Patent Description:
An ink jet printing apparatus that includes a drying device performing a drying process on a paper sheet, a film substrate, or the like on which a color image has been printed is known. Described in <CIT> is a drying device that dries ink adhering to a printing target such as continuous paper. The device described in <CIT> blows air toward a heater disposed at a position facing a transport path for the continuous paper to dry the continuous paper to which ink has adhered. Documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose relevant prior art for the present invention.

However, the drying device described in <CIT> has problems as follows. The device blows air toward the heater disposed at the position facing the transport path for the continuous paper to realize a reduction of pressure loss and heat loss and realize uniform supply of air and heat. That is, the device is on the assumption that the heater is incorporated in a hot air drying unit including a hot air blowing port.

Described in <CIT> is that a configuration in which a plurality of fans are disposed along a continuous paper width direction is preferable as a configuration in which the drying device blows air uniformly in the continuous paper width direction. Such a configuration requires a number of fan motors corresponding to the total width of the continuous paper. For example, in a case where the total width of the continuous paper is <NUM> and general-purpose size fan motors each having a width of about <NUM> are used, fourteen fan motors need to be provided in the continuous paper width direction.

In this case, a fan motor disposition space corresponding to the thickness of the fan motors needs to be provided in a direction facing the continuous paper and the size of the device may become large in the direction facing the continuous paper.

In addition, described in <CIT> is a configuration in which an air duct is provided between an inflow port of a heat housing and the fans and air is blown from a place separated from the inflow port. In the case of such a configuration, it is necessary to devise an air duct through which air from the fans is evenly blown to the heater.

For example, in a case of devising an internal structure of the air duct with a rectifying plate or the like built into the air duct, there may be an increase in pressure loss in the air duct and an increase in size of the air duct. The increase in size of the air duct may cause an increase in size of the entire drying device.

That is, the drying device described in <CIT> has a problem that the drying device may become large in a direction facing a transport surface of the continuous paper because of disposition of a blowing structure for a heated gas blown toward a position facing the transport surface of the continuous paper.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances and an object of the present invention is to provide a drying device, a liquid applying system, and a printing system that suppress an increase in size in a direction facing a substrate transport surface.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the invention is set out in the appended set of claims.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a drying device that blows a heated gas to a substrate transport surface in a substrate transport path, the drying device including a blowing unit provided with a jetting port formed in a first surface facing the substrate transport surface, a heat source, and a fan motor that blows a gas to the heat source to generate the heated gas. A heated gas inflow port through which the heated gas is supplied is formed in a second surface of the blowing unit, the second surface intersecting the first surface.

In the case of the drying device according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the heated gas flows into the blowing unit through the heated gas inflow port formed in the second surface that does not face the substrate transport surface and the heated gas is jetted toward the substrate through the jetting port formed in the first surface that faces the substrate transport surface. Accordingly, an increase in size of the blowing unit is suppressed in a direction facing the substrate transport surface.

In addition, the heat source and the fan motor are disposed at positions that do not face the substrate transport surface, so that the efficiency of maintenance such as replacement of the heat source and the fan motor can be improved.

It is preferable that a plurality of jetting ports are provided and the plurality of jetting ports are disposed based on a prescribed disposition pattern in a substrate width direction orthogonal to a substrate transport direction.

Any shape such as a circular shape and a quadrangular shape may be applied to the planar shape of the jetting port.

The jetting port may be formed at a distal end of a protrusion protruding from the first surface and may be formed at the first surface that is flat.

The drying device according to another aspect may further include a heated gas supply unit in which the heat source and the fan motor are disposed and that supplies the heated gas to the blowing unit and the heated gas supply unit may include a heated gas supply port that communicates with the heated gas inflow port formed in the blowing unit and a first intake port through which air outside the heated gas supply unit is taken in.

According to such an aspect, thermal energy released from the heat source is recovered in the heated gas supply unit and the thermal energy released from the heat source can be circulated.

The drying device according to another aspect may further include a drying unit in which the blowing unit is disposed and the heat source and the fan motor may be disposed outside the drying unit.

According to such an aspect, it is possible to extend the lifespan of the fan motor of which the lifespan depends on the environmental temperature. In addition, the efficiency of maintenance such as replacement of the heat source and the fan motor can be improved.

The drying device according to another aspect may further include a heated gas supply unit in which the heat source and the fan motor are disposed and that supplies the heated gas to the blowing unit and the heated gas supply unit may include a heated gas supply port that communicates with the heated gas inflow port formed in the blowing unit and a second intake port through which the heated gas from the drying unit is taken in.

According to such an aspect, thermal energy can be circulated from the blowing unit to the heated gas supply unit.

The drying device according to another aspect may further include a heated gas recovery unit that is disposed in the drying unit and recovers the heated gas blown from the blowing unit and the heated gas recovery unit may include a heated gas recovery port through which the heated gas blown from the blowing unit is recovered and a heated gas discharge port through which the heated gas recovered through the heated gas recovery port is discharged, the heated gas discharge port communicating with the second intake port.

According to such an aspect, thermal energy can be circulated from the blowing unit to the heated gas supply unit with application of the heated gas recovery unit.

In the drying device according to another aspect, the heated gas recovery port may be partitioned into a plurality of intake regions in a longitudinal direction, the heated gas discharge port may be partitioned into a plurality of discharge regions corresponding to the plurality of intake regions of the heated gas recovery port, and the heated gas recovery unit may include a plurality of intake flow channels through which the plurality of intake regions and the plurality of discharge regions communicate with each other.

According to such an aspect, occurrence of distribution of thermal energy recovered to the heated gas recovery unit is suppressed in a longitudinal direction of the heated gas recovery port and thermal energy can be recovered uniformly over the entire heated gas recovery port.

In the drying device according to another aspect, the heated gas supply unit may include a third intake port through which air outside the heated gas supply unit is taken in.

According to such an aspect, a certain range of humidity can be maintained inside the heated gas supply unit.

The drying device according to another aspect may further include an adjustment mechanism that adjusts volume per unit period of a gas passing through the third intake port.

According to such an aspect, the humidity inside the heated gas supply unit can be adjusted.

The drying device according to another aspect may further include one or more processors and a sensor that detects at least one of a temperature or a humidity of the gas passing through the third intake port and the processor may control operation of the adjustment mechanism in accordance with a result of detection performed by the sensor.

According to such an aspect, the humidity inside the heated gas supply unit can be adjusted in accordance with the result of detection performed by the sensor.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid applying system including a liquid applying device that applies liquid to a substrate and a drying device that blows a heated gas to a substrate transport surface in a substrate transport path to dry the substrate to which the liquid has been applied. The drying device includes a blowing unit provided with a jetting port formed in a first surface facing the substrate transport surface, a heat source, and a fan motor that blows a gas to the heat source to generate the heated gas and a heated gas inflow port through which the heated gas is supplied is formed in a second surface of the blowing unit, the second surface intersecting the first surface.

In the case of the liquid applying system according to the aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to achieve the same actions and effects as the drying device according to the above-described aspect of the present disclosure. The constituent requirements of the drying device according to another aspect can be applied to the constituent requirements of the liquid applying system according to another aspect.

In the liquid applying system according to another aspect, the blowing unit may be disposed on each of one side and the other side of the substrate transport surface.

According to such an aspect, a drying process can be performed from both sides of the substrate.

In the liquid applying system according to another aspect, a plurality of blowing units may be provided and the plurality of blowing units may be disposed along the substrate transport path.

According to such an aspect, the efficiency of the drying process can be improved.

