Abstract: An apparatus for supplying chemical liquid may include a chemical liquid supply member for supplying a chemical liquid onto a substrate, a chemical liquid storing member for storing the chemical liquid, a chemical liquid receiving assembly for receiving the chemical liquid provided from the chemical liquid storing member and for providing the chemical liquid into the chemical liquid supply member, a first chemical liquid supply line for supplying the chemical liquid from the chemical liquid storing member to the chemical liquid receiving assembly, and a second chemical liquid supply line for supplying the chemical liquid from the chemical liquid receiving assembly to the chemical liquid supply member.

Abstract: A multi-material fluidic printing system including pressure source; regulator(s) having first end(s) and second end(s), first end(s) fluidically coupled to pressure source; flow selector(s) having third end(s) and fourth ends; cartridges capable of holding fluid materials, cartridge having fifth end and sixth end, fifth end fluidically coupled to corresponding fourth end; processor(s) configured to: control pressure source to generate first pressure; control regulator(s) to regulate first pressure to obtain second pressure at second end(s); control flow selector(s) to selectively distribute second pressure received at third end(s) to obtain third pressure(s) on fourth end(s), so that fluid material(s) held in cartridge(s) corresponding to fourth end(s) is/are dispensed from sixth end(s) of cartridge(s) onto fluidic device.

Abstract: A single pass inkjet printer that utilizes a modular printing system with one or more self-contained printing modules, where each printing module is easy to remove and replace from a large printing machine, thus resulting in an overall system that is easy to service and maintain Each module is a self-contained printer including an ink supply, printhead drive electronics, and printhead assembly in order to provide one color or fluid of inkjet printing capability. Each module includes a precise three-point compliant self-aligning mount system to obtain accurate printhead positioning, and a unique integrated printhead tending system that includes a compact movable vacuum knife for cleaning the printheads, and a printhead capping station for sealing and protecting the printheads from the ambient environment when not in use.

Abstract: A cleaning unit is provided with a cleaning member for cleaning an ejecting head for ejecting liquid and a holder detachably mounted in a holding portion disposed at a position faceable with the ejecting head. The cleaning member is held in the holder in a state in which an absorbent body configured to absorb liquid is wrapped around an elastic body.

Abstract: A printer includes an ink head including a nozzle, a damper connected with the ink head, a pressure sensor to detect a damper pressure in the damper, a cap attachable to the ink head so as to cover the nozzle, an upward/downward moving mechanism to move the cap upward and downward with respect to the ink head, a suction pump connected with the cap, and a controller. The controller is configured or programmed to include a suction controller to execute a suction process to drive the suction pump in a state where the cap is attached to the ink head, a pressure acquisition controller to acquire the damper pressure from the pressure sensor during the suction process, and an upward/downward movement controller to control the cap to move upward toward the ink head when a change amount of the damper pressure is no larger than a reference change amount.

Abstract: In one example, a single valve assembly having multiple bi-stable cam actuated valves each to open and close a corresponding one of multiple separate liquid flow channels. In one example, a liquid recovery system for an inkjet type dispenser includes a reservoir, an interconnect to connect to a removable container, a flow channel from the reservoir to a printhead unit and back to the reservoir and from the reservoir to the interconnect, a pump to pump ink from the reservoir along the flow channel, and a bi-stable cam actuated valve to open and close the flow channel downstream from the pump between the reservoir and the interconnect.

Abstract: A printer is provided with a first supply flow channel configured to connect a head with a first tank, a second supply flow channel configured to connect the head with a second tank, a first supply valve provided at the first supply flow channel, a second supply valve provided at the second supply flow channel, a cap configured to cover the first nozzle hole and the second nozzle hole and to be closely adhered to a nozzle surface of the head, a pump provided at a waste liquid flow channel connected to the cap. The processor of the printer drives the pump in a state in which the cap is closely adhered to the nozzle surface, one of the first supply valve or the second supply valve is open, and the other of the first supply valve or the second supply valve is closed.

