Abstract: For cleaning a recording head, a printer seals nozzles by means of a cap member and thus forms a closed circulatory system. In this state, a gear pump is activated and draws waste ink and the air from the cap member. The waste ink and the air then flow in the cap member, a check valve, a tube, the gear pump, and a different tube in this order and are introduced into a first ink cartridge. The air is introduced into a second ink cartridge through a corresponding tube as pressurized air. The check valve prevents the waste ink and the pressurized air from returning to the cap member. This suppresses backflow of the liquid and the air, and ink ejection is performed effectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a head part with an ejection port configured to eject ink, a discarded-ink tank configured to collect ejected or absorbed ink in order to restore a function of the ejection port, and a sensing device configured to sense the discarded ink collected in the discarded-ink tank, the sensing device including an absorber configured to absorb the ink and an optical sensor configured to sense the light received from the absorber is disclosed, wherein the apparatus uses ink having a characteristic such that the discarded ink is accumulated in a mountain-like shape in the discarded-ink tank, and the absorber is arranged at the location, at which discarded ink can be absorbed when a mountain top of the discarded ink accumulated in a mountain-like shape reaches a predetermined height so that the discarded ink flows along a slope of the discarded ink accumulated in a mountain-like shape to the absorber.

Abstract: In both a full-line and a serial printer, the amount of ink passing through nozzles of print heads is sometimes decreased below a normal value before and during actual printing. In the printer of the present invention, a preliminary ejecting operation is performed taking the opportunity in which the amount of ink passing through nozzles is decreased below a normal value. Then, the amount of ink passing through nozzles recovers to the normal value in ink ejection after the preliminary ejecting operation. Since only a small amount of ink is ejected through the nozzles during the preliminary ejection operation, dots formed on a print sheet are not noticeable. Further, it is unnecessary to move the print heads to a home position where an ejection recovering process is executed to remove ink having an increased viscosity.

Abstract: In an ink jet recording apparatus, it is detected whether or not an ejection has been performed at least one time while printing an image, with respect to each nozzle, within a predetermined period (preliminary on-paper ejection cycle corresponding to the checking area C1), and the nozzle which has performed the ejection at least one time is excluded from a target of preliminary ejection within a second predetermined period (preliminary on-paper ejection cycle corresponding to the checking area C2) subsequent to the above predetermined period. As for the nozzle not excluded from the preliminary ejection target, the preliminary ejection is performed at least one time onto paper (preliminary on-paper ejection area R2) as to each nozzle at a predetermined timing within the second predetermined period (preliminary on-paper ejection cycle corresponding to the checking area C2). Accordingly, printing is not interrupted by a head recovery processing, and also unnecessary preliminary ejection can be reduced.

Abstract: Printer waste ink subsystem apparatuses are described including an apparatus located between a waste ink pump output port and a waste ink container such as a waste ink pad or sponge for containing waste ink splashing. In one illustrative example, a muffler is placed at the distal end of the waste ink pump discharge port. Such a muffler contains waste ink splatter caused by air bubbles in the waste ink stream as it exits the waste ink pump output port.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by ejecting drops of recording fluid from a recording head includes a waste tank having a space for containing waste fluid, a part for obtaining a correlation value that has a correlation to a deposited state of the waste fluid in the space within the waste tank, and a part for judging whether or not the correlation value exceeds a reference value.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead for use with a nozzle capper that engages the printhead when not in use, the inkjet printhead having a nozzle plate defining an array of nozzles and having an exterior surface for engagement with the capper; such that, when the capper disengages from the exterior surface, residual ink between the capper and the exterior surface moves across the exterior surface because of a meniscus between the capper and the exterior surface; wherein, the exterior surface has gutter formations for retaining at least some of the residual ink pushed along the exterior surface by the meniscus. Gutter formations running transverse to the direction that the capper is peeled away from the nozzle plate will remove and retain some of the ink in the meniscus. While the gutters do not collect all the ink in the meniscus, they do significantly reduce the level of nozzle contamination of with different coloured ink.

Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a printhead mounted on a support, the printhead having an ink ejection face. A film cooperates with the support, to define a wicking channel. The wicking channel is positioned for receiving ink from an edge portion of the face and/or an edge portion of a pad being disengaged from said face.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance station for maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The maintenance station comprises (a) an elastically deformable cylinder having a contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of the printhead; and (b) an engagement mechanism for reciprocally moving the cylinder between a first position in which the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face, and a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from the face. The engagement mechanism moves the cylinder substantially perpendicularly with respect to the face.