The liquid applying system according to another aspect may further include one or more processors. The drying device may include a plurality of heated gas supply units in each of which the heat source and the fan motor are disposed and that supply the heated gas to the plurality of blowing units respectively, each heated gas supply unit may include a third intake port through which air outside the heated gas supply unit is taken in and an adjustment mechanism that adjusts volume per unit period of a gas passing through the third intake port, and the processor may control operation of the adjustment mechanism such that volume per unit period of a gas that passes through the third intake port of the heated gas supply unit disposed at a position on a downstream side in a substrate transport direction in the substrate transport path is smaller than volume per unit period of a gas that passes through the third intake port of the heated gas supply unit disposed at a position on an upstream side in the substrate transport direction.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing system including a printing apparatus that prints an image on a substrate and a drying device that blows a heated gas to a substrate transport surface in a substrate transport path to dry the substrate on which the image has been printed. The drying device includes a blowing unit provided with a jetting port formed in a first surface facing the substrate transport surface, a heat source, and a fan motor that blows a gas to the heat source to generate the heated gas and a heated gas inflow port through which the heated gas is supplied is formed in a second surface of the blowing unit, the second surface intersecting the first surface.

In the case of the printing system according to the aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to achieve the same actions and effects as the drying device according to the above-described aspect of the present disclosure. The constituent requirements of the drying device according to another aspect can be applied to the constituent requirements of the printing system according to another aspect.

According to the aspects of the present invention, the heated gas flows into the blowing unit through the heated gas inflow port formed in the second surface that does not face the substrate transport surface and the heated gas is jetted toward the substrate through the jetting port formed in the first surface that faces the substrate transport surface. Accordingly, an increase in size of the blowing unit is suppressed in a direction facing the substrate transport surface.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the present specification, the same components will be given the same reference numerals and repetitive description thereof will be appropriately omitted.

<FIG> is an entire configuration view of an ink jet printing system according to an embodiment. Arrow lines shown in the drawing represent a substrate transport direction, which is a transport direction of a film substrate <NUM> in each device provided in an ink jet printing system <NUM>. The substrate transport direction is a direction in which the film substrate <NUM> proceeds.

The inkjet printing system <NUM> is a printing system to which a single-pass method is applied and prints a color image on a film substrate <NUM> by using aqueous color ink. The film substrate <NUM> is a transparent medium used for soft packaging and is an impermeable medium.

Examples of the film substrate <NUM> include oriented nylon (ONY), oriented polypropylene (OPP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The ink jet printing system <NUM> creates a back-printed printed article visible from a substrate support surface 1B that is on a side opposite to a printing surface 1A with respect to the film substrate <NUM>. The ink jet printing system <NUM> can also create a front-printed printed article visible from the printing surface 1A.

Being impermeable means being impermeable to aqueous primer and aqueous ink which will be described later. Soft packaging means packaging performed by using a material that is deformed depending on the shape of an article to be packaged. Being transparent means having a visible light transmittance equal to or higher than <NUM>% and equal to or lower than <NUM>%, preferably a visible light transmittance equal to or higher than <NUM>% and equal to or lower than <NUM>%.

The ink jet printing system <NUM> includes a paper feeding device <NUM>, a pre-coating device <NUM>, a jetting device <NUM>, a drying device <NUM>, an examination device <NUM>, a recovery device <NUM>, and a transport device <NUM>. Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail.

A roll-to-roll transport method is applied to the ink jet printing system <NUM>. The paper feeding device <NUM> includes a feed roll around which the film substrate <NUM> before printing of an image is wound. The feed roll includes a reel that is rotatably supported.

The paper feeding device <NUM> may include a corona treatment device that performs a reforming process on the printing surface 1A of the film substrate <NUM>. The printing surface 1A of the film substrate <NUM> that has been subjected to the reforming process has a surface free energy suitable for an aqueous mixture of aqueous primer and aqueous ink and can secure a wettability suitable for the aqueous mixture. The film substrate <NUM> is transported to the pre-coating device <NUM>.

The pre-coating device <NUM> is disposed at a position that is downstream of the paper feeding device <NUM> and upstream of the jetting device <NUM> in the substrate transport direction. The pre-coating device <NUM> applies pre-coating liquid to the printing surface 1A of the film substrate <NUM>.

The pre-coating device <NUM> may include a pre-coating drying device. The pre-coating drying device dries the pre-coating liquid applied to the film substrate <NUM>. As the pre-coating liquid, liquid such as aqueous primer liquid which contains a component that insolubilizes or thickens aqueous ink may be applied. The film substrate <NUM> to which the pre-coating liquid has been applied and on which the pre-coating liquid has been dried is transported to the jetting device <NUM>. The pre-coating drying device may have the same configuration as the drying device which will be described later.

The jetting device <NUM> includes an ink jet head <NUM>, an ink jet head 30C, an ink jet head <NUM>, an ink jet head 30Y, and an ink jet head 30W.

The ink jet head <NUM>, the ink jet head 30C, the ink jet head <NUM>, the ink jet head 30Y, and the ink jet head 30W jet black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and white ink, respectively. Hereinafter, in a case where it is not necessary to distinguish the inkjet head <NUM> and the like, the ink jet head <NUM> and the like will be described as the ink jet heads <NUM>.

Aqueous ink jetted from the inkjet heads <NUM> is ink obtained by dissolving or dispersing a coloring material such as a pigment in a water-soluble solvent. As the pigment in the aqueous ink, an organic pigment is used. The viscosity of the aqueous ink is equal to or higher than <NUM> centipoises and equal to or lower than <NUM> centipoises.

The ink jet heads <NUM> jet color ink onto the printing surface 1A of the film substrate <NUM> transported by means of the transport device <NUM> to print a color image on the film substrate <NUM>. White ink forms a white background image on the film substrate <NUM>. A plurality of ink jet heads 30W for jetting aqueous white ink may be provided.

For the ink jet heads <NUM>, disposition and orientation are applied such that nozzle surfaces from which ink is jetted are positioned and directed to face a substrate transport surface of a substrate transport path which is a transport path of the film substrate <NUM>. The ink jet heads <NUM> are disposed at equal intervals along the substrate transport direction.

The inkjet heads <NUM> include a plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle may include a nozzle opening and an ink flow channel. An energy generating element is provided for each of the nozzles of the ink jet heads <NUM>. Nozzle openings are two-dimensionally disposed in the nozzle surfaces of the ink jet heads <NUM>. Water-repellent films are formed on the nozzle surfaces of the ink jet heads <NUM>.

Piezoelectric elements may be applied as the energy generating elements. The inkjet heads <NUM> including the piezoelectric elements jet ink droplets via the nozzle openings by using bending deformation of the piezoelectric elements. Heaters may be applied as the energy generating elements. The ink jet heads <NUM> including the heaters jet ink droplets via the nozzle openings by using the film boiling phenomenon of ink.

As the ink jet heads <NUM>, line-type heads, in each of which a plurality of nozzles are disposed over the entire length of the film substrate <NUM> in a substrate width direction, are applied. Note that, serial-type heads may be applied as the inkjet heads <NUM>.

For the line-type ink jet heads <NUM>, a structure in which a plurality of head modules are connected in the substrate width direction may be applied. The substrate width direction is a direction orthogonal to the substrate transport direction and is a direction parallel to a printing surface of the film substrate <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a configuration in which aqueous ink of four colors are applied. However, the colors of ink are not limited to the four colors (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow). For example, a configuration in which ink of a light color such as light magenta and light cyan is applied and a configuration in which ink of a special color such as green, orange, violet, clear, and metallic is applied can also be applied. In addition, the order in which the ink jet heads for the respective colors are disposed is not limited to an example shown in <FIG>.

The jetting device <NUM> includes a scanner <NUM>. The scanner <NUM> includes an image pick-up device that images a test pattern image printed on the printing surface of the film substrate <NUM> and converts a captured image into an electric signal.

