Abstract: A printer apparatus in the present invention includes a feeding mechanism having a feed roller provided at substantially the same height as an upper face of a medium support means and a plurality of roller assemblies having a pinch roller disposed above the feed roller and a printing medium placed on the medium support means is pinched between the feed roller and the pinch roller to be fed in the front and rear direction. The roller assembly is structured of an assembly main body and a roller member which includes the pinch roller and is attachable/detachable with respect to the assembly main body, and a clamp state can be changed by exchanging the roller member depending on material and/or thickness of the printing medium.

Abstract: A system and a method for cleaning a printhead by providing from a first slit a laminar flow of cleaning fluid that flows through a pretensioned brush for brushing the nozzle plate and collecting debris. The cleaning fluid with the debris is drained by a first slit having a first under pressure and next by a second slit that has a second under pressure that is greater than the first under pressure.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a platen holding a recording medium at a position opposed to a recording head, a suction generating member for suctioning the recording medium to the platen, a first recessed portion provided at a region on the platen and connected with the suction generating member, where the region faces a scanning area of the recording head, and a second recessed portion provided at a position on the platen and connected with the suction generating member, where the second recessed portion is provided on the downstream side of a region opposed to the scanning area and provided at a position corresponding to an end portion of the recording medium to be conveyed.

Abstract: A chain positioning system is disclosed that has a chain that contains a plurality of links joined together, end-to-end, with a plurality of pins. The chain can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. The links of the chain limit rotation about the pins in one direction.

Abstract: A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head, a cap member and a cleaning liquid. The liquid ejection head has a nozzle face in which a nozzle is formed. The cap member is attached to the nozzle face such that a space exists in a region facing the nozzle. The cleaning liquid ejection port is arranged inside the space to eject a cleaning liquid toward the nozzle face.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a liquid ejection head which is provided on the apparatus main body and ejects liquid onto a recording medium, a draw-out path which is provided on the apparatus main body, a waste liquid unit which is provided on the draw-out path in a detachable manner and reserves waste liquid wastefully ejected from the liquid ejection head, an opening from which a transportation path for transporting the recording medium is exposed, and an opening/closing unit which is provided to be capable of opening and closing the opening, and at least a part of which is located on the draw-out path and covers at least a part of the waste liquid unit in a state where the waste liquid unit is attached to the draw-out path and the opening is closed.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device includes a recording head, a pump, a waste liquid chamber, and a first support. The recording head has a nozzle surface formed with a nozzle from which ink droplet is ejected to form an image onto a recording medium. The pump is configured to draw ink from the recording head. The waste liquid chamber is configured to accommodate the ink drawn by the pump. The first support is configured to support the waste liquid chamber at a position above the nozzle surface.

Abstract: An inkjet apparatus having a liquid container configured to contain liquid, a conduit configured to discharge gas in a first space where an inkjet head is placed into the liquid contained in the liquid container, and a pump configured to discharge the gas from a second space over the surface of the liquid in the liquid container is provided. If the pump is operated, the second space is placed in a reduced pressure condition as compared to the first space, and the gas in the first space is discharged into the liquid through the conduit, thereby becomes bubbles, and floats up.

Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus has a configuration in which the volume of a reference space having an upper limit at the bottom of the fluid outlet port in the vertical direction in the fluid tank in a first state for ejecting the fluid from the fluid ejecting head to the fluid receiving unit is smaller than the volume of a space having an upper limit at the bottom of the fluid inlet port in the vertical direction in the fluid tank in a second state that is inclined by 90 degrees with respect to the first state.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer including: (i) a recording head which has an outer surface and includes at least one nozzle opening in the outer surface; (ii) a carriage which carries the recording head and which is reciprocateable in a main scanning direction; and (iii) a waste-ink retaining device which retains a waste ink forcedly ejected from the at least one nozzle of the recording head when a flushing operation is performed by the recording head. The waste-ink retaining device includes an ink receiving portion which is provided below a flushing position to which the recording head is moved to perform the flushing operation, and which receives the waste ink ejected by the recording head, and a first ink retaining portion which receives the waste ink from the ink receiving portion and retains the waste ink and which extends upward such that a top end thereof is positioned higher than a height position of the ink receiving portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head to eject ink droplets through a nozzle onto a recording medium, a replaceable ink cartridge to contain ink to be supplied to the recording head, a replaceable waste-ink tank to store waste ink ejected from the recording head, a cartridge mounting portion provided on a front side of the image forming apparatus and configured to accommodate the ink cartridge, including a first opening through which the ink cartridge is inserted, a tank mounting portion provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus, adjacent to the cartridge mounting portion, and configured to accommodate the waste-ink tank and to include a second opening through which the waste-ink tank is inserted, and an openably closable cartridge cover disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus, configured to cover both the first opening and the second opening.

