INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-111357 filed on Jul. 6, 2023, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an inkjet recording apparatus.

A conventional inkjet recording apparatus is mounted with a waste ink container to store ink to be disposed of. The waste ink container is connected to a suction mechanism. The suction mechanism sucks ink discharged from a recording head (ink not to contribute to image recording) into the waste ink container. Gas containing the ink sucked by the suction mechanism flows through an air passage provided in the waste ink container.

SUMMARY

An inkjet recording apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a recording head, a waste ink container, and a suction mechanism. The recording head records an image by discharging ink to a recording medium being conveyed. The waste ink container is located in such a manner as to face the recording head in a certain direction across a conveyance path of the recording medium, has a reservoir region therein, and stores the ink in the reservoir region. The stored ink is discharged from the recording head and not to be used for recording of the image. The suction mechanism sucks gas from the waste ink container. The waste ink container has a plurality of receiving openings, an absorbing member, a merging chamber, a suction opening, a plurality of suction air passages, and a cover. The plurality of receiving openings receives the ink discharged from the recording head. The absorbing member is located in the reservoir region and absorbs the ink. The merging chamber is defined by space in the reservoir region where the absorbing member is absent, and located at a position spaced at an interval from each of the plurality of receiving openings as viewed from the certain direction. The suction opening forms communication between the merging chamber and the outside of the reservoir region and is connected to the suction mechanism. The plurality of suction air passages is each defined by space in the reservoir region where the absorbing member is absent. The suction air passages merge with each other in the merging chamber, and each form communication between a corresponding one of the plurality of receiving openings and the suction opening to cause a suction airflow to pass therethrough generated in response to driving of the suction mechanism. The cover is located in the reservoir region and has lower gas permeability than the absorbing member. The cover covers the merging chamber from a direction perpendicular to the certain direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an outline view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a recording part of the inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a conveyance belt of the inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the conveyance belt and a periphery of the conveyance belt of the inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the periphery of the conveyance belt of the inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment (showing a state where all waste ink containers are mounted);

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the periphery of the conveyance belt of the inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment (showing a state where one of the waste ink containers is removed);

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a reservoir region in the inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view corresponding to a section taken along a line A-A shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cover provided in the reservoir region in the inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view prepared by cutting the cover shown in FIG. 10 at a plane vertical to a short-side direction; and

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining inconvenience occurring in the absence of the cover in the reservoir region.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes an inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure by referring to FIGS. 1 to 11 by taking a printer 100 as an example. The printer 100 is installed on a flat floor surface and used in this state. In the following description, a direction vertical to the flat floor surface on which the printer 100 is installed will be defined as a top-bottom direction.

The printer 100 records (namely, prints) an image on a sheet S as a recording medium. Paper is mainly used as the sheet S. The sheet S of a different type such as an OHP sheet is also available. Alternatively, cloth or cardboard is also available.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 100 of the present embodiment (corresponding to the “inkjet recording apparatus”) comprises a first conveyance part 1 and a second conveyance part 2. The first conveyance part 1 feeds the sheet S (corresponding to the “recording medium”) placed on a sheet feed cassette CA and conveys the sheet S toward a recording position. A print job implemented by the printer 100 is to record (print) an image on the sheet S passing through the recording position. The second conveyance part 2 conveys the recorded sheet S. The second conveyance part 2 ejects the recorded sheet S to an ejection tray ET.

The first conveyance part 1 comprises a plurality of conveyance roller members including a registration roller pair 11. In FIG. 1, a sign is given only to the registration roller pair 11 of the plurality of conveyance roller members. Each of the plurality of conveyance roller members rotates to convey the sheet S. The registration roller pair 11 includes rollers in a pair contacting each other under pressure. A registration nip is formed between the rollers in a pair. The sheet S fed from the sheet feed cassette CA enters the registration nip. The registration roller pair 11 rotates to convey the sheet S having entered the registration nip toward a belt conveyance part 3 described later.

At a moment when a front edge of the sheet S arrives at the registration nip, the registration roller pair 11 stops rotating. Meanwhile, the conveyance roller members upstream from the registration roller pair 11 in a conveyance direction DC of the sheet S rotate. By doing so, oblique running of the sheet S is corrected.

The printer 100 comprises the belt conveyance part 3. The belt conveyance part 3 receives the sheet S from the first conveyance part 1 and conveys the received sheet S. The belt conveyance part 3 comprises a conveyance belt 30. The conveyance belt 30 has an endless shape and is supported rotatably. The belt conveyance part 3 comprises a plurality of suspension rollers 301. The plurality of suspension rollers 301 are supported rotatably. The conveyance belt 30 is suspend on the plurality of suspension rollers 301 to rotate. The sheet S conveyed from the first conveyance part 1 reaches an outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 30.

One of the plurality of suspension rollers 301 is coupled to a belt motor (not shown in the drawings), and rotates in response to transmission of driving force from the belt motor. The rotation of the suspension roller 301 coupled to the belt motor drives the conveyance belt 30 to rotate. At this time, the other suspension rollers 301 are also driven to rotate.

