JP5092645B2 - Liquid ejector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet printer.

  In general, an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) is widely known as a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a target (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this type of printer, the recording head is provided with a nozzle array composed of a number of nozzles for each ink color, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles onto the recording paper to form ink dots of each color on the recording paper. By doing so, printing of characters and images is performed.

  Further, in this type of printer, when the nozzles are not used during printing, the ink in the nozzles increases in viscosity. Therefore, during printing, ink droplets that are not related to printing are periodically ejected, Nozzle maintenance called flushing is performed to refresh the ink. On the moving path of the recording head, there is a type in which a flushing box that functions as a container for receiving ink droplets ejected at the time of flushing is disposed at an end position outside the central printing area.

For example, a flushing box (ink removing unit) disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 sucks a duct having an opening at a position near a nozzle of a recording head arranged at a flushing position and air in the duct. An exhaust fan (suction means) and a maze-like air flow path formed in the duct by a plurality of partition plates to capture ink mist sucked into the duct were provided. By driving the exhaust fan disposed at one end of the duct, a suction airflow flowing into the opening is generated, and the ink mist at the time of flushing can be reliably collected by this suction airflow.
JP-A-2004-243708 (FIGS. 2, 3, etc.) JP 2001-191557 A (FIG. 2 etc.)

  However, the ink droplets adhere to the partition plate and then flow down along the partition plate. However, after several hours have passed after the printer is turned off, the ink attached on the partition plate is dried and solidified. When printing is started next, the ink at the time of flushing adheres to the dried and solidified ink solid matter, and this is repeated over and over as the printer usage period becomes longer. There was a problem that ink solids were deposited on the surface. This deposit causes a situation where the opening area of the opening of the flushing box is narrowed.

  Also, depending on the ink content, some crystals may precipitate during the drying process of the waste ink. For example, if the deposition position of the deposit or crystal is close to the opening, the deposit or crystal (a long crystal such as a needle-like crystal or a columnar crystal) may protrude from the opening. In this case, there is a concern that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head that has moved to the flushing position comes into contact with the protruding deposits and crystals, and the nozzle forming surface is contaminated. In this case, if the ink adheres to the vicinity of the nozzle, the adhering material mixes with the ink in the nozzle, and an ink dot of an inappropriate color that is mixed is formed, which causes a decrease in print quality. In addition, if a part of the deposit or crystal is peeled off or broken and a minute peeled piece is scattered, the platen or recording paper to which it adheres will be soiled.

The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus in which a dry deposit of liquid, a precipitated crystal, or the like is less likely to be generated inside the liquid receiving portion.

In order to achieve the above object, a liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto a target, a transport unit that transports the target, and a liquid ejecting unit that ejects liquid onto the transported target. The liquid ejecting means receives the liquid ejected for the purpose of disposal from the receiving port, and a plurality of extending portions forming a labyrinth-shaped flow path are positioned on the lower side in the gravity direction toward the tip side. A liquid receiving portion provided in a tilted state, a liquid absorbing material that is provided on both sides of the receiving port in the liquid receiving portion and absorbs the liquid that has landed, and the receiving port that is ejected from the liquid ejecting means washing liquid from the first to the top of the extending portion of the upper surface of the landing, the supply port than the liquid absorbing member provided at a position below one of said liquid receiving portion of the plurality of the extending portion liquid that is received into the A cleaning liquid supply means for test sheet, and summarized in that there the Bei Ete.

According to this invention, the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting means to the target transported by the transporting means. When the liquid ejecting means ejects the liquid for the purpose of disposal, the liquid is ejected to the liquid receiving portion. Even if the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting means for the purpose of disposal becomes floating as mist or the like in the liquid container, it is captured in the labyrinth-shaped flow path. As a result, it is possible to avoid floating mist and the like from scattering from the liquid receiving portion. The supplied cleaning liquid flows through the labyrinth-shaped flow path, so that the liquid (waste liquid) captured on the wall surface of the flow path is washed away, and mist that floats in the flow path is captured by the cleaning liquid. An effect is also obtained. Further, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the liquid receiving part by the cleaning liquid supply means, and the liquid in the liquid receiving part is washed away by the cleaning liquid. At this time, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the upper surface of the extending portion provided at a position where the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting means first lands. Therefore, it is difficult for unwashed liquid to occur on the extended portion, and it is avoided that the liquid is thickened and dried and solidified in the liquid receiving portion, for example. For example, deposits in which the liquid is dried and solidified in the liquid receiving portion, liquid solid component crystals that have precipitated over time, and the like are less likely to be generated .

In the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, further comprising a negative pressure application device which applies a negative pressure to the liquid receptacle in order to generate the suction airflow flowing into the acceptance port of the liquid-receiving portion, the negative pressure applying means It is preferable that the exhaust port is provided lower than the extension portion located on the lowermost side in the gravity direction among the extension portions.
According to the present invention, since the suction airflow flowing in from the receiving port flows along the extending portion in the process of reaching the exhaust port, the flow of the cleaning liquid on the extending portion can be accelerated.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the plurality of extending portions may be configured such that the cleaning liquid that has fallen in the direction of gravity from the distal end portion of the one extending portion is at a lower position than the extending portion. preferred and this being arranged such that dripping to the position of.

According to the present invention, the cleaning liquid that has fallen from the leading end of one extending portion is deposited on the base side of the other extending portion . Accordingly, it is difficult for the liquid to remain unwashed on the extended portion, and the generation of deposits, crystal precipitates, and the like in the liquid receiving portion can be effectively prevented.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the cleaning liquid supply unit is configured to supply the cleaning liquid at a timing when the liquid lands on the cleaning liquid flowing on the extension portion.

  According to the present invention, since the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting means lands on the cleaning liquid, the liquid is immediately diluted and washed away without adhering to the extending portion. For example, if it is a liquid with high viscosity or high chemical or physical adhesion, once it adheres to the wall surface of the extension, there is a concern that the washing liquid will spread over the adhesion interface, so the washing action may be weakened. Prevents the liquid from adhering to the extending portion or the like, so that even a liquid having high viscosity or high adhesion can be effectively washed away.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the cleaning liquid supply unit is configured to supply the cleaning liquid at a timing of washing after the liquid has landed on the extension portion.
According to the present invention, the cleaning liquid is supplied by the cleaning liquid supply means at a timing at which the liquid is washed off after landing on the extending portion. As a result, the liquid after landing is washed away immediately before thickening and drying, so that it is possible to avoid generation of deposits, precipitated crystals, and the like after the liquid is dried and solidified.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the liquid receiving unit includes a receiving port, and further includes a negative pressure applying unit that applies a negative pressure to the liquid receiving unit so as to generate a suction airflow flowing into the receiving port.
It is preferable that the negative pressure applying unit is driven prior to the ejection of the liquid to the liquid receiving unit by the liquid ejecting unit.