Abstract: To provide a waste ink absorber having excellent permeability and retention, a waste ink absorber absorbing waste ink discharged from a head for injecting ink is provided with a first portion and a second portion having different densities, and the first portion has higher density than the second portion.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes an ejecting head that can eject a solution; a rotational body that has a circumferential surface which can accommodate the solution ejected from the ejecting head; a scraper that can come into sliding contact with the circumferential surface of the rotational body; and an accommodation container that accommodates the solution which is scraped off from the circumferential surface by the scraper. The accommodation container has a liquid storage section that stores a liquid which can dissolve a solute component of the solution.

Abstract: A waste liquid recovery apparatus includes a container body; a liquid absorbing body which is accommodated in the container body and absorbs liquid discharged as a waste liquid; and a sealing member which seals the container body, wherein a first space into which liquid is discharged from a liquid ejecting head and a second space which links with the outside through a ventilation hole formed in the sealing member are formed in a space closed by the container body and the sealing body, and the first space and the second space are connected with each other at the ventilation hole side.

Abstract: To provide a waste ink absorber having excellent permeability and retention performance, in a waste ink absorber to absorb waste ink discharged from a head for injecting ink, maximum parts where the density is locally high and a low density portion where the density is lower than the high density portion are provided in a single piece of the waste ink absorber.

Abstract: To provide a waste ink absorber excellent in permeability and retaining performance, a waste ink absorber to be mounted in a waste ink tank to absorb waste ink discharged from a head for ejecting ink, includes, in a state of a single piece of the waste ink absorber not mounted in the waste ink tank, a portion low in density and a portion higher in density as compared with the portion low in density in a direction along a plane surface having a largest surface area.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device includes a main body and a movable unit. The main body includes a recording head and a pump. The recording head is configured to eject ink onto a recording medium to record an image. The pump is configured to draw the ink from the recording head. The movable unit is configured to move between a near position and a far position where is away from the near position with respect to the main body. The movable unit includes a waste liquid chamber configured to accommodate the ink drawn by the pump.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device includes a recording head and a waste ink tray. The recording head is configured to eject droplets of ink. The waste ink tray is configured to receive the ink drained from the recording head. A surface of the waste ink tray, which receives the ink, is made of an antibacterial agent containing resin composition. A solubility of the antibacterial agent containing resin composition, which is measured by a predetermined measurement method, is 1.0 or higher and 3.0 or lower.

Abstract: A service station for use with a printer includes a spittoon. The service station includes a shuttle movable along a shuttle axis, and a spittoon plow supported by the shuttle. The spittoon plow includes at least one blade portion that is angled to spread the service ink along both a width and a length of the spittoon.

Abstract: The case 22 of a waste ink tank 13 has ribs 51, 52 that partition the space between a waste ink inlet 36 and an air vent 33. Air passages 65, 66 that connect the waste ink storage spaces S1, S2, S3 partitioned by the ribs are formed at the top ends of the ribs 51, 52. Waste ink permeates all of a sponge 21 through the space between the ribs 51, 52 and the bottom wall 24. Because a path for air to flow to the air vent 33 is constantly maintained inside the case 22 by the air passages 65, 66, air is discharged from the air vent 33 as waste ink is introduced to the case 22. The strength of the case can therefore be increased without interfering with introducing waste ink to the case and absorption of introduced waste ink by the sponge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a waste liquid receiving member, a waste liquid tank, a needle member that is connected to the waste liquid receiving member and includes a needle part that is detachably inserted into the waste liquid tank, and a fastening member that detachably fastens the needle member. The fastening member includes a lock part that locks the needle member; the needle member includes a lock lever part that locks with the lock part of the fastening member; the needle member and the fastening member include fitting parts that fit together when the needle member is rotated; and by rotating the needle member, the lock lever is locked with the lock part, the fitting parts of the needle member and the fastening member are fit together, and the needle member is fastened to the fastening member.