The belt conveyance part 3 includes a suction unit 300. The suction unit 300 is located on an inner peripheral side of the conveyance belt 30. The suction unit 300 sucks the sheet S on the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 30.

Specifically, the conveyance belt 30 has a plurality of suction holes (not shown in the drawings). The suction holes of the conveyance belt 30 penetrate the conveyance belt 30 in a thickness direction thereof. The suction unit 300 sucks the sheet S via the suction holes of the conveyance belt 30. By doing so, the sheet S is sucked on the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 30. The conveyance belt 30 rotates while holding the sheet S under suction on the outer peripheral surface thereof. As a result, the sheet S is conveyed. In other words, the conveyance belt 30 conveys the sheet S while sucking the sheet S on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

The printer 100 includes a recording part 4. The recording part 4 is located in such a manner as to face the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 30 in the top-bottom direction. During conveyance of the sheet S, the sheet S on the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 30 and the recording part 4 face each other with an interval therebetween in the top-bottom direction. By doing so, during conveyance of the sheet S, the sheet S passes through between a nozzle surface of a recording head 40 described later and the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 30. In other words, a part of a conveyance path of the sheet S is formed between the nozzle surface of the recording head 40 and the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 30. In this configuration, the conveyance direction DC of the sheet S being conveyed by the conveyance belt 30 conforms to a horizontal direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording part 4 includes four line heads 41 corresponding to respective colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In FIG. 2, the line heads 41 are distinguished from each other by giving a sign “C” to the line head 41 for cyan, a sign “M” to the line head 41 for magenta, a sign “Y” to the line head 41 for yellow, and a sign “K” to the line head 41 for black. This also applies to FIG. 5 referred to in the following description.

The four line heads 41 have a plurality of (for example, three) recording heads 40. For example, the plurality of recording heads 40 for a respective color are arranged in a staggered pattern in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction DC in which the sheet S is conveyed by the conveyance belt 30. In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction DC in which the sheet S is conveyed by the conveyance belt 30 may be called a width direction simply.

Each of the four line heads 41 extends in the width direction as a long-side direction thereof as viewed from the top-bottom direction. The four line heads 41 are spaced at intervals from each other in the conveyance direction DC of the sheet S.

Each recording head 40 is spaced at an interval from the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 30 in the top-bottom direction. In other words, each recording head 40 is located at a position facing the sheet S in the top-bottom direction conveyed by the conveyance belt 30. In still other words, the conveyance belt 30 conveys the sheet S while sucking the sheet S thereon under each recording head 40. The top-bottom direction is a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction DC in which the sheet S is conveyed by the conveyance belt 30 and perpendicular to the width direction.

Each recording head 40 has a surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 30 in the top-bottom direction and having as the nozzle surface. The nozzle surface of each recording head 40 has a plurality of nozzles 4N. The plurality of nozzles 4N of each recording head 40 are used for discharging ink of a corresponding color downward. For example, the number of the nozzles 4N of each recording head 40 is same. These nozzles 4N of each recording head 40 are arranged along the width direction of the conveyance belt 30. In FIG. 2, the nozzles 4N are represented by dashed lines. Note that a larger number of the nozzles 4N are actually provided at each recording head 40. For the sake of convenience, only some of the nozzles 4N are given signs.

Each recording head 40 discharges ink from the nozzles 4N toward the sheet S on the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 30 on the basis of image data to be recorded on the sheet S according to a print job. The ink discharged from each recording head 40 adheres to the sheet S. By doing so, an image is recorded on the sheet S. In other words, a recording position is defined between each recording head 40 and the conveyance belt 30, and the image is recorded on the sheet S at the recording position.

The viscosity of ink remaining at the nozzle 4N of the plurality of nozzles 4N from which the ink is discharged not frequently is increased with time. As a result, clogging occurs to reduce image quality. To reduce the occurrence of such inconvenience, each recording head 40 performs a flushing process. In the flushing process by each recording head 40, ink remaining at the nozzle 4N is discharged. By doing so, the occurrence of clogging is reduced. The flushing process will be described later in detail.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the printer 100 comprises a drying unit 51 and a decurler 52. While the drying unit 51 conveys the sheet S toward the decurler 52, the drying unit 51 dries ink adhering to the sheet S being conveyed. The decurler 52 corrects curl of the sheet S. The decurler 52 conveys the sheet S after subjected to the curl correction toward the second conveyance part 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 100 comprises a controller 6. The controller 6 includes a processing circuit such as a CPU and an ASIC. The controller 6 controls a print job. In other words, the controller 6 controls each motion of the first conveyance part 1, the second conveyance part 2, the belt conveyance part 3, the recording part 4, the drying unit 51, and the decurler 52. In still other words, the controller 6 controls conveyance of the sheet S and discharge of ink by each recording head 40. The controller 6 controls the flushing process by each recording head 40.

A registration sensor 61, a sheet sensor 62, and a belt sensor 63 are connected to the controller 6. The controller 6 controls conveyance of the sheet S and image recording on the sheet S on the basis of output from each of the registration sensor 61, the sheet sensor 62, and the belt sensor 63.

