Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a droplet discharge device, a method of discharging a droplet, a method of manufacturing an electro-optical device, and electronic equipment that can grossly reduce a disposed liquid and effectively utilize more discharging liquid as compared with a related art manner in which a nozzle clogging of a head is recovered by a cleaning suction. The droplet discharge device that discharges a droplet to a workpiece can include a head that has a plurality of nozzles, a suction device for sealing and suctioning a nozzle surface of the head, and a controller by which the nozzle surface is sealed by the suction device and the droplet is discharged to the suction device from the nozzle, and the nozzle surface is kept moist by leaving the nozzle surface sealed by the suction device, if the number of clogged nozzle exceeds a predetermined number.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a head unit, a cap unit, a suction device, a wiper unit, and a control unit. The head unit includes a plurality of liquid discharge heads, each having a nozzle face on which a plurality of nozzles are formed. The cap unit caps the nozzle faces of the liquid discharge heads. The suction device suctions an inside of the cap unit while the nozzle faces are capped with the cap unit. The wiper unit wipes the nozzle faces in a manner that a portion of one nozzle face is wiped after a portion of another nozzle face is wiped. The control unit controls a maintenance operation of the liquid discharge heads by selecting a first ejection operation to eject a first amount of liquid and a second ejection operation to eject a second amount of liquid, which is less than the first amount.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a printhead maintenance station comprising a capper having a constriction member, a vacuum system in fluid communication with the capper, an air inlet valve in fluid communication with the capper, and an engagement; (ii) moving the capper into a first position such that the capper is sealingly engaged around the printhead and the constriction member is spaced apart from the face, thereby defining a blast channel; (iii) generating a vacuum over the face using the vacuum system, thereby purging ink from printhead nozzles onto the face; and (iv) opening the air inlet valve, thereby blasting air through the blast channel and removing ink from the face.

Abstract: Recording head of a printer is sealed by a cap connected with a gear pump. Fluid is discharged from a nozzle through the cap by a negative pressure being generated by the gear pump. The gear pump is driven at a first rotational speed to suck the fluid in the cap and to discharge the fluid from the nozzle. Subsequently, the gear pump is driven at a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed and then it is stopped. This prevents backflow of the fluid to a liquid ejection head and breakage of a liquid meniscus in the nozzle of the liquid ejection head occurring when cleaning of the liquid ejection head is ended.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) flooding an ink ejection face of the printhead with ink; and (b) removing the ink by blasting air across the face.

Abstract: During a restoring operation, a transport belt is bent by moving at least one of rollers around which the transport belt is looped, thereby forming a space which enables a maintenance unit to be inserted to an ink ejection surface of an inkjet head.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus and method can efficiently feed printing media stored in a media storage unit, while at the same time minimizing the reduction in a printing speed during the ejection recovery operation. The ejection recovery operation is performed during a period extending from the end of printing for a preceding printing medium which is fed first by a feeding unit, to start of printing for a succeeding printing medium. The recovery operation is controlled at this time in accordance with a feeding condition under which the feeding operation performed by the feeding unit is determined.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a carriage on which a recording head of an ink-jet system is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism to drive the carriage, a sheet transport mechanism to transport a sheet in a specified direction, a main power-supply unit, and an auxiliary power-supply unit. The carriage is moved in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheet by the carriage drive mechanism. The image forming apparatus includes a cap movable in a direction of coming in contact with the recording head and in a direction of separating therefrom, and a cap drive unit to move the cap. The auxiliary power-supply unit supplies electric power to the cap drive unit at a time of interruption of the main power-supply unit.

Abstract: Even in the case where preliminary ejection is performed by a recording head having an array of pigment ink ejection outlets and an array of dye ink ejection outlets in which a length of the pigment ink ejection outlet array is longer than a length of the dye ink ejection outlet array, deposition of preliminarily ejected pigment ink at a preliminary ejection receiving portion is effectively prevented by providing an inclined surface at the preliminary ejection receiving portion so that ink from the dye ink ejection outlets is received at an upstream position of the inclined surface and ink from the pigment ink ejection outlets is received at a downstream position of the inclined surface in a direction of gravity.

