Patent · US Active

Image forming apparatus

US8544983B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
0References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 31, 2011
Grant dateOct 1, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 10, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J29/38
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An image forming apparatus including: a recording head having a nozzle surface in which nozzles to eject liquid droplets in a horizontal direction or a direction slanted from the horizontal direction are formed, the nozzle surface being disposed in a vertical direction or a direction slanted from the vertical direction; a head tank to supply liquid to the recording head; a suction cap to cap the nozzle surface of the recording head; a suction member connected to the suction cap to suck out liquid from the nozzles by the suction cap; a valve member to open or close a sealed space formed by capping the nozzle surface with the suction cap to atmosphere; a liquid supplier to supply the liquid to the head tank and return the liquid from the head tank; and a control unit to control servicing of the recording head.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.