The registration sensor 61 makes detection at a detecting position that is a position upstream from the registration nip in the conveyance direction DC of the sheet S. The registration sensor 61 is an optical sensor of a reflective or transmissive type, for example. The registration sensor 61 changes an output value in response to the presence or absence of the sheet S at the corresponding detecting position.

On the basis of the output value from the registration sensor 61, the controller 6 detects arrival of a front edge of the sheet S at the detecting position of the registration sensor 61 and passage of a rear edge of the sheet S through this detecting position. In other words, on the basis of the output value from the registration sensor 61, the controller 6 detects arrival of the front edge of the sheet S at the registration nip and passage of the rear edge of the sheet S through the registration nip. On the basis of time elapsed from when arrival of the front edge of the sheet S is detected at the detecting position of the registration sensor 61, the controller 6 determines timing of start of conveyance of the sheet S using the registration roller pair 11 (timing of start of rotation of the registration roller pair 11).

The sheet sensor 62 makes detection at a detecting position that is a position between the recording position of the line head 41 of the plurality of line heads 41 located most upstream in the conveyance direction DC of the sheet S and the registration nip. The sheet sensor 62 changes an output value in response to the presence or absence of the sheet S at the corresponding detecting position. A contact image sensor (CIS) is available as the sheet sensor 62. An optical sensor of a reflective or transmissive type is also available as the sheet sensor 62. The CIS sensor is used as the sheet sensor 62, for example.

On the basis of the output value from the sheet sensor 62, the controller 6 detects arrival of the front edge of the sheet S at the detecting position of the sheet sensor 62 and passage of the rear edge of the sheet S through this detecting position. On the basis of the output value from the sheet sensor 62, the controller 6 determines timing of discharge of ink to the sheet S conveyed by the conveyance belt 30. Note that the timing of discharge of the ink to the sheet S conveyed by the conveyance belt 30 may be determined on the basis of time elapsed from when conveyance of the sheet S by the registration roller pair 11 is started.

The controller 6 measures sheet transit time taken from when the front edge of the sheet S arrives at the detecting position of the sheet sensor 62 to when the rear edge of the same sheet S passes through the detecting position of the sheet sensor 62. The sheet transit time measured at the detecting position of the sheet sensor 62 changes in response to the size of the sheet S in the conveyance direction DC. Then, on the basis of the sheet transit time, the controller 6 recognizes the size of the sheet S in the conveyance direction DC conveyed by the conveyance belt 30. By doing so, even if the sheet S conveyed by the conveyance belt 30 has an indefinite size, it still becomes possible for the controller 6 to recognize the size of the sheet S in the conveyance direction DC.

The belt sensor 63 is a sensor for detecting a predetermined reference position (home position) of the conveyance belt 30. For example, a certain mark is provided at the reference position of the conveyance belt 30. This allows detection of the reference position of the conveyance belt 30 on the basis of an output value from the belt sensor 63. A CIS is available as the belt sensor 63. An optical sensor of a reflective or transmissive type is also available as the belt sensor 63.

On the basis of the output value from the belt sensor 63, the controller 6 detects the reference position of the conveyance belt 30. In other words, on the basis of the output value from the belt sensor 63, the controller 6 detects the position of a flushing region 31 (flushing hole 30a) described later.

The printer 100 comprises a storage part 601. The storage part 601 includes a storage device such as a ROM or a RAM. The storage part 601 is connected to the controller 6. The controller 6 reads information from the storage part 601. The controller 6 writes information into the storage part 601.

The printer 100 comprises an operation part 602. The operation part 602 includes a touch screen, for example. The touch screen displays software buttons, messages, etc., and accepts touching operation from a user. The operation part 602 is further provided with hardware buttons for accepting settings, instructions, etc. The operation part 602 is connected to the controller 6. The controller 6 controls display motion on the operation part 602 (touch screen). The controller 6 detects operation having been performed on the operation part 602.

The printer 100 comprises a communication part 603. The communication part 603 includes a communication circuit, etc. The communication part 603 is connected to a user terminal PC via a network NT. The user terminal PC is an information processor such as a personal computer. The controller 6 communicates with the user terminal PC using the communication part 603. For example, the user terminal PC transmits print data (such as PDL data) including image data to be recorded on the sheet S according to a print job to the printer 100. In other words, the user terminal PC transmits a request for execution of the print job to the printer 100. The print data according to the print job includes various types of setting data relating to printing such as the size of the sheet S to be used in the print job.

As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyance belt 30 has the flushing region 31. In FIG. 4, the flushing region 31 is surrounded by dashed lines. The flushing region 31 is a region including the flushing hole 30a that is a through hole penetrating the conveyance belt 30 in the thickness direction thereof. The conveyance belt 30 is provided with a plurality of the flushing regions 31. The plurality of the flushing regions 31 are spaced at a certain interval from each other in a rotation direction of the conveyance belt 30 (the conveyance direction DC of the sheet S).

