JP4141899B2

JP4141899B2 - Liquid ejector

Info

Publication number: JP4141899B2
Application number: JP2003153408A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 光小林
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2003-05-29
Filing date: 2003-05-29
Publication date: 2008-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-29
Also published as: JP2004351804A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、液体噴射装置に関する。特に本発明は、液体を噴射することにより被記録物に記録する液体噴射装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
液体噴射装置の一例であるインクジェット式記録装置において、噴射ヘッドの一例である記録ヘッドが、主走査方向に往復しつつ、液体の一例であるインクを吐出することにより、被記録物に記録が行われる。記録ヘッドから吐出されたインクのうち、被記録物からそれたインクは打ち捨てられる。このインクジェット式記録装置において、記録ヘッドに対向する位置にインク吸収部材が配されることにより、インク吸収部材が、被記録物からそれて打ち捨てられたインクを吸収する（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特開２００２−８６７５７号公報（第１３図）
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、インク吸収部材に保持されるインクの量が大きいと、インク吸収部材において一旦吸収したインクを保持する力が低下し、一旦吸収されたインクがインク吸収部材から染み出して被記録物を汚す恐れがある。
【０００５】
そこで本発明は、上記の課題を解決することのできる液体噴射装置および廃液吸収部材を提供することを目的とする。この目的は特許請求の範囲における独立項に記載の特徴の組み合わせにより達成される。また従属項は本発明の更なる有利な具体例を規定する。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
即ち、本発明の第１の形態によると、液体噴射装置であって、被記録物に液体を噴射する複数のノズル列と、複数のノズル列から噴射された液体を吸収すべく、複数のノズル列の走査領域の下方に設けられた平面状の廃液吸収部材と、被記録物が廃液吸収部材に触れることを防ぐべく、廃液吸収部材における複数のノズル列の走査領域の間に於いて、廃液吸収部材の下方から廃液吸収部材より上方まで貫通したリブと、リブおよび廃液吸収部材の外側に設けられ、廃液吸収部材を保持する吸収部材保持部とを備え、吸収部材保持部は、穴部を有し、廃液吸収部材は、吸収部材保持部の穴部に挿入されて下方に延伸した吸収部材足部を有し、廃液吸収部材は、互いに離間してかつ底部が向き合ったＵ字形状に切り込まれると共に、底部を連結するように一文字に切り込まれて、切り込まれたＵ字形状が下方に折り曲げられることにより吸収部材足部を形成すると共に、Ｕ字形状および一文字に切り込まれた部分に前記リブが挿入され、吸収部材足部は、廃液吸収部材における上面から吸収部材足部の下面までの高さにより、吸収部材足部の下面に吸収部材足部が液体吸収性を保持する力よりも大きい圧力を生じさせる長さを有する。これにより、廃液吸収部材に一旦吸収された液体が確実に廃液吸収部材から下方へ流されるので、廃液吸収部材に残留する液体の量が小さくなる。よって、廃液吸収部材の上に搬送された被記録物が、廃液吸収部材に一旦吸収された液体の染み出しにより汚れるのを防ぐことができる。また、廃液吸収部材に残留する液体の量が小さくなるので、廃液吸収部材は、さらに被記録物からそれた液体を確実に吸収することができる。
【０００７】
上記液体噴射装置において、吸収部材足部は、被記録物の一側端が搬送される位置の下方に配されてもよい。これにより、液体が打ち捨てられて液体が溜まり易い被記録物の側端の近傍において、吸収部材足部は、廃液吸収部材に一旦吸収された液体をより確実に下方へ流すことができる。
【０００８】
上記液体噴射装置は、吸収部材足部から流れ出た液体が液体噴射装置の外部へ流出することを防ぐべく、吸収部材足部の下方に配され、吸収部材足部から流れ出た液体を保持する廃液保持部を更に備えてもよい。これにより、吸収部材足部から流れ出た液体が、廃液保持部において確実に保持される。
【０００９】
上記液体噴射装置において、廃液保持部は、廃液吸収部材よりも高い液体吸収性を有してもよい。これにより、吸収部材足部から流れ出た液体が、廃液保持部においてより確実に保持される。
【００１０】
上記液体噴射装置において、複数のノズル列は、被記録物の搬送方向に並べられ、被記録物に液体を噴射する三以上のノズル列を含み、リブは、被記録物が廃液吸収部材に触れることを防ぐべく、廃液吸収部材における、三以上のノズル列の走査領域の間にそれぞれ設けられ、廃液吸収部材の下方から廃液吸収部材の上方まで貫通した二以上のリブを含み、走査領域よりも、搬送方向の下流に設けられた、被記録物を排出する排出ローラを更に備え、吸収部材足部は、廃液吸収部材において、二以上のリブのうち、搬送方向の上流側のリブの周辺が切り込まれて下方に曲げられることにより構成されてもよい。これにより、液体噴射装置の組み立て時に、排出ローラに吸収部材足部が巻き込まれるのを防止することができる。
【００１１】
本発明の第２の形態によると、液体噴射装置であって、被記録物に液体を噴射する複数のノズル列と、複数のノズル列から噴射された液体を吸収すべく、複数のノズル列の走査領域の下方に設けられた平面状の廃液吸収部材と、被記録物が廃液吸収部材に触れることを防ぐべく、廃液吸収部材における複数のノズル列の走査領域の間に於いて、廃液吸収部材の下方から廃液吸収部材の上方まで貫通したリブと、リブおよび廃液吸収部材の外側に設けられ、廃液吸収部材を保持する吸収部材保持部とを備え、吸収部材保持部は、穴部を有し、廃液吸収部材は、吸収部材保持部の穴部に挿入されて下方に延伸した吸収部材足部を有し、廃液吸収部材は、外周から切り込まれると共に、切り込まれた部分が下方に折り曲げられることにより吸収部材足部を形成し、吸収部材足部は、廃液吸収部材における上面から吸収部材足部の下面までの高さにより、吸収部材足部の下面に吸収部材足部が液体吸収性を保持する力よりも大きい圧力を生じさせる長さを有する。これにより、第１の実施形態と同様の効果を得ることができるとともに、廃液吸収部材において吸収部材足部を配する位置の自由度を大きくすることができる。
【００１２】
本発明の第３の形態によると、液体噴射装置であって、被記録物に液体を噴射する複数のノズル列と、複数のノズル列から噴射された液体を吸収すべく、複数のノズル列の走査領域の下方に設けられた平面状の廃液吸収部材と、被記録物が廃液吸収部材に触れることを防ぐべく、廃液吸収部材における複数のノズル列の走査領域の間に於いて、廃液吸収部材の下方から廃液吸収部材より上方まで貫通したリブと、リブおよび廃液吸収部材の外側に設けられ、廃液吸収部材を保持する吸収部材保持部と、廃液吸収部材から流れ出た液体が記録装置の外部へ流出することを防ぐべく、廃液吸収部材より下方に配され、廃液吸収部材部材から流れ出た液体を保持する廃液保持部とを備え、廃液吸収部材は、下方に延伸して廃液保持部の上面と接触する吸収部材足部を有し、廃液吸収部材は、互いに離間してかつ底部が向き合ったＵ字形状に切り込まれると共に、底部を連結するように一文字に切り込まれて、切り込まれたＵ字形状が下方に折り曲げられることにより前記吸収部材足部を形成すると共に、Ｕ字形状および一文字に切り込まれた部分に前記リブが挿入され、廃液保持部は、吸収部材足部よりも高い液体吸収性を有する。これにより、第１の実施形態と同様の効果を得ることができる。
