Abstract: A reclining seat for an automobile is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fitting (8) for a vehicle seat, especially for an automotive seat. The fitting comprises two individual fittings (10, 50) that are arranged axially juxtaposed and in parallel in relation to the flow of force, and that each have two fitting parts (11, 12, 51, 52) that can be rotated in relation to each other and that are mechanically interlinked by way of an eccentric epicyclic gear defining backlash. The present invention is characterized in that the first individual fitting (10) has an eccentric that is not able to eliminate the backlash and the second individual fitting (50) has an eccentric adapted for eliminating the backlash.

Abstract: A bucket sports seat for vehicles having at least one shape-rigid load-bearing shell with upswept side cheeks for bilateral support of the legs, the buttocks and the upper torso of a seat occupant. The seat section and the backrest section are each assigned one separately fabricated load-bearing shell. The two load-bearing shells of the seat section and of the backrest section, adjoining an upper and/or a front boundary of the side cheeks, are connected together by simple swivel joints in a transition region. In the region of the backside of the bucket sports seat, a detachable locking mechanism between the backrest section and the seat section is provided.

Abstract: A headrest for a vehicular seat has a base member, a headrest main body and a cable. The base member has a stay held by a side of a seat back. The headrest main body is movably attached to the base member. The cable is pulled when the headrest main body is moved relative to the base member. The cable includes an outer cable and an inner cable inserted to the outer cable. The outer cable is attached with a cap at an end portion thereof. A fixing structure for fixing the cap to an end portion of the stay is provided between the cap and the end portion of the stay. And the inner cable penetrates a shaft hole of the stay by exceeding the outer cable and is moved relative to the outer cable and the stay by being pulled when the headrest main body is moved.

Abstract: A wheel balance weight for an automobile is provided. The wheel balance weight for an automobile includes a weight holder 10 having a hook part 12 press-fitted between a rim 7 of an automobile wheel 5 and a tire bead part 9 and an arcuate gripping part 14 provided at the other end of the hook part 12, and a weight element 20 detachably gripped by an inner periphery of the gripping part 14 of the weight holder 10, wherein the gripping part 14 of the weight holder 10 has a cut-out part 14a formed at a center part thereof to a certain length in a circumferential direction thereof, and the weight element 20 has a fixing protrusion 22 projecting from an outer periphery thereof through the cut-out part 14a of the gripping part 14 to the exterior and fixedly hooked by the gripping part 14.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing structure includes an outer axle, an inner axle, a head member, a lever member, a fixing structure and an adjustment member. The outer axle has a first threaded end and a second end. The inner axle is coupled to the outer axle within an internal bore of the outer axle. The head member is disposed on the inner axle with the lever member operatively mounted to move the head member relative to the inner axle in response to movement of the lever member. The fixing structure is disposed between the outer axle and the inner axle to releasably prevent axial removal of the inner axle from the internal bore of the outer axle. The fixing structure and the adjustment member cooperate together to adjust a final position of the lever member in a rotational direction with respect to the outer axle.

Abstract: A working machine, such as an industrial truck, has working hydraulics, a hydraulic steering device, and a spring-loaded brake. The brake has a braking position and a release position and can be acted upon by a brake-release pressure, which is passed in a brake line, so as to be brought into the release position. A hydraulic pump is provided for the supply to the working hydraulics and the steering device and for producing the brake-release pressure of the spring-loaded brake. The brake line of the spring-loaded brake is connected to a delivery branch line, which is connected to the pump, of the steering device.

Abstract: A vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control unit in which a pair of regulator valves, four normally open electromagnetic valves, a pair of reservoirs, four normally closed electromagnetic valves, a pair of pumps and a pair of suction valves are provided in a common base unit with the normally open electromagnetic valves and the normally closed electromagnetic valves arranged in parallel with each other. A pair of primary and secondary suction valves are arranged collectively to lie between four normally open electromagnetic valves and four normally closed electromagnetic valves which are arranged in parallel with each other and individually to lie between each set of two ports 24A, 24B; 24C, 24D from each end of four ports 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D.

