JP4147993B2 - Inkjet fabric printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a configuration of an ink jet type fabric printing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An inkjet fabric printing apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
The fabric printing apparatus (10) includes a platen (16) that can reciprocate in the front-rear direction (arrow E direction) of the apparatus. As shown in Fig.1, the fabric (First recording medium) The T-shirt (A) is set on the platen (16) from the front side of the apparatus, and the T-shirt (A) on the platen (16) is printed with the inkjet head (22) as shown in FIG. As shown in .3, the T-shirt (A) is taken out from the front side of the apparatus.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
US Pat. No. 6,095,628
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such inkjet printing, fabrics other than the T-shirt (A) are used depending on applications. (Second recording medium) For example, you may want to print on gloves or socks.
[0005]
However, in order to print on such gloves and socks, printing is performed by simply placing the gloves and socks on the platen (16). It is difficult to position and fix the product on the platen, and there is a possibility that the gloves and socks may be misaligned on the platen (16) during the user's setting work or printing operation. There were not a few occurrences.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide gloves and socks. Second recording medium such as It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet type fabric printing apparatus capable of easily and accurately positioning and setting a sheet on a platen.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, means for solving the problem will be described.
[0008]
That is, in claim 1, First recording medium An ink jet head for discharging ink to the surface of First recording medium A first platen that forms a first surface on which the ink is ejected when set And Inkjet printing a desired image on the first surface set on the first platen by relatively moving the inkjet head and the first platen while maintaining a predetermined distance In the fabric printing apparatus, the first platen includes Second recording medium A pair of Second recording medium And a second platen that forms a second surface on which the ink is ejected when the pair is set.
[0009]
In the present invention, the second platen can be attached to and detached from the first platen.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the second platen is provided at a height different from that of the first platen, and at least one of the inkjet head and the second platen is connected to the inkjet head and the second platen. And a moving means for moving the distance so as to be the predetermined distance.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first platen is provided with a mark indicating the mounting position of the second platen.
[0012]
In claim 5, First recording medium An ink jet head for discharging ink to the surface of First recording medium A platen that can be set, and the inkjet head and the platen are set on the platen by relatively moving while maintaining a predetermined distance. First recording medium In the inkjet fabric printing apparatus for printing a desired image on the surface of the platen, the platen includes (1) First recording medium A first attachment that forms a first surface on which the ink is ejected when set; (2) Second recording medium Can be set as a pair, and Second recording medium At least two attachments of the second attachment forming the second surface on which the ink is ejected when the ink is set can be exchanged and attached.
[0013]
In Claim 6, the said Second recording medium Image data to be printed on either the left or right side is received from the host device, and the image data is copied to the left and right side positions and mirror image copied to the left and right side positions. Second recording medium To be printed.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an overall configuration of a fabric printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the same.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing the configuration of the platen and the height adjusting mechanism, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where a T-shirt is set on the platen from the state of FIG.
[0015]
As shown in the front view of FIG. 1, the ink jet fabric printing apparatus 1 includes a frame-like frame 2. The frame 2 has a horizontal part 2h located at the bottom of the apparatus and a vertical part 2v that rises vertically from both ends of the horizontal part 2h when viewed from the front.
[0016]
The slide rail 3 is horizontally supported so as to connect the upper portions of the left and right vertical portions 2v. The slide rail 3 is provided with a carriage 4 slidably along the longitudinal direction of the rail. A total of four piezoelectric inkjet heads 5 are provided on the lower surface of the carriage 4 for each color in order to eject ink of four colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). Yes.
[0017]
Pulleys 6 and 7 are supported on the left and right vertical parts 2v, respectively, and a motor shaft of a carriage motor 8 supported by the vertical part 2v is connected to one pulley 6. An endless belt 9 is stretched between the pulleys 6 and 7, and the carriage 4 is fixed to an appropriate portion of the endless belt 9.
[0018]
With the above configuration, when the pulley 6 on one side is rotated forward and backward by driving the carriage motor 8, the carriage 4 is linearly reciprocated along the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) of the slide rail 3, As a result, the inkjet head 5 is reciprocated.
[0019]
Each of the left and right vertical parts 2v is formed with a mounting part 10 on which an ink tank is detachably mounted. The two mounting portions 10 can be mounted with ink tanks of two colors, and an ink reservoir formed inside the ink tank is connected to the inkjet head 5 by a flexible tube (not shown). Is done.