Abstract: A waste ink tank capable of collecting discharged ink includes: an ink absorption member having a receiving area that receives the discharged ink and causes the ink to be absorbed; a recess that causes a suction force to act within the ink absorption member; and a recess, disposed in a position that is closer to the receiving area than the aforementioned recess, that causes a pressurizing force to act within the ink absorption member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming part to form an image by injecting a liquid. A waste liquid tank is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus to store a waste liquid discharged from the image forming part. The waste liquid tank has a memory element to store identification information A and waste liquid amount information B. A memory unit stores identification information C and waste liquid amount information D. A control unit determines a current amount of the waste liquid currently retained in the waste liquid tank at a predetermined timing in accordance with the identification information A and the waste liquid amount information B stored in the memory element and the identification information C and the waste liquid amount information D stored in the memory unit, and updates the current amount of the waste liquid in accordance with a subsequent operation of the image forming part.

Abstract: A waste ink tank which is capable of collecting discharged ink includes an ink absorbing material which absorbs discharged ink and a recess which makes a suction force act on the ink absorbing material.

Abstract: An ink collecting system has been developed to direct ink purged from a printhead positioned above an ink collecting tray along a stepped flow path into the ink collecting tray. The stepped flow path enables the purged ink to flow from a faceplate on the jet stack, around a junction, onto a lower surface of the jet stack, and to a curved lower flange of a reservoir housing, which directs the ink away from the faceplate before the ink drops into the ink collecting tray for disposal or reuse.

Abstract: A modular printing apparatus has a printing device with an inkjet print head and a box-shaped module that urges items toward the print head, for printing thereon. In an operating mode, the box-shaped module is inserted into the printing apparatus via a mechanical connection and can be removed from the printing apparatus in a service mode. A triggering mechanism acts on a locking mechanism with first and second force components that couple the locking mechanism and the mechanical connection element to one another in the operating mode to lock the box-shaped module in a bay of the printing apparatus at the printing apparatus. The second force component acts in an opposite direction in the service mode, to disengage the locking mechanism and the mechanical connection element to unlock and remove the box-shaped module.

Abstract: A method of detecting fluid drops ejected from a fluid applicator unit having nozzles. The method includes establishing a detection zone to detect detection fluid drops transmitted therein and ejecting a set of detection fluid drops through a set of nozzles of the fluid applicator unit through the detection zone to a detection receiving member. The method also includes ejecting a set of warm-up fluid drops through an other set of nozzles to a warm-up receiving member in a manner in which the set of warm-up fluid drops bypasses the detection zone. The method also includes detecting the set of the detection fluid drops ejected into the detection zone.

Abstract: A method for recycling ink in an inkjet printer includes combining purged inks having two or more colors with black ink to form a mixed ink. The printer identifies an optical characteristic of the mixed ink and compares it to the optical characteristic for black ink. A controller for the printer adjusts the operation of the printer to form ink images having an optical characteristic that is closer to black ink than ink images formed with the mixed ink alone.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus comprises an ink tank including an ink accommodating unit, an ink leading-out mechanism for leading out the ink in the ink accommodating unit to an outside, and a housing, and an ink tank holder for removably retaining the ink tank, wherein a space is formed between the ink leading-out mechanism and the housing, and when the ink tank is mounted to the ink tank holder, an ink flow passage is formed by contact of an outer periphery of an ink leading-out needle in the ink tank holder with a sealing member in the ink leading-out mechanism, further comprising restriction means for restricting a position of the ink tank to the ink tank holder such that when removing the ink tank from the ink tank holder, the ink tank stops in a state where a tip end of the ink leading-out needle is in the space.

Abstract: An ink reclamation receptacle receives ink purged from an inkjet printing apparatus. Ink in the reclamation receptacle wets a porous membrane positioned in the reclamation receptacle, and flows into a flow channel. Negative pressure applied to a port that is placed in fluid communication with the flow channel withdraws ink from the flow channel for use in the inkjet printing apparatus, while ink wetting the pores in the membrane resists a flow of air into the flow channel.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a recording head having an array of nozzles disposed in a surface of the recording head to eject liquid droplets vertically upward to form an image on a recording medium conveyed above the recording head, a suction cap to cover the surface of the recording head from above, and a waste liquid receiver provided to a periphery of the recording head to receive liquid streaming down the periphery of the recording head upon removal of the suction cap from the surface of the recording head.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a platen configured to support a recording medium at a position facing a recording head, a suction portion arranged at the platen and configured to suck the recording medium, an ink receiving portion arranged at the platen and configured to receive ink discharged on a region beyond an end of the recording medium, a negative pressure producing portion configured to produce a negative pressure to be applied to the suction portion and the ink receiving portion, and a communication portion causing the suction portion to communicate with the ink receiving portion at the outside of a conveyance region of the recording medium.

