Abstract: An ink-jet printing unit for an ink-jet printing apparatus, including: an ink-jet printing head including a nozzle plate having a multiplicity of nozzle holes which are arranged in at least one row and from which ink is ejected, and a plurality of intermediate plates which are superposed on the nozzle plate and which provide ink passages communicating with the nozzle holes; and a head holder which holds the ink-jet printing head, wherein the ink-jet printing head has, on an outer side surface thereof, a plurality of reference portions on the basis of which the ink-jet printing head is positioned relative to the head holder in fixing the ink-jet printing head to the head holder.

Abstract: An inkjet printer including: (a) a recording head operable to eject an ink onto a recording medium so as to perform a recording operation on the recording medium; (b) an ink source unit provided to store the ink that is to be supplied to the recording head; and (c) an ink delivery unit provided to delivery the ink supplied from the ink source unit, to the recording head. The ink delivery unit has a delivery chamber which has a delivery chamber inlet and a delivery chamber outlet, such that the ink can be delivered through the delivery chamber inlet from the ink source unit, and such that the ink can be delivered through the delivery chamber outlet toward the recording head. The delivery chamber is defined by a wall held in substantially parallel with a horizontal plane, and is elongated in a direction parallel with the wall. The delivery chamber inlet and outlet of the delivery chamber are positioned in respective positions which are substantially diagonal relative to each other.

Abstract: An inkjet printer including: (a) a recording head operable to eject an ink onto a recording medium so as to perform a recording operation on the recording medium; (b) an ink source unit provided to store the ink that is to be supplied to the recording head; and (c) an ink delivery unit provided to delivery the ink supplied from the ink source unit, to the recording head. The ink delivery unit has a delivery chamber which has a delivery chamber inlet and a delivery chamber outlet, such that the ink can be delivered through the delivery chamber inlet from the ink source unit, and such that the ink can be delivered through the delivery chamber outlet toward the recording head. The delivery chamber is defined by a wall held in substantially parallel with a horizontal plane, and is elongated in a direction parallel with the wall. The delivery chamber inlet and outlet of the delivery chamber are positioned in respective positions which are substantially diagonal relative to each other.

Abstract: An ink-jet printing unit for an ink-jet printing apparatus, including: an ink-jet printing head including a nozzle plate having a multiplicity of nozzle holes which are arranged in at least one row and from which ink is ejected, and a plurality of intermediate plates which are superposed on the nozzle plate and which provide ink passages communicating with the nozzle holes; and a head holder which holds the ink-jet printing head, wherein the ink-jet printing head has, on an outer side surface thereof, a plurality of reference portions on the basis of which the ink-jet printing head is positioned relative to the head holder in fixing the ink-jet printing head to the head holder.

Abstract: A platen device for holding a workpiece in an ink-jet printer operable to perform a printing operation on a printing surface of the workpiece, said platen device being movable into a printing area in which a printing head is operated to deliver an ink onto said printing surface for thereby forming an image on said printing surface, the platen device including a platen arranged to permit the workpiece to be placed on the platen such that a printing portion of the workpiece having the printing surface is in direct contact with a surface of the platen, and a space-defining structure partially defining an accommodating space which is provided below the platen to accommodate non-printing portions of the workpiece which extend from the printing portion outwardly of the platen.

Abstract: A method of detecting an obstacle that disturbs a printing operation to be performed on a printing surface of a printing portion of a workpiece by a printing head of an ink-jet printer such that the printing head and a planar platen on which the printing portion of the workpiece is set are moved relative to each other between a first position and a second position, with a predetermined spacing maintained between the printing surface of the workpiece and the printing head in a direction perpendicular to the printing surface, wherein the obstacle existing on a plane of printing by the printing head is detected by a sensing device, by scanning the predetermined spacing in a direction intersecting a direction of a relative movement of the printing head and the platen, while the printing head and the platen are moved relative to each other between the first and second printing positions. Also disclosed are an ink-jet printing method and printer wherein the obstacle is detectable.

Abstract: A platen device for holding a workpiece in an ink-jet printer operable to perform a printing operation on a printing surface of the workpiece, said platen device being movable into a printing area in which a printing head is operated to deliver an ink onto said printing surface for thereby forming an image on said printing surface, the platen device including a platen arranged to permit the workpiece to be placed on the platen such that a printing portion of the workpiece having the printing surface is in direct contact with a surface of the platen, and a space-defining structure partially defining an accommodating space which is provided below the platen to accommodate non-printing portions of the workpiece which extend from the printing portion outwardly of the platen.

Abstract: A method of detecting an obstacle that disturbs a printing operation to be performed on a printing surface of a printing portion of a workpiece by a printing head of an ink-jet printer such that the printing head and a planar platen on which the printing portion of the workpiece is set are moved relative to each other between a first position and a second position, with a predetermined spacing maintained between the printing surface of the workpiece and the printing head in a direction perpendicular to the printing surface, wherein the obstacle existing on a plane of printing by the printing head is detected by a sensing device, by scanning the predetermined spacing in a direction intersecting a direction of a relative movement of the printing head and the platen, while the printing head and the platen are moved relative to each other between the first and second printing positions. Also disclosed are an ink-jet printing method and printer wherein the obstacle is detectable.