JP7302361B2 - Holding device, printing device, fixing device and printing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a holding device, a printing device, a fixing device and a printing system.

As an image applying system for applying an image to a fabric (including processed products such as T-shirts), there is known one that includes a cassette that holds the fabric, a device that prints on the fabric, and a device that heats the fabric. (Patent Document 1, etc.). In this image applying system, the size of the entire system is reduced by setting the cloth in a cassette (a cloth holding member) which is separate from the main body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a holding device that holds a fabric while creating relatively little stress on the fabric.

The above-described problem is a holding device for holding a cloth, comprising: a base member; a placing member supported by the base member for placing the cloth; an outer peripheral cover member having a frame positioned on the outer peripheral portion of the placing member, the outer peripheral cover member not sandwiching the fabric with the placing member; and pressing means for pressing the portion of the fabric not placed on the placing member toward the portion of the frame facing the placing member in two directions.

In the holding device of the present invention, the pressing means presses and holds the portion of the fabric not placed on the placing member against the facing portion of the frame of the outer peripheral cover member. Thus, the retaining device of the present invention can retain the fabric while creating relatively little stress on the fabric.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a process of printing an image on fabric using a cassette (fabric holding member); 1 is an external perspective explanatory view of a cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view showing a state in which an outer peripheral cover of the cassette of FIG. 2 is opened; (a) is a cross-sectional explanatory view along the width direction of the cassette of FIG. 2, and (b) is a partially enlarged view. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view (part 2) along the width direction of the cassette of FIG. 2 ; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a process of printing an image on fabric in the cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a procedure for holding a cloth in a cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention; 1 is an external perspective explanatory view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective explanatory view illustrating the overall configuration of the printing apparatus of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view seen from a direction different from that of FIG. 9; It is a perspective explanatory view explaining the structure of a cassette and a stage. It is a perspective explanatory view when mounting a cassette on a stage. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view when mounting the cassette on the stage; FIG. 4 is an external perspective explanatory view for explaining a form when the cassette is mounted in the apparatus body of the printing apparatus and the apparatus power is turned off. 1 is an external perspective explanatory view of an example of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the fixing device of FIG. 15; FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view along the width direction around the cassette when fixing is being performed; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a modified example of the fixing device;

Before describing the embodiments, preliminary matters for facilitating understanding of the embodiments will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the process of printing an image on fabric using a cassette (fabric holding member). The process of printing an image on the fabric S is performed as follows. First, (a) the cassette platen 12 is covered with the cloth S; Next, (b) the cassette frame 14 is lowered, and the cloth S is sandwiched between the cassette frame 14 and the cassette platen 12 . Subsequently, (c) after the image is applied to the fabric S by the printing device, the image (ink) is fixed by the heater 16 of the fixing device. Then, (d) the work is completed when the cloth S is taken out from the cassette.

However, in this method, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 1(c), stress concentration (local stress increase at the shape changing portion) is likely to occur at the edge portion of the cassette platen 12. FIG. If the fabric S is heated (fixed) in this state, traces of plastic deformation, such as creases and curls, may remain on the fabric S as indicated by arrows in FIG. 1(d).

This plastic deformation is conspicuous in polyester fibers (a type of chemical fiber, widely used for materials such as T-shirts) and the like. This is because the polyester resin has the property that it is thermally deformed when heated with a force applied, and the deformation does not return to its original state after cooling. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique capable of printing and fixing an image without plastically deforming the fabric.

The following embodiments describe a holding device that holds the fabric while creating relatively little stress on the fabric.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective explanatory view of a cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view of the cassette shown in FIG. 2 with the outer peripheral cover opened. FIG. 4(a) is a cross-sectional explanatory view along the width direction of the cassette of FIG. 2, and (b) is a partially enlarged view. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view (No. 2) along the width direction of the cassette of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cassette 200 includes a cassette base 201 as a base member, a platen member 300 as a mounting member supported by the cassette base 201, and an outer peripheral cover member detachable from the platen member 300. A platen outer cover 202 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the platen member 300 is composed of a platen structure 302 supported by the cassette base 201 via a support portion 311 and a heat insulating member 301 forming a surface for holding the cloth 400 . The heat insulating member 301 has heat resistance against heating by the fixing device 5 which will be described later.

