Abstract: A liquid container is detachably mountable in an image forming apparatus having a liquid introducing member. The liquid container includes a storage unit, a supply port assembly, and an elastic seal member. The storage unit is disposed in the liquid container to store a liquid usable for image formation. The supply port assembly is mounted in the storage unit and has a supply channel therein. The liquid introducing member of the image forming apparatus is inserted into the supply port assembly. The elastic seal member is disposed in the supply port assembly. When penetrated by the liquid introducing member, the elastic seal member moves together with the liquid introducing member relative to the supply port assembly to open and close the supply channel.

Abstract: A method for supplying a liquid from a liquid tank to a head tank fixed to a liquid-jet head utilizing a liquid supply device in a liquid-jet apparatus is disclosed. The method includes jetting the liquid droplets from the liquid-jet head while maintaining a meniscus pressure of the liquid-jet head within a predetermined range; detecting the meniscus pressure of the liquid-jet head; carrying out, when the detected meniscus pressure is lower than the predetermined range, a first liquid supply operation such that the detected meniscus pressure of the liquid-jet head being lower than the predetermined range is restored to the predetermined range; and carrying out, while the first liquid supply operation is not being carried out, a second liquid supply operation such that the liquid is supplied to the head tank in an amount less than a liquid-jetted amount computed based on a liquid-jet signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first path through which liquid is supplied to a recording head; a second path connected to a liquid tank; a pressure-adjustment valve connecting the first path with the second path, wherein resistance inside the pressure-adjustment valve changes according to a flow rate of the liquid flowing through the first path; a third path connecting the second path with the pressure-adjustment valve, wherein the third path includes a pump; a fourth path that connects the recording head with the liquid tank and bypasses the pressure-adjustment valve; and an opening/closing valve that opens/closes the fourth path. When an environmental temperature exceeds a threshold, liquid is supplied to the recording head by operating the pump and opening the fourth path. When the environmental temperature is less than the threshold, liquid is supplied to the recording head by operating the pump and closing the fourth path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a liquid tank, a first fluid flow path supplying liquid to the recording head, a second fluid flow path being in communication with the liquid tank, a pressure adjusting valve allowing fluid communication between the first and the second fluid flow paths, a cap member covering a nozzle surface of the recording head, and a suction unit being in communication with the cap member. The pressure adjusting valve includes a movable member movably disposed in the internal fluid flow path, wherein the movable member includes a sealing unit that seals the communication between the first and the second fluid flow paths when the cap member covers the nozzle surface of the recording head and a negative pressure is generated in a cap-member space formed between the cap member and the nozzle surface by driving the suction unit.

Abstract: This patent specification describes a droplet-ejecting head including a nozzle substrate having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets, and an actuator configured to be driven to generate energy for ejecting droplets through each nozzle. The nozzle substrate is cleaned by a cleaning liquid containing microbubbles before being bonded to another member.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a flexible container containing ink; and a restriction mechanism allowing the flexible container to deform only in the direction to decrease the volume of the flexible container. The ink cartridge is used for an image forming apparatus including an inkjet head for jetting ink from nozzles.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes the pressure adjusting valve including a movable member movably disposed in the pressure adjusting valve, a first throttling part; and a second throttling part, wherein the second throttling part is formed as a gap between an internal wall of the frame of the pressure adjusting valve and the movable member, an internal fluid resistance of the pressure adjusting valve varies in response to the flow rate of the liquid, and when the liquid is discharged from the nozzle, the liquid is fed from the liquid tank to the recording head by the liquid feeding unit in a state where the recording head is in fluid communication with the liquid tank via the pressure adjusting valve.

Abstract: A liquid carrying container which is removably mounted to a body of an image forming device is disclosed. The liquid carrying container includes a liquid containing bag which contains liquid; and a supply port section which has an elastically deformable portion through which a hollow nozzle member is pierced from the side of the image forming device, wherein the supply port section is directly held within a recess section formed on the liquid containing bag, and the hollow nozzle member penetrates through the supply port section and the liquid containing bag to face inside the liquid containing bag.

Abstract: A liquid discharging-type image forming apparatus capable of securely eliminating mixed air bubbles from the ink liquid and forming a stable image. The apparatus includes: a sub tank 35 of which negative pressure amount is detected; a pump 115 sucking ink when the detected amount of the sub tank 35 is lower than a predetermined amount so that the sub tank 35 and recording heads 34 have negative pressure; a second backflow prevention unit 203 to stop the sent ink to be reserved in a second liquid container 201, which is pressurized as ink increases. When the ink is again filled in the sub tank 35, the ink is sent from the second liquid container 201 before being sent from the first liquid container. Accordingly, ink is not accumulated in the second liquid container 201, allowing the second liquid container 201 to be smaller and the image forming apparatus as a whole to be more compact.

Abstract: An imaging-material container that stores imaging material to be supplied to an image forming device includes a flexible storage member, a pressure unit, a regulation member, and a pushing unit. The flexible storage member stores imaging material. The pressure unit applies pressure on the flexible storage member. The regulation member contacts the flexible storage member to deform the flexible storage member. The pushing unit moves the regulation member as the imaging material is consumed.

