JP2019130813A - Liquid transport apparatus and liquid discharge apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide: a liquid transport apparatus capable of smoothly transporting liquid to a liquid transport destination even if including a long transport pipe between a liquid transport source and the liquid transport destination; and a liquid discharge apparatus.SOLUTION: A liquid transport apparatus 10 includes a transport pipe 14 that forms a liquid transport path by coupling a cap unit 290 that is a liquid transport source and a waste liquid tank 16 that is a liquid transport destination. The liquid transport apparatus includes pressingly moving means 15 which is disposed at the cap unit 290 and moves while pressing the transport pipe 14 toward downstream in a liquid transport direction in the transport pipe 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid transport device and a device for ejecting liquid.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a liquid transport apparatus including a transport pipe that connects a liquid transport source and a liquid transport destination to form a liquid transport path is known.
In Patent Document 1, as this type of liquid transport apparatus, waste liquid received by a cap member (liquid transport source) that covers a recording head that ejects ink is sucked by a suction pump, and a waste liquid tank (liquid transport is received via a suction tube). An ink jet recording apparatus provided with an apparatus for transporting to the first) is described.

  In a liquid transport device that transports liquid by connecting a liquid feed pump and a liquid transport destination with a transport pipe, if the transport pipe between the liquid feed pump and the liquid transport destination is long, the liquid feed pump alone can be used to transfer the liquid to the transport destination. May not be transported.

  In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention provides a liquid transport apparatus including a transport pipe that connects a liquid transport source and a liquid transport destination to form a liquid transport path, in a state where the transport pipe is pressed, It is characterized by comprising a pressing movement means that moves toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the liquid in the conveyance pipe.

  According to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that even if the transport pipe between the transport source and the liquid transport destination is a long device, it is possible to smoothly transport the liquid to the liquid transport destination. .

Schematic explanatory drawing of the waste liquid conveyance apparatus which conveys the waste liquid which the cap unit collect | recovered to a waste liquid tank. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit. FIG. 6 is a perspective explanatory view of an ink discharge unit for explaining a sliding operation of the cap unit. Explanatory drawing of the shape of a roller. Explanatory drawing of the roller roller which can be rotated only in one direction, and the mechanism which controls the rotation direction of a roller roller.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Overall description]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer 1 that is an ink jet recording apparatus as a “device for ejecting liquid” according to the present embodiment.
The printer 1 mainly includes a paper feed unit 100, an image forming unit 200, a drying unit 300, and a paper discharge unit 400.

  In the printer 1, an image is formed on the paper P (which is a medium, a sheet material, and a recording material) fed from the paper feeding unit 100 by ink that is an image forming liquid in the image forming unit 200. Then, after the ink attached on the paper P is dried by the drying unit 300, the paper P is discharged from the paper discharge unit 400.

[Paper Feeder]
The sheet feeding unit 100 mainly includes a sheet feeding tray 110 on which a plurality of sheets P are stacked, a feeding device 120 that separates and feeds the sheets P from the sheet feeding tray 110 one by one, and the sheet P as an image forming unit. The registration roller pair 130 is fed to 200.

  As the feeding device 120, any feeding device such as a device using a roller or a roller or a device using air suction can be used. The paper P delivered from the paper feed tray 110 by the paper feeding device 120 is fed to the image forming unit 200 by the registration roller pair 130 being driven at a predetermined timing after the leading edge reaches the registration roller pair 130. Is done.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration of the paper feeding unit 100 is not limited as long as it feeds the paper P to the image forming unit 200.

[Image forming unit]
The image forming unit 200 mainly includes a receiving cylinder 201, a sheet conveying drum 210 (conveying member), an ink discharge unit 220, and a delivery cylinder 202.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming unit 200.
The receiving cylinder 201 is a member that receives the fed paper P (medium) and conveys it downstream. The paper transport drum 210 is a cylindrical member that transports the paper P transported by the receiving cylinder 201 while supporting the paper P on the outer peripheral surface. The ink ejection unit 220 is a mechanism that ejects ink toward the paper P conveyed by the paper conveyance drum 210. The delivery cylinder 202 is a member that delivers the paper P transported by the paper transport drum 210 to the drying unit 300.

  The leading edge of the sheet P conveyed from the sheet feeding unit 100 to the image forming unit 200 is gripped by a receiving sheet gripper 201 a provided on the surface of the receiving cylinder 201, and is conveyed as the surface of the receiving cylinder 201 moves. The paper P transported by the receiving cylinder 201 is delivered to the paper transport drum 210 at a position facing the paper transport drum 210.

  A transport paper gripper 210a is also provided on the surface of the paper transport drum 210, and the leading edge of the paper P delivered to the paper transport drum 210 is gripped by the transport paper gripper 210a. In addition, a plurality of suction holes are dispersedly formed on the surface of the paper transport drum 210, and a suction airflow is generated in each suction hole toward the inside of the paper transport drum 210 by the suction device 211.

  The sheet P delivered from the receiving cylinder 201 to the sheet conveying drum 210 is gripped at the leading end by the conveying sheet gripper 210a and is attracted to the surface of the sheet conveying drum 210 by the suction airflow, so that the surface movement of the sheet conveying drum 210 is performed. It is conveyed along with.

  The ink discharge unit 220 of the present embodiment forms an image by discharging four color inks of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). Liquid discharge head 230 (230C, 230M, 230Y, 230K). Since the four liquid ejection heads 230 have the same configuration except that the colors of the ejected ink are different, in the following description, “C”, “M”, “Y”, Subscripts such as “K” will be omitted as appropriate.

  The liquid ejection head 230 is not limited in its configuration as long as it ejects liquid from the ejection holes, and any configuration can be adopted. If necessary, a liquid discharge head that discharges special inks such as white, gold, and silver may be provided, or a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid that does not constitute an image, such as a surface coating liquid, may be provided.

  The four liquid discharge heads 230 of the ink discharge unit 220 are each controlled in discharge operation by a drive signal corresponding to image information. When the paper P transported by the paper transport drum 210 passes through a region facing the ink ejection unit 220, each color ink is ejected from the four liquid ejection heads 230, and an image corresponding to the image information is formed.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 200 is not limited in its configuration as long as it forms an image by adhering liquid onto the paper P.

[Dry section]
The drying unit 300 mainly includes a drying mechanism 301 for drying the ink adhered on the paper P in the image forming unit 200 and a transport mechanism 302 for transporting the paper P transported from the image forming unit 200. Has been.

  The paper P transported from the image forming unit 200 is received by the transport mechanism 302, transported so as to pass through the drying mechanism 301, and delivered to the paper discharge unit 400. When passing through the drying mechanism 301, the ink on the paper P is subjected to a drying process, whereby liquid components such as moisture in the ink are evaporated, and the ink is fixed on the paper P and the paper P is curled. It is suppressed.

[Output section]
The paper discharge unit 400 mainly includes a paper discharge tray 410 on which a plurality of sheets P are stacked. The sheets P conveyed from the drying unit 300 are sequentially stacked and held on the sheet discharge tray 410.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration of the paper discharge unit 400 is not limited as long as it discharges the paper P.

[Other functional parts]
The printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the paper feeding unit 100, the image forming unit 200, the drying unit 300, and the paper discharge unit 400. However, other functional units may be added as appropriate. For example, after a pre-processing unit that performs pre-processing of image formation is added between the paper feeding unit 100 and the image forming unit 200, or after post-processing of image formation is performed between the drying unit 300 and the paper discharge unit 400 A processing unit can be added.

  Examples of the pre-processing unit include a unit that performs a processing liquid application process that applies a processing liquid that reacts with ink and suppresses bleeding to the paper P. However, the content of the pre-processing is not particularly limited. .

  Further, as the post-processing unit, for example, a sheet reversing conveyance process for inverting the sheet P on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 200 and sending the sheet P to the image forming unit 200 again to form images on both sides of the sheet P. For example, a process of binding a plurality of sheets of paper P on which an image is formed. However, there are no particular restrictions on the contents of post-processing.

  In the present embodiment, an apparatus for ejecting liquid is described as an example of a printer 1 that is an ink jet recording apparatus. The printer 1 includes a liquid discharge head 230 that discharges ink that is liquid toward a surface to be dried of a sheet P that is a sheet material.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of liquid ejection heads are arranged in the paper width direction (direction perpendicular to the transport direction) to form a long liquid ejection head (line head). Unless otherwise specified, “liquid ejection head” means “line head”.

  The individual liquid discharge heads 230 according to the present embodiment are line-type liquid discharge heads having a length in the width direction of the paper P (length in the main scanning direction). Ink is ejected.

  In the present embodiment, the individual liquid discharge heads 230 are individually arranged in a radial manner around the rotation axis of the paper transport drum 210.

The liquid discharge head 230 discharges ink from nozzles that are discharge holes. The ink ejection unit 220 includes a cap unit 290 that includes caps that cover the nozzle surfaces on which the nozzles of the individual liquid ejection heads 230 are provided and protect the nozzle surfaces.
The cap unit 290 is slidable with respect to the liquid discharge head 230 in the axial direction of the paper transport drum 210 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIGS. 2 and 3). The cap unit 290 slides to move between a capping position that faces the nozzle surface 230f and a retreat position that does not face the nozzle surface 230f.

  As a moving mechanism for sliding the cap unit 290, a configuration in which the cap unit 290 is slid by controlling the moving direction of the endless belt holding the cap unit 290 can be exemplified. The configuration is not limited to the configuration using an endless belt. As another example, a configuration in which a rack gear is arranged in the cap unit 290 and a pinion gear provided on the apparatus main body side of the printer 1 is rotated to slide the cap unit 290. Can be mentioned.

  The cap unit 290 covers the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head 230 except during image formation, and collects ink clogged in the nozzle, ink not contributing to image formation ejected from the nozzle, ink adhering to the nozzle surface, and the like as waste liquid. .

FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of the ink discharge unit 220 for explaining the sliding operation of the cap unit 290. 4 shows a head holding frame 231 that holds the liquid discharge head 230, a cap holding guide 291 that holds the cap unit 290 so as to be slidable in the direction of the arrow “A” in FIG. 4, and a cap unit 290. . 4 shows a state in which the liquid discharge head 230 is removed, and the liquid discharge head 230 is arranged in the head arrangement space 230a in FIG.
In the ink discharge unit 220 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there are four combinations of the liquid discharge heads 230 and the cap units 290 that are radially formed around the rotation axis of the paper transport drum 210. In the ink discharge unit 220 shown in FIG. 4, for convenience, there are six combinations of the head arrangement space 230 a in which the liquid discharge heads 230 formed radially around the rotation axis of the paper transport drum 210 and the cap unit 290 are arranged. It has become.

In the ink ejection unit 220, a cap holding guide 291 extends from the head holding frame 231 toward the rear direction of the apparatus main body (the direction of the arrow “A1” in FIG. 4) to form a retreat area 90. The cap unit 290 is held by the cap holding guide 291 and is slidable in the front-rear direction (the direction of arrow “A” in FIG. 4) of the main body of the printer 1.
In FIG. 4, one of the six cap units 290 is retracted to the retreat position in the retreat area 90, and the other five are in the capping positions facing the respective liquid discharge heads 230.

  When the printer 1 performs printing, the cap unit 290 slides to the retreat area 90 at the rear of the apparatus main body, and the printing unit having the liquid ejection head 230 descends to the position where the cap unit 290 was located before the slide. Do.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a waste liquid transporting apparatus 10 that transports the waste liquid collected by the cap unit 290 to the waste liquid tank 16. FIG. 1A shows a state where the cap unit 290 is in a capping position facing the liquid ejection head 230, and FIG. 1B shows a state where the cap unit 290 is in a retracted position.
In the printer 1, the cap unit 290 that covers the nozzle surface 230f of the liquid discharge head 230 and protects the nozzle surface 230f slides between the capping position shown in FIG. 1A and the retracted position shown in FIG. It is configured to move.

  The waste liquid transport apparatus 10 includes a suction pump 13 that sucks ink that is liquid in the cap unit 290 that is a liquid transport source and pumps the ink toward the waste liquid tank 16 that is a transport destination. The suction pump 13 communicates with the cap unit 290 and discharges ink from the cap unit 290 to the downstream side. The waste liquid tank 16 is a waste liquid storage unit that collects and stores the ink collected from the cap unit 290. In addition, the waste liquid transport apparatus 10 includes a waste liquid tube 14 that is a transport pipe (liquid flow path) that connects the suction pump 13 and the waste liquid tank 16 to form a waste liquid path that is a transport path. The waste liquid tube 14 is made of an elastic material that is crushed by being pressed and returns to its original state when the pressing force disappears.

Further, the waste liquid conveying device 10 is a roller roller 15 that is a pressure moving means that moves toward the downstream side of the waste liquid tube 14 in the ink conveying direction (in the direction of the arrow “A1” in FIG. 1) in a state where the waste liquid tube 14 is pressed. Is provided.
The roller 15 is disposed in the cap unit 290 and contacts the waste liquid tube 14.

  When printing by the printer 1 is completed, the cap unit 290 located at the retracted position moves to the capping position, and the nozzle surface 230f of the liquid discharge head 230 is covered with the cap unit 290. The suction pump 13 is driven while the cap unit 290 is at the capping position, whereby the gas or liquid in the cap unit 290 is sucked by the suction pump 13. As a result, the fixed ink or the foreign matter that causes nozzle clogging is discharged into the cap unit 290 from the nozzle that is opened in the nozzle surface 230f. Further, the waste liquid containing the fixed ink and foreign matter in the cap unit 290 is discharged to the waste liquid tank 16 located on the downstream side of the suction pump 13.

  In the waste liquid tube 14 connecting the suction pump 13 and the waste liquid tank 16, the waste liquid is conveyed toward the waste liquid tank 16 by the positive pressure generated in the suction pump 13. However, if the waste liquid path from the suction pump 13 to the waste liquid tank 16 is long, the waste liquid may not be transported to the waste liquid tank 16 by the positive pressure generated by the suction pump 13, and the waste liquid may remain in the waste liquid tube 14. If the waste liquid remains in the waste liquid tube 14, the ink may harden in the waste liquid tube 14 and the waste liquid tube 14 may be clogged.

When the next printing is performed after the waste liquid is pumped by the suction pump 13, the cap unit 290 moves from the capping position to the retracted position.
In the present embodiment, when the cap unit 290 moves from the capping position to the retracted position, the roller unit 15 provided below the cap unit 290 moves while crushing the waste liquid tube 14 wound around the cap unit 290. To go.

  As a result, the portion of the waste liquid tube 14 that is crushed by the roller roller 15 and has a reduced cross-sectional area of the waste liquid path moves to the downstream side in the waste liquid transport direction as the cap unit 290 including the roller roller 15 moves. At this time, the waste liquid pushed by the inner wall surface of the waste liquid tube 14 in the portion where the cross-sectional area is reduced moves to the downstream side in the transport direction. Therefore, the waste liquid remaining in the waste liquid tube 14 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the waste liquid from the suction pump 13 can be pushed away to the waste liquid tank 16. For this reason, even if the waste liquid tube 14 which is a conveyance pipe between the suction pump 13 which is a liquid feed pump and the waste liquid tank 16 which is a liquid conveyance destination is long and the apparatus has a large fluid resistance, the waste liquid tank 16 can be smoothly conveyed to the waste liquid.

  The printer 1 is an ink jet printer including a liquid discharge head 230 and a cap unit 290 that is opposed to the nozzle surface 230f of the liquid discharge head 230 and is a cap member that collects waste liquid containing fixed ink and foreign matter. Furthermore, the printer 1 includes a waste liquid tank 16 that is a recovered liquid storage section (liquid storage section) that stores the waste liquid recovered by the cap unit 290. In addition, the waste liquid transport apparatus 10 described with reference to FIG. 1 is provided as a liquid transport means for transporting the waste liquid inside the cap unit 290 to the waste liquid tank 16. Accordingly, even if the inkjet printer is forced to lengthen the conveyance path from the suction pump 13 that sucks the waste liquid in the cap unit 290 to the waste liquid tank 16, the waste liquid can be smoothly conveyed to the waste liquid tank 16. Can do.

  Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which droplets that do not contribute to recording are ejected to a cap, waste liquid in the cap is temporarily stored in a tube, and the stored waste liquid is collected together by a suction pump and discharged to a waste liquid tank. Has been. In the configuration of Patent Document 1, when the transport path of the waste liquid from the suction pump to the waste liquid tank is long, the problem that the waste liquid cannot be transported to the waste liquid tank with the positive pressure generated in the tube by driving the suction pump is prevented. I can't.

  In the printer 1 of this embodiment, when the cap unit 290 moves to the retracted position, the roller 15 presses and crushes the waste liquid tube 14 and moves in the pressed state, and the ink in the waste liquid tube 14 is moved. It is the structure which forcibly conveys the waste liquid containing to the conveyance direction downstream. For this reason, it is possible to discharge the waste liquid staying in the transport path downstream of the suction pump 13 out of the transport path of the waste liquid, the transport path downstream of the suction pump 13 is long, and the fluid resistance is large. Even if it exists, it becomes possible to convey the waste liquid smoothly.

  In the printer 1, the cap unit 290 can move between the capping position and the retracted position, and a part of the waste liquid tube 14 is arranged along the moving direction of the cap unit 290. The roller 15 moves toward the downstream side in the transport direction in conjunction with the movement of the cap unit 290. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the roller roller 15 is moved toward the downstream side in the transport direction of the waste liquid in a state where the waste liquid tube 14 is crushed by the roller roller 15 without providing a dedicated moving mechanism for moving the roller roller 15. .

  Further, in the printer 1, when the cap unit 290 moves from the capping position to the retracted position, the roller roller 15 as the pressing movement means moves while pressing the waste liquid tube 14 as the liquid flow path. In this configuration, the waste liquid can be transported by the roller 15 every time the cap unit 290 moves to the retracted position, and the waste liquid by the roller 15 can be transported without the roller 15 being moved only for transporting the waste by the roller 15. Can be transported. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time for moving the roller 15 to transport the waste liquid.

  As a configuration in which the roller roller 15 presses the waste liquid tube 14, a contact / separation mechanism that contacts and separates the roller roller 15 from the waste liquid tube 14 is preferably provided. When the cap unit 290 is at the capping position, the roller roller 15 is separated from the waste liquid tube 14 by the contact / separation mechanism, or the crushing amount is reduced. Thus, when the waste liquid is pumped by the suction pump 13, it is possible to prevent the waste liquid from becoming difficult to be conveyed at the portion crushed by the pressing of the roller roller 15 in the waste liquid tube 14, and efficient pumping can be performed. . Then, before the cap unit 290 moves from the capping position to the retracted position, the roller roller 15 is pressed against the waste liquid tube 14 by the contact / separation mechanism, thereby crushing the waste liquid tube 14 and flushing the waste liquid when the cap unit 290 is moved. be able to.

  Further, when the cap unit 290 moves from the retracted position to the capping position, the roller roller 15 may be separated from the waste liquid tube 14 by the contact / separation mechanism, or the crushing amount may be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the waste liquid from flowing back through the waste liquid tube 14 due to the portion of the waste liquid tube 14 being crushed by the roller 15 moving upstream in the transport direction.

  FIG. 1B shows a state in which the ink within the range indicated by the broken line region “α” of the waste liquid tube 14 is pushed away toward the waste liquid tank 16 by the roller 15. The waste liquid tube 14 in the range indicated by the broken line region “α” is wound around the cap holding guide 291 shown in FIG. 4, and the roller 15 presses the waste liquid tube 14 against the cap holding guide 291 that forms a fixed wall. Moving. The roller roller 15 crushes the waste liquid tube 14 by sandwiching the waste liquid tube 14 with the cap holding guide 291, and conveys the position of the crushed portion of the waste liquid tube 14 by moving with respect to the cap holding guide 291. It can be moved downstream in the direction.

The shape of the pressing and moving means is not limited to the roller shape such as the roller 15, and the conveying tube is crushed by pressing and moves to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the liquid in the conveying tube while being pressed against the conveying tube. Anything is acceptable.
Moreover, as a press movement means, it is not restricted to the structure which moves, pressing a conveyance pipe | tube against a fixed wall like this embodiment. For example, the pressing and moving means is a sandwiching member that sandwiches the transport tube, and the sandwiching member compresses the transport tube by sandwiching the transport tube, and the sandwiching member moves downstream in the transport direction in the crushed state. Also good.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the printer 1 includes a plurality of combinations of the liquid discharge head 230 and the cap unit 290. Therefore, the same number of waste liquid transport devices 10 as the cap units 290 corresponding to the plurality of cap units 290 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the roller 15 moves in the horizontal direction while crushing the waste liquid tube 14 in conjunction with the horizontal movement of the cap unit 290. Since gravity contributes to the movement of the waste liquid in the part of the path where the waste liquid path formed by the waste liquid tube 14 is directed downward, the waste liquid hardly remains in the waste liquid tube 14. On the other hand, gravity does not contribute to the movement of the waste liquid in the part of the path where the waste liquid path goes in the horizontal direction, and the waste liquid tends to remain in the waste liquid tube 14. By supporting the movement of the waste liquid in the horizontal waste liquid path by the roller 15, the waste liquid can be efficiently conveyed.

  The printer 1 according to this embodiment has a configuration in which the moving speed at which the cap unit 290 moves from the capping position to the retracted position can be variably controlled. Thereby, the moving speed of the roller 15 provided in the cap unit 290 can be variably controlled. By changing the moving speed of the roller 15, the waste liquid can be swept away at a speed according to the state of the waste liquid in the waste liquid tube 14.

  Specifically, after a printing operation, when a long time elapses until the next printing operation is performed, the waste liquid remaining in the waste liquid tube 14 is left to stand for a long time, so that the ink contained therein thickens and is not easily pushed out. It may become a state. If an attempt is made to push out the thickened waste liquid while the roller roller 15 has a high moving speed, the waste liquid cannot follow the movement of the roller roller 15 and may be crushed in the waste liquid tube 14 and fixed to the inner wall of the waste liquid tube 14. is there. On the other hand, if the moving speed of the roller roller 15 is set to a slow speed so that the waste liquid having increased viscosity can be pushed away, the moving time of the roller roller 15 is unnecessarily long when the waste liquid having low viscosity is pushed away. Further, in the configuration in which the roller 15 is provided in the cap unit 290 as in the present embodiment, the movement time of the cap unit 290 from the capping position to the retracted position becomes long, and the time until the printer 1 starts printing becomes long. .

  In contrast, in the printer 1, the moving speed of the cap unit 290 can be variably controlled. When the next printing is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous printing, the cap unit 290 moves toward the retracted position. Reduce the speed. Thereby, it becomes possible to discharge the waste liquid containing the ink that has been thickened by being left for a long time. Further, when the next printing is performed before the predetermined time has elapsed, the moving speed of the cap unit 290 toward the retracted position is increased. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the movement time of the roller 15 from being unnecessarily prolonged, and it is possible to prevent the time until the movement of the printer 1 is started from being prolonged.

Next, the shape of the roller 15 will be described.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the shape of the roller roller 15, FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram of the circular roller roller 15, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram of the egg-shaped eccentric roller roller 15. .
Any of the shapes shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B can be used. However, by using a flat cam like the egg-shaped eccentric shape shown in FIG. 5B and controlling the angle of the flat cam, the pressing state of the waste liquid tube 14 by the roller roller 15 can be adjusted, and efficient waste liquid can be efficiently discharged. It is possible to prevent the reverse flow of transport and waste liquid.

  Specifically, the waste liquid tube is brought into contact with the waste liquid tube 14 at a portion where the distance from the rotating shaft of the roller roller 15 to the outer peripheral surface shown in FIG. 5B becomes long (lower part of the roller 15 in FIG. 5B). The pressing force to 14 can be increased. Thereby, the amount of crushing of the waste liquid tube 14 can be increased. In this state, the rotation of the roller 15 is stopped and moved in the direction of the arrow “A1” in FIG. 1B, so that the waste liquid can be efficiently pushed downstream in the transport direction.

On the other hand, the portion where the distance from the rotation axis of the roller roller 15 to the outer peripheral surface shown in FIG. 5B becomes shorter (the upper portion of the roller roller 15 in FIG. The pressing force can be reduced. Thereby, the roller 15 can be separated from the waste liquid tube 14 or the amount of crushing of the waste liquid tube 14 can be reduced. In this state, the rotation of the roller 15 is stopped and moved in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow “A1” in FIG. 1B (the direction of the arrow “A2” in FIG. 4). It is possible to prevent reverse flow inside.
Further, when the waste liquid is pumped by the suction pump 13, the waste liquid is difficult to be conveyed in the crushed portion by making the portion where the distance from the rotating shaft of the roller roller 15 to the outer peripheral surface is opposed to the waste liquid tube 14. Can be prevented, and efficient pumping can be performed.

The roller 15 may be configured to rotate when moving toward the upstream side in the waste liquid transport direction in the waste liquid tube 14 and not to rotate when moving toward the downstream side in the transport direction. An example of such a configuration is shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the roller 15 that can rotate in only one direction and a mechanism that regulates the rotation direction of the roller 15.

The configuration shown in FIG. 6 includes a gear 32 fixed to a roller rotation shaft 151 to which the roller 15 is fixed, and a pawl 31 that can swing around a pawl swinging shaft 33. The roller rotation shaft 151 and the pawl rocking shaft 33 are held by a cap unit 290 which is a holding member that holds and moves the roller 15.
In this configuration, when the roller roller 15 tries to rotate in the direction of the arrow “B” in FIG. 6, the pawl 31 swings along the teeth of the rotating gear 32 and the roller roller 15 can freely rotate. On the other hand, when the roller 15 tries to rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow “B” direction in FIG. 6, the pawl 31 hits the teeth of the rotating gear 32, stops the rotation of the gear 32, and stops the rotation of the roller 15. .

  In this configuration, when the cap unit 290 moves toward the retracted position, the roller roller 15 is stopped from rotating and is brought into contact with the waste liquid tube 14 so that the waste liquid in the waste liquid tube 14 is filtered out downstream in the transport direction. Can be swept away. On the other hand, when the cap unit 290 returns to the capping position again, the roller 15 can freely rotate, so that the cap unit 290 can be moved without applying a load to the waste liquid tube 14. Thereby, it can suppress that a waste liquid flows back in the waste liquid tube 14. FIG.

The waste liquid tube 14 which is a transport pipe is made of an elastic material. Even if the suction pump 13 connected to the upstream end of the liquid transport direction in the waste liquid tube 14 is moved by the movement of the cap unit 290, the waste liquid tube 14 is deformed, and the suction pump 13 and the waste liquid tank 16 are Connection can be maintained. However, the transfer pipe made of such an elastic material is deformed so that the internal space that is the transfer path swells when a positive pressure is applied by the liquid feed pump, and a part of the energy for transporting the liquid by the liquid feed pump. Will be used to deform the transfer tube. The longer the transport path formed by the transport pipe made of elastic material, the greater the energy used for deformation, and the positive pressure generated by the liquid feed pump cannot transport the liquid to the transport destination. Residual defects are likely to occur.
In this embodiment, the waste liquid tube 14 made of an elastic material is crushed by pressing with the roller 15 and the waste liquid inside the waste liquid tube 14 is pushed downstream in the transport direction, so that the waste liquid continues to remain in the waste liquid tube 14. Can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, the waste liquid transport apparatus that transports the waste liquid collected by the cap member of the ink jet printer has been described. However, the liquid transport apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-159501, even if a device that sucks the deposit collected by the wiper blade with a vacuum suction device and transports it to the recovery tank, the transported deposit is liquid. The present invention can be applied in the case of including
The present invention is not limited to an apparatus that transports liquid containing ink in an image forming apparatus, but includes a liquid feed pump that sucks liquid inside a liquid transport source and pumps the liquid toward a liquid transport destination, and a liquid feed pump. Any apparatus that includes a transport pipe that connects a liquid transport destination to form a liquid transport path is applicable.
Further, as the liquid feed pump such as the suction pump 13, a known liquid feed pump such as a hydraulic pump, a screw pump, or a squeeze pump can be used.

  In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the roller 15 that is the pressing and moving unit of the waste liquid transporting apparatus 10 is configured to slide together with the cap unit 290. However, the configuration that the pressing and moving unit such as the roller 15 is slid independently may be used. Further, in the case of a configuration in which the unit having the liquid ejection head moves with the cap member fixed, the pressing movement means slides in conjunction with the movement of the unit having the liquid ejection head, and the liquid is transported downstream. Good. In addition, if there is a member that moves toward the downstream side in the liquid transport direction along the transport pipe such as the waste liquid tube 14, the configuration is such that the pressing and moving means is moved in conjunction with the moving member. Also good.

  Further, the printer 1 has a configuration in which the roller 15 as the pressing movement means moves while crushing the waste liquid tube 14 as the conveying pipe at the timing when the suction pump 13 as the liquid feeding pump is not driven. When the pressure moving means moves while crushing the transport pipe at the timing when the liquid feed pump is driven, the cross-sectional area of the transport path of the portion crushed by the pressure moving means in the transport pipe when the liquid is pumped by the liquid feed pump May become narrow and it may be difficult to transport the liquid. On the other hand, as in the printer 1, by moving the pressing and moving means at a timing when the liquid feeding pump is not driven, efficient pressure feeding can be performed when the liquid feeding pump is driven.

  In the present embodiment, the “liquid ejection head” is a functional component that ejects and ejects liquid from ejection holes (nozzles). The liquid to be ejected is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be ejected from the head, but the viscosity becomes 30 [mPa · s] or less at normal temperature, normal pressure, or by heating and cooling. It is preferable. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, functional materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, and biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. And edible materials such as natural pigments, solutions, suspensions, emulsions and the like. These can be used, for example, in applications such as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, components for electronic elements and light-emitting elements, liquids for forming electronic circuit resist patterns, and three-dimensional modeling material liquids. As energy generation sources for discharging liquid, piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric elements and thin film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators using electrothermal transducers such as heating resistors, electrostatic actuators consisting of diaphragms and counter electrodes are used. To be included.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of liquid discharge heads are arranged in the paper width direction (direction orthogonal to the transport direction) to form a long liquid discharge head (line head), and the liquid discharge head does not move relative to the apparatus main body. It has a configuration. The liquid discharge head may be configured such that a “liquid discharge unit” is formed together with other components, and printing is performed while moving with respect to the apparatus main body.

  A “liquid ejection unit” is a unit in which functional parts and mechanisms are integrated with a liquid ejection head, and is an assembly of parts related to liquid ejection. For example, the “liquid discharge unit” includes a combination of at least one of a supply circulation mechanism, a carriage, a maintenance / recovery mechanism, and a main scanning movement mechanism with a liquid discharge head. Here, the term “integrated” refers to, for example, a liquid discharge head, a functional component, and a mechanism that are fixed to each other by fastening, adhesion, engagement, etc., and one that is held movably with respect to the other. Including. Further, the liquid discharge head, the functional component, and the mechanism may be configured to be detachable from each other.

  For example, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a liquid discharge head and a supply circulation mechanism are integrated. Also, there are some in which the liquid discharge head and the supply circulation mechanism are integrated by being connected to each other by a tube or the like. Here, a unit including a filter may be added between the supply circulation mechanism of these liquid discharge units and the liquid discharge head. In addition, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a liquid discharge head and a carriage are integrated. In addition, there is a liquid discharge unit in which the liquid discharge head and the scanning movement mechanism are integrated by holding the liquid discharge head movably on a guide member that constitutes a part of the scanning movement mechanism. Also, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a cap member that is a part of the maintenance / recovery mechanism is fixed to a carriage to which the liquid discharge head is attached, and the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the maintenance / recovery mechanism are integrated. . Some liquid discharge units have a tube connected to a liquid discharge head to which a supply circulation mechanism or a flow path component is attached, and the liquid discharge head and the supply mechanism are integrated. The liquid from the liquid storage source is supplied to the liquid discharge head via this tube. The main scanning movement mechanism includes a guide member alone. The supply mechanism includes a single tube and a single loading unit.

  The “device that discharges liquid” is a device that includes a liquid discharge head or a liquid discharge unit and drives the liquid discharge head to discharge the liquid. The apparatus for ejecting liquid includes not only an apparatus capable of ejecting liquid to an object to which liquid can adhere, but also an apparatus for ejecting liquid toward the air or liquid. This “apparatus for discharging liquid” may include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging a liquid to which liquid can adhere, as well as a pre-processing apparatus and a post-processing apparatus.

  “Liquid discharging device” includes an image forming device that discharges ink to form an image on paper, and a powder in which powder is formed in layers to form a three-dimensional model (three-dimensional model) There is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus (three-dimensional modeling apparatus) that discharges a modeling liquid to a body layer. Further, the “apparatus for ejecting liquid” is not limited to an apparatus in which significant images such as characters and figures are visualized by the ejected liquid. For example, what forms a pattern etc. which does not have a meaning in itself, and what forms a three-dimensional image are also included.

  “Attachable liquid” means that the liquid can be attached at least temporarily, and adheres and adheres, or adheres and penetrates. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic parts such as electronic substrates and piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and test cells. Yes, unless specifically limited, includes everything that the liquid adheres to. The material of the above-mentioned “material to which liquid can adhere” is not limited as long as liquid such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics can be adhered even temporarily. The shape of “the liquid can be attached” is not limited to a sheet shape such as the paper P, and may be any shape as long as the liquid adheres thereto. Examples of the “liquid attachable” may include those used for film products, cloth products for clothing, building materials such as wallpaper and flooring, and leather products.

  The “liquid” is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be ejected from the head, and the viscosity is 30 [mPa · s] or less at normal temperature, normal pressure, or by heating and cooling. It is preferable that More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, functional materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, and biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. And edible materials such as natural pigments, solutions, suspensions, emulsions and the like. These can be used, for example, in applications such as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, components for electronic elements and light-emitting elements, liquids for forming electronic circuit resist patterns, and three-dimensional modeling material liquids.

  Further, the printer 1 of the present embodiment is a “device that ejects liquid” in which the liquid ejection head and the one to which the liquid can adhere move relatively. Specific examples of the relatively moving device include a line type device that does not move the liquid discharge head and a serial type device that moves the liquid discharge head as in the present embodiment. The “apparatus for ejecting liquid” is not limited to an apparatus in which the liquid ejection head and the apparatus to which the liquid can be attached move relatively.

  As another example of the “apparatus for ejecting liquid”, there is a processing liquid coating apparatus that ejects a processing liquid onto a sheet in order to apply the processing liquid onto the surface of the sheet for the purpose of modifying the surface of the sheet. Further, there is an injection granulating apparatus for granulating raw material fine particles by spraying a composition liquid in which raw materials are dispersed in a solution through a nozzle. Further, the terms “image formation”, “recording”, “printing”, “printing”, “printing”, “modeling”, etc. in the terms of the present application are all synonymous.

What was demonstrated above is an example, and there exists an effect peculiar for every following aspect.
(Aspect 1)
A liquid transport apparatus such as a waste liquid transport apparatus 10 including a transport pipe such as a waste liquid tube 14 that connects a liquid transport source such as a cap unit 290 and a liquid transport destination such as a waste liquid tank 16 to form a transport path for liquid such as waste liquid. In the present invention, there is provided a pressing movement means such as a roller 15 that moves toward the downstream side of the transport direction of the liquid in the transport pipe while the transport pipe is pressed.
According to this, as explained in the above embodiment, the transport pipe is crushed by being pressed by the pressing and moving means. Further, when the pressing movement means moves in the pressed state, a portion where the cross-sectional area of the conveying path is reduced by the pressing moving means in the conveying pipe moves to the downstream side in the liquid conveying direction, and the sectional area becomes small. The liquid pushed on the inner wall surface of the transport pipe in the part that has moved moves downstream in the transport direction. In the range in which the pressing and moving means moves while pressing the transport pipe, the liquid can be pushed downstream in the transport direction regardless of the length of the liquid transport path from the liquid transport source to the liquid transport destination. For this reason, even if it is an apparatus with a long conveyance pipe between a conveyance origin and a liquid conveyance destination, it becomes possible to carry out the smooth liquid conveyance to a liquid conveyance destination.

(Aspect 2)
Aspect 1 is characterized by comprising a liquid feed pump such as a suction pump 13 that sucks the liquid inside the liquid transport source and pumps the liquid toward the liquid transport destination via the transport pipe.
According to this, as explained in the above embodiment, the liquid remaining inside the transport pipe without being pumped by the liquid feed pump can be pushed downstream in the transport direction. For this reason, even if the transport pipe between the liquid transport source and the liquid transport destination is long and the apparatus has a large fluid resistance in the transport pipe, it is possible to transport the liquid smoothly to the liquid transport destination. The arrangement of the liquid feed pump is not limited to the arrangement connected to the upstream end portion in the conveyance direction of the conveyance pipe as in the above embodiment, but may be the arrangement connected to the downstream end portion in the conveyance direction of the conveyance pipe. In addition, a liquid feed pump may be disposed in the middle of the transport pipe that connects the liquid transport source and the liquid transport destination.

(Aspect 3)
In the aspect of aspect 1 or 2, the pressing movement means is an eccentric cam.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to adjust the pressing state of the transport pipe by the pressing and moving means.

(Aspect 4)
In any one of the aspects 1 to 3, the pressing and moving means is a roller member such as the roller 15 or the like, and the roller member rotates when moving toward the upstream side in the liquid transport direction in the transport pipe, and downstream in the transport direction. It is characterized in that it does not rotate when moving toward the side.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, when the roller member moves to the downstream side in the transport direction, the liquid inside the transport pipe can be swept away so that the roller member moves to the downstream side in the transport direction. When doing so, it is possible to suppress the back flow of the liquid inside the transport pipe.

(Aspect 5)
In any one of the aspects 1 to 4, the moving speed of the pressing and moving means can be variably controlled.
According to this, as explained in the above embodiment, the liquid can be swept away at a speed corresponding to the state of the liquid inside the transport pipe. For example, in the case of a configuration in which a liquid containing ink is transported, it is possible to transport ink that has been thickened for a long time by changing the moving speed.

(Aspect 6)
A liquid discharge head such as a liquid discharge head 230 having a discharge surface such as a nozzle surface 230f in which discharge holes such as nozzles for discharging a liquid such as ink are formed, a cap unit 290 that faces the discharge surface and collects the liquid A printer 1 having a cap member, a recovery liquid storage portion such as a waste liquid tank 16 for storing the liquid recovered by the cap member, and a liquid transport means for transporting the liquid inside the cap member to the recovery liquid storage portion. In the apparatus for ejecting liquid, the liquid transporting device includes a liquid transporting device such as the waste liquid transporting device 10 according to any one of modes 1 to 5.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, even a device that discharges a liquid that has to lengthen a conveyance path for conveying a liquid such as a waste liquid from a cap member to a recovered liquid storage unit is smooth. Liquid can be transported.

(Aspect 7)
In the aspect 6, the cap member is movable between a position facing the discharge surface (capping position or the like) and a position not facing the discharge surface (retracted position or the like), and at least a part of the transport pipe is made of the cap member. The pressing movement means is arranged along the movement direction, and moves toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction in conjunction with the movement of the cap member.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, without providing a dedicated moving mechanism for moving the press moving means, the pressure moving means is moved in the liquid transport direction in a state where the transport pipe is crushed by the press moving means. A configuration for moving toward the downstream side can be realized.

(Aspect 8)
A liquid discharge head such as a liquid discharge head 230 that discharges liquid such as ink; a cap member such as a cap unit 290 that sucks liquid from the liquid discharge head; and a waste liquid tank 16 that stores liquid sucked by the cap member. And a liquid flow path such as a waste liquid tube 14 that connects the cap member and the liquid storage section, and the cap member moves when the cap member moves away from the liquid discharge head. It has a pressing movement means such as a roller 15 that moves while pressing the roller.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the liquid flow path is crushed by being pressed by the pressing and moving means. When the pressing movement means moves in the pressed state, the portion of the liquid flow path that is crushed by the pressure movement means and the cross sectional area of the liquid flow path is reduced moves downstream in the liquid transport direction, and the cross sectional area is reduced. The liquid pushed on the inner wall surface of the partial liquid flow path moves downstream in the transport direction. In the range in which the pressing and moving means moves while pressing the liquid channel, the liquid can be pushed downstream in the transport direction regardless of the length of the liquid transport path from the cap member to the liquid channel. For this reason, even if the liquid channel between the cap member and the liquid channel is a long device, it is possible to smoothly transport the liquid to the liquid transport destination. Further, since the cap member has the pressing movement means, the pressing movement means is moved downstream in the liquid transport direction in a state where the liquid flow path is crushed by the pressing movement means without providing a dedicated moving mechanism for moving the pressing movement means. It is possible to realize a configuration that moves toward the side.

(Aspect 9)
Aspect 8 is characterized in that when the cap member moves from a capping position facing the liquid ejection head to a retracted position not facing the liquid ejection head, the pressing movement means moves while pressing the liquid flow path. .
According to this, as explained in the above embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time for moving the pressing and moving means for transporting the liquid.

(Aspect 10)
Aspect 8 or 9 includes a liquid feed pump such as a suction pump 13 that sucks the liquid inside the cap member and pumps the liquid toward the liquid storage portion via the liquid flow path.
According to this, as explained in the above embodiment, the liquid remaining inside the transport pipe without being pumped by the liquid feed pump can be pushed downstream in the transport direction. For this reason, even if the transport pipe between the liquid transport source and the liquid transport destination is long and the apparatus has a large fluid resistance in the transport pipe, it is possible to transport the liquid smoothly to the liquid transport destination.

(Aspect 11)
In any one of aspects 8 to 10, the pressing and moving means is an eccentric cam.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the pressing state of the liquid channel by the pressing and moving means can be adjusted.

(Aspect 12)
In any one of the aspects 8 to 11, the pressing movement means is a roller member such as the roller 15 or the like, and the roller member rotates when moving toward the upstream side in the liquid conveyance direction in the liquid flow path, and the conveyance direction. It is characterized in that it does not rotate when moving toward the downstream side.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, when the roller member moves to the downstream side in the transport direction, it can be swept away so as to filter out the liquid inside the liquid flow path, and the roller member moves to the downstream side in the transport direction. When moving, the back flow of the liquid inside the liquid channel can be suppressed.

(Aspect 13)
In any one of Aspects 8 to 12, the moving speed of the pressing and moving means can be variably controlled.
According to this, as explained in the above embodiment, the liquid can be swept away at a speed corresponding to the state of the liquid inside the liquid channel. For example, in the case of a configuration in which a liquid containing ink is transported, it is possible to transport ink that has been thickened for a long time by changing the moving speed.

(Aspect 14)
In any one of the aspects 7 to 13, the pressing movement means moves in the horizontal direction in conjunction with the movement of the cap member in the horizontal direction.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the transport path is in the horizontal direction, gravity does not contribute to the movement of the liquid, and the movement of the liquid where the liquid tends to remain is assisted by the pressing movement means. This makes it possible to move the liquid efficiently.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 10 Waste liquid conveyance apparatus 13 Suction pump 14 Waste liquid tube 15 Roller roller 16 Waste liquid tank 32 Gear 33 Oscillating shaft 90 Retraction area 100 Printer 100 Paper feed part 110 Paper feed tray 120 Feeding apparatus 130 Regist roller pair 151 Roller rotating shaft 200 Image Forming unit 201 Receiving cylinder 201a Receiving paper gripper 202 Delivery cylinder 210 Paper conveying drum 210a Conveying paper gripper 211 Suction device 220 Ink ejection unit 220 Liquid ejection head 230 Liquid ejection head 230a Head arrangement space 230f Nozzle surface 231 Head holding frame 290 Cap unit 291 Cap holding guide 300 Drying unit 301 Drying mechanism 302 Transport mechanism 400 Paper discharge unit 410 Paper discharge tray P Paper

JP 2010-000780 A

Claims (14)

In a liquid transport apparatus comprising a transport pipe that connects a liquid transport source and a liquid transport destination to form a liquid transport path,
A liquid transporting apparatus comprising: a pressing movement unit that moves toward the downstream side of the transport direction of the liquid in the transport pipe while the transport pipe is pressed. In the liquid conveyance apparatus of Claim 1,
A liquid transport apparatus comprising: a liquid feed pump that sucks the liquid inside the liquid transport source and pumps the liquid toward the liquid transport destination via the transport pipe. In the liquid conveyance apparatus of Claim 1 or 2,
The liquid conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing and moving means is an eccentric cam. In the liquid conveyance apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The pressing and moving means is a roller member,
The liquid transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the roller member is configured to rotate when moving toward the upstream side in the transport direction of the liquid in the transport pipe, and not to rotate when moving toward the downstream side in the transport direction. In the liquid conveyance apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
A liquid conveying apparatus characterized in that the moving speed of the pressing and moving means can be variably controlled. A liquid ejection head having an ejection surface in which ejection holes for ejecting liquid are formed;
A cap member that opposes the ejection surface and collects the liquid;
A recovered liquid storage portion for storing the liquid recovered by the cap member;
In a device for discharging a liquid, comprising: a liquid transport unit that transports the liquid inside the cap member to the recovered liquid storage unit,
An apparatus for ejecting liquid, comprising the liquid transport apparatus according to claim 1 as the liquid transport means. The apparatus for discharging a liquid according to claim 6,
The cap member is movable between a position facing the ejection surface and a position not facing the ejection surface,
At least a portion of the transport pipe is disposed along a moving direction of the cap member;
The apparatus for ejecting liquid, wherein the pressing and moving means moves toward the downstream side in the transport direction in conjunction with the movement of the cap member. A liquid discharge head for discharging liquid;
A cap member for sucking the liquid from the liquid discharge head;
A liquid storage portion for storing the liquid sucked by the cap member;
A liquid flow path connecting the cap member and the liquid storage portion,
The apparatus for ejecting liquid, wherein the cap member includes a pressing movement unit that moves while pressing the liquid channel when the cap member moves in a direction away from the liquid ejection head. In the apparatus which discharges the liquid of Claim 8,
When the cap member moves from a capping position facing the liquid ejection head to a retracted position not facing the liquid ejection head, the pressing movement means moves while pressing the liquid flow path. A device that ejects liquid. The apparatus for discharging a liquid according to claim 8 or 9,
An apparatus for discharging a liquid, comprising: a liquid feed pump that sucks the liquid inside the cap member and pumps the liquid toward the liquid container through the liquid flow path. In the apparatus which discharges the liquid according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
The apparatus for ejecting liquid, wherein the pressing and moving means is an eccentric cam. In the apparatus which discharges the liquid according to any one of claims 8 to 11,
The pressing and moving means is a roller member,
The roller member is configured to rotate when moving toward the upstream side in the transport direction of the liquid in the liquid flow path, and not to rotate when moving toward the downstream side in the transport direction. apparatus. In the apparatus which discharges the liquid according to any one of claims 8 to 12,
An apparatus for ejecting liquid, wherein the moving speed of the pressing and moving means can be variably controlled. In the apparatus which discharges the liquid according to any one of claims 6 to 13,
The apparatus for ejecting liquid, wherein the pressing and moving means moves in the horizontal direction in conjunction with the movement of the cap member in the horizontal direction.

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