JP2005104090A - Liquid jet apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid jet apparatus which is equipped with a liquid receiving part capable of easily absorbing a liquid idly ejected from a liquid jet head. <P>SOLUTION: A platen 4 is provided with a first absorbent material 24 for absorbing ink deviated from a recording medium when printing is performed by a recording head, and a second absorbent material 28 for absorbing the ink idly ejected from the recording head in flushing. In the second respective absorbent materials 28, a relative distance between top surfaces 29a and 30a of them and an ejection surface of the recording head is made shorter than a relative distance between the absorbent material 24 and the ejection surface of the recording head 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  An ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer) as a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a recording head as a liquid ejecting head in a carriage, and ejects ink as liquid from the recording head to a recording medium as a target. To print. The recording head is provided with a nozzle and a pressure generating element. The nozzle is filled with ink by driving the pressure generating element and discharged from the opening. Therefore, the ink solvent in the nozzle is likely to evaporate from the nozzle opening, and the ink viscosity is likely to increase. Further, when bubbles are mixed from the nozzle openings, printing defects such as missing dots may occur.

  In order to solve these problems, the printer may perform so-called flushing. Flushing is idle ejection of ink by the recording head, and drives the pressure generating element for the purpose of preventing clogging of the nozzles other than during printing (during main ejection). For this reason, a printer is usually provided with a waste ink receiving portion that receives ink ejected idle during flushing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The waste ink receiver is provided in a non-printing area other than the area where the recording medium is transported, within the carriage movement range.

  As such a waste ink receiving portion, as shown in FIG. 6, there is a waste ink receiving portion 51 formed at one end of a platen 50 that supports a recording medium during printing. The waste ink receiving portion 51 is formed so as to penetrate the platen 50, and the ink ejected from the recording head is allowed to flow down to a waste ink absorbing material (not shown) provided below the platen 50. Further, the platen 50 is provided with an ink receiving portion 52 in a printing area where the recording medium is conveyed. The ink receiving portion 52 contains a single ink absorbing material 53. The ink absorbing material 53 ejects ink onto the recording medium without a margin, so-called borderless printing, from the end of the recording medium. Also absorbed ink that was dumped to the outside. Therefore, in addition to supporting the recording medium, the platen 50 absorbs the ink protruding from the recording medium at the time of printing (main discharge) and waste discharged at the time of flushing (empty discharge). It had a function of receiving ink and leading it to a waste ink absorber.

There was also a waste ink receiving portion 55 as shown in FIG. The waste ink receiving portion 55 is formed at one end portion of the platen 50 provided with the ink receiving portion 52 that absorbs the ink that protrudes during printing, like the waste ink receiving portion 51 described above. A single ink absorbing material 56 was accommodated across the waste ink receiving portion 55 and the ink receiving portion 52. That is, the absorbent material of the waste ink receiving portion 55 and the absorbent material of the ink receiving portion 52 are integrally formed.
JP 2003-191502 A

However, in the waste ink receiving portion 51 shown in FIG. 6, although the ink ejected idly tends to flow downward (to the waste ink absorbing material side), there are cases where minute ink droplets adhere to the periphery during the flushing. In other words, since the interior of the waste ink receiving portion 51 is hollow, ink droplets discharged from above the waste ink receiving portion 51 are discharged, and the waste ink absorbing portion below the inner wall of the waste ink receiving portion 51 or below the ink is discharged. The flight distance to reach the material is long. For this reason, the ink droplets ejected from the recording head may decelerate due to air resistance or the like as the flight distance becomes longer and float. In particular, recently, ink droplets tend to be reduced in diameter to improve image quality, and minute ink droplets are likely to be scattered around.

  Further, in the waste ink receiving portion 55 shown in FIG. 7, since the ink absorbing material 56 is accommodated therein, the ejected ink droplets can reach the ink absorbing material 56 more easily than the waste ink receiving portion 51 described above. ing. However, since the ink absorbing material 56 is formed integrally with the absorbing material of the ink receiving portion 53, the arrangement position thereof can only be provided at a position lower than the recording medium. For this reason, when ink that tends to float fine solids, such as pigment-based ink, is ejected by flushing, or when a large amount of ink is ejected by flushing, etc., ink droplets that cannot be absorbed or solids in the ink Minutes were scattered around.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid receiving portion that easily absorbs the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention may be configured such that the target for supporting the target, which is provided so as to face the liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid with respect to the target, is used when the liquid ejecting head performs the main ejection. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a first absorbent that absorbs liquid that is removed from the liquid; and a second absorbent that absorbs liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head, wherein the second absorbent and The relative distance between the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head is smaller than the relative distance between the first absorbent material and the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head.