Examples of the image pick-up device include a CCD image sensor and a color CMOS image sensor. "CCD" is the abbreviation for "Charge Coupled Device". "CMOS" is the abbreviation for "Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor".

Image pick-up data output from the scanner <NUM> is transmitted to a test pattern determination unit. The test pattern determination unit specifies a defective nozzle or the like based on the image pick-up data of a test pattern. The test pattern determination unit is shown in <FIG> with a reference numeral "<NUM>" given thereto.

The film substrate <NUM> from which the test pattern image has been captured by means of the scanner <NUM> is transported to the drying device <NUM>.

The drying device <NUM> is disposed at a position that is downstream of the jetting device <NUM> in the substrate transport direction and upstream of the examination device <NUM> in the substrate transport direction. The drying device <NUM> includes a drying module that dries aqueous ink adhering to the printing surface 1A of the film substrate <NUM>. The film substrate <NUM> after the drying of the aqueous ink is transported to the examination device <NUM>. The details of the drying device will be described later.

The examination device <NUM> is disposed at a position that is downstream of the drying device <NUM> in the substrate transport direction and upstream of the recovery device <NUM> in the substrate transport direction. The examination device <NUM> examines whether or not there is a defect in an image printed on the film substrate <NUM>.

The examination device <NUM> includes an imaging device that images an image printed on the film substrate <NUM> and an illumination device that irradiates the film substrate <NUM> with illumination light. Image pick-up data of the printed image is blown to a printed image determination unit. The printed image determination unit determines whether or not there is a defect in the printed image based on the image pick-up of the printed image. Note that the printed image determination unit is shown in <FIG> with a reference numeral "<NUM>" given thereto.

The film substrate <NUM> after examination of a captured image that is performed by means of the examination device <NUM> is transported to the recovery device <NUM>.

The recovery device <NUM> recovers the film substrate <NUM> on which an image has been printed. Specifically, the film substrate <NUM> on which the image has been printed is wound onto a winding roll.

A roll-to-roll method is applied to the transport device <NUM>. The transport device <NUM> transports the film substrate <NUM> from the paper feeding device <NUM> to the recovery device <NUM> along the substrate transport path in the substrate transport direction in this order: the paper feeding device <NUM>, the pre-coating device <NUM>, the jetting device <NUM>, the drying device <NUM>, the examination device <NUM>, and the recovery device <NUM>. The paper feeding device <NUM> and the recovery device <NUM> may be included in the transport device <NUM>.

The transport device <NUM> includes a plurality of pass rollers <NUM>. One or more pass rollers <NUM> are disposed in each of the paper feeding device <NUM>, the pre-coating device <NUM>, the jetting device <NUM>, the drying device <NUM>, the examination device <NUM>, and the recovery device <NUM>.

The transport device <NUM> includes tension pickups <NUM>, and one or more tension pickups <NUM> are disposed in each of the paper feeding device <NUM>, the pre-coating device <NUM>, the jetting device <NUM>, the drying device <NUM>, the examination device <NUM>, and the recovery device <NUM>. The tension pickups <NUM> detect tension applied to the film substrate <NUM>. A detection signal of the tension pickups <NUM> is blown to a transport controller. Note that the transport controller is shown in <FIG> with a reference numeral "<NUM>" given thereto. In <FIG>, the tension pickup <NUM> provided in the jetting device <NUM> is shown and the tension pickups <NUM> provided in the paper feeding device <NUM> and the like are not shown.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram showing an electric configuration of the inkjet printing system shown in <FIG>. The ink jet printing system <NUM> includes a system controller <NUM>, the transport controller <NUM>, a pre-coating controller <NUM>, a jetting controller <NUM>, a drying controller <NUM>, an examination controller <NUM>, the test pattern determination unit <NUM>, and the printed image determination unit <NUM>.

The system controller <NUM> comprehensively controls the overall operation of the inkjet printing system <NUM>. The system controller <NUM> transmits command signals to various controllers. The system controller <NUM> functions as a memory controller that controls the storing of data in a memory <NUM> and the reading of data from the memory <NUM>.

The system controller <NUM> acquires a sensor signal transmitted from a sensor <NUM> and transmits command signals based on the sensor signal to various controllers. The sensor <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes the tension pickup <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In addition, the sensor <NUM> includes a position detection sensor, a temperature sensor, and the like provided in each part of the inkjet printing system <NUM>.

The transport controller <NUM> sets transport conditions based on the command signal transmitted from the system controller <NUM> and controls the operation of the transport device <NUM> based on the set transport conditions. For example, the transport controller <NUM> applies transport conditions applied to the transport device <NUM> to control the operation of a motor connected to a drive roller or the like provided in the transport device <NUM>.

In addition, the transport controller <NUM> individually controls transport tension applied to the film substrate <NUM> in each of sections such as the pre-coating device <NUM> and the jetting device <NUM> provided in the ink jet printing system <NUM>. That is, the transport controller <NUM> controls transport tension of the film substrate <NUM> in each section over an area from the paper feeding device <NUM> to the recovery device <NUM>.

The pre-coating controller <NUM> sets pre-coating process conditions based on the command signal transmitted from the system controller <NUM> and controls the operation of the pre-coating device <NUM> based on the set pre-coating process conditions.

The jetting controller <NUM> sets printing conditions based on the command signal transmitted from the system controller <NUM> and controls the operation of the jetting device <NUM> based on the set printing conditions.

The jetting controller <NUM> includes an image processing unit that performs a color decomposition process, a color conversion process, a correction process for each process, and a halftone process with respect to printing data to generate halftone data based on the printing data.

The jetting controller <NUM> includes a drive voltage generation unit that generates a drive voltage to be supplied to the ink jet heads <NUM>. The jetting controller <NUM> includes a drive voltage output unit that supplies the drive voltage to the inkjet heads <NUM>.

The drying controller <NUM> sets process conditions for a drying process applied to the drying device <NUM> based on the command signal transmitted from the system controller <NUM> and controls the operation of the drying device <NUM> based on the set drying process conditions.

The examination controller <NUM> sets examination conditions applied to the examination device <NUM> based on the command signal transmitted from the system controller <NUM> and controls the operation of the examination device <NUM> based on the set examination conditions.

The test pattern determination unit <NUM> acquires image pick-up data of a test pattern and analyzes the image pick-up data of the test pattern. The test pattern determination unit <NUM> determines whether or not there is a jetting abnormality of the ink jet heads <NUM> based on the result of the analysis.

The printed image determination unit <NUM> acquires image pick-up data of a printed image and analyzes the image pick-up data of the printed image. The printed image determination unit <NUM> determines whether or not there is an image defect in the printed image based on the result of the analysis.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the hardware of the electric configuration shown in <FIG>. A control device <NUM> included in the ink jet printing system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a non-temporary tangible computer-readable medium <NUM>, a communication interface <NUM>, and an input and output interface <NUM>.

A computer is applied as the control device <NUM>. The form of the computer may be a server, a personal computer, a workstation, a tablet terminal, or the like.

The processor <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU). The processor <NUM> may include a graphics processing unit (GPU). The processor <NUM> is connected to the computer-readable medium <NUM>, the communication interface <NUM>, and the input and output interface <NUM> via a bus <NUM>. An input device <NUM> and a display device <NUM> are connected to the bus <NUM> via the input and output interface <NUM>.

The computer-readable medium <NUM> includes a memory as a main memory and a storage as an auxiliary storage. A semiconductor memory, a hard disk apparatus, a solid state drive device, or the like can be applied as the computer-readable medium <NUM>. Any combination of a plurality of devices may be applied as the computer-readable medium <NUM>.

The hard disk device may be referred to as an HDD, which is the abbreviation for "Hard Disk Drive" in English. The solid state drive device may be referred to as SSD, which is the abbreviation for "Solid State Drive" in English.