Abstract: An ink recirculation system has been developed to enable controlled release of ink collected in an ink receptacle into a printhead. The ink receptacle includes an indentation in a substantially planar surface and is configured to receive ink in the indentation from a printhead. The indentation has a shape that enables the ink receptacle to release ink at varying rates as a pivot angle of the ink receptacle is varied by a positioning system. The shape of the indentation enables the receptacle to dose ink into an ink reservoir in the printhead at known rates to control the amount of ink recycled to the printhead.

Abstract: A liquid ejection device includes a head and a liquid-receiving section. The head has a plurality of nozzles configured and arranged to eject a liquid. The liquid-receiving section has a sloped face for receiving a liquid ejected from the nozzles when flushing is carried out by the head. The sloped face is formed on an elongated member and is configured and arranged to receive the liquid ejected downward from the nozzles. The nozzles forming at least one nozzle row extending in a direction along a longitudinal direction of the elongated member. The head being configured and arranged to carry out the flushing while travelling above the sloped face.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device to form an image and an ink cartridge that includes a deformable ink supply bag having an ink supply port; a deformable waste ink collection bag having a fluid gateway; and a cartridge housing to accommodate the deformable ink supply bag and the deformable waste ink collection bag at the same time. A connecting member having a non-return valve is provided to connect the deformable ink supply bag and the deformable waste ink collection bag with each other at a section other than the ink supply port and the fluid gateway. The non-return valve prevents ink from flowing from the waste ink collection bag into the ink supply bag. A non-return valve control mechanism is provided not to operate the non-return valve in an initial state in which the ink supply bag is initially filled with ink.

Abstract: In a waste liquid container which is detachably mounted on a waste liquid container mounting portion including a device side connection terminal and a plate spring, the waste liquid container includes a waste liquid storing chamber which stores waste liquid, a first wall portion and a second wall portion which are disposed so as to face each other with the waste liquid storing chamber interposed therebetween, a container side connection terminal which is provided on an outer surface of the second wall portion and contacts the device side connection terminal at the time of being mounted on the waste liquid container mounting portion, and a positioning protrusion of the plate spring which is provided on the first wall portion so as to receive a biasing force which is applied from the first wall portion side toward the second wall portion side.

Abstract: A supporting section is disposed to confront an ejection surface and supports a recording medium. A first tank is mounted on a first-tank mount section. A liquid conveying section conveys liquid to a liquid ejecting head. A receiving section receives liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head. A waste-liquid conveying section conveys liquid to the waste-liquid tank. A first casing holds the liquid ejecting head, the first-tank mount section, and the liquid conveying section. A second casing holds the supporting section, the receiving section, the waste-liquid tank, and the waste-liquid conveying section. The first casing is connected with the second casing such that the first casing is movable relative to the second casing. The first casing takes a first position at which the ejection surface confronts the supporting section and a second position at which the ejection surface is farther away from the supporting section than at the first position.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer, a low surface energy material is applied to a printhead face and a drip bib during a printhead maintenance operation. The low surface energy material forms a thin layer on the printhead face and drip bib to resist adhesion of ink to the printhead. The low surface energy material can be a layer of silicone oil.

Abstract: A waste liquid recovery apparatus includes a container body; a liquid absorbing body which is accommodated in the container body and absorbs liquid discharged as a waste liquid; and a sealing member which seals the container body, wherein a first space into which liquid is discharged from a liquid ejecting head and a second space which links with the outside through a ventilation hole formed in the sealing member are formed in a space closed by the container body and the sealing body, and the first space and the second space are connected with each other at the ventilation hole side.

Abstract: A liquid absorption member includes a jointed body in which a plurality of cells are provided between partition members by jointing a plurality of the partition members with each other, and a liquid holding material which is filled into the cell and holds liquid. A plurality of diffusion paths in which attached liquid is diffused and flows are configured in the partition member, and a density of the partition member is a lower density than a density of the liquid holding material.