Abstract: In a print head having arrays of large nozzles and small nozzles with different ink ejection volumes that are connected to a common ink chamber, the preliminary ejection operation is performed 29,000 times first on only the large nozzles at an ejection frequency of 10 kHz to discharge viscous or mixed color ink from ink chambers. After the preliminary ejection operation of the large nozzles is finished, only the small nozzles are made to perform the preliminary ejection operation 2,000 times at an ejection frequency of 10 kHz. Reducing the number of preliminary ejections from the small nozzles in this manner can minimize the generation of stray mist. Further, by performing the preliminary ejection operation on the large nozzles first, it is possible to discharge enough viscous ink from the ink chamber.

Abstract: A recording apparatus records information on a recording sheet by discharging ink from a recording head mounted on a carriage. The recording apparatus includes a trigger arm functioning as a trigger for starting transmission of a drive to a paper feeding unit and a pump drive transmission cam configured to interrupt transmission of the drive to a tube pump. The trigger arm and pump drive transmission cam are actuated in a state in which the recording head is in close contact with a cap in accordance with the position of the carriage.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a head part having a jet opening part configured to jet ink, a moisture retention cap configured to maintain moisture by covering the jet opening part, and a suction part configured to suction ink situated at the jet opening part. A suction cap having the suction part is provided separately from the moisture retention cap. The image forming apparatus includes a shutter member configured to open or close an opening part of the suction cap. The shutter member comes in contact with a perimeter of an edge part forming the opening part of the suction cap in a case where the shutter member is closed.

Abstract: A fluid ejector is provided, having an internal surface, an external surface, an orifice that allows fluid in contact with the internal surface to be ejected, a first non-wetting region of the external surface, and one or more second regions of the external surface that are more wetting than the first non-wetting region. A process for cleaning the fluid ejectors is provided that includes detachably securing a faceplate to the fluid ejector and moving a wiper laterally across the faceplate.

Abstract: A fluid injection apparatus comprises a fluid injection head, a capping member, a tank, a fluid flow path, a drive motor, a suction pump, and a shift preventing apparatus. The fluid injection head has a nozzle forming surface. A nozzle for injecting a fluid onto a target is provided on the nozzle forming surface. The capping member makes contact with the fluid injection head in a state where the fluid can be sucked from the nozzle and includes a cap portion which is formed to receive the fluid. The tank collects and holds the fluid discharged from the fluid injection head via the capping member. The fluid flow path connects the cap portion to the tank. The drive motor is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions. The suction pump sucks the fluid through the inside of the cap portion and the fluid flow path and feeding the fluid toward the tank when the drive motor rotates in the forward direction in the state where the fluid injection head and the capping member make contact with each other.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance assembly is provided, comprising a printhead and a maintenance station. The maintenance station comprises a capper sealingly engageable around the printhead. The capper includes a constriction member for defining a blast channel adjacent an ink ejection face of the printhead. The maintenance station also comprises a vacuum system in fluid communication with the capper and an engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism is provided for moving the capper between a first position in which the capper is sealingly engaged around the printhead and a second position in which the capper is disengaged from around the printhead.

Abstract: A waste liquid tank is arranged outside a printer. A connection port arranged at an upstream end of a duct extending from the waste liquid tank is connected to a transfer device. The transfer device is connected to a discharge side of a suction pump for drawing in ink from a nozzle of a recording head of the printer through a duct.

