Abstract: A nozzle orifice protective apparatus comprises a cap for covering an ink nozzle which cap is supplied with maintenance solution, and a maintenance solution tank for storing maintenance solution. The maintenance solution tank is made of a flexible bag and contains a specified volume of gas as well as the maintenance solution, facilitating accurate detection of the amount of solution remaining in the tank. Thus, the maintenance solution tank is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture.A water-absorbing polymer is placed a waste collecting tank case so that it absorbs waste liquid such as maintenance solution and ink led from the cap into the tank case. Since the polymer which has absorbed the liquid becomes gel, replacement of the waste collecting tank case and the subsequent waste disposal are extremely simple and easy.

Abstract: The ink jet printer nozzle clogging-preventive device of the present invention is characterized in that the device prevents air from entering the nozzle part and prevents the ink in said nozzle from drying and solidifying when an ink jet printer is transported, when the printer power is turned off, or when the printer is stopped to perform no printing for a long time while the power remains turned on.That is, the device is characterized in that only one cap adhering device is provided as a means to cover the nozzle surface of a printer and said cap adhering device is allowed to perform an appropriate nozzle clogging-preventive action according to said printer conditions (such as non-printing condition with said printer power on, power-off condition, said printer transportation or long-period storage condition, and nozzle recovery operation condition).

Abstract: An ink jet printer is equipped with a cap for covering a nozzle face to prevent the nozzle from clogging and has maintenance solution supplied to the cap. A waste collecting device is provided in the printer and includes a powder type absorbent placed in a waste collecting tank case so that waste liquid such as maintenance solution and ink led from the cap into the tank case is absorbed by and retained in the powder absorbent.

Abstract: An ink jet printer nozzle clog preventive apparatus includes a cap member provided opposite a printing head on a carriage positioned outside the printing zone, the cap member being movable toward and away from the printing head, a moving mechanism including a driving source for moving the cap member toward the printing head, a pump connected to the cap member interior to achieve a negative pressure in the cap member when the printing head is covered with the cap member, a maintenance solution tank from which to supply maintenance solution to the cap member interior, a control system for controlling the moving mechanism, pump and maintenance solution tank according to the printer state, and an instruction switch for instructing a nozzle recovery operation when air enters the printing head nozzle.

Abstract: A multi-color ink jet system printer includes a printer head mounted on a carriage which is driven to travel in front of the platen in the lateral direction. The printer head includes a nozzle unit having a plurality of orifices aligned in a matrix fashion. A printer head inclination adjusting assembly is provided for accurately adjusting the row of matrix aligned orifices to parallel the lateral direction.

Abstract: A paper guide device for guiding a recording paper from a printing position to the upper and back direction of a platen, comprises an upper guide extending the width of the recording paper, a lower guide extending the width of the recording paper, and a path for passing the recording paper between the upper guide and the lower guide. The upper guide and the lower guide are disposed over the platen, and the upper guide is provided with a paper cutter for cutting the recording paper at the outlet of the forward path of the recording paper, and the lower guide is provided with means for guiding the recording paper in the lower direction along the platen, the recording paper having been inserted from the back of the platen.

Abstract: A nozzle cleaning device blows a cleaning solvent against the nozzle portion of a printer head in an ink jet system printer. The nozzle cleaning device includes an ejecting unit communicated to a cleaning solvent tank through a liquid supply passage. Th ejecting unit includes a plurality of orifices for emitting the cleaning solvent. A side passage is connected to the liquid supply passage. A cylinder is secured to the side passage, and a piston is slidably disposed in the cylinder. When the piston is moved in the cylinder, the cleaning solvent is introduced from the cleaning solvent tank into the cylinder, and then, the cleaning solvent is supplied from the cylinder to the ejecting unit. The amount of the cleaning solvent supplied to the ejecting unit is determined by the stroke of the piston in the cylinder.

Abstract: An ink jet system printer includes a capping mechanism for covering a printer head when a carriage is located at a stand-by position. The capping mechanism includes a cap member supported by a slidable plate. The slidable plate is shifted toward the printer head as the printer head moves to the stand-by position through the use of links, whereby the cap member covers the nozzle portion included in the printer head. That is, the slidable plate is shifted by the travelling force of the carriage and, therefore, a separate drive source is not required for the slidable plate.

Abstract: An ink jet system printer has a printer head for emitting ink droplets toward a recording paper. Objectional ink mist is inevitably formed and diffused in various directions after the ink droplets impinge upon the recording paper. The printer head includes a first chamber for introducing the ink mist diffused in front of the printer head, a second chamber for accommodating an ink droplet issuance unit for emitting the ink droplets, and a fan system for creating an air flow directed from the first chamber to the second chamber, thereby effectively introducing the ink mist into the first chamber. A filter member is disposed in the first chamber for removing the ink mist introduced into the first chamber. The ink droplet issuance unit is disposed in the second chamber so that a stream of the ink droplets is inclined from a line perpendicular to the surface of the recording paper.

Abstract: A nozzle for issuing ink liquid, a vibrator for exciting the nozzle to emit ink droplets of a given frequency, and a charging electrode for charging the ink droplets in accordance with print information are arranged within a cylinder shaped housing. One end of the cylinder shaped housing is covered by a wall having an opening at the center thereof through which charged ink droplets are propelled. A fixing plate is attached to the other end of the cylinder shaped housing for tightly securing the nozzle, the vibrator and the charging electrode within the cylinder shaped housing.