[0020]
A slide mechanism 11 is installed on the horizontal portion 2 h of the frame 2, and a slide base 12 is supported on the slide mechanism 11. The base tube 51 is fixed to the upper surface of the slide base 12 in an upright state, and the support column 13 is attached to the base tube 51. A platen (first platen) 31 is fixed to the upper end of the column 13.
[0021]
A horizontal and flat work surface is formed on the upper surface of the platen 31, and this work surface has a wrinkle-free surface (first surface) in which a portion to be printed of a fabric (clothing) is tightly stretched on the work surface. ) To be set. The apparatus of this embodiment is, for example, a sewn T-shirt. (First recording medium) Can be set on the platen 31 and ink jet printing can be performed on the chest and back.
[0022]
The platen 31 is provided so as to protrude forward of the apparatus, and the end edge of the protruding portion is formed in a “V” shape in plan view as shown in FIG.
[0023]
When the T-shirt t is set, the platen 31 is covered with the T-shirt t from the front, and as shown in FIG. 4, the neck portion tn or shoulder portion of the T-shirt t is placed on the “V” -shaped edge of the platen 31. Let ts abut. By setting in this way, the T-shirt t can be positioned so that the portion (chest or back) to be printed is on the work surface of the platen 31. The portion of the T-shirt t protruding from the work surface is folded under the platen 31 as shown in FIG.
[0024]
In order to reciprocate the platen 31 in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 (the slide direction in the slide mechanism 11 and the sub-scanning direction of the printing apparatus) in FIG. 1, a platen transport mechanism as shown in FIG. The
[0025]
This platen transport mechanism includes pulleys 21 and 22 supported one by one on the front and rear ends of the apparatus 1, an endless belt 23 spanned between the pulleys 21 and 22, and a platen transport motor that drives one pulley 22. 24 and a fixing member 25 that fixes the slide base 12 to an appropriate position of the endless belt 23.
[0026]
By driving the platen transport motor 24 with the above configuration, the platen 31 can be reciprocated in the horizontal front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction) of the apparatus.
[0027]
A casing 15 fixed to the frame 2 covers and protects the portion of the endless belt 9 that drives the inkjet head 5, the slide mechanism 11, the platen transport mechanism, and the like. In FIG. 1, in order to show the inside of the casing 15 in detail, the casing 15 is shown in a perspective manner by drawing with a chain line.
An operation panel 16 including a liquid crystal display unit and operation keys is disposed at an appropriate position on the front surface of the casing 15.
[0028]
A printing method using the fabric printing apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described.
Although the specific electrical configuration of the fabric printing apparatus 1 will be described later, the fabric printing apparatus 1 is connected to a host device (in this embodiment, a personal computer), and a print command (to be printed) from the host device. When the apparatus 1 receives (including the contents of the image data), the control unit inside the apparatus 1 drives the platen transport motor 24 so that the platen 31 protrudes forward of the apparatus as shown in FIG.
[0029]
In this state, the user sets a T-shirt t on the platen 31 as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the setting operation is completed. At this time, as described above, the neck portion tn and the shoulder portion ts of the T-shirt t abut against the edge of the guide plate 17, so that the T-shirt t is moved to the platen 31. Is accurately positioned above (see FIG. 4).
[0030]
In the state of FIG. 6, the user presses an appropriate key (for example, a “print start” key described later) on the operation panel 16. When this operation is detected, the control unit of the apparatus 1 drives the platen transport motor 24 and intermittently feeds the platen 31 by one line width in the black arrow direction (sub-scanning direction) shown in FIG. The carriage motor 8 is driven forward and backward to reciprocate the carriage 4 in the main scanning direction, and a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element of the inkjet head 5 to perform printing for one line. By repeating this, a desired image is formed on the surface of the T-shirt t by the inkjet head 5.
[0031]
When the platen 31 is sent during the printing operation, the platen 31 is sent to the inkjet head 5 while maintaining a predetermined distance (distance g1 shown in FIG. 7).
[0032]
The distance g1 must be larger than the thickness of the fabric of the T-shirt t. However, if the distance g1 is too large, the gap between the surface of the T-shirt t and the inkjet head 5 becomes excessive, and the inkjet head 5 The image quality of the formed image is degraded. Accordingly, in general, the distance g1 is set so that the gap amount between the surface of the T-shirt t (the first surface) and the inkjet head 5 is small while considering the thickness of the fabric of the T-shirt t. (For example, the gap amount is about 3 millimeters).