Abstract: The inkjet printing apparatus includes: a printing unit to eject ink; a wiping unit capable of wiping an ejection opening surface by moving relative to the ejection opening surface with an opening, adapted to be in contact with the ejection opening surface, put in contact with the ejection opening surface; a suction unit connected to the wiping unit and configured to apply negative pressure to the ejection opening surface via the opening; a moving unit to move the wiping unit relative to the ejection opening surface; and a control unit to perform suction wiping operation by wiping the ejection opening surface with the wiping unit while applying negative pressure to the ejection opening surface. The control unit determines the timing to perform the suction wiping operation, and, according to the timing, determines a moving speed of the moving unit and a pressure value caused by the suction unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying chemical liquid may include a chemical liquid supply head, a receiving member, a removing member and a supplying member. The chemical liquid supply head may provide a chemical liquid onto a substrate. The receiving member may receive a recycle chemical liquid discharged from the chemical liquid supply head, and the removing member may remove impurities remaining in the recycle chemical liquid received in the receiving member. The supplying member may provide the recycle chemical liquid from which the impurities are removed to the chemical liquid supply head.

Abstract: An inkjet circulation apparatus may include at least one inkjet printer including a supplier into which an ink is injected, a discharger connected to the supplier, and discharging the ink injected from the supplier, and a drain connected to the discharger and the supplier, and injecting the ink in the discharger into the supplier, at least one collector capable of containing an inert gas and the ink discharged from the discharger, and a contact member sealing between the discharger and the collector.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an electrospinning head includes a nozzle and an uneven surface. The nozzle is made from an electrically conductive material, and a flow path is formed inside the nozzle. On the outer surface of the nozzle, an ejection port capable of ejecting a material liquid supplied to the flow path is formed. The uneven surface is formed in the vicinity of the projection port on the outer surface of the nozzle, and an uneven shape of the uneven surface is formed around the entire circumference of the circumferential direction of the nozzle and is along the extending direction of the flow path.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus I includes a printing head 1 configured to house, on the inside, a nozzle 12, a charging electrode 13, a deflection electrode 15, and a gutter 16, a maintenance-pattern storing unit 102b configured to store, respectively in association with types of abnormalities, a plurality of kinds of maintenance operations executable in the ink jet recording apparatus I, a flag storing unit 102a configured to store occurrence of an abnormality in the ink jet recording apparatus I as an error flag corresponding to a type of the abnormality, and a control unit 101 configured to select, based on the type of the abnormality corresponding to the error flag stored in the flag storing unit 102a, one maintenance operation out of the plurality of kinds of maintenance operations stored in the maintenance-pattern storing unit 102b and execute the maintenance operation.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a cap to seal a printhead in a printhead assembly, where the cap includes a priming port and a venting port. A vent connected to the venting port is sealed by a cam controlled vent-arm while a vacuum pump connected to the priming port applies a vacuum to prime the printhead. The vent is unsealed by the cam controlled vent-arm and the vacuum pump clears ink from the priming cap.

Abstract: Provided is a drive transmission switching mechanism that can switch and drive two circulation units by one motor in response to a switching operation of a paper sheet transport direction. A paper sheet storage unit includes a first circulation unit 100 and a second circulation unit 200 that respectively receive transported paper sheets upon reception of a drive force from a single motor 302 and feed paper sheets stored therein, a sorter 310 that sorts paper sheets to either one of the circulation units, and a drive transmission switching mechanism 400 that transmits a drive force from the motor to either one of the circulation units. The drive transmission switching mechanism is activated in conjunction with an operation to change the posture of the sorter, thereby switching and transmitting the drive force to either one of the circulation units.

