Patent Description:
Printing devices have conventionally been known that perform printing by ejecting ink to the surface of a long band-like continuous base material while transporting the continuous base material over a plurality of transport rollers or the like. These printing devices may appropriately include a drying device that dries the ink while transporting the continuous base material. Here, there is the problem that, until the ink is dried, the transport rollers or other components cannot be brought into contact with the surface of the continuous base material to which the ink has been applied. It is thus necessary to set a long transport path in order to dry the ink.

For example, <CIT> discloses a drying device that dries a continuous base material transported in an appropriately horizontal transport direction while transporting the continuous base material so as to fold it back multiple times in a vertical plane intersecting with the direction of transport. The dried continuous base material is transported out of the drying device while being moved along the vertical plane. Further prior art is <CIT>, which is directed on a web processing apparatus for drying the printed surface of a continuous web with the web being disposed between upper driving rolls and lower restraining rolls or guides and the web being passed around the restraining rolls or guides.

According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open <CIT>, the continuous base material is heated while being transported so as to be folded back multiple times in the same vertical plane. Thus, in order to secure a long transport path, there is no choice but to enlarge the vertical projection size of the drying device. This may result in upsizing of the drying device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that is able to increase the length and width of a transport path of a continuous base material in a drying device while suppressing an increase in the size of the drying device. This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claim.

Preferred embodiments are the subject matters of the dependent claims. Aspects of the invention are set out below: According to a first aspect of the invention a base-material drying device for drying ink adhering to a first surface of a continuous base material having a long band-like shape includes a first transport mechanism that transports the continuous base material from upstream to downstream along a predetermined transport path, and a first heating mechanism that heats the continuous base material transported by the first transport mechanism. The first transport mechanism includes a first transport supporter that supports, in a first position in a first direction, the continuous base material that is transported to one side in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, a second transport supporter that is arranged downstream of the first transport supporter and that supports, in a second position away from the first position in the first direction, the continuous base material that is transported to the other side in the second direction, and a third transport supporter that is arranged downstream of the second transport supporter and that supports the continuous base material in a third position in the first direction while bending the continuous base material so that the continuous base material is transported in a third direction intersecting with the first direction and the second direction. The first heating mechanism is capable of heating part of the continuous base material in a position on the transport path between the first transport supporter and the third transport supporter. The first transport supporter, the second transport supporter, and the third transport supporter are located on a second surface side of the continuous base material opposite to the first surface.

According to the base-material drying device of one aspect, the continuous base material is transported while being shifted in the third direction. This allows extension of the transport path without enlarging the transport path in a plane that includes the first and second directions. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the length and width of the transport path while suppressing an increase in the size of the drying device. Besides, since the third transport supporter is arranged on the second surface side relative to the continuous base material, the third transport supporter is prevented from coming in contact with the first surface of the continuous base material. This prevents the ink that adheres to the first surface from adhering to the third transport supporter. It is also possible to suppress impairment of the image formed on the first surface.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the third position is between the first position and the second position in the first direction.

According to said base-material drying device, it is possible to reduce the size of the drying device in the first direction.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the first transport mechanism further includes a fourth transport supporter that is arranged downstream of the third transport supporter and that supports the continuous base material in a fourth position in the first direction while bending the continuous base material so that the continuous base material is transported to the one side in the second direction, and the fourth transport supporter is arranged on the second surface side of the continuous base material.

According to said base-material drying device, it is possible to extend the transport path of the continuous base material in the second direction.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the transport path includes a first path that is part of a path from the second transport supporter to the third transport supporter, and a second path that is located downstream of the fourth transport supporter and that extends in parallel with the first path. The second path is located away from the first path in the third direction, and the first heating mechanism includes a heater capable of heating a portion of the continuous base material on the first path and a portion of the continuous base material on the second path at the same time.