  According to this invention, the negative pressure applying means is driven prior to the ejection of the liquid intended for disposal by the liquid ejecting means. For this reason, when the liquid is ejected for the purpose of disposal, the liquid mist can be reliably sucked and collected into the liquid receiving portion by the suction airflow flowing into the receiving port.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention is embodied in an ink jet printer will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, when referring to “front-rear direction”, “left-right direction”, and “up-down direction”, the directions indicated by arrows in FIGS. 1 and 2 are used as a reference.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet printer 11 as a liquid ejecting apparatus sequentially prints on a feeding unit 13 that feeds a continuous paper 12 as a long target, and a continuous paper 12 fed from the feeding unit 13. A main body 14 that is performed and dried, and a winding unit 15 that winds the continuous paper 12 that has been printed and dried by the main body 14 are provided. That is, the main body portion 14 includes a rectangular parallelepiped main body case 16, and the feeding portion 13 is disposed on the left side of the main body case 16 on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the continuous paper 12 and the main body case 16 on the downstream side. The winding part 15 is arrange | positioned on the right side.

  The feeding portion 13 includes a support plate 17 extending leftward from the lower left end portion of the main body case 16, and the front surface of the support plate 17 is a vertical surface. A winding shaft 18 extending toward the front (front side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 1) is rotatably supported with respect to the support plate 17 at the front end portion of the front surface of the support plate 17. A disc-shaped rotating plate 19 is provided at the proximal end of the winding shaft 18 so as to rotate integrally with the winding shaft 18.

  A continuous paper 12 previously wound in a roll shape is supported on the winding shaft 18 so as to be integrally rotatable with the winding shaft 18, and a rotating plate 19 is formed on both side edges of the continuous paper 12 wound in a roll shape. The side edge of the side is in contact with the front surface of the rotating plate 19. That is, when the continuous paper 12 previously wound in a roll shape is supported on the winding shaft 18, one side edge of the continuous paper 12 wound in the roll shape comes into contact with the front surface of the rotating plate 19. Thus, positioning in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the continuous paper 12 is performed. Note that glossy paper is used as the continuous paper 12 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the feeding portion 13 includes a plate-like feeding stand 20 that extends horizontally from the central portion of the left surface of the main body case 16 toward the left. A relay roller 21 is rotatably provided for winding the continuous paper 12 fed from the winding shaft 18 and guiding it to the upper surface of the feeding table 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an elongated block-shaped guide portion 24 extending along the left-right direction is provided on the rear end edge on the upper surface of the feeding table 20 over substantially the entire rear end edge. Further, a guide block 25 is provided on the upper surface of the feeding table 20 so as to face the left end portion of the guide portion 24. An area between the guide portion 24 and the guide block 25 on the upper surface of the feeding table 20 is a part of the transport path of the continuous paper 12, and the guide portion 24 and the guide block 25 are widths in the front-rear direction of the continuous paper 12. Are separated by the same distance.

  When the continuous paper 12 is conveyed toward the right side (the main body 14 side) along the upper surface of the feeding table 20, the front and rear side edges of the continuous paper 12 are in relation to the guide portion 24 and the guide block 25. By sliding, the continuous paper 12 is guided along the transport direction (here, the right direction). Note that the guide block 25 is movable in the front-rear direction on the upper surface of the feeding table 20, and when the width of the continuous paper 12 in the front-rear direction is changed, the guide block 24 is moved to move the guide unit 24. The distance between the guide block 25 and the guide block 25 is changed according to the width of the continuous paper 12 in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plate-like base 30 that divides the inside of the main body case 16 vertically is provided at a position slightly above the central portion in the vertical direction in the main body case 16 of the main body portion 14. The area above the base 30 in the main body case 16 is a printing chamber 31 for printing on the continuous paper 12. On the other hand, in the area below the base 30 in the main body case 16, three compartments 33, 34, and 35 that are partitioned to be arranged in the left-right direction are formed. These three compartments are, in order from the left, a first compartment 33, a second compartment 34, and a third compartment 35.

  The left wall of the main body case 16 is provided with a carry-in port (not shown) for carrying the continuous paper 12 into the first compartment 33 from the upper surface of the feeding table 20. A pull-in driving roller 36 is rotatably provided so as to face each other at a close position. That is, the pull-in driving roller 36 is disposed at the left end portion of the first compartment 33.

  A relay roller 40 is rotatably provided on the right side of the pull-in driving roller 36 in the first compartment 33. Then, the continuous paper 12 drawn into the first compartment 33 by driving the drawing drive roller 36 is wound around the relay roller 40 so as to go to a position near the left end of the printing chamber 31.

  An elevating roller 42 that moves up and down based on driving of an elevating mechanism (not shown) is provided between the drawing drive roller 36 and the relay roller 40 in the first compartment 33. The continuous paper 12 is wound around the elevating roller 42 from below.

  Here, the length of the continuous paper 12 positioned between the pull-in driving roller 36 and the relay roller 40 becomes longer as the elevating roller 42 is lowered and shorter as the elevating roller 42 is raised. . That is, the transport distance of the continuous paper 12 between the pull-in drive roller 36 and the relay roller 40 becomes longer as the lift roller 42 is positioned on the lower side, and the pull-up drive roller 36 and relay are relayed as the lift roller 42 is positioned on the upper side. The conveyance distance of the continuous paper 12 between the rollers 40 is shortened.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the continuous paper 12 is guided along the conveyance direction (here, upward) so as to vertically penetrate the base 30 at a position facing the relay roller 40 in the base 30. A guide device 43 is provided. A relay roller 46 is provided on the upper side of the guide device 43 in the printing chamber 31, and the continuous paper 12 is wound around the relay roller 46 from the lower left side and is conveyed horizontally in the right direction. Yes.

  A platen 48 as a rectangular plate-like support member supported on the base 30 is provided in a region on the right side of the relay roller 46 in the printing chamber 31. A conversion roller 49 is provided on the right side of the platen 48 so as to face the relay roller 46 with the platen 48 interposed therebetween. In this case, the upper surface of the relay roller 46, the upper surface of the platen 48, and the upper surface of the conversion roller 49 are flush with each other.

  The continuous paper 12 conveyed in the horizontal right direction from the relay roller 46 along the upper surface of the platen 48 is wound on the conversion roller 49 from the upper left side, and the conveyance direction of the continuous paper 12 is changed from the horizontal right direction to the vertical downward direction. Has been. Then, the continuous paper 12 whose conveyance direction is changed vertically downward by the conversion roller 49 is conveyed into the third compartment 35 through an insertion hole (not shown) provided in the base 30. .

