Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus.

<CIT> discloses a printing apparatus including a printing unit that performs printing by ejecting liquid to a medium, a supporting part facing the printing unit, a heating unit that heats the printed medium, and a downstream supporting part facing the heating unit. The supporting part includes a supporting surface that supports the medium. The medium after the printing is conveyed downward from the supporting part toward the downstream supporting part. The heating unit includes a portion located on the upper side of the supporting surface.

In the printing apparatus disclosed in <CIT>, the medium is conveyed downward in a curved manner from the supporting part toward the downstream supporting part. Therefore, the printing apparatus performs printing mainly for a flexible medium such as fabric and roll paper. On the other hand, printing apparatuses perform printing not only on flexible mediums, but also on rigid mediums such as thick paper and board paper. In this case, the rigid medium is not curved, and is therefore conveyed straight along the supporting surface. The rigid medium may interfere with the heating unit, the air blowing unit and the like during the conveyance along the supporting surface. In view of this, when printing is performed on the rigid medium, it is necessary to detach the heating unit, the air blowing unit and the like, but such a detaching operation is time consuming, and reduces the usability.

<CIT> discloses a printing apparatus including a printing section that performs printing by adhering an ink to a medium, a transport section that transports the medium, and a heating device that heats the medium, on which printing is finished. The heating device includes a first partitioning wall that has an infrared ray emission surface that faces a third support member via a heating region, and a heating section which heats the first partitioning wall, and an area of the infrared ray emission surface is greater than a projection area obtained by projecting the infrared ray emission surface toward the third support member.

According to first and second aspects of the present invention, there are provided printing apparatuses as defined in appended independent claims <NUM> and <NUM> respectively.

Preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

An example of a printing apparatus is described below with reference to the drawings. The printing apparatus is an ink-jet printer that records images such as letters, photographs and diagrams by ejecting ink as an example of liquid to a medium such as fabric and a sheet, for example. The printing apparatus performs printing on a soft medium and a rigid medium as the medium.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a printing apparatus <NUM> includes a feeding part <NUM>. The feeding part <NUM> is configured to feed a soft medium S1 with flexibility. The feeding part <NUM> feeds the unused soft medium S1.

The soft medium S1 is a medium such as fabric and thin paper. Therefore, the soft medium S1 can be bent and curved during conveyance. The soft medium S1 is fed from a roll R1 obtained by winding the soft medium S1, for example.

The feeding part <NUM> includes a feeding shaft <NUM>. The feeding shaft <NUM> holds the unused roll R1. When the roll R1 held by the feeding shaft <NUM> rotates, the unused soft medium S1 is fed from the feeding part <NUM>. Images are printed on the soft medium S1 fed from the feeding part <NUM>.

The printing apparatus <NUM> includes a winding unit <NUM>. The winding unit <NUM> is configured to wind up the soft medium S1. Specifically, the winding unit <NUM> winds up the soft medium S1 fed from the feeding part <NUM>. The winding unit <NUM> winds up the used soft medium S1. That is, an image is printed on the soft medium S1 in the process from the feeding of the soft medium S1 by the feeding part <NUM> to the winding of the soft medium S1 by the winding unit <NUM>.

The winding unit <NUM> includes a winding shaft <NUM>. The winding shaft <NUM> holds the used roll R1. When the roll R1 held by the winding shaft <NUM> rotates, the used soft medium S1 is wound around the winding unit <NUM>.

The printing apparatus <NUM> includes a printing unit <NUM>. The printing unit <NUM> is configured to print an image on a medium by ejecting liquid. The printing unit <NUM> prints an image on the soft medium S1, for example. The printing unit <NUM> may perform printing not only on the soft medium S1, but also on a rigid medium H1. The rigid medium H1 is thick paper, board paper and the like. The rigid medium H1 is not bent or curved during conveyance. Therefore, the rigid medium H1 is not fed from the feeding part <NUM>, or wound by the winding unit <NUM>. The rigid medium H1 is separately supplied to the printing unit <NUM> separately from the soft medium S1.

The printing unit <NUM> includes a head <NUM>. The head <NUM> includes a nozzle surface <NUM> at which one or more nozzles <NUM> open. The head <NUM> ejects liquid from the nozzle <NUM>.

The printing unit <NUM> includes a carriage <NUM>. The carriage <NUM> is equipped with the head <NUM>. The carriage <NUM> performs scanning with respect to the medium. Through the scanning of the carriage <NUM>, the head <NUM> can eject the liquid over the entire width of the medium. As described above, the printing apparatus <NUM> is a so-called serial printer. The printing apparatus <NUM> may be a line printer of which the head <NUM> can eject liquid at the same time over the width of the medium.

