(19)
(11) EP 1 982 836 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
28.01.2009 Bulletin 2009/05

(43) Date of publication A2:
22.10.2008 Bulletin 2008/43

(21) Application number: 08161992.6

(22) Date of filing: 19.11.1999
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B41J 2/165(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE ES FR GB IT

(30) Priority: 20.11.1998 JP 33102698
27.11.1998 JP 33801598
17.12.1998 JP 35906898
02.12.1998 JP 34307998
29.03.1999 JP 8692199

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
99123128.3 / 1002648

(71) Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-0811 (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Kanaya, Munehide c/o Seiko Epson Corporation
    Nagano (JP)
  • Kobayashi, Atsushi c/o Seiko Epson Corporation
    Nagano (JP)
  • Fukasawa, Shigenori c/o Seiko Epson Corporation
    Nagano (JP)
  • Hara, Kazuhiko c/o Seiko Epson Corporation
    Nagano (JP)

(74) Representative: HOFFMANN EITLE 
Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Arabellastrasse 4
81925 München
81925 München (DE)

   


(54) Flushing position controller incorporated in ink-jet recording apparatus and flushing method used for the same


(57) Flushing regions (13A,13B) for receiving ink droplets to be ejected when flushing signal is supplied to a recording head (5) are provided in both of non-print regions situated at both sides of print region in order to prevent throughput during the flushing operation from deteriorating. A guide member (20A) having a slant surface is disposed between the recording head and an ink absorbing member (14) to which the ink landed on the slant surface flows in order to reduce in size of the ink absorbing member. A porous sheet member closely faced to nozzle orifices of the recording head for receiving the ink droplets ejected therefrom is provided in order to prevent undesired mist of fine ink droplets from generating. A plurality of plate members closely faced to the nozzle orifices are provided at a predetermined angle with respect to the flight direction of the ink droplets in order to prevent the undesired mist from generating. The flushing operation is performed so as to prevent solidification of the ejected ink.







Search report