  According to this, the relative distance between the second absorbent material and the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head is smaller than the relative distance between the first absorbent material and the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head. In other words, the second absorbent material immediately absorbs the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head by making the relative distance from the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head smaller than that of the first absorbent material. . For this reason, the liquid ejected idle toward the second absorbent material is easily absorbed by the second absorbent material before being scattered around. Accordingly, the liquid is prevented from adhering to the surroundings due to the idle ejection of the liquid jet head.

In this liquid ejecting apparatus, the relative distance between the second absorbent material and the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head is the same as the relative distance between the target and the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head.
According to this, the relative distance between the second absorbent material and the ejection surface of the liquid jet head is smaller than the relative distance between the first absorbent material and the ejection surface of the liquid jet head, and the target and the liquid jet head It is the same as the relative distance to the discharge surface. In other words, the second absorbent material immediately absorbs the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head by making the relative distance from the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head smaller than that of the first absorbent material. . For this reason, the liquid ejected idle toward the second absorbent material is easily absorbed by the second absorbent material before being scattered around. Accordingly, the liquid is prevented from adhering to the surroundings due to the idle ejection of the liquid ejecting head. The relative distance between the second absorbent material and the liquid ejecting head is the same as the relative distance between the target and the liquid ejecting head. The relative distance between the target and the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head is such that the relative distance is too small and the target and the liquid ejecting head are rubbed, and the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head is contaminated due to liquid reflection from the target. This is the most suitable distance for setting the relative distance between the second absorbent material and the ejection surface of the liquid jet head.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention may be configured such that the target for supporting the target, which is provided so as to face the liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid with respect to the target, is used when the liquid ejecting head performs the main ejection. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a first absorbent that absorbs liquid that is removed from the liquid; and a second absorbent that absorbs liquid that is ejected from the liquid ejecting head, wherein the first absorbent and The 2nd absorber is provided in the storage part divided mutually, respectively.

  According to this, since the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material are made of different members, for example, the liquid absorbed by the second absorbent material can easily flow into the first absorbent material. There is nothing. Therefore, even when a relatively large amount of liquid is discharged to the second absorbent material by the idle discharge, the liquid absorbed by the second absorbent material can be prevented from penetrating into the first absorbent material. .

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the second absorbent material is made of a material having a lower liquid retention rate than the first absorbent material.
According to this, since the second absorbent material has a relatively low liquid retention rate, it is easy to discharge the liquid to the outside. Therefore, even when a large amount of liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting head during the idle ejection, the second absorbent material can discharge the liquid to an externally provided location, so that the liquid overflows. There is nothing. In addition, even if a relatively large amount of liquid is ejected, the material does not retain the liquid therein, so the liquid solvent held in the second absorbent material evaporates and clogging occurs due to an increase in viscosity. Hard to occur.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the second absorbent material is made of a material having a higher liquid discharging property than the first absorbent material.
According to this, since the second absorbent material has a relatively high discharging property, even when a large amount of liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting head during idle ejection, the liquid does not overflow. In addition, even if a relatively large amount of liquid is ejected, the material does not retain the liquid therein, so the liquid solvent held in the second absorbent material evaporates and clogging occurs due to an increase in viscosity. Hard to occur.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid ejecting head ejects a plurality of different types of liquids, and a plurality of the second absorbent materials are provided, and each second absorbent material is ejected from the liquid ejecting head. Absorbs different types of liquids.

