BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view depicting an ink-jet recording device pertaining to an embodiment of a liquid ejecting device furnished with a tube pump according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting the head cleaning mechanism of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting the structure of the tube pump;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic illustrations of the cross sectional arrangement of the tube of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic sectional views depicting the tube compressed in the direction of the arrows Y in FIG. 4A, by means of the pulley;
FIGS. 6A through 6E schematically illustrate the process whereby the tube depicted in FIG. 4A is compressed and becomes occluded as depicted in FIG. 5A;
FIGS. 7A through 7E are schematic diagrams showing modified examples of the present embodiment;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are sectional views of tubes in other modified examples of the invention;
FIG. 9A is a schematic illustration of a conventional tube prior to being compressed; and
FIG. 9B is a schematic illustration of the conventional tube in the compressed state.
Patent Application
20070177992