The control device <NUM> is connected to a network via the communication interface <NUM> and is connected to an external device such that communication can be performed. As the network, a local area network (LAN) or the like may be applied. The network is not shown.

The computer-readable medium <NUM> stores a transport control program <NUM>, a pre-coating control program <NUM>, a jetting control program <NUM>, a drying control program <NUM>, an examination control program <NUM>, and a test pattern determination program <NUM>.

The transport control program <NUM> corresponds to transport control applied to the transport device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The pre-coating control program <NUM> corresponds to pre-coating control applied to the pre-coating device <NUM>.

The jetting control program <NUM> corresponds to printing control applied to the jetting device <NUM>. The drying control program <NUM> corresponds to drying control applied to the drying device <NUM>.

The examination control program <NUM> corresponds to printed image examination applied to the examination device <NUM>. The test pattern determination program <NUM> is applied to jetting abnormality determination based on the image pick-up data of the test pattern.

The various programs stored in the computer-readable medium <NUM> include one or more instructions. The computer-readable medium <NUM> stores various data, various parameters, and the like. The memory <NUM> shown in <FIG> is included in the computer-readable medium <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In the ink jet printing system <NUM>, the processor <NUM> executes the various programs stored in the computer-readable medium <NUM> to realize various functions in the inkjet printing system <NUM>. Note that the term "program" has the same meaning as "software".

The control device <NUM> performs data communication with the external device via the communication interface <NUM>. Various standards such as universal serial bus (USB) can be applied to the communication interface <NUM>. Any of wired communication or wireless communication may be applied as the way in which the communication interface <NUM> performs communication.

The input device <NUM> and the display device <NUM> are connected to the control device <NUM> via the input and output interface <NUM>. An input device such as a keyboard and a mouse is applied as the input device <NUM>. Various kinds of information applied to the control device <NUM> are displayed by the display device <NUM>.

A liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a projector, or the like may be applied as the display device <NUM>. Any combination of a plurality of devices may be applied as the display device <NUM>. "EL" of the organic EL display is the abbreviation for "Electro-Luminescence".

Here, examples of the hardware structure of the processor <NUM> include a CPU, a GPU, a programmable logic device (PLD), and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The CPU is a general-purpose processor that executes a program to act as various functional units. The GPU is a processor specialized in image processing.

The PLD is a processor that can change the configuration of an electric circuit after manufacture of a device. Examples of the PLD include a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The ASIC is a processor with a dedicated electric circuit specifically designed to perform a specific process.

One processing unit may be composed of one of these various processors or may be composed of two or more processors of the same type or different types. Examples of a combination of various processors include a combination of one or more FPGAs and one or more CPUs and a combination of one or more FPGAs and one or more GPUs. Another example of a combination of various processors is a combination of one or more CPUs and one or more GPUs.

A plurality of functional units may be configured by using one processor. Examples of a configuration in which a plurality of functional units are configured by using one processor include a configuration in which a combination of one or more CPUs and software like a System-On-a-Chip (SoC) that is represented by a computer such as a client or a server is applied to configure one processor and the processor acts as a plurality of functional units.

Another example of a configuration in which a plurality of functional units are configured by using one processor is a configuration in which a processor that uses one IC chip to realize the functions of the entire system including a plurality of functional units is used. Note that "IC" is the abbreviation for "Integrated Circuit".

As described above, various functional units are configured by using one or more of the above-mentioned various processors as the hardware structure. Furthermore, the hardware structure of the various processors described above is, more specifically, an electric circuit (circuitry) in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined with each other.

The computer-readable medium <NUM> may include a semiconductor element such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The computer-readable medium <NUM> may include a magnetic storage medium such as a hard disk. The computer-readable medium <NUM> may include a plurality of types of storage media.

The ink jet printing system <NUM> described in the embodiment is an example of a liquid applying system. The pre-coating device <NUM> and the jetting device <NUM> according to the embodiment are examples of a liquid applying device.

<FIG> is a front view showing a configuration example of a drying module according to a first embodiment. The reference numeral "X" shown in <FIG> represents the substrate width direction. In addition, the reference numeral "Z" represents a vertically upward direction. The same applies to the reference numerals "X" and "Z" shown in <FIG>.

A drying module <NUM> includes a nozzle unit <NUM> and a heater unit <NUM>. The drying module <NUM> generates a heated gas of which the temperature falls in a predetermined range in the heater unit <NUM> which is a component different from the nozzle unit <NUM> and supplies the heated gas to the nozzle unit <NUM>. Air may be applied as the heated gas.

The heater unit <NUM> is disposed at a non-facing position of the substrate transport path at which the heater unit <NUM> does not face the substrate transport path. In addition, the heater unit <NUM> is disposed at a position near the nozzle unit <NUM>. Accordingly, a reduction in pressure loss of the heated gas and a reduction in heat loss of the heated gas are realized. The heater unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> is bonded to a side surface <NUM> which is an end <NUM> of the nozzle unit <NUM> that is on one side in substrate width direction.

Although <FIG> shows a configuration in which the side surface <NUM> of the nozzle unit <NUM> and a gas supply port disposition surface <NUM>, which is an end of the heater unit <NUM> that is on one side in the substrate width direction, are bonded to each other, the nozzle unit <NUM> and the heater unit <NUM> may be bonded to each other via a duct or the like having such a length that the flow of the heated gas is not influenced.

The nozzle unit <NUM> has a structure that realizes uniform supply of the heated gas to a plurality of nozzles <NUM>, so that uniform supply of heat to the plurality of nozzles <NUM> is automatically achieved. Note that uniformity mentioned here may include a variation within a prescribed miscalculation range.

The nozzle unit <NUM> has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a length exceeding the total length of the film substrate <NUM> in the substrate width direction. In the nozzle unit <NUM>, the plurality of nozzles <NUM> are disposed at a nozzle disposition surface <NUM> that faces the substrate transport surface. The plurality of nozzles <NUM> are disposed over a length exceeding the total length of the film substrate <NUM> in the substrate width direction. Examples of the disposition of the plurality of nozzles <NUM> at the nozzle disposition surface <NUM> include two-dimensional disposition. An example of the two-dimensional disposition of the plurality of nozzles <NUM> is shown in <FIG>.

Each nozzle <NUM> has a protruding shape protruding from the nozzle disposition surface <NUM> and a nozzle opening is formed at a distal end thereof. The nozzles <NUM> blow the heated gas, which is a gas subjected to heating, toward the printing surface 1A of the film substrate <NUM> via the nozzle openings. Downward arrow lines near the nozzles <NUM> represent a direction in which the heated gas is blown. Note that the blowing of the heated gas is the same concept as the jetting, the blasting, the releasing, and the like of the heated gas.

Although <FIG> shows the nozzles <NUM> each having the protruding shape protruding from the nozzle disposition surface <NUM>, openings formed in the nozzle disposition surface <NUM> may be applied as the nozzles <NUM>. Any shape such as a circular shape and a quadrangular shape is applied to the planar shape of each nozzle opening.

Regarding the nozzle unit <NUM>, a through hole serving as a heated gas inflow port <NUM> through which the heated gas is supplied is formed in the side surface <NUM> that is orthogonal to the nozzle disposition surface <NUM> and that is parallel to the substrate transport direction. The heated gas generated in the heater unit <NUM> flows into the nozzle unit <NUM> via the heated gas inflow port <NUM>.

Note that the nozzle disposition surface <NUM> described in the embodiment is an example of a first surface. The side surface <NUM> described in the embodiment is an example of a second surface intersecting the first surface. Each of the nozzles <NUM> described in the embodiment is an example of a jetting port.