  Guide rails 50 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) extending in the left-right direction are provided on both the front and rear sides of the platen 48 in the printing chamber 31, and the upper surface of the guide rail 50 is the upper surface of the platen 48. It is higher than the top surface. A rectangular plate-shaped carriage 51 is supported on the upper surfaces of both guide rails 50 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the left-right direction along the both guide rails 50. The carriage 51 moves in the left-right direction on both guide rails 50 based on driving of a drive mechanism (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a rectangular plate-like slide plate 53 is supported on the lower surface of the carriage 51 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the carriage 51. A recording head 54 is supported on the lower surface of the slide plate 53. For this reason, the recording head 54 can move in two directions, the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, with respect to the platen 48. In addition, a plurality of valve units 55 that temporarily store ink as liquid are provided on the upper rear wall of the main body case 16 in the printing chamber 31. Each valve unit 55 temporarily stores inks of different colors.

  Each valve unit 55 is connected to the recording head 54 via an ink supply tube (not shown), and supplies each ink to the recording head 54 via each ink supply tube. A plurality of nozzle openings (not shown) are provided on the lower surface of the recording head 54, and the ink supplied from each valve unit 55 is conveyed from the nozzle openings onto the platen 48 and stopped on the continuous paper 12. On the other hand, printing is performed by ejecting the recording head 54 while moving in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

  Therefore, the area from the left end to the right end of the platen 48 where the continuous paper 12 is printed, which is in the middle of the transport path of the continuous paper 12, is a printing area A as a liquid ejecting area. The conveyance path of the continuous paper 12 is intermittently conveyed by the printing area A unit.

  In the main body case 16, a plurality of ink cartridges (not shown) containing inks of different colors are provided in a detachable state. Each of these ink cartridges (not shown) is connected to each valve unit 55 via an ink supply tube (not shown) so that ink can be supplied. Further, a pressurizing pump (not shown) for pressurizing the inside of each ink cartridge (not shown) is provided in the main body case 16, and each ink cartridge (not shown) is driven by driving the pressurizing pump. ) Is pressurized and supplied to each valve unit 55 via an ink supply tube (not shown).

  On both the left and right sides of the platen 48 on the base 30, a flushing box as a maintenance means for receiving ink ejected from each nozzle opening (not shown) of the recording head 54 when flushing is appropriately performed during printing. 58a and 58b are provided. A maintenance unit 59 is provided on the left side of the left flushing box 58a on the base 30 as a maintenance unit for performing maintenance such as cleaning of the recording head 54. The maintenance unit 59 includes a cap 59a corresponding to the recording head 54, and the cap 59a can be moved up and down.

  The cap 59a communicates with the waste liquid tank T (see FIG. 4) through a discharge tube (not shown). Further, a tube pump (not shown) capable of sucking the inside of the discharge tube from the cap 59a side toward the waste liquid tank T side is provided at an intermediate position of the discharge tube. Then, when the cap 59a is lifted with the carriage 51 moved on the maintenance unit 59, the cap 59a contacts the recording head 54 so as to surround each nozzle opening (not shown) of the recording head 54. It is like that.

  Each tube of the recording head 54 is driven by driving a tube pump (not shown) with the cap 59a in contact with the recording head 54 so as to surround each nozzle opening (not shown) of the recording head 54. So-called cleaning is performed in which ink or bubbles thickened from the opening are forcibly discharged into the cap 59a. The discharged ink discharged into the cap 59a by the cleaning is collected in the waste liquid tank T through a discharge tube (not shown). Further, the maintenance unit 59 is provided with a wiper 59b (shown in FIG. 1), and the wiper 59b is moved to the printing area A side from the maintenance position after cleaning or the like, and the wiper 59b is formed on the nozzle forming surface 54a (see FIG. 1). Wiping for wiping off (shown in 3 etc.) is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a forced drying device 60 that is long in the vertical direction for forcibly drying the continuous paper 12 that has been printed in the printing area A is provided at a position on the left side in the third compartment 35. Yes. Then, the continuous paper 12 that is wound around the conversion roller 49 and conveyed vertically downward passes through the forced drying device 60 and is turned upward to the reverse roller 61 that is rotatably provided below the forced drying device 60. It is wound around and is conveyed slightly diagonally upward to the right.

  In this way, the area from the upper end to the lower end in the forced drying apparatus 60 where the continuous paper 12 is forcibly dried in the middle of the transport path of the continuous paper 12 is defined as the forced drying area B. The distance of the forced drying region B in the transport direction (here, the vertical direction) of the continuous paper 12 is a positive integer multiple of the distance of the print region A in the transport direction (here, the left-right direction) of the continuous paper 12 (this embodiment). Is set to 1). Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the distance of the forced drying region B and the distance of the printing region A are set to be equal in the transport direction of the continuous paper 12.

  In addition, an area where the continuous paper 12 is wound around the conversion roller 49 between the printing area A and the forced drying area B in the middle of the conveyance path of the continuous paper 12 is a continuous area after printing in the printing area A. Since the paper 12 is an area that is naturally dried before being forcedly dried in the forced drying area B, the paper 12 is defined as the natural drying area C. In the present embodiment, the forced drying region B and the natural drying region C constitute a drying region.

  The continuous paper 12 conveyed from the reverse roller 61 obliquely upward to the right is wound around the relay roller 62 rotatably provided at the lower right end portion in the third compartment 35 from the lower left side, and the third compartment 35 is conveyed upward along the right wall of the body case 16. At the position between the reverse roller 61 and the relay roller 62 in the third compartment 35, the continuous paper 12 is placed on the lower side so as to apply tension to the continuous paper 12 after forced drying in the forced drying region B. A dancer roller 65 is provided for pressing from above.

  Further, an unillustrated unloading port for unloading the continuous paper 12 to the take-up unit 15 side is provided at a position corresponding to the upper end of the third compartment 35 on the right wall of the main body case 16. A feed driving roller 64 is rotatably provided in the chamber 35 so as to face the carry-out port at a close position. Then, by driving the feed driving roller 64, the continuous paper 12 is fed to the winding unit 15 side through the carry-out port.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the winding unit 15 includes a rectangular parallelepiped winding frame 68, and the height of the winding frame 68 is substantially the same as the height of the feed drive roller 64. A relay roller 69 is rotatably provided at the upper end of the front surface of the winding frame 68. The continuous paper 12 sent out from the carry-out port is wound around the relay roller 69 from the upper left side and is conveyed right below.

  At a position below the relay roller 69 on the front surface of the take-up frame 68, there is a guide device 72 that guides the continuous paper 12 conveyed from the relay roller 69 directly downward along the conveyance direction (downward here). Is provided. A relay roller 73 is rotatably provided at a position below the guide device 72 on the front surface of the take-up frame 68, and the continuous paper 12 conveyed and guided downward via the guide device 72 is left on the relay roller 73. Is wound around and conveyed toward the lower right.

  A winding drive shaft 74 extending forward is supported on the front surface of the winding frame 68 diagonally to the right of the relay roller 73 so as to be rotatable with respect to the winding frame 68. The continuous paper 12 conveyed from the relay roller 73 toward the lower right is wound around the winding drive shaft 74, and the continuous paper 12 is wound around the winding drive shaft 74 by rotationally driving the winding drive shaft 74. Are wound up sequentially.