Abstract: A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes a liquid droplet jetting head which jets droplets of two types of liquids; a discharge mechanism which discharges the two types of liquids from the jetting head respectively; a waste liquid recovery device which recovers the two types of liquids discharged by the discharge mechanism, having a waste liquid case, an absorbing body accommodated in the waste liquid case, two liquid intake portions for letting the two types of liquids discharged by the discharge mechanism flow respectively into the waste liquid case, and a waste liquid detection section which detects whether only one or both of the two types of liquids has or have reached a detection position by measuring electric conductivity at the detection position away from the two liquid intake portions in the absorbing body; and a full liquid judging section which judges whether the absorbing body is fully permeated.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus is provided, which includes a plurality of recording heads, a cap unit, waste ink container and communicating member. Each recording head includes a nozzle face with inkjet nozzles. The cap unit includes a plurality of first ink receiving members and a second ink receiving member. Each first ink receiving member is disposed below and corresponding to each recording head and has a first receiving portion receiving ink discharged from the inkjet nozzles and a first discharging hole discharging the received ink. The second ink receiving member is disposed below and corresponding to the first ink receiving members and has a second receiving portion that collectively receives the ink discharged through a plurality of first discharging holes and a second discharging hole. The communicating member connects the second discharging hole with an ink storage chamber of the waste ink container.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from nozzles; a liquid accommodation body having a liquid receiving surface configured to accommodate the liquid flushed from the nozzles; a pump that discharges the liquid; a liquid supply flow path that discharges the liquid discharged by the pump toward the liquid receiving surface in the liquid accommodation body; and a liquid discharge flow path that discharges the liquid from the liquid accommodation body.

Abstract: A print system including a vacuum blower configured to create both a vacuum pressure and exhaust, a vacuum chamber configured to distribute the vacuum pressure created by the vacuum blower, a transport belt configured to pass in close proximity to the vacuum chamber, the transport belt having a plurality of holes, and a pneumatic cleaning device configured to direct the exhaust created by the vacuum blower through one or more holes of the transport belt in close proximity to the pneumatic cleaning device. The pneumatic cleaning device includes an upper cleaning head comprising a one or more vents configured to direct air through holes in a transport belt; and a lower cleaning body. The lower cleaning body includes a muffler, a removable collection area configured to collect debris in the exhaust, and a filter configured to collect in the exhaust.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an overflow tube into which ink overflowed from a buffer tank flows, an overflow tank to which the overflow tube is connected, a drain tank to which ink is drained from the overflow tank, and an atmosphere communication port provided to the drain tank. The buffer tank communicates with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication port.

Abstract: An ink reclamation receptacle receives ink purged from an inkjet printing Apparatus. Ink in the reclamation receptacle wets a porous membrane positioned in the reclamation receptacle, and flows into a flow channel. Negative pressure applied to a port that is placed in fluid communication with the flow channel withdraws ink from the flow channel for use in the inkjet printing apparatus, while ink wetting the pores in the membrane resists a flow of air into the flow channel.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus ejecting droplets of a liquid, a valve unit is provided to connect a liquid tank with a discharge flow path connecting the valve unit with a waste liquid tank. The valve unit has a first valve having a communication path, a spring biasing the first valve to open, a valve sheet, and a second valve to open or close the discharge flow path in conjunction with movement of the first valve. When a discharging device is not driven, the first valve maintains an open state while the second valve maintains a close state. When the discharging device is driven, the second valve achieves an open state and air flows through the communication path. When the liquid flows through the communication path, the first valve is moved to achieve a closed state while the second valve maintains the open state, thereby closing the discharge flow path.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including: a head; a conveying member having a support face and configured to convey a recording medium in a conveying direction; a first wiper extending in a direction intersecting the conveying direction; a second wiper extending at least in the conveying direction; a first-wiping driving portion configured to drive the first wiper and the conveying member to perform a first wiping operation; and a second-wiping driving portion configured to drive the second wiper and the conveying member to perform a second wiping operation; and a controller; wherein the controller controls the first-wiping driving portion and the second-wiping driving portion to perform a first cleaning operation including the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation; and wherein the controller controls the second-wiping driving portion such that the second wiper wipes foreign materials remaining on the support face when the first wiper is released from the support face in the first wiping operat

Abstract: A printer having a printhead having a plurality of fluid ejection nozzles; an ingestion member for ingesting waste fluid from the printhead; and a container for containing the ingested waste fluid, the container being flexible so as to expand as an amount of contained waste fluid increases.

Abstract: A waste liquid recovery apparatus includes a container body; a liquid absorbing body which is accommodated in the container body and absorbs liquid discharged as a waste liquid; and a sealing member which seals the container body, wherein a first space into which liquid is discharged from a liquid ejecting head and a second space which links with the outside through a ventilation hole formed in the sealing member are formed in a space closed by the container body and the sealing body, and the first space and the second space are connected with each other at the ventilation hole side.