Abstract: A printing system that has an ink supply, a first conduit coupled to the ink supply, a second conduit coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads each coupled to the first conduit and the second conduit and a pumping system to generate a pressure difference between the first conduit and the second conduit during a printhead replacement operation.

Abstract: A printing system that has an ink supply, an accumulator reservoir, a valve coupling the accumulator reservoir to the ink supply, the valve being configured to open when the ink level in the accumulator reservoir reaches a lower limit of a predetermined ink level range, and close when the ink level in the accumulator reservoir reaches an upper limit of the ink level range, and a plurality of printheads in fluid communication with the accumulator reservoir. Each of the printheads has nozzles for ejecting ink onto media. During printing, the accumulator reservoir is fixed relative to the printheads such that hydrostatic ink pressure at the nozzles is generated by the elevation of the ink level in the accumulator reservoir relative to the elevation of the of the nozzles.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a printhead assembly with nozzles for ejecting ink onto media fed along a media path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, a plurality of ink containers, a plurality accumulator reservoirs, each having an inlet for connection to one of the ink containers, an outlet for connection to the printhead assembly and a fluid level regulator for maintaining fluid levels in the reservoir within a controlled fluid level range. During use, the plurality of ink accumulator reservoirs are mounted at a fixed elevation relative to the nozzles such that hydrostatic fluid pressure at the nozzles is maintained within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has an ink supply, a feed line to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, and a plurality of printheads collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide. Each printhead is fluidically coupled to the feed and the return via separate couplings. During printing, the printheads receives ink from both the feed and return lines.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has an inkjet printhead assembly for printing media fed along a media path that is more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, and an aerosol collection system for collecting ink aerosol generated by the printhead assembly. The printhead assembly is positioned on a first side of the media path and the aerosol collection system has a first aerosol collection opening positioned on the first side of the media path and a second aerosol collection opening positioned on a second side of the media path.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has an ink supply, a feed line coupled to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, the printheads each coupled to the feed line and the return line and, a pumping system to generate a pressure difference between the feed line and the return line during a printhead replacement operation.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has an ink supply, a feed line coupled to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, each of the printheads being coupled to the feed line and the return line and, a pumping system configured to generate fluid flow from the feed line to the return line via the printheads to prime the printheads.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has an ink supply, a feed line coupled to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, each of the printheads being fluidically coupled to the first and second conduits and, a bypass line coupling the feed line to the return line.

Abstract: A printing system that has an ink supply, a feed line coupled to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads each fluidically coupled to the feed and the return lines, a bypass line coupling the feed line to the return line and a pumping system configured to initially prime ink through the feed line, the return line, and the bypass line before priming each of the printheads.

Abstract: A printing system that has a print zone, a media path extending through the print zone along a paper axis, a printhead carriage for mounting a plurality of printhead modules adjacent the print zone such that the printhead modules collectively span the media path and are staggered with respect to the paper axis, the printhead modules each having nozzles arranged in parallel rows and a plurality of datum features for holding the printhead carriage such that the parallel rows extend normal to the paper feed axis.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a drive roller for feeding different sizes of media along a media path at least 432 mm (17 inches) wide, an inkjet printhead assembly for printing the media and an ink aerosol collection system for removing ink aerosol from areas adjacent the media path. The ink aerosol collection system is configured to remove aerosol at a greater rate in response to an increase in the media size.

Abstract: An aerosol clearing apparatus of an inkjet printer is provided. The aerosol clearing apparatus includes a plastic strip fastened on the housing of the inkjet printer, and a friction element which has a cloth material friction element and is disposed on a carriage in the inkjet printer. When the carriage moves, the friction element moves correspondingly and rubs the cloth material friction element against the plastic strip, so as to generate static electricity to absorb aerosol generated by a pen.

Abstract: A protruding member is provided on a recording head side, a droplet receiving portion having a flat surface portion formed thereon is provided, and the flat surface portion of the droplet receiving portion is brought into contact with the protruding member on the recording head side to cap the recording head.