【００１３】
本発明の第４の形態によると、液体噴射装置であって、被記録物に液体を噴射する複数のノズル列と、複数のノズル列から噴射された液体を吸収すべく、複数のノズル列の走査領域の下方に設けられた平面状の廃液吸収部材と、被記録物が廃液吸収部材に触れることを防ぐべく、廃液吸収部材における複数のノズル列の走査領域の間に於いて、廃液吸収部材の下方から廃液吸収部材より上方まで貫通したリブと、リブおよび廃液吸収部材の外側に設けられ、廃液吸収部材を保持する吸収部材保持部と、廃液吸収部材から流れ出た液体が記録装置の外部へ流出することを防ぐべく、廃液吸収部材より下方に配され、廃液吸収部材部材から流れ出た液体を保持する廃液保持部とを備え、廃液吸収部材は、下方に延伸して廃液保持部の上面と接触する吸収部材足部を有し、廃液吸収部材は、外周から切り込まれると共に、切り込まれた部分が下方に折り曲げられることにより吸収部材足部を形成し、廃液保持部は、吸収部材足部よりも高い液体吸収性を有する。これにより、第１の形態と同様の効果を得ることができる。
【００１５】
なお上記の発明の概要は、本発明の必要な特徴の全てを列挙したものではなく、これらの特徴群のサブコンビネーションも又発明となりうる。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、発明の実施の形態を通じて本発明を説明するが、以下の実施形態は特許請求の範囲にかかる発明を限定するものではなく、又実施形態の中で説明されている特徴の組み合わせの全てが発明の解決手段に必須であるとは限らない。
【００１７】
図１は、本発明の実施形態による液体噴射装置の一例であるインクジェット式記録装置１０の斜視図である。図２は、インクジェット式記録装置１０の吸収部材保持部４００を示す平面図である。図１に示すインクジェット式記録装置１０は、カバーを取り外した状態を示す。インクジェット式記録装置１０は、被記録物２０を載置する載置部１２と、載置部１２に載置された被記録物２０を記録領域へ給送する給送部１４と、記録領域から被記録物２０を排出する排出部１６とを備える。
【００１８】
インクジェット式記録装置１０はさらに、記録領域において図１に矢印Ｚで示された方向にインクを吐出する図２に模式的に示した記録ヘッド１００を搭載し、図１に矢印Ｘで示された主走査方向に往復するキャリッジ２００と、記録ヘッド１００の走査領域の下方に設けられたインク吸収部材３００および吸収部材保持部４００とを備える。本実施形態のインク吸収部材３００は、本発明の廃液吸収部材の一例である。図２に示すように、記録ヘッド１００は、シアン、マゼンタおよびイエローのそれぞれのインクを吐出するノズル列１００Ｃ、１００Ｍ、１００Ｙを有する。
【００１９】
図１に示したインクジェット式記録装置１０において、給送部１４が、搭載部１２に搭載された被記録物２０を、矢印Ｙで示された搬送方向に搬送する。被記録物２０が吸収部材保持部４００上の記録領域に搬送された場合に、吸収部材保持部４００が被記録物２０の高さを規定する。さらに、記録ヘッド１００を搭載したキャリッジ２００が主走査方向に往復しつつ、記録ヘッド１００が、被記録物２０へインクを吐出することにより、被記録物２０へ記録を行う。排出部１６は、記録が行われた被記録物２０を、さらに搬送方向に搬送することにより記録領域から排出する。
【００２０】
被記録物２０の側端部において余白なく記録をする場合などに、記録ヘッド１００は、被記録物２０の側端部よりも外側にもインクを吐出する。これらのインクは、被記録物２０からそれ、打ち捨てられる。記録ヘッド１００の走査方向の下方にインク吸収部材３００が配されることにより、インク吸収部材３００が、被記録物２０からそれて打ち捨てられたインクを吸収する。しかしながら、インク吸収部材３００に保持されるインクの量が大きいと、インク吸収部材３００において一旦吸収したインクを保持する力が低下し、一旦吸収されたインクがインク吸収部材３００から染み出して被記録物２０およびインクジェット式記録装置１０の外部を汚す恐れがある。
【００２１】
そこで、本実施形態のインクジェット式記録装置１０は、記録ヘッド１００から吐出されたインクのうち被記録物２０からそれたインクをインク吸収部材３００で吸収するとともに、インク吸収部材３００に残留するインクの量を少なくする。
【００２２】
図２に示すように、吸収部材保持部４００に、被記録物２０の搬送方向について重なる複数のリブ４２２、４３２が設けられる。図２に示す実施形態において、リブ４２２は、キャリッジ２００の主走査方向について互いに重なるリブ４２２ａ、４２２ｂ、４２２ｃ、４２２ｄ、４２２ｅ、４２２ｆを有する。リブ４３２は、被記録物２０の搬送方向についてこれらのリブ４２２ａ、４２２ｂ、４２２ｃ、４２２ｄ、４２２ｅ、４２２ｆとそれぞれ重なるリブ４３２ａ、４３２ｂ、４３２ｃ、４３２ｄ、４３２ｅ、４３２ｆを有する。キャリッジ２００の主走査方向について重なる複数のリブ４２２は、互いに連結してリブ島部４２０を構成する。同様に、キャリッジ２００の主走査方向について重なる複数のリブ４３２は、互いに連結してリブ島部４３０を構成する。図２に示す実施形態において、被記録物２０の搬送方向について２列にリブ島部４２０、４３０が配されるとともに、キャリッジ２００の主走査方向についても重なるようにそれぞれ２個のリブ島部４２０、４３０が配され、合計で４個のリブ島部４２０および４３０が設けられる。さらに、吸収部材保持部４００には、主走査方向についてリブ４２２と重なるリブ４２４および、被記録物２０の搬送方向についてこのリブ４２４と重なるリブ４３４が配される。図２に示す実施形態において、リブ４２４は、リブ４２４ａ、４２４ｂ、４２４ｃを有し、リブ４３４は、被記録物２０の搬送方向についてこれらリブ４２４ａ、４２４ｂ、４２４ｃとそれぞれ重なるリブ４３４ａ、４３４ｂ、４３４ｃを有する。
【００２３】
リブ４２２、４３２、４２４、４３４は、記録領域に搬送された被記録物２０から記録ヘッド１００までの高さを規定する。例えば、被記録物２０が用紙である場合に、インクジェット式記録装置１０には、Ａ４版やハガキの大きさ等の規格に則った大きさの用紙が用いられることが多い。この場合に、それぞれの用紙の一端は、記録ヘッド１００の走査領域において記録をしない待機位置であるホームポジション側に搬送される。また、用紙の大きさに応じて、図２に示すように、Ｌ版、ハガキ、２Ｌ版、８インチ版およびＡ４版の用紙の他端はそれぞれ位置ａ、ｂ、ｃ、ｄ、ｅに搬送される。ここでリブ４２２ｃ、４３２ｃは、Ｌ版の用紙の他端が搬送される位置ａより少し用紙内側に配される。これらリブ４２２ｃおよび４２３ｃ並びにこれよりも用紙内側に配されるリブ４２２ａ、４２２ｂ、４３２ａ、４３２ｂが、Ｌ版の用紙を支持して、記録ヘッド１００までの高さを規制する。また、この位置ａよりも用紙外側の下方には、インク吸収部材３００が配される。よって、Ｌ版の用紙に対して余白なしに記録がされる場合であっても、用紙からそれたインクがインク吸収部材３００に確実に吸収される。同様に、ハガキ、２Ｌ版、８インチ版およびＡ４版の用紙の他端がそれぞれ搬送される位置ｂ、ｃ、ｄ、ｅより少し用紙内側には、リブ４２４ａ、４２４ｂ、４２２ｆ、４２４ｃ、４３４ａ、４３４ｂ、４３２ｆ、４３４ｃが配される。また、これらの位置ｂ、ｃ、ｄ、ｅよりも用紙外側の下方には、インク吸収材３００が配される。
【００２４】