The heat insulating member 301 of the platen member 300 is a flat plane, and has an edge portion 301a that is R-chamfered as shown in an enlarged view of FIG. 4(b). The heat insulating member 301 places the portion of the fabric 400 on which the image is to be applied in a flat state, and allows the surplus portion 400a of the fabric 400 to extend from the edge 301a. Note that "to extend" means to extend.

Here, the surplus portion 400a of the fabric 400 is the portion (of the fabric 400) that is not in contact with the mounting portion of the platen. For example, in the case of printing on the front of a T-shirt, both sleeves, collar, hem, etc. correspond to this. Excess portion 400a extends from edge 301a in at least two opposite directions, but may extend in four directions.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cassette base 201 is provided with a platen outer cover 202 that can be opened and closed (or can be attached and detached) in the direction of the arrow with a hinge 203 . The platen outer cover 202 has a frame 202a surrounding the outer periphery of the platen member 300 (located on the outer periphery).

It should be noted that the platen outer circumference cover 202 does not necessarily have to surround the outer circumference of the platen member 300 as long as it has portions (opposing portions) that face each other in the front, rear, left, and right directions.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main body of the cassette 200 includes pressing means 305 arranged between the cassette base 201 and the platen member 300, and a pressure releasing means for releasing the pressing force of the pressing means 305. and a release lever 308 .

The pressing means 305 has a pressure member 306 that abuts on the surplus portion 400a of the cloth 400, and a spring 307 that is an elastic body that biases the pressure member 306. The portion 400a that is not in contact with the portion is pressed toward the frame 202a.

That is, the pressing means 305 presses the portion 400a that is not in contact with the mounting portion in at least two directions toward the portions (opposing portions) that face the platen outer peripheral cover 202 in the front, rear, left, and right directions.

Here, it should be noted that the cassette 200 of this embodiment, unlike the cassette shown in FIG. .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressure releasing lever 308 can push back the pressing means 305 and release the pressing force of the pressing means 305 by sliding in the direction of the arrow. Here, the pressurization release lever 308 may be configured so that both sides can be moved in conjunction with each other.

Note that the pressing means 305 and the pressure release lever 308 are paired in the left-right direction in the drawing, but the present invention is not limited to this. Another pair of pressing means 305 and pressure release lever 308 may be provided in the vertical direction of the paper. In this case, it is advantageous because the pressing means 305 can press the surplus portions 400a of the fabric 400 extending in four directions toward the frame 202a.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the process of printing an image on fabric in a cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention. The process of printing an image on fabric is performed as follows. First, (a) the platen member 300 is covered with the fabric 400 . At that time, the surplus portion 400 a of the fabric 400 extends from the edge 301 a of the platen member 300 .

Next, (b) the platen outer cover 202 is lowered (attached), and the surplus portion 400a of the fabric 400 is pushed down along the frame 202a of the platen outer cover 202 . At that time, the pressing means 305 presses the surplus portion 400a toward the facing surfaces of the frame 202a. Accordingly, the imaged portion P of the fabric 400 is held in tension on the insulating member 301 . Moreover, since the edge portion 301a of the heat insulating member 301 has an R-chamfered shape, stress concentration is less likely to occur.

The cassette 200 of this embodiment is intended to apply an image to the fabric 400 in this state. Since the portion P of the fabric 400 to which the image is to be applied is placed on the platen member 300 with tension, it is possible to prevent misalignment of printing and misalignment of ink landing.

Subsequently, (c) after the image is applied to the fabric 400 by the printing device, the image (ink) is fixed by the heater 16 of the fixing device. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the heat treatment (fixing treatment) is performed while the pressing force of the pressing means 305 is released by the pressure releasing lever 308 . Thus, the cassette 200 of this embodiment is intended to heat the fabric 400 in this state.

Then, (d) the work is completed when the fabric 400 is removed from the cassette 200 after the fixing. Since the cassette 200 of the present embodiment can be heat-treated in a state in which the tension on the fabric 400 is released, it is possible to prevent the fabric 400 from being traced by plastic deformation.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the procedure for holding the cloth in the cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention. First, (a) the cassette 200 is prepared, and (b) the platen outer cover 202 is opened in the direction of the arrow. Next, (c) the platen member 300 is covered with the fabric 400, and (d) the platen outer peripheral cover 202 is lowered, so that the cassette 200 can hold the fabric 400. FIG.