  A disc-shaped rotating plate 75 that rotates integrally with the take-up drive shaft 74 is provided at the base end of the take-up drive shaft 74, and the rotary plate 75 winds the continuous paper 12 by the take-up drive shaft 74. When taking, it functions as a guide for allowing the continuous paper 12 to be taken up accurately.

  Next, the arrangement configuration of the maintenance means, which is a characteristic part in the present embodiment, will be described in detail. Since the arrangement of the flushing boxes 58a and 58b and the maintenance unit 59 as maintenance means is basically the same, the arrangement of the flushing boxes 58a and 58b will be described here.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the pair of flushing boxes 58 a and 58 b are arranged at positions on the platen 48 on the outer side in the transport direction of the continuous paper 12 with respect to the platen 48. Further, the continuous paper 12 positioned on the platen 48 is wound around a relay roller 46 as a guide means on the upstream side of the platen 48 in the transport direction (left and right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2). It is guided so as to pass through the flushing box 58a and to take a substantially vertical conveyance path below the flushing box 58a. That is, the left flushing box 58 a switches the guide direction of the continuous paper 12 from the substantially vertical conveyance path guided by the relay rollers 40 and 46 and the guide device 43 to the horizontal conveyance path introduced into the platen 48. It is arranged at a position on the outer side (left side) in the transport direction on the platen 48 than the relay roller 46.

  Further, the continuous paper 12 positioned on the platen 48 is wound around a conversion roller 49 as a guide means on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the platen 48, and passes between the platen 48 and the right flushing box 58b. It is guided so as to take a substantially vertical conveyance path downward. That is, the right flushing box 58b switches the guiding direction of the continuous paper 12 from the horizontal conveying path led out from the platen 48 to the substantially vertical conveying path guided by the conversion roller 49 and the reverse roller 61. The roller 49 is disposed on the platen 48 at a position on the outer side (right side) in the transport direction.

  In the substantially vertical conveyance path guided by the relay rollers 40 and 46, the guide device 43, and the like, the continuous paper 12 is guided with an inclination that does not reach the lower side of the left flushing box 58a. In this embodiment, the inclination is an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the continuous paper 12 on the platen 48, and the continuous paper that passes below the flushing box 58a due to the presence of the substantially vertical conveyance path. 12 position is kept away from the flushing box 58a. For this reason, the position of the continuous paper 12 between the relay roller 40 and the raising / lowering roller 42 is set to a position sufficiently away from the lower side of the flushing box 58a. In the present embodiment, in order to keep the continuous paper 12 below the flushing box 58 a, the substantially vertical conveyance path guided by the relay rollers 40 and 46, the guide device 43, and the like has a height of the continuous paper 12 on the platen 48. For example, it is set to a range of 20 cm or more vertically downward from the position. This 20 cm is a distance sufficient for mist generated when ink droplets are ejected from the recording head 54 to the flushing box 58a to be scattered (diluted) into the air before reaching the continuous paper 12. As long as the distance is 20 cm or more in the vertical direction, the conveyance path may be an oblique path inclined at a predetermined angle. In this example, since the conveyance path from the relay roller 40 to the lifting roller 42 is further lowered, the recording head 54 disposed at the flushing position facing the upper surface (opening surface) of the flushing box 58a. The distance from the nozzle 54b (see FIG. 3) to the continuous paper 12 passing therebelow clearly exceeds 20 cm.

  Since the maintenance unit 59 is positioned substantially adjacent to the upstream side (left side) of the continuous paper 12 in the transport direction on the platen 48 relative to the left side flushing box 58a, the same arrangement condition as that of the flushing box 58a is satisfied. doing. Here, the pull-in driving roller 36 that determines the conveyance path of the upstream side portion of the continuous paper 12 from the lifting roller 42 is disposed at a lower position than the relay roller 40. For this reason, the position of the continuous paper 12 passing under the maintenance unit 59 is sufficiently far (20 cm or more) away from the nozzle forming surface 54a at the maintenance position arranged at the position facing the cap 59a and the wiper 59b of the maintenance unit 59. .

  On the other hand, in the substantially vertical conveyance path guided by the conversion roller 49 and the reverse roller 61, the continuous paper 12 is guided with an inclination that does not reach the lower side of the right flushing box 58b. In this embodiment, the inclination is an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the continuous paper 12 on the platen 48, and the continuous paper that passes below the flushing box 58b due to the presence of the substantially vertical conveyance path. 12 position is kept away from the flushing box 58b. For this reason, the position of the continuous paper 12 between the reversing roller 61 and the relay roller 62 is set at a position sufficiently far below the flushing box 58b. In this embodiment, in order to keep the continuous paper 12 below the flushing box 58 b, the substantially vertical conveyance path guided by the conversion roller 49 and the reverse roller 61 extends from the height position of the continuous paper 12 on the platen 48. For example, it is set in a vertically downward range of 50 cm or more. Note that this distance may be 20 cm or more, and if the distance from the nozzle 54b is 20 cm or more in the vertical direction, the conveyance path may be an oblique path inclined at a predetermined angle. In this example, the conveyance path from the reversing roller 61 to the relay roller 62 is slightly inclined, but the recording head 54 disposed at the flushing position facing the upper surface (opening surface) of the flushing box 58b. The distance from the nozzle 54b (see FIG. 3) to the continuous paper 12 passing therebelow clearly exceeds 20 cm.

  Note that the distance until the extension line in the ink droplet ejection direction from the nozzle 54b at the flushing position intersects the transport path of the continuous paper 12 is sufficiently long. For example, the interval (flashing gap) between the nozzle forming surface 54a of the recording head 54 and the flushing boxes 58a and 58b during printing is about 1 to 5 mm, but is 20 to 50 cm. That is, a distance of about 40 to 500 times the platen gap is secured. In this example, the distance from the nozzle 54b to be maintained to the intersection with the path of the continuous paper 12 in the vertical direction is ensured as 20 cm or more as described above. Further, also in the left-right direction intersecting with the ink droplet ejection direction at the time of flushing, the flushing boxes 58a and 58b are separated from the horizontal part end of the continuous paper 12, that is, the winding part (roller part) for changing the conveyance path. The distance is also secured about 1 to 5 cm. For this reason, even if the ink droplet at the time of flushing floats as a mist, the mist is dispersed before reaching the position where it crosses the continuous paper 12 or the horizontal portion of the continuous paper 12 on the platen 48 side. The platen 48 does not adhere to the continuous paper 12 as well.

  Next, the configuration of the flushing unit including the flushing box will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the left flushing box is different from that of the right flushing box. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a flushing unit shown by a cross section obtained by cutting the left flushing box along a plane parallel to the transport direction, and FIG. 4 shows a cross section obtained by cutting the right flushing box along a plane parallel to the transport direction. It is a schematic block diagram of a flushing unit.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the flushing box 58 a constituting the flushing unit 80 is disposed at an outer (left side) position with the relay roller 46 sandwiched between the platen 48 and the platen 48. The flushing box 58a has a box 81 having an outer shape of a square plate and an ink absorbing material 83 arranged in two layers on both the left and right sides of the receiving hole 82 opened at the upper end of the box 81. The box 81 is arranged so that the upper end is positioned at substantially the same height as the upper surface of the platen 48. When the carriage 51 is moved to the flushing position shown in FIG. A predetermined distance (flushing gap) suitable for flushing is secured between them.