  According to this, the 2nd absorber is provided with two or more and each absorbs a different liquid. Accordingly, different liquids can be absorbed without being mixed when the liquid ejecting head is idly discharged. For this reason, for example, each liquid which causes trouble when mixed, such as a liquid that reacts by mixing, can be absorbed separately.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, each of the second absorbent members is formed of a material having different liquid retention rates according to the properties of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head.
According to this, each 2nd absorption material consists of a material with a different liquid retention rate according to the property of the liquid discharged from a liquid ejecting head. For example, the second absorbent material that absorbs a liquid that is liable to solidify, increase in viscosity, or the like can be made of a material having a low liquid retention rate, thereby improving the liquid discharge performance.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the second absorbent material is coated with a lubricant.
According to this, since the lubricant is applied to the second absorbent material, the liquid discharge performance can be improved. Therefore, even when a relatively large amount of liquid is discharged during the idle discharge, the second absorbent can absorb the discharged liquid without overflowing and then flow out to the outside.

An embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) as a liquid ejecting apparatus embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 has a paper feed mechanism including a paper feed motor 2. The paper feed motor 2 drives a driving roller (not shown) to transport the recording medium P as a target in the sub-scanning direction (y direction in FIG. 1).

The printer 1 has a frame 3. A platen 4 serving as a support portion extending in the main scanning direction (x direction in FIG. 1) is installed on the frame 3. The platen 4 is a support base that supports the recording medium P, and the recording medium P is guided to the upper surface thereof by driving a paper feed mechanism (not shown) using the paper feed motor 2 as a drive source. A waste ink tank 5 for storing used ink is provided below the platen 4.

  A driving pulley 6 and a driven pulley 7 are fixed to the frame 3. A carriage motor 8 that can rotate forward and reverse is connected to the drive pulley 6. A timing belt 9 is hung on the driving pulley 6 and the driven pulley 7, and a carriage 10 is fixed to the timing belt 9. Further, a guide member 11 is installed on the frame 3 so as to extend in parallel with the platen 4. The guide member 11 supports the carriage 10 so as to be slidable. Accordingly, the carriage 10 can be reciprocated in the main scanning direction (x direction and anti-x direction) while being supported by the guide member 11 by driving the driving pulley 6.

  The carriage 10 is detachably mounted with ink cartridges 12 and 13. One ink cartridge 12 has a plurality of compartments, and each of the storage chambers contains black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks as liquids. The other ink cartridge 13 contains colorless reactive ink inside. This reactive ink is ejected for the purpose of improving the image quality such as coloring or protecting the image before or after the ejection of the ink of each color, and is aggregated by being mixed with the ink of each color. Causes a reaction such as solidification. Further, the carriage 10 has a recording head 14 as a liquid ejecting head on the lower surface, and the recording head 14 faces the platen 4. The recording head 14 is provided with a plurality of nozzles opened on the lower surface (ejection surface) and pressure generating elements (not shown) corresponding to the respective nozzles. For this reason, when the pressure generating element is driven, ink is supplied from the ink cartridges 12 and 13 to the nozzles of the recording head 14 and is ejected from the nozzle openings.

  Next, the platen 4 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the platen 4, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the platen 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the platen 4 includes a main body case 20 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A substantially rectangular first accommodating portion 21 is recessed in an area arranged in the printing area when the platen 4 is installed in the frame 3. A large number of first guide members 22 protrude from the bottom surface of the first accommodating portion 21 and are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the platen 4. A large number of second guide members 23 having substantially the same shape as the first guide member 22 are formed at the end of the upper surface 20 a of the main body case 20, and are arranged in the same direction as the first guide member 22. ing.

  A first absorbent member 24 is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 21. The first absorbent material 24 is made of a porous material such as sponge, and is formed to have approximately the same size and shape as the first accommodating portion 21. The first absorbent member 24 has a cut at a position corresponding to the first guide member 22. When the first absorbent member 24 is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 21, One guide member 22 is disposed in a state of passing through the cut. At this time, the upper surface of the first guide member 22 is higher than the upper surface of the first absorbent member 24.

  At the time of printing, the recording medium P transported onto the platen 4 is fed while sliding on the upper surfaces of the first and second guide members 22 and 23. The first absorbent 24 receives and absorbs ink ejected slightly outside the edge of the recording medium P, for example, when so-called borderless printing is performed with no margin.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a number of grooves 25 are formed on the bottom surface of the first accommodating portion 21 that accommodates each first absorbent 24 to receive the ink that has flowed down within the first absorbent 24. Yes. Each groove 2
5 is communicated with the discharge hole 26, and guides the ink in the groove 25 to the discharge hole 26. The discharge holes 26 are formed through the corners of the main body case 20, and lead the ink that has flowed down from the first absorbent 24 to the waste ink tank 5. The waste ink tank 5 includes an absorber (not shown) inside, and absorbs ink that has flowed down from the first absorber 24.