The heater unit <NUM> includes a heater <NUM> and an axial fan <NUM>. The heater <NUM> and the axial fan <NUM> are disposed in the order of the heater <NUM> and the axial fan <NUM> in a direction away from the heated gas inflow port <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> heats air, which is a gas in the vicinity of the heater <NUM>, based on a prescribed set temperature. An infrared heater or the like may be applied as the heater <NUM>. The axial fan <NUM> blows air toward the heater <NUM> based on prescribed blowing conditions to generate a heated gas. Rightward arrow lines shown in <FIG> represent a direction in which the axial fan <NUM> blows air.

The heater unit <NUM> includes a heated gas supply port <NUM> at a position corresponding to the heated gas inflow port <NUM> of the nozzle unit <NUM>. The heated gas supply port <NUM> is formed in the gas supply port disposition surface <NUM> of a heater case <NUM> in which the heater <NUM> is provided. The opening shape and the opening area of the heated gas supply port <NUM> correspond to the heated gas inflow port <NUM>. For example, the heated gas supply port <NUM> may have the same shape and size as the heated gas inflow port <NUM>.

The drying module <NUM> has a structure in which the side surface <NUM> of the nozzle unit <NUM> and the gas supply port disposition surface <NUM> of the heater unit <NUM> are in contact with each other and the heated gas inflow port <NUM> of the nozzle unit <NUM> and the heated gas supply port <NUM> of the heater unit <NUM> are bonded to each other.

The drying module <NUM> including the nozzle unit <NUM> and the heater unit <NUM> is disposed inside a drying furnace <NUM>. The drying furnace <NUM> includes a transport path for the film substrate <NUM> on which a drying process is performed by means of the drying module <NUM>.

According to such an embodiment, it is possible to realize a reduction in heat loss in the entire drying module <NUM>. For example, in consideration of an influence on the lifespan or the like of the axial fan <NUM>, the drying module <NUM> may be disposed inside the drying furnace <NUM> in a case where a relatively low heating temperature is applied.

Note that, the drying furnace <NUM> described in the embodiment is an example of a drying unit. The nozzle unit <NUM> described in the embodiment is an example of a blowing unit. The heater unit <NUM> described in the embodiment is an example of a heated gas supply unit. In addition, the heater <NUM> described in the embodiment is an example of a heat source. The axial fan <NUM> described in the embodiment is an example of a fan motor.

<FIG> is a front view showing a modification example of the drying module shown in <FIG>. In the case of a drying module 1801A according to the modification example, the nozzle unit <NUM> is disposed inside a drying furnace 330A and the heater unit <NUM> is disposed outside the drying furnace 330A.

That is, an opening <NUM> that has a size corresponding to the heated gas inflow port <NUM> and that is disposed corresponding to the heated gas inflow port <NUM> is formed in the drying furnace 330A. An end <NUM> of the drying furnace 330A that is on one side in the substrate width direction is connected to the heater unit <NUM> with the opening <NUM> and the heated gas supply port <NUM> being positionally aligned with each other.

With the drying module 1801A according to the modification example, maintenance such as replacement of the heater unit <NUM> can be efficiently performed. The drying furnace 330A described in the embodiment is an example of a drying unit.

<FIG> is a plan view showing a configuration example of a drying module according to a second embodiment. A drying module <NUM> according to the second embodiment includes a circulation structure that recycles the heated gas generated in the heater unit <NUM>.

The heater unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> is disposed outside the drying furnace 330A. The heater <NUM> and the axial fan <NUM> constituting the heater unit <NUM> are accommodated inside a heated gas generation box <NUM>. Accordingly, the axial fan <NUM> can blow the heated gas in the heated gas generation box <NUM> to the nozzle unit <NUM> without escape of thermal energy generated by the heater <NUM> from the heated gas generation box <NUM>.

The heated gas generation box <NUM> includes a first intake port <NUM> through which outside air is taken in. The first intake port <NUM> may be disposed at any of surfaces constituting the heated gas generation box <NUM>. <FIG> shows a configuration in which the first intake port <NUM> is disposed at a surface that faces an intake surface of the axial fan <NUM>.

<FIG> is a bottom view showing a configuration example of a drying module according to a third embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view showing an internal structure example of the drying module shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are views of a drying module <NUM> viewed as seen in a vertical direction from a lower side to an upper side.

Note that in <FIG> and <FIG>, a drying furnace into which the nozzle unit <NUM> is built is not shown. In addition, reference numerals "X", "Y", and "Z" shown in <FIG> and <FIG> represent the substrate width direction, the substrate transport direction in the drying module <NUM>, and a vertically upward direction, respectively.

In the case of the drying module <NUM>, a heated gas recovery unit <NUM> is disposed downstream of the nozzle unit <NUM> in the substrate transport direction. A heated gas discharge port <NUM> through which the heated gas is discharged is formed in one end surface <NUM> of the heated gas recovery unit <NUM> that is on one side in the substrate width direction. Note that the heated gas discharge port <NUM> is not shown in <FIG>.

Regarding the heated gas recovery unit <NUM>, a heated gas recovery port <NUM> is formed in a substrate facing surface <NUM> that faces the substrate transport surface. The heated gas recovery port <NUM> has a rectangular planar shape and the length thereof in the substrate width direction corresponds to a length by which the nozzles <NUM> are disposed.

A second intake port <NUM> is formed in an edge surface <NUM> of a heated gas generation box 360A that is on the other side in the substrate width direction. The second intake port <NUM> is disposed at a position corresponding to the heated gas discharge port <NUM> and the opening shape and the size thereof corresponds to the heated gas discharge port <NUM>. For example, the second intake port <NUM> may have the same shape and size as the heated gas discharge port <NUM>.

In a case where the one end surface <NUM> of the heated gas recovery unit <NUM> that is on the one side and the edge surface <NUM> of the heated gas generation box <NUM> that is on the other side are brought into contact with each other and are bonded to each other, the second intake port <NUM> and the heated gas discharge port <NUM> are positionally aligned with each other.

In the case of the drying module <NUM> having such a structure, the heated gas blown from the nozzle unit <NUM> is recovered to the heated gas recovery unit <NUM> via the heated gas recovery port <NUM>. The heated gas recovered to the heated gas recovery unit <NUM> is recovered to the heated gas generation box 360A via the heated gas discharge port <NUM> and the second intake port <NUM>.

Accordingly, thermal energy circulation in which a high-temperature heated gas present in a drying furnace into which the nozzle unit <NUM> and the heated gas recovery unit <NUM> are built is taken into the heated gas generation box 360A is realized and thus it is possible to achieve a power saving effect with the drying module <NUM>.

The axial fan <NUM> functions as an air stream generating source at the time of circulation of the heated gas from the heated gas generation box 360A to the heated gas generation box 360A via the nozzle unit <NUM> and the heated gas recovery unit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a hollow structure as examples of the shape and the structure of the heated gas recovery unit <NUM>. The heated gas recovery unit <NUM> may be disposed upstream of the nozzle unit <NUM> in the substrate transport direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the heated gas recovery port <NUM> is divided into three parts in the substrate width direction which is a longitudinal direction of the heated gas recovery unit <NUM>. That is, the heated gas recovery port <NUM> is divided into a first intake region 376A, a second intake region 376B, and a third intake region 376C.

The heated gas recovery unit <NUM> includes a first intake flow channel 378A communicating with the first intake region 376A, a second intake flow channel 378B communicating with the second intake region 376B, and a third intake flow channel 378C communicating with the third intake region 376C.

That is, the heated gas recovery unit <NUM> includes a first partition wall 379A that separates the first intake flow channel 378A and the second intake flow channel 378B from each other and a second partition wall 379B that separates the second intake flow channel 378B and the third intake region 376C from each other.

The heated gas discharge port <NUM> is divided into a first discharge region 372A connected to the first intake flow channel 378A, a second discharge region 372B connected to the second intake flow channel 378B, and a third discharge region 372C connected to the third intake flow channel 378C.