[0033]
Next, gloves / socks to be attached to the platen (first platen) 31 (Second recording medium) The second platen 32 as a printing jig will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, the second platen 32 includes a horizontal and elongated rectangular substrate member 41, an upright plate 42 provided so as to rise from the substrate member 41, and a horizontal plate attached to the upper portion of the upright plate 42. The work plate 43, a clamp portion 44 that is bent and extended from the end of the substrate member 41 into a “U” shape, and a fixing screw 45 that is screwed to the clamp portion 44.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 8, the upright plate 42 is vertically raised from one end side in the short direction of the substrate member 41, and one end portion of the work plate 43 is fixed to the upper end of the upright plate 42. The work plate 43 is a pentagonal plate, and extends horizontally from the side fixed to the upright plate 42 while facing the upper surface of the substrate member 41 and exhibiting a slightly tapered shape. The leading end on the extended side is formed in a “V” shape.
[0035]
A horizontal and flat work surface is formed on the upper surface of the work plate 43, and the glove G or the sock S is set so that a tightly wrinkled-free surface (second surface) is formed on the work surface. (See Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 for the state of attachment).
[0036]
The clamp portion 44 is bent while exhibiting a “U” shape and extends parallel to the substrate member 41. An edge of the platen 31 is sandwiched between the extended portion and the substrate member 41.
[0037]
A fixing screw 45 screwed to the clamp portion 44 is for fixing the second platen 32 to the platen 31. By rotating the knob 46 fixed to one end of the fixing screw 45 in one direction, the platen 31 can be sandwiched and fixed by the clamp portion 44 of the second platen 32. Further, when the knob 46 is turned in the reverse direction, the fixation can be released and the second platen 32 can be removed from the platen 31.
[0038]
A state in which the second platen 32 shown in FIG. 8 is attached to the platen 31 is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 9, in addition to the second platen 32 configured as described above, another second platen 32 ′ having a symmetrical shape is prepared and attached to the side edges on both sides of the platen 31.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 9, the platen 31 is preferably provided with a mark M that indicates the mounting position of the second platen 32. By doing so, the operation of aligning and attaching the second platen 32 on the platen 31 can be performed accurately and easily. Therefore, when a glove or sock is set on the second platen 32 and printing is performed as described later, it is possible to avoid a printing position shift.
[0040]
The mark M has a triangular shape in this embodiment, and is aligned so that the edge of the substrate member 41 of the second platen 32 (32 ′) coincides with the tip of the mark M, whereby the second platen 32 ( 32 ') can be positioned in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus. The positioning in the left-right direction of the apparatus is realized by attaching the second platen 32 to the platen 31 so that the edge of the platen 31 is pressed against the vertical portion of the clamp portion 44.
[0041]
The mark M is not limited to a triangle as in the present embodiment, but is linear, dot-shaped, “L” -shaped, circular, or contours along the substrate member 41. It can be a line or any shape. The mark M is attached to the upper surface (working surface) of the platen 31 in the present embodiment, but may be attached to the lower surface of the platen 31, and the platen 31 can be aligned while being visually recognized by the user. Is sufficient. Further, the mark M may be applied with a paint, or a thin plate material or a seal having an appropriate shape may be attached, or a convex portion or a concave portion may be appropriately formed on the platen 31 itself. M may also be used.
Furthermore, another mark M may be added for positioning in the left-right direction of the apparatus.
[0042]
Next, a pair of left and right gloves G and socks S are attached to the work plate 43 of the two second platens 32. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, both the gloves G and the socks S are attached to the work plate 43 so that the work plate 43 is inserted into the mouth of the gloves G / sock S as far as the root. Just put it on. As for the socks S, as shown in FIG. 11, it is preferable that the toe part is folded under the platen 31 so as not to obstruct the printing.
[0043]
By doing so, small items such as gloves G and socks S that are difficult to position by simply placing them directly on the platen 31 can be directly positioned by the second platen 32, and misalignment of printing can be prevented. Note that printing with the second platen 32 attached will be described later.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, since the second platen 32 is detachable, it is possible to print the T-shirt t using the normal platen 31 without using the second platen 32 as described above. The range of uses for 1 has been expanded.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 9, the work plate 43 is positioned above the work surface of the platen 31 in a state where the second platen 32 is attached to the platen 31. That is, the platen 31 and the second platen 32 are located at different heights. Accordingly, if printing is performed as it is, the distance g1 between the platen 31 and the inkjet head 5 is short, and the second platen 32 collides with the inkjet head 5.
