Patent Description:
A box making machine manufactures a box body (corrugated cardboard box) by processing a corrugated board. The box making machine includes a feeding section, a printing section, a slotter creaser section, a die cutting section, a folding section, a counter-ejector section, and the like. The feeding section feeds out the corrugated boards stacked on a table one by one and feeds the corrugated boards to the printing section at a regular speed. The printing section includes a plurality of printing units and performs printing on the corrugated board. The slotter creaser section forms a creasing line as a fold line on the corrugated board, cut an end portion of the corrugated board, and performs processing of a groove as a flap or a gluing margin strip for joining. The die cutting section performs punching processing of a hand hole or the like on the corrugated board. The folding section manufactures a flat corrugated cardboard box by applying glue to the gluing margin strip of the corrugated board, folding the gluing margin strip along the creasing line, and joining the gluing margin strip. The counter-ejector section stacks the corrugated cardboard boxes, sorts the corrugated cardboard boxes into a predetermined number of batches, and ejects the corrugated cardboard boxes.

The printing section of the box making machine can perform multicolor printing on a surface of the corrugated board to be transferred. Therefore, in the printing section, the plurality of printing units are disposed in series in a transfer direction of the corrugated board. The plurality of printing units have substantially the same configurations. The printing unit includes a printing cylinder, an ink supply roll, an ink supply section, and an impression roll. The printing cylinder is equipped with a printing plate on an outer peripheral portion and is supported to be rotatable. The ink supply roll is supported to be rotatable and supplies ink of the ink supply section to the printing plate of the printing cylinder. The impression roll is disposed below the printing cylinder and interposes the corrugated board with the printing cylinder. Therefore, when the corrugated board is transferred between the printing cylinder and the impression roll, the ink of the printing plate is transferred to the surface of the corrugated board, so that the printing is performed. As the box making machine including such a printing section, there is a box making machine disclosed in PTL <NUM>.

Further related art may be found in <CIT> which describes a portable printer coater and in <CIT> which describes a carton production system.

In a printing section disposed in a box making machine in the related art, a plurality of printing units are disposed along a transfer direction of a corrugated board. In the printing section unit, a printing cylinder and an impression roll are disposed vertically, and an ink supply roll and an ink supply section are disposed on a side of the printing cylinder. The printing unit is configured to accommodate the printing cylinder, the ink supply roll, the ink supply section, and the impression roll inside a housing. In the printing section, a foothold for securing a work space is provided between the plurality of printing units. The foothold is, for example, a space for an operator to replace a printing plate for the printing cylinder. Since one foothold is provided for one printing unit, a total length of the printing section is long. Therefore, a space for disposing the box making machine is large, and it is desired to reduce the total length of the printing section.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the problems described above, and an object thereof is to provide a printing device, a printer, and a box making machine for reducing a size of the device. The present invention is defined by appended independent claims. The dependent claims describe optional features and distinct embodiments.

In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure relates to a printing device including a printing cylinder on which a printing plate is mountable, an ink supply roll that is disposed on an upstream side or a downstream side of the printing cylinder in a sheet transfer direction and is contactable with the printing cylinder, an ink supply section that is configured to supply ink to the ink supply roll, a first cover that covers an upper side of the printing cylinder in a vertical direction and is openable and closable, and a foothold that covers an upper side of the ink supply roll in the vertical direction and on which an operator is able to perform work.

In addition, the present disclosure relates to a printer in which a plurality of the printing devices are disposed at predetermined intervals in the sheet transfer direction, and the foothold is disposed above the plurality of printing devices.

In addition, the present disclosure relates to a box making machine including a feeding section that supplies a sheet, a printing section that performs printing on the sheet, a slotter creaser section that performs end portion cutting processing, creasing line processing, and grooving processing on the sheet, a folding section that folds the sheet and joins end portions to form a box body, and a counter-ejector section that stacks the box bodies while counting the number of the box bodies, and then ejects the box bodies for each predetermined number, in which the printing section includes the printer.

With the printing device, the printer, and the box making machine according to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the size of the device.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment, and includes a configuration in which embodiments are combined in a case in which there are a plurality of embodiments. In addition, components in the embodiment include components that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, components that are substantially the same, and components having a so-called equivalent range.

<FIG> is a schematic view showing a box making machine according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a horizontal direction in which a corrugated board S and a corrugated cardboard box B are transferred is referred to as a transfer direction D, and a horizontal direction orthogonal to the transfer direction D is referred to as a width direction W.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, a box making machine <NUM> manufactures the corrugated cardboard box (box body) B by processing the corrugated board S. The box making machine <NUM> includes a feeding section <NUM>, a printing section <NUM>, a slotter creaser section <NUM>, a die cutting section <NUM>, a folding section <NUM>, and a counter-ejector section <NUM>. In the box making machine <NUM>, the feeding section <NUM>, the printing section <NUM>, the slotter creaser section <NUM>, the die cutting section <NUM>, the folding section <NUM>, and the counter-ejector section <NUM> are disposed linearly along the transfer direction D.

The feeding section <NUM> feeds out the corrugated boards S one by one and feeds the corrugated boards S to the printing section <NUM> at a regular speed. The feeding section <NUM> includes a table <NUM>, a front guide <NUM>, a feed roller <NUM>, a suction device <NUM>, and a feed roll <NUM>. The table <NUM> is supported such that a large number of the corrugated boards S can be stacked and placed on the table <NUM> and can move up and down. The front guide <NUM> can position a front end position of the corrugated boards S stacked on the table <NUM>, and a gap through which one corrugated board S can pass is secured between a lower end portion and the table <NUM>. A plurality of the feed rollers <NUM> are disposed in the transfer direction D of the corrugated board S corresponding to the table <NUM>, and feeds out the corrugated board S at the lowest position among a large number of the stacked corrugated boards S forward when the table <NUM> moves down. The suction device <NUM> sucks the stacked corrugated boards S downward, that is, to the table <NUM> or the feed roller <NUM> side. The feed roll <NUM> supplies the corrugated board S fed out by the feed roller <NUM> to the printing section <NUM>.

The printing section <NUM> performs multicolor printing (four-color printing in the present embodiment) on a surface of the corrugated board S. In the printing section <NUM>, four printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D are disposed in series, and the printing is performed using four ink colors on the surface of the corrugated board S. The printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D are configured in substantially the same manner, and include a printing cylinder <NUM>, an ink supply roll (anilox roll) <NUM>, an ink supply section <NUM>, and an impression roll <NUM>. A printing plate <NUM> can be mounted on an outer peripheral portion of the printing cylinder <NUM>.