According to said base-material drying device, it is possible to heat the continuous base material simultaneously on both of the first and second paths, which are parallel to each other.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the first transport mechanism further includes a fifth transport supporter that is arranged downstream of the fourth transport supporter and that supports, in a fifth position away from the fourth position in the first direction, the continuous base material that is transported to the other side in the second direction.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the first transport mechanism further includes a sixth transport supporter that is arranged downstream of the fifth transport supporter and that supports, in a sixth position in the first direction, the continuous base material that is transported to the one side in the second direction, and the fourth position is between the fifth position and the sixth position in the first direction.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the first transport mechanism further includes a seventh transport supporter that supports, in a seventh position in the first direction, the continuous base material that is transported to the one side in the second direction, and an eighth transport supporter that is arranged downstream of the seventh transport supporter and that supports, in an eighth position away from the seventh position in the first direction, the continuous base material that is transported to the other side in the second direction. The seventh transport supporter and the eighth transport supporter are arranged between the second transport supporter and the third transport supporter on the transport path. The seventh position and the eighth position are between the first position and the second position in the first direction. The third position is between the seventh position and the eighth position in the first direction. The seventh transport supporter and the eighth transport supporter are arranged on the second surface side of the continuous base material.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which a first base-material portion of the continuous base material is located between a second base-material portion of the continuous base material and a third base-material portion of the continuous base material in the second direction, the first base-material portion being transported in the first direction between the seventh transport supporter and the eighth transport supporter, the second base-material portion being transported in the first direction between the first transport supporter and the second transport supporter, the third base-material portion being transported in the first direction between the second transport supporter and the seventh transport supporter.

According to said base-material drying device, the continuous base material is transported in a spiral fashion. Thus, it is possible to increase the length and width of the transport path because.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the first heating mechanism is capable heating part of the continuous base material transported in the first direction, in a position on the transport path between the first transport supporter and the second transport supporter.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the first heating mechanism includes a transport chamber that allows passage of the continuous base material, and an airflow generator that generates an airflow flowing in a third direction inside the transport chamber.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the airflow generator includes a blower that sends air into the transport chamber, and an exhauster that exhausts the air in the transport chamber to an outside of the transport chamber.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the blower sends heated air into the transport chamber.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the first heating mechanism includes a pair of heaters arranged respectively on the first surface side and the second surface side of the continuous base material.

A base-material drying device provided, in which the first heating mechanism includes a first heater that heats a portion of the continuous base material that is located between the first transport supporter and the seventh transport supporter on the transport path, and a second heater that heats a portion of the continuous base material that is located between the seventh transport supporter and the eighth transport supporter on the transport path.

According to said base-material drying device, it is possible to heat the portion of the continuous base material, which is located between the first transport supporter and the seventh transport supporter, and the portion of the continuous base material, which is located between the seventh transport supporter and the eighth transport supporter.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the second heater supplies hot air from a position away from the continuous base material in the third direction.

According to said base-material drying device, hot air is supplied from one side in the third direction. Thus, even if the space that the continuous base material passes through is narrow, it is possible to heat the portion of the continuous base material that passes through that space.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the third transport supporter has an outer surface provided with an air outlet for ejecting air, the outer surface facing the second surface of the continuous base material.

According to said base-material drying device, the third transport supporter is prevented from coming in contact with the continuous base material. This suppresses misalignment in the transport position of the continuous base material due to friction.

A base-material drying device can further include a second transport mechanism that transports the continuous base material along the transport path, and a second heater that heats the continuous base material that is transported by the second transport mechanism. The second transport mechanism is arranged downstream of the first transport mechanism, and the second transport mechanism includes the first transport supporter, the second transport supporter, and the third transport supporter.

According to said base-material drying device, it is possible to increase the length and width of the transport path along which the continuous base material is transported while being heated.

A base-material drying device is provided, in which the third transport supporter of the first transport mechanism supports the continuous base material that is transported to one side in the third direction, and the third transport supporter of the second transport mechanism supports the continuous base material that is transported to the other side in the third direction.

According to said base-material drying device, the continuous base material that has been moved to one side in the third direction by the first transport mechanism can be moved to the other side in the third direction by the second transport mechanism. This allows a reduction in the width of the transport path of the continuous base material in the third direction and downsizing of the base-material drying device.

Another aspect is a printing device that includes the base-material drying device described above and an image former that forms an image by ejecting ink to the first surface of the continuous base material transported to the base-material drying device.

Note that constituent elements described in the embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. To facilitate understanding of the drawings, the dimensions or number of each constituent element may be illustrated in exaggerated or simplified form as necessary.