図３は、吸収部材保持部４００の平面図である。吸収部材保持部４００は、格子状に配された枠体４４０を有し、この枠体４４０によりインク吸収部材３００を支持する。枠体４４０には、インク吸収部材３００の後述する足部が挿入される穴部４６０、４７０が設けられる。さらに、吸収部材保持部４００は、上述のリブ４２２、４３２を有するリブ島部４２０、４３０およびリブ４２４、４３４がそれぞれ枠体４４０と連結している。
【００２５】
図４は、インク吸収部材３００が吸収部材保持部４００に組み込まれる前の状態の斜視図である。インク吸収部材３００は、インクを吸収する材料、例えば発泡フォームを用いて作られ、上下面が略平面形状である略平板形状を有する。インク吸収部材３００は、吸収部材本体３２０と、この吸収部材本体３２０と一体に形成され、リブ島部４２０、４３０がそれぞれ貫通する貫通領域が切り込まれた切込み３６０、３７０により構成される吸収部材足部３４０、３５０とを有する。切込み３６０は、リブ島部４２０の中央付近が挿入される位置から切り込まれ、外側が吸収部材本体３２０とつながったままとなるように一端を残して、互いに離間して向き合ったＵ字形状に切り込まれる。この離間した部分は、一文字に切り込まれる。これにより、切込み３６０により切り込まれた部分が、リブ島部４２０に対して互いに外側下方に折り曲げられ、吸収部材足部３４０となる。図４に示す切込み３６０により、一つのリブ島部４２０について、そのリブ島部４２０の両端に配される二つの吸収部材足部３４０が形成される。吸収部材足部３５０も同様に形成される。図４に示す実施形態において、４つのリブ島部４２０、４３０について、合計８つの吸収部材足部３４０、３５０が形成される。インク吸収部材３００はさらに、リブ４２４、４３４が挿入される切込み３８０を有する。インク吸収部材３００が切り込まれることにより吸収部材足部３４０、３５０となるので、部品点数を増やすことなく簡便に吸収部材足部３４０、３５０がインク吸収部材３００に一体的に設けられる。インク吸収部材３００が吸収部材保持部４００に組み込まれる場合に、インク吸収部材３００が吸収部材保持部４００の溝部４４０に挿入されると共に、リブ島部４２０、４３０を避けるように、吸収部材足部３４０、３５０が吸収部材本体３２０から下方に曲げられて吸収部材保持部４００の穴部４６０、４７０に挿入される。
【００２６】
図５は、図２のインク吸収部材３００および吸収部材保持部４００を下方から見た部分斜視図である。吸収部材足部３４０、３５０が吸収部材本体３２０から下方に曲げられて吸収部材保持部４００の穴部４６０、４７０に挿入されことにより、吸収部材足部３４０、３５０のあった位置にリブ島部４２０、４３０が挿入されると共に、切込み３８０にリブ４２４、４３４が挿入されて、図２および図５に示すようにインク吸収部材３００が吸収部材保持部４００に組み込まれる。これにより、インク吸収部材３００が吸収部材保持部４００に組み込まれた状態において、図２に示すように、リブ４２２等は、吸収部材本体３２０の下方から上方まで貫通する。リブ島部４２０、４３０の周りには、図２に示すように、吸収部材本体３２０が配される。吸収部材本体３２０は、記録ヘッド１００のノズル列１００Ｙ、１００Ｃ、１００Ｍの走査領域の下方に、イエロー吸収領域３２０Ｙ、シアン吸収領域３２０Ｃおよびマゼンタ吸収領域３２０Ｍを有する。
【００２７】
図６は、インク吸収部材３００とインク保持部５００との位置関係を示す、図２を走査方向（図２における一点鎖線Ａ）に切った断面図である。インク保持部５００は、記録ヘッド１００に対向して配される吸収部材保持部４００およびインク吸収部材３００よりも、下方に配される。インク保持部５００は、吸収部材足部３４０、３５０から流れ出た液体を保持する。インク保持部５００には、インク吸収部材３００より液体吸収性の高いインク保持部材５２０が配される。本実施形態におけるインク保持部５００およびインク保持部材５２０は、本発明における廃液保持部の一例である。
【００２８】
インク吸収部材３００が吸収部材保持部４００に組み込まれた状態において、吸収部材足部３４０は、吸収部材本体３２０からインク保持部５００に向けて下方に延伸する。図５に示す実施形態において、吸収部材足部３４０は、インク保持部材５２０の上面と接触する。なお、吸収部材足部３５０も同様にインク保持部材５２０の上面と接触する。
【００２９】
以上の構成において、インク吸収部３００が組み込まれた吸収部材保持部４００の上に、被記録物２０が搬送される。この場合に、リブ４２２等が、吸収部材保持部４００の上に搬送された被記録物２０を下から、インク吸収材３００より上方に支持する。よって、記録ヘッド１００に対する被記録物２０の高さが正確に位置決めされるとともに、被記録物２０が吸収部材本体３２０に接触して汚れるのを防ぐことができる。
【００３０】
被記録物２０が吸収部材保持部に搬送された場合に、キャリッジ２００が主走査方向に往復することにより、キャリッジ２００に搭載された記録ヘッド１００は、吸収部材保持部４００の上を走査しつつ、イエロー、シアンおよびマゼンタのノズル列１００Ｙ、１００Ｃ、１００Ｍからそれぞれのインクを吐出する。吐出されたインクが、被記録物２０に着弾することにより、記録が行われる。吐出されたインクのうち、被記録物２０からそれたインクは、吸収部材本体３２０により吸収される。ここで、吸収部材本体３２０は、記録ヘッド１０のイエロー、シアンおよびマゼンタのノズル列１００Ｙ、１００Ｃ、１００Ｍの走査領域の下方に、それぞれイエロー吸収領域３２０Ｙ、シアン吸収領域３２０Ｃおよびマゼンタ吸収領域３２０Ｍを有するので、それぞれのインクを確実に吸収することができる。
【００３１】
吸収部材足部３４０、３５０は、吸収部材本体３２０からインク保持部５００に向けて下方に延伸する。これにより、吸収部材足部３４０、３５０は、吸収部材本体３２０に吸収されたインクを、インク保持部５００へ流す。図６に示す実施形態において、吸収部材足部３４０は、インク保持部材５２０と接触する。これにより、インクが、吸収部材足部３４０、３５０からインク保持部材５２０へより確実に流れ、インク保持部材５２０において確実に保持される。また、インク吸収部材３００は、各リブ島部４２０、４３０の両端付近に吸収部材足部３４０、３５０を有する。これにより、吸収部材本体３２０に一旦吸収された液体を、確実にインク保持部５００へ流すことができる。
【００３２】
以上、本実施形態によれば、吸収部材本体３２０に一旦吸収されたインクが確実にインク保持部５００へ流されるので、吸収部材本体３２０に残留するインクの量が小さくなる。よって、吸収部材本体３２０の上に搬送された被記録物２０が、吸収部材本体３２０に一旦吸収されたインクの染み出しにより汚れるのを防ぐことができる。また、吸収部材本体３２０に残留するインクの量が小さくなるので、吸収部材本体３２０は、さらに被記録物２０からそれたインクを確実に吸収することができる。さらに、吸収部材本体３２０に一旦吸収されたインクがさらに下方のインク保持部５００へ流されるので、インクジェット式記録装置１０が傾けられた場合に、インクがインクジェット式記録装置１０から外部に流れ出るのを防ぐことができる。
【００３３】
また、本実施形態によれば、吸収部材足部３４０、３５０は、被記録物２０の側端が搬送される下方に配される。これにより、側端に余白なしで印刷されることによりインクが打ち捨てられて、インクが溜まり易い被記録物２０の側端の近傍において、吸収部材足部３４０、３５０は、吸収部材本体３２０に一旦吸収された液体をより確実にインク保持部５００へ流すことができる。
【００３４】
なお、図６に示す実施形態は、吸収部材足部３４０、３５０がインク保持部材５２０に接触している。しかしながら、吸収部材足部３４０、３５０はインク保持部材５２０に接触しなくてもよい。吸収部材足部３４０、３５０がインク保持部材５２０に接触しない場合であっても、吸収部材足部３４０、３５０は、吸収部材本体３２０における上面からの高さにより吸収部材足部３４０、３５０の下面に、吸収部材足部３４０が液体を保持する力よりも大きい圧力を生じさせる長さを有すればよい。
