The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-057462, filed on Mar. 30, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a line head assembly having a plurality of heads of a circulating type which are arranged in a staggered manner, a printing apparatus provided with the same, and a method of flowing a liquid in a line head assembly.
A certain publicly known printing apparatus is provided with a line head having two head rows (a first head row and a second head row), and two tanks (a first tank and a second tank) corresponding to the two head rows, respectively. The first head row and the second head row are arranged to be shifted from each other in an extending direction of the head rows. With this, a plurality of heads included in the two head rows are arranged, as a whole, in a staggered manner. Further, each of the plurality of heads has two nozzle rows (a first nozzle row and a second nozzle row). The inside of each of the two tanks is divided into a first ink chamber and a second ink chamber corresponding to the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row, respectively.
The first tank is arranged at a location above the first head row. Further, the first ink chamber of the first tank is located at a location above the first nozzle row of each of heads, among the plurality of heads, which are included in the first head row. Furthermore, the second ink chamber of the first tank is located at a location above the second nozzle row of each of the heads, among the plurality of heads, which are included in the first head row. This is similarly applicable also to the second tank. With this, ink supply channels each of which connects one of the four ink chambers and one of the four nozzle rows can be easily formed, thereby making it possible to supply an ink individually to each of the four nozzle rows included in the first and second head rows.
In the recent years, a head of a circulating type is adopted for stabilizing the state of the ink, in some cases. With respect to this, in the publicly known printing apparatus as described above, the plurality of heads arranged in the staggered manner are not head of the circulating type.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique of distributing and collecting (recovering) a liquid, such as an ink, etc., appropriately with respect to each of head rows in a line head in which a plurality of heads of the circulating type are arranged in the staggered manner.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a line head assembly including: a line head and a tank. The line head includes a first head, a second head and a third head arranged in a first direction. The second head is arranged between the first head and the third head in the first direction. Positions, in a second direction crossing the first direction, of the first head and the third head are same, and the positions of the first head and the third head in the second direction are different from a position in the second direction of the second head. The tank is located above the line head in an up-down direction crossing the first direction and the second direction. Each of the first head, the second head and the third head includes: a first intra-head channel including a first pressure chamber and a first nozzle; a first supply port connected to one end of the first intra-head channel; and a first discharge port connected to the other end of the first intra-head channel. The tank includes: a first supply channel connected to the first supply port of the first head, the first supply port of the second head and the first supply port of the third head; and a first discharge channel connected to the first discharge port of the first head, the first discharge port of the second head and the first discharge port of the third head.
In the above-described configuration, the first to third heads of the line head are arranged in the staggered manner. Further, the tank arranged at the location above the line head has the first supply channel connected to the first supply port of each of the first to third heads, and the first discharge channel connected to the discharge port of each of the first to third heads. With this, it is possible to supply the liquid from the first supply channel to the first supply port of each of the first to third heads, and to recover (collect) the liquid from the first discharge port of each of the first to third heads to the first discharge channel. With this, it is possible to easily realize a head of the circulating type.
In the following, a printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained, based on the drawings. In
As depicted in
As depicted in
As depicted in
As depicted in
A lower surface 11b of each of the heads 11 is a nozzle surface in which a plurality of nozzles 11a are formed. As depicted in
As described above, the ten heads 11 in each of the line head assemblies 10 (line heads 20) form the two head rows. As described above, each of the ten heads 11 has the two nozzle rows. Since it is possible to discharge or eject different color inks from the respective nozzle rows, each of the ten heads 11 is capable of ejecting two color inks, at most. A white ink is supplied from one of the five ink reservoirs 8 to ten heads 11 of a line head assembly 10 which is arranged on the rearmost side (arranged closest to the upstream side in the conveying direction) among the three line head assemblies 10. The white ink is usable for underlayer printing. A yellow ink and a magenta ink are supplied, respectively, from two of the five ink reservoirs 8 to ten heads 11 of a line head assembly 10 which is arranged second from the rear side (second from the upstream side in the conveying direction) among the three line head assemblies 10. The yellow ink is ejected from a nozzle row which is arranged on the rear side (the upstream side in the conveying direction) among the two nozzle rows; and the magenta ink is ejected from a nozzle row which is arranged on the front side (the downstream side in the conveying direction) among the two nozzle rows, of each of the heads 11. A cyan ink and a black ink are supplied, respectively, from two of the five ink reservoirs 8 to ten heads 11 of a line head assembly 10 which is arranged on the frontmost side (arranged closest to the downstream side in the conveying direction) among the three line head assemblies 10. The cyan ink is ejected from a nozzle row which is arranged on the rear side (the upstream side in the conveying direction) among the two nozzle rows; and the black ink is ejected from a nozzle row which is arranged on the front side (the downstream side in the conveying direction) among the two nozzle rows, of each of the heads 11. In the present embodiment, the inks are ejected from the three line head assemblies 10 which are arranged in the conveying direction in an order of a light (pale) color ink to a deep color ink from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the conveying direction, as described above. Note that in the present embodiment, each of the white ink, the yellow ink, the magenta ink, the cyan ink and the black ink is an UV-curable ink. The viscosity of the UV-curable ink varies or changes greatly depending on the temperature. In order to avoid any unsatisfactory ejection, it is necessary to maintain the viscosity of the ink within an appropriate range. For this purpose, it is necessary to maintain the temperature of the UV-curable ink at an appropriate temperature.
