Abstract: In second transport means (12), nipping pressure of each of outermost star wheels (6a), (6e) located at opposite ends in the primary scanning direction is set higher than that of each of star wheels (6b) to (6d) within a range lower than nipping pressure of first transport means. If a leading edge of a recording medium (1) is in a downwardly deformed state when reaching the second transport means (12), such deformation acts to press the wheels (6a) to (6e) upwardly. However, the nipping pressure of each of the opposite end star wheels (6a), (6e) nipping angular portions of the medium (1) on the leading edge side is set high enough to rectify such deformation at the angular portions. Accordingly, the medium (1) is nipped between a second driving roller (5) and the wheels (6a) to (6e) with its deformed angular portions rectified, and hence is transported in an ideal condition.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can form a high-quality image while acquiring a stable conveyance performance. A conveyance belt (21) conveys a recording medium (12) by attracting the recording medium (12) by an electrostatic force. A recording head (7) discharges liquid droplets toward the recording medium (12) being conveyed by the conveyance belt (21). Alternating positive and negative electric charges are applied onto the conveyance belt (21). A conveyance speed is controlled in accordance with a charge period length of the alternating positive and negative electric charges applied onto the conveyance belt (21).

Abstract: An ink jet recording head, which can effectively prevent any bubble and solid matter such as dust existing in supplied ink to reach the vicinity of a nozzle, includes a plurality of energy generating elements for generating energy for discharging the ink, a plurality of discharge ports provided at locations opposed to the respective energy generating elements to discharge the ink therethrough, a plurality of ink flow paths communicating with the respective discharge ports, and an ink supplying port for supplying the ink to the plurality of ink flow paths. Water repellent protruding portions having their surfaces formed of a material having surface energy smaller than the interfacial energy between them and the ink are provided upstream of the discharge ports with respect to an ink flow direction in which the ink flows from the ink supplying port into the ink flow paths and is discharged from the discharge ports.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus and a print position adjusting method capable of easily adjusting a relative print position between nozzle lines are provided. Images are printed on a print medium in a drive mode A and a drive mode B by using a print head which has first and second nozzle groups, each including a plurality of ink ejection nozzle lines. In the drive mode A, only one of the first and second nozzle groups is driven during one scan of the print head. In the drive mode B, the first and second nozzle groups are driven at different timings during one scan of the print head. A print position adjust value for adjusting a relative print position between the nozzle lines in the drive mode A is retrieved. Depending on whether the print position adjust value is even or odd, a print position correction value for the first nozzle group and a print position correction value for the second nozzle group are determined.

Abstract: When conveying tables for conveying the printing medium are selected to perform interlace printing, the occurrence of unevenness in an image which results from switching of the tables is prevented. It is determined whether a phase of the conveying table is a transfer inhibition phase in transfer to a printing area. In the case of the transfer inhibition phase, the switching is not made to a new table, but the previously used table is used. Thus, the switching can be made to a conveying table so as not to make a shift amount +1/2N or ?1/N continue. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of unevenness in an image which is caused by 1/N deviation of a printing position in a sub-scanning direction with regard to print data at the time of transfer from a rear end area to the normal area or the normal area to the rear end area.

Abstract: A support member (3) is secured within a printhead assembly such that a printhead (2) that can be mounted to the support member. The support member has a core with at least one ink reservoir (6, 7, 8 and 9) enclosed within a laminated shell (4). The materials and structure of the shell (4) and the core (5) are selected and configured so that the co-efficient of thermal expansion of the support member as a whole is substantially equal to that of the printhead (2).

Abstract: A pagewidth printhead assembly is provided comprising an elongate support member and printhead integrated circuits mounted to the support member so as to be substantially aligned with one another along the pagewidth. The support member has an effective coefficient of thermal expansion substantially equal to that of printhead integrated circuits.

Abstract: A printer includes at least one pagewidth print assembly, the assembly including a support member configured to be secured within the pagewidth printhead assembly so as to support a modular pagewidth printhead formed from one or more silicon structures. The support member comprises an outer laminated shell portion, and a core portion, at least partially enclosed and restrained by the shell portion. The shell portion and the printhead have substantially the same effective coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a print apparatus and a printing method which enable high-grade images to be output at high speed without the need to drastically reduce the number of printing elements used to print leading and trailing end portions of a print medium. A first mask pattern used to print a middle portion of the print medium is different from a second mask pattern used to print the leading or trailing end portion of the print medium. The present invention thus eliminates the need to drastically reduce the number of printing elements used to print the leading or trailing end portion as with the prior art.

Abstract: A recording head has a channel forming member and an element substrate. A discharge port through which liquid is discharged is formed in the channel forming member. An energy generating element for discharging the liquid is formed in the substrate. A gap forming member is arranged above the channel forming member. A moisture retention liquid retention portion which retains moisture in the vicinity of the discharge port is formed between the gap forming member and the channel forming member so as to be opened toward the discharge port side. Even if the state in which the liquid is not discharged continues, the liquid in the discharge port can be prevented from drying with the recording head having the above configuration.

Abstract: A paper supply unit including a front cover mounted to a main body of the image forming apparatus to occupy and move between open and closed positions, and, when occupying the opened position, defining a paper receiving space in which printing paper is to be stacked, and a tray cover, disposed to cover the printing paper stacked on the front cover to prevent an inflow of dust or foreign substances, to be inserted into and drawn out of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a chassis; a print head unit pivotably supported by the chassis; a platen roller rotatably supported by the chassis to perform printing with the print head unit; a metal feed roller rotatably supported by the chassis to convey paper; a metal press roller rotatably supported to the chassis so as to be pressed against the feed roller to convey paper; and feed roller bearings mounted to the chassis for rotatably supporting the feed roller. The feed roller bearings have contact parts that project toward the print head unit, such that the contact parts are pressed into contact with the print head unit when the print head unit is pressed against the platen roller during printing. The precision with which paper is fed and printing is performed can be improved.