Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head configured to jet droplets of recording liquid; a maintenance device configured to maintain/restore a condition of the recording head, whereby the maintenance device is detachably attached to a body of the image forming apparatus; and a waste liquid tank configured to hold waste liquid collected by the maintenance device, whereby the waste liquid tank is disposed adjacent to the maintenance device. The maintenance device has a jetting tube configured to discharge the waste liquid into the waste liquid tank. The waste liquid tank includes an induction opening surrounding the jetting tube, whereby the induction opening has a notch through which the jetting tube passes when the maintenance device is detached from the body. The image forming apparatus further includes a wall member configured to block at least part of the notch when the maintenance device is attached in the body.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Among various embodiments of the present disclosure, managing substantially solid materials in fluid waste can be performed by collecting the fluid waste in an accumulator. In various embodiments, the accumulator can be configured by positioning a number of input orifices for the fluid waste in a top region of a vertically oriented cavity in the accumulator, and positioning a number of output orifices in a bottom region of the vertically oriented cavity in the accumulator. As such, a flow of the fluid waste can contribute to transport of substantially solid material in the fluid waste from the top region into the bottom region and from the bottom region into at least one output orifice.

Abstract: An ink reclamation receptacle receives ink purged from an inkjet printing apparatus. Ink in the reclamation receptacle wets a porous membrane positioned in the reclamation receptacle, and flows into a flow channel. Negative pressure applied to a port that is placed in fluid communication with the flow channel withdraws ink from the flow channel for use in the inkjet printing apparatus, while ink wetting the pores in the membrane resists a flow of air into the flow channel.

Abstract: An ink jet printer module has a module body, an ink inlet port, a washing liquid inlet port and a pneumatic inlet port connected with the main ink tank, the washing liquid tank and the pneumatic pump. A common flow path in the interior of the module body selectively communicates with either the washing liquid flow path or the washing liquid flow path. An ink opening and closing valve is provided at the module body. A pneumatic and washing liquid selection valve is provided in the module body An ink discharge port is provided in the module body discharges the ink of the ink flow path to the outside of the module body. A common discharge port is provided in the module body and discharges either the pneumatic or the washing liquid of the common flow path.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device includes a recording head, a pump, a waste liquid chamber, and a first support. The recording head has a nozzle surface formed with a nozzle from which ink droplet is ejected to form an image onto a recording medium. The pump is configured to draw ink from the recording head. The waste liquid chamber is configured to accommodate the ink drawn by the pump. The first support is configured to support the waste liquid chamber at a position above the nozzle surface.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device includes a main body and a movable unit. The main body includes a recording head and a pump. The recording head is configured to eject ink onto a recording medium to record an image. The pump is configured to draw the ink from the recording head. The movable unit is configured to move between a near position and a far position where is away from the near position with respect to the main body. The movable unit includes a waste liquid chamber configured to accommodate the ink drawn by the pump.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a fluid applicator unit of an image forming apparatus in which the fluid applicator unit includes a nozzle surface having nozzles is disclosed. The method includes ejecting fluid through nozzles of a fluid applicator unit of an image forming apparatus during a maintenance mode to maintain flow paths therethrough such that the fluid is emitted from the nozzles in a form of fluid drops. The method also includes receiving the fluid drops emitted from the nozzles during the maintenance mode on a receiving member to form waste liquid therefrom and directing the waste liquid from the receiving member to a waste receiving unit through a liquid passage. The method also includes directing aerosol formed from the fluid drops emitted from the nozzles to the aerosol receiving unit through an aerosol passage such that the aerosol passage is separate from the liquid passage and receiving the aerosol directed to the aerosol receiving unit.

Abstract: A printing system that has a media feed assembly for feeding different sizes of media along a media path, the media path having a width corresponding to a maximum width of media that can be printed by the printing system. The system also having a printhead assembly positioned on a first side of the media path and spanning the width of the media path, an aerosol collection duct with an opening on the first side of the media path and a spittoon system positioned on a second side of the media path opposing the first side. The printhead assembly is configured to eject non-printing ink drops from any section not required to print media that is less than the maximum width, and the spittoon system is configured to collect the non-printing ink drops.