  On the nozzle formation surface 54 a of the recording head 54, nozzles 54 b in the same number (for example, four) as the ink color are formed. The left flushing box 58a has a configuration in which the recording head 54 performs flushing one row at a time, and the receiving hole 82 has an opening width capable of receiving ink droplets for one row of nozzles. The receiving holes 82 are opened in a range slightly longer than the nozzle row length in the nozzle row direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3).

  The flushing unit 80 shown in FIG. 3 includes the flushing box 58a, a fan device 85 connected through a duct hose 84 to generate a suction airflow in the box 81, and a waste liquid tube for discharging the waste liquid in the box 81. 86. A duct hose 84 is connected to an exhaust pipe 81 a provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the side portion of the box 81. In addition, a waste liquid tube 86 is connected to the tube portion 81 b that is formed to protrude from the bottom of the box 81.

  A pair of support plate portions 81 c that support the ink absorbing material 83 are formed on the inner upper portion of the box 81. Further, in the space on the bottom side of the pair of support plate portions 81c in the box 81, a plurality of (six in this example) extending portions 81d, 81e are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. It is arranged so as to extend alternately from the wall surface. The plurality of extending portions 81d, 81e extend in the horizontal direction longer than half the width in the left-right direction in the box 81, and the box 81 is provided in the box 81 by the left and right extending portions 81d, 81e. A labyrinth-shaped air flow path 87 (labyrinth structure) that repeatedly snakes is formed.

  The uppermost extending portion 81d is arranged in an oblique posture with respect to the horizontal plane, and the waste ink introduced through the receiving hole 82 during the flushing flows on the upper surface of the extending portion 81d and falls downward. It flows down to the bottom part in the box 81 through each extending part 81e. Moreover, the plurality of lower (five in this example) extending portions 81e extend substantially horizontally. The plurality of lower extending portions 81e can also be formed in a slanted shape so that the upper surface is inclined, and the waste ink can flow down along the inclined surface of the extending portion 81e.

  The fan device 85 is electrically connected to the control unit CT and is driven and controlled by the control unit CT. When the fan device 85 is driven, the air in the box 81 is exhausted through the duct hose 84, and the box 81 becomes negative pressure so that it flows into the receiving hole 82 and the labyrinth-like air flow path 87 is moved to the bottom side. A suction airflow that flows toward it is generated.

Next, the structure of the flushing unit having the right flushing box will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the flushing box 58 b constituting the flushing unit 90 is disposed on the outer side (right side) of the platen 48 with the conversion roller 49 interposed therebetween. The flushing box 58b includes a box 91 having a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and a pair of ink absorbing materials 93 disposed on both left and right sides of the receiving hole 92 that opens at the upper end of the box 91. The box 91 is arranged so that the upper end is positioned at substantially the same height as the upper surface of the platen 48. When the carriage 51 is moved to the flushing position shown in FIG. A predetermined distance (flushing gap) suitable for flushing is secured between them.

  The right flushing box 58b has a configuration in which the recording head 54 performs flushing of the four rows of nozzles 54b at a time, and the receiving hole 92 has an opening width that can receive ink droplets for the four rows of nozzles. . The receiving holes 92 are opened in a range slightly longer than the nozzle row length in the nozzle row direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 4).

  The flushing unit 90 supplies cleaning water into the box 91 from an upper end position near the receiving hole 92 and the fan device 95 connected through the duct 94 to generate a suction airflow in the box 91. And a waste liquid discharger 97 for discharging the waste liquid in the box 91 to the waste liquid tank T. The duct 94 is disposed on the right side of the box 81 so as to communicate with the exhaust port 91 a that opens near the lower end of the right side of the box 91. Further, a waste liquid tube 98 connected to the waste liquid tank T is connected to the pipe portion 91 b protruding from the bottom of the box 91.

  A pair of support plate portions 91 c that support the ink absorbing material 93 extend horizontally from the left and right inner wall surfaces at the upper part inside the box 91. In the box 91, a plurality of (five in this example) extending portions 91d, 91e, 91f, 91g are predetermined in the vertical direction (depth direction) in the space on the bottom side of the pair of support plate portions 91c. And are arranged so as to extend from the inner wall surface. A maze-like air flow path 99 (labyrinth structure) is formed in the box 91 by the plurality of extending portions 91d, 91e, 91f, 91g.

  The uppermost extending portions 91d and 91e extend obliquely from the substantially same height position of the left and right inner wall surfaces toward the front end side, and the waste ink introduced through the receiving hole 92 during flushing is this It lands on the upper surface of the extension portion 91d and flows through the upper surface (slope) to drop to the lower extension portion 91e. The upper surface of the extending portion 91e is formed on a slope that is highest at the substantially central portion in the left-right direction where the waste ink falls and descends as the distance from the central portion increases to the left and right sides. In addition, below the extension portion 91e, two extension portions 91f and 91g extend alternately from different height positions on the left and right inner wall surfaces. For this reason, the waste ink flows down from the left and right sides of the second extending portion 91e to the upper surfaces of the extending portions 91f and 91g disposed on the lower side. The waste ink on the extending portion 91f further flows down to the upper surface of the extending portion 91g, and finally flows from the upper surface of the extending portion 91g to the bottom of the box 91.

  The fan device 95 is electrically connected to the control unit CT and is driven and controlled by the control unit CT. When the fan device 95 is driven, the air in the box 91 is exhausted through the duct 94, and the negative pressure in the box 91 flows into the receiving hole 92 so that the maze-like air flow path 99 moves toward the bottom side. A flowing suction airflow is generated. The ink droplets ejected from the nozzles 54b of the recording head 54 are dispersed and become mist in the middle of landing on the upper surface of the extending portion 91d through the receiving hole 92, or the upper surface of the extending portion 91d and the ink absorbing material 93. When it hits the top surface and bounces, it becomes a mist. The mist generated during the flushing is sucked into the box 91 through the receiving hole 92 by the suction airflow, and the mist once trapped in the box 91 is temporarily stopped even if the driving of the fan device 95 is stopped. , Trapped in a maze-like air flow path 99. A filter (not shown) is provided at a position upstream of the fan devices 85 and 95 in the exhaust direction, and mist in the exhausted air is captured by the filter.