Each flushing region 31 includes a plurality of the flushing holes 30a. An opening shape of each flushing hole 30a (a shape viewed from the thickness direction of the conveyance belt 30) is not particularly limited. The shape of the flushing hole 30a may be a circular shape, an ellipsoidal shape, an oval shape, or a rectangular shape. In response to the rotation of the conveyance belt 30, each of the plurality of nozzles 4N comes to face at least any of the flushing holes 30a in the top-bottom direction.

A process of discharging ink from the nozzle 4N of each recording head 40 is performed as the flushing process. During implementation of the flushing process, the ink is discharged from each nozzle 4N with timing for the nozzle 4N to face the flushing hole 30a in the top-bottom direction. Then, the ink passes through the flushing hole 30a. This prevents the ink from adhering to the conveyance belt 30 despite implementation of the flushing process. In the following description, the ink discharged from each nozzle 4N during implementation of the flushing process will be called flushing ink to be distinguished from ink to contribute to image recording on the sheet S. The ink not to contribute to image recording on the sheet S is the flushing ink.

During implementation of a print job, the controller 6 controls the flushing process. Specifically, the controller 6 determines timing of start of conveyance of the sheet S from the registration roller pair 11 to the conveyance belt 30 in such a manner that the flushing region 31 appears in a constant cycle between sheets (in an interval between the rear edge of a preceding sheet S to the front edge of a subsequent sheet S). Then, the controller 6 causes discharge of ink from each nozzle 4N with timing of when this nozzle 4N faces the flushing hole 30a in the top-bottom direction not overlapping the sheet S. In other words, the controller 6 causes discharge of the ink from each nozzle 4N with timing different from timing of recording an image on the sheet S.

The flushing ink is stored in a body of the printer 100 (hereinafter called an apparatus body simply). If the amount of the stored flushing ink becomes a fixed amount, the flushing ink is disposed of.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the printer 100 comprises a waste ink container 7 and a suction mechanism 10 connected to the waste ink container 7. The suction mechanism 10 sucks gas from the waste ink container 7.

During the flushing process, the flushing ink passes through the flushing hole 30a of the conveyance belt 30, the flushing ink is sucked by the function of the suction mechanism 10, and then the flushing ink reaches the waste ink container 7. The waste ink container 7 has a reservoir region therein. The waste ink container 7 stores the flushing ink in the reservoir region. As a result of suction by the suction mechanism 10, it becomes unlikely that mist of the flushing ink will go out of the waste ink container 7.

Two or more waste ink containers 7 are provided. The waste ink containers 7 are assigned one by one to each line head 41. In other words, the waste ink containers 7 are assigned one by one to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

Each waste ink container 7 is mounted on the inner peripheral side of the conveyance belt 30 of the apparatus body. While each waste ink container 7 is mounted on the apparatus body, the waste ink container 7 is located below the recording head 40 to discharge ink of a corresponding color. Each waste ink container 7 is located in such a manner as to face the nozzle surface of the corresponding recording head 40 across the conveyance belt 30. In other words, each waste ink container 7 is located in such a manner as to face the line head 41 (each recording head 40 of this line head 41) to which the waste ink container 7 is assigned across the conveyance path of the sheet S in the top-bottom direction. By doing so, during implementation of the flushing process, the flushing ink passes through the flushing hole 30a and the flushing ink is stored in the reservoir region in each waste ink container 7. In this configuration, the top-bottom direction corresponds to a “certain direction.” Regarding the top-bottom direction, a top side corresponds to “one side in the certain direction,” and a bottom side corresponds to “the other side in the certain direction.”

Each waste ink container 7 is removably mounted on the apparatus body. Each waste ink container 7 can be removed from the apparatus body by being pulled out to the near side from an apparatus front of the printer 100 (frontward in the width direction). If the amount of the stored flushing ink becomes the fixed amount in any of the waste ink containers 7, this waste ink container 7 is removed from the apparatus body and is changed.

The suction mechanism 10 generates a suction airflow. The suction mechanism 10 is assigned individually to each waste ink container 7. Each suction mechanism 10 is connected to the corresponding waste ink container 7, and sucks the flushing ink from the corresponding recording head 40 into the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7. Sucking the flushing ink using the function of each suction mechanism 10 makes it possible to suppress contamination inside the apparatus to be caused by the flushing ink. In FIG. 5, a direction of sucking the flushing ink is represented by black arrows. Hollow arrows represent a direction of suction by the suction unit 300.

Each waste ink container 7 stores ink to be disposed of such as the flushing ink. The ink to be disposed of is ink discharged from the recording head 40 and not to be used for image recording. In other words, each waste ink container 7 stores the ink not to contribute to image recording. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the ink to be disposed of including the flushing ink will generally be called flushing ink.

Attention will be focused on one waste ink container 7 and the configuration thereof will be described below by referring to FIGS. 8 to 11. Each waste ink container 7 has the same configuration each other. Thus, the following description will also be applied to the configurations of the other waste ink containers 7 and descriptions of these configurations will be omitted.