The controller 7 is provided with a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Note that the controller 7 may be provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The controller 7 is connected to an external apparatus 9 such as a PC, etc., to be capable of data communication, and controls the respective parts or components of the printing apparatus 1 based on print data transmitted from the external apparatus 9.
The controller 7 controls the motor driving the rotating shafts 4C and 4D and the motor driving the conveying rollers 5A and 5B so as to causes the two conveying rollers 5A and 5B to convey the recording medium 4 in the conveying direction. Further, the controller 7 controls the three line head assemblies 10 so as to eject the ink(s) from the nozzles 11a toward the recording medium 4. With this, an image is printed on the recording medium 4.
<Configuration of Line Head Assembly 10>
Next, the structure of the line head assembly 10 will be explained, with reference to the drawings. Note that since the three line head assemblies 10 has a same structure, the explanation will be made regarding one of the line head assemblies 10. As described above, the three line head assemblies 10 are arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane at the mutually different angles, respectively. However, in order to simplify the explanation, in the following description, the direction(s) is (are) defined on the premise that the line head assemblies 10 are arranged perpendicularly with respect to the horizontal plane. As depicted in
<First Casing 100 and Second Casing 200>
As depicted in
As depicted in
The second casing 200 has such a shape that two rectangular parallelepipeds of which heights are mutually different are combined, and has, for example, a substantially shape of a letter “L” as seen from the front-rear direction. The upper surface of the second casing 200 has a first top plate 201a, a second top plate 201b which is positioned on the right side and on the upper side of the first top plate 201a, and a connecting wall 201c which links the first top plate 201a and the second top plate 201b and extends in the up-down direction. The connecting wall 201c expands in the width direction (front-rear direction) and the up-down direction, and is orthogonal to the depth direction (left-right direction). An opening 205 is formed in the first top plate 201a. Note that an opening area of the opening 105 formed in the lower surface of the first casing 100 and an opening area of the opening 205 formed in the first top plate 201a of the second casing 200 are approximately same. In a case that the first casing 100 is arranged to be overlaid on the upper surface of the second casing (the first top plate 201a) from thereabove, the two openings 105 and 205 overlap with each other in the up-down direction.
A second grip 208a is provided on a side wall 202L on the left side of the second casing 200, and a third grip 208b is provided on the second top plate 201b of the second casing 200. An electric power input port 211, four ink ports 221 and a set of cooling water ports 225 are provided on a side wall 202R on the right side of the second casing 200. The set of cooling water ports 225 are each a port for circulating a cooling water for cooling the heads 11. A non-illustrated piezoelectric actuator provided in the inside of each of the heads 11 generates heat accompanying with being driven. Accordingly, in a case that the head 11 is not sufficiently cooled, any unevenness in the temperature occurs in the head 11, due to which any difference in the viscosity occurs, in some cases, between a certain nozzle 11a and another nozzle 11a. In such a case, even in a case that a driving signal of a same waveform is inputted, there is such a fear that any difference in the size might arise between an ink droplet of the ink ejected from the certain nozzle 11a and an ink droplet of the ink ejected from the another nozzle 11a, in some cases, and which might lead to any lowering in the print quality. In view of this, in the present embodiment, the cooling water is introduced from the set of cooling water ports 225 so as to cool the heads 11. A non-illustrated electric power cable from a non-illustrated external power source is connected to the electric power input port 211. The four ink ports 221 has a first ink supply port 222f, a second ink supply port 223f, a first ink discharge port 222d, and a second ink discharge port 223d. The first ink supply port 222f and the first ink discharge port 222d construct a pair, and are connected to a same ink reservoir 8 (see
As depicted in
As depicted in
<Relay Substrate 300>
As depicted in
The relay substrate 300 is provided with non-illustrated wirings each connected to one of 10 pieces of the first connector 301 and one of 10 pieces of the second connector 302. With this, the second connectors 302 arranged on the lower surface of the relay substrate 300 and the first connectors 301 arranged on the first surface of the relay substrate 300 are electrically connected. Further, the relay substrate 300 has non-illustrated electrical source wirings connected to the power source connector 303 and the ten first connectors 301, and non-illustrated electrical source wirings connected to the power source connector 303 and the ten second connectors 302. With this, the relay substrate 300 is capable of supplying the electric power from the non-illustrated external power source to a device, etc., connected to each of the first connectors 301 and the second connectors 302. Note that the non-illustrate external power source is different from a power source 112, of the rigid substrate 110, which will be described later on.