Abstract: A disclosed waste liquid storage container includes: a container body divided into plural segments; and a waste liquid absorption member disposed on each segment of the container body, the waste liquid absorption member being made of a high water-absorbing polymer or a high oil-absorbing polymer.

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

Abstract: A print buffer for storing recording data is divided into a plurality of segments and the amount of recording data causing a recording head to perform a recording operation is counted on a segment-by-segment basis. A recording medium is compared to the print buffer with respect to a scanning direction of the recording head and segments not corresponding to the inside of the recording medium are selected from the plurality of segments. The amount of recording data included in the selected segments and causing a recording operation to occur is counted and added up to estimate the amount of ink ejected outside the recording medium.

Abstract: A waste liquid collecting mechanism for collecting waste liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head of a liquid ejecting device, the mechanism comprising a reception case partitioned into a plurality of waste liquid storage parts, wherein a waste liquid receiving part capable of storing a predetermined amount of waste liquid is formed inside a surrounding wall disposed adjacent to the waste liquid storage parts, wherein any waste liquid introduced into the waste liquid receiving part that exceed the predetermined amount of waste liquid stored in the waste liquid receiving part is distributed into the waste liquid storage parts by overflowing the surrounding wall.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for spitting are disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus is provided with a liquid ejecting section that ejects a plurality of types of liquid toward a medium, wherein among the liquids that are ejected from the liquid ejecting section and that reach a region that is outside the medium, an ejection amount of some types of the liquid is reduced.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head that discharges liquid, a liquid receiving portion that receives the liquid from the liquid ejection head, a detachable liquid storage portion that stores the liquid within the liquid receiving portion, and a liquid passage that conducts the liquid within the liquid receiving portion into the liquid storage portion. The liquid storage portion includes an absorbing portion that absorbs the liquid, and a scattering prevention portion that prevents scattering of the liquid.

Abstract: This invention allows images to be printed up to the edges of printing paper while preventing ink droplets from depositing on the platen. Ink droplets Ip are ejected from a print head 28 and printing is started when printing paper P is fed in the sub-scanning direction by upstream paper feed rollers 25a and 25b, and the front edge Pf reaches a position above a downstream slot 26r. Since printing is started when the front edge Pf of printing paper P has reached a position behind nozzle No. 1, images can be printed without forming blank spaces up to the front edge Pf of the printing paper P by causing the nozzles to eject ink droplets Ip irrespective of whether the nozzles are above the printing paper. When images are formed in the vicinity of the front edge Pf of printing paper P, the paper is repeatedly fed in small increments in the sub-scanning direction, and printing is carried out.

Abstract: A waste ink tank including: a first storing section that stores waste ink and has an evaporation opening for the waste ink; a second storing section that stores the waste ink and is deeper than the first storing section, the second storing section having an evaporation opening which is smaller than that of the first storing section; and a waste ink receiving section which connects the first storing section and the second storing section and into which the waste ink is made to flow, the waste ink receiving section connecting the first storing section and the second storing section at a bottom surface thereof that is horizontal when the waste ink tank is used.

Abstract: A printer includes a recording head and a maintenance mechanism for sucking an ink in the recording head. A plurality of cartridges to be attached to the printer includes a first housing portion for storing an ink to be supplied to the recording head and a second housing portion for storing a waste ink discharged from the maintenance mechanism. In a first one of the cartridges, the flow path resistance of a cartridge side flow path from a waste ink introducing portion to an air communicating hole for discharging air in a waste ink reservoir portion to an outside through the waste ink reservoir portion is lower than the flow path resistance of each of the cartridge side flow paths of the other cartridges (FIG. 14).

