the tension roller7and the feed roller31along the Z direction, for example, so that the medium M does not touch it. It should be noted that the ink receiver25may be configured by arranging a container within the recess21, or a groove-shaped recess may be formed in the medium support20to use this recess as the ink receiver25.

Support members26are arranged on the downstream side relative to the ink receiver25in the transporting direction of the medium M. The support members26are arranged on the downstream side relative to the ink receiver25in the transporting direction of the medium M. The support members26are configured capable of being switched to be arranged between a supporting position P2, being a position between the medium M and the ink receiver25along the Z direction, and a retracted position P1, being retracted from the supporting position P2.

FIGS. 3 and 4are perspective diagrams illustrating an example of the ink receiver25and the support members26.FIG. 3is a diagram of a state in which the support members26are arranged at the retracted position P1.FIG. 4is a diagram of a state in which the support members26are arranged at the supporting position P2. As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the support members26are formed by using flexible sheet members. The support members26are formed in a ribbon shape, and a plurality thereof (four inFIGS. 3 and 4) are arranged along the Y direction with a certain interval in between them.

Each support member26has one end26afixed to a fixing portion27. The fixing portion27is arranged within the medium support20, on the downstream side in the transporting direction of the medium M relative to the ink receiver25. Each support member26has the other end26bconnected to a coupling member28. The coupling member28is formed in a bar shape, and is arranged to extend along the Y direction. The other ends26bof the respective support members26are coupled to the coupling member28.

The coupling member28can be supported respectively by retracted-side retaining portions23and supporting-side retaining portions24. The retracted-side retaining portions23and the supporting-side retaining portions24respectively support both ends of the coupling member28along the Y direction. The retracted-side retaining portions23are arranged for example between the fixing portion27and the ink receiver25. The supporting-side retaining portions24are arranged for example on an upstream side of the ink receiver25along the transporting direction of the medium M. The arrangements of the retracted-side retaining portions23and the supporting-side retaining portions24are not limited to the above, and other arrangements may be employed.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, when the coupling member28is retained by the retracted-side retaining portions23, each of the support members26is arranged at a retracted position P1. Each support members26is arranged at the retracted position P1in a state where its portion between the end26aand the end26bsags downward along the vertical direction. When the support members26are arranged at the retracted position P1, they are not arranged above the ink receiver25along the Z direction, and instead are arranged away from the ink receiver25along the X direction so that the ink ejected from the recording heads60does not adhere thereon.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, when the coupling member28is retained by the supporting-side retaining portions24, each of the support members26is arranged at a supporting position P2. Each of the support members26is arranged at the supporting position P2in a state of being stretched along the X direction, for example, and covers at least a part of the ink receiver25where the ink receiver faces the medium M. In the present embodiment, the support members26come to be in a state of being extended along the X direction over the recess25aof the ink receiver25, above the recess25aof the ink receiver25in the Z direction at the supporting position P2. For example, the supporting position P2is set as a position covering an entirety of the recess25aalong the X direction. When the support members26are arranged at the supporting position P2, they can support the medium M while maintaining their state of extending in the X direction without being sagged or cut by weight of the medium M. The medium M is supported by the support members26, by which it is inhibited from falling into the ink receiver25.

Next, an operation of the printer100configured as above will be described. Firstly, before performing the operation of the printer100, the medium M is set. For example, the medium M wound up in a roll is attached to a supply roller81by manual work by a worker. Next, an end of the roll of the medium M is drawn out, and is arranged on a transport path of the medium M, after which it is wound onto a winding roller111. Specifically, the end of the medium M is drawn out on the medium supporting surface6, and is made to pass through between the feed roller31and the pinch rollers36of the medium transporting mechanism30. Further, the end is made to pass through between the recording heads60and the ink receiver25, and is wound onto the tension roller7and a tensile force applying section121, after which it is wound on the winding roller111. In this way, setting of the medium M is completed.

After coming into a state where the medium M can be transported, the printer100controls respective sections by the control unit70when an operation starting instruction is inputted to the control unit70. The printer100transports the medium M from the medium feeding mechanism4to the medium winding mechanism5via the medium transporting mechanism30and the tension roller7by the control unit70. At this occasion, the medium M passing through between the recording heads60and the ink receiver25is in a state of being applied tensile force by the tension roller7and the tensile force applying section121.

Further, the printer100ejects ink from the recording heads60onto the medium M while reciprocating the carriage40along the Y direction by the control unit70. In this case, the recording heads60eject the ink with colors corresponding to an image to be formed on the medium M. The ejected ink adheres to an upper surface of the medium M in the Z direction. The image is formed on the upper surface of the medium M in the Z direction by the ink.