The slotter creaser section <NUM> has a function of performing creasing line processing, a function of performing cutting processing, and a function of performing grooving processing on the corrugated board S. The slotter creaser section <NUM> includes a first creasing roll <NUM>, a second creasing roll <NUM>, a slitter head <NUM>, and a slotter head <NUM>. A plurality (in the present embodiment, four) of the first creasing rolls <NUM> are disposed at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction (width direction of the corrugated board S) orthogonal to the transfer direction D of the corrugated board S, and can be rotated by a drive device (not shown). A plurality (in the present embodiment, four) of the second creasing rolls <NUM> are disposed at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the transfer direction D of the corrugated board S, and can be rotated by the drive device (not shown). In the first creasing roll <NUM> and the second creasing roll <NUM>, the creasing line processing is performed on a back surface (lower surface) of the corrugated board S.

A plurality of the slitter heads <NUM> and the slotter heads <NUM> (in the present embodiment, a total of five) are disposed at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the transfer direction D of the corrugated board S, and can be rotated by the drive device (not shown). One slitter head <NUM> is configured, is provided corresponding to an end portion of the corrugated board S to be transferred, in the width direction, and cuts the end portion of the corrugated board S in the width direction. Four slotter head <NUM> are configured, are provided corresponding to predetermined positions of the corrugated board S to be transferred, in the width direction, and perform gluing margin strip processing together with the grooving processing at the predetermined positions in the corrugated board S.

The die cutting section <NUM> performs punching processing of a hand hole or the like on the corrugated board S. The die cutting section <NUM> includes a pair of upper and lower feed pieces <NUM>, an anvil cylinder <NUM>, and a knife cylinder <NUM>. The feed pieces <NUM> transfer the corrugated board S by interposing the corrugated board S from above and below, and are provided to be rotatable. The anvil cylinder <NUM> and the knife cylinder <NUM> are each formed in a circular shape, and can be rotated synchronously by the drive device (not shown). In this case, an anvil is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the anvil cylinder <NUM>, while a die is formed at a predetermined position on an outer peripheral portion of the knife cylinder <NUM>.

The folding section <NUM> folds the corrugated board S while moving the corrugated board S in the transfer direction D, and joins both end portions in the width direction to form a flat corrugated cardboard box B. The folding section <NUM> includes an upper transfer belt <NUM>, a lower transfer belt <NUM>, and a forming belt <NUM>. The upper transfer belt <NUM>, the lower transfer belt <NUM>, and the forming belt <NUM> transfer the corrugated board S by interposing the corrugated board S and the corrugated cardboard box B from above and below. The forming belt <NUM> folds the corrugated board S while bending each end portion in the width direction downward. In addition, a gluing device <NUM> is provided in the folding section <NUM>. The gluing device <NUM> includes a glue gun, and discharges the glue at a predetermined timing to perform gluing at a predetermined position on the corrugated board S.

The counter-ejector section <NUM> stacks the corrugated cardboard boxes B while counting the corrugated cardboard boxes B, sorts the corrugated cardboard boxes B into a predetermined number of batches, and then ejects the corrugated cardboard boxes B. The counter-ejector section <NUM> includes a ledge device <NUM> that sorts the stacked corrugated cardboard boxes into the predetermined number of batches. An elevator <NUM> is provided below the ledge device <NUM> to be movable up and down. The elevator <NUM> moves down the corrugated cardboard box B sorted into the batch to a position of a transfer conveyor <NUM> downstream. It should be noted that the counter-ejector section <NUM> includes a front plate and a square plate (which are not shown) as shaping means.

A printer according to the present invention is applied to the printing section <NUM> of the box making machine <NUM>, and a printing device according to the present invention is applied to the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D. <FIG> is a side view showing the printing section according to the present embodiment, and <FIG> is a plan view showing the printing section according to the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, for example, in the printing section <NUM>, four printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D are disposed along the transfer direction D. The four printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D are configured in substantially the same manner. The printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D include the printing cylinder <NUM>, the ink supply roll <NUM>, the ink supply section <NUM>, and the impression roll <NUM>.

In the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D, the printing cylinder <NUM> is accommodated inside a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a ceiling 101a disposed on an upper side of the printing cylinder <NUM> in a vertical direction, and vertical wall portions 101b and 101c disposed on an upstream side and a downstream side of the printing cylinder <NUM> in the transfer direction D. In the housing <NUM>, a work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder is provided in the ceiling 101a. The work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder has a rectangular shape, has a length in the transfer direction D which is substantially the same length as a diameter of the printing cylinder <NUM>, and has a length in the width direction W which is a length longer than a width of the printing plate <NUM> mounted on the printing cylinder <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is provided with a first cover <NUM> that can open and close the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder.

The first cover <NUM> covers an upper side of the printing cylinder <NUM> in the vertical direction, and can open and close the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. That is, footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D are provided with the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder above the printing cylinders <NUM> configuring the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D, and the first cover <NUM> can open and close the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. In this case, the first cover <NUM> can be opened upward from the downstream side to the upstream side of the housing <NUM> in the transfer direction D with the upstream side of the housing <NUM> in the transfer direction D as a fulcrum.

In the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D, the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D are disposed on the downstream side in the transfer direction D. The ceiling 101a and the first cover <NUM> of the housing <NUM> are disposed on an upper side of the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D in the vertical direction. That is, there is a step between the first cover <NUM> and the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D. An operator can open and close the first cover <NUM> on the upstream side of the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D in the transfer direction D.

The housing <NUM> is provided with a handrail <NUM> on the ceiling 101a. The handrail <NUM> is disposed on an upstream side of the ceiling 101a in the transfer direction D and at an intermediate position in the width direction W. A printing plate holding brush <NUM> is mounted to the handrail <NUM>. The printing plate holding brush <NUM> can hold the printing plate <NUM>. In the foothold 104B, for example, a staircase <NUM> on which the operator can move up and down is disposed on one side in the width direction W, and a printing plate storage place <NUM> is disposed on the other side in the width direction W. The staircase <NUM> is for the operator to move between a floor surface and the foothold 104B. The printing plate storage place <NUM> is for temporarily placing the printing plate <NUM> that has been used or the printing plate <NUM> to be used in the future.

