JPS624235B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for printing on non-planar surfaces such as curved surfaces and irregularly shaped surfaces.

A liquid tank that stores a liquid, for example, water, and a printed pattern support sheet, which has a pattern to be printed on the surface of a thin film soluble in the liquid, is supplied so as to float above the liquid level in this liquid tank. A curved surface printing device comprising a printing pattern support sheet feeding device is known (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 51-21914).

In this type of printing device, when the printing pattern support sheet comes into contact with the liquid surface, its soluble thin film is partially dissolved in the liquid to the extent necessary for transfer, and the pattern to be printed is placed on the liquid surface together with the partially dissolved thin film. Since the pattern floats on the surface of the liquid, when the surface of the article to be printed is pressed down and immersed in the liquid, the pattern adheres to the surface to be printed by the liquid pressure. Therefore, when the article is pulled out of the liquid and the thin film is washed away with the liquid, the transfer printing of the pattern is completed.

This type of printing device is advantageous in that it can print any pattern even if the surface to be printed is non-flat, such as a curved surface or an irregularly shaped surface, and can be printed on surfaces such as plastic wall clock cases, TV and radio cabinets, etc. suitable for printing.

In known printing devices of this type, the liquid that floats the printed pattern support sheet in the liquid tank must flow within the liquid tank to move the printed pattern support sheet.

The present invention provides a curved surface printing device that provides uniform flow to the liquid in the liquid tank and does not cause ripples or bubbles on the liquid surface.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The curved surface printing apparatus of the present invention is comprised of a printed pattern support sheet feeding device A shown in FIG. 1, and a pattern transfer device B to an article shown in FIG.

The printed pattern support sheet feeding device A has a frame 1, and the frame 1 is provided with a bearing 2 that detachably and rotatably supports a roll R of the printed pattern support sheet S. This bearing constitutes a printed pattern support sheet storage device.

The printed pattern support sheet S is made of, for example, a thin film of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol with a desired pattern printed in advance on one side. In this case, the pattern printed on the thin film may be printed in a single color, but is preferably printed in multiple colors.

The roll R has a pattern printed on one side of the sheet S, and the sheet S is pulled out from the roll R via guide rolls 3 and 4. A solvent coating device 5 is provided next to the guide roll 4, and the sheet S is passed through this solvent coating device 5. The solvent coating device includes a plate cylinder 7 driven by a motor M via a chain 6, an impression cylinder 8 in contact with the top of the plate cylinder 7, and a plate cylinder 7 that applies a solvent to the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 7. It is comprised of a liquid pan 9 that stores a solvent in which the lower part of the blade is immersed, and a doctor blade 10. As the plate cylinder 7 rotates, the solvent in the liquid pan 9 is leveled by the doctor blade 10 and applied to the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 7 in a uniform thickness, and is applied to the pattern printing surface of the print pattern support sheet S. . As a result, the pigments and resin that make up the printing pattern applied to the surface of the sheet S are partially dissolved and activated to the extent that they do not dissolve and flow out due to the solvent, and are activated as if they were immediately after printing. It becomes sticky.

Note that the plate cylinder 7 may be used simply to apply a solvent, but it can also be used to further apply a gravure coat of another color to the preprinted printing pattern on the sheet S and to activate it. Further, as the solvent coating device 5, any other coating device such as a roll coater can be used.

The sheet S having the printed pattern activated by applying the solvent as described above is further transferred to the reversing roll 11.
and is sent to the destination via guide rolls 12. After passing the reversing roll 11, the printed pattern of the sheet S is located on the upper surface of the sheet.

The sheet S is then passed through suction rolls 13 and 14.
It is sent further by the rotation of . The suction roll 13 is connected to the chain 1 by the motor M.
5 and 16, and the suction roll 14 is driven through the chain 1 by the suction roll 13.
7. suction roll 13,
14 has a large number of suction roll holes on its outer periphery, and is connected to a vacuum pump via pipes 13a and 14a, and the sheet S is passed through the suction holes.
feed to the sheet S while absorbing it. From the suction roll 14, the sheet S is fed further along a downwardly sloping delivery plate 18 and into a pattern transfer device B. Note that only one suction roll may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pattern transfer device B includes a tank 20. As shown in FIG. This tank 20 is formed to be long in the feeding direction of the sheet S. For example, when using a sheet made of a water-soluble thin film, the tank 20 has water inside it.
(Figure 3) is stored. As shown in Figure 3,
Printed pattern support sheet feeding device A of water tank 20
A water flow generator 21 is provided at the end closest to. This water flow generating device 21 is composed of a box body having an opening 22 connected to the discharge side of a pump (not shown) that pumps up water flowing out from an overflow part (not shown) provided at the other end of the water tank 20. As is clear from FIG. 4, this box has an enlarged portion 25 at the top, and a slit 24 is formed in the width direction of the water tank 20 in the front surface of the enlarged portion. The enlarged part 25 is provided across the entire width of the aquarium 20,
Therefore, the slit 24, which is provided over substantially the entire width of the enlarged portion, has a length that spans substantially the entire width of the aquarium 20. The height of the slit 24 is
It is set to be slightly below the water surface in the water tank 20. A deflector 23 is provided inside the box between the opening 22 and the slit 24. Therefore, the water is directed upward by the deflector and sent out from the slit 24 as a rectified stream while being uniformly distributed over the entire width of the box. In this case, since the slit 24 is located below the water surface, the water surface does not ripple or bubble due to the water flow blown out from the slit 24, and a quiet flow is imparted to the water surface. This flow occurs over the entire width of the tank 20 because the slit 24 spans the entire width of the tank 20.