In the drawings, arrows that indicate X, Y, and Z direction orthogonal to one another are illustrated as appropriate. The X and Y directions are assumed to be horizontal directions parallel to a horizontal plane. The Z direction is assumed to be a direction parallel to the vertical direction. The direction indicated by the arrowhead of each arrow is assumed to be the plus (+) direction, and the direction opposite thereto is assumed to be the minus (-) direction. The X direction corresponds to a "third direction," the Y direction corresponds to a "second direction," and the Z direction corresponds to a "first direction. " Note that the first to third directions may only need to intersect with one another and do not necessarily have to be orthogonal to one another.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of a configuration of an inkjet printing device <NUM> according to one embodiment. The inkjet printing device <NUM> is a device that records an image on the surface of a long band-like continuous base material <NUM> by ejecting droplets of ink (hereinafter, also referred to as "ink droplets") from a plurality of ejection heads <NUM> while transporting the continuous base material <NUM> along a prescribed transport path TR. The continuous base material <NUM> may, for example, be film or printing paper. The ink may, for example, be water-based ink. Note that the ink may be UV-curable ink that is cured upon receipt of irradiation with ultraviolet rays (UV). In this case, the inkjet printing device <NUM> may include an UV irradiator that applies UV.

The inkjet printing device <NUM> includes a transport mechanism <NUM>, an image former <NUM>, a support unit <NUM>, and a dryer <NUM>.

The transport mechanism <NUM> is a mechanism for transporting the continuous base material <NUM>. The transport mechanism <NUM> transports the continuous base material <NUM> by a roll-to-roll method. The transport mechanism <NUM> includes a delivery roller <NUM>, a plurality of transport rollers <NUM>, a taking-up roller <NUM>, and a rotational driver <NUM>. The delivery roller <NUM>, the transport rollers <NUM>, and the taking-up roller <NUM> are each rotatable about an axis extending in the X direction, which is the horizontal direction. The rotational driver <NUM> rotates the taking-up roller <NUM>. Note that the rotational driver <NUM> may rotate rollers (e.g., transport rollers <NUM>) other than the taking-up roller <NUM>.

The delivery roller <NUM> unreels the continuous base material <NUM> that is wound in a roll. Each transport roller <NUM> is arranged along the transport path TR of the continuous base material <NUM>. The transport rollers <NUM> support the continuous base material <NUM> unreeled from the delivery roller <NUM> on the prescribed transport path TR. The taking-up roller <NUM> takes up the continuous base material <NUM> that has passed through the transport path TR in a roll.

In the following description, the direction of travel of the continuous base material <NUM> along the transport path TR is simply referred to as the "travel direction. " In each drawing, the travel direction is indicated by an arrow as appropriate. The upstream side in the travel direction (the direction approaching the delivery roller <NUM>) is simply referred to the "upstream side. " The downstream side in the travel direction (the direction approaching the taking-up roller <NUM>) is simply referred to as the "downstream side.

The image former <NUM> ejects water-based ink to the continuous base material <NUM> transported by the transport mechanism <NUM>. The image former <NUM> may include, for example, four ejection heads <NUM>. The four ejection heads <NUM> are aligned in order along the transport path TR. The four ejection heads <NUM> eject ink droplets of the colors including K (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow), respectively, in order toward the downstream side of the transport path. The K, C, M, and Y ink droplets serve as color components of the color image. As a result of the four ejection heads <NUM> each ejecting ink droplets toward a first surface 9a of the continuous base material <NUM>, a color image is formed on the first surface 9a.

The support unit <NUM> includes a plurality of support bases <NUM>. The support bases <NUM> are arranged in order in the travel direction of the continuous base material <NUM>. Each ejection head <NUM> is mounted on one of the support bases <NUM>. Thus, the four ejection heads <NUM> are supported in fixed positions, and thereby the positional relationship of the four ejection heads <NUM> is fixed. Each support base <NUM> has a through hole <NUM> in the center in the travel direction. The through holes <NUM> penetrate the support bases <NUM> in the Z direction. The through holes <NUM> have inserted therein the lower end portions of the ejection heads <NUM>. Accordingly, the lower surfaces of the ejection heads <NUM> attached to the support bases <NUM> face the first surface 9a of the continuous base material <NUM> without being blocked by the support bases <NUM>.

The dryer <NUM> is arranged downstream of the image former <NUM>. The dryer <NUM> heats the continuous base material <NUM> transported by the transport mechanism <NUM>. The dryer <NUM> dries the ink applied to the first surface 9a of the continuous base material <NUM> by heating the continuous base material <NUM>. The transport mechanism <NUM> transports the continuous base material <NUM> into the dryer <NUM> in an orientation with the first surface 9a facing toward the +Z side (an orientation with the second surface 9b facing toward the -Z side).

