Printing apparatus and method for manufacturing can on which image is formed

A printing apparatus comprising:

• a conveyance unit that conveys a can in a cylindrical shape along a predetermined conveyance route;
• and
• an image formation unit that forms an image composed of a plurality of colors onto an outer circumferential surface of the can on the conveyance route by use of a plurality of inkjet heads prepared for the respective colors, wherein,
• among inkjet heads included in the plurality of inkjet heads, each of same-color inkjet heads ejecting ink of same color is disposed at a position different from one another in a conveyance direction of the can, and is disposed at a position, which is also a position against the can when image formation onto the can is performed, different from one another in an axial direction of the can and along the axial direction of the can, the each of the same-color inkjet heads performing image formation onto a partial region of the can in the axial direction thereof, and,
• at an adjacent location that is adjacent to at least one same-color inkjet head, among the individual same-color inkjet heads included in the same-color inkjet heads, which is also an adjacent location that is adjacent to the same-color inkjet head in a longitudinal direction thereof, an inkjet head that ejects ink of a color different from the same-color inkjet head toward the can is provided.

A printing apparatus comprising:

• a rotation unit that rotates a can in a cylindrical shape in a circumferential direction;
• and
• an image formation unit that forms an image composed of a plurality of colors onto an outer circumferential surface of the can rotated by the rotation unit by use of a plurality of inkjet heads prepared for the respective colors, wherein,
• among inkjet heads included in the plurality of inkjet heads, each of same-color inkjet heads ejecting ink of same color is disposed at a position different from one another in a rotation direction of the can, and is disposed at a position different from one another in an axial direction of the can and along the axial direction of the can, to perform image formation onto a partial region of the can in the axial direction thereof, and,
• at an adjacent location that is adjacent to at least one same-color inkjet head, among the individual same-color inkjet heads included in the same-color inkjet heads, which is also an adjacent location that is adjacent to the same-color inkjet head in a longitudinal direction thereof, an inkjet head that ejects ink of a color different from the same-color inkjet head toward the can is provided.

A method for manufacturing a can on which an image is formed, the method comprising:

• conveying a can in a cylindrical shape along a predetermined conveyance route;
• and
• forming an image composed of a plurality of colors onto an outer circumferential surface of the can on the conveyance route by use of a plurality of inkjet heads prepared for the respective colors, wherein,
• among inkjet heads included in the plurality of inkjet heads, each of same-color inkjet heads ejecting ink of same color is disposed at a position different from one another in a conveyance direction of the can, and is disposed at a position, which is also a position against the can when image formation onto the can is performed, different from one another in an axial direction of the can and along the axial direction of the can, the each of the same-color inkjet heads performing image formation onto a partial region of the can in the axial direction thereof, and,
• at an adjacent location that is adjacent to at least one same-color inkjet head, among the individual same-color inkjet heads included in the same-color inkjet heads, which is also an adjacent location that is adjacent to the same-color inkjet head in a longitudinal direction thereof, an inkjet head that ejects ink of a color different from the same-color inkjet head toward the can is provided.

A method for manufacturing a can on which an image is formed, the method comprising:

• rotating a can in a cylindrical shape in a circumferential direction;
• and
• forming an image composed of a plurality of colors onto an outer circumferential surface of the rotating can by use of a plurality of inkjet heads prepared for the respective colors, wherein,
• among inkjet heads included in the plurality of inkjet heads, each of same-color inkjet heads ejecting ink of same color is disposed at a position different from one another in a rotation direction of the can, and is disposed at a position different from one another in an axial direction of the can and along the axial direction of the can, to perform image formation onto a partial region of the can in the axial direction thereof, and,
• at an adjacent location that is adjacent to at least one same-color inkjet head, among the individual same-color inkjet heads included in the same-color inkjet heads, which is also an adjacent location that is adjacent to the same-color inkjet head in a longitudinal direction thereof, an inkjet head that ejects ink of a color different from the same-color inkjet head toward the can is provided.