【００３５】
図４に示すインク吸収部材３００は、リブ島部４２０および４３０が挿入される位置の両方において吸収部材足部３４０および３５０を有する。しかしながら、吸収部材足部３４０、３５０は、リブ島部４２０および４３０の両方の位置に必ずしも設ける必要はない。例えば、インク吸収部材３００において、リブ島部４２０および４３０のうち、搬送方向の上流側のリブ島部４２０が貫通する貫通領域に吸収部材足部３４０を設けるとともに、下流側のリブ島部４３０が貫通する貫通領域には一直線の切込みを設けて吸収部材足部３５０を設けなくてもよい。この場合、搬送方向について上流に吸収部材足部３４０を設けることにより、インクジェット式記録装置１０の組み立て時に、排出部１６の排出ローラに吸収部材足部３４０が巻き込まれるのを防止することができる。
【００３６】
図７は、他のインク吸収部材６００の例を示す斜視図である。図７のインク吸収部材６００において、図４のインク吸収部材３００と同じ構成には同じ参照番号を付し、説明を省略する。インク吸収部材６００も図４のインク吸収部材３００と同様に、インクを吸収する材料、例えば発泡フォームを用いて作られる。インク吸収部材６００は、全体が略直方体の形状を有する吸収部材本体６２０と、吸収部材本体６２０と一体に成形され、吸収部材本体６２０の外側から延伸する吸収部材足部６４０とを有する。吸収部材本体６２０と吸収部材足部６４０との間には、一端を残して一直線の切込み６９０が設けられる。インク吸収部材６００はさらに、吸収部材保持部４００のリブ島部４２０、４３０がそれぞれ挿入される位置が切り込まれた切込み６６０、６７０を有する。吸収部材足部６４０は、吸収部材本体６２０における上面からの高さにより吸収部材足部６４０の下面に、吸収部材足部６４０の液体吸収性よりも高い圧力を生じさせる長さを有する。
【００３７】
このインク吸収部材６００が吸収部材保持部４００に組み込まれる場合に、吸収部材足部６４０が下方に曲げられ、吸収部材保持部４００に設けられた貫通穴部に挿入されると共に、切込み６６０、６７０にリブ島部４２０、４３０が挿入される。これにより、図４のインク吸収部材３００と同様にインク吸収部材６００が吸収部材保持部４００に組み込まれる。
【００３８】
これにより、図４に示すインク吸収部材３００と同様に、吸収部材足部６４０が、吸収部材本体６２０から下方に延伸し、吸収部材本体６２０に一旦吸収されたインクを、吸収部材本体６２０の上面からの高さにより吸収部材足部６４０の下面に生じた圧力により、吸収部材足部６４０から下方へ流すことができる。さらに、切込み６９０は、リブ島部４２０、４３０が挿入される位置に必ずしも設けなくてもよいので、インク吸収部材６００において吸収部材足部６４０を配する位置の自由度が大きくなる。
【００３９】
上記実施形態におけるインクジェット式記録装置１０は、液体噴射装置の一例である。また、インクジェット式記録装置１０の記録ヘッド１００は、液体噴射装置の液体噴射ヘッドの一例である。記録ヘッドに設けられる吐出口は、液体噴射ヘッドの噴射口の一例である。
【００４０】
しかしながら、本発明はこれらに限られない。液体噴射装置の他の例は、液晶ディスプレイのカラーフィルタを製造するカラーフィルタ製造装置である。この場合、カラーフィルタ製造装置の色材噴射ヘッドが液体噴射ヘッドの一例である。液体噴射装置のさらに他の例は、有機ＥＬディスプレイ、ＦＥＤ（面発光ディスプレイ）等の電極を形成する電極形成装置である。この場合、電極形成装置の電極材（電導ペースト）噴射ヘッドが液体噴射ヘッドの一例である。液体噴射装置のさらに他の例は、バイオチップを製造するバイオチップ製造装置である。この場合、バイオチップ製造装置の生体有機物噴射ヘッドおよび精密ピペットとしての試料噴射ヘッドが液体噴射ヘッドの一例である。本発明の液体噴射装置は、産業用途を有するその他の液体噴射装置も含む。また被記録物とは、液体が噴射されることにより記録または印刷が行われる物であり、例えば記録用紙、ディスプレイの電極等の回路パターンが印刷される回路基板、ラベルが印刷されるＣＤ−ＲＯＭ、ＤＮＡ回路が印刷されるプレパラートが含まれる。
【００４１】
以上、本発明を実施の形態を用いて説明したが、本発明の技術的範囲は上記実施の形態に記載の範囲には限定されない。上記実施の形態に、多様な変更又は改良を加えることができる。その様な変更又は改良を加えた形態も本発明の技術的範囲に含まれ得ることが、特許請求の範囲の記載から明らかである。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態によるインクジェット式記録装置１０の斜視図である。
【図２】インク吸収部材３００が吸収部材保持部４００に組み込まれた状態の平面図である。
【図３】吸収部材保持部４００の平面図である。
【図４】インク吸収部材３００の斜視図である。
【図５】インク吸収部材３００および吸収部材保持部４００を下方からみた斜視図である。
【図６】インク吸収部材３００とインク保持部５００との位置関係の断面図である。
【図７】他のインク吸収部材６００の例を示す斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
１０…インクジェット式記録装置、２０…被記録物、１００…記録ヘッド、２００…キャリッジ、３００…インク吸収部材、３２０…吸収部材本体、３４０…吸収部材足部、３５０…吸収部材足部、３６０…切込み、３７０…切込み、３８０…切込み、４００…吸収部材保持部、４２０…リブ島部、４２２…リブ、４２４…リブ、４３０…リブ島部、４３２…リブ、４３４…リブ、４４０…枠体、４６０…穴部、５００…インク保持部、５２０…インク保持部材、６００…インク吸収部材、６２０…吸収部材本体、６４０…吸収部材足部、６６０…切込み、６７０…切込み、６９０…切込み[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention Liquid ejector Related. In particular, the present invention records on a recording material by ejecting a liquid. Liquid ejector Related.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an ink jet recording apparatus that is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, a recording head that is an example of an ejecting head ejects ink that is an example of a liquid while reciprocating in the main scanning direction, thereby performing recording on a recording object. Is called. Of the ink ejected from the recording head, the ink deviated from the recording material is discarded. In this ink jet recording apparatus, the ink absorbing member is disposed at a position facing the recording head, so that the ink absorbing member absorbs ink that has been thrown away from the recording material (for example, see Patent Document 1). .