<FIG> is a perspective view of a configuration of the dryer <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the continuous base material <NUM> that is moving inside the dryer <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of the continuous base material <NUM> that is moving in the dryer <NUM>. <FIG> is a plan view of the continuous base material <NUM> whose travel direction is changed by turn bars <NUM> and <NUM>. <FIG> is an illustration of a heater <NUM> that heats the continuous base material <NUM>. In order to facilitate a distinction between the first surface 9a and second surface 9b of the continuous base material <NUM>, the dot pattern is appended as appropriate to the first surface 9a in the drawings.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the transport mechanism <NUM> includes transport rollers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, turn bars <NUM> and <NUM>, and transport rollers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in order toward downstream along the transport path TR. The transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> and the turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> are one example of a "first transport mechanism. " The transport roller <NUM> is the first transport roller that comes in contact with the continuous base material <NUM> inside the dryer <NUM>, and the transport roller <NUM> is the last transport roller that comes in contact with the continuous base material <NUM> inside the dryer <NUM>. The base-material transport path between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> has at least one heater arranged to heat and dry the continuous base material <NUM> that is moving inside the dryer <NUM> (in the first embodiment, heaters <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the details of which will be described later). These heaters are members that heat and dry a color image formed on the base material <NUM> by the ejection heads <NUM> of the image former <NUM>. The transport path between the first transport roller <NUM> and the last transport roller <NUM> in the dryer <NUM> has no ejection head <NUM> for ejecting ink arranged thereabove.

The transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> are each rotatable about an axis extending in the X direction. The transport roller <NUM> is arranged downstream of the image former <NUM>. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the +Y direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the -Z direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the -Y direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the +Z direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> in the Z direction (first direction).

The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the +Y direction. The transport roller <NUM> is also located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the -X direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the -Z direction and also away from the transport roller <NUM> in the -X direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the -Z direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the -Y direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the +Z direction.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the continuous base material <NUM> has a first portion <NUM>, a second portion <NUM>, a third portion <NUM>, a fourth portion <NUM>, a fifth portion <NUM>, a sixth portion <NUM>, a seventh portion <NUM>, an eighth portion <NUM>, and a ninth portion <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> is located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, the second portion <NUM> is located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, the third portion <NUM> is located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, the fourth portion <NUM> is located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, and the fifth portion <NUM> is located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM>. The sixth portion <NUM> is located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, the seventh portion <NUM> is located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, the eighth portion <NUM> is located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, and the ninth portion <NUM> is located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> (see <FIG>).

When the transport mechanism <NUM> transports the continuous base material <NUM>, the first portion <NUM> moves in the +Y direction, the second portion <NUM> moves in the -Z direction, the third portion <NUM> moves in the -Y direction, the fourth portion <NUM> moves in the +Z direction, and the fifth portion <NUM> moves in the +Y direction and the -X direction. The sixth portion <NUM> moves in the -Z direction, the seventh portion <NUM> moves in the -Y direction, the eighth portion <NUM> moves in the +Z direction, and the ninth portion <NUM> moves in the +Y direction.

The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> support, in a first position Z1 (see <FIG>) in the Z direction (first direction), the continuous base material <NUM> that is transported in the +Y direction (one side in the second direction). The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are one example of a "first transport supporter.

The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> support, in a second position Z2 (see <FIG>) away from the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> in the -Z direction, the continuous base material <NUM> that is transported in the -Y direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are one example of a "second transport supporter.

The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> support, in a fifth position Z5 (see <FIG>) away from the position of the turn bar <NUM> (fourth position Z4) in the -Z direction (see <FIG>), the continuous base material <NUM> that is transported to the -Y side. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are one example of a "fifth transport supporter.

The transport roller <NUM> supports, in a sixth position Z6 away from the positions of the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> (fifth position Z5) in the +Z direction, the continuous base material <NUM> that is transported to the +Y side (see <FIG>). The transport roller <NUM> is one example of a "sixth transport supporter.

The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged at the same position in the Y direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged at the same position in the Y direction. Thus, the second portion <NUM> and the sixth portion <NUM> of the continuous base material <NUM> are arranged at the same position in the Y direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged at the same position in the Y direction and the Z direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged at the same position in the Y direction and the Z direction. Thus, the third portion <NUM> and the seventh portion <NUM> of the continuous base material <NUM> are arranged at the same position in the Y direction and the Z direction.

The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged at the same position in the Y direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are also arranged at the same position in the Y direction. Thus, the fourth portion <NUM> and the eighth portion <NUM> of the continuous base material <NUM> are arranged at the same position in the Y direction.

The transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> are all arranged on the side of the second surface 9b of the continuous base material <NUM>. Thus, the transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> do not come in contact with the first surface 9a of the continuous base material <NUM>.

The turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> support the continuous base material <NUM> without contact. The turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> are air turn bars that jets air to the outer peripheral surface. The turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> are located way from the transport roller <NUM> on the +Y side. The turn bar <NUM> is located away from the turn bar <NUM> on the -X side. The turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> extend in a direction that is parallel to the horizontal plane and that intersects with the X direction and the Y direction (the direction forming <NUM> degrees).

A illustrated in <FIG>, the turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> are located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> in the Z direction. The turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> are also located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> in the Y direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the turn bar <NUM> supports the continuous base material <NUM> in a third position Z3 in the Z direction. The turn bar <NUM> supports the continuous base material <NUM> in a fourth position Z4 in the Z direction. The third position Z3 and the fourth position Z4 are positions between the first position Z1 and the second position Z2 in the Z direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, the position of the turn bar <NUM> in the Z direction (third position Z3) is the same as the position of the turn bar <NUM> in the Z direction (fourth position Z4).

The turn bar <NUM> supports the continuous base material <NUM> that is transported in the +Y direction while bending the continuous base material <NUM> such that the continuous base material <NUM> is transported in the -X direction (third direction). By bending the continuous base material <NUM> over the turn bar <NUM>, the orientations of the first surface 9a and the second surface 9b of the continuous base material <NUM> are reversed. That is, the first surface 9a of the continuous base material <NUM> faces toward the -Z side, and the second surface 9b of the continuous base material <NUM> faces toward the +Z side. The turn bar <NUM> is one example of a "third transport supporter.

The turn bar <NUM> supports the continuous base material <NUM> that is transported in the -X direction while bending the continuous base material <NUM> such that the continuous base material <NUM> is transported in the +Y direction (one side in the second directing. By bending the continuous base material <NUM> over the turn bar <NUM>, the orientations of the first surface 9a and the second surface 9b of the continuous base material <NUM> are reversed. That is, the first surface 9a of the continuous base material <NUM> faces toward the +Z side, and the second surface 9b of the continuous base material <NUM> faces toward the -Z side. The turn bar <NUM> is one example of a "fourth transport supporter.

The turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged on the side of the second surface 9b of the continuous base material <NUM>. Thus, the turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> do not come in contact with the first surface 9a of the continuous base material <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress contamination of the turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> with the ink adhering to the first surface 9a and impairment of the printed image on the first surface 9a due to the turn bars <NUM> and <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> each have an outer surface that faces the second surface 9b and that is provided with a plurality of air outlets <NUM> for ejecting air. The ejection of air from the air outlets <NUM> allows the continuous base material <NUM> to be supported without contact with the continuous base material <NUM>. In this case, no friction force is generated between the continuous base material <NUM> and the turn bars <NUM> and <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to suppress misalignment in the transport position of the continuous base material <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the transport path TR includes a path TR11 from the transport roller <NUM> to the transport roller <NUM> and a path TR12 from the transport roller <NUM> to the transport roller <NUM>. The path TR11 includes a path from the transport roller <NUM> (second transport supporter) to the turn bar <NUM> (third transport supporter). The path TR11 is one example of a "first path. " The path TR12 is located downstream of the turn bar <NUM> (fourth transport supporter). The path TR12 extends in parallel with the path TR11. The path TR12 is also located away from the path TR11 in the -X direction. The path TR12 is one example of a "second path. " The second portion <NUM>, the third portion <NUM>, and the fourth portion <NUM> of the continuous base material <NUM> are located on the path TR11. The sixth portion <NUM>, the seventh portion <NUM>, and the eighth portion <NUM> of the continuous base material <NUM> are located on the path TR12.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the dryer <NUM> includes heaters <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> that heat the continuous base material <NUM>. The heater <NUM> is capable of heating part of the second portion <NUM> and part of the sixth portion <NUM> of the continuous base material <NUM> at the same time. The heater <NUM> is capable of heating part of the third portion <NUM> and part of the seventh portion <NUM> of the continuous base material <NUM> at the same time. The heater <NUM> is capable of heating part of the fourth portion <NUM> and part of the eighth portion <NUM> of the continuous base material <NUM> at the same time. That is, the heaters <NUM> to <NUM> are capable of heating the second portion <NUM>, the third portion <NUM>, the fourth portion <NUM> of the continuous base material <NUM>, which are located on the path TR11, and the sixth portion <NUM>, the seventh portion <NUM>, and the eighth portion <NUM> of the continuous base material <NUM>, which are located on the path TR12.