[0046]
From this situation, the inkjet fabric printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a height adjusting mechanism (moving means) 50 that can adjust the height of the platen 31.
[0047]
This mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. The height adjusting mechanism 50 includes a base cylinder 51 fixed to the slide base 12, a rotary cylinder 52 that is rotatably fitted to the base cylinder 51, and a tip that projects horizontally from the rotary cylinder 52. And a lever 53 for directing the side in the lateral direction.
[0048]
The base tube 51 can be slidably inserted with the round bar-shaped support column 13 projecting downward from the lower surface of the platen 31. Further, a support bar 54 projects downward from the lower surface of the platen 31 at a position near the support column 13, and the lower end of the support bar is in contact with the upper end of the rotary cylinder 52.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 3, step portions r 1 and r 2 having different heights and slopes q connecting the step portions are formed on the upper end side of the rotation tube 52, and the user operates the lever 53 to operate the rotation tube 52. As step 52 is rotated, the stepped portions r1 and r2 having different heights can be switched and positioned at the position of the support bar 54.
[0050]
When the user rotates the lever 53 with this configuration, the rotary cylinder 52 rotates, and the height of the position of the lower end of the support bar 54 is changed. As a result, the height of the platen 31 can be changed. It has become.
[0051]
In the present embodiment, when the lever 53 is pulled forward from the state shown in FIG. 3 (the state where the height of the platen 31 is suitable for printing the T-shirt t), the height of the work surface of the second platen 32 is increased. The heights of the step portions r1 and r2 are set so that the platen 31 is lowered by the amount obtained by subtracting the height of the work surface of the platen 31.
[0052]
Therefore, the distance between the second platen 32 (specifically, the work plate 43) and the inkjet head 5 (distance g2 shown in FIG. 12) when printing the gloves G and socks S is set to the above-described T-shirt. The distance between the platen 31 and the inkjet head 5 during printing (distance g1 shown in FIG. 7) can be made equal.
[0053]
In other words, the presence of the height adjusting mechanism 50 allows the recording medium (in the printing mode of the T-shirt t using only the platen 31 and the printing mode of the gloves G and the socks S to be used with the second platen 32 attached thereto). An appropriate gap between the T-shirt t or the gloves G and the socks S) and the inkjet head 5 can be secured.
[0054]
In addition, in order to print the gloves G and the socks S, for example, the following configuration using the removable second platen 32 can be used.
[0055]
A fabric printing apparatus 1 'according to this modification is shown in FIG. 13, but in this modification, the height adjustment mechanism 50 as shown in FIG. 1 is omitted. A base cylinder 51 ′ is erected on the slide base 12, and two types of attachments A1 and A2 having a platen can be attached to the base cylinder 51 ′ in a replaceable manner. In addition, the state which attached 1st attachment A1 is shown by FIG.
The other configuration of the apparatus is exactly the same as the configuration shown in FIG.
[0056]
A first attachment for T-shirt printing is indicated by reference numeral A1 in FIG. The first attachment A1 is obtained by fixing a flat plate having the same configuration as that of the platen 31 to the upper end of the column 13.
[0057]
A second attachment for glove / sock printing is indicated by reference numeral A2 in FIG. The second attachment A2 is obtained by fixing a flat plate member integrally formed with work plates 43 ′ to which gloves or socks can be attached at two left and right positions to the upper end of the support column 13. The shape of the work plate portion 43 ′ is the same as the shape of the work plate 43 of the second platen 32.
[0058]
In order to attach the attachments A1 and A2 to the apparatus 1 ′, the support columns 13 of each attachment may be inserted into the base tube 51 ′. Conversely, by removing the support column 13 from the base tube 51 ′, the attachment can be removed and another attachment can be attached.
[0059]
When printing on the T-shirt t, the first attachment A1 may be attached to the apparatus 1 ′, and the T-shirt may be set on the platen 31 of the attachment A1 for printing. The setting method is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.