Abstract: The inkjet recording apparatus includes a conveyance belt, a conveyance plate, a suction unit, an inkjet head, and a cleaning unit. The conveyance belt has a plurality of through holes. The suction unit causes the conveyance belt to suck the sheet. The conveyance plate includes a plurality of through holes formed in bottom portions of the plurality of recessed portions. The inkjet head includes a head main body and a head end portion adjacent to the head main body, and faces an upper surface of the conveyance plate via the conveyance belt. The cleaning unit removes ink adhering to a lower surface of the head main body. A ratio of the recessed portions per unit area in a facing region of the conveyance plate facing the head end portion is smaller than a ratio of the recessed portions per unit area in a region other than the facing region.

Abstract: The inkjet recording apparatus includes a conveyance belt, a conveyance plate, a suction unit, an inkjet head, and a cleaning unit. The conveyance belt has a plurality of through holes. The conveyance plate includes a plurality of through holes formed in bottom portions of the plurality of recessed portions. The suction unit is configured to suck the sheet to the conveyance belt. The inkjet head includes a head main body and a head end portion adjacent to the head main body, and faces an upper surface of the conveyance plate via the conveyance belt. The cleaning unit removes ink adhering to a lower surface of the head main body. A depth of the recessed portion in a facing region facing the head end portion of the conveyance plate is shallower than a depth of the recessed portion in a region other than the facing region.

Abstract: A chemical gel system having a polymer and a silicon oxide Janus nanosheets crosslinker for treating thief zones in carbonate formations. The polymer and silicon oxide Janus nanosheets crosslinker may form a crosslinked polymer gel to reduce or prevent water production via thief zones during hydrocarbon production. The silicon oxide Janus nanosheets crosslinker includes a first side having negatively charged functional groups and a second side having amines. The negatively charged functional groups may include negatively charged oxygen groups and hydroxyl groups. Methods of reducing water production in a thief zone using the silicon oxide Janus nanosheets crosslinker and methods of manufacturing the silicon oxide Janus nanosheets crosslinker are also provided.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a discharge head including a discharge portion configured to discharge a liquid; a cap configured to cap the discharge portion; a suction unit configured to suck an interior of the cap through a first fluid passage communicating with the interior of the cap in a state in which the cap caps the discharge portion; an open/close unit configured to open/close a second fluid passage communicating with the interior of the cap, the open/close unit being set in an open state when a negative pressure state of the interior of the cap, which is generated by suction by the suction unit, is canceled; and a filter arranged in the second fluid passage.

Abstract: The inkjet printing apparatus includes: a printing unit to eject ink; a wiping unit capable of wiping an ejection opening surface by moving relative to the ejection opening surface with an opening, adapted to be in contact with the ejection opening surface, put in contact with the ejection opening surface; a suction unit connected to the wiping unit and configured to apply negative pressure to the ejection opening surface via the opening; a moving unit to move the wiping unit relative to the ejection opening surface; and a control unit to perform suction wiping operation by wiping the ejection opening surface with the wiping unit while applying negative pressure to the ejection opening surface. The control unit determines the timing to perform the suction wiping operation, and, according to the timing, determines a moving speed of the moving unit and a pressure value caused by the suction unit.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a dispenser including a faceplate comprises translating a sensor across the faceplate while measuring a distance between the sensor and the faceplate. The sensor is oriented such that a longitudinal axis of the sensor extends at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the faceplate. The method may include translating another sensor across the faceplate while measuring the same distance. Or the method may include another translating of the sensor across the faceplate while measuring the same distance. In either case, the sensor is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of the sensor extends at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the faceplate. The method includes determining, based on the measured distances, whether an amount of accumulated formable material on the surface of the faceplate is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing apparatus including: a conveyance roller; and a slitter unit configured to cut a printing medium, which is conveyed by the conveyance roller, wherein the slitter unit includes a cutting mechanism including an upper movable blade and a lower movable blade, each of which is in a round shape, and configured to cut the printing medium at a contact point of the upper movable blade and the lower movable blade, a driving unit configured to rotate the upper movable blade and the lower movable blade, and a control unit configured to control a driving amount of the driving unit, and wherein the control unit controls the driving amount of the driving unit such that a movement speed of the upper movable blade and the lower movable blade passing through the contact point becomes greater than a conveyance speed of the printing medium.