The simultaneous heating of a plurality of portions of the continuous base material <NUM> by the heaters <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> improves the efficiency of drying the ink. The presence of the heaters <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> enables reducing the size of the dryer <NUM> more than in the case where a heater for heating each portion of the continuous base material <NUM> may be provided individually.

Next, the configuration of the heaters <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> will be described. Note that the heaters <NUM> and <NUM> have the same configuration as the heater <NUM>. Thus, the following description mainly focuses on the configuration of the heater <NUM>, and a description of the detailed configurations of the heaters <NUM> and <NUM> shall be omitted as appropriate.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the heater <NUM> includes a pair of hot plates <NUM> and <NUM>, a blower <NUM>, and an exhauster <NUM>. The hot plate <NUM> is arranged on the side of the first surface 9a of the continuous base material <NUM>. The hot plate <NUM> is arranged on the side of the second surface 9b of the continuous base material <NUM>. The two hot plates <NUM> and <NUM> face each other with a fixed gap formed therebetween. That is, the pair of hot plates <NUM> and <NUM> forms a gap <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> and the sixth portion <NUM> of the continuous base material <NUM> are both arranged in the gap <NUM> between the pair of hot plates <NUM> and <NUM> of the heater <NUM>. The gap <NUM> is one example of a "transport chamber" that allows passage of the continuous base material <NUM>.

The pair of hot plates <NUM> and <NUM> has a heater to radiate heat. Thus, portions of the continuous base material <NUM> that are sandwiched between the pair of hot plates <NUM> and <NUM> are heated by thermal radiation from the pair of hot plates <NUM> and <NUM>. The pair of hot plates <NUM> and <NUM> is one example a "pair of heaters.

The blower <NUM> is arranged at one end of the pair of hot plates <NUM> and <NUM> on the +X side. The blower <NUM> may be configured by, for example, a plurality of fans. The blower <NUM> sends air into the gap <NUM>.

The exhauster <NUM> is arranged at the other end of the pair of hot plates <NUM> and <NUM> on the -X side. The exhauster <NUM> may be configured by, for example, a plurality of fans. The exhauster <NUM> exhausts the air in the gap <NUM> to the outside of the gap <NUM>.

The blower <NUM> and the exhauster <NUM> generate an airflow A1 flowing in the -X direction in the gap <NUM>. That is, the blower <NUM> and the exhauster <NUM> are one example of an "airflow generator. " Note that either one of the blower <NUM> and the exhauster <NUM> may be omitted. That is, the airflow A1 may be generated by only the blower <NUM> or by only the exhauster <NUM>.

The continuous base material <NUM> can be dried by the blower <NUM> sending air into the gap <NUM>. Moreover, the solvent (e.g., moisture) in the evaporated ink can be exhausted by exhausting air out of the exhausters <NUM>. This facilitates ink drying on the continuous base material <NUM> in the gap <NUM>.

Alternatively, the blower <NUM> may be configured to send heated air into the gap <NUM>. In this case, the blower <NUM> may include a heat source for heating air.

According to the first embodiment, the continuous base material <NUM> is heated by the three heater <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Among these three heaters <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the heater <NUM> plays the most important role in drying the continuous base material <NUM>. It is, however, noted that the heater <NUM> may be omitted.

In the dryer <NUM>, the continuous base material <NUM> is first transported in the +Y direction by the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> and then bent and transported in the -Y direction by the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM>. The continuous base material <NUM> is then transported in the -X direction by the turn bar <NUM> in the third position Z3 between the transport roller <NUM> in the first position Z1 and the transport roller <NUM> in the second position Z2. This configuration makes it possible to increase the length and width of the transport path TR while suppressing an increase in the size of the dryer <NUM> in the Y direction and the Z direction.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description, constituent elements that have functions similar to those of the already-described constituent elements are given either the same reference signals or reference signs with alphabetic characters appended thereto, and a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a transport mechanism <NUM> and a dryer <NUM> according to the second embodiment. The transport mechanism <NUM> according to the second embodiment further includes transport rollers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> arranged in order toward downstream. The transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> are arranged between the transport roller <NUM> and the turn bar <NUM> on the transport path TR.