The heated gas sucked from the first intake region 376A is recovered to the heated gas generation box 360A via the first intake flow channel 378A and the first discharge region 372A. Further, the heated gas sucked from the second intake region 376B is recovered to the heated gas generation box 360A via the second intake flow channel 378B and the second discharge region 372B.

Furthermore, the heated gas sucked from the third intake region 376C is recovered to the heated gas generation box 360A via the third intake flow channel 378C and the third discharge region 372C. The axial fan <NUM> functions as an air stream generating source at the time of circulation of the heated gas from the heated gas generation box 360A via the nozzle unit <NUM> and the heated gas recovery unit <NUM>.

Note that, in <FIG>, arrow lines given to the first intake flow channel 378A, the second intake flow channel 378B, and the third intake flow channel 378C schematically represent the heated gas recovered to the heated gas generation box 360A via the heated gas recovery port <NUM>. In addition, in <FIG>, a plurality of curved lines are used to schematically represent the flow of the heated gas and arrow lines are used to represent a direction in which the heated gas flows as a whole.

In a case where a gas is taken into the heated gas recovery unit <NUM> via the heated gas recovery port <NUM>, the amount of suction per unit period tends to be relatively large at a first intake region 376A side, which is a side close to the axial fan <NUM>, in comparison with a second intake region 376B side, which is a side far from the axial fan <NUM>. Therefore, the heated gas discharge port <NUM> is divided into a plurality of regions and the first intake flow channel 378A or the like which is a heated gas flow channel is provided for each region.

Accordingly, a variation in amount of intake per unit period in the substrate width direction is suppressed in the case of an intake performed via the heated gas recovery port <NUM> and thus an intake uniform in the substrate width direction is realized. The number of regions into which the heated gas recovery port <NUM> is divided and the number of regions into which the heated gas discharge port <NUM> is divided are not limited to numbers as in an example shown in <FIG> and any number may be applied as the numbers.

Note that the first intake region 376A, the second intake region 376B, and the third intake region 376C described in the embodiment are an example of a plurality of intake regions of a heated gas recovery port partitioned in a longitudinal direction thereof.

In addition, the first discharge region 372A, the second discharge region 372B, and the third discharge region 372C described in the embodiment are an example of a plurality of discharge regions of a heated gas discharge port partitioned corresponding to a plurality of intake regions.

Furthermore, each of the first intake flow channel 378A, the second intake flow channel 378B, and the third intake flow channel 378C described in the embodiment is an example of an intake flow channel constituting a plurality of intake flow channels.

<FIG> is a bottom view showing a configuration example of a drying module according to a fourth embodiment. In the case of a drying module <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment, the volume per unit period of the heated gas circulated from the heated gas recovery unit <NUM> to a heated gas generation box 360B is controlled.

For the heated gas recovery unit <NUM>, complete circulation is applied in which all the heated gas blown from the nozzles <NUM> to the film substrate <NUM> is recovered via the heated gas recovery port <NUM>. In a case where a plurality of drying modules <NUM> are provided and the plurality of drying modules <NUM> are disposed along the substrate transport direction, at the drying module <NUM> that is disposed at a position on an upstream side in the substrate transport direction, the amount of water evaporation may be relatively large and the humidity may rise to a relatively high humidity in comparison with the drying module <NUM> that is disposed at a position on a downstream side in the substrate transport direction. The rise in humidity may decrease the efficiency of a drying process.

In the case of the drying module <NUM>, the heated gas generation box 360B is provided with a third intake port <NUM>. Fresh air from the outside of the drying module <NUM> is taken into the heated gas generation box 360B via the third intake port <NUM>, so that the humidity in the heated gas generation box 360B is adjusted.

The third intake port <NUM> includes an opening area adjustment mechanism <NUM> that adjusts the opening area thereof. The opening area adjustment mechanism <NUM> may include a shutter and a shutter drive mechanism that drives the shutter.

A configuration in which a plurality of openings is provided may be applied as the third intake port <NUM>. In the case of a configuration in which a plurality of openings are provided as the third intake port <NUM>, a blocking mechanism that selectively blocks one or more of the plurality of openings may be applied as the opening area adjustment mechanism <NUM>.

Regarding the third intake port <NUM>, a pressure loss adjustment mechanism may be provided for the third intake port <NUM> instead of the opening area adjustment mechanism <NUM> or together with the opening area adjustment mechanism <NUM>. Note that the pressure loss adjustment mechanism is not shown. The drying controller <NUM> shown in <FIG> performs drive control or the like in the opening area adjustment mechanism <NUM>, the pressure loss adjustment mechanism, or the like.

The drying module <NUM> may include at least one of a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor, detect at least one of the temperature or the humidity in the heated gas generation box 360B, and control the operation of the opening area adjustment mechanism <NUM> or the like based on the result of the detection.

It is preferable that the temperature sensor or the like is disposed at a position near the second intake port <NUM>. Examples of the position near the second intake port <NUM> include a surface <NUM> at an inner side of the edge surface <NUM> in which the second intake port <NUM> is formed. The sensor <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes the temperature sensor or the like provided in the heated gas generation box 360B.

Note that the opening area adjustment mechanism <NUM> described in the embodiment is an example of an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the volume per unit period of a gas passing through a third intake port.

<FIG> is a side view of a drying device that shows a configuration example of a drying device according to a fifth embodiment. Note that the drawing schematically shows an example of an internal structure of the drying furnace 330A provided in the drying device <NUM>. In addition, in the drawing, the nozzle unit <NUM> disposed in the drying furnace 330A is shown and the heater unit <NUM> disposed outside the drying furnace 330A is not shown. An arrow line shown in the drawing represents the substrate transport direction.

In the drying device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a circumferential substrate transport path along which the film substrate <NUM> goes around inside the drying furnace 330A is defined. Inside the drying furnace 330A, a plurality of pass rollers <NUM> are disposed along the substrate transport path.

In addition, a drive roller <NUM> is disposed inside the drying furnace 330A. The substrate transport path is folded at the position of the drive roller <NUM>. Accordingly, the length of the substrate transport path required for the drying of the film substrate <NUM> is secured and the drying furnace 330A is made compact.

<FIG> shows a configuration in which <NUM> nozzle units <NUM> are dispersively disposed inside the drying furnace 330A. The number of nozzle units <NUM> disposed inside the drying furnace 330A can be appropriately determined in accordance with the length of the transport path, the size of each nozzle unit <NUM>, and the like.

The drying device <NUM> having such a structure performs a drying process for a printed image that is printed on the film substrate <NUM> and that is obtained by superimposing a color image printed by means of aqueous color ink of four colors on a background image printed by means of aqueous white ink, an impermeable medium being applied as the film substrate <NUM>.

In a case where a background image is printed by means of white ink, the amount of ink applied to the film substrate <NUM> is large in comparison with a case where only a color image is printed and thus there is a problem in reducing power consumption in the drying device <NUM> and performing a discharge process or the like.

In a case where a structure described in <CIT>, in which a heater faces a transport path for a substrate, is applied to the drying device <NUM> having a structure shown in <FIG>, the size of a drying module <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to the substrate transport surface may be increased and the size of the drying furnace 330A may be increased.

On the other hand, in the drying device <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the heater unit <NUM> is disposed at a position that does not face the substrate transport surface. Accordingly, an increase in size of the drying furnace 330A in the direction orthogonal to the substrate transport surface is prevented.

In addition, in the case of the drying module <NUM> shown in <FIG>, an increase in size of the drying module <NUM> is prevented also in the substrate transport direction. That is, in the case of the drying module <NUM>, the heater unit <NUM> is not disposed at a position adjacent to the nozzle unit <NUM> in the substrate transport direction. Therefore, the distance between the drying modules <NUM> that are adjacent to each other can be relatively shortened and an increase in size of the drying furnace 330Ain the substrate transport direction is prevented.