Abstract: A liquid ejection device with a plurality of liquid ejection heads each having a liquid ejection surface that is elongated in a main scanning direction and is formed with a plurality of liquid ejection ports. The plurality of liquid ejection surfaces defines a first liquid ejection area and a second liquid ejection area. Further, the device may have a recording medium conveyor mechanism configured to convey a recording medium in a sub scanning direction to pass the recording medium through an area facing the plurality of liquid ejection surfaces. Additionally, the device may have a maintenance unit, including a first maintenance tray, a second maintenance tray and a maintenance tray moving mechanism configured to move the first maintenance tray and the second maintenance tray in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid receiving device that includes: a liquid receiving portion that receives discharged liquid; and a liquid drain portion that drains the liquid that has flowed from the liquid receiving portion into the liquid drain portion; wherein the liquid receiving portion has an arrangement area where a first liquid absorber that absorbs the discharged liquid is arranged, the arrangement area having a liquid guiding structure that guides the liquid absorbed by the first liquid absorber to the liquid drain portion; and the liquid drain portion has a second liquid absorber that absorbs the liquid that has flowed from the liquid guiding structure, the liquid drain portion having an absorber compression portion that compresses at least a part of the second liquid absorber.

Abstract: The liquid container has a first storage section in which ink to be supplied to an ink jet recording head is stored; a second storage section in which waste ink collected from the ink jet recording head is stored, and an information holding portion capable of recording information. The second storage section includes a waste ink absorption member which absorbs the waste ink. Moreover, in the information holding portion, information is recorded, the information including the total amount of the waste ink absorption by the ink absorption member, including an initial value of zero, the shortest time period X of continuous waste ink absorption, having a value which changes with the total amount of the waste ink absorption, and the previous collection time of the waste ink.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus comprises: a line type recording head in which a plurality of nozzles ejecting ink are arranged through a length corresponding to a full width of a recording medium; a recording medium conveyance device which supports and conveys the recording medium in a direction of conveyance of the recording medium and causes the recording head and the recording medium to move relatively to each other, the recording medium conveyance device including a medium supporting part which supports the recording medium, a plurality of opening sections being formed in the medium supporting part, the plurality of opening sections being arranged in a staggered matrix in such a manner that at least one of the plurality of opening sections is present throughout a whole width of a nozzle region of the recording head when the plurality of opening sections are projected so as to be aligned in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of conveyance of the recording medium; an ejection control device

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: A waste ink container of an ink jet recording apparatus includes a plurality of ink-retrieving absorbers and a connecting absorber connecting the ink-retrieving absorbers. The ink-retrieving absorbers have a multilayer structure including a plurality of layers of absorbing members. The connecting absorber has bent portions. The ink-retrieving absorbers have holes formed therein. The bent portions are inserted into the holes so as to be in contact with the layers of absorbing members of the ink-retrieving absorbers.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer including: (a) a medium feeder operable to feed a recording medium in a medium-feed direction along a medium-feed path; (b) a recording head having (b-1) a nozzle opening surface which extends in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the medium-feed direction and (b-2) a plurality of nozzles which open in the nozzle opening surface and which are arranged in the widthwise direction, the recording head being operable to eject ink toward the recording medium through the nozzles and being pivotable about a pivot axis parallel to the widthwise direction; and (c) at least one waste ink receiver configured to receive the ink ejected through the nozzles, the waste ink receiver being positioned relative to the recording head and the medium-feed path such that the at least one waste ink receiver and the recording head are both located on one of opposite sides of the medium-feed path and such that the waste ink receiver is positioned outside a locus that is described by the nozzle opening surface dur

Abstract: A waste liquid tank that holds waste recording liquid is disclosed. In the waste liquid tank, a waste liquid wetting liquid that forms a liquid layer on the surface of the waste recording liquid is placed in the form of a liquid.

Abstract: An ink-jet image forming apparatus includes a recording head in which a plurality of nozzle groups jetting an ink is formed, a carriage which is mounted on the recording head, and which is capable of reciprocating in a predetermined direction, a waste-ink tank which stores the ink discharged from a the nozzle groups, and an air guide section which expedites evaporation of waste-ink by guiding a flow of air generated by the carriage movement to the waste-ink tank. Accordingly, it is possible to make the waste-ink tank compact without reducing an amount to be received of the waste-ink.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head is operable to eject liquid toward a target medium. A medium supporting member is opposing to the liquid ejecting head and supporting the target medium from below. A liquid absorber is adapted to receive and absorb liquid ejected to the outside of the target medium. A holder is holding the liquid absorber and being detachably provided with the medium supporting member.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of performing printhead maintenance firing in an ink jet printer that has a printhead carrier that carries an ink jet printhead, the ink jet printer having a waste ink receptacle, includes the steps of decelerating the printhead carrier from a first velocity after printing print data; and controlling a firing of the printhead during the decelerating in accordance with maintenance data so that ink droplets ejected from the printhead during the decelerating are received by the waste ink receptacle.