  On the other hand, in the non-printing region of the main body case 20, two storage portions 27 that are open to the upper surface 20a are provided at the left end in FIG. Each accommodating portion 27 accommodates a second absorbent material 28, respectively. Each of the second absorbent materials 28 is a porous material such as a sponge, and is formed of a material that discharges ink better than the first absorbent material 24, that is, a material having a lower ink retention rate. For example, the second absorbent material 28 is composed of a porous body having a relatively large pore diameter or a porous body in which the pores communicate with each other, and the structure in which the ink easily flows in the absorbent material holds the ink. The rate is different.

  The second absorbent material 28 includes a first waste ink absorbent material 29 and a second waste ink absorbent material 30. The first waste ink absorbing material 29 receives the ink of each color of the ink cartridge 12 when the recording head 14 performs flushing above the second absorbing material 28. Is housed in. The second waste ink absorbing material 30 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 27 on the right side in FIG. 2 so as to receive the reactive ink ejected from the ink cartridge 13. As shown in FIG. 3, holes 31 and 32 through which the ink that has flowed down from the first waste ink absorbing material 29 or the second waste ink absorbing material 30 is discharged are formed through the bottom surface of each housing portion 27. ing. These holes 31 and 32 communicate with the waste ink tank 5. Accordingly, each color ink and reactive ink ejected from the recording head 14 are ejected to different absorbent materials and discharged to the waste ink tank 5 through the holes 31 and 32 without being mixed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surfaces 29 a and 30 a of the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 accommodated in the respective accommodating portions 27 are the same as those of the first absorbing material 24. It is accommodated so as to be higher than the upper surface 24a by a height H1. In the present embodiment, the upper surfaces 29a and 30a are increased by increasing the thicknesses of the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30. Accordingly, the relative distance between the upper surfaces 29a and 30a of the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 and the lower surface (ejection surface) of the recording head 14 is such that the first absorbing material 24 and the recording head. It becomes smaller than the relative distance with the lower surface (discharge surface) of 14. As a result, during the flushing, the flight distance of the ink droplets ejected from the recording head 14 is shortened, and the ink droplets ejected from the recording head 14 maintain the sufficient speed and the first waste ink absorbing material 29. And reaches the upper surfaces 29a, 30a of the second waste ink absorber 30 and is absorbed. Therefore, the discharged ink droplets are decelerated before reaching the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 and are unlikely to float around the platen 4.

  The first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 are set so that the upper surfaces 29a and 30a thereof are substantially the same height as the upper surface of the recording medium P conveyed onto the platen 4. Has been. That is, the relative distance between the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 and the lower surface (ejection surface) of the recording head 14 is the distance between the recording medium P and the lower surface (ejection surface) of the recording head 14. Same as relative distance. The relative distance between the recording medium P and the lower surface of the recording head 14 is a stain on the lower surface of the recording head 14 due to rubbing between the recording medium P and the recording head 14 due to the distance being too small, reflection of ink from the recording medium P, or the like. The distance is less likely to occur. For this reason, rubbing between the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 and the recording head 14 is prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent the ink discharged from the recording head 14 from being reflected toward the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 to stain the lower surface of the recording head 14.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the first embodiment, the platen 4 is provided with the first accommodating portion 21 and the first absorbent material 24 accommodated in the first accommodating portion 21. The first absorbent 24 absorbs ink that has been discarded outside the recording medium P during borderless printing. Further, the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 accommodated in each accommodating portion 27 are provided in the non-printing area of the platen 4. Then, the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 are made to absorb the ink ejected in the flushing.

  Further, the upper surfaces 29 a and 30 a of the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 are made higher than the upper surface 24 a of the first absorbing material 24 by a height H1. In other words, the relative distance between the upper surfaces 29a and 30a of the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 and the lower surface of the recording head 14 is the upper surface 24a of the first absorbing material 24 and the recording head 14. It was made to become smaller than the relative distance from the lower surface. For this reason, during the flushing, the flying distance of the minute ink droplets ejected from the recording head 14 becomes relatively short, and the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorption while maintaining a sufficient speed. It reaches the material 30 and is absorbed. Accordingly, it is difficult for ink droplets to adhere to the surroundings, so that it is possible to prevent a failure caused by soiling the recording medium or ink adhering to each member.

