Abstract: A fluid distribution system for a media width printhead, the system having a fluid container having a gas vent; a first fluid path interconnecting the container and a first fluid port at one longitudinal end of the media width of the printhead, a second fluid path interconnecting the container and a second fluid port at the other longitudinal end of the media width of the printhead, a third fluid path interconnecting the first and second paths, pump on the second path, the pump being operational to draw fluid from the container through the first and second paths via the printhead and via the third fluid path to flush gas in the paths to the container for venting via the gas vent.

Abstract: A printing system having a media width printhead, a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of closed fluid flow loops, a plurality of gas vents, each gas vent being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a multi-path, multi-channel valve for selectively allowing venting of gas in each of the closed loops via the gas vents.

Abstract: A printing system having a media width printhead, a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop, a bypass fluid path bypassing the printhead on the closed loop, a gas vent on the closed loop and a four-way valve on the closed loop for selectively allowing fluid flow along the closed loop via the printhead and the bypass path and venting of gas in the closed loop via the gas vent.

Abstract: A multi-channel gas vent apparatus for venting gas at ink containers which supply inks to a multi-channel printhead is provided having a body having a sidewalls and an interior surface, discrete chambers defined on one side of the interior surface by internal sidewalls and being sealed within the body, and a compartments defined on the opposite side of the interior surface by internal sidewalls and being sealed within the body. Each chamber is for connection to a gas port of a corresponding one of the ink containers. Each ink container has an ink port connected to a corresponding one of the ink channels. Each compartment is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere. The interior surface in each chamber has a recess in which apertures connect the chambers with one of the compartments through the interior surface.

Abstract: A printing system having a media width printhead, a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of fluid tubes each defining an individual closed fluid flow loop, a first multi-channel valve arrangement for selectively allowing fluid flow along each closed loop via the printhead by selectively moving a pinch element into and out of pinching contact with the fluid tubes so as to respectively block and allow fluid flow through the fluid tubes, a plurality of gas vents, each gas vent being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a second multi-channel valve arrangement for selectively allowing venting of gas in each closed loop via the gas vents.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system having a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of closed fluid flow loops, a plurality of bypass fluid paths bypassing the printhead, each bypass path being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a plurality of gas vents, each gas vent being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a multi-channel four-way valve for selectively allowing fluid flow along each closed loop via the printhead and the bypass paths and venting of gas in each closed loop via the gas vents.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system having a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of closed fluid flow loops, a plurality of gas vents, each gas vent being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a multi-path, multi-channel valve for selectively allowing venting of gas in each of the closed loops via the gas vents

Abstract: A system for priming and de-priming a printhead, the system having a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop, a gas inlet on the closed loop and a valve on the closed loop for selectively allowing gas to enter the closed loop via the gas inlet, and a pump on the closed loop, wherein the pump is operational to draw fluid from the container in a first direction around the closed loop to prime the printhead with fluid from the container, and the vent is operational to cause fluid in the closed loop and the printhead to de-prime to the container in a second direction around the closed loop.

Abstract: A printing system having a media width printhead, a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of closed fluid flow loops, a plurality of bypass fluid paths bypassing the printhead, each bypass path being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a plurality of gas vents, each gas vent being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a multi-channel four-way valve for selectively allowing fluid flow along each closed loop via the printhead and the bypass paths and venting of gas in each closed loop via the gas vents.

Abstract: A printing system having a media width printhead, a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop, a gas vent on the closed loop and a multi-path valve on the closed loop for selectively allowing venting of gas in the closed loop via the gas vent.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for a printhead, the system having a fluid container fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a closed fluid flow loop, a gas vent on the closed loop and a multi-path valve on the closed loop for selectively allowing venting of gas in the closed loop via the gas vent.

Abstract: A bubble-bursting box for bursting bubbles of a liquid entering the box. The box comprising has one or more bubble-bursting chambers; each chamber has a respective chamber inlet for connection to a liquid conduit. The chamber inlets are defined in a base of each chamber. The box also has a common air chamber in fluid communication with each bubble-bursting chamber, the air chamber having an air outlet defined in the base. A cover for the bubble-bursting chambers and the air chamber; the cover forms a roof of the box. The cover has one or more air channels that provide in fluid communication between a respective bubble-bursting chamber and the common air chamber.