Abstract: A device detects a quantity of waste liquid without using a special sensor by subtracting total use of liquid from total consumption of liquid and regarding the differential as the quantity of waste liquid. The device includes a first unit for accumulating liquid consumption for a period from the start of using a liquid container up to the present to obtain and store total consumption, a second unit for accumulating liquid quantity used for the operation by the operation unit for the period to obtain and store total use, a third unit for subtracting the total use from the total consumption to obtain the waste liquid quantity, a fourth unit for comparing the obtained waste liquid quantity with a predetermined upper limit on waste liquid quantity, and a fifth unit for informing that the waste liquid quantity exceeds the upper limit.

Abstract: The inkjet recording apparatus includes: a casing; an inkjet head which is arranged in the casing and ejects ink from nozzles toward a recording medium; a scanning device which is arranged in the casing and moves the inkjet head to scan the recording medium in a scanning direction parallel with a breadthways direction of the recording medium; a recording medium supply device which accommodates the recording medium and is removably installed into the casing via a front face side of the casing and disposed on a lower side of the inkjet head in a vertical direction of the casing; a conveyance device which conveys the recording medium from the recording medium supply device to a recording region where the recording medium receives deposition of the ink ejected from the inkjet head, and conveys the recording medium within the recording region in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning direction; an ink cartridge which accommodates the ink to be supplied to the inkjet head and is removably installed

Abstract: Embodiments of a cleaner are disclosed.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to achieve a liquid ejection control method and the like that allows the amount of consumed liquid to be reduced. The liquid ejection control method controls the ejection of liquid, from nozzles for ejecting liquid, onto a medium that is fed in a predetermined feed direction, and has a step of detecting a portion of the medium that is positioned on an upstream side in said feed direction, and a step of not ejecting liquid from nozzles of a plurality of nozzles that are located on the upstream side in the feed direction based on the results of the detection.

Abstract: An inkjet image forming apparatus including an inkjet head including a nozzle portion having a length in a main scanning direction that is at least the same as a width of a paper to be fed therein, a platen to move between a printing position facing the nozzle portion and to support a rear surface of paper and a maintenance position that is apart from the printing position in a sub-scanning direction, and including a receiving portion to receive waste ink, a waste ink container, and a pumping unit to operate by linking with a moving operation of the platen to pump the waste ink from the receiving portion to the waste ink container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a dust collecting part includes an ink cartridge having a wide array type ink jet head that is capable of ejecting ink over an entire lateral line that is perpendicular to a conveying direction of a recording medium at a time, and a main body case that supports the ink cartridge, a duct located under the wide array type ink jet head to extend in a longitudinal direction of the wide array type ink jet head; and a dust collecting part including a charging part disposed in the duct to charge impurities and electrodes disposed in the duct to adsorb the charged impurities The image forming apparatus includes a dust-collecting part that adsorbs the impurities over an entire region of the wide array type ink jet head, thereby effectively removing the impurities generated in large quantities and increasing a life span and a reliability of image forming apparatuses, since the dust collecting part is securely maintained during operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for ink-jet recording includes: (a) ink tanks installed removably in the apparatus, and configured to store ink; (b) a reservoir tank configured to temporarily store waste ink generated by a printing head for jetting ink supplied from the ink tanks onto the printing paper; (c) waste ink tanks formed in one piece with the ink tanks, and configured to store waste ink; (d) a discharging unit configured to discharge waste ink from the reservoir tank into the waste ink tanks; and (e) a control unit configured to discriminate whether or not the waste ink tanks are empty, and to control the discharging unit to discharge waste ink of a predetermined quantity stored in the reservoir tank into the empty waste ink tank.

Abstract: A postage meter includes a print head, a purge unit for removing waste ink from the print head, an ink tray for receiving the waste ink, and a mechanism for heating the ink tray to promote evaporation of the waste ink.

