Patent Publication Number: US-9415614-B2

Title: Recording apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/547,787, filed on Nov. 19, 2014, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-254766 filed on Dec. 10, 2013. The entire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/547,787 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-254766 are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a recording apparatus. 
     2. Related Art 
     One conventionally known form of a recording apparatus is an inkjet-type printer provided with: a recording head for discharging ink onto an ink application surface of a recording medium; and a wettability improvement treatment apparatus for carrying out a wettability improvement treatment, such as a corona treatment, for improving the wettability to ink on the ink application surface of the recording medium, in advance of the application of the ink by the recording head (for example, see Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2008-207528). 
     Also known is an inkjet-type printer which uses an ink containing an active energy ray-curing compound that can be cured by being irradiated with active energy rays, and which is provided with an active energy ray irradiating means for curing the applied ink after the ink has been applied to the ink application surface, a mechanism for adjusting the humidity of a region irradiated with the active energy rays, and the like (for example, see Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2004-82531). 
     In the inkjet-type printers disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2008-207528 and Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2004-82531, however, there has been a problem in that the inkjet-type printers end up becoming very long, because of the need to arrange the wettability improvement treatment apparatus before a recording section provided with the recording head for discharging the ink, i.e., on the upstream side of a path along which the recording medium is supplied, and to arrange the active energy ray irradiating means, humidity regulation mechanism, and the like after the recording section, i.e., on the downstream side of a path along which the recording medium is discharged (see, for example, Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2004-82531 (FIG. 1)). As a result, there has been a problem in that locations for installing the inkjet-type printers end up being limited. 
     SUMMARY 
     Having been created in order to resolve the above-mentioned problems at least in part, the present invention can be implemented in the form of the application examples or aspects below. 
     A recording apparatus according to one aspect includes a supply reel configured and arranged to supply a recording medium, a recording section configured and arranged to record an image to the recording medium, a first conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed to the recording section, a post-treatment section configured and arranged to carry out a post-treatment on the recording medium after recording the image to the recording medium, a third conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the recording section to the post-treatment section, a take-up reel configured and arranged to take-up the recording medium, and a fourth conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the post-treatment section to the take-up reel, the third conveyance route including a third bend section at a location between an outlet of the recording section and an inlet of the post-treatment section. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view schematically illustrating the configuration of a recording apparatus as in a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view schematically illustrating the configuration of a conventional recording apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view schematically illustrating the configuration of a recording apparatus as in a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view schematically illustrating the configuration of a recording apparatus as in a first modification example; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of a recording apparatus as in a second modification example; and 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of a recording apparatus as in the second modification example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments by which the present invention is carried out shall now be described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. What follows is merely an embodiment of the present invention, and in no way limits the present invention. In each of the following drawings, there are some instances where, for the sake of facilitating understanding, the scale depicted differs from actual practice. Also, in each of the drawings, the Z direction is understood to be the upwards direction (i.e., the −Z direction is the vertical direction), and the X-Y plane is understood to be a plane that is parallel to the plane on which the recording apparatus is installed. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a front view schematically illustrating the configuration of a recording apparatus  100  as in a first embodiment. 
     The recording apparatus  100  is an inkjet-type printer that uses a UV ink that can be cured by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays as a “liquid”, and records an image onto a roll of paper  1  that is supplied in a state of having been wound into a roll as a “recording medium”. 
     The recording apparatus  100  is provided with a recording section  10 , a corona treatment section  20  serving as a “pre-treatment section”, a drying section  30  serving as a “post-treatment section”, a supply section  40  serving as a “recording medium supply section”, a take-up section  50  serving as a “recording medium storage section”, a first conveyance route  61 , a third conveyance route  63 , a splicing table  80 , and the like, and is unified into a recording apparatus by a housing  90 . 
     The roll of paper  1  is supplied from the supply section  40  and is stored in the take-up section  50  after having been passed through the corona treatment section  20 , the recording section  10 , and the drying section  30  by a conveyance path provided to the interior of the recording apparatus  100 . 
     As the roll of paper  1 , it would be possible to use, for example, high-quality paper, cast paper, art paper, coated paper, or the like. The recording medium is not limited to being these paper-based media, but instead may also be, for example, a film-based medium composed of synthetic paper, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), or the like. 
     In the following description, out of the two surfaces—front and back—of the roll of paper  1 , the “front surface” is the name given to the surface onto which the image is recorded and the “reverse surface” is the name given to the surface on the opposite side thereof. 
     The recording section  10  is provided with an inkjet head  11  for applying the UV ink onto the front surface of the roll of paper  1  and recording the image, a UV irradiator  12  for irradiating with ultraviolet rays in order to temporarily dry (temporarily cure) the UV ink that has been applied, and the like. The temporary drying of the UV ink by the UV irradiator  12  is intended to dry (temporarily dry) the ink to such an extent that the wet-spreading of the UV ink is sufficiently slowed down compared to a case without irradiation with ultraviolet rays. 