Thus, the cassette 200 of this embodiment can hold the cloth 400 in substantially the same procedure as the conventional cassette shown in FIG.

(Modification)
As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the heat insulating member 301 of the platen member 300 of this embodiment has an edge portion 301a that is rounded. Alternatively/in addition to this, only the edge portion 301a may be made of an elastic material such as rubber or sponge. In particular, heat-resistant silicone rubber is desirable.

Also, the edge portion 301a may be formed separately from the platen member 300 (heat insulating member 301). In this case, the edge portion 301a can be treated as a consumable item.

Next, an example of a printing apparatus according to the present invention, which constitutes an apparatus (printing system) for applying an image to a fabric according to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. FIG.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective explanatory view of a printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a perspective explanatory view illustrating the overall configuration of the printing apparatus of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view seen from a direction different from that of FIG.

The printing apparatus 1 includes a stage 111, which is a receiving member that detachably holds a cassette 200 and moves forward and backward, and prints an image on a cloth 400 held by the cassette 200 held by the stage 111. and printing means 112 for printing.

The stage 111 is provided on a carrier structure 113 held so as to be movable in the arrow A direction (feeding direction) with respect to the apparatus main body 100 . Here, a transport guide member 115 is arranged along the direction of arrow A in the bottom housing portion 114 of the apparatus main body 100 , and a slider portion 116 of the transport structure 113 is movably held by the transport guide member 115 .

The printing means 112 includes a carriage 121 that moves in the arrow B direction (main scanning direction) with respect to the stage 111 and a head 122 mounted on the carriage 121 . A carriage 121 is movably held by a guide member 123 arranged along the arrow B direction, and reciprocated in the arrow B direction by a drive motor 124 via a scanning mechanism such as a timing belt 125 . The head 122 uses a liquid ejection head to eject ink onto the surface of the fabric to form an image, but it is not limited to this.

In the printing apparatus 1 , the cassette 200 is mounted and held on the stage 111 in the apparatus main body 100 in a state where the cloth 400 is set in the cassette 200 . By repeating the movement of the stage 111 in the direction of arrow A and the reciprocating movement of the head 122 in the direction of arrow B, a desired image is printed on the fabric 400 .

Next, a configuration for mounting the cassette to the printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective explanatory view for explaining the configuration of the cassette and stage, and FIG. 12 is a perspective explanatory view for mounting the cassette on the stage. FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory view when mounting the cassette on the stage.

The stage 111 of the apparatus main body 100 is provided with guide rail portions 131 , 131 on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow A, which is the moving direction of the stage 111 . On the other hand, both sides of the cassette 200 are provided with grooves 211 into which the guide rails 131 are movably (slidably) fitted.

Further, the stage 111 is provided with recessed portions 132 , 132 on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow A, which is the moving direction of the stage 111 . The position of the recessed portion 132 in the direction of arrow A is the movement end position (slide end position) of the guide rail portion 131 and the groove portion 211 . On the other hand, the cassette 200 is provided with a convex portion 212 that fits into the concave portion 132 of the stage 111 . The convex portion 212 and the concave portion 132 constitute means for fixing the cassette 200 and the stage 111 to each other after the cassette 200 is slid and set on the stage 111 .

Because of this configuration, when the cassette 200 holding the cloth 400 on the platen member 300 is mounted on the stage 111 of the apparatus main body 100, as shown in FIG. , the cassette 200 is slid onto the stage 111 from the direction of the arrow C.

The mounting procedure of the cassette 200 at this time is as follows, as shown in FIG.

First, the front end of the cassette 200 is placed on the stage 111 as indicated by the two-dot chain line cassette 200A. Then, as indicated by a dashed cassette 200B, the cassette 200 is slid in the direction of arrow C and pushed into the guide rail portion 131 of the stage 111 while fitting the groove portion 211 of the cassette 200 thereon.

Then, as indicated by the solid line cassette 200C, by pushing the cassette 200 to the terminal position, the convex portion 212 of the cassette 200 is fitted into the concave portion 132 of the stage 111, and the mounting of the cassette 200 to the stage 111 is completed. do.

At this time, since the cassette 200 can be mounted on the stage 111 from the moving direction of the stage 111, the stage 111 as a whole can be moved from the apparatus main body 100 to the outside, compared to the configuration in which the cassette 200 is mounted on the stage 111 from directly above the stage 111. Since there is no need to move and expose the device, the size of the device can be reduced.