<Rigid Substrate 110>
As depicted in
The power source 112 mounted on the first surface 110a of each of the rigid substrates 110 is a power source element configured to generate the driving signal of the non-illustrated piezoelectric actuator included in the head 11. The power source 112 is not mounted on the second surface 110b of each of the rigid substrates 110; circuit elements configured to process a high speed signal are mounted on the second surface 110b, as the plurality of circuit elements 113. A height of the power source 112 mounted on the first surface 110a of each of the rigid substrates 110 is higher than a height of one of the plurality of circuit elements 113 mounted on the second surface 110b of each of the rigid substrates 110. Note that the term “height” described herein represents a height from each of the first surface 110a and the second surface 110b in a normal direction perpendicular to the rigid substrate 110 (parallel to the front-rear direction in
The connector 111 is arranged on a lower end of each of the rigid substrates 110, and is inserted into each of the first connectors 301 of the relay substrate 300. With this, the rigid substrates 110 are fixed so as to stand perpendicularly with respect to the relay substrate 300 (see
As described above, the fan 120 is capable of feeding wind or airflow in the aligning direction of the rows of the rigid substrates 110 (the depth direction, the left-right direction). Since the direction in which the airflow is fed is a direction parallel to the first surface 110a and the second surface 110b of each of the rigid substrates 110, the rigid substrates 110 do not hinder the flow of the airflow. Accordingly, it is possible to feed the air flow fed from the fan 120 up to the back (inner part) of the first casing 100, along the aligning direction of the rows of the rigid substrates 110 (the depth direction, the left-right direction), thereby making it possible to efficiently cool the 10 pieces of the rigid substrate 110.
The above-described distances L1 and L2 each correspond to the distance between the first surface 110a having the power sources 112 mounted thereon and the side surface of the first casing 100, and the above-described distance L3 corresponds to the distance between the second surfaces 110b on each of which the power source 112 is not mounted. As described above, since the distances L1 and L2 are greater than the distance L3, it is possible to send the airflow efficiently to the power sources 112 of which heat generating amount is great and to cool the power sources 112.
Next, members arranged in the second space S2 will be explained. The lower surface of the relay substrate 300 is exposed in the second space S2 of the second casing 200. Further, the line head 20 including the ten heads 11, the ten flexible substrates 280, the tank 400, the heater 250, and the plurality of tubes 416 connected to the heads 11 and the tank 400 are arranged in the second space S2.
<Flexible Substrate 280>
One end of each of the flexible substrates 280 is connected to one of the second connectors 302 of the relay substrate 300. Further, the other end of each of the flexible substrates 280 is connected to one of the heads 11. Note that, as described above, the second connectors 302 of the relay substrate 300 are electrically connected to the first connectors 301 arranged on the upper surface of the relay substrate 300, and further that the first connectors 301 are electrically connected to the connectors 111 of the rigid substrates 110. Namely, the rigid substrates 110, each of which is a head controlling substrate configured to drive and control one of the heads 11, is connected to one of the heads 11 via the relay substrate 300 and one of the flexible substrates 280. With this, each of the rigid substrates 110 is capable of transmitting a control signal with respect to one of the heads 11, such as the driving signal with respect to the non-illustrated piezoelectric actuator of one of the heads 11, via the relay substrate 300 and one of the flexible substrates 280.