  The relative distance between the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 and the recording head 14 is the same as the relative distance between the recording medium P and the recording head 14. The relative distance between the recording medium P and the lower surface of the recording head 14 is a stain on the lower surface of the recording head 14 due to rubbing between the recording medium P and the recording head 14 due to the distance being too small, reflection of ink from the recording medium P, or the like. The distance is less likely to occur. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the lower surface of the recording head 14 from becoming dirty due to rubbing between the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 and the recording head 14 or reflection of ink during ejection.

  (2) In the first embodiment, the first absorber 24 and the second absorber 28 (the first waste ink absorber 29 and the second waste ink absorber 30) are separately accommodated. It was set as the separate member accommodated in the part 27. That is, the first absorbent material 24 and the second absorbent material 28 are not continuous. For this reason, when the printer 1 is tilted at the time of conveyance or the like, the ink flows from the second absorbent material 28 from which a relatively large amount of ink is ejected to the first absorbent material 24 and the ink leaks out. It is prevented. Further, since the first absorbent material 24 and the second absorbent material 28 are separate bodies, the second absorbent material 28 can be made higher than the first absorbent material 24 easily.

  (3) In the first embodiment, the second absorbent material 28 is formed from a material having an ink retention rate lower than that of the first absorbent material 24. For this reason, even when a relatively large amount of ink is ejected during flushing, the second absorbent material 28 has good dischargeability, so that the ink does not overflow from the upper surfaces 29a and 30a. In addition, even if a relatively large amount of ink is ejected, the material does not cause the ink to stay inside, so that clogging due to evaporation of the ink solvent can be prevented.

  (4) In the first embodiment, the second absorbent material 28 is composed of the first waste ink absorbent material 29 and the second waste ink absorbent material 30. The first waste ink absorbing material 29 receives the waste ink from which each color ink stored in the ink cartridge 12 is discharged, and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 is the reactive ink stored in the ink cartridge 13. The waste ink discharged was received.

For this reason, during flushing, each color ink and reactive ink are absorbed by different absorbent materials, and therefore, each color ink and reactive ink in the first waste ink absorbent material 29 and the second waste ink absorbent material 30 The reactive ink can be led to the waste ink tank 5 without reacting with the reactive ink. For this reason, the clogging of the absorbent due to the mixing of each color ink and the reactive ink is prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of a printer embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment is a configuration in which the configurations of the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 of the first embodiment are changed, and the same parts are not described. Detailed description is omitted. In the second embodiment, the ink cartridge 12 contains black ink, and the ink cartridge 13 contains cyan, magenta, and yellow inks. Therefore, a cartridge containing reactive ink is not used.

  The platen 4 accommodates the first and second waste ink absorbers 36 and 37 in the respective accommodating portions 27 in the non-printing area. The first waste ink absorbing material 36 and the second waste ink absorbing material 37 are made of different materials. The first waste ink absorber 36 absorbs the ejected black ink when the black ink accommodated in the ink cartridge 12 is ejected from the recording head 14. The black ink has a higher concentration of pigment or the like in order to increase the printing density, and is more easily solidified than other inks. For this reason, the first waste ink absorbing material 36 is formed of a porous body having a relatively low ink retention rate, and makes it easy to discharge ink. When the cyan, magenta, and yellow ink accommodated in the ink cartridge 13 is ejected idle, the second waste ink absorbing material 37 absorbs the ejected ink of each color.

  Therefore, the first waste ink absorber 36 has a lower ink retention rate and higher ink dischargeability than the first absorber 24 and the second waste ink absorber 37. For this reason, even if a large amount of high-concentration ink is ejected, the first waste ink absorbing material 36 leads to the waste ink tank 5 without retaining the ink therein, so that the solvent of the retained ink evaporates. Thus, the viscosity is prevented from increasing.