As viewed from the top-bottom direction (corresponding to the “certain direction”), the waste ink container 7 has a substantially rectangular shape extending short in one of horizontal directions perpendicular to the top-bottom direction and extending long in the other direction perpendicular to the one direction. Then, in the following description, of the horizontal directions perpendicular to the top-bottom direction, the one direction will be called a short-side direction DS and the other direction perpendicular to the one direction will be called a long-side direction DL. The short-side direction DS is a direction parallel to the conveyance direction DC in which the sheet S is conveyed by the conveyance belt 30. The long-side direction DL corresponds to the width direction of the conveyance belt 30 (a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the conveyance belt 30).

Note that FIGS. 8 and 9 referred to in the following description show the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7 schematically and do not show dimensions, shapes, etc. directly in an actual case. This also applies to FIG. 12.

The waste ink container 7 is a container like a rectangular parallelepiped. The waste ink container 7 has a ceiling section 7A, and a bottom section 7B facing the ceiling section 7A in the top-bottom direction. The waste ink container 7 has a side wall section (a sign thereof is omitted) surrounding a region between the ceiling section 7A and the bottom section 7B from a lateral side (namely, from a direction perpendicular to the certain direction). The waste ink container 7 has an internal region surrounded by the ceiling section 7A, the bottom section 7B, and the side wall section and having as the reservoir region for the flushing ink.

The waste ink container 7 (namely, the ceiling section 7A, the bottom section 7B, and the side wall section) is composed of a material impermeable to gas. The waste ink container 7 is composed of a material substantially impermeable to the flushing ink in a mist form (namely, gas containing the flushing ink). The waste ink container 7 has lower gas permeability than at least an absorbing member 8 described later. The waste ink container 7 is composed of sheet metal, for example. The waste ink container 7 may be composed of resin.

The ceiling section 7A functions as an ink receiver to receive the flushing ink sucked by the suction mechanism 10. Specifically, the ceiling section 7A has a receiving opening 710 of a rectangular shape penetrating the ceiling section 7A in the top-bottom direction. The receiving opening 710 includes a plurality of the receiving openings 710. Note that the receiving opening 710 is opened upward. In other words, a direction in which the receiving opening 710 is opened is the top-bottom direction.

The receiving opening 710 is assigned individually to each recording head 40. If there are three recording heads 40, three receiving openings 710 are provided. Each receiving opening 710 faces the corresponding recording head 40 across the conveyance belt 30 (namely, the conveyance path of the sheet S) in the top-bottom direction. For this reason, all the receiving openings 710 are spaced at intervals from each other as viewed from the top-bottom direction.

Each receiving opening 710 is an opening for collecting the flushing ink discharged from the corresponding recording head 40 into the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7. The flushing ink from each recording head 40 passes through the corresponding receiving opening 710 to reach the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7.

As viewed from the top-bottom direction, one receiving opening 710 of the three receiving openings 710 is spaced at an interval in the short-side direction DS from a suction opening 730 described later. As viewed from the top-bottom direction, this receiving opening 710 is located in a central area of the waste ink container 7 (specifically, the ceiling section 7A) in the long-side direction DL. In the following description, the one receiving opening 710 will be called a center receiving opening 711. An opening shape of the center receiving opening 711 viewed from the top-bottom direction is a substantially rectangular shape extending in the long-side direction DL as a long-side direction thereof.

As viewed from the top-bottom direction, the other two receiving openings 710 of the three receiving openings 710 different from the center receiving opening 711 are spaced at an interval therebetween in the long-side direction DL across the suction opening 730 described later. One of these two receiving openings 710 is located on a rear side (one side in the width direction) and the other is located on a front side (the other side in the width direction). In the following description, one of these two receiving openings 710 will be called a rear-side receiving opening 712 and the other will be called a front-side receiving opening 713. An opening shape of each of the rear-side receiving opening 712 and the front-side receiving opening 713 viewed from the top-bottom direction is a substantially rectangular shape extending in the long-side direction DL as a long-side direction thereof.

In FIG. 8, all the three receiving openings 710 are respectively represented by dashed lines. This also applies to FIG. 12.

The waste ink container 7 includes the absorbing member 8. The absorbing member 8 is located in the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7. The absorbing member 8 is a porous member to absorb the flushing ink. Melamine sponge is available as a constituting material for the absorbing member 8. The absorbing member 8 absorbs the flushing ink and retains the flushing ink therein.

The waste ink container 7 has a suction air passage 70 formed in the reservoir region and defined by the absorbing member 8. The suction air passage 70 is defined by space in the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7 where the absorbing member 8 is absent (namely, by a gap in the reservoir region). The suction air passage 70 is space obtained by making a partial cutout from the absorbing member 8. The suction air passage 70 is space surrounded by the absorbing member 8. The absorbing member 8 functions as a partition wall defining the suction air passage 70. The suction air passage 70 causes the suction airflow to pass therethrough generated in response to driving of the suction mechanism 10.

The suction air passage 70 is connected to each of the plurality of receiving openings 710. In other words, the suction air passage 70 includes a plurality of the suction air passages 70. In the following description, the suction air passages 70 may be distinguished from each other by giving a sign 71 to the suction air passage 70 connected to the center receiving opening 711, a sign 72 to the suction air passage 70 connected to the rear-side receiving opening 712, and a sign 73 to the suction air passage 70 connected to the front-side receiving opening 713.