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-86757 A (FIG. 13)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if the amount of ink held by the ink absorbing member is large, the force for holding the ink once absorbed by the ink absorbing member is reduced, and the ink once absorbed oozes out from the ink absorbing member and stains the recording material. There is a fear.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus and a waste liquid absorbing member that can solve the above-described problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including a plurality of nozzle rows for ejecting liquid onto the recording material and a plurality of nozzles for absorbing the liquid ejected from the plurality of nozzle rows. In order to prevent the recording waste from touching the waste liquid absorbing member and the planar waste liquid absorbing member provided below the row scanning area, the waste liquid is disposed between the scanning areas of the plurality of nozzle rows in the waste liquid absorbing member. A rib penetrating from the lower side of the absorbing member to the upper side of the waste liquid absorbing member; and an absorbing member holding portion that is provided outside the rib and the waste liquid absorbing member and holds the waste liquid absorbing member. The waste liquid absorption member has an absorption member foot portion that is inserted into the hole portion of the absorption member holding portion and extends downward, and the waste liquid absorption member is Spaced apart from each other and facing the bottom Cut into a U-shape, To connect the bottom Cut into one letter, the cut U-shape is folded downward to form the absorbent member foot, U-shaped and cut into one character The rib is inserted, and the absorption member foot portion has a height from the upper surface of the waste liquid absorption member to the lower surface of the absorption member foot portion, and the force by which the absorption member foot portion retains liquid absorbability on the lower surface of the absorption member foot portion. Also has a length that produces a large pressure. Thereby, since the liquid once absorbed by the waste liquid absorbing member is surely flowed downward from the waste liquid absorbing member, the amount of liquid remaining in the waste liquid absorbing member is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording material transported on the waste liquid absorbing member from being contaminated by the seepage of the liquid once absorbed by the waste liquid absorbing member. Further, since the amount of liquid remaining in the waste liquid absorbing member is reduced, the waste liquid absorbing member can further reliably absorb the liquid deviated from the recording material.
[0007]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the absorbing member foot may be disposed below a position where one side end of the recording material is conveyed. As a result, in the vicinity of the side end of the recording material in which the liquid is easily discarded and the liquid tends to accumulate, the absorbing member foot can flow the liquid once absorbed by the waste liquid absorbing member more reliably downward.
[0008]
The liquid ejecting apparatus is disposed below the absorbing member foot to prevent the liquid flowing out from the absorbing member foot from flowing out of the liquid ejecting apparatus, and holds the liquid flowing out from the absorbing member foot. You may further provide a holding | maintenance part. As a result, the liquid flowing out from the absorbent member foot is reliably held in the waste liquid holding part.
[0009]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the waste liquid holding unit may have higher liquid absorbability than the waste liquid absorbing member. Thereby, the liquid that has flowed out of the absorbent member foot is more reliably held in the waste liquid holding portion.
[0010]
In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the plurality of nozzle arrays are arranged in the conveyance direction of the recording material, and include three or more nozzle arrays for ejecting liquid onto the recording material, and the rib contacts the waste liquid absorbing member. In order to prevent this, the waste liquid absorbing member includes two or more ribs that are respectively provided between the scanning areas of the three or more nozzle rows and penetrate from the lower part of the waste liquid absorbing member to the upper part of the waste liquid absorbing member. And a discharge roller for discharging the recording material provided downstream in the transport direction, and the absorbing member foot is a portion of the waste liquid absorbing member, and the periphery of the upstream rib in the transport direction of the two or more ribs Cut into You may be comprised by bending below. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the absorbing member foot from being caught in the discharge roller when the liquid ejecting apparatus is assembled.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: a plurality of nozzle arrays that eject liquid onto a recording material; and a plurality of nozzle arrays that absorb the liquid ejected from the plurality of nozzle arrays. A flat waste liquid absorbing member provided below the scanning area and a waste liquid absorbing member between the scanning areas of the plurality of nozzle rows in the waste liquid absorbing member to prevent the recording material from touching the waste liquid absorbing member. A rib penetrating from below the upper part of the waste liquid absorbing member, and an absorbing member holding part that is provided outside the rib and the waste liquid absorbing member and holds the waste liquid absorbing member, The absorbent member holding part has a hole, The waste liquid absorbing member Inserted into the hole of the absorbent member holding part and extended downward Having an absorbent member foot, The waste liquid absorbing member is cut from the outer periphery, and the cut portion is bent downward to form the absorbing member foot, Absorbing member foot part in waste liquid absorbing member From upper surface to lower surface of absorbent member foot Depending on the height of the absorbent member foot, the lower surface of the absorbent member foot Greater than force to retain liquid absorbency It has a length that generates pressure. Thereby, while being able to acquire the effect similar to 1st Embodiment, the freedom degree of the position which arrange | positions an absorption member leg part in a waste-liquid absorption member can be enlarged.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a plurality of nozzle arrays that eject liquid onto a recording material; and a plurality of nozzle arrays that absorb the liquid ejected from the plurality of nozzle arrays. A flat waste liquid absorbing member provided below the scanning area and a waste liquid absorbing member between the scanning areas of the plurality of nozzle rows in the waste liquid absorbing member to prevent the recording material from touching the waste liquid absorbing member. A rib penetrating from below to above the waste liquid absorbing member, an outer side of the rib and the waste liquid absorbing member, and an absorbing member holding portion for holding the waste liquid absorbing member, and the liquid flowing out of the waste liquid absorbing member to the outside of the recording apparatus In order to prevent the liquid from flowing out, the waste liquid absorbing member is disposed below the waste liquid absorbing member and holds the liquid flowing out of the waste liquid absorbing member member, and the waste liquid absorbing member extends downward and has an upper surface of the waste liquid holding unit. Touch Has an absorption member foot, the waste liquid absorbing member, Spaced apart from each other and facing the bottom Cut into a U-shape, To connect the bottom It is cut into one character, and the U-shaped cut is bent downward to form the absorbent member foot, U-shaped and cut into one character The rib is inserted, and the waste liquid holding part has higher liquid absorbency than the absorbent member foot part. Thereby, the effect similar to 1st Embodiment can be acquired.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: a plurality of nozzle arrays that eject liquid onto a recording material; and a plurality of nozzle arrays that absorb the liquid ejected from the plurality of nozzle arrays. A flat waste liquid absorbing member provided below the scanning area and a waste liquid absorbing member between the scanning areas of the plurality of nozzle rows in the waste liquid absorbing member to prevent the recording material from touching the waste liquid absorbing member. A rib penetrating from below to above the waste liquid absorbing member, an outer side of the rib and the waste liquid absorbing member, and an absorbing member holding portion for holding the waste liquid absorbing member, and the liquid flowing out of the waste liquid absorbing member to the outside of the recording apparatus In order to prevent the liquid from flowing out, the waste liquid absorbing member is disposed below the waste liquid absorbing member and includes a waste liquid holding unit that holds the liquid flowing out from the waste liquid absorbing member member. Extends downward and contacts the upper surface of the waste liquid holding part Having an absorbent member foot, The waste liquid absorbing member is cut from the outer periphery, and the cut portion is bent downward to form the absorbing member foot, The waste liquid holding part has higher liquid absorbency than the absorbent member foot. Thereby, the effect similar to the 1st form can be acquired.
[0015]
The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus 10 which is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the absorbing member holding unit 400 of the ink jet recording apparatus 10. The ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 shows a state where a cover is removed. The ink jet recording apparatus 10 includes a placement unit 12 on which the recording material 20 is placed, a feeding unit 14 that feeds the recording material 20 placed on the placement unit 12 to a recording region, and a recording region. And a discharge unit 16 for discharging the recording material 20.
[0018]
The ink jet recording apparatus 10 further includes the recording head 100 schematically shown in FIG. 2 that discharges ink in the direction indicated by the arrow Z in FIG. 1 in the recording region, and is indicated by the arrow X in FIG. A carriage 200 that reciprocates in the main scanning direction, and an ink absorbing member 300 and an absorbing member holding portion 400 provided below the scanning area of the recording head 100 are provided. The ink absorbing member 300 of this embodiment is an example of the waste liquid absorbing member of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 100 includes nozzle rows 100C, 100M, and 100Y that discharge cyan, magenta, and yellow inks.