When printing on the gloves G or socks S, the second attachment A2 is attached to the apparatus 1 ′, and the gloves G or socks S are set on the work plate portion 43 ′ of the attachment A2 as a pair on the left and right for printing. Good. As for the setting method, the mouth portion may be covered with the work plate portion 43 ′ so that the work plate portion 43 ′ is inserted into the mouth portion of the glove / sock S. At this time, the glove / sock S forms a tight surface (second surface) on the flat work surface formed on the work plate portion 43 ′.
[0060]
As described above, the first attachment A1 can print the T-shirt t, and the glove G / sock S, which has been difficult to position, can be directly positioned by the second attachment A2 and can be printed without misalignment. is there. In the device 1 ′ of this modification, both attachments A1 and A2 can be exchanged and attached, so there is an advantage that the range of uses of the device 1 ′ is wide.
[0061]
Next, the electrical configuration of the fabric printing apparatus 1 configured as described above (or the fabric printing apparatus 1 ′ according to the modification) will be described with reference to FIG.
[0062]
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the fabric printing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 100 of the fabric printing apparatus 1 (or 1 ′) controls each part of the apparatus 1 in a centralized manner. A central processing unit (CPU) 101, a RAM 102 for storing variable data in a rewritable manner, and a ROM 103 for storing fixed data such as a control program.
[0063]
The control unit 100 is connected to the print control circuit 105 and the communication processing unit 110 via an appropriate data bus.
The print control circuit 105 includes drive circuits 91 to 93 that drive the inkjet head 5, a carriage motor 8 for driving the carriage 4, a platen transport motor 24 for driving the platen 14, and the like. . The print control circuit 105 includes a sensor input circuit 94, and various sensors provided in the apparatus 1 are electrically connected to the sensor input circuit 94. For example, the “print start” key 26 provided on the operation panel 16 or the like.
[0064]
A high-level device (in this embodiment, a personal computer) 111 is connected to the communication processing unit 110 via an appropriate cable. In the following, the personal computer is abbreviated as “personal computer”. The communication processing unit 110 serves as an interface for transmitting a printing operation command from the personal computer 111 to the fabric printing apparatus 1 or sending the state of the fabric printing apparatus 1 to the personal computer 111 as information.
[0065]
A user operates the personal computer 111 and can create and edit image data using an image editing program operating on the personal computer 111. When the printing function is executed in the program, the personal computer 111 creates image processing control data for instructing the size of the fabric to be output and other image processing, and sends it to the communication processing unit 110 of the fabric printing apparatus 1. Send as a print operation command. The control unit 100 that has received the print operation command via the communication processing unit 110 interprets and develops the command, and sends a signal to the print control circuit 105 at the timing when the “print start” key 26 is pressed. Start the printing operation.
[0066]
FIG. 16 shows the flow of data processing when printing on a T-shirt. The image processing control data received by the fabric printing apparatus 1 from the personal computer 111, which is a host device, via the communication processing unit 110 includes data of an image to be printed. The RAM 102 of the control unit 100 of the apparatus 1 stores a storage area 102a for interpreting and developing image data from the image processing control data, and a print buffer area 102b for storing image data to be transmitted to the inkjet head drive circuit 91. However, each is secured.
[0067]
In the print buffer area 102b, a data amount corresponding to the printable area on the platen 31 is secured, and color information for each of a plurality of pixels finely divided at a predetermined resolution (for example, 300 dpi) is stored.
[0068]
The apparatus 1 extracts the image data from the image processing control data, expands it in the storage area 102a, temporarily stores it, and copies this image data to an appropriate position in the print buffer area 102b. Thereafter, the data in the print buffer area 102b is divided for each line width and sent to the inkjet head drive circuit 91 to perform printing as described above. Thus, the image data as transmitted by the personal computer 111 is formed on the T-shirt t.
[0069]
On the other hand, FIG. 17 shows a flow of data processing when printing on the gloves G. When printing on the glove G, the image processing control data sent from the personal computer 111 to the apparatus 1 includes only data on the left and right of the glove G.
[0070]
The image data developed in the storage area 102a from the image processing control data is copied from the storage area 102a to a position corresponding to the work plate 43 on one side of the print buffer area 102b. Further, the image data in the storage area 102a is subjected to mirror image reversal processing so that the left and right are reversed, and then copied to a position corresponding to the work plate 43 on the other side. Thereafter, the data in the print buffer area 102b is transmitted to the inkjet head drive circuit 91, and printing on the gloves G by the inkjet head 5 is performed. It should be noted that the printing on the socks S may be performed in the same manner as the case of the gloves G.
