Abstract: An intermediate transfer ink jet recording method comprising forming an ink image on an intermediate transfer medium by ink jet recording and then transferring the ink image from the intermediate transfer medium onto a recording medium, which method enables an excellent image to be formed on the intermediate transfer medium and the image to be efficiently transferred from the intermediate transfer medium to the recording medium. The intermediate transfer ink jet recording method of the invention is characterized by ejecting an ink composition on an intermediate transfer medium carrying, on the surface thereof, a surfactant having an HLB value of 2 to 15 to form an ink image and transferring the ink image formed on the intermediate transfer medium to a recording medium.

Abstract: An ink jet printer comprising a recording device for jetting ink droplets from a printer head while moving in a direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of a recording medium in the form of a sheet, to form a dot image on the recording medium according to an input time, further including a pair of sheet retaining devices respectively arranged before and behind in the direction of travel of the recording device, where one of the pair of sheet retaining devices arranged before in the direction of travel is displaced to push against the recording medium in order to form a predetermined clearance between the printer head and the recording medium, while the other is displaced to leave from the recording medium.

Abstract: An ink jet printer including a recording device for jetting ink droplets from a printer head while moving in a direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of a recording medium in the form of a sheet, to form a dot image on the recording medium according to an input time. The ink jet printer further includes a conveying mechanism, including a gate roller that performs an intermittent feed operation at a speed corresponding to the pixel density of a character or pattern recorded on the recording medium; and a roller provided downstream of the recording device, the roller being operated after the rear edge of the recording medium passes through the conveying mechanism located upstream of the recording device, to convey the recording medium while in contact with the dot image forming surface of the recording medium, the roller being movable into and out of engagement with the recording medium.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer having a sheet conveying mechanism which changes the speed of conveyance of a recording sheet in accordance with the density of characters or a pattern to be printed to intermittently convey the recording sheet in such a manner that all printed portions are properly dried before the sheet is conveyed to a subsequent position. The recording head of the printer performs a printing operation while pushing the front end portion of the recording sheet against the platen with a sheet retaining lever.

Abstract: A printer using a line-type ink jet recording head. The line-type head has pressure producing chambers formed by dividing nozzle openings extending in a recording paper width direction with vertical side walls and upper and lower ink flow paths which communicate with each other through the pressure producing chambers and extend in a horizontal direction. Each ink flow path has an inlet for replenishing ink and an outlet for discharging the ink. A plurality of pressure producing elements are provided for applying varied pressures to the pressure producing chambers for jetting ink droplets. A sealing member selectively seals the nozzle openings by abutting on the nozzle openings when the recording head has been evacuated to a predetermined position.

Abstract: An ink jet printer of the type in which an ink image is formed on an intermediate recording medium, and the ink image is transferred to a recording medium is disclosed. The ink jet printer includes heating means located near the intermediate recording medium. The heating direction of the heating means being set as desired. Control means is further included, which operates such that when the heating means heats the ink image formed on the intermediate recording medium, the heating direction of the heating means is set toward the intermediate recording medium at least one time, and when the heating means does not heat the intermediate recording medium, the heating direction of the heating means is put in the direction in which the heating means does not heat the recording head.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer having a sheet conveying mechanism which changes the speed of conveyance of a recording sheet in accordance with the density of characters or a pattern to be printed to intermittently convey the recording sheet in such a manner that all printed portions are properly dried before the sheet is conveyed to a subsequent position. The recording head of the printer performs a printing operation while pushing the front end portion of the recording sheet against the platen with a sheet retaining lever.

Abstract: A recording medium discharge mechanism which discharges a recording medium (S) into a discharge tray (14) using a sheet discharge roller (69) and a sheet discharge biasing roller (72) that confronts the sheet discharge roller (66). The sheet discharge roller (69) has a plurality of vortical teeth extending in the direction of rotation of the sheet discharge roller. When the tail end of the recording medium (S) approaches the discharge roller (69), the circumferential speed of the sheet discharge roller (69) is increased so that the recording medium (S) can be accelerated into the sheet discharge tray (14) while biasing the tail end of the recording medium (S).