Abstract: A print spittoon is removably mounted in a slot of a print support to periodically receive drops of liquid spit from a printhead. Among other features, the spittoon includes a portion of an absorbent sheet provided a location recessed from a surface of the print support.

Abstract: A print unit includes, a first ejection head which ejects a first liquid, a second ejection head which ejects a second liquid and disposed on an upstream side of the first ejection head in terms of a first direction; a conveyance device which conveys a recording medium relatively with respect to the print unit; and a switch-back unit which reverses a conveyance direction of the recording medium, from the first direction, to a second direction opposite to the first direction. Only the first ejection head ejects the first liquid toward the recording medium when the recording medium is conveyed in the first direction; the switch-back unit reverses the direction from the first direction to the second direction; and only the second ejection head ejects the second liquid toward the recording medium when the recording medium is conveyed in the second direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an aerosol trap for an inkjet printer includes a conductor at least partially surrounding ink ejection nozzles such that, when the conductor is charged, aerosol generated when ink is ejected from the nozzles is contained by the conductor, and a source of electric power operatively connected to the conductor.

Abstract: A print system including a vacuum blower configured to create both a vacuum pressure and exhaust, a vacuum chamber configured to distribute the vacuum pressure created by the vacuum blower, a transport belt configured to pass in close proximity to the vacuum chamber, the transport belt having a plurality of holes, and a pneumatic cleaning device configured to direct the exhaust created by the vacuum blower through one or more holes of the transport belt in close proximity to the pneumatic cleaning device. The pneumatic cleaning device includes an upper cleaning head comprising a one or more vents configured to direct air through holes in a transport belt; and a lower cleaning body. The lower cleaning body includes a muffler, a removable collection area configured to collect debris in the exhaust, and a filter configured to collect in the exhaust.

Abstract: An ink-jet head protection assembly of the present invention comprises an ink-jet head, a head cap that protects the ink-jet head and a support member supporting the head cap so that the head cap contacts an ejection face of the ink-jet head. In the head cap, a surface confronting the ejection face of the ink-jet head is formed with a protrusion contacting the ejection face. A contact surface of the protrusion to the ejection face surrounds, in plan view, an area in which ejection ports are formed. Gas is filled in a closed space defined by a surface of the head cap, the protrusion and the ejection face.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: an inkjet head of an on-demand ejection type having a nozzle plate in which a nozzle electrode is arranged in a vicinity of a nozzle through which liquid is ejected; and a voltage application device which makes a polarity of the nozzle electrode one of positive and negative in accordance with a start of an ejection operation of the liquid, and then switches the polarity of the nozzle electrode to an opposite polarity to the one of positive and negative in accordance with a timing of ejecting the liquid through the nozzle.

Abstract: A printer is provided which has a printhead having a plurality of ejection nozzles, a capping member for capping the ejection nozzles, a purging member for receiving material that is purged from the nozzle environment of the printhead, a first actuating mechanism for moving the printhead along a first arcuate path from first to second to third printhead positions, and a second actuating mechanism for moving the capping and purging members along a second arcuate path from a first position to a second position at which the capping member caps the nozzles of the printhead when the printhead is in the second printhead position and the purging member is able to receive the purged material when the printhead is in the third printhead position.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ink-jet printer that can wipe off ink adhering to an ink ejection face and besides can clean a lip of a cap in such a manner that foreign materials adhering to the lip can surely be removed. An ink-jet printer includes a cap, a wiper, a cap cleaning blade, and an ink supplier. The cap is contactable with and separable from an ink ejection face of an ink-jet head, and includes a lip that is brought into close contact with the ink ejection face. The wiper is movable in parallel to and relative to the ink ejection face. The cap cleaning blade is provided integrally with the wiper, and, while being in contact with the lip, cleans the lip in association with the wiper moving relative to the ink ejection face. The ink supplier supplies ink wiped off by the wiper to the cap cleaning blade.