5 and 6 show a modification of the water flow generator. This water flow generating device is indicated by 21A and is composed of a box body 26 and a pipe 27. The pipe 27 is connected to the discharge side of a pump (not shown), and water is supplied into the box body 26 through this pipe. The box body 26 is provided with a slit 24 across its entire width, similar to the previous embodiment. Further, a deflector 23 is provided within the box body 26 in the same manner as in the previous example. In addition, the pipe 27 is 2
It is also possible to have more than one pump and connect them to a common pump. Also in this modification, the slit 24
is located below the water surface. Note that the direction of the water jet from the slit 24 does not necessarily have to be horizontal, and may be inclined upward or downward.

Water flow forming device 21B shown in FIGS. 7 and 8
In this case, the water flow is formed by an overflow method instead of using a method of blowing out the water flow using a slit. That is, the box body 28 connected to the pipe 27 has an open top surface, and its front end wall is lowered as shown by 28a.
An overflow guide plate 29 is provided thereon. The overflow guide plate 29 has rising flanges 29A on both sides and is inclined toward the front, and supplies water overflowing from the box body 28 on the outside of the water tank 20 into the water tank in the form of a thin film. Gives flow to the water surface.

Water flow forming device 21 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10
In C, a weir is provided in the tank to form a water flow using an overflow method, and an overflow adjustment plate 60 is attached to the top of the weir, and the height of the weir can be adjusted. The water supplied through the pipe 27 is adjusted appropriately to give a flow to the water surface in the tank.

The printed pattern support sheet S, which descends while being guided by the delivery plate 18, is fed onto the surface of the water W in the water tank 20, as shown in FIG. It can be done. As it is carried away by the water stream, the water-soluble thin film of polyvinyl alcohol or the like constituting the sheet S gradually dissolves in the water, swells and becomes partially dissolved, and is supported by this partially dissolved thin film. The pattern will float on the water surface. In this state, the sheet S is S1 in FIG.
Obtained when the position shown is reached. Therefore,
When the article E, which has a non-flat surface such as a curved or irregular surface, is pushed downward into the water as shown by the arrow Y toward the printed pattern floating on the water surface at the position shown by S1, it comes into contact with the water surface. The pattern instantly attached to the surface of the article E is pressed against the surface of the article by water pressure when the article is immersed in water, and is adhesively transferred to the surface of the article by the adhesive force of the activated pattern. Therefore, the transfer is completed when the article E is pulled out of the water and washed to remove the thin film.

When the article is pushed down towards the sheet S at position S1, the part of the sheet where the water-soluble film is insufficiently soluble in the water is pushed downstream in conjunction with the pattern floating on the water surface being pushed into the water. It is pulled toward the side, causing disturbance to the sheet floating on the water surface on the upstream side. This disturbance of the sheet is undesirable because it disturbs the pattern.

In order to avoid such inconveniences, the illustrated embodiment provides the following means. That is, a pair of support members 30, 30, 31, 31 are provided at the upstream end and downstream end of the water tank 20, respectively, and sprocket wheels 32, 33, and 34 are provided at the upper and lower ends of each support member 30, 31, respectively. 35 are provided respectively. On each side of the water tank 20, sprocket wheels 32, 34, 35,
An endless chain 37 is spanned over 33. At least one of the sprocket wheels is connected to a motor as a drive sprocket wheel, and a chain 37 is fed as shown by arrow Z.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, a printed pattern support sheet lifting member 40 is connected between the two chains 37, 37 moving in parallel at a constant interval in the direction of movement of the chains. In the illustrated embodiment, the lifting member 40 consists of a U-shaped bar. That is, this bar is a horizontal bar 40a in a direction perpendicular to the direction X of water flow.
and vertical bars 40b perpendicular thereto, and each of the vertical bars 40b is connected to the chain 37 by a connecting member. In this embodiment, the connecting member is a pin 41 connected to the chain 37.
, a pin 42 connected to the vertical bar 40b, and a bar 43 connecting these pins 41 and 42. Incidentally, since the lifting action is performed by the horizontal bar 40a as described later, the vertical bar 40b is not necessarily required.