<Tank 400>
As depicted in
As depicted in
A first supply port 458 connected to the first supply channel 450, a first discharge port 468 connected to the first discharge channel 460, a second discharge port 488 connected to the second discharge channel 480, and a second supply port 478 connected to the second supply channel 470 are provided on a side wall 413R on the right side of the tank body 413.
<Ink Channel Inside Tank 400>
Next, an ink channel formed in the inside of the tank 400 will be explained in further detail. As depicted in
As depicted in
As depicted in
As depicted in
As depicted in
Corresponding to the above-described arrangement of the first supply port 16, the first discharge port 17, the second supply port 18 and the second discharge port 18 in the upper surface of each of the heads 11, the other end 452b of each of the first branched supply channels 452, the other end 462b of each of the first branched discharge channels 462, the other end 472b of each of the second branched supply channels 472 and the other end 482b of each of the second branched discharge channels 482 are arranged in a similar manner, as depicted in
As described above, corresponding to that the ten heads 11 are arranged in the staggered manner so as to form the two head rows extending in the left-right direction, the set of the other end 452b of each of the first branched supply channels 452, the other end 462b of each of the first branched discharge channels 462, the other end 472b of each of the second branched supply channels 472 and the other end 482b of each of the second branched discharge channels 482, which corresponds to one head 11, are also arranged in a staggered manner so as to form two rows extending in the left-right direction. Namely, the set of the other end 452b of each of the first branched supply channels 452, the other end 462b of each of the first branched discharge channels 462, the other end 472b of each of the second branched supply channels 472, and the other end 482b of each of the second branched discharge channels 482, which corresponds to one head 11, are arranged at positions overlapping, respectively, with the first supply port 16, the first discharge port 17, the second supply port 18 and the second discharge port 19 of the head 11, in the up-down direction.
<Shape of First Branched Supply Channel 452 (Second Branched Supply Channel 472)>
Next, the shape of the first branched supply channel 452 will be explained, with reference to the drawings. Note that since the second branched supply channel 472 has a shape which is symmetrical to the first branched supply channel 452 with respect to a line X in
In the following explanation, the first main supply channel 451, the first main discharge channel 461, the second main supply channel 471 and the second main discharge channel 481 are collectively referred to as “main channels”. As depicted in
<Shape of First Branched Discharge Channel 462 (Second Branched Discharge Channel 482)>
Next, the shape of the first branched discharge channel 462 will be explained, with reference to the drawings. Note that since the second branched discharge channel 482 has a shape which is symmetrical to the first branched discharge channel 462 with respect to the line X in
As depicted in
Further, as depicted in
<Connection Between Tank 400 and Heads 11>
Next, connection between the tank 400 and the heads 11 will be explained. Although not depicted in the drawings, the other end 452b of each of the first branched supply channels 452 and the first supply port 16 of one of the heads 11 is connected by the tube 416. Similarly, the other end 462b of each of the first branched discharge channels 462 and the first discharge port 17 of one of the heads 11 is connected by the tube 416. The other end 472b of each of the second branched supply channels 472 and the second supply port 18 of one of the heads 11 is connected by the tube 416. The other end 482b of each of the second branched discharge channels 482 and the second discharge port 19 of one of the heads 11 is connected by the tube 416. As described above, the other end 452b of each of the first branched supply channels 452, the other end 462b of each of the first branched discharge channels 462, the other end 472b of each of the second branched supply channels 472 and the other end 482b of each of the second branched discharge channels 482 which corresponds to one piece of the head 11 are located, respectively, at positions overlapping in the up-down direction with the first supply port 16, the first discharge port 17, the second supply port 18 and the second discharge port 19, respectively, of the head 11. With this, it is possible to provide the connection in a state that the tubes 416 are extended so as not to cross one another, which in turn allows usage of tubes 416 of a same length.
<Heater 250>
In the present embodiment, since the UV-curable ink is used, it is necessary to maintain the temperature of the ink at a predetermined temperature. Accordingly, each of the line head assemblies 10 in the present embodiment is provided with the heater 250 configured to warm or heat the ink in the inside of the tubes 416 connected to the tank 400 and the head 11. As depicted in
<Circulation of Ink>
Next, the ink circulating routes will be explained, with referenced to
Next, an explanation will be given about an ink circulating route included in the ink circulating routes and corresponding to the other of the two nozzle rows included in the head 11, with reference to
<Action and Effect of Embodiment>
Each of the line head assemblies 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with the line head 20 including the ten heads 11, and the tank 400 positioned above the line head 20. The ten heads 11 are aligned in two rows so that the five heads 11 are arranged in the left-right direction in each of the two rows. Between two heads 11, which are included in the five heads 11 and which are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction in one of the two rows, a head 11 belonging to the other of the two rows is arranged. Namely, the ten heads 11 are arranged in a staggered manner. Note that all the ten heads 11 are heads of the circulating type.