The printing apparatus <NUM> includes a supporting part <NUM>. The supporting part <NUM> supports a medium. Specifically, the supporting part <NUM> supports the medium being conveyed. The supporting part <NUM> supports the medium from below. The supporting part <NUM> faces the printing unit <NUM>. Thus, liquid is ejected from the printing unit <NUM> to the medium in the region supported by the supporting part <NUM>.

The supporting part <NUM> includes a supporting surface <NUM> that supports the medium. The supporting surface <NUM> is a surface that faces the printing unit <NUM>. Specifically, the supporting surface <NUM> faces the nozzle surface <NUM>. The supporting surface <NUM> makes contact with the medium. The supporting surface <NUM> faces upward, for example. The position of the supporting surface <NUM> in a vertical direction Z1 is a reference position A1. That is, the reference position A1 represents the height of the supporting surface <NUM>.

The supporting part <NUM> is located on the upper side of the feeding part <NUM>. The supporting part <NUM> is located on the upper side of the winding unit <NUM>. Thus, the soft medium S1 extending from the feeding part <NUM> to the winding unit <NUM> is provided across the supporting part <NUM>.

The printing apparatus <NUM> includes a conveyance unit <NUM>. The conveyance unit <NUM> is configured to convey a medium. The conveyance unit <NUM> conveys the medium in a conveyance direction Y1 on the supporting surface <NUM>. Therefore, the conveyance direction Y1 is a direction along the supporting surface <NUM>. The conveyance unit <NUM> conveys the soft medium S1 in the conveyance direction Y1 on the supporting surface <NUM>. The conveyance unit <NUM> conveys the rigid medium H1 in the conveyance direction Y1 on the supporting surface <NUM>. As an example, the conveyance unit <NUM> is located upstream of the supporting part <NUM> in the conveyance direction Y1. The conveyance unit <NUM> may be located downstream of the supporting part <NUM> in the conveyance direction Y1.

The conveyance unit <NUM> includes a first roller <NUM> and a second roller <NUM>. The first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM> convey the medium by rotating with the medium sandwiched therebetween. The nip point of the first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM> is at the same height as the reference position A1. Thus, the first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM> sandwich the medium at the reference position A1.

The first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM> sandwich the medium, and thus the medium is set in the printing apparatus <NUM>. The soft medium S1 is set in the printing apparatus <NUM> by being provided across the supporting part <NUM> from the feeding part <NUM> to the winding unit <NUM>. The rigid medium H1 is set in the printing apparatus <NUM> by being inserted between the first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM>. At this time, the rigid medium H1 is set so as to protrude to the upstream side in the conveyance direction Y1 from the location on the supporting part <NUM>.

The printing apparatus <NUM> includes an upstream supporting part <NUM>. The upstream supporting part <NUM> is located upstream of the supporting part <NUM> in the conveyance direction Y1. The upstream supporting part <NUM> is located at a position below the reference position A1. The upstream supporting part <NUM> supports the soft medium S1. Specifically, the upstream supporting part <NUM> supports the soft medium S1 in the period from the feeding from the feeding part <NUM> to the sandwiching by the first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM>. On the other hand, the upstream supporting part <NUM> does not support the rigid medium H1.

The upstream supporting part <NUM> includes an upstream supporting surface <NUM> that supports the soft medium S1. The upstream supporting surface <NUM> is a surface that obliquely extends with respect to the supporting surface <NUM>. As an example, the upstream supporting surface <NUM> is a surface that tilts obliquely upward in the direction from the feeding part <NUM> toward the supporting part <NUM>.

The printing apparatus <NUM> includes a downstream supporting part <NUM>. The downstream supporting part <NUM> is located downstream of the supporting part <NUM> in the conveyance direction Y1. The downstream supporting part <NUM> is located at a position below the reference position A1. The downstream supporting part <NUM> supports the soft medium S1. Specifically, the downstream supporting part <NUM> supports the soft medium S1 in the period until it is wound by the winding unit <NUM> after being supported by the supporting part <NUM>. On the other hand, the downstream supporting part <NUM> does not support the rigid medium H1.

The downstream supporting part <NUM> includes a downstream supporting surface <NUM> that supports the soft medium S1. The downstream supporting surface <NUM> is a surface that obliquely extends with respect to the supporting surface <NUM>. As an example, the downstream supporting surface <NUM> is a surface that tilts obliquely downward in the direction from the supporting part <NUM> toward the winding unit <NUM>.