Note that any of the drying module <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the drying module <NUM> shown in <FIG>, or the drying module <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be applied as the drying modules <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a side view of a drying device that shows another example of disposition of drying modules. Note that the drawing shows a part of the substrate transport path in the drying furnace 330A shown in <FIG>. An arrow line shown in the drawing represents the substrate transport direction.

The drying modules <NUM> shown in <FIG> are disposed on a side close to the printing surface 1A of the film substrate <NUM> and on a side close to the substrate support surface 1B. Accordingly, a drying process can be collectively performed with respect to the printing surface 1A and the substrate support surface 1B of the film substrate <NUM>.

In such a configuration, the way in which the nozzle units <NUM> and the heater units <NUM> are disposed in the drying modules <NUM> disposed on the side close to the printing surface 1A of the film substrate <NUM> is preferably switched at the drying modules <NUM> disposed on the side close to the substrate support surface 1B of the film substrate <NUM>. In this case, the heater units <NUM> can be disposed on the same side in the substrate width direction in the drying furnace 330A.

<FIG> is a side view of a drying device that shows a modification example of drying modules. Note that an arrow line shown in <FIG> represents the substrate transport direction.

A nozzle unit <NUM> provided in a drying module <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a first nozzle disposition surface 302A and a second nozzle disposition surface 302B. A plurality of nozzles <NUM> are disposed at the first nozzle disposition surface 302A and the second nozzle disposition surface 302B.

In the case of the nozzle unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, an upper surface of the nozzle unit <NUM> having a rectangular parallelepiped shape is the first nozzle disposition surface 302A and a bottom surface thereof is the second nozzle disposition surface 302B. That is, one of two surfaces of the nozzle unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> that are parallel to each other is the first nozzle disposition surface 302A and the other of the two surfaces is the second nozzle disposition surface 302B.

The first nozzle disposition surface 302A and the second nozzle disposition surface 302B are not limited to surfaces parallel to each other and surfaces orthogonal to each other may be applied as the first nozzle disposition surface 302A and the second nozzle disposition surface 302B. Examples of a configuration in which surfaces orthogonal to each other are applied include a configuration in which the first nozzle disposition surface 302A is an upper surface of a rectangular parallelepiped and the second nozzle disposition surface 302B is a side surface of the rectangular parallelepiped.

According to such a modification example, the heated gas can be blown in a plurality of directions from one nozzle unit <NUM>. Note that, the nozzle disposition surfaces are not limited to two surfaces and three or more surfaces of a polyhedron may serve as the nozzle disposition surfaces.

Referring again to <FIG>, in a case where a plurality of drying modules <NUM> are disposed in the substrate transport direction, a region on an upstream side in the substrate transport direction is a constant rate drying section in which the amount of water evaporation is relatively large and a humidity is likely to rise. Therefore, the volume of the outside air taken into the heated gas generation box 360B via the third intake port <NUM> shown in <FIG> is relatively large.

Meanwhile, a region on a downstream side in the substrate transport direction is a falling rate drying section in which the amount of water evaporation is relatively small and a humidity is not likely to rise. Therefore, the volume of the outside air taken into the heated gas generation box 360B via the third intake port <NUM> is relatively small.

That is, the volume per unit period of a gas passing through the third intake port <NUM> in the drying module <NUM> disposed at a position on the downstream side in the substrate transport direction is smaller than the volume per unit period of a gas passing through the third intake port <NUM> in the drying module <NUM> disposed at a position on the upstream side in the substrate transport direction.

Examples of the region on the upstream side in the substrate transport direction include a region extending from a starting point which is a position at which transport of the film substrate <NUM> in the drying device <NUM> is started to a position that is separated from the starting point by a distance of <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less of the total length of the substrate transport path.

Examples of the region on the downstream side in the substrate transport direction include a region extending from the position that is separated from the starting point by a distance of <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less of the total length of the substrate transport path to a position at which the transport of the film substrate <NUM> in the drying device <NUM> ends.

With the drying device according to the embodiments, it is possible to achieve the following actions and effects.

Regarding the drying device <NUM>, a drying process temperature is changed in accordance with the material of the film substrate <NUM>, the thickness of the film substrate <NUM>, and an image to be printed on the film substrate <NUM>. The thermal responsiveness of the nozzle unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> and the like may be decreased in a case where the thickness of a material applied thereto is relatively large and in a case where the heat capacity of a material applied thereto is relatively large.

As the nozzle unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> and the like, a metal housing having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a hollow structure is applied. Accordingly, a certain thermal responsiveness of the nozzle unit <NUM> in the case of a change in drying process temperature is secured and thus a waiting time in the case of a change in drying process temperature can be shortened.

That is, a material applied to the nozzle unit <NUM> is preferably a metal material having a smaller heat capacity in the viewpoint of ensuring a certain thermal responsiveness. Examples of the metal material applied to the nozzle unit <NUM> include iron, stainless steel, and the like.

The nozzle unit <NUM> is preferably formed of one kind of metal material and is preferably formed by applying bending processing and welding to a metal plate as a processing method. In the viewpoint of two-dimensionally dispersively disposing the plurality of nozzles <NUM> at the nozzle disposition surface <NUM>, it is preferable that a material having a certain thickness and having both of workability and stiffness is applied to the nozzle unit <NUM>.

The point of the nozzle unit <NUM> is to make the volume of the housing as small as possible in the viewpoint of reducing the heat capacity. Meanwhile, in a case where the heated gas flows into the nozzle unit <NUM> has a rectangular parallelepiped shape through a surface parallel to the nozzle disposition surface <NUM>, the volume per unit period of the heated gas supplied to the nozzles <NUM> at positions separated from a heated gas inflow port is decreased with respect to the nozzles <NUM> at positions facing the heated gas inflow port and thus blowing the heated gas uniformly may become difficult. The influence of blowing distribution is great in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle unit <NUM> in comparison with the lateral direction thereof.

Although it is possible to suppress the blowing distribution of the heated gas by making the distance between a heated gas inflow surface and the nozzle disposition surface <NUM> relatively large, the heat capacity of the entire nozzle unit <NUM> is relatively increased in this case.

Although it is possible to suppress the blowing distribution of the heated gas by disposing a regulation member such as a rectifying plate in the nozzle unit <NUM>, the internal structure of the nozzle unit <NUM> may become complicated and there may be an increase in flow channel resistance in the nozzle unit <NUM> in this case.

With regard to this, as shown in <FIG> and the like, the heated gas inflow port <NUM> is disposed at the side surface <NUM> of the nozzle unit <NUM> that is orthogonal to the nozzle disposition surface <NUM>. Accordingly, the height of the nozzle unit <NUM> is suppressed to be small and the blowing distribution of the heated gas is suppressed in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a table that shows evaluation results related to the thickness of a metal plate applied to the nozzle unit. <FIG> shows the evaluation results obtained through evaluation that is performed in the viewpoints of workability, pressure loss, and thermal responsiveness by using the thickness of the metal plate as a parameter.

In the table shown in <FIG>, an evaluation result "A" means "optimum". An evaluation result "B" means "appropriate". An evaluation result "C" means "conditionally appropriate". An evaluation result "D" means "inappropriate". The same applies to the table shown in <FIG>.

Regarding the workability, in a case where the thickness is smaller than <NUM>, processing accuracy may decrease because of a lack of rigidity of the metal plate itself. Therefore, in the viewpoint of workability, the thickness of the metal plate is preferably equal to or larger than <NUM>.

In addition, in a case where the thickness of the metal plate exceeds <NUM>, the difficulty of processing may be relatively high in a case of securing a certain processing accuracy while forming the nozzles <NUM> each having a diameter smaller than <NUM> micrometers. Therefore, the thickness of the metal plate is preferably equal to or smaller than <NUM>.