Abstract: An ink supplying system has a first pipe having one end that connects to a main ink tank storing ink containing no air and another end that removably connects to a primary auxiliary ink tank that receives ink from the main ink tank. A second pipe has one end that removably connects to the primary auxiliary ink tank. An ink jet head is connected to another end of the second pipe for performing printing by ejecting ink on a printing medium. A secondary auxiliary ink tank has a capacity smaller than that of the primary auxiliary ink tank and is selectively exchangeable with the primary auxiliary ink tank for removing air in the ink supplying system prior to printing by the ink jet head. The secondary auxiliary ink tank has a connection pipe that removably connects to the another end of the first pipe and to the one end of the second pipe in fluid communication therewith. The connection pipe has the same sectional area as that of the first and second pipes.

Abstract: An air removing device is connected to a tank to contain ink through a first supply tube, and an ink-jet head is connected to the air removing device through a second supply tube. The first supply tube and ink-jet head are heated and controlled. Air dissolved in ink is sucked out through a hollow fiber membrane provided in a housing by operating a vacuum pump by supplying ink to the hollow fiber membrane while heating and controlling atmosphere in the housing. Thus, air dissolved in ink is removed, and ink heated to a temperature suitable for ejection is supplied to the ink-jet head.

Abstract: A liquid container includes a hollow body; a tubular suction port coupled to the hollow body; a first porous member disposed in the hollow body; a second porous member disposed in the suction port and being in contact with the first porous member, the second porous member having a liquid suction capability higher than that of the first porous member, wherein at least one of the first and second porous members has a recess so as to establish an air bubble collector.

Abstract: A member for controlling foam in a material reservoir includes a body, a concave space in the body, and wings extending from the body in the concave space. A method of controlling foam in an ink reservoir of a printing system includes rotating a foam control member above ink in the reservoir to dissipate accumulated foam, where the member includes a concave space open toward the ink and wings extending in the concave space.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting device is provided. The liquid ejecting device includes: a liquid ejecting head configured to eject a liquid; a liquid supply channel configured to supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting head; a discharge channel communicating with the liquid supply channel through a communicating portion; a suction unit connected to the discharge channel so as to perform a suction operation of suctioning gas from the discharge channel; a gas permeable film disposed in the communicating portion between the liquid supply channel and the discharge channel; a vibration driving unit configured to vibrate the gas permeable film; and a controller configured to control the suction unit and the vibration driving unit.

Abstract: Provided is a droplet jetting applicator including: a droplet jetting head configured to jet liquid supplied from a liquid storage unit; a liquid supply unit configured to supply the liquid from the liquid storage unit to the droplet jetting head through a liquid supply channel; a first buffer liquid reservoir positioned closer to the droplet jetting head than the liquid supply unit in the liquid supply channel, and formed so that the inflow liquid drops thereinto; a liquid return unit configured to return the liquid from the droplet jetting head to one of the liquid storage unit and the first buffer liquid reservoir through a liquid return channel; and a second buffer liquid reservoir positioned closer to the droplet jetting head than the liquid return unit in the liquid return channel, and formed so that the inflow liquid drops thereinto.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting device is provided. The liquid ejecting device includes: a liquid ejecting head including a nozzle for ejecting a liquid; a liquid supply channel for supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting head; a discharge channel for discharging a gas in the liquid supply channel; a gas permeable film disposed in a connecting portion between the liquid supply channel and the discharge channel, the gas permeable film partitioning the liquid supply channel and the discharge channel; and a suction unit connected to the discharge channel so as to suction the gas in the discharge channel, wherein the liquid supply channel includes a first liquid flow channel extending in an extending direction intersecting a horizontal direction, and wherein the gas permeable film defines a part of the first liquid flow channel extending in the extending direction.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head has a pressure chamber into which liquid flows from a liquid reservoir through a liquid passage, and a pressure generating unit operable to pressurize the liquid in the pressure chamber to eject the liquid through a nozzle opening. A gas trapping chamber is formed in the liquid passage and adapted to trap gas mixed in the liquid. A gas collecting chamber is formed adjacent to the gas trapping chamber. A gas permeable wall is interposed between the gas trapping chamber and the gas collecting chamber. A pressure difference generating unit is operable to generate a pressure difference between the gas trapping chamber and the gas collecting chamber so that a pressure in the gas collecting chamber is lower than a pressure in the gas trapping chamber, thereby collecting the gas trapped in the gas trapping chamber in the gas collecting chamber through the gas permeable wall.