The printing apparatus <NUM> may include an air blowing unit <NUM>. The air blowing unit <NUM> faces the upstream supporting part <NUM>. Specifically, the air blowing unit <NUM> faces the upstream supporting surface <NUM>. The air blowing unit <NUM> is configured to blow air to the soft medium S1. The air blowing unit <NUM> removes foreign matters from the soft medium S1 by blowing air to the soft medium S1. Specifically, the air blowing unit <NUM> removes foreign matters from the soft medium S1 before the printing. In this manner, the printing quality of the soft medium S1 is improved.

The air blowing unit <NUM> includes an air blowing part <NUM>. The air blowing part <NUM> blows air to the soft medium S1 supported by the upstream supporting part <NUM>. Specifically, the air blowing part <NUM> blows air to the soft medium S1 in the portion located on the upstream supporting surface <NUM>. The air blowing part <NUM> is a fan, for example.

The air blowing unit <NUM> includes an air blowing case <NUM>. The air blowing case <NUM> houses the air blowing part <NUM>. The air blowing case <NUM> opens toward the upstream supporting part <NUM>.

The air blowing case <NUM> includes an air blowing top portion <NUM>. The air blowing top portion <NUM> is a portion located at the uppermost position in the air blowing case <NUM>. The air blowing top portion <NUM> is located at a position below the reference position A1. That is, the air blowing unit <NUM> is not located above the supporting surface <NUM>. As a result, when setting the rigid medium H1, the air blowing unit <NUM> does not interfere with the rigid medium H1. Thus, the rigid medium H1 is set in the state where it extends straight to the upstream side in the conveyance direction Y1 from the location on the supporting part <NUM>. In this manner, the printing apparatus <NUM> can perform printing on the rigid medium H1 without detaching the air blowing unit <NUM>. In addition, since it is not necessary to detach the air blowing unit <NUM>, it is not necessary to ensure the housing space for the detached air blowing unit <NUM>.

The air blowing top portion <NUM> is located at the reference position A1. That is, the air blowing top portion <NUM> is located at the same height as the supporting surface <NUM>. As a result, when setting the rigid medium H1, the air blowing top portion <NUM> can support the rigid medium H1 together with the supporting part <NUM>. With the air blowing top portion <NUM> supporting the rigid medium H1, the posture of the rigid medium H1 is stabilized.

The air blowing top portion <NUM> may include an air blowing top surface <NUM>. The air blowing top surface <NUM> is the outer surface of the air blowing case <NUM>. As an example, the air blowing top surface <NUM> is a surface facing upward in the air blowing case <NUM>. The air blowing top surface <NUM> is located at the reference position A1. That is, the air blowing top surface <NUM> is located at the same height as the supporting surface <NUM>. The air blowing top surface <NUM> supports the rigid medium H1. In this manner, the posture of the rigid medium H1 is easily stabilized.

The air blowing case <NUM> may include an air blowing continuous surface <NUM> that is continuous with the air blowing top surface <NUM>. As an example, the air blowing continuous surface <NUM> extends obliquely downward from the air blowing top surface <NUM>. Specifically, the air blowing continuous surface <NUM> extends parallel to the upstream supporting surface <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the air blowing case <NUM> includes an air blowing extension portion <NUM>. The air blowing extension portion <NUM> is a portion extending the air blowing top portion <NUM>. The air blowing extension portion <NUM> includes an air blowing extension surface <NUM>. The air blowing extension surface <NUM> is a surface extending the air blowing top surface <NUM>. The air blowing extension surface <NUM> extends parallel to the air blowing top surface <NUM>. The air blowing extension surface <NUM> is continuous with the air blowing top surface <NUM>. The air blowing extension surface <NUM> is located at the reference position A1 as with the air blowing top surface <NUM>. With the air blowing extension portion <NUM> extending the air blowing top portion <NUM>, the air blowing top surface <NUM> and the air blowing extension surface <NUM> support the rigid medium H1. In this manner, the posture of the rigid medium H1 is easily stabilized.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the air blowing extension portion <NUM> is configured to be displaced to an air blowing housing position P1 and an air blowing extension position P2. As an example, the air blowing extension portion <NUM> is displaced by rotating. For example, the air blowing extension portion <NUM> is displaced by rotating around one end portion. The air blowing extension portion <NUM> rotates with a hinge <NUM>. The air blowing extension portion <NUM> may be displaced not only by rotating but also by sliding, for example.

The air blowing housing position P1 is a position where the air blowing extension portion <NUM> is housed in the air blowing case <NUM>. As an example, the air blowing housing position P1 is a position where the air blowing extension portion <NUM> is set along the air blowing continuous surface <NUM>. The air blowing extension portion <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is located at the air blowing housing position P1.