Abstract: An ink cartridge removably mountable in an image forming apparatus includes a flexible storage member, a pressurization-space formation member, an output port, and an opening-and-closing assembly. The flexible storage member stores ink. The pressurization-space formation member hermetically houses the storage member and forms a pressurization space to which a fluid is supplied between the pressurization-space formation member and the storage member. The output port is connected to the storage member, through which the ink is supplied from the storage member to the image forming apparatus. The opening-and-closing assembly opens and closes between the output port and the storage member by the fluid supplied into the pressurization space.

Abstract: A liquid discharging device includes a liquid discharging head and a maintenance-recovery mechanism. In the liquid discharging head, a row of discharge openings is formed on a discharge opening surface. In the maintenance-recovery mechanism, a blade wipes the discharge opening surface. A belt carries the blade in a direction of rotation along the row of discharge openings. A pressing member presses an inner circumferential surface of the belt to move a portion of the belt opposing the liquid discharging head toward the liquid discharging head to maintain a substantially constant gap between the blade and the discharge opening surface. The gap has a length in the direction of rotation of the belt not smaller than a length of the row of discharge openings and not greater than a length of the liquid discharging head.

Abstract: A liquid container is detachably mountable in an image forming apparatus having a liquid introducing member. The liquid container includes a storage unit, a supply port assembly, and an elastic seal member. The storage unit is disposed in the liquid container to store a liquid usable for image formation. The supply port assembly is mounted in the storage unit and has a supply channel therein. The liquid introducing member of the image forming apparatus is inserted into the supply port assembly. The elastic seal member is disposed in the supply port assembly. When penetrated by the liquid introducing member, the elastic seal member moves together with the liquid introducing member relative to the supply port assembly to open and close the supply channel.

Abstract: An ink cartridge attachable to and detachable from an imaging apparatus, and including an ink accommodating unit; and a cartridge casing having an opening, whereby the ink accommodating unit includes: an ink accommodating body; and an ink supplying portion including a nozzle insertion path and connected to the ink accommodating body, whereby the ink supplying portion is held by the cartridge casing so that the ink supplying portion is rotatable between a position where the nozzle insertion path faces the opening and a position where the nozzle insertion path faces an inner wall surface of the cartridge casing, and when the ink cartridge is attached to the imaging apparatus the ink supplying portion is rotated to direct the nozzle insertion path toward the opening, and when the ink cartridge is detached the ink supplying portion is rotated to direct the nozzle insertion path toward the inner wall surface.

Abstract: An ink set includes at least two aqueous inks A and B with different colors, the inks A and B used in an inkjet recording method in which the inks A and B are superimposed for formation of a color image, wherein the ink A contains water-dispersible colorant A1 free of a surfactant-based dispersant, and anionic compound A2, and wherein the ink B contains water-dispersible colorant B1 containing a surfactant-based dispersant.

Abstract: A sub tank is provided that includes a case at which an air flow path is formed, the air flow path including an entrance flow path portion that is connected to an ink accommodating portion of the case, and a cross flow path portion that continues from the entrance flow path portion. The cross flow path portion extends in an upper diagonal direction with respect to a reference plane corresponding to the ink liquid level at a standstill state. Another sub tank is provided that includes a case forming an ink accommodating portion, on which case a flexible film member is attached through bonding or welding to seal an opening of the ink accommodating portion and to form one side of the sub tank. A spring is disposed within the ink accommodating portion between the case and the flexible film member, the spring forcing the flexible film member outward.

Abstract: A liquid discharging device includes a liquid discharging head and a maintenance-recovery mechanism. In the liquid discharging head, a row of discharge openings is formed on a discharge opening surface. In the maintenance-recovery mechanism, a blade wipes the discharge opening surface. A belt carries the blade in a direction of rotation along the row of discharge openings. A pressing member presses an inner circumferential surface of the belt to move a portion of the belt opposing the liquid discharging head toward the liquid discharging head to maintain a substantially constant gap between the blade and the discharge opening surface. The gap has a length in the direction of rotation of the belt not smaller than a length of the row of discharge openings and not greater than a length of the liquid discharging head.

Abstract: A maintenance and recovery device of a liquid droplet discharge apparatus improves a performance of discharging droplets of a liquid having a high-viscosity. A liquid droplet discharge head (34) discharges droplets of a recording liquid from a nozzle. A suction cap member (92a) caps a nozzle plane of the liquid droplet discharge head (34). An inclined surface (191) provides a slope toward an evacuation port (194) on a bottom of the suction cap member (92a). The inclined surface (191) forms an inclination angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The inclined surface is formed of a material having a contact angle with respect to the recording liquid. A sum of the inclination angle and the contact angle is equal to or larger than 70 degrees.

Abstract: This patent specification describes a droplet-ejecting head including a nozzle substrate having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets, and an actuator configured to be driven to generate energy for ejecting droplets through each nozzle. The nozzle substrate is cleaned by a cleaning liquid containing microbubbles before being bonded to another member.

Abstract: A sub tank is provided that includes a case at which an air flow path is formed, the air flow path including an entrance flow path portion that is connected to an ink accommodating portion of the case, and a cross flow path portion that continues from the entrance flow path portion. The cross flow path portion extends in an upper diagonal direction with respect to a reference plane corresponding to the ink liquid level at a standstill state. Another sub tank is provided that includes a case forming an ink accommodating portion, on which case a flexible film member is attached through bonding or welding to seal an opening of the ink accommodating portion and to form one side of the sub tank. A spring is disposed within the ink accommodating portion between the case and the flexible film member, the spring forcing the flexible film member outward.