     A drive roller  13  that feeds the roll of paper  1  out is provided, together with a nip roller, to the conveyance path of the roll of paper  1  in the recording section  10 , on the downstream side thereof, and a driven roller  14  that is driven by the drive roller  13  and guides the roll of paper  1  is provided thereto on the upstream side thereof. 
     The corona treatment section  20  is located on the upstream side of the recording section  10  in the conveyance path of the roll of paper  1  and is provided with a corona discharge electrode  21  serving as a “corona discharger” for performing a corona discharge treatment on the front surface of the roll of paper  1  prior to the application of the UV ink. Performing the corona discharge treatment on the front surface of the roll of paper  1  makes it possible to improve the wettability of the UV ink. 
     A drive roller  23  that is ancillary to nip rollers and feeds the roll of paper  1  out is provided to the conveyance path of the roll of paper  1  in corona treatment section  20 , on the downstream side thereof, and a driven roller  24  that is driven by the drive roller  23  and guides the roll of paper  1  is provided thereto on the upstream side thereof. 
     The drying section  30  is located on the upstream side of the recording section  10  in the conveyance path of the roll of paper  1 , and is provided with, inter alia, a UV irradiator  31  for completely drying (completely curing) the roll of paper  1  after the temporary drying to which the UV ink has been applied. The UV irradiator is intended to cure the ink to such an extent that wet spreading of the UV ink is stopped, by irradiating with ultraviolet rays of a greater irradiation intensity than that of the UV irradiator  12 . 
     A drive roller  33  that is ancillary to nip rollers and feeds the roll of paper  1  out is provided to the conveyance path of the roll of paper  1  in the drying section  30 , on the downstream side thereof, and a driven roller  34  that is driven by the drive roller  33  and guides the roll of paper  1  is provided thereto on the upstream side thereof. 
     The supply section  40  is a recording medium supply section for storing the roll of paper  1  before the corona discharge treatment is performed, and is located on the upstream side of the corona treatment section  20  in the conveyance path of the roll of paper  1  and is provided with a supply reel  41  and the like. 
     The supply reel  41  is rotated by a supply motor (not shown) and supplies the roll of paper  1  out toward the corona treatment section  20 , which is arranged on the downstream side of the supply section  40 . 
     The take-up section  50  is a recording medium storage section for taking up and storing the roll of paper  1  after the complete drying has been performed, and is located on the downstream side of the drying section  30  in the conveyance path of the roll of paper  1  and is provided with a take-up reel  51  and the like. 
     The take-up reel  51  is rotated by a take-up motor (not shown) and takes up that roll of paper  1  that has been fed through the drying section  30  which is arranged on the upstream side of the take-up section  50 . 
     The conveyance path comprises respective internal paths of the recording section  10 , the corona treatment section  20 , and the drying section  30 , as well as the supply section  40  and the take-up section  50 , and is constituted of the first conveyance route  61  through a fourth conveyance route  64  that connect each one. 
     The first conveyance route  61  is a path along which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed from the corona treatment section  20  to the recording section  10 , and is provided with a first bend section  71  where the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is being conveyed is changed. More specifically, the first conveyance route  61  is a path along which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed that is constituted of the drive roller  23 , the first bend section  71 , and the driven roller  14 . 
     The first bend section  71  is constituted of a driven roller over which the roll of paper  1  is taut and which follows the movement of the roll of paper  1  being conveyed. The first bend section  71  has the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is being conveyed change from the direction going from the drive roller  23  toward the first bend section  71  to the direction going from the first bend section  71  toward the driven roller  14 . In other words, the direction going from the drive roller  23  towards the driven roller  14  (the direction going from the corona treatment section  20  towards the recording section  10 ) is bent. The example illustrated in  FIG. 1  has bending from the vertical direction going from the drive roller  23  toward the first bend section  71  to the horizontal direction going from the first bend section  71  toward the driven roller  14 . 
     The first bend section  71  may also be constituted of a drive roller for driving the conveyance of the roll of paper  1 . The first bend section  71  may also be constituted of a combination of a driven roller and a drive roller. In a case where the first bend section  71  is configured so as to comprise a drive roller, then the drive roller  23  may be a driven roller. 
     The first bend section  71  is also provided with a tension sensor (not shown) for detecting the tension received by the roll of paper  1  at the first conveyance route  61 . The tension received by the roll of paper  1  at the first conveyance route  61  generates a stress on the first bend section  71  where the direction of conveyance of the roll of paper  1  is changed on the first conveyance route  61 . Detecting this stress at the first bend section  71  makes it possible to detect the tension received by the roll of paper  1 . 
     The third conveyance route  63  is a path along which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed from the recording section  10  to the drying section  30 , and is provided with a third bend section  73  where the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is being conveyed is changed. More specifically, the third conveyance route  63  is a path along which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed that is constituted of the drive roller  13 , the third bend section  73 , and the driven roller  34 . 