The air blowing extension position P2 is a position where the air blowing extension portion <NUM> extends the air blowing top portion <NUM>. As an example, the air blowing extension position P2 is a position where the air blowing extension surface <NUM> is continuous with the air blowing top surface <NUM>. The air blowing extension portion <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is located at the air blowing extension position P2.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include a heating unit <NUM>. The heating unit <NUM> faces the downstream supporting part <NUM>. Specifically, the heating unit <NUM> faces the downstream supporting surface <NUM>. Thus, the heating unit <NUM> is configured to heat the soft medium S1. The heating unit <NUM> dries the soft medium S1 by heating the soft medium S1. That is, the heating unit <NUM> dries the soft medium S1 after the printing. In this manner, the printing quality of the soft medium S1 is improved.

The heating unit <NUM> includes a heating part <NUM>. The heating part <NUM> heats the soft medium S1 supported by the downstream supporting part <NUM>. Specifically, the heating part <NUM> heats the portion located on the downstream supporting surface <NUM> in the soft medium S1. The heating part <NUM> is an infrared ray heater, for example.

The heating unit <NUM> may include a reflection plate <NUM>. The reflection plate <NUM> reflects, toward the downstream supporting surface <NUM>, the infrared ray emitted from the heating part <NUM>. In this manner, the heating efficiency of the heating part <NUM> is improved.

The heating unit <NUM> includes a heating case <NUM>. The heating case <NUM> houses the heating part <NUM>. The heating case <NUM> houses the reflection plate <NUM>. The heating case <NUM> opens toward the downstream supporting part <NUM>.

The heating case <NUM> includes a heating top portion <NUM>. The heating top portion <NUM> is a portion located at the uppermost position in the heating case <NUM>. The heating top portion <NUM> is located at a position below the reference position A1. That is, the heating unit <NUM> is not located above the supporting surface <NUM>. Thus, when ejecting the rigid medium H1, the heating unit <NUM> does not interfere with the rigid medium H1. In this manner, the printing apparatus <NUM> can perform printing on the rigid medium H1 without detaching the heating unit <NUM>. In addition, since it is not necessary to detach the heating unit <NUM>, it is not necessary to ensure a housing space for the detached heating unit <NUM>.

The heating top portion <NUM> is located at the reference position A1. That is, the heating top portion <NUM> is located at the same height as the supporting surface <NUM>. In this manner, when ejecting the rigid medium H1, the heating top portion <NUM> can support the rigid medium H1 together with the supporting part <NUM>. Thus, the posture of the rigid medium H1 is stabilized.

The heating top portion <NUM> may include a heating top surface <NUM>. The heating top surface <NUM> is an outer surface of the heating case <NUM>. As an example, the heating top surface <NUM> is a surface facing upward in the heating case <NUM>. The heating top surface <NUM> is located at the reference position A1. That is, the heating top surface <NUM> is located at the same height as the supporting surface <NUM>. The heating top surface <NUM> supports the rigid medium H1. In this manner, the posture of the rigid medium H1 is easily stabilized.

The heating case <NUM> may include a heating continuous surface <NUM> that is continuous with the heating top surface <NUM>. As an example, the heating continuous surface <NUM> extends obliquely downward from the heating top surface <NUM>. Specifically, the heating continuous surface <NUM> extends parallel to the downstream supporting surface <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the heating case <NUM> includes a heating extension portion <NUM>. The heating extension portion <NUM> is a portion extending the heating top portion <NUM>. The heating extension portion <NUM> includes a heating extension surface <NUM>. The heating extension surface <NUM> is a surface extending the heating top surface <NUM>. The heating extension surface <NUM> extends parallel to the heating top surface <NUM>. The heating extension surface <NUM> is continuous with the heating top surface <NUM>. The heating extension surface <NUM> is located at the reference position A1 as with the heating top surface <NUM>. With the heating extension portion <NUM> extending the heating top portion <NUM>, the heating top surface <NUM> and the heating extension surface <NUM> support the rigid medium H1. In this manner, the posture of the rigid medium H1 is easily stabilized.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the heating extension portion <NUM> is configured to be displaced to a heating housing position Q1 and a heating extension position Q2. As an example, the heating extension portion <NUM> is displaced by rotating. For example, the heating extension portion <NUM> is displaced by rotating around one end portion. The heating extension portion <NUM> rotates with a hinge <NUM>. The heating extension portion <NUM> may be displaced not only by rotating but also by sliding, for example.