Abstract: The liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection device which ejects liquid; a liquid supply device which supplies the liquid to the liquid ejection device; a saturated dissolved gas amount determination device which determines a saturated dissolved gas amount of the liquid in the liquid ejection device; a dissolved gas amount determination device which determines a dissolved gas amount of the liquid in the liquid ejection device; a liquid restoration device which carries out a liquid restoration processing to reduce the dissolved gas amount of the liquid inside the liquid ejection device; and a liquid restoration control device which controls whether or not the liquid restoration device carries out the liquid restoration processing, according to a differential between the saturated dissolved gas amount determined by the saturated dissolved gas amount determination device and the dissolved gas amount determined by the dissolved gas amount determination device.

Abstract: A liquid droplet jetting apparatus comprises a liquid droplet jetting head which jets liquid droplets, a storage tank which stores a liquid to be jetted by the liquid droplet-jetting head, a tube which connects the liquid droplet jetting head and the storage tank, and a liquid-state detecting mechanism which detects a state of the liquid contained in the tube at a plurality of positions in a longitudinal direction of the tube.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly for use in an inkjet printer, the inkjet printhead assembly includes an array of nozzles disposed along a nozzle array direction; an ink chamber including an ink outlet that is fluidly connected to the array of nozzles; and an air-permeable membrane positioned in the ink chamber at an angle that is inclined relative to the nozzle array direction.

Abstract: A liquid container includes: a bubble trapping section, disposed upstream of the upstream buffer chamber. The bubble trapping section includes: a bubble trapping chamber, adapted to trap bubbles upside by allowing the liquid level to be lowered with reduction in an amount of remaining liquid at a time of consuming the liquid; an inlet, communicating at a vertical upper position of the bubble trapping chamber to introduce the liquid at the time of consuming the liquid; and an outlet, communicating at a vertical lower position of the bubble trapping chamber to discharge the liquid at the time of consuming the liquid.

Abstract: Ink jet print head comprising a substrate with an upper surface and a lower surface; a plurality of actuators with ejection chambers and ink supply passages, an ink distribution slot formed in the substrate between the lower surface and the upper surface; a manifold formed in the substrate of the upper surface around the slot for the feed to the actuators; and a plurality of bubble prevention elements formed in the feed manifold. The plurality of bubble prevention elements is provided only for a marginal set of actuators remote from the distribution slot.

Abstract: An ink supply system for an inkjet printer. The ink supply system includes: an upstream ink conduit for connection with an ink inlet of a printhead; a pressure-regulating chamber having an outlet port connected to the upstream ink conduit, the chamber containing ink at a first level below the printhead, wherein a headspace above the first level of ink is open to atmosphere; and a downstream ink conduit for connection with an ink outlet of the printhead, the downstream ink conduit extending above the first level of ink and being open to atmosphere. The downstream ink conduit has a loop section passing below the first level of ink, such that, in a printing configuration, a second level of ink in the loop section is equal to the first level of ink in the chamber.

Abstract: A droplet discharging apparatus for discharging droplets of a recording fluid includes a negative pressure portion and a pressurizing portion connected to the negative pressure portion via a valve. The pressurizing portion is disposed upstream of the valve in a direction of a flow of the recording fluid. The pressurizing portion includes a bubble storing area configured to separate and store bubbles of the recording fluid.

Abstract: There is provides an inkjet recording apparatus comprising: an inkjet head held in a head holder; and an ink tank mounted on the head holder. The ink tank has an ink chamber, a path for communicating the chamber with atmosphere, and an exit valve to open and close the path. The apparatus further comprises: an ink cartridge arranged below the ink tank for supplying the ink to the ink chamber through a channel; an operating member for opening and closing the exit valve; a ink transfer device; and a controller. The controller performs controls of causing the operating member to open the exit valve such that an atmosphere pressure affects an inside of the ink chamber, and such that the ink both in the chamber and in the channel returns to the ink cartridge through the channel; and causing the device to fill the chamber.