When the medium M is of a coarse material such as fabric, a part of the ink ejected from the recording heads60may not stay on the upper surface of the medium M in the Z direction, and a so-called fall-through may occur, where the ink passes through the medium M downward in the Z direction. The ink that has fallen through the medium M is received by the ink receiver25arranged below the recording heads60and stored therein. Since the support members26are arranged at the retracted position P1and not covering the ink receiver25, the fallen-through ink is collected in the recess25aof the ink receiver25without adhering to the support members26.

When the formation of the image on the medium M is completed, operations of the carriage40and the recording heads60are stopped by the control unit70. Further, transportation of the medium M is stopped by the control unit70.

After the carriage40and the recording heads60have stopped and the transportation of the medium M is stopped, for example, a part of the medium M is cut to collect a portion where the image is formed by manual work of the worker and the like. At this occasion, the coupling member28coupling the support members26are moved from the retracted-side retaining portions23to the supporting-side retaining portions24. This work is performed for example by manual work of the worker. With the coupling member28being arranged at the supporting-side retaining portions24, the support members26come to be arranged at the supporting position P2. That is, a part of the recess25aof the ink receiver25comes to be in the state of being covered by the support members26. The cut piece of the medium M, of which tensile force has been lost due to the cutting, is supported by the support members26. Due to this, the cut piece of the medium M can be inhibited from falling into the recess25aof the ink receiver25.

It should be noted that, a cut piece of the medium M on which no image has been formed is wound onto the winding roller111after having been orderly arranged on the transport path of the medium M by the manual work of the worker. After this, the printer100controls the respective sections by the control unit70to operate them when the operation starting instruction input from outside is made, and printing operation is thereby performed.

At this occasion, if a subsequent printing operation is performed in the state where the support members26are arranged at the supporting position P2, there is a possibility that the ink which has fallen through the medium M adheres to the support members26. Thus, the worker moves the coupling member28from the supporting-side retaining portions24to the retracted-side retaining portions23before performing the printing operation. By arranging the coupling member28at the retracted-side retaining portions23, the support members26come to be arranged at the retracted position P1. That is, the ink receiver25comes to be in an uncovered state. Due to this, the ink that has fallen through the medium M does not adhere to the support members26and is collected in the recess25aof the ink receiver25.

As above, since the printer100according to the present embodiment can cover at least a part of a portion of the ink receiver25facing the medium M using the support members26, the medium M can be inhibited from touching the ink receiver25upon cutting or the like of the medium M. Further, since the support members26can be retracted to the retracted position P1, the state in which the support members26do not cover the ink receiver25can be realized for example when the ink is to be ejected from the recording heads60. Due to this, the ink that has fallen through the medium M can be inhibited from adhering to the support members26. In this way, since the ink does not adhere even when the medium M is supported by the support members26, the medium M can be inhibited from being contaminated with ink.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 5 and 6are perspective diagrams illustrating a part of a configuration of a printer according to a second embodiment. A printer200according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment regarding a configuration of a support member126, and thus this difference will mainly be described. It should be noted that other configurations of the printer200may be configured same as the respective configurations of the printer100described in the first embodiment.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, the support member126is forming for example in a rectangular shape, and is formed with a dimension with which at least an upper portion of the ink receiver25in the Z direction can be covered. For example, the support member126has a dimension in the X direction larger than a dimension of the ink receiver25in the X direction, and a dimension in the Y direction larger than a dimension of the ink receiver25in the Y direction. The support member126is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the Y direction.

The support member126is formed in a loop by two wire members127. The wire members127couple corners at both ends of the support member126in the longitudinal direction. The two wire members127are formed with a length that is the same as each other. A portion surrounded by both end edges of the support member126in the longitudinal direction and the two wire members127is formed as an opening128. The two wire members127are formed with a dimension by which the opening128can expose an entirety of the ink receiver25. For example, the two wire members127have a dimension in the Y direction larger than the dimension of the ink receiver25in the Y direction.

The support member126is strapped across a driving roller123and a driven roller124, for example. The driving roller123and the driven roller124are provided at both sides of the ink receiver25in the Y direction, and are arranged parallel to the X direction. The driving roller123and the driven roller124are rotatable about axial lines of their rotary axes parallel to the X direction. An operation of the driving roller123is controlled for example by the control unit70. By actuating the driving roller123, the support member126is enabled to move primarily in the Y direction between a retracted position P3and a supporting position P4.