The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the +Y direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged at the same position in the Z direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the -Z direction. The transport roller <NUM> is also located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the -Y direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged at the same position in the Z direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the +Z direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located between the transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> in the Z direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> and the turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged at the same position in the Z direction. The turn bar <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the +Y direction.

The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> support, in a seventh position in the Z direction, the continuous base material <NUM> that is transported in the +Y direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are one example of a "seventh transport supporter. " The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> support the continuous base material <NUM> transported in the -Z direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> support, at an eighth position in the Z direction, the continuous base material <NUM> that is transported in the -Y direction. The eighth position is a position away from the seventh position in the -Z direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are one example of an "eighth transport supporter. " The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> support the continuous base material <NUM> transported in the +Z direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the continuous base material <NUM> has a portion <NUM> that is transported in the Z direction (first direction) between the transport roller <NUM> (seventh transport supporter) and the transport roller <NUM> (eighth transport supporter). The portion <NUM> (first base-material portion) of the continuous base material <NUM> is located between the second portion <NUM> (second base-material portion) and the fourth portion <NUM> (third base-material portion) of the continuous base material <NUM> in the Y direction (second direction). In this way, the portion of the transport path TR from the transport roller <NUM> to the transport roller <NUM> is set in an inwardly wound spiral fashion. By setting the transport path TR in such a spiral fashion, it is possible to increase the length and width of the transport path TR.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the transport mechanism <NUM> according to the second embodiment includes the transport rollers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> are located between the turn bar <NUM> and the transport roller <NUM> on the transport path TR. The transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> are each rotatable about an axis extending in the X direction.

The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the turn bar <NUM> in the +Y direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the -Z direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the -Y direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the +Z direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the +Y direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> hold the continuous base material <NUM> that is transported in the -Z direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> hold the continuous base material <NUM> that is transported in the -Y direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> hold the continuous base material <NUM> that is transported in the +Z direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> hold the continuous base material <NUM> that is transported in the +Y direction.

The transport rollers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are arranged at the same positions as the transport rollers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively, in the Y direction. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> on the -Z side. The transport roller <NUM> is located away from the transport roller <NUM> in the +Z direction. The transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are located at the same position in the Z direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, out of the transport path TR, a path from the transport roller <NUM> to the transport roller <NUM> is set in an outwardly expanding spiral fashion.

The transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> are located between the hot plate <NUM> of the heater <NUM> and the hot plate <NUM> of the heater <NUM> in the Y direction. The transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> are also located closer to the +Z side than the hot plate <NUM> of the heater <NUM>. That is, out of the transport path TR, a path TR21 from the transport roller <NUM> to the transport roller <NUM> is set to be located in a position that is between the heaters <NUM> and <NUM> in the Y direction and that is closer to the +Z side than the heater <NUM>.

The transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> are located between the hot plate <NUM> of the heater <NUM> and the hot plate <NUM> of the heater <NUM> in the Y direction. The transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> are also located closer to the +Z side than the hot plate <NUM> of the heater <NUM>. Thus, out of the transport path TR, a path TR22 from the transport roller <NUM> to the transport roller <NUM> is set to be located in a position that is between the heaters <NUM> and <NUM> in the Y direction and that is closer to the +Z side than the heater <NUM>.

The dryer <NUM> according to the second embodiment includes a heater <NUM>. The heater <NUM> includes two hot-air suppliers <NUM>. Each hot-air supplier <NUM> supplies hot air to the -X direction to the space that is between the heaters <NUM> and <NUM> in the Y direction and that is closer to the +Z size than the heater <NUM>. The hot air supplied from each hot-air supplier <NUM> heats the fifth portion <NUM> of the continuous base material <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> is one example of a "second heater" for heating a portion of the continuous base material <NUM> that is located between the transport roller <NUM> (seventh transport supporter) and the transport roller <NUM> (eighth transport supporter) on the transport path TR. The heaters <NUM> to <NUM> are one example of a "first heater" for heating a portion of the continuous base material <NUM> that is located between the transport roller <NUM> (first transport supporter) and the transport roller <NUM> (seventh transport supporter) on the transport path TR.

The hot air supplied from the +X side to the continuous base material <NUM> heats the portion of the continuous base material <NUM> that is moving along the path TR21 and the portion of the continuous base material <NUM> that is moving along the path TR22 at the same time. Thus, downsizing of the dryer <NUM> is made possible as compared with the case in which the portions of the continuous base material <NUM> that are moving along the paths TR21 and TR22 are heated by different heaters.