Each of the heads 11 includes the first supply port 16. The ink is supplied from the first supply channel 450 of the tank 400 with respect to the first supply port 16 of each of the ten heads 11 which are arranged in the staggered manner. Further, each of the heads 11 is provided with the first discharge port 17. The ink discharged from the first discharge port 17 of each of the ten heads 11 which are arranged in the staggered manner is returned to the first discharge channel 460 of the tank 400. By the configuration as described above, it is possible to appropriately distribute and recover the ink with respect to the line head 20 in which the heads 11 are arranged in the staggered manner.
In the present embodiment, the first supply channel 450 has the first main supply channel 451 and the ten first branched supply channel 452 branched from the first main supply channel 451. The first discharge channel 460 has the first main discharge channel 461 and the ten first branched discharge channel 462 branched from the first main discharge channel 461. Note that among the ten first branched supply channels 452, the other end 452b of each of the five first branched supply channels 452 is connected to the first supply port 16 of one of the five heads 11 aligned in a row in the left-right direction. Similarly, among the ten first branched supply channels 452, the other end 452b of each of the other five first branched supply channels 452 is connected to the first supply port 16 of one of the other five heads 11 aligned in another row in the left-right direction. Similarly, among the ten first branched discharge channels 462, the other end 462b of each of the five first branched discharge channels 462 is connected to the first discharge port 17 of one of the five heads 11 aligned in a row in the left-right direction. Further, among the ten first branched discharge channels 462, the other end 462b of each of the other five first branched discharge channels 462 is connected to the first discharge port 17 of one of the other five heads 11 aligned in another row in the left-right direction. Owing to such a configuration, it is possible to easily distribute and recover the ink by using the first branched supply channels 452 and the first branched discharge channels 462 formed in the inside of the tank 400.
In the above-described embodiment, the first branched supply channels 452 are located below the first main supply channel 451, and the first branched discharge channels 462 are located below the first main discharge channel 461. Owing to such a configuration, even in a case that any air bubble enters into the first branched supply channel 452 and the first branched discharge channel 462, it is possible to release the air bubble to the first main supply channel 451 and the first main discharge channel 461 located above the first branched supply channel 452 and the first branched discharge channel 462, respectively. With this, it is possible to avoid any generation of air accumulation in the first branched supply channel 452 and the first branched discharge channel 462, and to easily remove the air bubble from the first branched supply channel 452 and the first branched discharge channel 462.
In the embodiment, the position in the front-rear direction and the position in the left-right direction of the other end 452b of each of the ten first branched supply channels 452 are coincident, respectively, with the position in the front-rear direction and the position in the left-right direction of the first supply port 16 of one of the ten heads 10. Further, the position in the front-rear direction and the position in the left-right direction of the other end 462b of each of the ten first branched discharge channels 462 are coincident, respectively, with the position in the front-rear direction and the position in the left-right direction of the first discharge port 17 of one of the ten heads 10. Note that the phrase “the position(s) is(are) coincident with” does not mean that the position(s) is (are) strictly coincident, and rather means that the position(s) is (are) coincident within any manufacturing error and any attachment error. Owing to such a configuration, since the tank 400 and the line head 20 overlap with each other in the up-down direction, it is possible to make the footprints of the tank 400 and the line head 20 be compact, and thus to make the size of the line head assembly 10 to be small.
In the embodiment, the upper surface 452U of the first branched supply channel 452 is inclined with respect to the plane including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Similarly, the upper surface 462U of the first branched discharge channel 462 is also inclined with respect to the plane including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Owing to such a configuration, it is possible to avoid any generation of air accumulation in the first branched supply channel 452 and the first branched discharge channel 462, and to easily remove the air bubble from the first branched supply channel 452 and the first branched discharge channel 462.