Abstract: In one example, a liquid delivery system for an inkjet type dispenser includes a reservoir to hold liquid, a chamber downstream from the reservoir, a one-way valve to allow the flow of liquid from the reservoir into the chamber and to block the flow of liquid from the chamber back into the reservoir, and a manually actuated pump to pull liquid from the reservoir into the chamber through the valve and to push liquid from the chamber toward a printhead.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a transport unit for a printing medium, a head configured to discharge ultraviolet-curable ink, an ultraviolet light irradiation unit disposed downstream of the head, a suction unit provided between the head and the ultraviolet light irradiation unit, and a gap reducing portion disposed in a gap between the head and the suction unit and configured to at least partially close the gap by a first region being in contact with the suction unit and a second region, located upstream of the first region, being in contact with the head. In response to the suction unit suctioning mist while the head discharges ink onto the printing medium to be transported, air flow traveling in a direction opposite to the transport direction is generated in a region where the ultraviolet light irradiation unit and the printing medium oppose each other.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided that includes a line type printing head ejecting an UV ink onto a base material, an ultraviolet irradiator disposed downstream of the printing head, a mist retrieving section having a suction port and disposed between the printing head and the ultraviolet irradiator, and a control unit, wherein when printing is performed, the control unit adjusts, in accordance with a transport speed of the base material, at least one of a gap A, a gap B, and a suction air volume of the mist retrieving section such that a direction of an airflow passing through a gap between the base material and the ultraviolet irradiator is opposite the transport direction of the base material. The gap A is a gap between the printing head and the mist retrieving section, and the gap B is a gap between the base material and the suction port.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a dispenser including a faceplate, comprises emitting light over the surface of the faceplate across the width of the faceplate, measuring an intensity of the light at a plurality of points on the surface of the faceplate after the light has passed over the width, determining, based on the measured light intensity, whether an amount of accumulated formable material on the faceplate is greater than a predetermined value, and in a case that the amount of accumulated formable material is greater than a predetermined value, imparting a suction force on the surface of the faceplate using the vacuum at a distance from the faceplate to remove at least a portion of the accumulated formable material from the surface of the faceplate.

Abstract: Provided are a liquid jetting device, a liquid jetting head cleaning device, and a liquid jetting head cleaning method, in which an increase in the number of jetting failures is suppressed in a case where a nozzle surface of a liquid jetting head is cleaned by causing a napped wiping member to abut against the nozzle surface.

Abstract: To provide an inkjet printing apparatus that is capable of reducing a collision noise made by a roller and a tube during a suctioning operation, the position of the roller relative to the tube is changed between the suctioning operation and a stopped time.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head which ejects a liquid from a plurality of nozzles disposed on a nozzle surface; an absorbing member which makes contact with the nozzle surface and can absorb a liquid which is adhered to the nozzle surface; and a pressing member which causes the ink absorbing member to contact the nozzle surface by pressing the absorbing member from a side which opposes a side which contacts the nozzle surface. In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a pressure applied to a nozzle peripheral region within the nozzle surface due to the absorbing member which is pressed by the pressing member making contact with the nozzle surface is smaller than a pressure applied to a region other than the nozzle peripheral region within the nozzle surface.

Abstract: A liquid absorbing device includes: a liquid absorber containing fibers and an anionic absorbent resin designed to absorb a liquid; a container having a feed port to which the liquid is supplied, a storage section that is connected with the feed port and that stores the liquid absorber, an inflow section configured such that part of the liquid flows into when the liquid is supplied to the storage section, and a communicating portion that connects the storage section with the inflow section; and a detection unit that is provided in the inflow section and that is configured to detect a surface of the liquid in the inflow section.