     The third bend section  73  is constituted of a driven roller over which the roll of paper  1  is taut and which follows the movement of the roll of paper  1  being conveyed. The third bend section  73  has the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is being conveyed change from the direction going from the drive roller  13  toward the third bend section  73  to the direction going from the third bend section  73  toward the driven roller  34 . In other words, the direction going from the drive roller  13  toward the driven roller  34  (the direction going from the recording section  10  toward the drying section  30 ) is bent. The example illustrated in  FIG. 1  has bending from the horizontal direction going from the drive roller  13  toward the third bend section  73  to the vertical direction going from the third bend section  73  toward the driven roller  34 . 
     The third bend section  73  may be constituted of a drive roller for driving the conveyance of the roll of paper  1 . The third bend section  73  may also be constituted of a combination of a driven roller and a drive roller. In a case where the third bend section  73  is configured so as to comprise a drive roller, then the drive roller  13  may be a driven roller. 
     The second conveyance route  62  is a path along which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed from the supply section  40  to the corona treatment section  20 . The fourth conveyance route  64  is a path along which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed from the drying section  30  to the take-up section  50 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in the conveyance path, a position A (pre-treatment exit position) of the corona treatment section  20  for exit from which the roll of paper  1  is fed out is provided to a higher position than a position B (pre-treatment entry position) of the corona treatment section  20  for entry of the roll of paper  1  entering in; in the first conveyance route  61 , the first bend section  71  is provided to a higher position than the position A; and, in the second conveyance route  62 , the position B is provided to a higher position than a position C for the supply section  40  from which the roll of paper  1  is fed out. 
     Also, in the present embodiment, the supply section  40  is arranged at a position overlapping with the corona treatment section  20 , the first conveyance route  61 , and the recording section  10  when the recording apparatus  100  is viewed as being projected onto a floor surface on which the recording apparatus  100  is installed, due to the conveyance path being provided in the manner described above. 
     The splicing table  80  is provided to a region between the supply section  40  and the corona treatment section  20 . The splicing table  80  is used as a work platform for when a worker is joining rolls of paper  1  together. In a more detailed description, for example, in a case where the roll of paper  1  that is fed out from the supply section  40  is finished and a new roll of paper  1  is set up, then it is necessary to join the new roll of paper  1  to the old roll of paper  1  that has been set up on the recording apparatus  100 . Thus, the worker performs the task (splicing) of using splicing tape to join the upstream end of the old roll of paper  1  in the direction of conveyance with the downstream end of the new roll of paper  1  in the direction of conveyance, on the splicing table  80 . 
     The splicing table  80  is provided so as to be movable. In a more detailed description, the splicing table  80  can be installed horizontally at a position close to the conveyance path of the roll of paper  1 , in a region between the supply section  40  and the corona treatment section  20 , so as to facilitate work for the worker when performing the splicing. When, prior to this, the worker sets the new roll of paper  1  up onto the supply section  40 , then ample space for unencumbered performance of the task of setting the new roll of paper  1  up on the supply section  40  in some instances cannot be ensured while the splicing table  80  remains installed at this position (the position close to the conveyance path of the roll of paper  1  in the region between the supply section  40  and the corona treatment section  20 ). Therefore, having the splicing table  80  be movable makes it possible to ensure ample space. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the splicing table  80  is provided so as to allow for being flipped up in the vertical direction pivoting about a support shaft provided on the side away from the conveyance path of the roll of paper  1 . 
     According to the recording apparatus as in the present embodiment, as described above, the following effects can be obtained. 
     The first conveyance route  61 , along which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed from the corona treatment section  20  to the recording section  10 , is provided with the first bend section  71  where the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed is changed. Therefore, in the configuration of the recording apparatus  100 , it is possible to arrange in a direction with intersection between the direction in which the corona treatment section  20  extends and with the direction in which the recording section  10  extends. As a result, for example, when the recording apparatus  100  is viewed as projected onto the floor where the recording apparatus  100  is installed, then it becomes possible to arrange the corona treatment section  20  and the recording section  10  so as to each have a region of overlap. Even in a case where the corona treatment section  20  and the recording section  10  cannot be configured so as to overlap, then the corona treatment section  20  can still be installed, for example, in such a direction as where the projection area of the corona treatment section  20  becomes even smaller. In other words, the area occupied by the installation of the recording apparatus can be made narrower, and even in a case where the corona treatment section  20  is provided, it is still possible to provide a more compact recording apparatus that does not require a wide installation space. 
     The third conveyance route  63 , along which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed from the recording section  10  to the drying section  30 , is provided with the third bend section  73  where the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed is changed. Therefore, in the configuration of the recording apparatus  100 , it is possible to arrange in a direction with intersection between the direction in which the drying section  30  extends and with the direction in which the recording section  10  extends. As a result, for example, when the recording apparatus  100  is viewed as projected onto the floor where the recording apparatus  100  is installed, then it becomes possible to arrange the drying section  30  and the recording section  10  so as to each have a region of overlap. Even in a case where the drying section  30  and the recording section  10  cannot be configured so as to overlap, then the drying section  30  can still be installed, for example, in such a direction as where the projection area of the drying section  30  becomes even smaller. In other words, the area occupied by the installation of the recording apparatus can be made narrower, and even in a case where the drying section  30  is provided, it is still possible to provide a more compact recording apparatus that does not require a wide installation space. 
