Light irradiation device and printer

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a light irradiation device which can improve curability of photo-curable materials. A light irradiation device includes a first supply section having a porous portion, the first supply section being capable of supplying a gas to a photo-curable material through the porous portion; and an irradiation section disposed in alignment with the porous portion or disposed downstream from the porous portion, the irradiation section being capable of irradiating the photo-curable material with light.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A light irradiation device, comprising:
 an irradiation section being capable of irradiating a photo-curable material which has been conveyed, with light; and   a supply section which is positioned in alignment with the irradiation section or positioned upstream in a conveyance direction of the photo-curable material from the irradiation section, the supply section comprising a space portion which constitutes a flow channel, the space portion being in contact with the irradiation section, the supply section being capable of supplying a gas through the space portion toward the photo-curable material.   
     
     
         2 . The light irradiation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the supply section comprises an introducing portion which introduces the gas into the space portion, and the introducing portion constitutes the flow channel, and
 wherein a section of part of the flow channel corresponding to the introducing portion which section is taken in a direction perpendicular to a flow direction in the flow channel is smaller in area than a section of part of the flow channel corresponding to the space portion which section is taken in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction in the flow channel.   
     
     
         3 . The light irradiation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the introducing portion is connected to an upper face or a side face of the space portion. 
     
     
         4 . The light irradiation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the space portion is located on a side face of the irradiation section so as to extend beyond a lower end of the side face downwardly. 
     
     
         5 . The light irradiation device according to  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the photo-curable material and one of ends of the space portion located closer to the photo-curable material is shorter than a distance between the irradiation section and the photo-curable material. 
     
     
         6 . The light irradiation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the supply section comprises a porous portion disposed below the space portion so that the porous portion is continuous with the space portion. 
     
     
         7 . A printer, comprising:
 a light irradiation device, comprising
 an irradiation section being capable of irradiating a photo-curable material which has been conveyed, with light; and 
 a supply section which is positioned in alignment with the irradiation section or positioned upstream in a conveyance direction of the photo-curable material from the irradiation section, the supply section comprising a space portion which constitutes a flow channel, the space portion being in contact with the irradiation section, the supply section being capable of supplying a gas through the space portion toward the photo-curable material; and 
   a conveying section which can convey the photo-curable material below the light irradiation device in the conveyance direction.   
     
     
         8 . The printer according to  claim 7 , wherein the supply section comprises an introducing portion which introduces the gas into the space portion, and the introducing portion constitutes the flow channel, and
 wherein a section of part of the flow channel corresponding to the introducing portion which section is taken in a direction perpendicular to a flow direction in the flow channel is smaller in area than a section of part of the flow channel corresponding to the space portion which section is taken in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction in the flow channel.   
     
     
         9 . The printer according to  claim 7 , wherein the introducing portion is connected to an upper face or a side face of the space portion. 
     
     
         10 . The printer according to  claim 7 , wherein the space portion is located on a side face of the irradiation section so as to extend beyond a lower end of the side face downwardly. 
     
     
         11 . The printer according to  claim 7 , wherein a distance between the photo-curable material and one of ends of the space portion located closer to the photo-curable material is shorter than a distance between the irradiation section and the photo-curable material. 
     
     
         12 . The printer according to  claim 7 , wherein the supply section comprises a porous portion disposed below the space portion so that the porous portion is continuous with the space portion.