Abstract: A bubble removing apparatus for removing air bubbles in ink to be supplied to a printer head of an inkjet printer and a method of removing the air bubbles are provided to provide a smooth flow of ink to the inkjet printer head. When an air bubble removing operation is performed, ink in an ink tank is moved towards the printer head through a filter unit by operating the pump in a forward direction, and the ink that has moved towards the printer head is returned to the ink tank through the filter unit by operating the pump in a reverse direction. Air bubbles trapped in the filter unit are moved to the ink tank due to the operation of the pump in the reverse direction and are removed in the ink tank by the gravitational force, and thereby a smooth flowing ink supply can be provided to the printer head.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes an exhaust unit that discharges air accommodated in a second liquid accommodating unit; a liquid transfer unit that transfers liquid from a first liquid accommodating unit to the second liquid accommodating unit via a liquid supply path and retransfers liquid from the second liquid accommodating unit to the first liquid accommodating unit via the liquid supply path; and a control unit that activates the exhaust unit and the liquid transfer unit according to an air bubble detection result of an air bubble detection unit, controls the liquid transfer unit to transfer a predetermined amount of liquid from the first liquid accommodating unit to the second liquid accommodating unit, and controls the liquid transfer unit to retransfer liquid from the second liquid accommodating unit to the first liquid accommodating unit according to a liquid level detection result of a liquid level detection unit.

Abstract: A liquid supply device includes a liquid supply path for supplying liquid from an upstream, liquid supply side toward a downstream side where the liquid is consumed. A defoaming chamber in the middle of the liquid supply path causes bubbles to escape from the liquid. A decompression chamber adjacent to the defoaming chamber has a partition wall interposed therebetween and is decompressed to have lower pressure than the defoaming chamber. The partition wall allows gas to permeate therethrough by decompression of the decompression chamber and regulates permeation of liquid. The partition wall is formed by a separate member from a decompression chamber forming member that forms the decompression chamber. The partition wall forms a part of an inner surface of the liquid supply path, and the liquid supply path passes along the inside of a wall portion of the decompression chamber in the decompression chamber forming member.

Abstract: The present invention provides film forming method and a droplet discharge method for removing bubbles in a pressurizing chamber to prevent defective discharge without disposing a large amount of materials in a droplet discharging device. Before a material is discharged in the droplet discharging device, a step is provided in which reduced pressure is kept in a pressurizing chamber and a material supply portion, which are connected, to remove bubbles that exist in the pressurizing chamber. A flow path connected to the outside such as an opening of a nozzle surface of the pressurizing chamber or a material supply port of the material supply portion is sealed, and pressure in the pressurizing chamber and the material supply portion is reduced from an inlet and outlet connected to the material supply portion with the use of a reduced pressure means such as a pump.

Abstract: A long-life pump capable of simultaneously conveying plural liquids and an inkjet printer having the pump are provided. The liquid pump includes: a liquid storage unit having liquid chambers trapping at least two types of liquids with each chamber corresponding to the type of the trapped liquid; a coupling member for connection to each liquid chamber of the liquid storage unit; a pressure adjusting mechanism, connected to the coupling member, for alternately switching between a negative pressure and a positive pressure of an internal pressure of the liquid chamber; an inlet valve capable of passing the liquid to the liquid chamber; an outlet valve discharging the liquid in the liquid chamber; and a pass resistance variable mechanism adjusting an amount of the liquid trapped in the liquid chamber depending on a level of the liquid in the liquid chamber.

Abstract: Inks are supplied from ink inflow flow passages to ink storage chambers in a subtank. The inks are further supplied from the ink storage chambers via ink outflow flow passages to a head. The ink storage chambers are stacked in the vertical direction, with upper surfaces or lower surfaces thereof being defined by damper films respectively. Parts of upper surfaces of the ink inflow flow passages and parts of upper surfaces of the ink outflow flow passages are defined by gas-permeating films. The gas, which is contained in the liquids in the ink inflow flow passages and the ink outflow flow passages, is discharged via the gas-permeating film to a gas discharge passage. The gas is prevented from the outflow together with the liquids from the liquid supply apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid-ejection apparatus, including: a head configured to eject a liquid from a plurality of liquid-ejection openings; a main tank configured to accommodate the liquid supplied to the head; a liquid-supply pump configured to supply the liquid in the main tank to the head; a sub-tank in which are formed (a) a connection opening for connecting the sub-tank to the head and (b) an air-discharge opening for communicating the sub-tank with ambient air; a first channel extending from the liquid-supply pump to the sub-tank via the head and the connection opening; a second channel extending from the sub-tank to the liquid-supply pump; a third channel extending from the air-discharge opening of the sub-tank to the ambient air; an air-discharge valve provided in the third channel so as to be openable and closable; and a controller configured to control the air-discharge valve such that the air-discharge valve is temporarily opened in a liquid introducing operation in which the liquid is introduced from the main tank