Abstract: Apparatus and slide cassette for removably retaining or securing a slide. The cassette includes trays for holding a slide. Each tray has a retaining lip at an end thereof. A first edge of a slide contacts a support member within the cassette when the slide that is placed in a slot. The support member can be an elastomeric member, a spring, a foam member, or an insert with slide retention surfaces. The support member pushes or urges the slide in the opposite direction so that an opposite edge of the slide contacts the retaining lips of the trays. As a result, the slide is removably retained or secured on the trays and between the retaining lips and the support member(s).

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for holding an expansion card with a slot cover, the mounting apparatus comprises a rear panel and a fastener. The rear panel defines a slot, and forms a holder above the slot. The holder forms a pivoting axis at a free end thereof, and the pivoting axis is in parallel with the rear panel. The fastener is pivotably attached to the pivoting axis, and comprises a pressing portion pressing the slot cover to the holder and a locking portion locked to the rear panel.

Abstract: A closure assembly configured to urge a drawer of a refrigerator from an open position that permits access to an interior of the drawer toward a closed position that impedes access to the interior of the drawer. The closure assembly includes a cam block configured to be disposed on one of the drawer and a portion of the refrigerator other than the drawer. The cam block includes a cam surface. A cam member is configured to be disposed on the other one of the drawer and the portion of the refrigerator other than the drawer. The cam member includes a contact surface configured to contact the cam surface to urge the drawer from the open position toward the closed position.

Abstract: A multi-section slide assembly includes an outer slide, an intermediate slide, an inner slide, a positioning member, and an actuating member. The outer slide forms a locking tab. The intermediate slide is received in the outer slide. The intermediate slide defines two receiving slots and at least one slit. The positioning member is mounted to the intermediate slide, and includes at least one positioning tab extending downward therefrom. The positioning tab extends through the slit and abuts against the locking tab. The actuating member is mounted between the intermediate member and the positioning member. The actuating member forms two arms. Two arrises protrude downward from the arms of the actuating member and extend through the corresponding receiving slots of the intermediate slide. The inner slide is received in the intermediate slide.

Abstract: A refrigerator shelving system includes an item retainer for securing items carried on a shelf, a mounting member for releasably securing a shelf to a cabinet of the refrigerator, and a spill tray carried by the shelf. The item retainer is movable between a first position and a second position such that when in the first position, a first side upwardly extends from the shelf and defines a fence and when in the second position the first side is parallel and adjacent to an upper surface of the shelf. The shelf mounting member includes a first portion rotatably interconnected to a lateral side of the shelf and a second portion for selectively engaging a horizontal slot of a cabinet of the refrigerator. The mounting member is rotatable from a first position to a second position to engage the second portion with the horizontal slot. The spill tray includes a main body portion and a plurality of mounting elements.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus comprises: an applying device that applies a first liquid containing a diffusion preventing agent for a coloring material, onto a recording medium; a droplet depositing device that deposits a second liquid containing the coloring material, onto the recording medium onto which the first liquid has been applied; a radiation irradiating device that radiates radiation onto the recording medium onto which the second liquid has been deposited; and a controlling device that controls a time from the second liquid being deposited to the second liquid being irradiated with the radiation, according to deposition data for the droplet depositing device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for a printer (10) includes a print engine controller (48) that is configured to receive image data in an image storage format. The print engine controller includes data processing circuitry that is configured to process the image data at a rate of at least one billion pixels per second to transform the data into print data. The print engine controller includes data communication circuitry (176) that is operatively connected to the data processing circuitry and is configured to communicate the print data to a printhead (41).

Abstract: A liquid-jet apparatus includes: a driving signal generating unit that generates a ejecting driving signal, which is a periodic signal having a plurality of pulse waveforms; a driving pulse generating unit that generates a driving pulse string for each unit region of a medium to be printed upon, on the basis of gray-scale data for the unit region, the ejecting driving signal, and information on whether the driving pulse string generated for a previous unit region includes a last pulse waveform or a pulse waveform immediately before the last pulse waveform in one cycle of the ejecting driving signal; and a control unit that drives the pressure changing unit on the basis of the driving pulse. In the liquid-jet apparatus, the one cycle of the ejecting driving signal corresponds to one unit region of the medium to be printed upon.