  In addition, in the example of FIG. 4, although the cross section which cut | disconnected the flushing box 58b by the vertical plane parallel to a conveyance direction is shown, it is a cross section cut | disconnected by the vertical plane parallel to the width direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction with respect to this. When viewed, a configuration in which a plurality of extending portions extend from at least one inner wall surface of the left and right inner wall surfaces in the arrangement pattern shown in FIG. In this case, a configuration in which the arrangement units of the extending portions shown in FIG. 4 are repeatedly arranged in the longitudinal direction (width direction) of the flushing box 58b can be employed. Further, as long as the labyrinth structure is obtained, the extending direction and inclination of the extending portion and the extending inner wall surface can be selected as appropriate.

  The moisturizing device 96 includes a moisturizing tank 100, a supply tube 101 extending from the lower portion of the moisturizing tank 100 in order to supply the cleaning liquid R in the moisturizing tank 100 into the box 91, and an open / close valve provided on the supply tube 101. 102. The supply tube 101 is branched into two at a downstream position of the opening / closing valve 102, and each of the branched supply tubes 101a and 101b is a liquid supply part 91h comprising a flow path (communication hole) penetrating the upper left and right side walls of the box 91. It is connected to the. The on-off valve 102 is an electromagnetic on-off valve, and is electrically connected to the control unit CT, and is opened and closed by excitation and demagnetization control by the control unit CT. The moisturizing tank 100 is disposed such that the liquid level of the cleaning liquid R is pressurized with pressurized air or the like, or the liquid level of the cleaning liquid R can be positioned higher than the liquid supply unit 91h.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit CT opens the open / close valve 102 during flushing, and supplies the cleaning liquid R in the moisturizing tank 100 from the liquid supply unit 91h into the box 91 through the supply tube 101. Each liquid supply part 91h is located corresponding to the base part (inclination direction upper part) of the uppermost extension part 91d, and the cleaning liquid R supplied from the liquid supply part 91h is the upper surface of the uppermost extension part 91d. To wash away. However, the liquid supply amount may be small, and may be a liquid amount that allows all the ink droplets at the time of flushing to flow down to the bottom of the box 91, but may be a small liquid amount that slightly dilutes the ink droplets. . In this embodiment, “water” is used as the cleaning liquid. Of course, the cleaning liquid can be used other than water, for example, a rinsing liquid, the same component as the solvent or dispersion medium of the ink, or a liquid of the main component of the solvent or dispersion medium, or a known liquid compatible or dispersible with the ink. be able to.

Next, a flushing operation performed during printing will be described.
Now, during printing, the control unit CT manages the flushing time. When the controller CT recognizes that a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 20 seconds) has elapsed since the end of the previous flushing, the control unit CT moves the recording head 54 to the flushing position to perform the flushing. At this time, of the flushing positions corresponding to the two flushing boxes 58a and 58b, the recording head 54 is moved to the flushing position closer to the end position of the printing being executed when the flushing time is reached. Note that flushing may be performed by moving the recording head 54 to the flushing position every time printing is completed.

  For example, the recording head 54 moves to the flushing box 58a on the left side (upstream side) and performs flushing in four times for each nozzle row while sequentially switching the nozzle row facing the receiving hole 82. For example, when the recording head 54 moves to the right (downstream) flushing box 58a, the four nozzle rows are arranged at the flushing positions shown in FIG. At once.

  When flushing is performed by any of these flushing boxes 58a and 58b, the conveyance path is changed to the outside of the platen 48 in the conveyance direction and the continuous paper 12 is conveyed (left relay roller 46 or right conversion roller 49). It moves to an outer position that is opposite to the platen 48. In this flushing position, a space for disposing the relay roller 46 or the conversion roller 49 is separated from the platen 48, and the flushing position is located at a certain distance from the platen 48. Therefore, there is no fear that mist or the like at the time of flushing reaches the platen 48 and contaminates it. In addition, since the necessary distance is separated from the continuous paper 12, there is no need to worry about the continuous paper 12 being soiled by mist or the like. In addition, since the recording head 54 only needs to move to the flushing box 58a or 58b during flushing, it is not necessary to provide a separate movement mechanism dedicated to flushing. For this reason, since an operation such as switching of the moving direction of the recording head 54 is unnecessary, the time required to reach the flushing position is relatively short, and the time required for flushing can be kept short.

  Even if the width size of the continuous paper 12 is changed, the distance in the horizontal direction between the flushing position and the continuous paper 12 is determined by the position of the conveyance direction change point, and is constant regardless of the width size of the continuous paper. Regardless of the size, contamination of the continuous paper 12 due to mist during flushing can be effectively suppressed. For example, in the conventional configuration in which the flushing box is arranged on the outer side in the width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the continuous paper, when continuous paper having a large width size is used, the flushing position and the width direction edge of the continuous paper approach, There was a concern of smearing the continuous paper due to mist during the flushing box, but there is no such concern.

  Further, the substantially vertical conveyance path guided by the relay roller 46 or the like has a position of 20 cm or more downward from the height position of the continuous paper 12 on the platen 48, and the position of the continuous paper 12 passing below the left flushing box 58a. Can be moved away from the flushing box 58a. Therefore, it is also possible to avoid staining the upstream portion of the continuous paper 12 with the mist from the upstream conveyance path changing portion.

  Further, the substantially vertical conveyance path guided by the conversion roller 49 or the like is 50 cm or more downward from the height position of the continuous paper 12 on the platen 48, and the continuous paper 12 passing below the right flushing box 58b is placed. The position can be moved away from the flushing box 58b. Therefore, it is also possible to avoid staining the downstream portion of the continuous paper 12 with the mist from the downstream conveyance path changing portion.

Here, when the flushing box 58b on the right side is flushed, the following control is performed by the control unit CT.
The control unit CT drives a carriage motor (not shown) to move the recording head 54 to the flushing position, and confirms that the recording head 54 has reached the flushing position based on an encoder signal from a linear encoder (not shown). When recognized, the driving of the carriage motor is stopped. Then, flushing is performed by ejecting ink droplets unrelated to printing from the nozzles by driving the ejection driving element of the recording head 54. Prior to the start of flushing, the control unit CT drives the fan device 95 to generate a suction airflow that flows into the receiving hole 92. Even if the ink droplets ejected by flushing become mist during the flight, or collide with the ink absorbing material 93, the extension 91d, etc. and become mist, the mist generated outside the receiving hole 92 is sucked airflow. As a result, the mist that flows into the receiving hole 92 and is generated in the box 91 is also sucked to the bottom side and is captured in the box 91 together. In the box 91, the mist is captured by colliding with and adhering to the wall surfaces of the extension portions 91d, 91e, 91f, and 91g. In addition, even after the drive of the fan device 95 is stopped, the inside of the box 91 is a maze-like air flow path 99. Therefore, even if the mist once trapped in the box 91 is in a floating state, it remains in the box 91. It is captured and does not scatter from the receiving hole 92 to the outside.

  Further, the control unit CT opens the on-off valve 102 in accordance with the timing at the time of flushing or immediately after flushing. As a result, the cleaning liquid R in the moisturizing tank 100 is supplied into the box 91 from the two liquid supply portions 91h through the supply tube 101. At this time, the cleaning liquid R flows from the liquid supply part 91h to the upper surface of the uppermost extension part 91d, or is dropped intermittently. As a result, the waste ink (including mist) adhering to the upper surface of the extending portion 91d or the like by flushing is washed away or diluted by the cleaning liquid R.