The pressure loss is determined based on the volume per unit period of the heated gas blown from the nozzles <NUM>. As an index value of the pressure loss, a value measured by an anemometer disposed at a position separated from the positions of the nozzles <NUM> by a certain distance may be applied. In a case where the thickness of the metal plate is relatively large, the flow channel resistance in each nozzle <NUM> is relatively increased and the pressure loss inside the nozzle unit <NUM> is relatively increased.

For example, a wind speed may be measured at a plurality of positions on the nozzle disposition surface <NUM> in a state where the output such as the duty of the axial fan <NUM> is made constant and the arithmetic mean value of values measured at the positions may be used as an index value of the pressure loss. Examples of the plurality of positions include four corners of the nozzle disposition surface <NUM> and the center of the nozzle disposition surface.

That is, regarding the pressure loss, in a case where the thickness of the metal plate is equal to or larger than <NUM>, a decrease in heated gas blowing pressure may be caused by an increase in flow channel resistance in the nozzles <NUM>. Therefore the thickness of the metal plate being equal to or larger than <NUM> is appropriate under certain drying conditions. Meanwhile, the thickness of the metal plate being smaller than <NUM> is optimum or appropriate.

The thermal responsiveness is determined based on the length of a period between a time at which a change in temperature settings of the heater unit <NUM> is made and a time at which the temperature of the heated gas blown from the nozzles <NUM> reaches a prescribed temperature. In a case where the thickness of the metal plate is relatively large, the heat capacity of the nozzle unit <NUM> is relatively increased and the thermal responsiveness may be relatively decreased. That is, regarding the thermal responsiveness, in a case where the thickness is equal to or larger than <NUM>, a decrease in thermal responsiveness may be caused by an increase in heat capacity in the nozzles <NUM>. Therefore, the thickness being equal to or larger than <NUM> is appropriate under certain drying conditions. Meanwhile, the thickness of the metal plate being smaller than <NUM> is optimum or appropriate.

The "comprehensive determination" in the table shown in <FIG> represents an evaluation result made based on a comprehensive consideration of the workability, the pressure loss, and the thermal responsiveness. In a case where the thickness is smaller than <NUM>, the result of the comprehensive determination is "inappropriate" and in a case where the thickness is equal to or larger than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM>, the result of the comprehensive determination is "optimum".

In addition, in a case where the thickness is equal to or larger than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM>, the result of the comprehensive determination is "appropriate" and in a case where the thickness is equal to or larger than <NUM>, the result of the comprehensive determination is "conditionally appropriate".

That is, the thickness of the metal plate applied to the nozzle unit <NUM> is preferably equal to or larger than <NUM>, more preferably equal to or larger than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM>. The thickness of the metal plate is still more preferably equal to or larger than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM>.

In order for the nozzle unit <NUM> to uniformly jet the heated gas from all of the nozzles <NUM>, the heated gas needs to be stored in the nozzle unit <NUM>. That is, the nozzle unit <NUM> has a structure in which the opening area of the heated gas inflow port <NUM> is equal to or smaller than one times a total nozzle area, which is calculated as the sum of the opening areas of all of the nozzles <NUM>.

<FIG> is a table that shows evaluation results related to a structure applied to the nozzle unit. <FIG> shows the evaluation results obtained through evaluation that is performed in the viewpoints of pressure loss and wind speed unevenness. The area ratio in the table shown in <FIG> represents the ratio of the opening area of the heated gas inflow port <NUM> to the total nozzle area.

As with the evaluation related to the thickness of the metal plate, the pressure loss is determined based on the volume per unit period of the heated gas blown from the nozzles <NUM> and a value measured by an anemometer disposed at a position separated from the positions of the nozzles <NUM> by a certain distance may be applied as an index value of the pressure loss. As the position separated from the positions of the nozzles <NUM> by a certain distance, the position of the substrate transport surface may be applied.

Regarding the pressure loss, in a case where the area ratio is smaller than <NUM>, the opening area of each nozzle <NUM> becomes relatively small and there is an increase in pressure loss caused by an increase in flow channel resistance in each nozzle <NUM>. Therefore, the area ratio being smaller than <NUM> is inappropriate. In addition, the area ratio being equal to or larger than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM> is conditionally appropriate. Furthermore, regarding the pressure loss, the area ratio being equal to or larger than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM> is appropriate and the area ratio being equal to or larger than <NUM> is optimum.

The wind speed unevenness is determined based on whether or not the wind speeds of the heated gases blown from all of the nozzles <NUM> fall within a prescribed range. For example, regarding an index value of the wind speed unevenness, wind speeds at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle unit <NUM> may be used as the index value. As the plurality of positions, a plurality of positions used for derivation of the index value of the pressure loss may be adopted.

Regarding the wind speed unevenness, the area ratio being smaller than <NUM> is optimum and the area ratio being equal to or larger than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM> is appropriate. In addition, regarding the wind speed unevenness, the area ratio being equal to or larger than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM> is conditionally appropriate. Meanwhile, the area ratio exceeding <NUM> is inappropriate.

The "comprehensive determination" in the table shown in <FIG> represents an evaluation result made based on a comprehensive consideration of the pressure loss and the wind speed unevenness. The area ratio being less than <NUM> and the area ratio exceeding <NUM> are inappropriate and the area ratio being equal to or greater than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM> and the area ratio being equal to or greater than <NUM> and equal to or smaller than <NUM> are appropriate. In addition, the area ratio being equal to or larger than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM> is optimum.

That is, the ratio of the opening area of the heated gas inflow port <NUM> to the total nozzle area of the nozzle unit <NUM> is preferably equal to or larger than <NUM> and equal to or smaller than <NUM> and more preferably equal to or larger than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM>.

The term "pre-coating liquid" has the same meaning as terms such as "pretreatment liquid" and "treatment liquid" and is a general term for liquid applied before printing. The pre-coating liquid is an example of coating liquid.

The term "printing apparatus" has the same meaning as terms such as "printing machine", "printer", "character printing apparatus", "image recording apparatus", "image forming apparatus", "image output apparatus", and "drawing apparatus". The term "image" should be interpreted in a broad sense and includes a color image, a black-and-white image, a single-color image, a gradation image, a uniform density image, and the like.

The term "printing" includes the concepts of terms such as "image recording", "image formation", "character printing", "drawing" and "printing". The term "device" can include the concept of a system.

Claim 1:
A drying device (<NUM>) that blows a heated gas to a substrate transport surface in a substrate transport path, the drying device comprising:
a blowing unit (<NUM>) provided with a jetting port formed in a first surface (<NUM>) facing the substrate transport surface;
a heat source (<NUM>);
a fan motor (<NUM>) that blows a gas to the heat source (<NUM>) to generate the heated gas;
a drying unit (<NUM>) in which the blowing unit (<NUM>) is disposed; and
a heated gas supply (<NUM>) unit in which the heat source (<NUM>) and the fan motor (<NUM>) are disposed and that supplies the heated gas to the blowing unit (<NUM>), wherein:
a heated gas inflow port (<NUM>) through which the heated gas is supplied is formed in a second surface of the blowing unit (<NUM>), the second surface intersecting the first surface (<NUM>);
the heat source (<NUM>) and the fan motor (<NUM>) are disposed outside the drying unit (<NUM>); and
the heated gas supply unit (<NUM>) includes a heated gas supply port that communicates with the heated gas inflow port (<NUM>) formed in the blowing unit (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the heated gas supply unit (<NUM>) includes a second intake port (<NUM>) through which the heated gas from the drying unit (<NUM>) is taken in such that the heated gas from the drying unit (<NUM>) is recovered into the heated gas supply unit (<NUM>).