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus is provided with an ink tank, a recording head, an ink passage extending from the ink tank to the recording head, and a sub-tank arranged on the ink passage. The apparatus has a first ink passage, a second ink passage, and an ultrasonic transducer. The first ink passage supplies ink from the ink tank to the sub-tank. The second ink passage has an ink outlet port, through which the ink is drawn from the sub-tank into the recording head. The ultrasonic transducer applies ultrasonic vibration to the ink contained in the sub-tank. The ink outlet port of the second ink passage is arranged near the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle and ejecting a liquid from the nozzle, a liquid supply passage which is connected with the liquid ejecting head, and through which the liquid is supplied to the liquid ejecting head, a gas discharge passage which is connected with the liquid supply passage at two different places, and through which a gas in the liquid supply passage is discharged, a gas-permeable film which is disposed at one of the two different places, constitutes a wall which separates the liquid supply passage and the gas discharge passage from each other, and allows gases to pass therethrough but does not allow liquids to pass therethrough, a shut-off valve which is disposed at the other of the two different places, and selectively placeable in an open state to communicate the liquid supply passage and the gas discharge passage with each other and a closing state to disconnect the communication between the liquid supply passage and the gas dis

Abstract: An inkjet recording device, wherein air can be retained in an ink supply pipe by using a simple structure without applying substantial changes to the inkjet recording device, a variation in an ink supply pressure is mitigated by the retained air, and ink can be ejected with high stability. An inkjet recording device is provided with an inkjet head for ejecting ink, an ink flow path for supplying the ink, which is supplied from an ink supply source, to a pressure chamber of the inkjet head and having at least a portion thereof constructed from an ink supply pipe, and an air retaining member inserted in the ink supply pipe, with the ink allowed to pass through the air retaining member, and retaining air in at least a portion of a space formed between the air retaining member and the inner surface of the ink supply pipe.

Abstract: A buffer tank mounted on a head holder has a plurality of air discharge valves for discharging the air accumulated in inks to the outside. The air discharge valve includes a valve body for opening and closing the passage bore and a valve rod provided extending from the valve body downwardly. A maintenance unit is provided outside the buffer tank, which includes an air discharge cap for covering the lower ends of the passage bores and a plurality of air discharge rods provided corresponding to the air discharge valves respectively. The air discharge rods are different in length from one another, depending on the colors of ink. When the air discharge rods are lifted up simultaneously by a lifting, they come into direct contact with the lower ends of the corresponding valve rods in sequence as their movements are delayed one after another, hence opening the valve bodies separately.

Abstract: An inkjet head, comprises an ink jetting chamber unit in which a plurality of ink jetting chambers to jet ink from respective nozzles is arranged along at least one array; a manifold to distribute ink to the plurality of ink jetting chambers; a first ink flow path to supply ink from the outside to the manifold; an air chamber structured to form an air-liquid interface at which air contacts with ink in the air chamber; and a second ink flow path branched from the first ink flow path and connected to the air chamber.

Abstract: A fluid-jet precision-dispensing device includes a layer, one or more first holes within the layer, and one or more second holes within the layer. The first holes are adapted to pass fluid therethrough during usage of the device to precisely dispense the fluid at accurately specified locations. The second holes are adapted to not pass the fluid therethrough during usage of the device to precisely dispense the fluid at the accurately specified locations. The second holes may be adapted to at least substantially maximally pass gaseous bubbles therethrough during performance of a priming operation of the device. The second holes may be adapted to at least substantially maximally pass sludge and/or contaminants therethrough during performance of the priming operation of the device.