It should be noted that the staircase <NUM> is disposed on one side of the foothold 104B in the width direction W, but the staircase <NUM> may be disposed on the other side in the width direction W, or a plurality of the staircases <NUM> may be provided in other footholds 104A, 104C, and 104D. In addition, the printing plate storage place <NUM> is disposed on the other side of the foothold 104B in the width direction W, but the printing plate storage place <NUM> may be disposed one side in the width direction W. Also, as long as the operator can reach the printing plate storage place <NUM> from the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D, the printing plate storage place <NUM> may be, for example, an intermediate position of the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D in the width direction W, or may be the feeding section <NUM> or the slotter creaser section <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view showing the printing unit, and <FIG> is a schematic view showing printing plate replacement work in the printing unit. Since the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D have substantially the same configuration, hereinafter, the printing unit 21A will be described.

As shown in <FIG>, the printing unit 21A includes the printing cylinder <NUM>, the ink supply roll <NUM>, the ink supply section <NUM>, and the impression roll <NUM>. The printing cylinder <NUM> is accommodated inside the housing <NUM>. The printing cylinder <NUM> is disposed along the width direction W, and one end portion and the other end portion in an axial direction are supported to be rotatable by a frame via a bearing (not shown). The printing cylinder <NUM> can be driven and rotated by the drive device (not shown). In the printing cylinder <NUM>, the printing plate <NUM> is detachable from the outer peripheral portion.

The ink supply roll <NUM> is disposed on the downstream side of the printing cylinder <NUM> in the transfer direction D. The ink supply roll <NUM> can contact with the printing plate <NUM> of the printing cylinder <NUM>. The ink supply section <NUM> is disposed on the downstream side of the ink supply roll <NUM> in the transfer direction D. The ink supply section <NUM> includes an ink chamber, and can store ink supplied from the outside therein. In the ink supply section <NUM>, an opening of the ink chamber closely contacts with an outer peripheral surface of the ink supply roll <NUM> without a gap, and a part of the stored ink is supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the ink supply roll <NUM>. The ink supply roll <NUM> and the ink supply section <NUM> are disposed below the foothold 104A. The impression roll <NUM> is disposed below the printing cylinder <NUM> and can contact with the printing cylinder <NUM>.

Therefore, when the printing cylinder <NUM>, the ink supply roll <NUM>, and the impression roll <NUM> are rotated, the ink of the ink supply section <NUM> is supplied to the printing plate <NUM> of the printing cylinder <NUM> via the ink supply roll <NUM>. Then, when the corrugated board S is transferred while being interposed between the printing cylinder <NUM> and the impression roll <NUM>, the ink of the printing plate <NUM> of the printing cylinder <NUM> is transferred to the surface of the corrugated board S to perform the printing.

The printing cylinder <NUM> can move up and down along the vertical direction. One end portion and the other end portion of the printing cylinder <NUM> in the axial direction are supported to be rotatable by the frame via the bearing. An elevating device (not shown) moves up and down the printing cylinder <NUM> by, for example, moving up and down each bearing. The printing cylinder <NUM> can move between a printing position and a work position by the elevating device. The printing position of the printing cylinder <NUM> is a position at which the printing cylinder <NUM> moves down and contacts with the ink supply roll <NUM> and the impression roll <NUM>. The work position of the printing cylinder <NUM> is a position at which the printing cylinder <NUM> moves up from the printing position and various types of work can be performed from the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. The position at which the work can be performed is, for example, a position at which a part of the outer peripheral surface of the printing cylinder <NUM> is exposed to the upper portion of the foothold 104A in the vertical direction. The various types of work include, for example, attachment work of the printing plate <NUM> to the printing cylinder <NUM>, detachment work, adjustment work of an attachment position, cleaning work, and the like.

The foothold 104A is provided with a second cover <NUM> that can open and close a work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section. On the housing <NUM>, the first cover <NUM>, the second cover <NUM>, and the foothold 104A, the operator can walk and can get on to perform various types of work. Therefore, the housing <NUM>, the first cover <NUM>, the second cover <NUM>, and the foothold 104A are provided with reinforcing portions such that sufficient strength is secured. For example, the reinforcing portion is a reinforcing member, such as a plurality of flange portions <NUM> fixed to inner surfaces of the housing <NUM> and the foothold 104A, a plurality of flange portions <NUM> fixed to an inner surface of the first cover <NUM>, or a plurality of flange portions <NUM> fixed to an inner surface of the second cover <NUM>. In addition, in the housing <NUM>, the first cover <NUM>, the second cover <NUM>, and the foothold 104A, it is preferable to use an iron plate as the reinforcing portion for securing sufficient strength or increase a plate thickness.

The first cover <NUM> can be opened and closed by a hand of the operator. The first cover <NUM> is supported to be rotationally movable by the housing <NUM> by a supporting shaft <NUM> along the width direction W. The supporting shaft <NUM> that supports the first cover <NUM> to be rotationally movable is positioned on the upstream side of the center of the printing cylinder <NUM> in the transfer direction D. For example, a gas spring <NUM> is mounted between the first cover <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. The gas spring <NUM> applies an urging force in an opening direction of the first cover <NUM>. Therefore, even when the first cover <NUM> is a heavy object, the operator can open the first cover <NUM> by a hand with a small operating force by being assisted by the urging force of the gas spring <NUM> from the foothold 104A.

The printing cylinder <NUM> is positioned at the printing position during printing and moves up to the work position when printing ends. Then, when the printing cylinder <NUM> is positioned at the work position, the operator opens the first cover <NUM> and performs the replacement work of the printing plate <NUM>. Here, in consideration of the safety, a locking mechanism that prevents the first cover <NUM> from being opened while the printing cylinder <NUM> is in operation is provided. For example, when the printing cylinder <NUM> is positioned at the printing position, the locking mechanism mechanically locks the first cover <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. In addition, the locking mechanism electrically detects that the printing cylinder <NUM> is positioned at the work position and locks the first cover <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. It should be noted that the second cover <NUM> will be described below.

As shown in <FIG>, the operator moves to the foothold 104A when performing the printing plate replacement work of the printing unit 21A. The operator gets on the foothold 104A and opens the first cover <NUM>. The printing cylinder <NUM> moves up from the printing position to the work position, and the operator can access the printing cylinder <NUM> through the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. First, the operator holds the printing plate <NUM>, which is to be newly mounted, by the printing plate holding brush <NUM>. Next, the printing plate <NUM> mounted on the printing cylinder <NUM> is removed, and the removed printing plate <NUM> is temporarily placed in the printing plate storage place <NUM> (see <FIG>). Then, the printing plate <NUM> held by the printing plate holding brush <NUM> is wound around the printing cylinder <NUM> and mounted. When the printing plate <NUM> is mounted on the printing cylinder <NUM>, the operator closes the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder by the first cover <NUM>.