Abstract: A method for generating a reference signal for use in an imaging apparatus having an encoder system that supplies an original encoder signal includes selecting one of a plurality of encoder signal conditioning algorithms corresponding to a plurality of desired functions, each encoder signal conditioning algorithm of the plurality of encoder signal conditioning algorithms being directed to facilitating a specific predefined function of the plurality of desired functions relating to a modification of the original encoder signal; reading values into the selected encoder signal conditioning algorithm to generate at least one programming parameter; and programming a hardware reference unit using the at least one programming parameter to generate a synthesized encoder signal representing the modification of the original encoder signal.

Abstract: A device (200) for manufacturing a color printing includes a printhead (10), a device (300) for additional printing of the color printing, and a printhead motion and jetting control (100). The device (300) also provided herein includes a printhead identification unit (80) and the host processor (90). The printhead identification unit is configured for identifying type of the N jets, calculating the numbers of the defective jets, and then outputting measurement information of the N jets and the defective jets. The host processor is configured for receiving the measurement information from the printhead identification unit and outputting movement instructions of the printhead with a starting position of the printhead in the first printing process.

Abstract: In an ink jet printing apparatus that ejects a plurality of kinds of pigment inks in small droplets, the drive pulse waveform to be applied to each of the heaters is adjusted according to the viscosity of the ink in a way that assures that the lengths of liquid columns ejected are approximately equal among different colors. This enables the dot areas formed on a print medium to be constant among different colors, realizing an image output with excellent color reproducibility, free from variations in image density and tonality.

Abstract: A cap 41 is used for nozzle inspections for clogging on the basis of a waveform of an output signal at a print head 24 when, in a state in which a potential difference has been generated among the print head 24, a regulating member 143 that is the opposing electrode opposite to the print head 24, or an ink-absorbing member 142, an operation is performed of ejecting ink from the nozzles 23 of the print head 24 to an opposing electrode. The cap 41 comprises a box member 141 in which the regulating member 143 and the ink-absorbing member 142 are contained and an electrode pin 145 that penetrates the box member 141 in a liquid-tight manner, and that is electrically connected with the regulating member 143. Thus, even when ink accumulates in the box member 141 after a nozzle inspection for clogging has taken place, no ink will leak from the part that the electrode pin 145 penetrates.

Abstract: An inkjet drop ejection apparatus that has a chamber with a plurality of nozzles, and an actuator with associated drive circuitry for selectively ejecting drops of ink through any one of the nozzles. By using a single actuator for ejecting ink from multiple nozzles, it reduces the drive circuitry etched into the printhead. This in turn allows the nozzle spacing to be reduced.

Abstract: A printhead assembly suitable for printhead maintenance operations is provided. The printhead assembly comprises: (a) a printhead having an ink ejection face; (b) an ink supply system for supplying ink to the printhead; and (c) a foaming system for providing a liquid foam on the face.

Abstract: One embodiment of a printhead servicing mechanism includes a driveshaft, and a sled including a rack adapted to selectively engage the driveshaft and a retaining wall positioned to retain the driveshaft on the rack in a zone.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance station for maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The maintenance station comprises an elastically deformable pad having a contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of the printhead, and an engagement mechanism for reciprocally moving the pad between a first position in which the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face and a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from the face. The engagement mechanism is configured to move the pad rotatably with respect to the printhead such that, during engagement, a first part of the surface is contacted with the face prior to a second part of the surface. During disengagement the second part is disengaged from the face prior to the first part.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus has a movement mechanism, a pressurized purge unit, and a liquid discharge restriction mechanism. The movement mechanism moves at least one of a liquid ejecting head and a cap so as to allow the cap to take a capping position where the cap covers a liquid ejection face of the head or an uncapping position where the cap is spaced away from the liquid ejection face and capable of receiving liquid ejected from nozzles formed on the liquid ejection face. The pressurized purge unit makes liquid forcibly ejected from the nozzles into the cap. The liquid discharge restriction mechanism restricts liquid from being discharged through a discharge port of the cap when the cap is in the capping position, and permits liquid to be discharged through the discharge port when the cap is in the uncapping position.