Abstract: A waste ink conveying device includes a waste ink tank installed in a tank installed part, and a tank cover opening/closing the tank installed part. The tank cover includes a nozzle, a nozzle operation part and a cover locking part. The nozzle flowing a waste ink is inserted in an inflow port in the waste ink tank. The nozzle operation part switches projecting and retracting of the nozzle to insert and retract the nozzle to the inflow port. The cover locking part switches locking and unlocking of closing of the tank cover. If the cover locking part is in a locking state and the nozzle is in a retracting state, the cover locking part can be switched to an unlocking state. If the cover locking part is in the locking state and the nozzle is in a projecting state, the cover locking part cannot be switched to the unlocking state.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser. The dispenser includes reversible modular components to define selective removability and rearrangement between them and a base structure such that one or more sheets of a passing liquid-receiving substrate may receive such liquid through interchangeable liquid-dispensing orientations. The removability features include tool-free operation to facilitate quick insertion and removal of the modular components that include at least a liquid-dispensing valve assembly and a seal that is selectively engageable with the valve assembly to protect liquid-dispensing nozzles of the valve assembly from becoming clogged with residual dried liquid during periods of inactivity of the liquid dispenser. Selective movable cooperation or attachment between the modules—as well as between the modules and the base structure—facilitates flexible configurations of the dispenser, including top-down and bottom-up liquid-dispensing orientations.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a maintenance apparatus includes a first suction nozzle having a first suction port facing a first nozzle row through which a first liquid can be ejected, the first nozzle row including nozzles aligned in a first direction on a nozzle plate, and a second suction nozzle having a second suction port facing a second nozzle row through which a second liquid can be ejected, the second nozzle row including nozzles aligned in the first direction on the nozzle plate and parallel to the first nozzle row.

Abstract: The ink jet recording method is an ink jet recording method of recording an image on a recording medium using an ink jet recording apparatus including a recording head and a recovery mechanism for recovering an ejection state of pigment ink from ejection orifices. The recording head includes a first flow path and a second flow path allowing an ejection orifice and a recording element to communicate with each other and through which ink flows between the ejection orifice and the recording element. The ink jet recording method includes (i) a first cleaning of allowing the ink in the first flow path to flow to the second flow path while performing wiping and suction with a suction wiper; or (ii) a second cleaning of allowing the ink in the first flow path to flow to the second flow path after performing wiping and suction with a suction wiper.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a first duct connects a tank to a syringe. A second duct connects the syringe to a damper. A third duct connects the damper to the tank. A liquid surface sensor senses whether or not a liquid surface of the ink in the tank is located at or below a reference position. In a measurement mode, a controller performs injection of the ink into the damper after closing the first and third ducts. The controller opens the third duct after the damper is deformed. Then, the controller closes the second and third ducts. The controller opens the first duct and recognizes a suction amount of the ink sucked from the start of the suction until an output of the liquid surface sensor changes. The controller determines a variation amount based on the suction amount recognized.

Abstract: A first duct connects a tank and a syringe together. A second duct connects the syringe and a dumper together. A third duct connects the dumper and the tank together. When a time (deformation restoration time) until the swollen dumper is returned to its original shape is determined, a controller deforms the dumper. The controller sets the position of a liquid level in the tank less than a specified position (syringe filling processing). The controller opens the third duct so as to measure a liquid level recovery time until the output of a liquid level sensor is changed (time measurement processing). The controller determines a deformation restoration time based on the liquid level recovery time.