Here, the operator winds and mounts the printing plate <NUM> held by the printing plate holding brush <NUM> around the printing cylinder <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited to this mounting method. For example, the operator may place the printing plate <NUM> in a rolled state on his/her feet side without using the printing plate holding brush <NUM>, and may wind and mount the printing plate <NUM>, which is rolled on his/her feet side, around the printing cylinder <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the printing plate replacement work of the printing unit 21A ends, the operator performs the printing plate replacement work of another printing unit 21B. In this case, the operator uses the housing <NUM> and the first cover <NUM> as the footholds and moves from the foothold 104A to the foothold 104B. Then, the operator gets on the foothold 104B and performs the printing plate replacement work of the printing unit 21B. When the printing plate replacement work of the printing unit 21B ends, the operator performs the printing plate replacement work of the printing units 21C and 21D in order. In this case, the operator uses the housing <NUM> and the first cover <NUM> as the footholds and moves from the foothold 104B to the footholds 104C and 104D to perform the work.

It should be noted that the configurations of the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D, the printing plate replacement work, and the like are not limited to the configurations, the printing plate replacement work, and the like described above. <FIG> is a schematic view showing a first modification example of the printing unit, and <FIG> is a schematic view showing a second modification example of the printing unit.

In the first modification example of the printing unit, as shown in <FIG>, the printing unit 21A includes the printing cylinder <NUM>, the ink supply roll <NUM>, an ink supply section <NUM>, and the impression roll <NUM>. The printing cylinder <NUM>, the ink supply roll <NUM>, and the impression roll <NUM> are the same as the printing cylinder <NUM>, the ink supply roll <NUM>, and the impression roll <NUM> described above. The ink supply section <NUM> includes an ink recovery pan 27a and an ink scraping roll 27b. The ink is supplied from an ink supply pipe 27c and is stored above a contact portion between the ink supply roll <NUM> and the ink scraping roll 27b. The ink stored in the contact portion adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the ink supply roll <NUM>. The ink flowing out from end portions of the ink supply roll <NUM> and the ink scraping roll 27b is recovered by the ink recovery pan 27a and is supplied again. It should be noted that the ink supply roll <NUM> and the ink supply section <NUM> are disposed below the foothold 104A.

In the second modification example of the printing unit, as shown in <FIG>, in the printing section <NUM>, an inspection device may be disposed above the foothold 104D and on the downstream side of the printing unit 21D in the transfer direction D. The inspection device inspects a quality of a pattern printed on the corrugated board S. When the inspection device is disposed above the foothold 104D, when the operator performs the printing plate replacement work in the printing unit 21D on the foothold 104D, for example, the operator may block a field of view of a camera of the inspection device. In the second modification example, the operator can perform the printing plate replacement work in the printing unit 21D on the foothold 104C positioned on the upstream side of the printing unit 21D in the transfer direction D.

As shown in <FIG>, in the printing unit 21D, the printing cylinder <NUM> is accommodated inside the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is provided with the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder, and can be opened and closed by the first cover <NUM>. The first cover <NUM> can be opened and closed by a hand of the operator from the foothold 104C. The first cover <NUM> is mounted to be rotationally movable on the housing <NUM> by a supporting shaft <NUM> along the width direction W. The supporting shaft <NUM> that supports the first cover <NUM> to be rotationally movable is positioned on the downstream side of the center of the printing cylinder <NUM> in the transfer direction D. Therefore, the operator can open the first cover <NUM> of the printing unit 21D from the foothold 104d.

In addition, the configurations of the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D are not limited to the configurations described above. <FIG> is a schematic view showing a modification example of the foothold.

As shown in <FIG>, the printing unit 21A includes the printing cylinder <NUM>, the ink supply roll <NUM>, the ink supply section <NUM>, and the impression roll <NUM>. A foothold 104E is disposed above the printing unit 21A. The foothold 104E is provided horizontally without a step along the transfer direction D and the width direction W of the printing unit 21A. Then, the foothold 104E functions as a housing of the printing unit 21A. It should be noted that the foothold 104E is configured by combining a plurality of foothold bodies, which are separately provided for each of the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D, to be linearly connected to each other. It should be noted that the foothold 104E is not limited to this configuration. For example, the foothold 104A integrated with each of the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D may be provided. It is preferable that the foothold 104E has an upper surface having a continuous flat shape without a step in each of the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D.

The foothold 104E is provided with the first cover <NUM> that can open and close the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. The first cover <NUM> covers the upper side of the printing cylinder <NUM> in the vertical direction, and can open and close the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. The first cover <NUM> can be opened upward from the downstream side to the upstream side of the foothold 104E in the transfer direction D with the upstream side of the foothold 104E in the transfer direction D as a fulcrum. The printing cylinder <NUM> can move up and down along the vertical direction. The printing cylinder <NUM> can move between the printing position and the work position by the elevating device.

On the first cover <NUM> and the foothold 104E, the operator can walk and can get on to perform various types of work. Therefore, the first cover <NUM> and the foothold 104E are provided with reinforcing portions such that sufficient strength is secured. For example, the reinforcing portion is a reinforcing member, such as a plurality of flange portions <NUM> fixed to the inner surface of the foothold 104E or a plurality of flange portions <NUM> fixed to the inner surface of the first cover <NUM>. It should be noted that the opening/closing mechanism of the first cover <NUM> is the same as the configuration described above. In addition, the printing plate replacement work of the printing unit 21A is the same as the printing plate replacement work described above.

Further, the configuration of the first cover <NUM> is not limited to the configuration described above. <FIG> is a schematic view showing a modification example of the first cover.

As shown in <FIG>, in the foothold 104E having the flat upper surface, the first cover <NUM> can open and close the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. The first cover <NUM> is supported to be rotationally movable by the foothold 104E by supporting shafts 113a and 113b along the width direction W on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transfer direction D. In this case, the supporting shafts 113a and 113b of the first cover <NUM> can be locked and unlocked by, for example, a hook (not shown) provided on the foothold 104E. When the operator attempts to open the first cover <NUM> to the upper side from the supporting shaft 113b side, the hook on the supporting shaft 113b side is unlocked, and the first cover <NUM> rotationally moves to the upper side with the supporting shaft 113a as a fulcrum. On the other hand, when the operator attempts to open the first cover <NUM> to the upper side from the supporting shaft 113a side, the hook on the supporting shaft 113a side is unlocked, and the first cover <NUM> rotationally moves to the upper side with the supporting shaft 113b as a fulcrum.