[0071]
In this way, when printing on a pair of left and right gloves G (socks S), the received image data can be either left or right, and there is no need to prepare mirrored image data on the personal computer 111 side. . Further, the amount of communication data between the personal computer 111 and the apparatus 1 can be reduced, and the time from when the personal computer 111 executes the printing function to when printing is actually started can also be shortened.
[0072]
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0073]
(1) For example, switching between mirror image reversal when copying from the storage area 102a to the left and right sides of the print buffer area 102b is performed using appropriate keys on the personal computer 111 of the host device and the operation panel 16 of the device 1. You may be allowed to. In this way, a design that does not favor mirror image reversal (for example, a design using characters such as “ABC”) is highly flexible, such as simply copying it to the left and right sides without mirror image reversal. Is possible.
[0074]
(2) Moreover, you may comprise the glove | gloves G or the socks S so that it can attach not only 1 set of right and left but 2 sets of right and left at once. For example, if a second attachment A2 ′ having four work plate portions 43 ′ as shown in FIG. 18 is used, two sets of left and right gloves G / socks S can be attached and printed at a time, thereby improving printing efficiency. obtain.
[0075]
(3) The height adjusting mechanism 50 is not limited to the configuration using the rotary cylinder 52, the lever 53, and the support rod 54. For example, the base cylinder 51 is provided by attaching a fixing screw to the base cylinder 51 and loosening the fixing screw. On the other hand, it is possible to adjust the height of the platen 31 by making the support column 13 slidable and to fix the support column 13 by fastening the support column 13 again with a fixing screw when the height becomes appropriate.
[0076]
(4) Further, instead of providing the height adjusting mechanism 50, a mechanism capable of changing the height of the ink jet head 5 is provided, so that the ink jet head 5 can also move the second platen relative to the first platen 31. It is also possible to ensure an appropriate distance for 32.
[0077]
(5) The configuration in which the second platen 32 (32 ′) can be attached to and detached from the platen 31 is not limited to the configuration using the fixing screw 45, and a configuration in which the second platen 32 (32 ′) is sandwiched between spring clips, for example, can be considered.
[0078]
(6) Although the above embodiment shows the case where the platen 31 is sent in the sub-scanning direction, it is sufficient that the platen 31 moves relative to the inkjet head 5, for example, the platen 31 side is fixed in the sub-scanning direction. On the contrary, the inkjet head 5 may be intermittently sent in the sub-scanning direction while reciprocating in the main scanning direction.
[0079]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
[0080]
That is, as shown in claim 1, First recording medium An ink jet head for discharging ink to the surface of First recording medium A first platen that forms a first surface on which the ink is ejected when set, and the inkjet head and the first platen are relatively maintained while maintaining a predetermined distance. In the inkjet fabric printing apparatus that prints a desired image on the first surface set on the first platen by moving the first platen, the first platen includes: Second recording medium A pair of Second recording medium A second platen that forms a second surface from which the ink is ejected when a pair of
Positioning was difficult by simply placing it on the first platen Second recording medium Can be directly positioned by the second platen, and misalignment of printing can be prevented.
[0081]
As shown in claim 2, since the second platen is detachable from the first platen,
By removing the first platen, a normal printing mode that does not use the second platen is possible, and an apparatus that can be used for a wide range of applications can be provided.
[0082]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the second platen is provided at a height different from that of the first platen, and at least one of the inkjet head and the second platen is connected to the inkjet head and the second platen. Since there is a moving means for moving the platen so that the distance from the platen becomes the predetermined distance,
On the first platen First recording medium Even in the usage mode in which the second platen is set, Second recording medium Also in the usage mode of setting the ink jet head Them An appropriate gap between the recording medium can be secured.
[0083]
As shown in claim 4, since the first platen is provided with a mark indicating the mounting position of the second platen,
The operation of aligning and mounting the second platen on the first platen can be performed accurately and easily. Therefore, the second platen Second recording medium When printing is performed with a set, printing position misalignment is reliably avoided.