Abstract: A droplet ejection apparatus having a droplet ejection head, a cap casing, a pump, and a movement device is disclosed. The droplet ejection head ejects liquefied material containing functional material from nozzles as droplets. The cap casing has an accommodating portion in which a portion of the droplet ejection head including at least the nozzle forming surface is accommodated. The pump supplies liquid to the accommodating portion. The movement device moves at least one of the cap casing and the droplet ejection head relative with the other. When recovery is performed on the droplet ejection head or the droplet ejection head is held in a nonoperating state, the movement device arranges the cap casing relative to the droplet ejection head in such a manner that the nozzle forming surface is immersed in the liquid retained in the accommodating portion.

Abstract: A printer is provided having pagewidth printheads for printing on opposite faces of print media, pagewidth cappers pivotally mounted to the printheads, and an actuating mechanism for pivoting the cappers between respective non-capping and capping positions relative to the printheads.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: an ink jet head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging inks; a cap body having an inner space and adapted to cover open surfaces of the nozzles such that the inner space forms a sealed space; a sucking device which is connected to the inner space of the cap body and sucks the ink from the nozzles; a cap body driver which switches a position of the cap body between a first position where the cap body is in contact with the open surfaces of the nozzles and a second position where the cap body is separated from the open surfaces of the nozzles; and a controller which controls a timing when the cap body driver switches the position of the cap body from the first position to the second position, on the basis of an ink amount to be sucked from the nozzles.

Abstract: A maintenance facility for an inkjet printer having a pagewidth printhead and a media path for feeding sheets of media substrate in a media feed direction. The pagewidth printhead has an elongate array of nozzles extending the printing width of the media substrate and the maintenance facility has a tubular chassis mounting in the printer such that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis and a plurality of maintenance stations mounted to an exterior surface of the tubular chassis. At least one of the maintenance stations is a wiper member positioned for wiping contact with the elongate array of nozzles.

Abstract: A maintenance facility for an inkjet printer has a printhead with an array of nozzles defined in a nozzle face and media feed assembly for moving sheets of print media along a media feed path extending past the printhead in a media feed direction. The printhead maintenance facility has a wiper member having a fibrous pad for wiping the nozzle face and a maintenance drive for moving the wiper member over the printhead in a direction parallel to the media feed direction. During use, the maintenance drive moves the fibrous pad through the media feed path in order to contact the nozzle face.

Abstract: A method of maintaining an inkjet printhead assembly having a carrier frame operatively supporting an ink supply manifold, a pagewidth printhead with an ink ejection surface supplied with ink from said manifold, a maintenance station with a drive motor and a number of rollers, a film wound in a loop around said rollers, a film guide and an encapsulant extending from a longitudinal edge portion of the ink ejection surface, includes the step of actuating at least one of the rollers with the drive motor. The station is moved from a printing position, where the film is remote from the printhead, into a cleaning position, where the film engages the film guide so that the film, an encapsulant extending from a longitudinal edge portion of an ink ejection surface of the printhead, and the ink ejection surface define a cavity. The rollers are actuated to produce a laminar ink flow in the cavity to clean the ejection surface of the printhead without the film physically contacting the ejection surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a recording head that forms an image onto a recording medium; a guide shaft disposed to extend in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the recording medium; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and includes a support portion formed integrally with the carriage; and a bearing unit attached to an inner surface of the support portion and allows the carriage to be moved along the guide shaft, and includes plate-shaped bearing portions that are disposed to have a contained angle that allows the bearing portions to contact with a circumferential surface of the guide shaft at two points.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a recording head, a carriage mounted with the recording head and reciprocates in a reciprocation direction, a conductive wire extending from the carriage, a regulating wall which extends along a reciprocation direction of the carriage and suppresses the conductive wire from swelling in a direction separating away from the carriage, and a fixing member which fixes other end side of the conductive wire to an apparatus body by forming a curved portion inverted in the reciprocation direction of the carriage at a predetermined position between the regulating wall and the carriage in the conductive wire and pressing the other end side of the conductive wire toward the regulating wall.