Abstract: A printing device for printing work pieces includes a main body, an ink jet mounted on the main body, a recycling pan below the ink jet, a driving assembly positioned on the main body for driving the recycling pan, a controller for controlling the driving assembly and a sensor for detecting a work piece and sending a result to the controller. The controller directs the driving assembly to move the recycling pan below the ink jet to receive ink from the ink jet when the work piece is no longer present.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus includes an ink-jet recording head having a nozzle from which ink is ejected on the basis of print data, an ink-receiving unit that receives the ink ejected from the nozzle, and a surface-tension-depressant-solution supplying unit that supplies a liquid composition containing a surface tension depressant to the ink-receiving unit when the ink is ejected from the nozzle into the ink-receiving unit.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A waste liquid collector is detachably mounted on a device including a discharge unit discharging a waste liquid and stores the waste liquid discharged from the discharge unit when the waste liquid collector is mounted on the device. The waste liquid collector includes: an opening through which the discharge unit is inserted or extracted at the time of mounting or detaching the waste liquid collector on or from the device; a collector-side connection terminal which comes in contact with a device-side connection terminal included in the device when the discharge unit of the device is inserted into the opening; and a positioning unit which positions the collector-side connection terminal to come in contact with the device-side connection terminal when the waste liquid collector is mounted on the device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Ink separators are described herein. One example ink separator is described, which includes an ink receptacle to receive ink aerosol particles, a surface within the ink receptacle to change a direction of an airflow entraining the ink aerosol particles and cause at least a portion of the ink aerosol particles to combine to form ink droplets on the surface, and a chamber adjacent the surface to receive the airflow including the ink droplets and at least some of the ink aerosol particles, wherein the chamber includes at least two flow paths to separate the airflow and the ink aerosol particles from the ink droplets by directing the airflow and the ink aerosol particles to an aerosol collection port and the ink droplets to an ink droplet collection port.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing medium support unit that supports and guides a printing medium supplied to a print execution area. The printing medium support unit includes a support portion supporting the printing medium defines a predetermined gap with a print head. A suction groove is formed concavely on a support surface of the support portion. A suction opening in the suction groove communicates with a suction source. A movable adsorption portion in the suction groove has a suction hole. Before the printing medium is supplied, the movable adsorption portion is located at an upper limit position higher than a support height of the support portion. When the printing medium is supplied, the suction hole is blocked by the printing medium, creating negative pressure, and thus the movable adsorption portion is moved to a lower limit position no higher than the support height of the support portion.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head which ejects photo-curable liquid from nozzles; a first light applicator which applies light to an ejection target having received liquid ejected by the liquid ejection head; a waste tank which reserves therein liquid discharged from the liquid ejection head; and a second light applicator which applies light to liquid in the waste tank.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head oriented upward so as to eject a recording liquid upward. The recording head includes an ejection face, an ejection port, and a waste-liquid port. The ejection port is disposed at the ejection face to eject the recording liquid. The waste-liquid port is disposed separately from the ejection port at the ejection face. The waste-liquid passage is connected to the waste-liquid port and has an opening connected to an outside of the recording head. A residual of the recording liquid on the ejection face is discharged to the outside of the recording head via the waste-liquid port and the waste-liquid passage.

Abstract: A liquid ejector includes a liquid ejection head, a discharge path, a cap, a pump, a first tank, a second tank, a first valve, and a second valve. The liquid ejection head ejects liquid through a nozzle. The cap covers the nozzle. The pump sucks the liquid from the liquid ejection head through the cap and the nozzle and conveys the liquid to a downstream end of the discharge path. The first tank communicates with the outside air, and temporarily stores the liquid in the discharge path. The second tank is detachably attached to the liquid ejector and is connected to the downstream end of the discharge path. The first valve switches the state of the first tank between open to and cut off from the outside air. The second valve switches the state of the first tank between connection to and cut off from the second tank.

Abstract: A waste liquid absorption material is laid within a waste liquid receptacle, and a portion of the waste liquid absorption material into which liquid flows is heated, causing the temperature of that portion to rise. This makes it possible to instigate a temperature difference between one side and the other side of capillary tubes within the waste liquid absorption material through which the liquid permeates, which makes it easy for the liquid to move from the high-temperature side to the low-temperature side of the waste liquid absorption material due to the thermocapillary phenomenon. This in turn makes it possible to increase the speed at which the liquid is absorbed by the waste liquid absorption material.