Abstract: A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes: a head having a jetting port surface in which a jetting port is formed; and a maintenance unit having a cap in which a discharge port is formed, an absorber arranged in the cap, and a suction mechanism which communicates with the discharge port. The absorber includes a first absorbing portion covering the discharge port, and a second absorbing portion arranged to be in contact with the first absorbing portion. A channel resistance of the first absorbing portion with respect to a liquid is higher than that of the second absorbing portion. Accordingly, when an idle suction is performed, it is possible to discharge uniformly a liquid absorbed in the first and absorbing portions.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus has a pick-up roller for supplying to a conveyor mechanism an uppermost one of record media on a supporter, an elevator for moving up and down the supporter, a pump for forcibly ejecting ink within an ink-jet head, a drive shaft that is rotated both in positive and negative directions by a drive source, and a driving force transmitter. The driving force transmitter is capable of switching its mode between a mode for transmitting rotating force of the drive shaft in the positive direction to the pump so as to drive the pump and a mode for transmitting rotating force of the drive shaft in the negative direction to the pick-up roller so as to drive the pick-up roller. After the elevator is controlled to bring the uppermost one of the record media on the supporter away from the pick-up roller, the drive source is controlled to rotate the drive shaft in the positive direction.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance station for maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The maintenance station comprises a capper sealingly engageable around the printhead. The capper comprises a constriction member for defining a blast channel adjacent an ink ejection face of the printhead. The maintenance station further comprises a vacuum system in fluid communication with the capper and an engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism moves the capper between a first position in which the capper is sealingly engaged around the printhead and a second position in which the capper is disengaged from around the printhead.

Abstract: The inkjet recording apparatus has a recording head including: large nozzles which eject ink containing pigment particles serving as a coloring material; small nozzles which eject the ink; and a common ink flow channel which is connected to the large nozzles and the small nozzles, wherein: a volume of the ink ejected from each of the large nozzles is different from a volume of the ink ejected from each of the small nozzles; the large nozzles and the small nozzles eject the ink to perform image recording on a recording medium in terms of one direction or both directions while the recording head is moved bi-directionally in a direction substantially perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the recording medium; of the pigment particles which are dispersed in the ink, the pigment particles having a particle diameter not less than 150 nm account for not more than 5 volume percent; and an ink ejection process in which the large nozzles and the small nozzles eject the ink that is unrelated to the image recording

Abstract: The inkjet recording apparatus comprises: a printing device including a print head which discharges ink droplets onto a recording medium to perform printing, the print head having discharge ports through which the ink droplets are discharged; a liquid removal device which absorbs droplets deposited on an ink discharge surface of the print head in which the ink discharge ports are formed; and a deposit removal device which wipes away matter deposited on the ink discharge surface.

Abstract: A color filter manufacturing apparatus of this invention includes a plurality of ink-jet heads (120a, 120b, 120c) each having a first ink discharging nozzle group (108) in which the pitch of a plurality of ink discharging nozzles in the Y-axis direction is set to be equal to the pitch of pixels of the same color in the Y-axis direction, and a second ink discharging nozzle group having a nozzle pitch set to be equal to the pixel pitch in the Y-axis direction like the first ink discharging nozzle group. Control of an ink discharging operation is performed for only one of the first and second ink discharging nozzle groups which is to be used to color pixels of corresponding colors on a substrate (1).

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: (a) a head unit having ejecting portions and operable to eject a plurality of kinds of inks through the ejecting portions; (b) a discharger for discharging the inks through the ejecting portions; and (c) a communication controller. The discharger includes: (b-1) a cap selectively placeable in a contact state in which the cap is held in contact with the head unit, and in a separate state in which the cap is separated from the head unit; (b-2) a suction pump; and (b-3) a connector connecting the cap and the suction pump. The cap defines therein ink storage chambers in which the respective kinds of inks are to be stored. The connector includes passage definers defining respective discharge passages each communicating the corresponding ink storage chamber and a chamber of the suction pump.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a head member having a nozzle and a liquid-ejecting unit; a main controlling part that drives the liquid-ejecting unit based on ejecting data; a capping member relatively movable between a position away from the head member and a position in contact with the head member; a suction way communicated with an inside of the capping member; and a built-in slide-rotator type of positive displacement pump provided in the suction way. A state-quantity recognizing part recognizes a state quantity related to a dry state in an inside of the positive displacement pump. A judging part judges whether the inside of the positive displacement pump is dry, by comparing the state quantity with a standard state quantity. A preliminary-operation carrying-out part carries out a preliminary operation for wetting the inside of the positive displacement pump, when the inside of the positive displacement pump is dry.

Abstract: A printing mechanism, especially for a franking machine, has a print head operating by the ink jet principle and a suction mechanism for suctioning away the ink spray arising when ink drops are ejected from at least one nozzle of the print head. The suction mechanism has a suction inlet, which in at least one first operating condition of the print head, when the print head is ejecting ink drops from the at least one nozzle, is arranged directly next to the at least one nozzle, so that a substantially undisturbed suction flow can be created between the at least one nozzle and the suction inlet.