[0019]
In the ink jet recording apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, the feeding unit 14 transports the recording material 20 mounted on the mounting unit 12 in the transport direction indicated by the arrow Y. When the recording material 20 is conveyed to the recording area on the absorbing member holding unit 400, the absorbing member holding unit 400 defines the height of the recording material 20. Further, the recording head 100 discharges ink to the recording material 20 while the carriage 200 on which the recording head 100 is mounted reciprocates in the main scanning direction, thereby recording on the recording material 20. The discharge unit 16 discharges the recorded material 20 on which recording has been performed from the recording area by further transporting the recorded material 20 in the transport direction.
[0020]
The recording head 100 ejects ink to the outside of the side edge of the recording medium 20 when recording without a margin at the side edge of the recording medium 20. These inks are thrown away from the recording material 20. By disposing the ink absorbing member 300 below the recording head 100 in the scanning direction, the ink absorbing member 300 absorbs ink that has been thrown away from the recording material 20. However, if the amount of ink held by the ink absorbing member 300 is large, the force for holding the ink once absorbed by the ink absorbing member 300 is reduced, and the ink once absorbed oozes out from the ink absorbing member 300 and is recorded. The object 20 and the outside of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 may be soiled.
[0021]
Therefore, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment absorbs ink deviated from the recording material 20 out of the ink ejected from the recording head 100 by the ink absorbing member 300 and the ink remaining in the ink absorbing member 300. Reduce the amount.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbing member holding portion 400 is provided with a plurality of ribs 422 and 432 that overlap in the conveyance direction of the recording material 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the rib 422 includes ribs 422 a, 422 b, 422 c, 422 d, 422 e, and 422 f that overlap each other in the main scanning direction of the carriage 200. The ribs 432 include ribs 432a, 432b, 432c, 432d, 432e, and 432f that overlap the ribs 422a, 422b, 422c, 422d, 422e, and 422f, respectively, in the conveyance direction of the recording material 20. A plurality of ribs 422 that overlap in the main scanning direction of the carriage 200 are connected to each other to form a rib island 420. Similarly, a plurality of ribs 432 that overlap in the main scanning direction of the carriage 200 are connected to each other to form a rib island portion 430. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the rib island portions 420 and 430 are arranged in two rows in the conveyance direction of the recording material 20, and two rib island portions 420 are respectively overlapped in the main scanning direction of the carriage 200. 430 are arranged, and four rib island portions 420 and 430 are provided in total. Further, the absorbing member holding portion 400 is provided with a rib 424 that overlaps the rib 422 in the main scanning direction and a rib 434 that overlaps the rib 424 in the conveyance direction of the recording material 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the rib 424 includes ribs 424 a, 424 b, and 424 c, and the rib 434 overlaps with the ribs 424 a, 424 b, and 424 c in the conveyance direction of the recording material 20, respectively. Have
[0023]
The ribs 422, 432, 424, and 434 define the height from the recording material 20 conveyed to the recording area to the recording head 100. For example, when the recording material 20 is paper, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 often uses paper having a size conforming to standards such as A4 size and postcard size. In this case, one end of each sheet is conveyed to the home position side, which is a standby position where recording is not performed in the scanning area of the recording head 100. Depending on the size of the paper, as shown in FIG. 2, the other ends of the L, postcard, 2L, 8 inch, and A4 plates are conveyed to positions a, b, c, d, and e, respectively. Is done. Here, the ribs 422c and 432c are arranged slightly inside the paper from the position a where the other end of the L-size paper is conveyed. The ribs 422c and 423c and the ribs 422a, 422b, 432a, and 432b disposed on the inner side of the sheet support the L-size sheet and regulate the height to the recording head 100. Further, an ink absorbing member 300 is disposed below the outside of the sheet from the position a. Therefore, even when recording is performed on the L-size paper without margins, the ink deviated from the paper is reliably absorbed by the ink absorbing member 300. Similarly, ribs 424 a, 424 b, 422 f, 424 c, 434 a, and the ribs 424 a, 424 b, 422 f, 424 c, 434 a, 434b, 432f, and 434c are arranged. In addition, an ink absorbing material 300 is disposed below the outside of the sheet from these positions b, c, d, and e.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the absorbing member holding unit 400. The absorbing member holding unit 400 includes a frame body 440 arranged in a lattice shape, and the ink absorbing member 300 is supported by the frame body 440. The frame body 440 is provided with holes 460 and 470 into which a foot portion described later of the ink absorbing member 300 is inserted. Further, in the absorbing member holding part 400, the rib island parts 420 and 430 having the ribs 422 and 432 and the ribs 424 and 434 are connected to the frame body 440, respectively.
[0025]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a state before the ink absorbing member 300 is incorporated into the absorbing member holding unit 400. The ink absorbing member 300 is made of a material that absorbs ink, for example, foamed foam, and has a substantially flat plate shape whose upper and lower surfaces are substantially flat. The ink absorbing member 300 is formed integrally with the absorbing member main body 320 and the absorbing member main body 320, and has penetrating regions through which the rib island portions 420 and 430 penetrate, respectively. Into the cuts 360, 370 cut It has absorption member legs 340 and 350 constituted by these. The notch 360 is From the position where the center of the rib island 420 is inserted Cut , U-shape facing away from each other, leaving one end so that the outside remains connected to the absorbent member body 320 Cut into . This separated part is one character Cut into . This The portion cut by the cut 360 is The rib island 420 is bent outward and downward to form the absorbent member foot 340. As shown in FIG. Notch 360 Thus, two absorbent member foot portions 340 are formed on one rib island portion 420 and arranged at both ends of the rib island portion 420. The absorbent member foot 350 is also formed in the same manner. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a total of eight absorbent member legs 340 and 350 are formed for the four rib island parts 420 and 430. The ink absorbing member 300 further has cuts 380 into which the ribs 424 and 434 are inserted. Ink absorbing member 300 Cut into As a result, the absorption member legs 340 and 350 are formed, so that the absorption member legs 340 and 350 are simply and integrally provided in the ink absorption member 300 without increasing the number of components. When the ink absorbing member 300 is incorporated in the absorbing member holding part 400, the ink absorbing member 300 is inserted into the groove part 440 of the absorbing member holding part 400, and the absorbing member foot part avoids the rib island parts 420 and 430. 340 and 350 are bent downward from the absorbent member main body 320 and inserted into the holes 460 and 470 of the absorbent member holding part 400.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the ink absorbing member 300 and the absorbing member holding portion 400 of FIG. 2 as viewed from below. The absorption member legs 340 and 350 are bent downward from the absorption member main body 320 and inserted into the holes 460 and 470 of the absorption member holding part 400, so that the rib island part is located at the position where the absorption member legs 340 and 350 are located. 420 and 430 are inserted, and ribs 424 and 434 are inserted into the notch 380, and the ink absorbing member 300 is incorporated into the absorbing member holding portion 400 as shown in FIGS. Thereby, in a state where the ink absorbing member 300 is incorporated in the absorbing member holding part 400, the ribs 422 and the like penetrate from the lower side to the upper side of the absorbing member main body 320 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent member main body 320 is disposed around the rib island portions 420 and 430. The absorbing member main body 320 has a yellow absorbing region 320Y, a cyan absorbing region 320C, and a magenta absorbing region 320M below the scanning regions of the nozzle rows 100Y, 100C, and 100M of the recording head 100.
[0027]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the scanning direction (dashed line A in FIG. 2), showing the positional relationship between the ink absorbing member 300 and the ink holding unit 500. The ink holding unit 500 is disposed below the absorbing member holding unit 400 and the ink absorbing member 300 that are disposed to face the recording head 100. The ink holding unit 500 holds the liquid that has flowed out of the absorbing member legs 340 and 350. The ink holding member 500 is provided with an ink holding member 520 having higher liquid absorbency than the ink absorbing member 300. The ink holding unit 500 and the ink holding member 520 in the present embodiment are examples of the waste liquid holding unit in the present invention.