Abstract: A waste liquid collector is detachably mounted on a device including a discharge unit discharging a waste liquid and stores the waste liquid discharged from the discharge unit when the waste liquid collector is mounted on the device. The waste liquid collector includes: an opening through which the discharge unit is inserted or extracted at the time of mounting or detaching the waste liquid collector on or from the device; a collector-side connection terminal which comes in contact with a device-side connection terminal included in the device when the discharge unit of the device is inserted into the opening; and a positioning unit which positions the collector-side connection terminal to come in contact with the device-side connection terminal when the waste liquid collector is mounted on the device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head having a nozzle configured to jet a liquid drop of ink; a cap member configured to be moved between a sealing position where a nozzle surface of the recording head is sealed and an opening position where the nozzle surface is opened; a waste liquid tank movably provided and configured to receive a waste liquid of the ink, the waste liquid being generated by idle-ejecting the liquid drop not contributing to image forming from the recording head; and a moving part configured to move the waste liquid tank tied to movement of the cap member. A position of the waste liquid tank in a case of idle-ejection being performed from the recording head last time and another position of the waste liquid tank in a case of idle-ejection being performed from the recording head this time are different.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: an image carrier; an exposure section, having a light emitting surface which is positioned above the image carrier, to focus the light rays on the surface of the image carrier; a cleaning section, having a cleaning member, to make the cleaning member to come into contact with the light emitting surface and to move the cleaning member on the light emitting surface, so that the cleaning member removes dust particles accumulated on the light emitting surface, wherein the cleaning section makes the cleaning member to move to an outside of an end portion of the light emitting surface; and a dust receiving section, mounted under the outside of the end portion of the light emitting surface, to receive the dust particles removed from the light emitting surface by the cleaning section.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An ink discharging device may comprise a head that is configured to print an image by discharging black ink and ink other than the black ink onto a print medium. The ink discharging device may further comprise a print controller that is configured to control the head such that the image is printed on the print medium on the basis of print data. The print controller may be configured to control the head such that flushing of the ink other than the black ink is performed at a black-color print area on the print medium onto which the head discharges the black ink on the basis of the print data.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a drop-on-demand ink jet printing method, more particularly to a method of printing wherein a purge image is logically combined with a selected image so as to insure a desired amount of drop firing from every jet of an ink jet printhead for every page printed. The inventive method avoids image defects that could otherwise occur as a result of faulty drop firing from infrequently used nozzles. Purge image data that specifies the deposition of at least one ink dot on at least one predetermined pixel location on each of the plurality of image scanlines is constructed and stored in a purge image memory accessible by the printing apparatus. Imperceptible purge image patterns are constructed having blue noise spatial frequency characteristics and optical density levels equal to or less than 0.01 OD above print medium base OD. A plurality of purge image data sets are constructed and stored for retrieval to adapt to a variety of conditions.

Abstract: A residual ink container comprising laminated members for absorbing residual ink not used for recording, wherein the laminated members are laminated with a gap between adjacent ones of the members; and a covering member covering such that non-contact portion is provided between the covering member and a topmost one of the laminated member so as not to press against the topmost one.

Abstract: A maintenance station apparatus for a printhead including a nozzle face with the nozzle face including a nozzle array for jetting a liquid is provided. The maintenance station includes a capping unit including a drain and a waste liquid tank that receives a waste liquid from the capping unit. A valve is in fluid communication with the capping unit through a first fluid passage and in fluid communication with the waste liquid tank through a second fluid passage. The valve includes a first state that permits the waste liquid to flow from the capping unit through the valve to the waste liquid tank and a second state that prevents the waste liquid from flowing from the capping unit through the valve to the waste liquid tank. A cleaning liquid tank is in fluid communication with the valve through a third fluid passage and is configured to provide a cleaning liquid through the valve and into the first fluid passage when the valve is in the second state.