The operator moves the foothold 104E to move between the printing unit 21A and the printing unit 21B when performing the printing plate replacement work of the printing unit 21A. The operator gets on the foothold 104E and opens the first cover <NUM> of the printing unit 21A on the upstream side in the transfer direction D. Here, the operator opens the first cover <NUM> to the upper side with the supporting shaft 113a as a fulcrum, and performs the printing plate replacement work through the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. When the printing plate replacement work of the printing unit 21A ends, the operator closes the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder by the first cover <NUM>.

The operator turns around and faces the printing unit 21B side when performing the printing plate replacement work of the printing unit 21B following the printing plate replacement work of the printing unit 21A. The operator opens the first cover <NUM> of the printing unit 21B on the downstream side in the transfer direction D while getting on the foothold 104E. Here, the operator opens the first cover <NUM> to the upper side with the supporting shaft 113b as a fulcrum, and performs the printing plate replacement work through the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. When the printing plate replacement work of the printing unit 21B ends, the operator closes the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder by the first cover <NUM>.

Here, the ink supply section <NUM> will be described in detail. <FIG> is a schematic view showing details of the printing unit, <FIG> is a plan view showing the ink supply section in the printing unit, <FIG> is a side view showing the ink supply section in the printing unit, and <FIG> are schematic views showing maintenance work of the ink supply section.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the printing unit 21A includes the printing cylinder <NUM>, the ink supply roll <NUM>, the ink supply section <NUM>, and the impression roll <NUM>. The printing cylinder <NUM> is accommodated inside the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is provided with the first cover <NUM> that can open and close the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. The ink supply roll <NUM> and the ink supply section <NUM> are disposed below the foothold 104A. The foothold 104A is provided with the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section provided above the ink supply section <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> that can open and close the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section. The second cover <NUM> can be opened and closed by a hand of the operator. It should be noted that, in <FIG>, the flange portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are not shown.

The ink supply section <NUM> can move between a printing position at which the ink supply section <NUM> contacts with the ink supply roll <NUM> and a work position at which the work can be performed from the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section, and in this case, the ink supply section <NUM> can move between a storage position and an exposure position which is one of the work position. Here, the storage position is a position at which the ink supply section <NUM> is disposed below the foothold 104A. The exposure position is a position at which the ink supply section <NUM> moves to the upper side in the foothold 104A in the vertical direction, and at least a part of the ink supply section <NUM> is exposed to the upper side through the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section.

The ink supply section <NUM> includes an ink chamber <NUM> and an air cylinder <NUM>. The ink chamber <NUM> supplies the stored ink to the ink supply roll <NUM>. The air cylinder <NUM> can move between an ink supply position at which the ink chamber <NUM> closely contacts with the ink supply roll <NUM> and a retract position at which the ink chamber <NUM> is separated from the ink supply roll <NUM>. As will be described below, an end portion of the ink supply section <NUM> is supported to be rotationally movable by the housing <NUM>. Therefore, the storage position is a position at which the ink chamber <NUM> of the ink supply section <NUM> does not face the horizontal direction, that is, a side of the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section. The exposure position is a position at which the ink supply section <NUM> rotationally moves to the upper side from the storage position and the ink chamber <NUM> faces the upper side in the vertical direction, that is, the side of the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section.

It should be noted that the air cylinder <NUM> is not only be movable between the ink supply position at which the ink chamber <NUM> closely contacts with the ink supply roll <NUM> and the retract position at which the ink chamber <NUM> is separated from the ink supply roll <NUM>. As will be described below, the air cylinder <NUM> can move the ink chamber <NUM> from the retract position to a maintenance position on the upper side in the vertical direction. In addition, the air cylinder <NUM> applies an appropriate pressurizing force when the ink chamber <NUM> closely contacts with the ink supply roll <NUM>.

In addition, the ink supply section <NUM> can move the ink chamber <NUM> between the exposure position and the maintenance position. Here, at the exposure position of the ink chamber <NUM>, the ink chamber <NUM> is in a state of being maintained at the retract position when the ink supply section <NUM> is positioned at the exposure position. In addition, the maintenance position of the ink chamber <NUM> is a position at which at least a part of the ink chamber <NUM> is disposed above the foothold 104A in the vertical direction. That is, the maintenance position is a position at which the ink chamber <NUM> faces the side of the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section and at least a part of the ink chamber <NUM> is disposed above the foothold 104A in the vertical direction. Specifically, when the ink supply section <NUM> is positioned at the exposure position at which the ink supply section <NUM> rotationally moves to the upper side, the ink chamber <NUM> can move from the retract position to the maintenance position on the upper side in the vertical direction by operating the air cylinder <NUM>. It should be noted that the air cylinder <NUM> may change a stroke when moving the ink chamber <NUM> from the retract position to the ink supply position and a stroke when moving the ink chamber <NUM> from the exposure position to the maintenance position. In this case, the stroke when moving the ink chamber <NUM> from the exposure position to the maintenance position is longer than the stroke when moving the ink chamber <NUM> from the retract position to the ink supply position. As a result, the maintenance position of the ink chamber <NUM> is a position close to the operator, so that work, such as the maintenance of the ink chamber <NUM>, can be easily performed.

As shown in <FIG>, a pair of supporting shafts <NUM> are fixed by a frame along the width direction W on both sides in the width direction W. In addition, a pair of base plates <NUM> are disposed along the vertical direction on both sides in the width direction W. In the base plate <NUM>, a support hole <NUM> is formed along the width direction W, and a supporting cylinder <NUM> with a bottom is fixed to the position of the support hole <NUM> along the width direction W. In the base plate <NUM>, each supporting shaft <NUM> is fitted to the supporting cylinder <NUM> through the support hole <NUM> from an outer side in the width direction W. Therefore, the base plate <NUM> is supported to be rotationally movable up and down around a supporting shaft <NUM> along the width direction W. It should be noted that a jig insertion cylinder <NUM> into which a jig <NUM> can be inserted is fixed to the supporting cylinder <NUM>.