Abstract: A printing machine includes a transfer device including a conveyor having suction holes formed therethrough for transferring cardboard sheets one by one, a suction device for applying a suction force on one of the two surfaces of each of the cardboard sheets, which one of two surfaces faces the conveyor, and ink jet heads located to face the other of the surfaces of each of the cardboard sheets to be spaced apart therefrom. The ink jet heads are located in such a manner that a desired distance is maintained between tips of the ink jet heads and the other surface to be printed and include ink jet nozzles from each of which ink is jetted out toward said the other surface. The ink jet heads have skirts located upstream and downstream of the transferring direction of the cardboard sheets in such a manner that the skirts extend from the ink jet heads toward the other surface and have a width which covers the ink jet nozzles so as to form a partition in a space between the ink jet nozzles and the other surface.

Abstract: A method for detecting a clog in a suspect portion of an ink conduit of an ink delivery system, includes the steps of pumping a slug of ink of a known volume into the ink conduit, attempting to pump the slug past the suspect portion, and detecting the presence of ink at a position beyond the suspect portion.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head which ejects a liquid onto a liquid ejection surface of an ejection target member; a scanning unit which scans the liquid ejecting head relative to the ejection target member; and a driving force transmission mechanism which transmits driving force of a rotary driving force source to the scanning unit through a belt, wherein a liquid absorbing material which absorbs and retains mists of a liquid floating in an inner space of the liquid ejecting apparatus is disposed on the belt.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head which ejects a liquid onto a liquid ejection surface of an ejection target member; a scanning unit which scans the liquid ejecting head relative to the ejection target member; a driving force transmission mechanism which transmits driving force of a rotary driving force source to the scanning unit through a belt; an encoder which detects a scanning position of the liquid ejecting head relative to the ejection target member and having a scale disposed at a position adjacent to the belt; and a neutralizing unit which removes static electricity from the belt.

Abstract: A printing system includes an ink dispenser configured to dispense ink upon a print medium, a condenser configured to condense vapor into a condensate and a receptacle configured to collect the condensate. The receptacle is perforated to permit a portion of the condensate to evaporate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reference surface that is partitioned into an array of chambers; an image forming head for forming an image on a media; and a source of negative pressure. The array of chambers is in fluid communication with the source of negative pressure. An overprint trough is positioned neighboring the array of chambers. The overprint trough includes a side wall with a plurality of vent holes to direct airborne ink mist produced by the image forming head away from a back side of the media.

Abstract: A light-emitting element emits a light beam and a light-receiving element receives the light beam emitted from the light-emitting element. The light emitting element is installed in such a manner that the light beam collides with a sprayed liquid droplet so that a spray failure of the liquid droplet is detected based on an output change of the light-receiving element. A mist shielding plate includes an elongated hole through which liquid droplets sprayed from a plurality of nozzles pass and prevents a mist floating apart from the liquid droplets from passing through the elongated hole.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus is provided with a recording head, a main tank, a tube, a transfer device, a transfer amount determination device and a driving device. The recording head includes a sub tank for storing ink and an ejection nozzle. The main tank stores ink to be supplied to an inside of the sub tank. The tube connects the sub tank and the main tank. The transfer device transfers ink existing in the tube. The transfer amount determination device determines at least one transfer amount of a mixture of the ink and air transferred through the tube while air moves from a first detection position to a second detection position of the tube. The driving device controls driving of the transfer device in accordance with the at least one transfer amount determined by the transfer amount determination device.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus including a carriage 8 that moves a head capable of ejecting liquid back and forth in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1, a linear scaler 9 that is provided along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, for recognizing the position of the carriage 8, and a mist guide 21 that is provided so as to be extended from the carriage 8 so as to face the linear scaler 9. The mist guide 21 includes the first slope surface 21b forming the acute slope angle R2 with respect to the first direction D1 and the second slope surface 21a forming the acute slope angle R1 with respect to the second direction D2.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus having a plurality of inkjet heads arranged along a paper conveyance line is disclosed, which is capable of collecting an ink mist efficiently without making the inkjet heads intricate in makeup.