Next, referring to FIG. 14, a description will be given of a mode when the cassette is mounted in the apparatus main body of the printing apparatus and the apparatus power is turned off. FIG. 14 is an external perspective view for explaining the same.

When receiving a command to turn off the main body 100 of the printing apparatus 1, the cassette 200 is moved so that the front side of the cassette 200 (the front side in the mounting direction) and the front side of the main body 100 are flat as shown in FIG. After moving the stage 111 until it reaches almost the same position visually, the power is turned off.

As a result, the installation space during standby can be reduced.

Next, an example of a fixing device by heating that constitutes the apparatus (printing system) for applying an image to the fabric according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17. FIG. FIG. 15 is an external perspective explanatory view of a fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the fixing device of FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram along the width direction around the cassette during fixing.

The fixing device 5 is a device for heating fabric, and is held by a receiving member 501 detachably mounted in the apparatus main body 500 and a platen member 300 of the cassette 200 to be set in the printing apparatus 1 described above. A heat press section 521, which is a contact-type heating means for heating and pressurizing the cloth 400 lying thereon, is also provided. A temperature of 130° C. or higher, preferably 150° C. or higher is required for the heat press portion 521 for fixing.

In this case, the heat insulating member 301 of the platen member 300 has heat resistance against the heating temperature (fixing temperature) of the heat press section 521 of the fixing device 5 .

By forming the surface of the platen member 300 in contact with the fabric with a heat-insulating material in this manner, the heat for heating the fabric does not escape into the platen structure 302 or the cassette 200, enabling efficient heating.

As the material of the heat insulating member 301, heat-resistant sponge rubber made of a material such as silicone rubber or fluorine rubber, various heat-resistant resins, felt, calcium silicate plate, carphone, calllite, gypsum board, melamine sponge, glass wool, glass, or the like can be used. Also, since the platen structure 302 is required to have hardness and a certain degree of heat resistance to keep the platen flat, a metal plate, a glass plate, or the like is suitable. Note that the heat insulating member 301 and the platen structure 302 may be formed as a single component instead of separate bodies.

Also, as shown in FIG. 17, the heat press portion 521 may be larger than the region of the platen member 300 that holds the cloth 400 (the region of the platen structure 302).

Further, a cover 502 that can be opened and closed and an operation section 504 are provided on the front side of the device main body 500 of the fixing device 5 . The operation unit 504 is provided at a position where it cannot be operated unless the cover 502 is closed. Here, the cover 502 is tilted forward, and the operating section 504 is arranged at the lower front portion of the apparatus main body 500 .

As a result, it is possible to prevent the operator from accidentally contacting the operation part 504 during the cassette loading operation, and the heat press part 521 being driven and contacting the operator.

The attachment/detachment structure between the receiving member 501 and the cassette 200 is the same as the attachment/detachment structure between the stage 111 which is the receiving member of the printer 1 and the cassette 200 .

When the fabric 400 is set in the fixing device 5, the cassette 200 holding the fabric 400 on which the image is printed is taken out from the printing apparatus 1, and the cover 502 is opened in the direction of arrow E as shown in FIG. Then, the cassette 200 is inserted into the receiving member 501 of the fixing device 5 from the direction of arrow D shown in FIG. 15 and held. Here, the cassette 200 is slid and set with respect to the receiving member 501 .

Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the heat press part 521 is lowered in the direction of arrow F, and the heat press part 521 is pressed against the image-printed fabric 400 held on the platen member 300 to heat it.

Thus, the cassette 200 holding the fabric 400 can be shared between the printing device 1 and the fixing device 5 .

As a result, the printed cloth 400 can be set in the fixing device 5 while being held in the state when it was printed. Therefore, the workability of setting the cloth 400 is improved.

At this time, since the platen member 300 holding the fabric 400 of the cassette 200 has heat resistance against the heating by the fixing device 5, the platen member 300 is not deformed by the heat.

Further, although the fixing device 5 is described as having a configuration using the heat press section 521, the configuration is not limited to this, and may be a configuration in which, for example, the cloth is heated in a non-contact manner. Specifically, a plate-shaped heater may be provided at a position about 2 to 3 mm from the surface of the fabric, and the fixing may be performed by heating the surface of the fabric by radiant heating.