In the base plate <NUM>, a guide hole <NUM> penetrating along the width direction W is formed along the transfer direction D. A slide plate <NUM> is disposed close to the base plate <NUM>, and a guide shaft <NUM> along the width direction W is fixed. In the slide plate <NUM>, the guide shaft <NUM> is inserted into the guide hole <NUM> of the base plate <NUM>. The air cylinder <NUM> is disposed along the transfer direction D, and a base end portion thereof is connected to an upper portion of the base plate <NUM> by a connection shaft <NUM>. In the air cylinder <NUM>, a distal end portion of a drive rod 132a is connected to the slide plate <NUM> via a connection member <NUM> along the vertical direction. An end portion of the ink chamber <NUM> in a longitudinal direction (width direction W) is connected to the slide plate <NUM> via a connection member <NUM>. Therefore, when the air cylinder <NUM> is driven, the slide plate <NUM> can move along the guide hole <NUM> with respect to the base plate <NUM>, and the ink chamber <NUM> can move in the same direction.

Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, when the ink supply section <NUM> is positioned at the storage position below the foothold 104A, the ink chamber <NUM> can closely contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ink supply roll <NUM> to supply the ink to the ink supply roll <NUM>. The operator needs to periodically perform the maintenance of the ink supply section <NUM>. The maintenance includes cleaning work of the ink adhering to the ink chamber <NUM>, and wear confirmation work and replacement work of a seal blade, a doctor blade, or an end seal mounted around the opening.

When the operator performs the maintenance of the ink supply section <NUM>, the ink supply section <NUM> rotationally moves from the storage position to the exposure position, and then the ink chamber <NUM> moves from the retract position to the maintenance position. That is, as shown in <FIG>, the operator gets on the foothold 104A or the housing <NUM> (see <FIG>), first cleans and recovers the ink, operates the air cylinder <NUM>, and then contracts the drive rod 132a to move the ink chamber <NUM> via the slide plate <NUM>. Then, the ink chamber <NUM> moves from the ink supply position at which the ink chamber <NUM> closely contacts with the ink supply roll <NUM> to the retract position at which the ink chamber <NUM> is separated from the ink supply roll <NUM>. Next, the second cover <NUM> is opened by a hand. Then, the operator inserts a distal end portion of the jig <NUM> into the jig insertion cylinder <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the operator rotationally moves the ink supply section <NUM> together with the base plate <NUM> from the storage position to the exposure position by the jig <NUM>. That is, in the ink supply section <NUM>, by rotationally moving by an angle <NUM>, the ink supply section <NUM> moves to the upper side in the vertical direction with respect to the foothold 104A, and at least a part of the ink supply section <NUM> is exposed to the outside through the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section. In this case, the air cylinder <NUM> and the ink chamber <NUM> of the ink supply section <NUM> rotationally move in a state of maintaining the retract position described above. As shown in <FIG>, the operator subsequently operates the air cylinder <NUM> and extends the drive rod 132a to move the ink chamber <NUM> via the slide plate <NUM>. Then, the ink chamber <NUM> moves to the obliquely upward maintenance position. Here, the operator performs the maintenance of the ink chamber <NUM>. In this case, the operator may perform various types of work by removing the ink chamber <NUM> from the connection member <NUM> of the slide plate <NUM>, as necessary.

In the above description, the maintenance is performed in a state in which the ink supply section <NUM> rotationally moves from the storage position to the exposure position and the ink chamber <NUM> moves from the retract position to the maintenance position, but the present disclosure is not limited to this maintenance method. The operator may perform the maintenance in a state in which the ink supply section <NUM> rotationally moves from the storage position to the exposure position and the ink chamber <NUM> is maintained at the retract position. That is, the maintenance may be performed when the ink chamber <NUM> is positioned at the exposure position.

Therefore, it is not an essential configuration to move the ink chamber <NUM> from the retract position to the maintenance position as long as the operator can perform the maintenance. That is, the maintenance may be performed without operating the air cylinder <NUM>.

When the maintenance of the ink chamber <NUM> ends, the ink chamber <NUM> moves to retract position from the maintenance position via the slide plate <NUM> by operating the air cylinder <NUM> to contract the drive rod 132a. That is, the air cylinder <NUM> and the ink chamber <NUM> are returned to the state in which the retract position is maintained. Next, the operator rotationally moves the ink supply section <NUM> from the exposure position to the storage position. Then, the distal end portion of the jig <NUM> is pulled out from the jig insertion cylinder <NUM>, and the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section is closed by the second cover <NUM>.

It should be noted that the ink supply section <NUM> is not limited to the configuration described above. <FIG> is a side view showing a first modification example of the ink supply section, <FIG> is a schematic view showing an operating state of the ink supply section, <FIG> is a side view showing a second modification example of the ink supply section, <FIG> is a schematic view showing the operating state of the ink supply section, <FIG> is a side view showing a third modification example of the ink supply section, and <FIG> is a schematic view showing the operating state of the ink supply section.

In the first modification example, as shown in <FIG>, an ink supply section 24A can move between a storage position at which the ink supply section 24A is disposed below the foothold 104A and an exposure position at which the ink supply section 24A moves to the upper side in the vertical direction with respect to the foothold 104A and at least a part of the ink supply section 24A is exposed to the upper side through the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section. In addition, by operating the air cylinder <NUM>, the ink chamber <NUM> can move from the exposure position (retract position) to the maintenance position at which at least a part of the ink chamber <NUM> is disposed above the foothold 104A in the vertical direction. It should be noted that the specific configuration of the ink supply section 24A is substantially the same as the configuration of the ink supply section <NUM> described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the ink supply section 24A, one end portion of the base plate <NUM> is supported to be rotationally movable up and down by the supporting shaft <NUM> fixed to the frame (not shown). A handle <NUM> protruding to the upper side is fixed to the other end portion of the base plate <NUM>. The handle <NUM> can be held by the operator on the foothold 104A through the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section. In addition, one end portion of a connection lever <NUM> is supported to be rotationally movable by the supporting shaft <NUM> and is fixed to the base plate <NUM>. A gas spring <NUM> is supported by a frame, and a distal end portion of an expansion rod 163a is connected to the other end portion of the connection lever <NUM>. The gas spring <NUM> applies the urging force in a moving-up direction of the ink supply section 24A via the base plate <NUM>.