Abstract: A droplet discharge device is provided in which for a head having a plurality of nozzles, nozzle rows having clogged nozzles are detected in advance and suction is performed on the nozzle rows having clogged nozzles independently, thereby recovering the nozzles, while measures against the thickening of a liquid in nozzles can be carried out. A droplet discharge device includes: a head having a plurality of nozzle rows including a plurality of nozzles on a nozzle surface in order to discharge droplets of a supplied liquid; a non-discharge nozzle detector that detects which nozzle row of the plural nozzle rows has nozzles that are clogged so as to be a non-discharge nozzle; a suction device to seal a nozzle row including detected non-discharge nozzles on the nozzle surface and performing suction to eliminate the clogging of the non-discharging nozzles; and a moisture retaining device to seal the plural nozzle rows on the nozzle surface to retain the moisture of the nozzle surface.

Abstract: A printer is provided which has a pagewidth printhead assembly and a capping mechanism. The printhead assembly has a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead. The capping mechanism has a capping member of a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, a first actuating mechanism arranged to move the printhead in an arcuate direction from a first to a second position, and a second actuating mechanism arranged to move the capping member in a direction normal to the printhead to effect nozzle capping engagement of the printhead when the printhead is in the second position.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus can reduce operations or time for preliminary discharge and reduce the influence of mist. A recovery mechanism portion is provided in which a slide member on which a cap is mounted is moved along cam surfaces following a movement of a carriage to cause the cap to abut against a recording head for capping. A first preliminary discharge position where ink is discharged from the recording head into the cap and a second preliminary discharge position where a distance between the recording head and the cap is shorter than the distance in the first preliminary discharge position are provided between a recording area where the recording head forms an image on a recording medium and a capping position.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: a recording head which includes jet openings for jetting ink; a sensor for detecting a jet opening causing jetting failure among the jet openings; a sucking mechanism for sucking the ink from each jet opening; a comparing section for comparing number of the detected jet opening causing jetting failure with predetermined number; and a control section for performing a sucking process where the sucking mechanism performs a sucking operation, for performing an examination process to count the jet opening causing jetting failure by the detection of the sensor and by simulated jetting of each jet opening, for performing a comparing process where the comparing section performs a comparing operation after the examination process, and for re-performing the examination process without performing the sucking process when judged in the comparing process that the number of the jet opening causing jetting failure is more than the predetermined number.

Abstract: The printing apparatus comprises at least one printhead provided with nozzles for ejecting droplets of ink in a firing direction towards a printing media, and at least one priming device for performing a priming operation by which an amount of ink is caused to flow through the nozzles for maintenance thereof, wherein the priming device is actuated for said priming operation by a relative movement between the printhead being primed and the priming device, said movement being substantially in said firing direction.

Abstract: A method of controlling an inkjet mechanism having an inkjet head movable between a capped position and a print position comprises the steps of receiving a first switch signal indicative of the inkjet head moving into the vicinity of one of the positions of the inkjet head as the inkjet head is moving towards the one of the positions of the inkjet head, and moving the inkjet head a learned amount towards the one of the positions of the inkjet head after the first switch signal has been received. The method may further comprise the steps of receiving a second switch signal indicative of the inkjet head moving into the vicinity of the other one of the positions of the inkjet head as the inkjet head is moving towards the other one of the positions of the inkjet head, and moving the inkjet head another learned amount towards the other one of the positions of the inkjet head after the second switch signal has been received. The learned amounts may be substantially the same.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for printing includes selecting a nozzle for printing a pixel, determining a time since the nozzle was last actuated, and, if the time since the nozzle was last actuated exceeds a threshold time, then, before actuating the nozzle to print the pixel, actuating the nozzle a number of actuations corresponding to the time since the nozzle was last actuated.