When the support member126is arranged at the retracted position P3, for example as illustrated inFIG. 5, the opening128is arranged above the ink receiver25in the Z direction, and the support member126is arranged below the ink receiver25in the Z direction. In this case, the ink receiver25is in a state of not being covered by the support member126.

When the support member126is arranged at the supporting position P4, for example as illustrated inFIG. 6, the support member126is arranged above the ink receiver25in the Z direction, and the opening128is arranged below the ink receiver25in the Z direction. In this case, the ink receiver25is in a state of being covered by the support member126.

As above, since the printer200according to the second embodiment is capable of arranging the support member126switchably between the retracted position P3and the supporting position P4, the medium M can be supported for example upon cutting the medium M. Further, when the ink is to be ejected from the recording heads60, it can be brought to the state of not covering the ink receiver25. Due to this, the ink that has fallen through the medium M can be inhibited from adhering to the support member126, and the medium M can be inhibited from being contaminated with the ink. Further, the printer200can efficiently use spaces on both sides of the ink receiver25in the Y direction by enabling the support member126to move in the Y direction.

The technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the above embodiments, and suitable modifications may be made within the scope that does not go beyond the essence of the present disclosure. For example, in the first embodiment as above, the configuration in which the support members26are formed by sheet materials was exemplified; however, no limitation is made hereto.FIG. 7is a perspective diagram illustrating an example of a printer100A according to a modified example. As illustrated inFIG. 7, support members26W made of linear materials may be used instead of the support members26made of the sheet materials. The support members26W have their ends26Wa fixed to the fixing portion27, and the other ends26Wb coupled to the coupling member28.

In this configuration, in a case where the coupling member28is retained by the retracted-side retaining portions23, the support members26W are arranged at the retracted position P1. The support members26W are not arranged above the ink receiver25in the Z direction, and are arranged apart in the X direction from the ink receiver25so that the ink ejected from the recording heads60does not adhere thereon.

Further, when the coupling member28is retained by the supporting-side retaining portions24, the respective support members26W are arranged at the supporting position P2. The support members26W are arranged in the state of extending in the X direction for example at the supporting position P2, and are in a state of being extended in the X direction over the recess25aof the ink receiver25, above the recess25aof the ink receiver25in the Z direction. When the support members26W are arranged at the supporting position P2, they can support the medium M while maintaining their state of extending in the X direction without being sagged or cut by weight of the medium M. The medium M is supported by the support members26W, by which it is inhibited from falling into the ink receiver25. Further, since the support members26W are light-weight as compared to the case of using the sheet materials, load upon switching the position between the retracted position P1and the supporting position P2can be reduced.

Further,FIG. 8is a perspective diagram illustrating an example of a printer100B according to a modified example. As illustrated inFIG. 8, solid support members26R may be used instead of the support members26made of the sheet materials. The support members26R are provided in plurality along the Y direction, and are configured slidably movable in the X direction with respect to a wall of the fixing portion27, for example. That is, the support members26R can be arranged above the ink receiver25by drawing them out by sliding toward an upstream side of the transporting direction of the medium M from their state of being housed in the wall of the fixing portion27. Further, the support members26R are configured capable of being housed in the wall of the fixing portion27by sliding them toward a downstream side in the transporting direction of the medium M from their state of being arranged above the ink receiver25. Each of the support members26R is coupled by a coupling member28R. Accordingly, each support member26R can be slid in the X direction integrally with the coupling member28R.

In this configuration, when the support members26R are to be housed in the fixing portion27, the support members26R are arranged at the retracted position P1. Further, when the support members26R are drawn out over the ink receiver25, the respective support members26R are arranged at the supporting position P2. At the supporting position P2, the support members26R can support the medium M while maintaining their state of extending in the X direction without being sagged or broken by weight of the medium M.

Further, in the configuration of the printer100according to the first embodiment as above, a guiding mechanism for guiding the coupling member28may be provided.FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating a part of a configuration of a printer100C according to a modified example. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the printer100C includes a guiding mechanism29for guiding the coupling member28. The guiding mechanism29includes a retracted-side retaining portion23A, a supporting-side retaining portion24A, and a guide groove G. The retracted-side retaining portion23A and the supporting-side retaining portion24A are provided at positions matching each of the retracted-side retaining portion23and the supporting-side retaining portion24in the aforementioned embodiment. The guide groove G is a groove that couples the retracted-side retaining portion23A and the supporting-side retaining portion24A. The guide groove G is formed with a dimension by which the end of the coupling member28can be housed therein. It should be noted thatFIG. 9exemplifies a configuration in which the guiding mechanism29is provided at one end of the coupling member28; however, no limitation is made hereto, and guiding mechanisms29may be provided at both ends of the coupling member28. The coupling member28can be moved along the guide groove G by the guiding mechanism29to arrange the coupling member28in the retracted-side retaining portion23A and in the supporting-side retaining portion24A. Due to this, changes in the arrangement of the coupling member28can be performed smoothly within a short period of time.