<FIG> is a plan view of a dryer <NUM> according to a third embodiment. The dryer <NUM> according to the third embodiment includes a first dryer 40a and a second dryer 40b that are arranged adjacent to each other in the Y direction. The first dryer 40a and the second dryer 40b each have a configuration similar to that of the dryer <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. It is, however, noted that the positional relationship of the constituent elements of the second dryer 40b is such that the constituent elements of the first dryer 40a are arranged symmetrically with respect to a bilateral symmetry axis extending in Y direction. Therefore, in the first dryer 40a, the continuous base material <NUM> is bent by the turn bar <NUM> so as to be transported in the -X direction, but in the second dryer 40b, the continuous base material <NUM> is bent by the turn bar <NUM> so as to be transported in the +X direction.

The transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> and the turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> arranged in the first dryer 40a correspond to the "first transport mechanism. " The transport rollers <NUM> to <NUM> and the turn bars <NUM> and <NUM> arranged in the second dryer 40b correspond to the "second transport mechanism.

By coupling the first dryer 40a and the second dryer 40b, the continuous base material <NUM> that has moved in the -X direction by the turn bar <NUM> arranged in the first dryer 40a is moved in the +X direction by the turn bar <NUM> arranged in the second dryer 40b. This configuration enables reducing the entire width of the transport path TR in the X direction.

In the present example, the position of the turn bar <NUM> of the second dryer 40b in the X direction is made to match the position of the turn bar <NUM> of the first dryer 40a in the X direction. Accordingly, the position in the X direction in which the continuous base material <NUM> is transported out of the second dryer 40b can match the position of the continuous base material <NUM> transported into the first dryer 40a. In the present example, the position of the turn bar <NUM> of the first dryer <NUM> in the X direction is also made to match the position of the turn bar <NUM> of the second dryer 40b in the X direction.

By coupling the first dryer 40a and the second dryer 40b, it is possible to increase the length and width of the transport path TR. Besides, in each of the first dryer 40a and the second dryer 40b, the travel direction of the continuous base material <NUM> can be shifted in the X direction by the turn bar <NUM>. This configuration enables increasing the length and width of the transport path TR while suppressing an increase in the size of the dryer 40b in the Z direction.

While embodiments have been described thus far, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified in various ways.

Claim 1:
A base-material drying device (<NUM>) for drying ink adhering to a first surface (9a) of a continuous base material (<NUM>) having a long band-like shape, the base-material drying device comprising:
a first transport mechanism (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that transports the continuous base material (<NUM>) from upstream to downstream along a predetermined transport path (TR); and
a first heating mechanism (<NUM>-<NUM>) that heats the continuous base material (<NUM>) transported by the first transport mechanism (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the first transport mechanism (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) includes:
a first transport supporter (<NUM>, <NUM>) that supports, in a first position (Z1) in a first direction (Z), the continuous base material (<NUM>) that is transported to one side (+Y) in a second direction (Y) intersecting with the first direction (Z);
a second transport supporter (<NUM>, <NUM>) that is arranged downstream of the first transport supporter (<NUM>) and that supports, in a second position (Z2) away from the first position (Z1) in the first direction (Z), the continuous base material (<NUM>) being transported from the first transport supporter (<NUM>) to one side (-Z) in a first direction (Z) to be transported to the other side (-Y) in the second direction (Y); and
a third transport supporter (<NUM>) that is arranged downstream of the second transport supporter (<NUM>) and that supports the continuous base material (<NUM>) in a third position (Z3) in the first direction (Z) while bending the continuous base material (<NUM>) being transported from the second transport supporter (<NUM>) to the other side (Z+) in the first direction (Z) so that the continuous base material (<NUM>) is transported in a third direction (X) intersecting with the first direction (Z) and the second direction (Y),
the first heating mechanism (<NUM>-<NUM>) is capable of heating part of the continuous base material (<NUM>) in a position on the transport path (TR) between the first transport supporter (<NUM>) and the third transport supporter (<NUM>), and
the first transport supporter (<NUM>, <NUM>), the second transport supporter (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the third transport supporter (<NUM>) are located on a second surface side (9b) of the continuous base material (<NUM>) opposite to the first surface (9a) and do not contact with the first surface (9a),
wherein the third position (Z3) is between the first position (Z1) and the second position (Z2) in the first direction (Z).