[0084]
As shown in claim 5, First recording medium An ink jet head for discharging ink to the surface of First recording medium A platen that can be set, and the inkjet head and the platen are set on the platen by relatively moving while maintaining a predetermined distance. First recording medium In the inkjet fabric printing apparatus for printing a desired image on the surface of the platen, the platen includes (1) First recording medium A first attachment that forms a first surface on which the ink is ejected when set; (2) Second recording medium Can be set as a pair, and Second recording medium Since it is possible to replace and attach at least two attachments of the second attachment that forms the second surface from which the ink is ejected when set,
With the first attachment, normal printing was possible and positioning was difficult Second recording medium Can be directly positioned with the second attachment to perform printing without positional deviation. Moreover, the apparatus which can be used for a wide use can be provided by replacing | exchanging both attachments.
[0085]
As shown in claim 6, Second recording medium Image data to be printed on either the left or right side is received from the host device, and the image data is copied to the left and right side positions and mirror image copied to the left and right side positions. Second recording medium Because it prints on
A pair of left and right Second recording medium When printing on the image, the image data received from the higher-level device can be either left or right, and there is no need to prepare mirror-inverted image data on the higher-level device side. In addition, the amount of communication data between the host apparatus and the fabric printing apparatus can be reduced, and the time from when the printing function is executed in the host apparatus until actually starting printing can also be shortened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an overall configuration of a fabric printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the same.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing a configuration of a platen and a height adjusting mechanism.
4 is a perspective view showing a state where a T-shirt is set on the platen from the state of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a side view showing an operation of setting a T-shirt on a platen.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state where a T-shirt is set on a platen.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state during a printing operation by an inkjet head for a T-shirt.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a second platen.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which a second platen is attached to the platen.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state where gloves are set on a second platen.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which socks are set on a second platen.
FIG. 12 is a side view showing a state during a printing operation by an inkjet head on a glove.
FIG. 13 is a front view showing a fabric printing apparatus according to a modification.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing two types of attachments that can be used in a fabric printing apparatus according to a modified example.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the fabric printing apparatus.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing processing when image data from a higher-level device is printed on a T-shirt in the fabric printing apparatus.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing processing when image data from a higher-level device is printed on a glove in a fabric printing apparatus.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a modified example of an attachment that can be used in a fabric printing apparatus according to a modified example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Inkjet fabric printing device
5 Inkjet head
31 Platen (first platen)
32 Second platen
50 Height adjustment mechanism (moving means)
111 Personal computer (host device)
A1 first attachment
A2 Second attachment
t T-shirt (fabric)
G gloves
S socks

Claims (6)

An inkjet head for ejecting ink to the surface of the first recording medium,
Can set the first recording medium, and a first platen which forms a first surface in which the ink is discharged when set,
An inkjet fabric that prints a desired image on the first surface set on the first platen by relatively moving the inkjet head and the first platen while maintaining a predetermined distance. In the printing device,
A pair of second recording media can be set on the first platen, and a second surface that forms a second surface on which the ink is ejected when the pair of second recording media is set. features and to Louis ink jet fabric printing apparatus further comprising a platen. The inkjet fabric printing apparatus according to claim 1,
It said second platen, features and be Louis ink jet fabric printing apparatus that is detachable from the first platen. An inkjet fabric printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The second platen is provided at a different height from the first platen,
The ink-jet head and at least one of the second platen, features and to Louis tank that the distance between said ink jet head and the second platen is provided with a moving means for moving so that the predetermined distance Jet fabric printing device. An inkjet fabric printing apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3,
Wherein the first platen, the second feature and be Louis ink jet fabric printing apparatus that mark indicating a mounting position of the platen is attached. An inkjet head for ejecting ink to the surface of the first recording medium,
A platen on which the first recording medium can be set,
In the inkjet fabric printing apparatus for printing a desired image on the surface of the first recording medium set on the platen by relatively moving the inkjet head and the platen while maintaining a predetermined distance,
The platen has (1) a first attachment on which a first recording medium can be set and a first surface on which the ink is ejected when set, and (2) a second recording. A pair of media can be set, and at least two attachments can be exchanged and attached to a second attachment that forms a second surface on which the ink is ejected when the second recording medium is set. features and to Louis ink jet fabric printing apparatus that is. An inkjet fabric printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The image data to be printed on either the left or right side of the second recording medium is received from the host device, the image data is copied to the left or right side position, and the mirror image is copied to the left or right side position. features and to Louis ink jet fabric printing apparatus to print the data on the second recording medium.

Images