Further, in the printer100according to the first embodiment, the case where the worker moves the coupling member28between the retracted-side retaining portions23and the supporting-side retaining portions24directly by manual work has been exemplified; however, no limitation is made hereto. For example, the coupling member28may be configured to move by switching between the retracted-side retaining portions23and the supporting-side retaining portions24using a lever. In this case, a link mechanism for moving the coupling member28by switching a moving destination thereof between the retracted-side retaining portions23and the supporting-side retaining portions24according to the movement of the lever is provided. Due to this, burden on the worker can be reduced. It should be noted that instead of the lever and the link mechanism, an electric actuator for actuating the coupling member28may be provided. In this case, for example, the worker may operate the control unit70to automatically switch the position of the coupling member28. In this way, burden on the worker can be reduced.

Further, with respect to the configuration of the printer100according to the first embodiment, a detector configured to detect that the support members26are arranged at the supporting position P2may be provided.FIGS. 10 and 11are perspective diagrams illustrating an example of a supporting-side retaining portion24B according to a modified example. The supporting-side retaining portion24B illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11includes a wall241, a pivot member242, a support pin243, and a detector244. The pivot member242includes a base242a, a first branch242b, and a second branch242c. The pivot member242is attached to the wall241at its base242ausing a shaft245. The pivot member242is provided pivotably in a direction of shaft rotation about a center axis of the shaft245. The pivot member242is connected with an elastic member that is not illustrated. Elastic force provided from this elastic member acts on the pivot member242in a counter-clockwise direction in the drawing about the shaft245. This elastic force from the elastic member maintains the pivot member242in a state where the first branch242bis pressing the support pin243upward. It should be noted that the elastic force from the elastic member is set smaller than gravitational force of the coupling member28, as will be described later.

The detector244is for example an optical sensor such as a laser sensor, which irradiates a tip portion of the first branch242bwith laser beam to detect reflected light from the tip portion of the first branch242b. It should be noted that the detector244is not limited to an optical sensor, and other sensors such as a mechanical sensor may be used. A detection result from the detector244may be set to be sent for example to the control unit70.

When the end of the coupling member28is to be supported by the supporting-side retaining portion24B, the end of the coupling member28is inserted downward along the Z direction to an insertion246between the support pin243and a protrusion241aof the wall241.

FIG. 11is a diagram illustrating an example of the supporting-side retaining portion24B in the state of retaining the end of the coupling member28. As illustrated inFIG. 11, when the end of the coupling member28is retained, it is placed on the first branch242bof the pivot member242. A weight of the coupling member28is applied downward in the Z direction on the first branch242b. The elastic force of the elastic member is being applied upward in the Z direction on the first branch242b: however, since this elastic force is set smaller than the gravitational force of the coupling member28, the first branch242bmoves downward by the gravitational force of the coupling member28. Due to this, the pivot member242pivots clockwise in the drawing about the axial direction of the center axis of the shaft245. This pivoting brings the second branch242cof the pivot member242into contact with the support pin243. Pivoting of the pivot member242is restricted by the second branch242cbeing in contact with the support pin243, and the coupling member28comes to be in the state of being supported by the pivot member242and the support pin243. At this occasion, the tip portion of the first branch242bmoves to a position which is not irradiated with the laser beam from the detector244. Due to this, the detector244comes to be in a state of not being able to receive the reflected light from the first branch242b.

Further, when the coupling member28is to be detached, the gravitational force of the coupling member28is no longer applied to the first branch242bof the pivot member242. Due to this, the pivot member242returns to its original position by the elastic force of the elastic member, that is, it returns to the state where the first branch242bis pressing the support pin243upward. At this occasion, the tip portion of the first branch242bis arranged at the position which is irradiated with the laser beam from the detector244. Due to this, the detector244comes to be in the state of being able to receive the reflected light from the first branch242b.

As above, the state in which the reflected light can be received is detected by the detector244when the coupling member28is not retained by the supporting-side retaining portion24B. Further, the state in which the reflected light cannot be received is detected by the detector244when the coupling member28is retained by the supporting-side retaining portion24B. Accordingly, in the control unit70, when the state in which the reflected light cannot be received is detected by the detector244, a determination can be made that the coupling member28is being retained by the supporting-side retaining portion24B and the support members26are arranged at the supporting position P2.