Abstract: The liquid ejection head includes: a casing; nozzles which eject droplets of liquid containing a volatile solvent and are arranged on a nozzle face in the casing; an air outlet which supplies an air flow containing a vapor of the volatile solvent and is arranged on an upstream side in the air flow with respect to the nozzle face; an air inlet which recovers the air flow containing the vapor of the volatile solvent supplied from the air outlet and is arranged on the downstream side in the air flow with respect to the nozzle face; and an air flow circulation mechanism including a circulation device which resupplies, from the air outlet, the air flow containing the vapor of the volatile solvent recovered through the air inlet, wherein the air flow containing the vapor of the volatile solvent is circulated inside the casing.

Abstract: A microparticle/aerosol-collecting device for office machine. The microparticle/aerosol-collecting device is positioned near a printing section or a printer head. The microparticle/aerosol-collecting device includes a housing having an upper section and a lower section defining a space. The space has an opening. An absorption section is arranged in the space. The absorption section is formed with a chamber and multiple passages communicating with the chamber. The microparticle/aerosol-collecting device further includes a cleaning unit disposed in the chamber of the absorption section. The absorption section is rotationally drivable by a motor to create a negative pressure effect around the absorption section, whereby the airflow is collectively taken into the chamber of the absorption section through the passages thereof. Accordingly, the microparticles or ink aerosols are entrained by the airflow to go into the chamber. The microparticles or ink aerosols are then absorbed and removed by the cleaning unit.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer, including: a casing; a head unit which is disposed in the casing and which includes (a) a carriage that moves reciprocally relative to a recording medium and (b) a recording head mounted on the carriage for ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of nozzle holes; and a pair of skirt members which are provided respectively on opposite sides of the carriage as seen in a carriage-moving direction in which the carriage moves, so as to protrude outwardly from respective first side surfaces of the carriage that are opposed to each other in the carriage-moving direction and which are flush with a nozzle surface of the recording head in which the plurality of nozzles are open, for rectifying air flows which are generated as a result of the movement of the carriage and which flow on the recording medium, each of the pair of skirt members protruding, in the carriage-moving direction, at opposite end portions thereof as seen in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the carriage-moving dir

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an AC bias is supplied to a conveyance belt, and the amount of charge on the printing side of a recording sheet is decreased. The charge of positive polarity and the charge of negative polarity which are different from each other are generated on the printing side of the sheet, so that both the charges are cancelled by each other and the charge on the printing side of the sheet is eliminated. Moreover, the charge eliminator eliminates the charge on the printing side of the sheet by the time the sheet is electrostatically attached to the conveyance belt and conveyed to a position where the sheet confronts the head.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus having a non contact type heater for heating a recording medium on which liquid is ejected via a liquid ejecting head, the heater having a heat generating surface and the heater being arranged in parallel to the liquid ejecting head along a transport direction of the recording medium. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a mist suctioning unit for suctioning floating mist generated by ejection of the liquid. The mist suctioning unit includes a nozzle plate in which nozzle orifices for ejecting the liquid are formed, the nozzle plate being provided on the liquid ejecting head, an electrode member provided at a marginal portion of the heat generating surface, and an electric potential difference generator for generating an electric potential difference between the electrode member and the nozzle plate to electrostatically absorb the mist on the marginal portion of the heat generating surface.

Abstract: A droplet ejecting device has a droplet ejecting head, a rotating member, a recovery unit, and a negative pressure generating unit. The rotating member is disposed so as to oppose a nozzle surface of the droplet ejecting head, and is a conveying body that conveys a recording medium. The recovery unit has a suction hole provided at a region of the rotating member on which the recording medium is not loaded, and recovers, from the suction hole, liquid that becomes a mist at a time when the droplets are ejected from the nozzles. The negative pressure generating unit generates negative pressure at the recovery unit.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance assembly for removing particulates from an ink ejection face of a printhead. The assembly comprises: pressure means for flooding the face and thereby dispersing the particulates into flooded ink; a first transfer roller having a transfer surface for receiving the flooded ink; a transfer mechanism for rotating the first transfer roller; and an ink removal system for removing ink from the transfer surface. The ink removal system comprises a second transfer roller engaged with the first transfer roller.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a carriage and an electrode. The carriage is for moving a nozzle. The electrode moves with the carriage, and is adapted to attract an electrically-charged ink droplet ejected from the nozzle but not landing on a medium.