The waste ink container 7 has a merging chamber 720 provided in the reservoir region and defined by the absorbing member 8. As viewed from the top-bottom direction, the merging chamber 720 is located at a position spaced at an interval from each of the plurality of receiving openings 710. Like the suction air passage 70, the merging chamber 720 is defined by space in the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7 where the absorbing member 8 is absent.

As viewed from the top-bottom direction, the merging chamber 720 has a rectangular shape. As viewed from the top-bottom direction, the merging chamber 720 has sides in a pair parallel to the short-side direction DS and sides in a pair parallel to the long-side direction DL. The absorbing member 8 defines the merging chamber 720 on one side and the other side in the short-side direction DS, and defines the merging chamber 720 on one side and the other side in the long-side direction DL. The absorbing member 8 further defines the merging chamber 720 on one side (top side) in the top-bottom direction, and defines the merging chamber 720 on the other side (bottom side) in the top-bottom direction. In this way, the absorbing member 8 functions as a partition wall defining the merging chamber 720. The merging chamber 720 is a chamber for merging the plurality of suction air passages 70 with each other.

The waste ink container 7 has the suction opening 730 provided in the merging chamber 720. In other words, the plurality of suction air passages 70 is connected to the suction opening 730. These suction air passages 70 form communications between the corresponding ones of the plurality of receiving openings 710 and the suction opening 730. The suction opening 730 forms communication between the merging chamber 720 and the outside of the reservoir region. The suction opening 730 is connected to the suction mechanism 10.

More specifically, the waste ink container 7 has a circular cylindrical duct 731. The duct 731 corresponds to a “cylindrical body.” The absorbing member 8 has a through hole (a sign thereof is omitted) penetrating the absorbing member 8 toward the bottom side from the merging chamber 720. The duct 731 is inserted in the through hole of the absorbing member 8 in such a manner that a cylindrical axis direction thereof conforms to the top-bottom direction. Furthermore, the duct 731 is inserted in the through hole of the absorbing member 8 in such a manner that one end thereof in the top-bottom direction (namely, in the cylindrical axis direction) is located in the merging chamber 720. The waste ink container 7 has a hollow in the duct 731 functioning as the suction opening 730.

The bottom section 7B has a connection opening (a sign thereof is omitted) penetrating the bottom section 7B in the top-bottom direction. The duct 731 extends upward in a circular cylindrical shape from an edge of the connection opening of the bottom section 7B. The suction mechanism 10 is located outside the waste ink container 7 and is connected to the connection opening at the bottom section 7B. In other words, the suction mechanism 10 is connected to the other end of the duct 731 opposite the one end thereof in the top-bottom direction. In response to driving of the suction mechanism 10 connected to the duct 731, the suction airflow flows from each receiving opening 710 toward the merging chamber 720 (namely, toward the suction opening 730).

The suction airflow contains mist of the flushing ink. If the flushing ink in a mist form leaks out via the suction opening 730, inconvenience such as contamination inside the printer 100 is caused. To reduce the occurrence of such inconvenience, it is necessary to separate gas flowing in the suction air passage 70 (namely, gas sucked by the suction mechanism 10) and the flushing ink favorably from each other in the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7 to absorb the flushing ink in the absorbing member 8. In other words, it is necessary to increase efficiency in collecting the flushing ink in the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7.

To increase efficiency in collecting the flushing ink in the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7, an inner wall of each suction air passage 70 is defined by the absorbing member 8. In this configuration, efficiency in collecting the flushing ink is increased by absorbing the flushing ink in the absorbing member 8. With more bends of each suction air passage 70, the flushing ink contained in gas flowing through each suction air passage 70 is separated more easily by centrifugal force, thereby increasing efficiency in collecting the flushing ink.

To increase efficiency in collecting the flushing ink in the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7, the suction air passage 70 has a shape shown in FIG. 8 as viewed from the top-bottom direction. This will be described next in detail.

As viewed from the top-bottom direction, each of the suction air passages 72 and 73 is bent several times in an area from the receiving opening 710 as a connection destination (namely, from each of the rear-side receiving opening 712 and the front-side receiving opening 713) to the suction opening 730. As viewed from the top-bottom direction, each of the suction air passages 72 and 73 has a portion bent from the short-side direction DS to the long-side direction DL and a portion bent from the long-side direction DL to the short-side direction DS. As viewed from the top-bottom direction, the suction air passages 72 and 73 have a bent portion 72a and a bent portion 73a respectively each bent into a bellows shape. This facilitates separation of the flushing ink from gas in the suction air passages 72 and 73.

To also facilitate separation of the flushing ink from gas sucked via the center receiving opening 711, the suction air passage 71 is merged at a certain position PP with the suction air passage 72. In FIG. 8, the certain position PP is surrounded by a dashed circle. Thus, the gas sucked via the center receiving opening 711 is caused to pass through the bent portion 72a of the suction air passage 72. As a result, the flushing ink is also separated easily from the gas sucked via the center receiving opening 711. While not shown in the drawings, the suction air passage 71 may be merged with the suction air passage 73.