According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects described in (1) to (3) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(5) In the second embodiment, a porous body having a low ink retention rate is used as the first waste ink absorbing material 36 from which ink that is easily solidified is discharged in an idle manner. That is, since the first waste ink absorber 36 has a low ink retention rate, the ink is unlikely to stay and has a high discharging property. For this reason, even if the ink that is easily solidified is absorbed, it is quickly discharged, so that clogging due to the solidification of the ink can be prevented. Further, since the second waste ink absorbing material 37 has a relatively higher ink retention rate than the first waste ink absorbing material 36, it is easy to adsorb ink droplets.

In addition, you may change each said embodiment as follows.
In each of the above embodiments, the first waste ink absorbers 29 and 36 and the second waste ink absorbers 30 and 37 are provided according to the properties of the ink stored in the ink cartridges 12 and 13. If there is no hindrance, the plurality of second absorbent materials 28 may be composed of a single absorbent material 40 as shown in FIG. And you may make it accommodate the absorber 40 in the main body case 20 so that the height of the upper surface may become higher than the 1st absorber 24. FIG. With such a configuration, the manufacturing process and the assembly process can be reduced, and the structure of the main body case 20 can be simplified.

In each of the above embodiments, a lubricant such as glycerin may be applied to the first waste ink absorbers 29 and 36 and the second waste ink absorbers 30 and 37. In this way, for example, even when ink that is relatively easy to solidify, such as black ink or reactive ink, is ejected, the ink can easily flow through the pores of each absorbent material. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink that is easily solidified from staying and clogging of the absorbent material.

In each of the above embodiments, two second absorbents 28 are provided, but three or more may be provided depending on the type of ink stored in the ink cartridge.
In each of the above embodiments, the first waste ink absorbing material 29 and the second waste ink absorbing material 30 are made thick so that the height thereof becomes higher than the height of the first absorbent material 24. I made it. In addition, the upper surface 20a of the first and second waste ink absorbers 29 and 30 is increased by increasing the height of the bottom surface of each storage portion 27 that stores the first and second waste ink absorbers 29 and 30. , 30a may be higher than the first absorbent material 24.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 1 that ejects ink has been described as the liquid ejecting apparatus, but other liquid ejecting apparatuses may be used. For example, printing apparatuses including fax machines, copiers, etc., liquid ejecting apparatuses that eject liquids such as electrode materials and coloring materials used in the production of liquid crystal displays, EL displays, and surface-emitting displays, and bio-organic materials used in biochip manufacturing It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid or a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette. The fluid (liquid) is not limited to ink, and may be applied to other fluids (liquids).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a platen provided in the printer. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the same platen. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the platen of 2nd Embodiment. The principal part sectional drawing of the platen of another example. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the conventional platen. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the conventional platen.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer as a liquid ejecting apparatus, 4 ... Platen as a support part, 13 ... Recording head as a liquid ejecting head, 24 ... 1st absorber, 28 ... 2nd absorber, 29, 36 ... 1st Waste ink absorber, 30, 37, second waste ink absorber, P, paper as a target.

Claims (8)

A support unit that supports the target, which is provided to face the liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid to the target, absorbs the liquid that has been removed from the target during the main ejection of the liquid ejecting head. A liquid ejecting apparatus provided with one absorbent material and a second absorbent material that absorbs the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head;
The liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein a relative distance between the second absorbent material and the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head is smaller than a relative distance between the first absorbent material and the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head. 2. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a relative distance between the second absorbent and the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head is the same as a relative distance between the target and the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head. A liquid ejecting apparatus. A support unit that supports the target, which is provided to face the liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid to the target, absorbs the liquid that has been removed from the target during the main ejection of the liquid ejecting head. A liquid ejecting apparatus provided with one absorbent material and a second absorbent material that absorbs the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head;
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first absorbent material and the second absorbent material are provided in accommodating portions partitioned from each other. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second absorbent material is made of a material having a liquid retention rate lower than that of the first absorbent material. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second absorbent material is made of a material having a higher liquid discharging property than the first absorbent material. In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The liquid ejecting head ejects a plurality of different types of liquids,
2. A liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the second absorbent materials are provided, and each of the second absorbent materials absorbs different types of liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6,
Each of the second absorbent members is formed of a material having different liquid retention rates according to the properties of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1,
The liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the second absorbent material is coated with a lubricant.

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