       FIG. 2  schematically illustrates an example of the configuration of a conventional recording apparatus  99 . The recording apparatus  99  is not provided with the first bend section  71  nor with the third bend section  73 , and therefore the corona treatment section  20 , the recording section  10 , and the drying section  30  are arranged so as to extend in series. As a result, installation requires a wide space than is the case with the recording apparatus  100 . As illustrated with the ranges of the arrows in the X direction in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to the recording apparatus  100  of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a more compact recording apparatus that does not require a wide installation space, in comparison to the conventional recording apparatus  99 . 
     The position A of the corona treatment section  20  for exit from which the roll of paper  1  is fed out is provided to a higher position than the position B of the corona treatment section  20  for entry of the roll of paper  1  entering in; in the first conveyance route  61 , along which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed from the corona treatment section  20  to the recording section  10 , the first bend section  71  is provided to a higher position than the position A; and, in the second conveyance route, along which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed from the supply section  40  to the corona treatment section  20 , the position B is provided to a higher position than the position C for the supply section  40  from which the roll of paper  1  is fed out. In other words, the conveyance route of the roll of paper  1  going from the exit of the supply section  40  towards the first bend section  71  is provided in a direction that grows successively higher going towards the direction of conveyance. As a result, where the corona treatment section  20  is provided, the conveyance route can still be configured more simply even in a case where the first bend section  71  has been provided so as not to require a wide installation space. More specifically, the position C, the position B, the position A, and the first bend section  71  can be configured so as to be arranged side by side on a substantially straight line. Also, in such a case, there is no longer a need to provide, inter alia, a bend section for changing the direction of conveyance in the second conveyance route  62  nor in the first conveyance route  61  leading up to the first bend section  71 . Because a path that bends at an acute angle (90° or less) is not formed on the conveyance route in the second conveyance route  62  nor in the first conveyance route  61  leading up to the first bend section  71 , the impact on the roll of paper  1  from a path that is bent can be reduced. 
     Also, with the recording apparatus  100 , the supply section  40  is arranged at a position of overlap with the first conveyance route  61  and the recording section  10  when the recording apparatus  100  is viewed as projected onto the floor surface where the recording apparatus  100  is installed. In other words, the floor surface where the recording apparatus  100  is installed may be a smaller area than in a case where the supply section  40 , the corona treatment section  20 , the first conveyance route  61 , and the recording section  10  are each arranged in series. As such, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a more compact recording apparatus that does not require a wide installation space. 
     The splicing table  80  for splicing the roll of paper  1 , which has been led out from the supply section  40 , is provided to the region between the supply section  40  and the corona treatment section  20 . In other words, the task of splicing the roll of paper  1  can be easily performed on a roll of paper  1  that is near at hand, having been drawn out from the supply section  40  before being introduced into the corona treatment section  20 . As a result, splicing can be performed without having to wastefully pull out the roll of paper  1  to be joined newly in order to perform the task of splicing or having to pass the roll of paper  1  to be joined newly through the corona treatment section  20  every time the task of splicing is performed. 
     Also, the splicing table  80  is provided so as to be movable. The splicing table  80  is arranged close to the supply section  40 , as stated above, and so doing makes it possible to perform splicing without having to wastefully pull out the roll of paper  1  to be joined newly in order to perform the task of splicing or having to pass the roll of paper  1  to be joined newly through the corona treatment section  20  every time the task of splicing is performed. However, when the splicing table  80  is arranged close to the supply section  40 , this may in some instances hinder the task of storing the roll of paper  1  in the supply section  40 . When the splicing table  80  is provided so as to be movable, as in the present embodiment, the splicing table  80 , for example can be arranged close to the supply section  40  in a case where the splicing task is being performed and can be moved to a position away from the supply section  40  in a case where the task of storing the roll of paper  1  in the supply section  40  is being performed, and this makes it even easier to perform each of these tasks. 
     Also, the first bend section  71  is also provided with the tension sensor for detecting the tension received by the roll of paper  1  at the first conveyance route  61 . A simpler configuration is achieved because there is no need for the first bend section  71  and the tension sensor to be provided separately from one another. 
     Also, because the corona treatment section  20  has the corona discharger, a treatment where the roll of paper  1  is exposed to a corona discharge environment can be performed. This corona discharge treatment makes it possible to improve the wettability of the UV ink to the roll of paper  1 . In other words, according to the present embodiment, it is still possible to provide a more compact recording apparatus that does not require a wide installation space even in a case where the corona treatment section  20  for improving the wettability of the UV ink is provided. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a recording apparatus as in a second embodiment shall be described. In the description, constituent sites identical to those of the embodiment described above receive identical reference numerals and any redundant description is omitted. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view schematically illustrating the configuration of a recording apparatus  200  as in the second embodiment. 
     The recording apparatus  200  is characterized in that the second conveyance route  62  is provided with a second bend section  72  and the fourth conveyance route  64  is provided with a fourth bend section  74 . 