Abstract: An image processing system includes: an application server installed on a network; an image processing device installed on a local network connected to the network; a relay server, installed on the local network, that relays communication between the image processing device and the application server; and a connection mediation server, installed on the network, that transmits a connection request to the relay server to cause the relay server to connect to the application server. The connection mediation server includes a request accepting circuit, and a connection request circuit, the relay server includes a connection establishment circuit, and in a case where a communication request is accepted, the connection request circuit transmits the connection request to the relay server, and in a case where a new communication request is accepted, the connection request circuit does not transmit the connection request to the relay server.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle face provided with a nozzle configured to eject a liquid, a cap member configured to contact the nozzle face at a position enclosing the nozzle and to be fitted so as to cover the nozzle, the cap member being formed with an atmosphere communication hole to place an inside of the cap member and a surrounding atmosphere in communication with each other, and a clog determination mechanism configured to determine whether or not the atmosphere communication hole is in an at least partially blocked state.

Abstract: A printing system for printing to a recording medium can include a guide, a printer, and a cleaner. The guide can guide the recording medium and be arranged in a first vertically traveling region. The printer having a print bar with a print head can print to the recording medium. The printer can be arranged in a printing position located in the first vertically traveling region, and be displaced, to facilitate the cleaning of the print head, into a service position located in a second vertically traveling region. The cleaner can be adapted to clean the print head. The cleaner can be arranged in a printing position located in the first vertically traveling region, and be displaced into the service position located in the second vertically traveling region to clean the print head. The cleaning can be automatically or manually performed.

Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a head unit including nozzles; a cap which covers the nozzles in a state of being in contact with the head unit at a capping position; and a cap movement device including a cam having a slide surface and a cam follower which is slid on the slide surface. One of the cam and the cam follower is provided integrally with the cap, and the other of the cam and the cam follower is moved in a slide direction. The slide surface includes a first inclined surface inclined by a first angle relative to the slide direction and a second inclined surface inclined by a second angle greater than the first angle relative to the slide direction.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejector having a nozzle surface having nozzles, a cap configured to perform capping when coming into contact with the nozzle surface, a capping mechanism configured to move the cap between a capping position for the capping and a separated position separated from the nozzle surface, a cleaning-liquid supply mechanism configured to supply a cleaning liquid into the cap, and a facing portion configured to face a lip portion of the cap coming into contact with the nozzle surface in the capping, in which the lip portion and the facing portion are made to face each other and a predetermined space is provided between the lip portion and the facing portion for the cleaning liquid supplied in the cap to come into contact with the facing portion.

Abstract: A bioreactor system (1A; 1B) includes a variable volume container (3) having a flexible outer wall (27, 29) defining a cell-culture chamber for containing a fluid culture medium, and anchorage dependent cells in suspension. A agitator unit of the system (1A; 1B) is in fluid communication with first, second and third fluid ports (43, 45, 47A; 47B) for performing controlled replenishment of the culture medium in the cell-culture chamber, to admit fresh nutritive culture medium into the cell-culture chamber and for allowing draining of waste culture medium from the cell-culture chamber. The agitator unit further has a roller (15) for pinching the outer wall of the variable volume container (3) to thereby increase its a volume that forms the cell-culture chamber, starting from the initial minimum volume area (23), and means for gently agitating the cell-culture chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing liquid from the interior of a flow channel tip, which enables both to reduce the amount of liquid remaining and prevent the time spent removing the liquid from being longer than necessary. The method comprises: suctioning a liquid within a flow channel, the liquid being suctioned into the interior of a liquid suction implement inserted into a first through-hole of a flow channel tip; and removing the liquid within the flow channel. This method comprises: a first suction step for suctioning some of the liquid within the flow channel at a first suction speed; and a second suction step for suctioning the liquid remaining within the flow channel at a second suction speed that is less than the first suction speed, the second suction step being performed in continuation from the first suction step.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a discharge port; a flow passage; a discharge port part; a supply flow passage; and a recovery flow passage. The flow passage, the supply flow passage, and the recovery flow passage are configured such that the liquid inside the flow passage is capable of being circulated between the inside of the flow passage and the outside of the flow passage. An opening of the discharge port is configured such that a liquid surface of the liquid within the opening of the discharge port has a first region and that a second region, and a viscosity of the liquid in the first region is 1.2 or more times higher than a viscosity of the liquid in the second region.