Therefore, when the operator performs the maintenance of the ink supply section 24A, first, the air cylinder <NUM> is operated to move the ink chamber <NUM> from the ink supply position to the retract position. Next, the second cover <NUM> (see <FIG>) is opened by a hand. Then, the operator holds the handle <NUM> by a hand and pulls the handle <NUM> to the upper side. Then, the ink supply section 24A rotationally moves from the storage position to the exposure position to be positioned above the foothold 104A, and at least a part of the ink supply section 24A is exposed to the outside through the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section. In this case, even when the ink supply section 24A is a heavy object, the operator can move up the ink supply section 24A by a hand with a small operating force by being assisted by the urging force of the gas spring <NUM> from the foothold 104A.

Then, the operator operates the air cylinder <NUM> to move the ink chamber <NUM> from the retract position to the maintenance position. Here, the operator performs the maintenance of the ink chamber <NUM>. When the maintenance of the ink chamber <NUM> ends, the ink chamber <NUM> moves from the maintenance position to the retract position. Then, the operator holds the handle <NUM> and rotationally moves an ink supply section 24B from the exposure position to the storage position, and closes the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section by the second cover <NUM>.

In the second modification example, as shown in <FIG>, in the ink supply section 24B, one end portion of the base plate <NUM> is supported to be rotationally movable up and down by the supporting shaft <NUM> fixed to the frame (not shown). One end portion of a connection lever <NUM> is supported to be rotationally movable by the supporting shaft <NUM> and is fixed to the base plate <NUM>. An air cylinder <NUM> is supported by a frame, and a distal end portion of a drive rod 172a is connected to the other end portion of the connection lever <NUM>.

Therefore, when the operator performs the maintenance of the ink supply section 24B, first, the air cylinder <NUM> is operated to move the ink chamber <NUM> from the ink supply position to the retract position. Next, the second cover <NUM> (see <FIG>) is opened by a hand. Then, the operator operates the air cylinder <NUM> to extend the drive rod 172a. Then, the ink supply section 24B rotationally moves from the storage position to the exposure position to be positioned above the foothold 104A, and at least a part of the ink supply section 24B is exposed to the outside through the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section. In this case, even when the ink supply section 24B is a heavy object, the ink supply section 24B can be easily moved up by operating the air cylinder <NUM>.

In the third modification example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a guide rail <NUM> along the vertical direction is fixed to one side of an ink supply section 24C to a frame (not shown). Upper and lower guide members <NUM> are fixed to one end portion of the base plate <NUM>. The upper and lower guide members <NUM> are supported to be movable by the guide rail <NUM>. An air cylinder <NUM> is supported by a frame, and a distal end portion of a drive rod 183a is connected to a lower portion of the base plate <NUM>.

Therefore, when the operator performs the maintenance of the ink supply section 24C, first, the air cylinder <NUM> is operated to move the ink chamber <NUM> from the ink supply position to the retract position. Next, the second cover <NUM> (see <FIG>) is opened by a hand. Then, the operator operates the air cylinder <NUM> to extend the drive rod 183a. Then, the ink supply section 24C moves up from the storage position to the exposure position to be positioned above the foothold 104A, and at least a part of the ink supply section 24C is exposed to the outside through the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section. In this case, even when the ink supply section 24C is a heavy object, the ink supply section 24C can be easily moved up by operating the air cylinder <NUM>. It should be noted that, although not shown, the air cylinder <NUM> may be provided with a known elevating device, such as a rack and a pinion gear.

It should be noted that, as shown in <FIG>, even when the flat foothold 104E is applied, the foothold 104E is provided with the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section provided above the ink supply section <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> that can open and close the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section. A plurality of flange portions <NUM> as reinforcing portions are fixed to the second cover <NUM> such that sufficient strength is secured.

The ink supply section <NUM> can move between the printing position at which the ink supply section <NUM> contacts with the ink supply roll <NUM> and the work position at which the work can be performed from the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section, and in this case, the ink supply section <NUM> can move between the storage position and the exposure position which is one of the work position. The operator opens the second cover <NUM> when the maintenance of the ink supply section <NUM> is performed. Subsequently, the ink supply section <NUM> moves from the storage position to the exposure position to be positioned above the foothold 104E, and at least a part of the ink supply section <NUM> is exposed to the outside through the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). Then, the operator moves the ink chamber <NUM> (see <FIG>) from the retract position to the maintenance position, and performs the maintenance on the ink chamber <NUM>. It should be noted that a configuration for moving the ink supply section <NUM> to the printing position at which the ink supply section <NUM> contacts with the ink supply roll <NUM> between the work position at which the work can be performed from the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section is the same as the embodiment described above, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[Actions and Effects of Present Embodiment].

A first aspect relates to the printing device including the printing cylinder <NUM> on which the printing plate <NUM> is mountable, the ink supply roll <NUM> that is disposed on the upstream side or the downstream side of the printing cylinder <NUM> in the transfer direction D and is contactable with the printing cylinder <NUM>, the ink supply sections <NUM> and <NUM> that are configured to supply the ink to the ink supply roll <NUM>, the first cover <NUM> that covers the upper side of the printing cylinder <NUM> in a vertical direction and is openable and closable, and the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and 104E that cover the upper side of the ink supply roll <NUM> in the vertical direction and on which the operator is able to perform the work.

With the printing device according to the first aspect, the first cover <NUM> that covers the upper side of the printing cylinder <NUM> is provided and the first cover <NUM> can be opened and closed, so that it is possible to easily perform the replacement work of the printing plate <NUM> or the like for the printing cylinder <NUM>. In addition, the ink supply roll <NUM> is disposed below the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and 104E, so that it is possible to reduce the total length of the printing section <NUM>, and it is possible to reduce the size of the device.

A second aspect relates to the printing device, in which the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and 104E are provided with the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder above the printing cylinder <NUM> in the vertical direction, and the first cover <NUM> is configured to open and close the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. As a result, it is possible to improve the workability of the replacement work of the printing plate <NUM> or the like for the printing cylinder <NUM>.

A third aspect relates to the printing device, in which the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and 104E and the first cover <NUM> are provided with the reinforcing portion on which the operator is able to walk. As a result, it is possible for the operator to walk and move on the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and 104E and the first cover <NUM>, and it is possible to improve the workability of the printing plate replacement work for a plurality of the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D.