Abstract: A capping unit, a waste liquid tank, a valve, and a cleaning liquid tank are provided for maintaining a printhead. The capping unit includes a drain. The waste liquid tank receives a waste liquid from the capping unit. The valve is in fluid communication with the capping unit through a first fluid passage connected to the drain. The valve is also in fluid communication with the waste liquid tank through a second fluid passage. The valve includes a first state that permits the waste liquid to flow from the capping unit through the valve to the waste liquid tank. The valve includes a second state that prevents the waste liquid from flowing from the capping unit through the valve to the waste liquid tank. The cleaning liquid tank is in fluid communication with the valve through a third fluid passage. The cleaning liquid tank is configured to provide a cleaning liquid through the valve and into the first fluid passage when the valve is in the second state.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus ejecting droplets of a liquid, a valve unit is provided to connect a liquid tank with a discharge flow path connecting the valve unit with a waste liquid tank. The valve unit has a first valve having a communication path, a spring biasing the first valve to open, a valve sheet, and a second valve to open or close the discharge flow path in conjunction with movement of the first valve. When a discharging device is not driven, the first valve maintains an open state while the second valve maintains a close state. When the discharging device is driven, the second valve achieves an open state and air flows through the communication path. When the liquid flows through the communication path, the first valve is moved to achieve a closed state while the second valve maintains the open state, thereby closing the discharge flow path.

Abstract: A liquid absorption member includes a jointed body in which a plurality of cells are provided between partition members by jointing a plurality of the partition members with each other, and a liquid holding material which is filled into the cell and holds liquid. A plurality of diffusion paths in which attached liquid is diffused and flows are configured in the partition member, and a density of the partition member is a lower density than a density of the liquid holding material.

Abstract: In a waste liquid container which is detachably mounted on a waste liquid container mounting portion including a device side connection terminal and a plate spring, the waste liquid container includes a waste liquid storing chamber which stores waste liquid, a first wall portion and a second wall portion which are disposed so as to face each other with the waste liquid storing chamber interposed therebetween, a container side connection terminal which is provided on an outer surface of the second wall portion and contacts the device side connection terminal at the time of being mounted on the waste liquid container mounting portion, and a positioning protrusion of the plate spring which is provided on the first wall portion so as to receive a biasing force which is applied from the first wall portion side toward the second wall portion side.

Abstract: An inkjet printer (10) comprising: an inkjet printing head (32); a service station (101) provided for the maintenance of the printing head (32) and having a protective cap (102), in turn adapted to be coupled in contact with a front surface (32b, 32c) of the printing head (32) to protect it; and a cleaning device (110), associated with the service station, wherein the cleaning device (110) comprises a receptacle (104) adapted to be moved between a first operative position (P5), in which the receptacle (104) is arranged between the protective cap (102) and the front surface of the printing head (32) to receive a determined amount of ink ejected, in the form of drops, by the printing head (32) during programmed cleaning cycles, and a second operative position (P6), in which the receptacle (104) is laterally displaced with respect to the protective cap (102), to allow the contact coupling between the printing head (32) and the protective cap (102).

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a liquid ejection head which is provided on the apparatus main body and ejects liquid onto a recording medium, a draw-out path which is provided on the apparatus main body, a waste liquid unit which is provided on the draw-out path in a detachable manner and reserves waste liquid wastefully ejected from the liquid ejection head, an opening from which a transportation path for transporting the recording medium is exposed, and an opening/closing unit which is provided to be capable of opening and closing the opening, and at least a part of which is located on the draw-out path and covers at least a part of the waste liquid unit in a state where the waste liquid unit is attached to the draw-out path and the opening is closed.

Abstract: A drip bib has been configured for use with a printhead of an imaging device that facilitates removal of purged ink from a printhead. The drip bib includes a plate having a front face, a rear face, an upper edge, and a lower edge, and at least one elongated recess on the rear face of the plate and positioned along the upper edge of the plate, the at least one elongated recess enabling the front face of the plate to be recessed with respect to the faceplate of the printhead to which the drip bib is mounted.

Abstract: An ink reclamation receptacle receives ink purged from an inkjet printing apparatus. Ink in the reclamation receptacle wets a porous membrane positioned in the reclamation receptacle, and flows into a flow channel. Negative pressure applied to a port that is placed in fluid communication with the flow channel withdraws ink from the flow channel for use in the inkjet printing apparatus, while ink wetting the pores in the membrane resists a flow of air into the flow channel.