Abstract: A printer includes a recording head having a nozzle through which ink is ejected onto a paper sheet and a waste tank in which the ink is retained as waste liquid after having been drained from the recording head. A deposit of the waste liquid is formed in the waste tank. The printer has a suction pump used for forcibly drawing and draining the ink from the nozzle. The suction pump functions also as a gas blasting device that blasts gas to the deposit in the waste tank for blowing off the deposit. This suppresses the amount of the ink consumed in maintenance of the printer.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which has: (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 in an arcuate direction 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 printing apparatus is capable of maintaining the ink ejection performance in good condition at all times even when a large number of ink droplets are used to form an image. To this end, the ink jet printing apparatus includes a wiping member to wipe off ink adhering to ejection ports and surrounding areas of the print head; and a control unit to count the number of ink droplets ejected from the ejection ports and change processing associated with a wiping-based recovery operation using the wiping member according to the counted number of ink droplets ejected.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording device includes: an ink-jet head that ejects an ink toward a recording medium, the ink curable by irradiating with an actinic energy ray to form an image on the recording medium, and a mist adsorbing portion that is disposed in the vicinity of the ink-jet head and that electrostatically adsorbs an ink mist produced by ejecting the ink from the ink-jet head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid ejecting head includes a head main body having nozzles facing a spray surface of a rotating member rotationally driven, and ejecting liquid from the nozzles, and a mist capturing unit capturing mist of the liquid ejected from the nozzles. In the liquid ejecting head, the mist capturing unit is formed such that a passage, through which air flows in a predetermined direction over the spray surface while the rotating member is driven to rotate, is formed narrower than a distance between the nozzles and the spray surface.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a fluid-ejection mechanism, a scanning carriage, and a service station. The fluid-ejection mechanism is capable of ejecting fluid onto media. The scanning carriage is that on which the fluid-ejection mechanism moves while ejecting fluid onto the media. The service station is that to which the fluid-ejection mechanism is movable by the scanning carriage, and that at which fluid aerosol from the fluid-ejection mechanism is extracted by a vacuum via an airflow path from the fluid-ejection mechanism temporarily fluidically coupled to the vacuum during servicing of the fluid-ejection mechanism.

Abstract: An inkjet image-forming apparatus includes an inkjet head having a length corresponding to a width of a paper and a nozzle unit on which a plurality of nozzles are formed, and a maintenance unit that is formed on a lower side of the inkjet head to reciprocally move in a lengthwise direction of the inkjet head to maintain the inkjet head, and includes a carriage and a development maintaining unit attachably and detachably installed on the carriage, wherein the development maintaining unit includes a washing unit that washes away foreign materials contaminating the nozzle unit, using solvent waves generated by applying ultrasonic waves of an ultrasonic wave generation unit to a solvent contained in the washing unit, a wiping blade that wipes the foreign materials and the solvent remaining on a surface of the nozzle unit by contacting with the nozzle unit, and an ink container that contains ink ejected from the nozzles by a spitting operation of the nozzles.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of removing ink flooded across an ink ejection face of a printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing an elastically deformable pad having a contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of the printhead; and (b) moving the pad from a first position in which the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face to a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from thee face. The movement causes the contact surface to be peeled away from the face during disengagement.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an aerosol trap for an inkjet printer includes a conductor at least partially surrounding ink ejection nozzles such that, when the conductor is charged, aerosol generated when ink is ejected from the nozzles is contained by the conductor, and a source of electric power operatively connected to the conductor.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head which does not stop a printing action even if mist of ink adheres onto the orifice plate, particularly between ejection port arrays, and suppresses deposition of continuously-adhered mist of ink. On the printing head part, there is formed a recovery hole which communicates with the common liquid chamber and recovers the ink adhered onto the orifice plate in the printing head part into the common liquid chamber. A face is provided with function of an ink guide in the printing head part so as the ink adhered to the printing head part to be guided to the recovery hole.