The above-mentioned chain 37 is located in the middle part of the water tank 20.
As shown in FIG. 2, it is guided by idler sprocket wheels 45 and 46 and moves almost horizontally along the inner sides of both side walls of the water tank. In this case, the height at which the chain 37 moves is such that the lifting member 40, which is supported by the chain and moves in the direction of water flow, is
Set it so that it sinks slightly below the surface. This is to prevent the sheet S floating on the water surface from being disturbed by the movement of the lifting member 40.

On the other hand, in the middle of the horizontal movement path of the chain 37 between the sprocket wheels 45 and 46, a pair of opposing lifting cams 50 are provided along the inside of both side walls of the water tank. This lifting cam 50
is located slightly upstream of the position S1 where the water-soluble thin film of the sheet S melts to the extent necessary for transfer, and when the chain 37 passes through this position, a cam surface is formed that lifts it somewhat upward. have (3rd
figure). Therefore, when the lifting member 40 reaches the position of the cam 50, it is lifted slightly above the water surface as shown in FIG. will be lifted upwards. After passing the area of the cam 50, the lifting member 40 descends again and sinks below the water surface.

As described above, when the sheet S is slightly lifted, the sheet S has self-shape retention because its water-soluble thin film has not yet dissolved to the extent necessary for transfer. It is not disturbed by lifting.

In this way, by immersing the article E in water for transfer at the location S1 where the water-soluble thin film has been dissolved to the extent necessary for transfer, an adverse effect will spread to the sheet S on the upstream side. Even if the sheet S is partially lifted above the water surface by the lifting member 40, the influence of immersion of the article is cut off at the position of the lifting member 40, and It does not reach upstream. Note that the lifting member 40 is fed by the chain 37 at a speed that does not cause wrinkles or the like on the sheet below the water surface (a speed that takes into account the feeding speed of the sheet S and the speed of spreading due to swelling of the sheet). Since it is always submerged below the water surface, it does not disturb the sea above the water surface.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the tank 20
Water is stored inside, but any liquid other than water can be used. In this case, the thin film of the sheet S is made of a material soluble in the liquid.

As described above with respect to the embodiments, the present invention provides a curved surface printing apparatus in which printing is performed by floating a printing pattern support sheet in a liquid in a liquid tank and pressing the printing surface of an article onto this. In addition, it is possible to provide a uniform and undisturbed flow over the entire width of the liquid tank, thereby allowing the printing pattern support sheet to flow from the upstream to the downstream end of the liquid tank in a condition suitable for printing. It becomes possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printed pattern support sheet feeding device of a curved surface printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a pattern transfer device to an article, and FIG. 3 is a pattern transfer device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the water flow generator as the liquid flow generator shown in FIG. 3, and FIG.
The figure is a vertical sectional view showing another example of the water flow generator, No. 6
7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing another example of the water flow generating device, FIG. 8 is a perspective view thereof, FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing another example of the water flow generating device, and FIG. The figure is a perspective view of the same, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view showing the sheet lifting member. A... Print pattern support sheet feeding device, B...
Pattern transfer device, S...Printed pattern support sheet, S1...Sheet S dissolved to the extent necessary for transfer, R...Roll of sheet S, M...Motor, W...Liquid (water), 5...Solvent coating device, 7... Plate cylinder, 8...impression cylinder, 9...liquid pan, 10...doctor blade, 1
3, 14... Suction roll, 21, 21A, 2
1B, 21C...Liquid (water) flow generator, 20...Liquid (water) tank, 23...Deflector, 24...Slit, 29...Slope overflow guide plate, 37...Chain, 4
0... Seat lifting member, 40a... Horizontal bar of the seat lifting member, 50... Lifting cam, 60... Overflow adjustment plate.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A liquid tank for storing a liquid, and above the liquid level in this liquid tank,
In the curved surface printing apparatus, the liquid tank has a printing pattern support sheet feeding device that feeds a printing pattern support sheet, which is formed by providing a pattern to be printed on a curved surface on the surface of a thin film soluble in the liquid, so as to float it. A liquid flow generating device is provided to flow the liquid in one direction to float the printed pattern support sheet within.
This liquid flow generating device is located near the end of the liquid tank at the most upstream part with respect to the liquid flow, and is arranged near the liquid level in the liquid tank over almost the entire width of the end of the liquid tank. A curved surface printing device characterized by having a sending section. 2. The curved surface printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid delivery section is formed by a slit provided in a box. 3. The curved surface printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a deflector for the supplied liquid is provided inside the box. 4. The curved surface printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid delivery section is constituted by a box with an open top and an inclined overflow guide plate fixed to the box. 5. The curved surface printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid delivery section is formed by providing a weir at an upstream portion of the liquid tank.