In the embodiment, the ten tubes 416 connected to the other ends 452b of the ten first branched supply channels 452 and the first support ports 16 of the ten heads 11, respectively, are parallel to the up-down direction. Similarly, the ten tubes 416 connected to the other ends 462b of the ten first branched discharge channels 462 and the first discharge ports 17 of the ten heads 11, respectively, are parallel to the up-down direction. Owing to such a configuration, it is possible to avoid any accumulation of air in the inside of the tubes 416. Further, in the embodiment, these tubes 416 all have a same length. Note that the term “same length” is not intended to mean a strictly same length. It is allowable that the lengths are different within any manufacturing error. In such a case, it is possible to use tubes of a same standard, thereby making it possible to reduce the cost of manufacture.
In the embodiment, the first main supply channel 451, the first main discharge channel 461, the second main supply channel 471 and the second main discharge channel 481 are arranged in the front-rear direction; the second branched supply channels 472 branched from the second main supply channel 471, which is arranged frontmost among the above-described four main channels 451, 461, 471 and 481, extend rearward. Further, the first branched supply channels 451 branched from the first main supply channel 451, which is arranged rearmost among the above-described four main channels 451, 461, 471 and 481, extend frontward.
Furthermore, among the above-described four main channels 451, 461, 471 and 481, the first main supply channel 451 and the second main supply channel 471 are arranged outside in the front-rear direction, and the first main discharge channel 461 and the second main discharge channel 481 are arranged inside in the front-rear direction. By arranging the main channels in such a manner, it is possible to prevent occurrence of any difference in temperature between the two supply channels supplying the ink to the head 11. Note that also in a case that the first main supply channel 451 and the second main supply channel 471 are arranged inside in the front-rear direction, and the first main discharge channel 461 and the second main discharge channel 481 are arranged outside in the front-rear direction, it is possible to similarly prevent occurrence of any difference in temperature between the two supply channels supplying the ink to the head 11.
In the embodiment, the ink passing through the first main supply channel 451 flows the ten first branched supply channels 452 and flows, respectively, into the first supply ports 16 of the ten heads 11. Further, the ink discharged from the first discharge ports 17 of the ten heads 11 passes the ten first branched discharge channels 462 and flows into the first main discharge channel 461. By causing the ink to flow in the line head assembly 10 in such a manner, it is possible to easily circulate the ink.
The above-described embodiment disclosed herein is exemplary in all the points, and is not restrictive or limiting. All the respective configurations indicated in the embodiment are not essential, and any omission may be made in each of the configuration, as necessary. For example, the number, arrangement, etc., of the line head assembly 10, the number, the arrangement, etc., of the head 11 included in one piece of the line head 20 may be appropriately changed. Further, the number, arrangement, etc., of the nozzle 11a included in each of the heads 11 may also be appropriately changed. Furthermore, in the embodiment, although the controller 7 is provided on the printing apparatus 1, the present disclosure is not limited to or restricted by such an aspect. For example, it is allowable to provide the controller 7 on the line head assembly 10.
In the above-described embodiment, the recording medium which is wound in the roll shape (for example, rolled paper or rolled paper sheet) is used as the recording medium 4. However, the present disclosure is not limited to or restricted by such an aspect; it is allowable to use a recording medium 4 of an appropriate shape and material, as necessary. In the embodiment, the structure, shape, material, etc., of the tank 400 may be changed as appropriate. For example, in the embodiment, the tank 400 is connected to the ten heads 11. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to such an aspect. For example, it is allowable that the tank 400 is divided into three parts or portions, and that the divided three parts are connected, respectively, to four heads 11, four heads 11 and two heads 11. Further, the printing apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment is provided with the three line head assemblies 10 and is configured to discharge the five color inks which are the white ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink and black ink. The present disclosure is not limited to such an aspect; it is allowable that the printing apparatus 1 is configured to discharge an ink of an appropriate color. Further, in the embodiment, the UV-curable ink is used. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to such an aspect; it is allowable to use an ink different from the UV-curable ink (for example, a water-based ink, a pigment ink, etc.).
Further, the application of the present disclosure is not limited to a printing apparatus of the ink-jet system which is configured to discharge or eject an ink. Further, the present disclosure is applicable also to a printing apparatus usable in a variety of kinds of application which are different from printing of an image, etc. For example, it is possible to apply the present disclosure to a printing apparatus configured to form a conductive pattern on a surface of a substrate by discharging a conductive liquid onto the substrate. The scope of the present disclosure is intended to encompass all the changes within the scope of the claims, and the scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2021-057462 | Mar 2021 | JP | national |
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Entry |
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Extended European Search Report issued in corresponding European Patent Application No. 22162104.8, dated Aug. 1, 2022. |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20220314622 A1 | Oct 2022 | US |