  Then, the waste liquid washed away or diluted by the cleaning liquid R flows down to the bottom of the box 91 through the upper surfaces of the extending portions 91d, 91e, 91f, 91g, and is discharged to the waste liquid tank T through the waste liquid tube 98. The Note that the supply of the cleaning liquid R is not limited to the configuration that is performed at the timing that is matched with the flushing, and for example, a configuration in which the cleaning liquid R is continuously dropped during printing can be employed. The fan devices 85 and 95 can also be configured to be continuously driven during printing, for example.

As described above, according to the embodiment described in detail, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Flushing boxes 58a and 58b as maintenance means and a maintenance unit 59 are wound around the continuous paper 12 around the platen 48 at a position on the outer side in the conveyance direction, and the conveyance path passes between the platen 48 and the maintenance means. The relay roller 46 or the conversion roller 49 serving as a guiding means for guiding is arranged at a position that is on the outer side in the transport direction. Therefore, since the maintenance position (including the flushing position and the wiping position) can be set away from the platen 48, the platen 48 can be prevented from being soiled by the ink mist generated during the maintenance. As a result, it is possible to avoid printing defects in which the ink attached to the platen 48 stains the back surface of the continuous paper 12. Further, since the maintenance position can be separated from the continuous paper 12, the continuous paper 12 is not soiled by ink mist during maintenance.

  (2) The continuous paper 12 is guided downwardly between the maintenance means (flushing boxes 58a, 58b, maintenance unit 59) and the platen 48 by the guide means (relay roller 46, conversion roller 49), and the guide means The conveyance path to the two guide means (relay roller 40, reversing roller 61) is set to an inclination (substantially right angle) away from the maintenance means. Therefore, the continuous paper 12 can be moved downward from the maintenance means at least by the distance of the transport path. Therefore, it is possible to effectively avoid the situation where the ink mist generated during the maintenance stains the continuous paper 12. In addition, since this inclination is set at a substantially right angle, the path length of the transport path for moving the continuous paper 12 away from the maintenance means can be arbitrarily adjusted to the required length, and the ink mist drop direction and the transport path direction Are substantially parallel to each other, so that mist hardly adheres to the surface of the continuous paper 12.

  (3) The conveyance path in the substantially vertical direction is set to a range extending 20 cm or more from the height position of the continuous paper 12 on the platen 48 to the lower side in the vertical direction. For this reason, the position of the continuous paper 12 passing under the maintenance means can be sufficiently separated from the nozzle forming surface 54a (or the nozzle 54b) of the recording head 54 at the time of maintenance. Even if the mist at the time of flushing flows downward through the sides of the flushing boxes 58a and 58b, the mist is dispersed (diluted) in the air before reaching the continuous paper 12 below, so that the continuous paper 12 Will not pollute you.

  (4) Since there are two movement directions of the recording head 54 with respect to the platen 48, the recording head 54 only needs to move in one of the movement directions during flushing. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide a moving mechanism for moving the recording head 54 during flushing. In this case, since the operation of switching the moving direction of the recording head 54 to a substantially orthogonal direction during maintenance is unnecessary, the time required to reach the maintenance position can be shortened, and the required maintenance time can be reduced.

  (5) A liquid supply portion 91h is provided in the vicinity of the receiving hole 92 of the flushing box 58b, and on the upper surface of the uppermost extension portion 91d among the plurality of extension portions forming the labyrinth-like air flow path 99 in the box 91. The cleaning liquid R is supplied. Therefore, since the waste ink adhering to the extending portions 91d, 91e, 91f, 91g forming the labyrinth-like air flow path 99 is caused to flow by the cleaning liquid R, the dried and solidified waste ink adheres to these surfaces. There is no. For example, if the waste ink is left in the vicinity of the receiving hole 92 such as on the uppermost extension portion 91d, crystals of solid components in the ink (for example, needle-like crystals and columnar crystals) will grow over time. It may be deposited near the receiving hole 92 such as above and protrude outward from the receiving hole 92. In addition, once the waste ink such as on the extension portion 91d is thickened and dried and solidified, it does not flow down even with the ink ejected later, and the ink dry solidified matter gradually accumulates and grows and protrudes outward from the receiving hole 92. It can happen. In this case, when the recording head 54 moves to the flushing position, ink solidified deposits or crystals contact the nozzle forming surface 54a of the recording head 54, and the nozzle forming surface 54a is contaminated or the deposits or crystals are broken. It is worried that it may be peeled off and scattered. However, according to the present embodiment, the waste ink at the time of flushing is washed away from the extension portions 91d, 91e, 91f, and 91g by the cleaning liquid R, so that the growth of the ink solidified deposit and the precipitation of the crystals are hindered. Contamination of the continuous paper 12, the platen 48, the nozzle forming surface 54 a, and the like due to contamination of the nozzle forming surface 54 a due to generation of objects and crystals and scattering of peeled materials can be avoided.

  (6) Since the cleaning liquid R is supplied at the time of flushing or immediately after flushing, the waste ink at the time of flushing can be washed away before thickening and drying. Therefore, generation of ink solidified deposits can be effectively avoided. In particular, when the ink ejected from the nozzles 54b of the recording head 54 is supplied at the timing of landing on the cleaning liquid R, it is immediately diluted and flowed without adhering to the extending portion 91d. For example, if the ink has a relatively high viscosity, once it adheres to the wall surface of the extending portion 91d, the washing liquid R is difficult to reach the adhesion interface, and there is a concern that the washing action may be weakened. However, according to the present embodiment, there is no such concern, and even ink having a relatively high viscosity can be effectively washed away.

  (7) Since the airflow suction operation by driving the fan device 95 and the supply operation of the cleaning liquid R are performed almost simultaneously, the mist sucked and collected during the flushing and the waste ink extending portion 91d received during the flushing are performed. , 91e, 91f, 91g can be washed away from the upper surface. At this time, since the flow (velocity) of the cleaning liquid R is accelerated by the suction airflow, the washing effect can be enhanced, and the mist collides with the cleaning liquid flowing on the wall surface of the air flow path 99 to reduce the floating mist. Is also effective.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
-In the said embodiment, you may provide a moisture retention apparatus in the flushing box 58a of FIG. Further, the pair of flushing boxes provided on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the printing area A (that is, the platen 48) may be the structure of the flushing box 58b shown in FIG.

  -You may abolish the fan apparatus as a negative pressure provision means which provides a negative pressure in a flushing box. In this case, for example, the cleaning liquid R may be supplied at the same time as the flushing, and the mist or the like may be sucked into the receiving hole 92 by the descending airflow that is generated when the cleaning liquid R flows down.