A fourth aspect relates to the printing device, in which the housing <NUM> that covers the upper side of the printing cylinder <NUM> in the vertical direction and the upstream side and the downstream side in the transfer direction D is disposed, the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder is provided in the upper portion of the housing <NUM>, and the first cover <NUM> is configured to open and close the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. As a result, the printing cylinder <NUM> is disposed inside the housing <NUM>, and the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder provided above the upper portion of the housing <NUM> can be opened and closed by the first cover <NUM>, so that it is possible to efficiently dispose the printing cylinder <NUM>, and it is possible to improve the workability of the replacement work of the printing plate <NUM> or the like for the printing cylinder <NUM>.

A fifth aspect relates to the printing device, in which the upper portion of the housing <NUM> and the first cover <NUM> are provided with the reinforcing portion on which the operator is able to walk. As a result, it is possible for the operator to walk on the first cover <NUM> and move between the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D, and it is possible to improve the workability of the printing plate replacement work or the like for the plurality of printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D.

A sixth aspect relates to the printing device, in which the first cover <NUM> is disposed on an upper side of the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D in the vertical direction. As a result, the operator who gets on the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D opens the first cover <NUM> positioned at a position higher than the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D to perform the printing plate replacement work, so that it is possible to improve the workability.

A seventh aspect relates to the printing device, in which the printing cylinder <NUM> is supported to be movable between the printing position at which the printing cylinder <NUM> contacts with the ink supply roll <NUM> and the work position at which the printing cylinder <NUM> moves up from the printing position and the work is enabled from the work opening <NUM> for the printing cylinder. As a result, the printing cylinder <NUM> moves up from the printing position, so that it is possible for the operator to access the printing cylinder <NUM> at this position, and it is possible to improve the workability of the printing plate replacement work.

An eighth aspect relates to the printing device, in which the staircase on which the operator is able to move up and down is disposed on the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and 104E, and the printing plate storage place <NUM> on which the operator is able to take in and out the printing plate <NUM> from the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and 104E is disposed. As a result, it is possible for the operator to easily move between the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and 104E, the printing plate storage place <NUM>, and the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D during work, such as the printing plate replacement work, and it is possible to improve the workability.

A ninth aspect relates to the printing device, in which the first cover <NUM> is openable and closable from at least any one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the printing cylinder <NUM> in the transfer direction D. As a result, it is possible for the operator to access the printing cylinder <NUM> from the upstream side or the downstream side in the transfer direction D.

A tenth aspect relates to the printing device, in which a locking mechanism that prevents the first cover <NUM> from being opened while the printing cylinder <NUM> is in operation is provided. As a result, it is possible to improve the safety.

An eleventh aspect relates to the printing device, in which the ink supply sections <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed below the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and 104E, and the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and 104E are provided with the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section that is provided above the ink supply sections <NUM> and <NUM> in the vertical direction and the second cover <NUM> that is configured to open and close the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section. As a result, the total length of the printing section <NUM> can be reduced, and the ink supply sections <NUM> and <NUM> can be accessed from the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section when the operator opens the second cover <NUM>, so that it is possible to improve the workability of work, such as the maintenance of the ink supply sections <NUM> and <NUM>.

A twelfth aspect relates to the printing device, in which the ink supply section <NUM> is supported to be movable between the printing position at which the ink supply section <NUM> contacts with the ink supply roll <NUM> and the work position at which the work is enabled from the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section. As a result, the ink supply section <NUM> moves from the printing position to the work position, so that it is possible for the operator to access the ink supply section <NUM> at the work position and to easily perform the work, such as the maintenance of the ink supply section <NUM>.

A thirteenth aspect relates to a printer, in which the plurality of printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D are disposed at predetermined intervals in the transfer direction D, and the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and 104E are disposed above the plurality of printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D. As a result, it is possible to reduce the total length of the printing section <NUM>, and it is possible to reduce the size of the device.

A fourteenth aspect relates to a box making machine including the feeding section <NUM>, the printing section <NUM>, the slotter creaser section <NUM>, the die cutting section <NUM>, the folding section <NUM>, and the counter-ejector section <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to reduce the total length of the printing section <NUM>, and it is possible to reduce the size of the device.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment described above, the four footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D are provided respectively for the four printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D, the number is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more. In addition, the numbers of the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D are the same as the number of the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D, but the number of the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D may be smaller or larger than the number of the printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the ink supply roll <NUM> is disposed on the downstream side of the printing cylinder <NUM> in the transfer direction D, but may be disposed on the upstream side. In addition, the printing cylinder <NUM> can move up and down, but the printing plate <NUM> may be replaceable at the printing position.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> can be manually opened and closed, but the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> may be automatically openable and closable by a fluid pressure cylinder, a motor, or the like. In addition, the ink supply section <NUM> can be manually opened and closed, but may be automatically openable and closable by a fluid pressure cylinder, a motor, or the like.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the box making machine <NUM> includes the feeding section <NUM>, the printing section <NUM>, the slotter creaser section <NUM>, the die cutting section <NUM>, the folding section <NUM>, and the counter-ejector section <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the presence or absence of the printing section <NUM>, the die cutting section <NUM>, the folding section <NUM>, and the counter-ejector section <NUM> is not limited.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the ink supply section <NUM> can move between the printing position at which the ink supply section <NUM> contacts with the ink supply roll <NUM> and the work position at which the work can be performed from the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section, and the ink supply section <NUM> can move between the storage position and the exposure position which is one of the work position, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. As long as the operator can perform the work from the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section, above the footholds 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, and 104E, instead of the exposure position at which at least a part of the ink supply section <NUM> is exposed to the outside through the work opening <NUM> for the ink supply section, the ink supply section <NUM> may be positioned below the foothold.

<FIG> is a schematic view showing a modification example of the operating state of the ink supply section.

Claim 1:
A printing device (21A, 21B, 21C, 21D) comprising:
a printing cylinder (<NUM>) on which a printing plate (<NUM>) is mountable;
an ink supply roll (<NUM>) that is disposed on an upstream side or a downstream side of the printing cylinder in a sheet transfer direction and is contactable with the printing cylinder;
an ink supply section (<NUM>, 24A, 24B, 24C, <NUM>) that is configured to supply ink to the ink supply roll;
a first cover (<NUM>) that covers an upper side of the printing cylinder in a vertical direction and is openable and closable; and
a foothold (104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, 104E) that covers an upper side of the ink supply roll in the vertical direction and on which an operator is able to perform work, the printing device being characterised in that
the first cover is configured to open and close a work opening (<NUM>) for the printing cylinder formed on a surface on an upper side of the printing cylinder in a vertical direction.