[0028]
In a state where the ink absorbing member 300 is incorporated in the absorbing member holding part 400, the absorbing member foot part 340 extends downward from the absorbing member main body 320 toward the ink holding part 500. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the absorbing member foot 340 is in contact with the upper surface of the ink holding member 520. Similarly, the absorbing member foot 350 is in contact with the upper surface of the ink holding member 520.
[0029]
In the above configuration, the recording material 20 is conveyed on the absorbing member holding unit 400 in which the ink absorbing unit 300 is incorporated. In this case, the ribs 422 and the like support the recording material 20 conveyed on the absorbing member holding unit 400 from below to above the ink absorbing material 300. Therefore, the height of the recording material 20 relative to the recording head 100 can be accurately positioned, and the recording material 20 can be prevented from coming into contact with the absorbing member main body 320 and becoming dirty.
[0030]
When the recording material 20 is conveyed to the absorbing member holding portion, the carriage 200 reciprocates in the main scanning direction, so that the recording head 100 mounted on the carriage 200 scans the absorbing member holding portion 400. , Yellow, cyan, and magenta nozzle arrays 100Y, 100C, and 100M, respectively. Recording is performed by the discharged ink landing on the recording material 20. Of the ejected ink, the ink deviated from the recording material 20 is absorbed by the absorbing member main body 320. Here, the absorbing member main body 320 has a yellow absorbing region 320Y, a cyan absorbing region 320C, and a magenta absorbing region 320M below the scanning regions of the yellow, cyan, and magenta nozzle arrays 100Y, 100C, and 100M of the recording head 10, respectively. Therefore, each ink can be absorbed reliably.
[0031]
The absorbing member legs 340 and 350 extend downward from the absorbing member main body 320 toward the ink holding unit 500. As a result, the absorption member legs 340 and 350 cause the ink absorbed by the absorption member main body 320 to flow to the ink holding unit 500. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the absorbing member foot 340 is in contact with the ink holding member 520. As a result, the ink flows more reliably from the absorbing member feet 340 and 350 to the ink holding member 520 and is reliably held by the ink holding member 520. In addition, the ink absorbing member 300 includes absorbing member legs 340 and 350 in the vicinity of both ends of the rib island portions 420 and 430. Thereby, the liquid once absorbed by the absorbing member main body 320 can be reliably flowed to the ink holding unit 500.
[0032]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the ink once absorbed by the absorbing member main body 320 is surely flowed to the ink holding unit 500, the amount of ink remaining in the absorbing member main body 320 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording material 20 conveyed on the absorbing member main body 320 from being soiled by the seepage of the ink once absorbed by the absorbing member main body 320. Further, since the amount of ink remaining in the absorbing member main body 320 is reduced, the absorbing member main body 320 can further reliably absorb the ink deviated from the recording material 20. Further, since the ink once absorbed by the absorbing member main body 320 is further flowed to the lower ink holding unit 500, when the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is tilted, the ink flows out from the ink jet recording apparatus 10 to the outside. Can be prevented.
[0033]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the absorbing member legs 340 and 350 are disposed below the side edge of the recording material 20 being conveyed. As a result, the ink is discarded by printing without margins at the side edges, and the absorbing member legs 340 and 350 are temporarily attached to the absorbing member main body 320 in the vicinity of the side edge of the recording material 20 where the ink tends to accumulate. The absorbed liquid can flow to the ink holding unit 500 more reliably.
[0034]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the absorbing member legs 340 and 350 are in contact with the ink holding member 520. However, the absorbing member legs 340 and 350 may not contact the ink holding member 520. Even when the absorbing member feet 340 and 350 do not contact the ink holding member 520, the absorbing member feet 340 and 350 are positioned on the bottom surface of the absorbing member feet 340 and 350 depending on the height from the top surface of the absorbing member body 320. To suck The collecting member foot 340 may have a length that generates a pressure larger than the force for holding the liquid.
[0035]
The ink absorbing member 300 shown in FIG. 4 has absorbing member foot portions 340 and 350 at both positions where the rib island portions 420 and 430 are inserted. However, the absorbent member feet 340 and 350 are not necessarily provided at both the rib island portions 420 and 430. For example, in the ink absorbing member 300, among the rib island portions 420 and 430, the absorbent member foot portion 340 is provided in a penetrating region through which the upstream rib island portion 420 in the transport direction passes, and the downstream rib island portion 430 is provided. It is not necessary to provide a straight cut in the penetrating region that penetrates and to provide the absorbent member foot 350. In this case, by providing the absorbing member foot 340 upstream in the transport direction, it is possible to prevent the absorbing member foot 340 from being caught by the discharge roller of the discharge unit 16 when the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is assembled.
[0036]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of another ink absorbing member 600. In the ink absorbing member 600 of FIG. 7, the same components as those of the ink absorbing member 300 of FIG. Similarly to the ink absorbing member 300 of FIG. 4, the ink absorbing member 600 is made of a material that absorbs ink, for example, foamed foam. The ink absorbing member 600 includes an absorbing member body 620 that has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and an absorbing member foot 640 that is integrally formed with the absorbing member body 620 and extends from the outside of the absorbing member body 620. A straight cut 690 is provided between the absorbent member main body 620 and the absorbent member foot 640, leaving one end. The ink absorbing member 600 further includes cuts 660 and 670 in which positions where the rib island portions 420 and 430 of the absorbing member holding unit 400 are respectively inserted are cut. The absorbing member foot 640 has a length that causes a pressure higher than the liquid absorptivity of the absorbing member foot 640 on the lower surface of the absorbing member foot 640 due to the height from the upper surface of the absorbing member body 620.
[0037]
When the ink absorbing member 600 is incorporated in the absorbing member holding portion 400, the absorbing member foot portion 640 is used. Is below The rib islands 420 and 430 are inserted into the notches 660 and 670, respectively, while being bent in the direction and inserted into the through holes provided in the absorbent member holding part 400. As a result, the ink absorbing member 600 is incorporated into the absorbing member holding portion 400 in the same manner as the ink absorbing member 300 of FIG.
[0038]
As a result, similarly to the ink absorbing member 300 shown in FIG. 4, the absorbing member foot 640 extends downward from the absorbing member main body 620, and the ink once absorbed by the absorbing member main body 620 is removed from the upper surface of the absorbing member main body 620. The pressure generated on the lower surface of the absorbing member foot 640 due to the height from the absorbing member can cause the absorbing member foot 640 to flow downward. Furthermore, the notches 690 are not necessarily provided at the positions where the rib island portions 420 and 430 are inserted, so that the degree of freedom of the positions where the absorbing member feet 640 are arranged in the ink absorbing member 600 is increased.
[0039]
The ink jet recording apparatus 10 in the above embodiment is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus. The recording head 100 of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is an example of a liquid ejecting head of a liquid ejecting apparatus. The ejection port provided in the recording head is an example of an ejection port of the liquid ejection head.
[0040]
However, the present invention is not limited to these. Another example of the liquid ejecting apparatus is a color filter manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a color filter for a liquid crystal display. In this case, the color material ejecting head of the color filter manufacturing apparatus is an example of the liquid ejecting head. Still another example of the liquid ejecting apparatus is an electrode forming apparatus that forms electrodes such as an organic EL display and an FED (surface emitting display). In this case, the electrode material (conductive paste) ejecting head of the electrode forming apparatus is an example of the liquid ejecting head. Still another example of the liquid ejecting apparatus is a biochip manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a biochip. In this case, the bio-organic substance ejecting head of the biochip manufacturing apparatus and the sample ejecting head as a precision pipette are examples of the liquid ejecting head. The liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes other liquid ejecting apparatuses having industrial use. Further, the recording object is an object on which recording or printing is performed by ejecting a liquid. For example, a recording paper, a circuit board on which a circuit pattern such as an electrode of a display is printed, a CD-ROM on which a label is printed A preparation on which a DNA circuit is printed is included.