     In the first embodiment (the recording apparatus  100 ), the second conveyance route  62  along which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed from the supply section  40  to the corona treatment section  20  was connected with a straight line, but in the recording apparatus  200 , the second conveyance route  62  if provided with the second bend section  72 , where the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed is changed. 
     The second bend section  72  is constituted of a driven roller over which the roll of paper  1  is taut and which follows the movement of the roll of paper  1  being conveyed. The second bend section  72  has the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is being conveyed change from the direction going from the supply section  40  toward the second bend section  72  to the direction going from the second bend section  72  toward the corona treatment section  20  (the driven roller  24 ). In other words, the direction going from the supply section  40  toward the corona treatment section  20  is bent. The example illustrated in  FIG. 3  has bending from the horizontal direction going from the supply section  40  toward the second bend section  72  (which, however, varies depending on the amount of roll of paper  1  in the supply section  40 ) to the vertical direction going from the second bend section  72  toward the corona treatment section  20 . 
     The second bend section  72  may be constituted of a drive roller for driving the conveyance of the roll of paper  1 . The second bend section  72  may also be constituted of a combination of a driven roller and a drive roller. 
     Also, in the recording apparatus  100 , the fourth conveyance route  64  along which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed from the drying section  30  to the take-up section  50  was connected with a straight line, but in the recording apparatus  200 , the fourth conveyance route  64  is provided with the fourth bend section  74 , where the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed is changed. 
     The fourth bend section  74  is constituted of a driven roller over which the roll of paper  1  is taut and which follows the movement of the roll of paper  1  being conveyed. The fourth bend section  74  has the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is being conveyed change from the direction going from the drying section  30  (the drive roller  33 ) toward the fourth bend section  74  to the direction going from the fourth bend section  74  toward the take-up section  50 . In other words, the direction going from the drying section  30  toward the take-up section  50  is bent. The example illustrated in  FIG. 3  has bending from the vertical direction going from the drive roller  33  toward the fourth bend section  74  to the horizontal direction going from the fourth bend section  74  toward the take-up section  50  (which, however, varies depending on the amount of roll of paper  1  in the take-up section  50 ). 
     The fourth bend section  74  may also be constituted of a drive roller for driving the conveyance of the roll of paper  1 . The fourth bend section  74  may also be constituted of a combination of a driven roller and a drive roller. 
     Also, the recording apparatus  200  is provided with a steering mechanism (not shown) for curbing any meandering of the roll of paper  1 , in particular in the path in the recording section  10 . The steering mechanism detects variations in the end position of the width direction caused by meandering of the roll of paper  1  and controls the movement of the roll of paper  1  so that the roll of paper  1  is conveyed at a predetermined position in the recording section  10 . The recording apparatus  200  is provided with a recording medium end sensor  91  as a sensor for detecting the width-direction end position of the roll of paper  1  being conveyed in the first conveyance route  61 . The recording medium end sensor  91  is provided between the first bend section  71  and the recording section  10  in the first conveyance route  61 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     The steering mechanism curbs meandering of the roll of paper  1  by performing a control on the basis of the positional information about the end of the roll of paper  1  as detected by the recording medium end sensor  91 , such as, for example, finely moving the axial direction of the drive roller or driven roller forming the first conveyance route. 
     According to the recording apparatus as in the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. 
     In the recording apparatus  200 , the second conveyance route  62  is provided with the second bend section  72  where the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed is changed, and the fourth conveyance route  64  is provided with the fourth bend section  74  where the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed is changed. Therefore, in the configuration of the recording apparatus  200 , it is possible to arrange so that the direction in which the corona treatment section  20  extends and the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed from the supply section  40  to the corona treatment section  20  intersect. It is also possible to arrange so that the direction in which the drying section  30  extends and the direction in which the roll of paper  1  is conveyed from the drying section  30  to the take-up section  50  intersect. As a result, it becomes possible for the corona treatment section  20  and the supply section  40 , and the drying section  30  and the take-up section  50 , to be each arranged so as to have regions of overlap, when the recording apparatus is viewed as being projected onto a wall surface of a room where the recording apparatus is installed. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , it is possible to configure so as to lower the height of the apparatus, as per the height H 2  of the recording apparatus  200  with respect to the height H 1  of the recording apparatus  100 . In other words, the height of the place where the recording apparatus  200  is installed can be further lowered, and it is possible to provide a more compact recording apparatus that does not require a large space even in a case where a pre-treatment section such as the corona treatment section  20  or a post-treatment section such as the drying section  30  is provided. 
     Also, the recording apparatus  200  is provided with the recording medium end sensor  91  for detecting the position of the width-direction end of the roll of paper  1  being conveyed in the first conveyance route  61 , and the steering mechanism for carrying out positional adjustments in the width direction for the roll of paper  1  being conveyed in the first conveyance route  61 . This steering mechanism curbs any meandering of the roll of paper  1  in the recording section  10  and curbs disturbance to the recording caused by meandering and the like. Also, the recording medium end sensor  91  is provided between the first bend section  71  and the recording section  10  in the first conveyance route  61 . In other words, the recording medium end sensor  91  is able to detect the position of the end of the roll of paper  1  in the width direction at a position of the first conveyance route  61  closer to the recording section  10 , and therefore more highly accurate positional adjustments can be performed with respect to the recording section  10 . As a result, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus with which any decline in the quality of recording provoked by meandering of the roll of paper  1  or the like has been curbed, even in a case where a more compact recording apparatus has been configured, by being provided with the first bend section  71 . 