The heating housing position Q1 is a position where the heating extension portion <NUM> is housed in the heating case <NUM>. As an example, the heating housing position Q1 is a position where the heating extension portion <NUM> is set along the heating continuous surface <NUM>. The heating extension portion <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is located at the heating housing position Q1.

The heating extension position Q2 is a position where the heating extension portion <NUM> extends the heating top portion <NUM>. As an example, the heating extension position Q2 is a position where the heating extension surface <NUM> is continuous with the heating top surface <NUM>. The heating extension portion <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is located at the heating extension position Q2.

The printing apparatus <NUM> may include an operation unit <NUM>. The operation unit <NUM> is a touch panel, for example. The operation unit <NUM> may be a button, a lever, a switch, and the like. When the operation unit <NUM> is operated, printing is started. That is, when the operation unit <NUM> is operated, the driving of the printing unit <NUM>, the conveyance unit <NUM> and the like is started.

The user may select whether printing is performed on the soft medium S1 or the rigid medium H1 from the operation unit <NUM>. In the case where printing on the soft medium S1 is started through the operation of the operation unit <NUM>, the driving of the feeding part <NUM>, the winding unit <NUM>, the air blowing unit <NUM>, the heating unit <NUM> and the like is also started. In the case where printing on the rigid medium H1 is started through the operation of the operation unit <NUM>, the air blowing extension portion <NUM> and the heating extension portion <NUM> may be displaced. Specifically, the air blowing extension portion <NUM> may be displaced to the air blowing extension position P2 and the heating extension portion <NUM> may be displaced to the heating extension position Q2. In this case, the supporting surface <NUM>, the air blowing extension surface <NUM>, and the heating extension surface <NUM> are located at the reference position A1 and arranged on a straight line. In this manner, the rigid medium H1 is conveyed in a stable posture.

After printing on the rigid medium H1 is completed, the air blowing extension portion <NUM> may be displaced to the air blowing housing position P1 and the heating extension portion <NUM> may be displaced to the heating housing position Q1. In this manner, the air blowing extension portion <NUM> and the heating extension portion <NUM> are prevented from hindering the operation. In addition, regardless of the start and termination of the printing, the air blowing extension portion <NUM> and the heating extension portion <NUM> may be displaced when the operation unit <NUM> is operated. In addition, the user may manually displace the air blowing extension portion <NUM> and the heating extension portion <NUM> without using the operation unit <NUM>.

Next, operational effects of the above-mentioned embodiment are described.

The above-mentioned example may be modified as follows for implementation. The above-mentioned examples and the following modifications may be combined for implementation insofar as they are not technically consistent and within the scope of the appended claims.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the air blowing extension surface <NUM> may also serve as the air blowing continuous surface <NUM>. Specifically, the air blowing extension portion <NUM> may make up the exterior of the air blowing case <NUM>. In this modification, the air blowing extension portion <NUM> exposes the inside of the air blowing case <NUM> when it is located at the air blowing extension position P2. When printing is performed on the rigid medium H1, the air blowing unit <NUM> is not used. Therefore, no problem occurs even when the inside of the air blowing case 33is exposed. When the air blowing extension portion <NUM> is located at the air blowing housing position P1, the air blowing part <NUM> is covered by the air blowing case <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the heating extension surface <NUM> may also serve as the heating continuous surface <NUM>. Specifically, the heating extension portion <NUM> may make up the exterior of the heating case <NUM>. In this modification, the heating extension portion <NUM> exposes the heating case <NUM> when it is located at the heating extension position Q2. When printing is performed on the rigid medium H1, the heating unit <NUM> is not used. Therefore, no problem occurs even when the heating case <NUM> is exposed. When the heating extension portion <NUM> is located at the heating housing position Q1, the heating part <NUM> is covered by the heating case <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A printing apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a printing unit (<NUM>) configured to perform printing by ejecting liquid to a medium (S1) conveyed;
a supporting part (<NUM>) facing the printing unit, and including a supporting surface (<NUM>) configured to support the medium;
a downstream supporting part (<NUM>) located downstream of the supporting part (<NUM>) in a medium conveyance direction (Y1), and including a downstream supporting surface (<NUM>) obliquely extending with respect to the supporting surface (<NUM>); and
a heating unit (<NUM>) facing the downstream supporting part (<NUM>), wherein
the heating unit includes:
a heating part (<NUM>) configured to heat the medium, and
a heating case (<NUM>) configured to house the heating part, and
the heating case includes a heating top portion (<NUM>) located at an uppermost position in the heating case, characterised in that
the heating top portion (<NUM>) is located at the same height (A1) as and below the supporting surface (<NUM>).