[0041]
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the description of the scope of claims that embodiments with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a state in which an ink absorbing member 300 is incorporated in an absorbing member holding unit 400. FIG.
3 is a plan view of an absorbent member holding unit 400. FIG.
4 is a perspective view of an ink absorbing member 300. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ink absorbing member 300 and the absorbing member holding portion 400 as viewed from below.
6 is a cross-sectional view of the positional relationship between the ink absorbing member 300 and the ink holding unit 500. FIG.
7 is a perspective view showing an example of another ink absorbing member 600. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Inkjet recording device, 20 ... Recording object, 100 ... Recording head, 200 ... Carriage, 300 ... Ink absorbing member, 320 ... Absorbing member main body, 340 ... Absorbing member foot, 350 ... Absorbing member foot, 360 ... Notch 370 ... Notch 380 ... cut, 400 ... absorbing member holding portion, 420 ... rib island portion, 422 ... rib, 424 ... rib, 430 ... rib island portion, 432 ... rib, 434 ... rib, 440 ... frame body, 460 ... hole portion, 500 ... Ink holding portion, 520 ... Ink holding member, 600 ... Ink absorbing member, 620 ... Absorbing member main body, 640 ... Absorbing member foot, 660 ... Cut, 670 ... Cut, 690 ... Cut

Claims

A liquid ejecting apparatus,
A plurality of nozzle rows for injecting liquid onto the recording material;
A planar waste liquid absorbing member provided below a scanning region of the plurality of nozzle rows in order to absorb the liquid ejected from the plurality of nozzle rows;
In order to prevent the recording material from touching the waste liquid absorbing member, from below the waste liquid absorbing member to above the waste liquid absorbing member between the scanning regions of the plurality of nozzle rows in the waste liquid absorbing member. Through the ribs,
An absorption member holding portion that is provided outside the rib and the waste liquid absorbing member and holds the waste liquid absorbing member;
The absorbing member holding part has a hole,
The waste liquid absorbing member has an absorbing member foot portion that is inserted into the hole portion of the absorbing member holding portion and extends downward,
The waste liquid absorbing member is cut into a U-shape separated from each other and facing the bottom , and cut into a single character so as to connect the bottom , and the cut U-shape is bent downward. The rib is inserted into the U-shaped portion and the portion cut into the one character , while forming the absorbent member foot by
The absorbing member foot portion has a height from the upper surface of the waste liquid absorbing member to the lower surface of the absorbing member foot portion, so that the absorbing member foot portion has a liquid absorbing property on the lower surface of the absorbing member foot portion. A liquid ejecting apparatus having a length that generates a large pressure.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the absorbing member foot is disposed below a position where one side end of the recording material is conveyed.

In order to prevent the liquid flowing out from the absorption member foot from flowing out of the liquid ejecting apparatus, the waste liquid holding unit is disposed below the absorption member foot and holds the liquid flowing out from the absorption member foot. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the waste liquid holding unit has higher liquid absorbency than the waste liquid absorbing member.

The plurality of nozzle arrays include three or more nozzle arrays that are arranged in a conveyance direction of the recording object and eject liquid onto the recording object,
The ribs are respectively provided between the scanning regions of the three or more nozzle rows in the waste liquid absorbing member so as to prevent the recording material from touching the waste liquid absorbing member, and the ribs are disposed from below the waste liquid absorbing member. Including two or more ribs penetrating to above the waste liquid absorbing member,
A discharge roller that is provided downstream of the scanning area in the transport direction and discharges the recording material;
The said absorption member foot | leg part is comprised in the said waste-liquid absorption member by cutting the periphery of the said rib of the upstream of the said conveyance direction among the said 2 or more ribs, and bending below. The liquid ejecting apparatus described.

A liquid ejecting apparatus,
A plurality of nozzle rows for injecting liquid onto the recording material;
A planar waste liquid absorbing member provided below a scanning region of the plurality of nozzle rows in order to absorb the liquid ejected from the plurality of nozzle rows;
In order to prevent the recording material from touching the waste liquid absorbing member, from below the waste liquid absorbing member to above the waste liquid absorbing member between the scanning regions of the plurality of nozzle rows in the waste liquid absorbing member. Through the ribs,
An absorption member holding portion that is provided outside the rib and the waste liquid absorbing member and holds the waste liquid absorbing member;
The absorbing member holding part has a hole,
The waste liquid absorbing member has an absorbing member foot portion that is inserted into the hole portion of the absorbing member holding portion and extends downward,
The waste liquid absorbing member is cut from the outer periphery, and the cut portion is bent downward to form the absorbing member foot,
The absorbing member foot portion has a height from the upper surface of the waste liquid absorbing member to the lower surface of the absorbing member foot portion, so that the absorbing member foot portion has a liquid absorbing property on the lower surface of the absorbing member foot portion. A liquid ejecting apparatus having a length that generates a large pressure.

A liquid ejecting apparatus,
A plurality of nozzle rows for injecting liquid onto the recording material;
A planar waste liquid absorbing member provided below a scanning region of the plurality of nozzle rows in order to absorb the liquid ejected from the plurality of nozzle rows;
In order to prevent the recording material from touching the waste liquid absorbing member, from below the waste liquid absorbing member to above the waste liquid absorbing member between the scanning regions of the plurality of nozzle rows in the waste liquid absorbing member. Through the ribs,
An absorbent member holding portion that is provided outside the rib and the waste liquid absorbing member and holds the waste liquid absorbing member;
In order to prevent the liquid flowing out from the waste liquid absorbing member from flowing out of the recording apparatus, a waste liquid holding unit is disposed below the waste liquid absorbing member and holds the liquid flowing out from the waste liquid absorbing member ,
The waste liquid absorbing member has an absorbing member foot that extends downward and contacts the upper surface of the waste liquid holding part,
The waste liquid absorbing member is cut into a U-shape separated from each other and facing the bottom , and cut into a single character so as to connect the bottom , and the cut U-shape is bent downward. The rib is inserted into the U-shaped portion and the portion cut into the one character , while forming the absorbent member foot by
The waste liquid holding unit is a liquid ejecting apparatus having higher liquid absorbency than the absorbing member foot.

A liquid ejecting apparatus,
A plurality of nozzle rows for injecting liquid onto the recording material;
A planar waste liquid absorbing member provided below a scanning region of the plurality of nozzle rows in order to absorb the liquid ejected from the plurality of nozzle rows;
In order to prevent the recording material from touching the waste liquid absorbing member, from below the waste liquid absorbing member to above the waste liquid absorbing member between the scanning regions of the plurality of nozzle rows in the waste liquid absorbing member. Through the ribs,
An absorbent member holding portion that is provided outside the rib and the waste liquid absorbing member and holds the waste liquid absorbing member;
In order to prevent the liquid flowing out from the waste liquid absorbing member from flowing out of the recording apparatus, a waste liquid holding unit is disposed below the waste liquid absorbing member and holds the liquid flowing out from the waste liquid absorbing member ,
The waste liquid absorbing member has an absorbing member foot that extends downward and contacts the upper surface of the waste liquid holding part,
The waste liquid absorbing member is cut from the outer periphery, and the cut portion is bent downward to form the absorbing member foot,
The waste liquid holding unit is a liquid ejecting apparatus having higher liquid absorbency than the absorbing member foot.