     The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but rather a variety of modifications, improvements, or the like could be made to the embodiments described above. Modification examples shall be described below. Here, constituent sites identical to those of the embodiments described above receive identical reference numerals and any redundant description is omitted. 
     FIRST MODIFICATION EXAMPLE 
       FIG. 4  is a front view schematically illustrating the configuration of a recording apparatus  101  as in a first modification example. 
     The first embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , describes an example where the corona treatment section  20  serving as the “pre-treatment section” and the drying section  30  serving as the “post-treatment section” are arranged below the recording section  10  by the provision of the first bend section  71  and the third bend section  73 , but there is no limitation to being this configuration. For example, the configuration may be such that the corona treatment section  20  serving as the “pre-treatment section” and the drying section  30  serving as the “post-treatment section” are arranged above the recording section  10  by the provision of the first bend section  71  and the third bend section  73 , as per the recording apparatus  101 . 
     SECOND MODIFICATION EXAMPLE 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are plan views schematically illustrating the configurations of recording apparatus  102 ,  103  as in a second modification example. 
     The first and second embodiment and the first modification example described an example where the corona treatment section  20  serving as the “pre-treatment section” and the drying section  30  serving as the “post-treatment section” are arranged either above or below the recording section  10  by the provision of the first bend section  71  and the third bend section  73 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 , but there is no limitation to being this configuration. For example, the configuration may be such that the corona treatment section  20  serving as the “pre-treatment section” and the drying section  30  serving as the “post-treatment section” are arranged in the lateral direction of the recording section  10 , by the provision of the first bend section  71  and the third bend section  73 , as per the recording apparatuses  102 ,  103 . 
     In the case of the present modification example, it is preferable that the roll of paper  1  in the recording section  10  is conveyed so that the surface thereof stands in the vertical direction and therefore this modification example is preferably applied to a case where there will be either no or a negligible amount of falling of the liquid (ink) applied to the front surface of the roll of paper and where the image being recorded is not affected. 
     Also, the case of the present modification example has none or little of the effect of reducing the installation floor space for the recording apparatus, but because the corona treatment section  20 , the recording section  10 , and the drying section  30  are not arranged so as to extend in series as is the case with the conventional recording apparatus  99  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , there are effects such as the fact that installation remains possible even in a case where a long installation space cannot be taken or the like. 
     The first embodiment and the first and second modification examples described by way of example the roll of paper  1  that is supplied in a state of having been wounded into a roll, serving as the “recording medium”, but the “recording medium” is in no way limited to being a roll of medium nor to being a continuous medium. The “recording medium” may be, for example, a cut sheet. In such a case, there would be provided a conveying means for the path by which the cut sheet would be supplied from the supply section, pass by way of the pre-treatment section, the recording section, and the post-treatment section, and be stored in the storage section; in this conveying means, there would be provided a means for bending the conveyance path, similarly with respect to the first bend section  71  through fourth bend section  74 , thereby making it possible to obtain a similar effect. 
     The first embodiment and the first and second modification examples described by way of example a configuration in which the “pre-treatment section” is the corona treatment section  20  and the “post-treatment section” is the drying section  30 , but there is no limitation thereto. The “pre-treatment section” may be, for example, a treatment section for treating the recording medium prior to recording with a surface coating treatment, a heating treatment, a humidification treatment, a cutting treatment for modifying the width of the roll of paper, or the like. The “post-treatment section” also likewise may be, for example, a treatment section for treating the recording medium after recording with a surface coating treatment, a heating treatment, a humidification treatment, a cutting treatment for modifying the width of the roll of paper, a cut-out treatment, or the like. 
     A recording apparatus as in the present application example is characterized by comprising a recording section configured and arranged to apply a liquid onto a recording medium and record an image, a pre-treatment section configured and arranged to perform a pre-treatment on the recording medium prior to when the liquid is applied, and a first conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the pre-treatment section to the recording section, the first conveyance route including a first bend section configured and arranged to change a direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. 
     According to the present application example, the recording apparatus is provided with a recording section for applying a liquid onto a recording medium and recording an image, and a pre-treatment section for performing a pre-treatment on the recording medium prior to when the liquid is applied, and a first conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the pre-treatment section to the recording section is provided with a first bend section where the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed is changed. Therefore, in the configuration of the recording apparatus, it is possible to arrange in a direction with intersection between the direction in which the pre-treatment section extends and the direction in which the recording section extends. As a result, for example, when the recording apparatus is viewed as projected onto a floor where the recording apparatus is installed, then it becomes possible to arrange the pre-treatment section and the recording section so as to each have a region of overlap. Even in a case where the pre-treatment section and the recording section cannot be configured so as to overlap, then the pre-treatment section can still be installed, for example, in such a direction as where the projection area of the pre-treatment section becomes even smaller. In other words, the area occupied by the installation of the recording apparatus can be made narrower, and even in a case where the pre-treatment section is provided, it is still possible to provide a more compact recording apparatus that does not require a wide installation space. 