When the state in which the reflected light cannot be received is detected by the detector244, the control unit70may halt the ink ejecting operation, for example. Due to this, the ink ejecting operation will be halted even if the worker has inputted to restart the ink ejecting operation while the support members26are still arranged at the supporting position P2. Due to this, the ink can be inhibited from adhering to the support members26.

After this, when the state is switched to the state where the reflected light can be received, that is, when the state in which the support members26are arranged at the supporting position P2is no longer detected by the detector244, the control unit70restarts the ink ejecting operation. Due to this, since the ink ejecting operation is restarted without the need for the worker to redo the input for restarting the ink ejecting operation, the burden on the worker can be reduced. It should be noted that, when the state in which the support members26are arranged at the supporting position P2is no longer detected, the control unit70may not immediately restart the ink ejecting operation, and the ink ejecting operation may be restarted after a certain time period has elapsed, for example. Due to this, the ink ejecting operation can be inhibited from being executed while the worker is moving the position of the support members26.

Further, in the printer200according to the second embodiment, the configuration in which the ink receiver25is provided has been exemplified; however, no limitation is made hereto.FIGS. 12 and 13are perspective diagrams illustrating a part of a configuration of a printer200A according to a modified example. As illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13, the printer200A has a configuration in which the ink receiver25is omitted from the printer200according to the second embodiment. Other configurations of the printer200A can be same as the respective configurations of the printer200described in the second embodiment.

In the printer200A, as illustrated inFIG. 12, when the support member126is to be arranged at the retracted position P3, the opening128is arranged on the upper side along the Z direction, and an inner surface of the support member126comes to be in a state of being exposed in the opening128. In this state, the printer200A is configured to receive the ink Q that has fallen through the medium when the printing operation is performed by the inner surface of the support member126. That is, the printer200A uses the inner surface of the support member126as an ink receiver125.

On the other hand, when the support member126is arranged at the supporting position P4, for example as illustrated inFIG. 13, the support member126is arranged on the upper side along the Z direction, and the opening128is arranged on the lower side along the Z direction. In this case, the ink receiver125(inner surface of the support member126) faces downward in the Z direction. Accordingly, even if the medium is supported on an outer surface of the support member126, the ink can be inhibited from adhering to the medium. It should be noted that the printer200A may separately include a configuration that can wipe off the ink on the inner surface of the support member126.

Further, in the printer200according to the second embodiment, the configuration in which the support member126is moved along the Y direction has been exemplified; however, no limitation is made hereto.FIG. 14is a perspective diagram illustrating a part of a configuration of a printer200B according to a modified example. The printer200B is configured to move a support member226along the X direction. It should be noted that other configurations of the printer200B can be same as the respective configurations of the printer100described in the first embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 14, the support member226is formed for example in a rectangular shape, and is formed with a dimension with which at least the upper portion of the ink receiver25in the Z direction can be covered. The support member226is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the X direction. The support member226is formed in a loop by two wire members227.

The wire members227couple corners at both ends of the support member226in the longitudinal direction. The two wire members227are formed with a length that is the same as each other. A portion surrounded by both end edges of the support member226in the longitudinal direction and the two wire members227is formed as an opening228. The two wire members227are formed with a dimension by which the opening228can expose the entirety of the ink receiver25. For example, the two wire members227have a dimension in the X direction larger than the dimension of the ink receiver25in the X direction.

The support member226is strapped across a driving roller223and a driven roller224, for example. The driving roller223and the driven roller224are provided at both sides of the ink receiver25in the X direction, and are arranged parallel to the Y direction. The driving roller223and the driven roller224are rotatable about axial lines of their rotary axes parallel to the Y direction. An operation of the driving roller223is controlled for example by the control unit70. By actuating the driving roller223, the support member226is enabled to move primarily in the X direction between a retracted position P5and a supporting position P6.

When the support member226is arranged at the retracted position P5, for example as illustrated inFIG. 14, the opening228is arranged above the ink receiver25in the Z direction, and the support member226is arranged below the ink receiver25in the Z direction. In this case, the ink receiver25is in a state of not being covered by the support member226. When the support member226is arranged at the supporting position P6, the support member226is arranged above the ink receiver25in the Z direction, and the opening228is arranged below the ink receiver25in the Z direction. In this case, the ink receiver25is in a state of being covered by the support member226. As above, by configuring the support member226to be movable along the X direction, spaces on both sides of the ink receiver25in the X direction can be efficiently used.