Abstract: A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes a liquid droplet jetting head which jets droplets of two types of liquids; a discharge mechanism which discharges the two types of liquids from the jetting head respectively; a waste liquid recovery device which recovers the two types of liquids discharged by the discharge mechanism, having a waste liquid case, an absorbing body accommodated in the waste liquid case, two liquid intake portions for letting the two types of liquids discharged by the discharge mechanism flow respectively into the waste liquid case, and a waste liquid detection section which detects whether only one or both of the two types of liquids has or have reached a detection position by measuring electric conductivity at the detection position away from the two liquid intake portions in the absorbing body; and a full liquid judging section which judges whether the absorbing body is fully permeated.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus that records an image by discharging ink from an inkjet recording head is disclosed. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a disposal liquid tank that accommodates disposal ink that is discharged from the inkjet recording head for purposes other than recording, a mixing member that mixes the disposal ink accumulated in the disposal liquid tank, and a cleaning unit that cleans the mixing member.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head having an ink ejection surface; a blade for wiping the ink ejection surface; a blade cleaning device that cleans the blade by collecting contamination liquid deposited on the blade and including at least ink; a cleaning liquid supplying device that supplies, to the blade, cleaning liquid mainly comprising liquid having a volatility lower than the ink; a residual ink absorbing material provided at such a position that it is out of contact to the blade; and a discharge path for discharging the contamination ink collected by the blade cleaning device to the residual ink absorbing material.

Abstract: A waste ink collecting device includes a ratchet wheel defining a receiving groove for receiving waste ink, a detent, a reciprocatingly movable transmission pole, and immovable first and second poles. The detent includes a hook, and a main body defining elongated first, second and third holes. The second hole is between the first and third holes. The hook extends from the main body away from the first hole. The transmission pole extends into the first hole. The first pole extends into the second hole. A diameter of the first pole equals to a width of the second hole. The second pole extends into the third hole. A diameter of the second pole is smaller than a width of the third hole. When the transmission pole moves forward, the hook engages with and rotates the ratchet wheel. When the transmission pole moves backward, the hook moves away from the ratchet wheel.

Abstract: A multicolor-use ink cartridge has obverse surface-side ink chambers and formed on an obverse surface side of a horizontal plate portion of a rigid plastic plate and reverse surface-side ink chambers and formed on a reverse surface side thereof. Since these ink chambers are arranged in a breadthwise direction so as to be staggered in a mutually overlapping state with the horizontal plate portion interposed therebetween, it is possible to make small the dimension in a direction in which the ink chambers are arranged. The respective ink chambers are formed by joining flat portions of three-dimensionally molded flexible plastic films to obverse surface-side recesses formed on the obverse surface of the horizontal plate portion and reverse surface-side recesses formed on the reverse surface thereof, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to form ink chambers having high sealability.

Abstract: A waste liquid treatment device includes a storage unit configured to store waste liquid which is cured upon reception of an ultraviolet ray and an irradiating unit configured to irradiate a liquid surface of the waste liquid in the storage unit in an uncured state with an ultraviolet ray, and the irradiating unit performs a spot irradiation of the ultraviolet ray so that the surface area of the liquid surface which is irradiated with the ultraviolet ray is smaller than the surface area of the liquid surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an aerosol particle collector includes a duct defining a flow path configured to remove larger particles from aerosol flowing through the duct and to store the removed particles in the duct while maintaining a uniform rate of aerosol flow throughout a predetermined useful life of the duct even as stored aerosol particles accumulate in the duct. In another embodiment, an aerosol particle collector includes a duct and a plurality of baffles in the duct. The duct has an elongated inlet extending along a length of the duct and an outlet located at one end of the length of the duct. A first one of the baffles extends along a first side of the duct for deflecting incoming aerosol toward a second side of the duct opposite the first side. A second one of the baffles is for deflecting aerosol toward the outlet.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes an idle ejection receiving part for receiving idle-ejected waste liquid from a liquid jet head and a waste liquid tank provided below the idle ejection receiving part for collecting the waste liquid dropping from the idle ejection receiving part. The image recording apparatus further includes a rotating member having a peripheral surface for rotating and receiving the waste liquid, and a wiping member that contacts or faces the peripheral surface for wiping the waste liquid on the peripheral surface of the rotating member. The wiping member is configured to move in a peripheral direction of the rotating member.

Abstract: 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.