To make each suction force at the plurality of receiving openings 710 equal to each other, the shape of the suction air passage 70 is required to be designed properly. Setting the shape of the suction air passage 70 viewed from the top-bottom direction to the shape shown in FIG. 8 makes suction forces at the plurality of receiving openings 710 equal to each other from a design viewpoint.

In this regard, the absorbing member 8 is composed of the porous member. Hence, if space in the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7 surrounded by the absorbing member 8 is used as the suction air passage 70, pores existing inside the absorbing member 8 as a raw material may become paths for the suction airflow. In other words, the suction airflow might pass through a place in the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7 different from the suction air passage 70. Assuming that the suction airflow passes through in large quantity inside the absorbing member 8 (namely, through the pores of the absorbing member 8), serious unevenness in suction force occurs between the plurality of receiving openings 710 even if the suction air passage 70 is designed properly.

In the present embodiment, to reduce the occurrence of such inconvenience, the merging chamber 720 is covered with a cover 9 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In other words, the waste ink container 7 includes the cover 9 in the reservoir region. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the merging chamber 720 is covered with the cover 9. Meanwhile, in the illustration in FIG. 12, the merging chamber 720 is not covered with the cover 9.

The cover 9 is composed of a material impermeable to gas. The cover 9 is composed of a material substantially impermeable to the flushing ink in a mist form (namely, gas containing the flushing ink). The cover 9 has lower gas permeability than at least the absorbing member 8. The cover 9 is composed of sheet metal, for example. The cover 9 may be composed of resin.

By covering the merging chamber 720 with the cover 9, it becomes possible to encourage equalization of suction forces at each receiving openings 710. This will be described later in detail. On the other hand, not covering the merging chamber 720 with the cover 9 causes serious unevenness in suction force between the plurality of receiving openings 710. This will be described below in detail by referring to FIG. 12. The reference signs in FIG. 8 are also used in FIG. 12 and some of the signs are omitted from FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, not covering the merging chamber 720 with the cover 9 generates gas flowing into the merging chamber 720 via the pores in the absorbing member 8 from the center receiving opening 711 in addition to gas flowing into the merging chamber 720 via the suction air passages 71 and 72 from the center receiving opening 711. The incoming gas into the merging chamber 720 via the pores in the absorbing member 8 from the center receiving opening 711 flows in in the horizontal direction relative to the merging chamber 720 (namely, in the direction perpendicular to the certain direction). In FIG. 12, flow paths of the gas flowing into the merging chamber 720 via the pores in the absorbing member 8 from the center receiving opening 711 are represented schematically by arrows F1.

At the rear-side receiving opening 712, gas to flow into the merging chamber 720 via the pores in the absorbing member 8 is generated in addition to gas to flow into the merging chamber 720 via the suction air passage 72. At the front-side receiving opening 713, gas to flow into the merging chamber 720 via the pores in the absorbing member 8 is generated in addition to gas to flow into the merging chamber 720 via the suction air passage 73. Each incoming gas into the merging chamber 720 via the pores in the absorbing member 8 from the rear-side receiving opening 712 and the front-side receiving opening 713 flows in in the horizontal direction relative to the merging chamber 720 (namely, in the direction perpendicular to the certain direction). In FIG. 12, a flow path of the gas flowing into the merging chamber 720 via the pores in the absorbing member 8 from the rear-side receiving opening 712 is represented schematically by an arrow F2, and a flow path of the gas flowing into the merging chamber 720 via the pores in the absorbing member 8 from the front-side receiving opening 713 is represented schematically by an arrow F3.

In the illustration in FIG. 12, gas flows in large quantity into the merging chamber 720 without passing through the suction air passage 70. This causes serious unevenness in suction force occurs between the plurality of receiving openings 710. Specifically, a large difference of a suction force at the center receiving opening 711 from suction forces at the rear-side receiving opening 712 and the front-side receiving opening 713.

By contrast, in the present embodiment, the merging chamber 720 is covered with the cover 9 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The cover 9 covers the merging chamber 720 from the horizontal direction (namely, from the direction perpendicular to the certain direction). Specifically, the cover 9 covers the merging chamber 720 from both the one side and the other side in the short-side direction DS and covers the merging chamber 720 from both the one side and the other side in the long-side direction DL.

By doing so, it becomes possible to reduce a likelihood that a path for the suction airflow will be formed by a path reaching the merging chamber 720 from each receiving opening 710 via the pores in the absorbing member 8 without passing through the suction air passage 70. Unless the suction airflow flows through the path reaching the merging chamber 720 from each receiving opening 710 via the pores in the absorbing member 8, a suction force conforming to a force as designed is generated at each receiving opening 710. Specifically, it is possible to reduce a likelihood that a large difference will be generated in suction force between the plurality of receiving openings 710.

For example, a small suction force at any of the receiving openings 710 results in insufficient suction of the flushing ink at this receiving opening 710. This may cause inconvenience of contamination inside the apparatus with the flushing ink.