     A recording apparatus as in an application example above is characterized by further comprising a recording medium supply section configured and arranged to store the recording medium having been wound into a roll prior to when the pre-treatment is performed, and a second conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the recording medium supply section to the pre-treatment section, the second conveyance route including a second bend section configured and arranged to change the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. 
     According to the present application example, the recording apparatus is provided with a recording medium supply section for storing the recording medium having been wound into a roll prior to when the pre-treatment is performed, and a second conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the recording medium supply section to the pre-treatment section is provided with a second bend section where the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed is changed. Therefore, in the configuration of the recording apparatus, it is possible to arrange so that the direction in which the pre-treatment section extends and the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed from the recording medium supply section to the pre-treatment section intersect with one another. As a result, the height of the place where the recording apparatus is installed can be further lowered, and it is possible to provide a more compact recording apparatus that does not require a large space even in a case where the pre-treatment section is provided. 
     A recording apparatus as in an application example above is characterized by further comprising a recording medium supply section configured and arranged to store the recording medium having been wound into a roll prior to when the pre-treatment is performed, and a second conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the recording medium supply section to the pre-treatment section, a pre-treatment exit position for the pre-treatment section from which the recording medium is fed out being provided to a higher position than a pre-treatment entry position for the pre-treatment section at which the recording medium enters in, the first bend section being provided in the first conveyance route at a higher position than the pre-treatment exit position, and the pre-treatment entry position being provided in the second conveyance route at a higher position than a position for the recording medium supply section from which the recording medium is fed out. 
     According to the present application example, the pre-treatment exit position is provided to a higher position than the pre-treatment entry position; in the first conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the pre-treatment section to the recording section, the first bend section is provided to a higher position than the pre-treatment exit position; and in the second conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the recording medium supply section to the pre-treatment section, the pre-treatment entry position is provided to a higher position than the position for the recording medium supply section from which the recording medium is fed out. In other words, the conveyance route of the recording medium going from the exit of the recording medium supply section to the first bend section is provided in a direction that rises successively going toward the direction of conveyance. As a result, where the pre-treatment section is provided, the conveyance route can still be configured more simply even in a case where the first bend section has been provided so as not to require a wide installation space. 
     A recording apparatus as in an application example above is characterized in that the recording medium supply section is provided to a position where the recording medium supply section overlaps with at least one of the pre-treatment section, the first conveyance route, and the recording section when the recording apparatus is viewed as being projected onto a floor surface where the recording apparatus is installed. 
     According to the present application example, the recording medium supply section is provided to a position where the recording medium supply section overlaps with the pre-treatment section, the first conveyance route, and/or the recording section when the recording apparatus is viewed as being projected onto a floor surface where the recording apparatus is installed. In other words, the floor surface where the recording apparatus is installed may be a smaller area than in a case where the recording medium supply section, the pre-treatment section, the first conveyance route, and the recording section are each arranged in series. As such, according to the present application example, it is possible to provide a more compact recording apparatus that does not require a wide installation space. 
     A recording apparatus as in an application example above is characterized by further comprising a splicing table configured and arranged to splice the recording medium having been led out from the recording medium supply section, the splicing table being provided to a region between the recording medium supply section and the pre-treatment section. 
     According to the present application example, a splicing table for splicing the recording medium having been led out from the recording medium supply section is provided to a region between the recording medium supply section and the pre-treatment section. In other words, for example, the task of splicing a roll of paper or other recording medium can be easily performed on a roll of paper that is near at hand, having been drawn out from the recording medium supply section before being introduced into the pre-treatment section. As a result, splicing can be performed without having to wastefully pull out the recording medium to be joined newly in order to perform the task of splicing or having to pass the recording medium to be joined newly through the pre-treatment section every time the task of splicing is performed. 
     A recording apparatus as in an application example above is characterized in that the splicing table is provided so as to be movable. 
     According to the present application example, the splicing table is provided so as to be movable. The splicing table is arranged close to the recording medium supply section, as stated above, and so doing makes it possible to perform splicing without having to wastefully pull out the recording medium to be joined newly in order to perform the task of splicing or having to pass the recording medium to be joined newly through the pre-treatment section every time the task of splicing is performed. However, when the splicing table is arranged close to the recording medium supply section, this may in some instances hinder the task of storing the roll of recording medium in the recording medium supply section. When the splicing table is provided so as to be movable, as in the present application example, the splicing table can, for example, be arranged close to the recording medium supply section in a case where the splicing task is being performed and can be moved to a position away from the recording medium supply section in a case where the task of storing the recording medium in the recording medium supply section is being performed, and this makes it even easier to perform each of these tasks. 
     A recording apparatus as in an application example above is characterized in that the first bend section includes a tension sensor configured and arranged to detect a tension received by the recording medium in the first conveyance route. 