Abstract: A pattern forming method forms a pattern on a substrate by relatively moving a plurality of nozzle groups each including a plurality of nozzles arranged in a first direction and the substrate a plurality of times in a main-scanning direction to allow the nozzles to discharge liquid droplets thereon.

Abstract: A printhead assembly comprising: at least one printhead module comprising: at least two printhead integrated circuits, each of which has nozzles formed therein; a longitudinal extending fluid transfer member configured to support the at least two printhead integrated circuits, wherein the fluid transfer member includes a plurality of chambers which are in fluid communication with a supply of printing fluid and respective ports of the at least one printhead module; and an electrical connector for receiving electrical signals for the at least two printhead integrated circuits; a drive electronics part incorporating at least one controller which is connected to at least one of the at least two printhead integrated circuits via the electrical connector for controlling the printing operation of at least one of the at least two printhead integrated circuits; and a casing part for supporting the drive electronics part and the at least one printhead module.

Abstract: A printhead comprising a plurality of unit cells, at least one of the plurality of unit cells comprising a substrate including an ink inlet passage. A chamber is defined by chamber sidewalls and at least part of a nozzle plate defining an aperture for ejection of ink from the chamber, the chamber being in fluid communication with the inlet passage. A nozzle enclosure comprising enclosure sidewalls and a roof defining an opening for ejection of ink, the nozzle enclosure surrounding the aperture. Ink ejected from the aperture is directed to the opening of the nozzle enclosure, thereby isolating the aperture from an adjacent aperture of an adjacent unit cell.

Abstract: An ink ejection nozzle has an ink reservoir with an oscillator configured to oscillate ink pressure in the reservoir. A wafer assembly defines an ink supply channel in fluid communication with the ink reservoir. A nozzle chamber structure on the wafer assembly defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply channel. An ink ejection port is in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. A shutter is positioned in the nozzle chamber and is configured to shut the ink ejection port to the ejection of ink from the nozzle chamber.

Abstract: Provided is an inkjet printhead having a plurality of nozzle arrangements. Each arrangement includes a wafer substrate defining a nozzle and an ink chamber underneath the nozzle with an ink supply channel leading to said chamber, as well as a paddle arranged in the chamber. Each arrangement also includes an actuator arrangement positioned on the substrate and configured to actuate the paddle to eject ink from the nozzle, wherein the actuator and nozzle are hydrophobically treated to prevent ejected ink from wicking after ejection.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator, and control logic controls the drive transistor. The aperture of the inkjet nozzle through which the ink droplet is ejected has a diameter of less than 15 ?m.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus includes an ink supplying member which has an ink storage section, an exhaust section, and a space portion formed between the ink storage section and the exhaust section, an ink-jet head, and two flexible flat cables (FPC) which are drawn in mutually opposite directions from the ink-jet head. One FPC is wired by passing along a side of the ink supplying member, opposite to the exhaust section, and the other FPC is wired by passing through the space portion. Since the FPC is wired avoiding the ink supplying member and the exhaust section, it is possible to eliminate adhering of ink to the FPC, and to eliminate a waste of FPC wiring. Moreover, it is possible to reduce a cost, and to uniformize electrical characteristics of the two flexible flat cables.

Abstract: A wiring pattern having a plurality of terminal lands and leads independently respectively connected therewith is formed on one face of an insulator of a flexible wiring substrate. The insulator is provided with through-holes whereby the terminal lands are exposed on the other side. The terminal lands are electrically connected and fixed on the other face of the insulator by joining with the head terminals of the inkjet head with conductive adhesive, through the through-holes. Isolation between the leads and terminal lands arranged on the one side thereof from the conductive adhesive is provided by the insulator.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead that has a substrate with a first layer, a second layer; and a flexible element supported by the second layer. The flexible element has an orifice through which ink is ejected. An actuator deflects the flexible element to force the ink through the orifice. The substrate has an opening formed through the first layer and a hole through the second layer such that the hole and the opening are in fluid communication to supply ink to the flexible element.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement is provided for a printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a wafer arrangement and a nozzle extending from the wafer arrangement. The nozzle defines a nozzle chamber in which ink can be stored and an ink ejection port though which ink in the nozzle chamber can be ejected. The wafer arrangement includes a pair of spaced apart electrodes located within the nozzle chamber. One of the electrodes defines a corrugated portion proximal to the nozzle that facilitates ejection of ink in the nozzle chamber out through the ink ejection port upon a potential difference being applied across the electrodes.