Abstract: A cap apparatus includes a cap which seals nozzles of a liquid jetting head, an absorber which is accommodated tightly inside the cap, a cap holder which is accommodated tightly inside the cap, and a holder which has a holding body which makes a contact with an upper surface of the absorber, a pin which is protruded downward from the holding main portion, and an engaging portion which is provided on a front end of the pin. Through holes which make the cap, the absorber, and the cap holder communicate, are formed in the cap, the absorber, and the cap holder. Since the through holes function as a passage, it is possible to improve an assembling workability of the cap apparatus.

Abstract: A printer is provided which has a pagewidth printhead assembly and a capping mechanism. The printhead assembly has a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead. The capping mechanism has a capping member of a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, a first actuating mechanism arranged to move the printhead in an arcuate direction from a first to a second position, and a second actuating mechanism arranged to move the capping member in a lateral direction relative to the printhead to effect nozzle capping engagement of the printhead when the printhead is in the second position. The capping mechanism may be configured for capping in a printer having a printhead assembly with two pagewidth printheads.

Abstract: A capping/purging mechanism is disclosed for a pagewidth printhead assembly having a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media which is transported past the printhead. The capping/purging mechanism comprises-i) a capping member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, ii) means arranged to move the capping member and/or the printhead to a position at which the capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead, and iii) a purging chamber arranged to receive material that is purged from the printhead. The capping mechanism is also disclosed in relation to a printhead assembly having two pagewidth printheads, and further disclosures are mede in respect of an inkjet printer incorporating the capping mechanism and a method of capping a pagewidth printhead.

Abstract: An aerosol extraction system for a fluid-ejection device is disclosed that includes a print zone, a servicing zone, a vacuum, and a switching mechanism. The print zone is that in which a print head of the fluid-ejection device ejects fluid onto media to form images thereon. The servicing zone is that in which the print head is serviced. The vacuum is fluidically connectable to both the print zone and the servicing zone. The switching mechanism is to fluidically connect and disconnect at least one of the print zone and the servicing zone to the vacuum.

Abstract: The invention provides a configuration capable of judging whether an ink jet head is exchanged or whether it is replaced, and changing an amount of recovery operation when the ink jet head is exchanged or replaced. Thus a recording apparatus capable of avoiding a defective ink supply in case the ink jet head is exchanged or replaced, and not wasting the ink by unnecessarily excessive recovery operation, can be provided.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head, having nozzle orifices for ejecting liquid therefrom and a controller which performs a recovery operation for removing liquid having a changed liquid property, the liquid being on the nozzle orifices and the vicinities thereof. The recovery operation is performed by using at least a flushing operation in which the liquid drops are ejected from the nozzle orifices and a cleaning operation in which a negative pressure is applied to the nozzle orifices. An operation condition of the cleaning operation is set in accordance with an operation history of the flushing operation performed before the cleaning operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various embodiments for a flushing system for an ink jet printer, wherein a flushing fluid source provides a flushing fluid to a manifold wherein the flushing fluid is introduced into the printer's lines, and capping device as well as past the print heads, wherein residual ink is reduced or removed.

Abstract: A capping member for a pagewidth printhead assembly having— (i) at least one pagewidth printhead; and (ii) a plurality of nozzles located along the at least one printhead, the capping member comprising: a) a lip portion that is formed integrally with a body portion; and b) a cavity surrounded by the lip portion; wherein, the lip portion is peripherally configured to surround the nozzles on the at least one printhead, and the body portion has a length corresponding substantially to that of the at least one printhead.

Abstract: An inkjet printer having a two-stage capping mechanism for a pagewidth printhead is disclosed. The printhead has a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead and they are arranged to deliver ink onto print media which, in use, is transported past the printhead. The capping mechanism incorporates a capping member which has a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead and which is configured to contact the printhead in nozzle capping engagement. A pivotal carrier supports the capping member. An actuating mechanism is provided and arranged to effect pivotal movement of the carrier back and forth between a first position at which the capping member is located remotely with respect to the printhead and a second position at which the capping member is located in contact with the printhead.

Abstract: A capping apparatus including: a sealing unit that seals at least nozzle apertures of a liquid droplet ejection head that ejects liquid droplets; a heating unit that heats at least a vicinity of the nozzle apertures; and a negative pressure supplying unit that supplies an interior of the sealing unit with negative pressure that causes liquid droplets to be ejected from the nozzle apertures.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus including a suction recovery function performs suction recovery that that recovers the reliability of a print head while reducing the amount of ink sucked from the print head. An ink jet printing apparatus includes a print head having an ejection port surface with ejection ports formed therein from which ink is ejected, a cap covering the ejection port surface of the print head, and suction unit for allowing a pump to generate negative pressure in the cap to suck ink from the print head. The suction unit has a valve provided in a communication tube joining the pump and the cap together. The suction unit sucks ink under a relatively low negative pressure and then switches the valve to suck the ink under a relatively high negative pressure.

Abstract: A tube pump reduced of the burden against pump driving caused by dragging of a tube by a pressurizing roller. Specifically, guide members are disposed in the respective introduction portions at between the guides. Namely, the guide members are arranged nearby the extensions of the circumference of the arcuate guides and radially with respect to the center of the circumference. Due to this, the pump tube, the roller is to drag, is sustained by the guide member, to prevent the tube from increasing its deformation due to dragging. Thus, the tube can be prevented from being dragged in a manner forming a resistance to the roller. As a result, the pump motor, etc. can be prevented from being burdened with an increasing load.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which comprises: (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the one printhead, and (b) a capping mechanism having—(i) a capping member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, (ii) a first actuating mechanism arranged to move the printhead in a arcuate first direction from a first to a second position and (iii) a second actuating mechanism arranged to move the capping member in an arcuate second direction opposite to that of the first direction to effect nozzle capping engagement of the at least one printhead when the printhead is in the second position. The capping mechanism is also disclosed in relation to a printer having a printhead assembly with two pagewidth printheads.

Abstract: Two yellow buffer tanks communicate with each other through a communication portion so that yellow ink in the yellow ink cartridge is supplied to two nozzle arrays for yellow ink independently provided apart from each other. In the ink outlet provided in each of the yellow buffer tanks, a check valve is provided that allows supply of yellow ink to the corresponding nozzle array and inhibits an ink flow in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which comprises: (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a single pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead, and (b) a capping/purging mechanism having— (i) a capping member associated with the printhead, the capping member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead and being located in a non-capping first position adjacent the printhead, (ii) purging means associated with the capping member and arranged to receive material that is purged from the nozzle environment of the printhead, and (iii) an actuating mechanism arranged to effect transitioning of the capping member from the first position to a second position at which the capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead has a number of printhead chips (10). Each printhead chip (10) has a wafer substrate (16). A plurality of nozzle arrangements (10) is positioned on the wafer substrate. Each nozzle arrangement (22) has nozzle chamber walls and a roof wall that define a nozzle chamber (34) and a nozzle opening (24) in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. An actuator (28) is operatively arranged with respect to each nozzle arrangement (10) to eject ink from the nozzle chamber through the nozzle opening. A nozzle guard (80) is positioned over the printhead chip. The nozzle guard has a support structure (86) and a planar cover member (82). The planar cover member is positioned on the support structure. The planar cover member defines a plurality of passages (84). Each passage (84) is in register with a respective nozzle opening (24). The planar cover member (82) is less than 300 microns thick.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is disclosed in which a protector is provided for a capping facility for a printhead within the printer. The protector comprises a covering member which is arranged to engage with the capping facility during intervals when the capping facility is not engaged with the printhead, whereby the capping member is protected against loss of contained moisture and ingress of contaminating material. In one of its embodiments the printer has a protector for a capping facility in the form of a capping mechanism for a printhead having a plurality of ink-delivery nozzles.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from nozzles; a carriage capable of carrying the liquid ejecting head; a plurality of cap spaces capable of covering the nozzles; a suction pump capable of applying a negative pressure to each of the cap spaces so as to suck liquid from the nozzles; a plurality of suction channels that communicate with the plurality of cap spaces and carry the liquid sucked by the suction pump; a channel selection means for selecting one or more suction channels for cutting off the communication with the cap spaces based on the position of the carriage; and a communication cut-off means for cutting off the communication of the one or more suction channels selected by the channel selecting means.