(Modification)
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a modified example of the fixing device. For the sake of explanation, some parts are omitted from the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 18, the fixing device 5a has a convex portion 525 that is a release member for releasing pressure. When the cassette 200 holding the cloth 400 on the platen member 300 is mounted on the fixing device 5a, the convex portion 525 slides the pressure release lever 308 in the direction of the arrow, pushes the pressing means 305 back, and the pressing force of the pressing means 305 increases. release.

In this manner, since the pressing force of the pressing means 305 can be released in conjunction with the mounting of the cassette 200 on the fixing device 5a, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to release the pressure, which is advantageous.

Although the case where the cassette 200 of the printing apparatus 1 is shared with the fixing device 5 is described in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, there are cases where pretreatment is performed by heat-pressing the surface of the fabric before printing in order to suppress fluffing of the fabric. ) and the printing device. Alternatively, the same cassette 200 may be used throughout for the processing of the preprocessing device, the printing device, and the fixing device.

Alternatively, the printing device 1 and the fixing device 5 may be arranged side by side, and the cassette 200 may be shared for continuous processing. By sharing the cassette 200, it is also possible to automate the connection between devices. Further, by using the cassette 200 to reduce the size, it is possible to integrate a plurality of devices such as the printing device 1 and the fixing device 5 into one housing to configure a printing system.

In the above description, the printing apparatus constituting the printing system is explained, but the system does not always need to be configured together with the apparatus for heating the fabric. and the fabric holding member.

The present invention has been described in detail above using the embodiments. This embodiment is an example, and can be used with various modifications within the scope of the invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 printing device 5, 5a fixing device 12 cassette platen 14 cassette frame 16 heater 100 main body (of printing device) 111 stage (receiving member)
112 Printing Means 113 Conveyance Structure 114 Bottom Case 115 Conveyance Guide Member 116 Slider Section 121 Carriage 122 Head 123 Guide Member 124 Drive Motor 125 Timing Belt 131 Guide Rail Section 132 Concave Section 200 Cassette (Holding Device)
201 cassette base (base member)
202 Platen outer cover (peripheral cover member)
( Apparatus main body 501 Receiving member 502 Cover 504 Operation section 521 Heat press section 525 Convex section of fixing device

JP 2017-202681 A

Claims (12)

A holding device for holding a fabric,
a base member;
a placement member supported by the base member and on which the fabric is placed;
an outer circumference cover member that is detachable from the mounting member and has a frame positioned on the outer circumference of the mounting member, the outer circumference cover member not sandwiching the fabric with the mounting member;
Pressing that is arranged between the base member and the placing member and presses a portion of the fabric that is not placed on the placing member toward a portion of the frame that faces the placing member in two directions. means and
a holding device. 2. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the edge of said mounting member has a rounded shape. 3. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the edge of said mounting member is made of an elastic material. The pressing means includes a pressing member that presses a portion of the cloth not placed on the placing member in at least two opposing directions, and an elastic body that biases the pressing member. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising pressure releasing means for releasing the pressing force of said pressing means. a first receiving member that detachably holds the holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
printing means for imparting an image to the fabric;
A printing device comprising: A holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the holding device applies tension to hold the fabric on the placement member when applying the image to the fabric. a second receiving member that detachably holds the holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
a heating means for heating the fabric to fix the image;
A fixing device comprising: A holding device according to claim 5,
9. The fixing device according to claim 8, wherein when fixing the image on the fabric, the holding device releases the tension to hold the fabric on the placing member . 10. The fixing device according to claim 9, further comprising a convex portion for activating the pressure releasing means when the holding device is mounted. a holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
a printing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7;
a fixing device according to any one of claims 8 to 10;
with
A printing system, wherein the holding device is shared by both the printing device and the fixing device while holding the fabric. a base member;
a placing member supported by the base member for placing a cloth;
an outer circumference cover member that is detachable from the mounting member and has a frame positioned on the outer circumference of the mounting member;
a pressing means disposed between the base member and the placing member for pressing a portion of the fabric not placed on the placing member in two directions toward the facing portion of the frame;
a holding device having a pressing release means for releasing the pressing force of the pressing means;
a receiving member that detachably holds the holding device;
a heating means for heating the fabric to fix the image;
A fixing device comprising:
A fixing device, wherein, when fixing an image on said fabric, said holding device releases tension and holds said fabric on said placing member.

Images