Abstract: Provided is a micro-electromechanical fluid ejection mechanism. The mechanism includes a substrate defining an ink passage in fluid communication with a tapered ink chamber having an ink ejection port, as well as a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator arranged within the chamber. The actuator is configured to straighten when heated and to return to a bent state upon subsequent cooling to facilitate ejection of ink via the ejection port.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for an ink jet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a wafer substrate arrangement defining an ink inlet channel and a first wall surrounding the ink inlet channel; a movable ink ejection structure defining an ink ejection port and a second wall surrounding the first wall so that the wafer substrate arrangement and ink ejection structure together define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet channel and the ink ejection port; and a plurality of thermal bend actuators movably coupling the ink ejection structure to the wafer substrate arrangement. Each actuator includes an arm for moving the ink ejection structure responsive to an applied electrical signal, whereby a volume of the nozzle chamber is varied. Each arm includes a pair of inner active portions and a pair of outer passive portions, the inner active portions having a profile inverse to that of the outer passive portions.

Abstract: A printhead is provided having a plurality of chambers on a substrate, each chamber having a nozzle, a heater arranged in each chamber so as to heat fluid within the chamber to form a gas bubble therein and thereby cause ejection of a drop from the corresponding nozzle, and a plurality of passages formed in the substrate so that each passage supplies the fluid to an associated one of the chambers. Each heater includes solid material and has a mass of less than 10 nanograms of the solid material, which is configured to be heated to cause formation of the gas bubble.

Abstract: A base member for use in manufacturing an ink jet recording head, which includes a supply port, an ejection outlet, a liquid flow path for directing liquid supplied from the supply port to the ejection outlet, and an ejection pressure generating element, disposed in the liquid flow path, for ejecting the liquid. The supply port is formed as a through-opening in a substrate on which the ejection pressure generation element is provided. The base member includes a recessed portion formed on the side of the substrate provided with the ejection pressure generation element. The recessed portion extends from an edge of the supply port to a neighborhood of the ejection pressure generation element. A protection layer is provided at least on a portion of the substrate surface constituting the recessed portion.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead with multiple actuators in respective ink chambers, where a plurality of the actuators activate simultaneously from the same drive signal. By replacing a single relatively large chamber with two or more smaller chambers, such that the separate actuators are in the same driver circuit (either in series or parallel), each nozzle ejects drops of smaller volume, and having different misdirections. Smaller drops with differing misdirections are less likely to create any visible artefacts.

Abstract: A metal oxide layer is disposed on the lower potential side when an electric field in a predetermined direction is applied to the piezoelectric body which is deformed by an applied electric field, and compensates for the oxygen vacancies which are generated in the piezoelectric body by applying the electric field. A second metal oxide layer is disposed on the higher potential side of the electric field applied to the piezoelectric body, and by applying an electric field in the direction reverse to the electric field, compensates for the oxygen vacancies which are accumulated in the piezoelectric body, thus degradation of the piezoelectric characteristic of a piezoelectric element can be repaired.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image recording apparatus including an inkjet printhead and a cap. The inkjet printhead has a plurality of pressure chambers, a common ink chamber that is commonly connected to the pressure chambers to supply ink therefrom to the pressure chambers, and a nozzle surface including a nozzle area and an overlapping area. In the nozzle area, a row of nozzles respectively connected to the pressure chambers are open, and the ink supplied to the pressure chambers is then supplied to the corresponding nozzles to be ejected therefrom. The overlapping area overlaps with the common ink chamber as seen in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface. The cap has a close-contact portion, and is brought into contact with, and away from, the nozzle surface, and when in contact with the nozzle surface, the cap air-tightly closes the nozzle surface with the close-contact portion encircling the nozzle area and not contacting the overlapping area.