     According to the present application example, the first bend section is provided with a tension sensor for detecting a tension received by the recording medium in the first conveyance route. The tension received by the recording medium at the first conveyance route generates a stress on the first bend section where the direction of conveyance of the recording medium is changed on the first conveyance route. Detecting this stress in the first bend section makes it possible to detect the tension received by the recording medium. In other words, the first bend section can doubly bear a function as a tension sensor for detecting the tension received by the recording medium. As a result, a simpler configuration can be achieved because it is no longer necessary to provide the first bend section and the tension sensor separately in a recording apparatus where a tension sensor for detecting the tensions received by the recording medium is needed. 
     A recording apparatus as in an application example above is characterized in further comprising a recording medium end sensor configured and arranged to detect a position of an end of a width direction of the recording medium being conveyed in the first conveyance route, and a steering mechanism configured and arranged to carry out positional adjustments in the width direction for the recording medium being conveyed in the first conveyance route on the basis of positional information about the end detected by the recording medium end sensor, the recording medium end sensor being provided between the first bend section and the recording section in the first conveyance route. 
     According to the present application example, the recording apparatus is provided with a recording medium end sensor for detecting the position of an end of the width direction of the recording medium being conveyed in the first conveyance route, and a steering mechanism for carrying out positional adjustments in the width direction for the recording medium being conveyed in the first conveyance route on the basis of positional information about the end detected by the recording medium end sensor. This steering mechanism curbs any meandering of the recording medium in the recording section and curbs disturbance to the recording caused by meandering and the like. Also, the recording medium end sensor is provided between the first bend section and the recording section in the first conveyance route. In other words, the recording medium end sensor is able to detect the position of the end of the recording medium in the width direction at a position of the first conveyance route closer to the recording section, and therefore more highly accurate positional adjustments can be performed with respect to the recording section. As a result, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus with which any decline in the quality of recording provoked by meandering of the roll of paper  1  or the like has been curbed, even in a case where a more compact recording apparatus has been configured, by being provided with the first bend section. 
     A recording apparatus as in an application example above is characterized by further comprising a post-treatment section configured and arranged to carry out a post-treatment on the recording medium after the liquid has been applied, and a third conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the recording section to the post-treatment section, the third conveyance route including a third bend section configured and arranged to change the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. 
     According to the present application example, the recording apparatus is provided with the post-treatment section, and the third conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the recording section to the post-treatment section is provided with a third bend section where the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed is changed. Therefore, in the configuration of the recording apparatus, it is possible to arrange in a direction with intersection between the direction in which the post-treatment section extends and with the direction in which the recording section extends. As a result, for example, when the recording apparatus is viewed as projected onto the floor where the recording apparatus is installed, then it becomes possible to arrange the post-treatment section and the recording section so as to each have a region of overlap. Even in a case where the post-treatment section and the recording section cannot be configured so as to overlap, then the post-treatment section can still be installed, for example, in such a direction as where the projection area of the post-treatment section becomes even smaller. In other words, the area occupied by the installation of the recording apparatus can be made narrower, and even in a case where the post-treatment section is provided, it is still possible to provide a more compact recording apparatus that does not require a wide installation space. 
     A recording apparatus as in an application example above is characterized by further comprising a recording medium storage section configured and arranged to take up into the shape of a roll and store the recording medium after the post-treatment has been performed, and a fourth conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the post-treatment section to the recording medium storage section, the fourth conveyance route including a fourth bend section configured and arranged to change the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. 
     According to the present application example, the recording apparatus is provided with a recording medium storage section for taking up into the shape of a roll and storing the recording medium after the post-treatment has been performed, and a fourth conveyance route along which the recording medium is conveyed from the post-treatment section to the recording medium storage section is provided with a fourth bend section where the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed is changed. Therefore, in the configuration of the recording apparatus, it is possible to arrange so that the direction in which the post-treatment section extends and the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed from the post-treatment section to the recording medium storage section intersect with one another. As a result, the height of the place where the recording apparatus is installed can be further lowered, and it is possible to provide a more compact recording apparatus that does not require a large space even in a case where a post-treatment section is provided. 
     A recording apparatus as in an application example above is characterized in that the pre-treatment section has a corona discharger. 
     According to the present application example, the pre-treatment section has a corona discharger, and therefore a treatment for exposing the recording medium to a corona discharge environment can be performed. This corona discharge treatment makes it possible to improve the wettability of the liquid to the recording medium. In other words, according to the present application example, it is possible to provide a more compact recording apparatus that does not require a wide installation space even in a case where a pre-treatment section for improving the wettability of the liquid is provided. 
     A recording apparatus includes a recording section configured and arranged to apply a liquid (UV ink) onto a recording medium (roll of paper) and record an image, a pre-treatment section (corona treatment section) configured and arranged to perform a pre-treatment on the roll of paper prior to when the UV ink is applied, and a first conveyance route along which the roll of paper is conveyed from the corona treatment section to the recording section. The first conveyance route has a first bend section configured and arranged to change the direction in which the roll of paper is conveyed. 
     GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS 
     In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies. 
     While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.