Abstract: The method and equipment for detangling individual jets in an ink jet print station utilizes a reservoir containing fluid and a printhead. The printhead has a drop generator, an orifice structure connected to the drop generator for forming numerous jets, a catcher connected to the drop generator; and a charge device secured to the catcher. A fluid supply system is connected between the printhead and the reservoir. A controller and numerous actuators are connected to the drop generator, and adapted to vibrate the drop generator. A fluid pump is connected to the fluid supply line, is operated by the controller, and is adapted to raise the pressure on the drop generator to at least an operating pressure and lower the pressure on the drop generator to a minimal pressure to prevent entanglement of the jets.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head is operable to move in a first direction. A platen is opposed to the liquid ejecting head to support an object to which a liquid droplet is ejected from the liquid ejecting head and to define a gap between the liquid ejecting head and the object. The platen is formed with a groove hole to which a liquid droplet deviated from an edge of the object is disposed, and through holes formed in a bottom portion of the groove hole and arranged in the first direction. A tray member is arranged below the platen to receive liquid dropped through the through holes. A first liquid absorber is provided in the groove hole. A second liquid absorber is provided in the tray member. At least one liquid leading member extends through at least one of the through holes to lead liquid absorbed by the first liquid absorber to the second liquid absorber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink-jet type recording apparatus that accurately compute the remaining amount of waste liquid, thereby utilizing a waste-liquid absorbing function of the waste liquid absorber at a maximum and prevent the waste liquid from leaking outside the apparatus. The ink-jet type recording apparatus includes a first remaining amount counter for managing a remaining amount A of waste liquid of which an evaporation amount is computed based on time information acquired from a host, a second remaining amount counter for managing a remaining amount B of waste liquid of which an evaporation amount is computed in case where there is not time information from the host, and an overflow deciding unit for accurately deciding the remaining amount of waste liquid by adding A and B when computing the total amount of waste liquid in a waste liquid absorber.

Abstract: A printer fluid management module is disclosed that includes a first jet writing fluid vessel having a first end in which a fluid opening is defined, and a first utility fluid vessel having a first end in which a fluid opening is defined. The first jet writing fluid vessel and the first utility fluid vessel are part of a unitary assembly.

Abstract: A hardcopy device such as an ink-jet printer comprises a printhead, a spittoon for receiving waste ink from the printheads, and a heater for quickly drying the ink waste products in the spittoon. A drum platen having a print media supporting area also has an elongate spittoon region extending across its circumferential surface, the contents of the spittoon region being arranged to be removed intermittently by an elongate scraper which, in one position of the drum, can be moved radially towards the drum to contact the spittoon region.

Abstract: A first inkjet printer spit cup assembly includes a spit cup having a mounting hole and inner teeth, includes a cylindrical post attached to a base portion and positioned in the mounting hole, and includes a wing. The wing and inner teeth are adapted to permit rotation, and to prevent counter-rotation, of the spit cup about the cylindrical post. A second inkjet printer spit cup assembly includes a spit cup having a mounting hole and bottom teeth, includes a cylindrical post attached to a base portion and positioned in the mounting hole, and includes a top tooth extending from the base portion. The top tooth and bottom teeth are adapted to permit rotation, and to prevent counter-rotation, of the spit cup about the cylindrical post.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid drop discharge apparatus capable of flushing in which the adverse effect on film deposition and patterning and the contamination of the apparatus are prevented without impairing productivity and a driving method of the same, an apparatus and a method for film deposition are provided. The liquid drop discharge apparatus can include a liquid drop discharge head configured to reciprocate in the X-axis direction with a plurality of nozzles arranged lengthwise and crosswise, a flushing area disposed on at least one side of a substrate on a stage, and a control device for controlling an operation by the liquid drop discharge head, in which the liquid drop discharge head is disposed obliquely toward the X-axis direction.

Abstract: An ink jet printing system is provided which has an ink jet printing apparatus and a host and which alleviates a data processing load on the ink jet printing apparatus, prevents a reduction in a printing operation speed, and realizes a cost reduction. The ink jet printing apparatus of this invention has an ink receiving member for receiving waste ink ejected onto an overrunning area outside edges of a print medium and an accumulated value memory section for storing an accumulated value equivalent to waste ink volumes ejected onto the ink receiving member. The host includes a waste ink volume setting section for obtaining a value equivalent to a waste ink volume and a data sending section for sending data to the ink jet printing apparatus. The accumulated value memory section of the ink jet printing apparatus stores the accumulated value equivalent to waste ink volumes obtained by the host.