Abstract: A printer comprising: a printhead having an ink inlet and an ink outlet; a pressure-regulating chamber having an outlet port connected to the ink inlet via an upstream ink conduit, the chamber containing ink at a first level below the printhead, wherein a headspace above the first level of ink is open to atmosphere; and a downstream ink conduit connected to the ink outlet and terminating above the first level of ink, the downstream ink conduit being open to atmosphere, wherein the downstream ink conduit comprises a loop section passing below the first level of ink, such that, in a printing configuration, a second level of ink in the loop is equal to the first level of ink in the chamber.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting device including a liquid ejecting head for ejecting a liquid; a liquid supply channel to supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting head; a discharge channel connected to the liquid supply channel through a gas permeable film to discharge a gas in the liquid supply channel; a suction unit connected to the discharge channel and configured to suction a gas in the discharge channel to reduce a pressure therein; a switching unit configured to block the communication of the discharge channel with the suction unit when the gas in the discharge channel is not suctioned; and a discharge detecting unit configured to detect that the gas in the liquid supply channel is suctioned and discharged to the discharge channel by the reduced pressure in the discharge channel when the communication of the discharge channel with the suction unit is blocked by the switching unit.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes recording element substrates each including at least one nozzle array and heat generating resistors, a common liquid chamber having introducing and discharging ports, and a supporting member mounting the recording element substrates and in which a plurality of individual liquid chambers for supplying the ink to respective recording element substrates and a plurality of ink inlet ports for supplying the ink from the common liquid chamber to respective individual liquid chambers are formed. The individual liquid chambers are arranged in a direction of flow of the ink from the ink introducing port toward the discharging port. At least in a most upstream individual liquid chamber with respect to the direction, a center line of an associated inlet port with respect to the direction is located downstream of a center line of the upstream individual liquid chamber with respect to the direction.

Abstract: An ink supply system for an inkjet printer. The ink supply system includes an ink reservoir and a pressure-regulating chamber. The pressure-regulating chamber has an inlet port, an outlet port, an air vent open to atmosphere and a float valve for maintaining a predetermined level of ink in the chamber. The float valve is biased towards a closed position by a positive ink pressure from the ink reservoir at the inlet port.

Abstract: An ink pressure regulator for regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead. The regulator includes an ink chamber having an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printhead via an ink line. A roof of the ink chamber includes: an air inlet; a regulator channel having a first end communicating with the air inlet and a second end communicating with a headspace of the chamber, the second end defining a bubble outlet; and a wetting system for maintaining liquid in the regulator channel, thereby ensuring that air entering the headspace first passes through the liquid. The regulator channel is dimensioned to control a Laplace pressure of air bubbles drawn from the bubble outlet as result of supplying ink to the printhead.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus is provided. The liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid storage container for storing a liquid therein; a carriage configured to reciprocate; an ejecting head mounted on the carriage and configured to eject liquid droplets; a liquid tank which is mounted on the carriage and is connected to the ejecting head and which is connected to the liquid storage container via a flexible tube; an air supply and discharge unit configured to supply air to the liquid tank and discharge air from the liquid tank; and a pressure controller controls the air supply and discharge unit so as to reduce a pressure fluctuation in the internal pressure of the liquid tank generated due to an inertial force applied to a liquid in the tube when the carriage changes a moving direction thereof.

Abstract: A recording apparatus may include a channel unit including a pressure chamber configured to store a liquid, and nozzles. The recording apparatus may include a reservoir unit connected to the channel unit and including a supply port, a drain port, a supply channel communicating with the channel unit, and a drainage channel branching off from the supply channel and communicating with the outside via the drain port. The recording apparatus may include actuators configured to apply pressure to the liquid in the pressure chamber. The recording apparatus may include a meniscus vibrator configured to drive the actuators to vibrate meniscus produced in the nozzles without causing liquid droplets to be ejected therefrom when the liquid supplied from the supply port is being drained from the drain port after traveling through the supply channel and the drainage channel.

Abstract: An ink tank includes a first channel extending in the form of a groove on an external part of the tank in connection with an atmospheric communicating port. The tank also includes a second channel which branches off from the first channel and joins this again and which has a capillary force greater than that of the first channel. Even when some amount of ink has flowed out of the atmospheric communicating port, the capillary force generated in the second channel acts to hold the ink in the channel. Additionally, even when ink is stored in the second channel, the first channel is not closed, and the pressure in the tank is therefore kept in equilibrium with the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, there is little possibility that the ink in the second channel will be pushed out even when the ambient temperature changes.

Abstract: A system for ejecting droplets of a fluid is described. The system includes a substrate having a flow path body that includes a fluid pumping chamber, a descender fluidically connected to the fluid pumping chamber, and a nozzle fluidically connected to the descender. The nozzle is arranged to eject droplets of fluid through an outlet formed in an outer substrate surface. The flow path body also includes a recirculation passage fluidically connected to the descender. The system for ejecting droplets of a fluid also includes a fluid supply tank fluidically connected to the fluid pumping chamber, a fluid return tank fluidically connected to the recirculation passage, and a pump fluidically connecting the fluid return tank and the fluid supply tank. In some implementations, a flow of fluid through the flow path body is at a flow rate sufficient to force air bubbles or contaminants through the flow path body.