Abstract: A capping station is configured for storing a printhead during printer inactivity to preserve the operational status of the nozzles in the printhead. Each capping station has a housing having at least one wall and a floor configured to enclose a volume partially, and a plate having a textured surface that is positioned at a predetermined distance from a top surface of the at least one wall of the housing. The textured surface is made of a resilient material that has cells that contain flushing fluid. A printhead is pushed within the volume of the housing to engage the textured surface of the plate to press the flushing fluid into the faceplate of the printhead. The flushing fluid and the proximity of the textured surface keep ink on the faceplate and within the nozzles of the faceplate from drying.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid-ejecting-portion configured to eject a liquid from a nozzle; a cap configured to be relatively move with respect to the liquid-ejecting-portion and configured to form a closed space in which the nozzle is open between the cap and the liquid-ejecting-portion; a negative-pressure-generation-mechanism configured to generate a negative pressure; a pressure chamber configured to accumulate the negative pressure by driving the negative-pressure-generation-mechanism; a discharge flow path that communicates with the cap and the pressure chamber; a discharge flow path opening/closing mechanism configured to open and close the discharge flow path; a volume variable mechanism configured to change a volume of the pressure chamber; and a controller that controls the negative-pressure generation-mechanism, the discharge flow path opening/closing mechanism, and the volume variable mechanism.

Abstract: A printing unit includes a printing device including a metal component, and a print head that prints a print-target image onto a print medium; and a capping device including a cap covering the print head, an elastic member that urges the cap toward the print head, and a magnet that attracts the metal component.

Abstract: A droplet discharging apparatus includes: a droplet discharger including a pressure chamber, an actuator and a nozzle provided corresponding to the pressure chamber, and a discharge flow path coupled to the pressure chamber, the droplet discharger performing a recording process by discharging liquid in the pressure chamber from the nozzle in the form of droplets; and a return flow path coupled to the discharge flow path and forming a circulation path. The droplet discharging apparatus performs as a maintenance operation for the droplet discharger, a first discharge operation of causing the liquid in the pressure chamber to be discharged toward the return flow path via the discharge flow path when no droplets are discharged from the nozzle during the recording process.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a tube pump which can suppress occurrence of a back flow of liquid in a tube at the time of reverse rotation of a second rotating body, with a simple configuration. The tube pump includes a tube; a case; a roller making a specific movement; a first rotating body having a guiding part which guides the roller in an arc radial direction of the arc-shaped wall surface of the case; and a second rotating body having a roller position regulating part acting on a position in an arc radial direction of the arc-shaped wall surface of the case of the roller.

Abstract: Various defects that occur when a water-repellent or defoaming layer is formed on a contact portion of a liquid container are reduced. A method for manufacturing a liquid container for containing a liquid includes: (a) preparing a pre-formation liquid container in which a surface layer has not been formed; (b) bringing an aqueous solution obtained by adding water to one of a defoaming agent and a water-repellent agent into contact with a surface of a contact portion with which the liquid is brought into contact, of the pre-formation liquid container; and (c) drying, after the step (b), the contact portion to form the surface layer that is formed of one of the defoaming agent and the water-repellent agent on a surface of the contact portion.

Abstract: A capping station is configured for storing printheads during printer inactivity to preserve the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles of the printheads. Each capping station has a receptacle, a planar member having a shaft that moves bidirectionally within an opening in a floor of the receptacle, a source of cleaning fluid, and a vacuum source. A controller is operatively connected to actuators to move the receptacle so a seal on an upper wall of the receptacle engages a printhead housing and to move the planar member within the receptacle. The controller also operates a pump to move cleaning fluid through the receptacle and to operate the vacuum source to pull ink from the nozzles of a printhead to the faceplate of the printhead. The planar member is moved proximate the faceplate so the ink forms a film that preserves the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles.