Absorber Patents (Class 347/31)
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Patent number: 8517505Abstract: Provided is a fluid ejecting apparatus including: a fluid ejecting head; a receiving member which is linear; a support member which supports the receiving member; a support member movement unit which moves the support member between a first position and a second position so that the receiving member is located at a receiving position capable of receiving the fluid ejected from the nozzles at the first position, and the receiving member is located at a retreat position deviating from the receiving position at the second position; and a tensile force changing unit which is capable of changing tensile force changing unit changes the tensile force applied to the receiving member from a first tensile force to a second tensile force smaller than the first tensile force when the support member movement unit moves the support member from the second position to the first position.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Takayuki Kawakami
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Patent number: 8517507Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus that has a nozzle row provided with a plurality of nozzles and a fluid ejection head ejecting a fluid from the nozzle row is provided. The fluid ejecting apparatus includes a linear absorption member that is provided movable and is extended along the nozzle row, and a traveling mechanism that causes the absorption member to move. The traveling mechanism includes a delivery rotating body that drives out the absorption member, a winding-rotating body that winds up the absorption member, a tension regulating member that applies a predetermined tension to the absorption member and is displaced according to the tension of the absorption member, and a sensor portion that detects the displacement of the tension regulating member and controls rotations of the delivery rotating body and the winding-rotating body.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Takato Hayashi
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Patent number: 8511808Abstract: A recording head includes a plurality of nozzle arrays separately provided so as to correspond to kinds of recording liquids to be discharged, a plurality of common liquid chambers from which the recording liquids are supplied to the nozzle arrays, a plurality of recording-liquid introducing passages communicating with the common liquid chambers, and a plurality of filters provided in the recording-liquid introducing passages. Upstream aperture areas of the filters are equal to each other, and downstream aperture areas of the filters are different according to the kinds of recording liquids passing through the filters.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yukuo Yamaguchi, Yutaka Koizumi, Mikiya Umeyama, Kiyomitsu Kudo, Masaru Iketani, Yuichiro Akama, Satoshi Kimura
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Patent number: 8469486Abstract: A media support device usable with an image forming apparatus is disclosed. The media support device includes a support surface having at least one media support area. The media support area is configured to receive and support media to receive ink ejected from an image forming apparatus thereto. The media support device also includes a plurality of cavities configured to store ink ejected from the image forming apparatus thereto. Each one of the cavities includes a cavity opening configured to receive the ink ejected from the image forming apparatus thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L. P.Inventors: Donald Sutton, Erick B Kinas
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Patent number: 8454121Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head which ejects liquid through nozzles, a liquid container with a sloped bottom surface which receives the liquid ejected from the nozzles, an absorber disposed in the liquid container which absorbs and stores the liquid ejected from the nozzles, and a suction unit which sucks the liquid held by the absorber and discharges the liquid from the liquid container. The liquid container includes a restriction portion which restricts the flow of the liquid in the absorber due to gravity, forming collection portions in the absorber where the liquid may be collected at a plurality of positions with different elevations when the liquid container is rotated so that the bottom surface is sloped away from the horizontal plane.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2008Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Taisuke Yamamoto, Kentaro Tatsumi
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Publication number: 20130100202Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head configured to discharge ink, a first waste ink retaining member configured to absorb ink discharged from the recording head, a second waste ink retaining member arranged below the first waste ink retaining member, a first inclined surface configured to flow waste ink overflowing the first waste ink retaining member downward, a waste ink receiving surface connected with a bottom end of the first inclined surface and including a porous body sheet for absorbing waste ink, and a second inclined surface configured to flow waste ink overflowing the porous body sheet to the second waste ink retaining member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
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Patent number: 8419173Abstract: An ink cartridge adopts a construction in which an air seal and an ink seal are arranged on the cartridge side and in which sealing between the ink cartridge and the recording apparatus is performed with a radial seal.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroki Hayashi, Keisuke Matsuo, Kenta Udagawa
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Patent number: 8403455Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a fluid ejecting head having nozzle rows formed by a plurality of nozzles, in which a fluid is ejected from the nozzle rows. The fluid ejecting apparatus includes an absorbing member which extends along the nozzle rows in a movable manner, a moving mechanism which moves the absorbing member in a direction intersecting the nozzle rows, and a running mechanism which runs the absorbing member. The moving mechanism includes a moving member movably provided, a positioning member movably provided on the moving member and having the absorbing member in a movable manner, and a first biasing member for biasing the positioning member in a predetermined direction. A tension applying mechanism apply a tension to the absorbing member is provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Takato Hayashi
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Publication number: 20130057612Abstract: A large-format printing apparatus includes multiple printing head units. Each of the printing head units can intermittently and steppingly move in a first direction and has a printing nozzle which can move reciprocatingly in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction for printing sub-images. Before printing starts, the printing head units are disposed at one end of a printing medium, and arranged to seamlessly splice the sub-images printed by the printing head units into a complete large-format printing image.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: BEIJING ZHONGKE NANO-THINK PRINT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Yanlin Song, Jianguo Yang, Ke Xiao
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Publication number: 20130044158Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a carriage, a first recording head, a second recording head, and a maintenance assembly. The carriage is movable in a main scanning direction. The first recording head has nozzles in a nozzle face thereof to eject liquid droplets. The second recording head has nozzles in a nozzle face thereof to eject liquid droplets. The second recording head is displaced from the first recording head in a sub scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The maintenance assembly maintains and recovers the first recording head and the second recording head. The maintenance assembly includes a first maintenance device and a second maintenance device. The first maintenance device is held by the apparatus body. The second maintenance device is reciprocally movable between a first position to oppose the first recording head and a second position to oppose the second recording head.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Kazuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 8376508Abstract: Provided is a fluid ejecting apparatus including: a fluid ejecting head which has nozzle rows formed by a plurality of nozzles and ejects a fluid to a medium; an absorbing member absorbs the fluid that is ejected from the nozzles during a flushing process, and is a linear member which extends along a nozzle row; a first movement mechanism which relatively moves the absorbing member in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the nozzle rows between a retreat position where the absorbing member retreats from the ejection direction of the fluid ejected from the nozzles and a flushing position where the absorbing member overlaps with the ejection direction; and an accommodating portion which is formed on the fluid ejecting head and accommodates the absorbing member at the retreat position.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Koji Ito
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Publication number: 20130038661Abstract: An inkjet printer 1 has a cap 31 that covers the ink nozzle surface 18 in which ink nozzles 17 are formed when the inkjet head 6 is at a inkjet head standby position 6B; an ink absorber 37 that is held inside the cap 31 and absorbs ink ejected from the ink nozzles 17 into the cap 31; a water discharge head 12 that seals the cap 31 with a water nozzle surface 22 in which water nozzles 20 are formed when the inkjet head 6 is at the printing position 6A; and a suction pump 38 for discharging water from the water discharge head 12 when the water discharge head 12 seals the cap 31.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Tomoji Suzuki
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Patent number: 8366236Abstract: A print cartridge that has a printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements, a rotor element rotatable between a blot position where the rotor element blots the printhead integrated circuit, a seal position where the rotor element seals the nozzle arrangements, and a platen position in which the rotor element positions a printing medium proximate the printhead integrated circuit, an air distribution channel configured to deliver air along the printhead, communicable with an air supply, a plurality of reservoirs for printing fluids for the printhead integrated circuit and, a refill port arranged in fluid communication with printing fluid conduits each leading to one of the reservoir respectively, the port facilitating refilling of the reservoirs from a refill cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Publication number: 20130021408Abstract: A method of minimizing ink consumption during printhead priming in an inkjet printer. The printhead has a nozzle face defining an array of nozzles for ejecting ink on to a media substrate. The method includes the steps of: providing a porous pad having a contact face dimensioned so that it can encompass all the nozzles in the array; moving the porous pad such that the contact face engages the nozzle face to cover the array of nozzles; forcing ink into the printhead under pressure until ink flows out the nozzles in the array and into the porous pad engaged with the nozzle face; and withdrawing the porous pad such that the contact face disengages the nozzle face.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: ZAMTEC LIMITEDInventors: John Douglas Peter Morgan, Patrick John McAuliffe, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 8348364Abstract: A fluid supply device, a printing device, and a method of cleaning a printing device are disclosed. A fluid supply device includes a main tank, a fluid chamber, a fluid-discharging head, a movable carriage, an expansion mechanism that expands the fluid chamber to draw fluid from the main tank, a suction mechanism, a remaining fluid detection unit, a comparison unit that compares the remaining fluid volume in the main tank with a specified value, and a setting unit that sets a cleaning mode. The expansion mechanism is actuated via a movement of the movable carriage. The setting unit sets a first cleaning mode in which a first amount of fluid is vacuumed from the nozzle or a second cleaning mode in which a second amount of fluid is vacuumed from the nozzle that is less than the first amount. The cleaning mode is selected in response to the amount of fluid remaining in the main tank.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Susumu Taga
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Publication number: 20120327158Abstract: There is provided a fluid ejection apparatus for ejecting a fluid including a head for ejecting the fluid and a moisture retention head cap device for retaining moisture of the head. The moisture retention head cap device is disposed so as to surround a periphery of the head to cover the whole of the head when retaining moisture of the head.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Jun SHIMAZAKI
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Patent number: 8336989Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can keep an adequate absorptivity of an ink absorbing member for a long period of time, even when such inks which react with each other are sucked through the same cap in a sucking recovery operation, by preventing a mixed ink collected by the ink absorbing member from thickening or being solidified. The ink jet recording apparatus has: a recovery unit 8 and 62 for draining ink from a black-ink discharge portion 13 for discharging black ink and a color-ink discharge portion 14 for discharging color ink which reacts with the black ink; an ink absorbing member 31 for collecting the ink which is drained by the recovery unit and separating the ink into a solid part 41 and a liquid part 42; and an ink introduction unit 7 for introducing the ink which is drained by the recovery unit, into the ink absorbing member.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Michinari Mizutani, Takuma Kodoi
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Patent number: 8336988Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus which ejects fluid from ejection nozzles provided on an ejection head includes a rotation body which is provided so as to be opposed to a nozzle face on which the ejection nozzles are formed and rotates about an rotation axis parallel with the nozzle face, a fluid reception portion which is provided on the rotation body at a surface opposed to the nozzle face and has a recess at which the fluid is received from the ejection nozzles, and a lid member which closes a lid on the recess by abutting against the fluid reception portion in conjunction with rotation of the rotation body when the rotation body rotates in the direction in which the fluid reception portion is separated from the position opposed to the nozzle face.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Eiichiro Watanabe
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Publication number: 20120320126Abstract: Low-profile service stations for use with printers are described herein. One example service station includes a shuttle to support a cap sled. The shuttle has a shuttle drive and a pump drive positioned such that at least one of the shuttle drive and the pump drive does not extend between a first side and a second side of the shuttle. The shuttle drive is coupled to a printer drive to move the shuttle between a first position and a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: Scott Martin, Lynn A. Collie, Eric Berner Strom
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Patent number: 8328322Abstract: An inkjet recording device includes an ink cartridge receiving unit configured to receive an ink cartridge, an inkjet head configured to eject ink, an ink passage configured to transport the ink from the ink cartridge to the inkjet head, a detecting unit configured to detect a type of ink cartridge received in the ink cartridge receiving unit, a waste ink collection unit including an absorber configured to absorb the ink, a discharging unit configured to discharge the ink remaining in the ink passage at one of a first discharging rate and a second discharging rate, and a controller configured to control the discharging unit to discharge an amount of ink. The controller is configured to control the discharging unit to discharge ink at one of the first discharging rate and the second discharging rate corresponding to the type of the ink cartridge detected by the detecting unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masashi Ueda
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Patent number: 8322816Abstract: The hand-held printer includes a print module configured for multidirectional printing, a print head in communication with the print module. The print head includes a plurality of nozzle arrays and wherein the nozzles in each of the plurality of nozzle are disposed substantially equidistant from a reference point. The hand-held printer further includes a circular cap configured to rotatably cooperate with the print head, wherein the circular cap cooperates with the print head to define a seal when the circular cap is disposed in a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.Inventor: Asher Simmons
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Patent number: 8317294Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: an ejection head that ejects a liquid from a nozzle; a cap that can seal an opening of the nozzle; an absorber disposed in the cap; a first ejection unit that allows to perform a first ejection operation toward the cap for maintenance of the nozzle; a suction unit that sucks the liquid from the cap; a second ejection unit that allows to perform a second ejection operation for replenishing the cap with a liquid before the suction, and a capping unit that covers the opening of the nozzle by the cap after the second ejection operation is performed.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Koji Morikoshi
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Patent number: 8313162Abstract: There is provided a recording apparatus including a recording head which includes a nozzle plate having conductive property including an opening and for ejecting ink toward a medium to be recorded from the opening, an absorbing member disposed so as to oppose the nozzle plate in the ejecting direction of the ink from the recording head and for absorbing the ink not adhered to the medium to be recorded, an electrode disposed so as to make contact with the absorbing member, and an electric potential difference generator for generating an electric potential difference between the nozzle plate and the electrode and electrically attracting the ink not adhered to the medium to be recorded toward the electrode side. The electric potential difference generator generates an electric potential difference so that the magnitude of the electric potential difference is varied in accordance with a distance between a portion of the absorbing member to which the ink is absorbed and the nozzle plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Narihiro Oki, Tsunenobu Endo, Hidetoshi Kodama
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Patent number: 8303061Abstract: A fluid supply device, a printing device, and a method of cleaning a printing device are disclosed. A fluid supply device includes a main tank, a fluid chamber, a fluid-discharging head, a movable carriage, an expansion mechanism that expands the fluid chamber to draw fluid from the main tank, a suction mechanism, a remaining fluid detection unit, a comparison unit that compares the remaining fluid volume in the main tank with a specified value, and a setting unit that sets a cleaning mode. The expansion mechanism is actuated via a movement of the movable carriage. The setting unit sets a first cleaning mode in which a first amount of fluid is vacuumed from the nozzle or a second cleaning mode in which a second amount of fluid is vacuumed from the nozzle that is less than the first amount. The cleaning mode is selected in response to the amount of fluid remaining in the main tank.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Susumu Taga
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Patent number: 8297734Abstract: First, second, and third ink absorbing bodies are accommodated in a container of a recovery reservoir in this order from the side corresponding to a bottom surface of the container, so that an introduction chamber is defined in the middle of a recovery space. A lid having a shutter plate and a communication hole is located over the third ink absorbing body. The upper side of the introduction chamber is covered by the shutter plate to suppress volatilization of solvent element of waste ink introduced into the introduction chamber. In addition, the communication hole is located in a portion of the upper surface of the third ink absorbing body, so that solvent element of ink absorbed by the third ink absorption body volatilizes.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Shuhei Harada, Keiji Matsumoto, Manabu Yamada
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Patent number: 8287072Abstract: A method for using a processor to process image data received from an image data source in preparation for multipass printing, comprising multitoning the image data to produce a multitoned image, using the multitone level of a pixel in the multitoned image to select a plane of a print mask, using the location of the pixel in the multitoned image to select a cell of output pixels in the selected plane of the print mask, and copying the selected cell of output pixels to corresponding locations within a print buffer.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Christopher Rueby, Douglas W. Couwenhoven
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Patent number: 8277042Abstract: A recording apparatus has a recording head, a platen, and a first hole. The recording head includes a dot formation element array, and the platen holds a recording medium opposite the recording head. The first hole is disposed in an area of the platen opposite a downstream portion of the dot formation element array and guides ink discarded outside an end of the recording medium when the end is printed without a margin. Alternatively or additionally, a second hole is formed in an area of the platen opposite an upstream portion of the dot formation element array, and the platen guides ink, which is discarded outside an end of the recording medium when the end is printed without a margin, to the second hole.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Takashi Akahane
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Patent number: 8277006Abstract: A method of controlling in a printer the maintenance of an inkjet printhead supplied with fluid from a plurality of fluid sources, the method includes the steps of (a) monitoring the usage of the plurality of fluid sources; (b) identifying a preferred fluid source for use in a maintenance operation based on the monitored usage of the plurality of fluid sources; and (c) performing the maintenance operation using a first quantity of fluid from the preferred fluid source.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Frederick A. Donahue, Donald V. Brumbaugh, Gary A. Kneezel
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Publication number: 20120242743Abstract: A media support device usable with an image forming apparatus is disclosed. The media support device includes a support surface having at least one media support area. The media support area is configured to receive and support media to receive ink ejected from an image forming apparatus thereto. The media support device also includes a plurality of cavities configured to store ink ejected from the image forming apparatus thereto. Each one of the cavities includes a cavity opening configured to receive the ink ejected from the image forming apparatus thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Donald Sutton, Erick B. Kinas
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Publication number: 20120242744Abstract: In one embodiment, a composite ink absorber includes a porous layer and an absorbent layer integrated together into a single part. The porous layer is configured to trap inky sludge while simultaneously allowing ink liquids to pass through to the absorbent layer and the absorbent layer is configured to absorb ink liquids passing through the porous layer. In one embodiment, a printer platen assembly includes a platen and a composite, single part ink absorber covering the floor of the platen for capturing ink overspray in the platen area.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Donald Sutton, Lynn Cheney
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Patent number: 8267512Abstract: A recording apparatus has a recording head, a platen, and a first hole. The recording head includes a dot formation element array, and the platen holds a recording medium opposite the recording head. The first hole is disposed in an area of the platen opposite a downstream portion of the dot formation element array and guides ink discarded outside an end of the recording medium when the end is printed without a margin. Alternatively or additionally, a second hole is formed in an area of the platen opposite an upstream portion of the dot formation element array, and the platen guides ink, which is discarded outside an end of the recording medium when the end is printed without a margin, to the second hole.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Koichiro Yokoyama
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Publication number: 20120218345Abstract: To provide a waste ink absorbing tank, capable, even in the case of utilizing an ink of a high coagulating property, of causing a waste ink absorbent member to efficiently absorb such ink. A waste ink absorbent member has a hole portion corresponding to an introducing position of the waste ink, and the hole portion is opened on a lateral face of the absorbent member. The waste ink, introduced into the hole portion moves in one direction toward the waste ink absorbent member and absorbed therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Koichi Osumi, Sadayuki Sugama, Shinichi Hakamada, Junichi Sakai, Yasuhiro Nito, Katsuhiko Suzuki
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Patent number: 8251486Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head, a platen, an absorption member, an electrode, and a potential difference generating device. The liquid ejecting head has a conductive nozzle plate that ejects liquid toward a front face of a recording object. The platen is arranged at a position opposed to the nozzle plate with the recording object placed between the platen and the nozzle plate. The absorption member is arranged at a position opposed to the nozzle plate and located farther from openings of the nozzle plate than the recording object in a direction in which the liquid is ejected. The potential difference generating device generates a difference in potential between the nozzle plate and the electrode by applying voltage to the electrode so as to form an electric field, whereby liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head is electrically attracted toward the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Narihiro Oki
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Patent number: 8246142Abstract: A maintenance facility for an inkjet printer with 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 an elongate chassis for 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 elongate chassis. The elongate chassis is symmetrical about at least one plane extending through the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Zamtec LimitedInventors: Christopher Hibbard, Paul Ian Mackey, Makomo Tsubono, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 8240809Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus includes: an ink-jet head including a plurality of nozzle openings from which ink is ejected and an ink ejection surface in which the plurality of nozzle openings are formed; a waste-ink receiving mechanism which receives the ink ejected from the plurality of nozzle openings; a set of (a) a wiper configured to wipe the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface and (b) an absorbing member configured to absorb the ink received by the waste-ink receiving mechanism and to be brought into contact with the ink ejection surface such that the absorbing member adheres the ink thereto; and a driving mechanism configured to drive at least one of the ink-jet head and the set of the wiper and the absorbing member, such that the wiper and the absorbing member are, one of together and independently, moved relative to the ink ejection surface while being opposed thereto, and such that the absorbing member adheres the ink to the ink ejection surface and the wiper wipes the ink adhered by the absoType: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Goro Okada
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Patent number: 8210643Abstract: A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes a jetting head unit which has a nozzle which jets droplets of a liquid, and a heat generating section, a suction port which is formed in the jetting head unit, and which opens near the nozzle, and a suction device which sucks air around the nozzle from the suction port, and cools down the heat generating section of the jetting head unit by the air which is sucked. Since the heat generating portion is cooled down by the air sucked from the suction port by the suction device, it is possible to reduce a possibility of the heat of the heat generating section being transferred to the jetting head unit, and destabilizing an operation of the jetting head unit. Moreover, since the suction port opens near the nozzle, it is possible to suck fine liquid droplets together with air around the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomoyuki Kubo
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Patent number: 8205959Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided in which a pad is moved between a first position in which the pad is sealingly engaged with the printhead, a second position in which the pad is disengaged from the printhead and a third position in which the pad is engaged with a pad cleaner. The pad is biased towards the second position relative to the third position.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Zamtec LimitedInventors: John Douglas Peter Morgan, Kia Silverbrook, Christopher Hibbard, Bruce Gordon Holyoake
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Patent number: 8205972Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head having a nozzle surface in which a plurality of nozzles is formed; and a vibration generating mechanism which is arranged at a position away from a recording medium in a moving direction of a recording head, and which intermittently sucks or blows air from and to the nozzle surface of the recording head moved to the position. The vibration generating mechanism vibrates a meniscus of a liquid inside each of the nozzles. Accordingly, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which the liquid is not consumed unnecessarily and thus is economical, and which effectively facilitates maintenance and recovery of the jetting function of the nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichiro Hara
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Publication number: 20120154484Abstract: There is provided a capping device having a bottomed box-shaped cap having an opening at one of ends of short side walls and long side walls formed in a ring shape and a bottom portion on the other side, the bottom portion is formed with a waste liquid disposal port configured to discharge liquid flowed therein from the opening and a rib extended so as to connect two opposing wall surfaces of the long side walls at a position overlapping at least partly with the waste liquid disposal port two-dimensionally when viewed from the side of the opening, and the rib including a communication hole configured to penetrate in the width direction intersecting the direction of extension of the rib and communicate with the waste liquid disposal port.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Naoyoshi HASHIMOTO, Takeo SEINO, Taisuke YAMAMOTO, Hirokazu ONO
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Patent number: 8174726Abstract: There is provided a printing device including a face detection unit for detecting a face area including a face of a person in an image to be a target for printing, and a print setting determination unit for determining a setting of a size of a print image used for a marginless printing based on a position of the face area detected by the face detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Kosuke Shingai
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Publication number: 20120105541Abstract: A layer forming device forms a layer of liquid absorbing particles on a surface of a layer of a hardenable solution capable of being hardened in response to a given stimulus so that the liquid absorbing particles absorb liquid drops supplied to the surface of the layer of the hardenable solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi INOUE, Hiroshi IKEDA, Toshitake YUI, Kentaro AGEISHI
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Patent number: 8162436Abstract: A fluid discharging apparatus including a head that has a nozzle which discharges fluid from the nozzle and a sheet shaped wiping member for wiping a nozzle surface of the head. The wiping member is moved relative to the nozzle surface so that portions of the wiping member are sequentially in contact with the nozzle surface in order to wipe the nozzle surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Masaru Takahashi, Eiichiro Watanabe, Jun Shimazaki, Takayuki Kawakami
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Patent number: 8152267Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus configured to perform recording by discharging ink from a plurality of discharge ports disposed on a recording head. The apparatus includes a cap adapted to cover the plurality of discharge ports disposed on the recording head, a recessed portion defined on a bottom face inside the cap, a suction hole facilitating introducing a negative pressure to the recessed portion, an atmosphere communication hole located outside a range of the recessed portion and communicating with atmosphere, an ink absorber mounted inside the cap to cover the recessed portion, and a suction pump connected to the suction hole and configured to generate a negative pressure. When the plurality of discharge ports is covered with the cap, a projection image obtained when the plurality of discharge ports is projected onto the bottom face exists within the range of the recessed portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yukuo Yamaguchi, Yutaka Koizumi, Mikiya Umeyama
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Patent number: 8147028Abstract: A nozzle inspection device includes an inspection electrode placed apart from a discharge unit with a gap therebetween, an inspection unit for inspecting the presence of a defective nozzle by discharging a fluid with respect to the inspection electrode in a state in which the electric field is generated by application of a voltage between the discharge unit and the inspection electrode, a detection unit for detecting whether the inspection unit is in a non-inspectiable state, and a gap adjustment unit for adjusting the gap by transferring either the discharge unit or the inspection electrode in a case in which the inspection unit is in the non-inspectable state.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Keigo Ito
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Patent number: 8141980Abstract: Production printing systems are disclosed. The production printing system comprises a printhead array operable to discharge ink to print on a printable medium, and an ink tray that is affixed in the printing system facing the printhead array. The ink tray has a bottom section that is open. The production printing system further comprises a tray insert adapted to rest in the ink tray and to be lifted from the ink tray, and an ink absorbing element adapted to rest in the tray insert and operable to absorb ink that is discharged from the printhead array when the ink does not contact the printable medium. With the tray insert removed from the ink tray, the printhead array is visible through the bottom of the ink tray so that the printheads may be inspected or cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Production Print Solutions LLCInventor: James O'Neal
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Patent number: 8136909Abstract: In an ink jet print head formed with ejection nozzles, which may use a wiping member to wipe ink adhered to the surface of the ink jet print head, it is desired to be able to perform a wiping operation in any environment without requiring a large amount of space to accommodate the liquid used during the wiping operation. To this end, a cooling unit is used which can produce water by cooling the atmosphere. This cooling unit is operated to produce water, which is brought into contact with and transferred onto the wiping member before the wiping member performs wiping.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masashi Ogasawara, Mikio Sanada
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Publication number: 20120062647Abstract: A recovery apparatus for recovering an ejection state of an ejection opening is disclosed. The recovery apparatus includes a cap member to seal an ejection surface of a droplet ejection head for ejecting a droplet from the ejection opening, and an absorber mounted in the cap member and to absorb ink attached to the ejection surface, so that the ink within a sealed space is suctioned and discharged. The absorber includes, when the ejection surface is sealed with the cap member, a first absorbing part to face the ejection surface at a first side where the ejection opening is provided through a first gap and a second absorbing part to face the ejection surface at a second side where the ejection opening is not provided through a second gap, wherein the first gap is greater than the second gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Yusuke NEMOTO
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Patent number: 8132890Abstract: A recovery apparatus including an absorber, a holder member and a waste liquid foam is provided. The absorber abuts at least one nozzle for discharging ink and absorbs the ink from the nozzle by a capillary force. The holder member includes an open recessed portion and a communication port communicating an inside of the recessed portion with an outside of the recessed portion. The recessed portion houses the absorber. The waste liquid foam is disposed outside the holder member and contacts the absorber through the communication port of the holder member. The waste liquid foam has a capillary force greater than the capillary force of the absorber.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takaichiro Umeda
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Patent number: 8128192Abstract: The hand-held printer includes a print module configured for multidirectional printing, a print head in communication with the print module. The print head includes a plurality of nozzle arrays and wherein the nozzles in each of the plurality of nozzle are disposed substantially equidistant from a reference point. The hand-held printer further includes a circular cap configured to rotatably cooperate with the print head, wherein the circular cap cooperates with the print head to define a seal when the circular cap is disposed in a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.Inventor: Asher Simmons
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Publication number: 20120050401Abstract: The present invention suppresses deformation of a cap that protects a recording head when a negative pressure is generated, thereby enabling an appropriate capping operation. An ink jet recording apparatus includes a cap having a bottom, the bottom facing an ejection port surface of a recording head, and a side wall surrounding the bottom, the ejection port surface having ejection ports; and a retaining member configured to retain the cap on the inkjet recording apparatus. A restricting member that covers the bottom is provided inside the side wall of the cap, and the restricting member is fixed to the retaining member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tsuyoshi Saeki