Furthermore, a small suction force at any of the receiving openings 710 may result in insufficient suction of the sheet S at this receiving opening 710. This may make the sheet S float upward to cause inconvenience of collision of the sheet S with the recording head 40. Furthermore, if a suction force at any of the receiving openings 710 is large, ink may be flowed by the suction force at this receiving opening 710 to cause deviation of a landing position of the ink on the sheet S. This may cause inconvenience of image quality reduction.

In the present embodiment, covering the merging chamber 720 with the cover 9 achieves equalization of suction forces at the corresponding receiving openings 710. This makes it possible to reduce the occurrence of insufficient suction of the flushing ink at any of the receiving openings 710. Specifically, it becomes possible to reduce the occurrence of insufficient suction of the flushing ink into the waste ink container 7 from the recording head 40. As a result, contamination inside the apparatus to be caused by the flushing ink can be suppressed. Furthermore, the occurrences of upward floating of the sheet S (specifically, collision of the sheet S with the recording head 40) and image quality reduction can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the cover 9 includes a base section 90 covering the merging chamber 720 from the top side (namely, from the one side in the certain direction). In other words, the cover 9 covers the merging chamber 720 from the top side in addition to covering the merging chamber 720 from the horizontal direction. This makes it possible to reduce a likelihood that a path for the suction airflow will be formed by a path reaching the merging chamber 720 via the pores in a portion of the absorbing member 8 defining the merging chamber 720 on the top side. As a result, it is possible to more reliably block an airflow path reaching the merging chamber 720 from each receiving opening 710 via the pores in the absorbing member 8.

The cover 9 includes a lateral section 91 integral with the base section 90 and extending from a terminal edge of the base section 90 in the horizontal direction (namely, in the direction perpendicular to the certain direction) toward the bottom side (namely, toward the other side opposite the one side in the certain direction). The cover 9 covers the merging chamber 720 from the horizontal direction using the lateral section 91. This allows the merging chamber 720 to be covered from the horizontal direction easily using the single member and allows the merging chamber 720 to be covered from the top side.

In the present embodiment, the lateral section 91 of the cover 9 surrounds the merging chamber 720 seamlessly as viewed from the top-bottom direction (namely, from the certain direction). In other words, the lateral section 91 surrounds the merging chamber 720 along an entire perimeter thereof as viewed from the top-bottom direction. In still other words, the lateral section 91 has a seamless annular shape as viewed from the top-bottom direction. This makes it possible to reduce a likelihood more reliably that a path for the suction airflow will be formed by a path reaching the merging chamber 720 from each receiving opening 710 via the pores in the absorbing member 8 without passing through the suction air passage 70.

In the present embodiment, the suction air passage 70 enters the merging chamber 720 from the horizontal direction (namely, from the direction perpendicular to the certain direction). Specifically, the suction air passage 72 connects to the merging chamber 720 from the one side (rear side) in the long-side direction DL and the suction air passage 73 connects to the merging chamber 720 from the other side (front side) in the long-side direction DL. The lateral section 91 of the cover 9 has an opening 910 penetrating the lateral section 91 in the long-side direction DL and functioning as an inlet of the suction air passage 70 to the merging chamber 720. Thus, while the merging chamber 720 is covered with the lateral section 91 of the cover 9, it is still possible to form communication between each receiving opening 710 and the merging chamber 720 via the suction air passage 70.

In the present embodiment, the cover 9 does not cover the merging chamber 720 from the bottom side (namely, from the other side in the certain direction). Thus, a portion 80 of the absorbing member 8 defining the merging chamber 720 on the bottom side is exposed in the merging chamber 720.

While not shown in the drawings, if the merging chamber 720 is covered with the cover 9 from the bottom side (namely, if a part of the cover 9 is provided at the portion 80 of the absorbing member 8), the flushing ink is not absorbed in the portion 80 of the absorbing member 8. Hence, the flushing ink is retained in the merging chamber 720. If the flushing ink is retained in the merging chamber 720, the flushing ink retained in the merging chamber 720 is likely to flow via the suction opening 730 to the outside of the waste ink container 7 (namely, to the suction mechanism 10). Flowing of the flushing ink to the outside of the waste ink container 7 causes contamination inside the apparatus. In some cases, the flushing ink enters the suction mechanism 10 to cause a failure at the suction mechanism 10.

In this regard, in the present embodiment, the portion 80 of the absorbing member 8 is exposed in the merging chamber 720. This makes it possible to suppress retention of the flushing ink in the merging chamber 720.

Exposing the portion 80 of the absorbing member 8 (namely, not covering the merging chamber 720 on the bottom side with the cover 9) allows the one end of the duct 731 extending from bottom to top to be easily located in the merging chamber 720. In other words, it is possible to easily ensure a flow path from the merging chamber 720 to the suction mechanism 10.

In the present embodiment, the absorbing member 8 is located in the reservoir region in the waste ink container 7, and space without the absorbing member 8 in the reservoir region forms the suction air passage 70. Thus, it is possible to increase efficiency in collecting the flushing ink easily.

It should be understood that the embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and not by the description of the embodiment given above, and covers all changes within meanings and ranges equivalent to those of the claims.

INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS

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