  The flushing box as the liquid receiving unit may be arranged only on one of the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the platen 48. However, when providing one flushing box, it is desirable to provide it on the home position side where the maintenance unit 59 is disposed. This is because when the printing is started from the capping state, the moving distance of the carriage for the flushing performed before the start of printing can be shortened.

  -Place the platen in a direction where the target support surface of the platen is a vertical surface, and arrange the ink droplets to be ejected horizontally from the liquid ejecting head to the continuous paper, and further arrange the platen surface downward. A configuration in which the liquid ejecting head ejects ink droplets upward can also be employed.

  ・ The timing for supplying cleaning water can be changed as appropriate. For example, the configuration may be such that the number of times of flushing is counted and cleaning water is supplied each time the number of counts reaches a predetermined number. Alternatively, the cleaning liquid may be supplied every time a print job is completed. Further, the cleaning liquid may be continuously supplied during the printing operation.

  In the above embodiment, the flushing unit is applied to a label printer for continuous paper printing, but it can also be applied to a printer for printing cut paper. Further, the carriage movement direction (main scanning direction) is not limited to the target conveyance direction, and the carriage can be applied to a printer that can move with the width direction intersecting the target conveyance direction as the main scanning direction. Furthermore, the recording head is not limited to a line printer that uses a line recording method, but can be applied to a serial printer that uses a serial recording method. The line recording type recording head is not limited to the type in which the recording head moves in the main scanning direction together with the carriage, and the line recording type recording head is fixed at a predetermined position, and a liquid is ejected to a target conveyed at a constant speed. It can also be applied to other line printers. The line recording type recording head can employ a configuration in which a plurality of unit recording heads are arranged or a configuration in which a single long line head is used.

  The cleaning liquid supply means is not limited to the structure that supplies the cleaning liquid as it is, but may be configured to supply the cleaning liquid in the form of steam or mist, for example. Even in this configuration, if the steam or mist adheres to the wall surface in the box 91 and aggregates in the form of droplets, the flow of the cleaning liquid gradually occurs, so that the waste ink can be flowed. It is also possible to drop the floating ink mist by capturing and aggregating the cleaning liquid mist in the air. Further, even if the mist amount is such that no flow can occur, it is possible to reflow the waste ink that has been increased in viscosity and decreased in fluidity and then flowed down.

  -The liquid receiving part is not limited to the flushing box. The cap of the maintenance device can also be a liquid receiving part. In this case, the cap 59a may be provided with a liquid supply unit connected to the moisturizing tank of the moisturizing device, and the cleaning liquid may be supplied into the cap. In this configuration, the negative pressure applying means may be configured to suck and collect the mist into the cap using a cleaning suction pump (tube pump) instead of the fan device. Further, a liquid receiving hole may be formed at the end of the platen to form a liquid receiving portion. In this case, a waste liquid tank in which an ink absorbing material is stored under the platen is configured, and cleaning liquid is supplied from the vicinity of the inlet of the liquid receiving hole, and the cleaning liquid is absorbed by the ink absorbing material after washing out the waste ink. The configuration is as follows.

  The arrangement position of the flushing box as the liquid receiving portion is not limited to the position where the printing area (liquid ejection area) is removed. For example, a head-fixed line recording method may be used in which flushing is performed on a cap (liquid receiving portion) disposed immediately below the recording head.

-The target is not limited to paper such as continuous paper, and a resin film, cloth, metal tape, or the like can also be used.
In the above embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus is embodied in the ink jet printer 11, but other liquids other than ink (liquid bodies in which particles of functional material are dispersed or mixed in the liquid, flow bodies such as gels) May be embodied in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid. The “liquid” in the present specification includes, for example, an inorganic solvent, an organic solvent, a solution, a liquid resin, a liquid metal (metal melt), and the like, as well as a liquid and a fluid.

1 is a schematic front view of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a carriage of the printer. The partially broken schematic front view which shows the positional relationship of an upstream flushing unit and a continuous paper conveyance mechanism. The partially broken schematic front view which shows the positional relationship of the flushing unit and downstream continuous paper conveyance mechanism of a downstream side.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Inkjet-type printer as a liquid ejecting apparatus, 12 ... Continuous paper as a target, 18 ... Winding shaft that constitutes the conveying means, 21 ... Relay roller that constitutes the conveying means, 36 ... Pull-in driving roller that constitutes the conveying means DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 40 ... Relay roller which comprises conveyance means, 42 ... Elevating roller which comprises conveyance means, 46 ... Relay roller, 48 ... Platen, 49 ... Conversion roller, 50 ... Guide rail which comprises movement means, 51 ... Liquid injection means Carriage constituting 54, recording head constituting liquid ejecting means, 54a ... nozzle forming surface, 54b ... nozzle constituting nozzle group, 58a ... flushing box, 58b ... flushing box as liquid receiving portion, 59 ... maintenance unit, 59a... Cap, 61. , Relay roller constituting the conveying means, 69 a relay roller constituting the conveying means, 73 a relay roller constituting the conveying means, 74 a winding drive shaft constituting the conveying means, 80 ... Flushing unit, 90 ... Flushing unit, 91 ... Box, 91d ... Extension part where liquid first lands, 91e, 91f, 91g ... Extension part, 91h ... Liquid supply part, 92 ... Reception hole as a receiving port, 93 ... Ink absorbing material, 94 ... Duct, 95 ... Exhaust fan device as negative pressure applying means, 96 ... Moisturizing device as cleaning liquid supply means, 98 ... Waste liquid tube, 99 ... Air flow path as maze-shaped flow path, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Moisturizing tank, 101 ... Supply tube, 102 ... Opening / closing valve, CT ... Control part, A ... Printing area as liquid ejection area, R ... Cleaning liquid.

Claims (6)

In a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target,
Conveying means for conveying the target;
Liquid ejecting means for ejecting liquid onto the conveyed target;
The liquid ejecting means receives the liquid ejected for the purpose of disposal from the receiving port, and a plurality of extending portions forming a labyrinth-shaped flow path are positioned on the lower side in the gravity direction toward the tip side. A liquid receiving portion provided in an inclined state ;
A liquid absorbent material that is provided on both sides of the receiving port in the liquid receiving portion and absorbs the liquid that has landed;
The liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting means and received from the receiving port to the liquid receiving portion is more than the liquid absorbent to the upper surface of the uppermost extension portion on which the first landing is made among the plurality of extension portions. a cleaning liquid supply means for supply supplying a cleaning liquid from a supply port provided in a lower position,
A liquid ejecting apparatus characterized by have a Bei Ete. Further comprising a negative pressure applying means for applying the negative pressure to the liquid receptacle in order to generate the suction airflow flowing into acceptance port of the liquid receiving section,
2. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the negative pressure applying unit has an exhaust port lower than an extension portion positioned on the lowermost side in the gravity direction among the extension portions. The plurality of extending portions are configured such that the cleaning liquid that has dropped in the direction of gravity from the distal end portion of one extending portion is deposited on a position on the base side of another extending portion that is lower than the extending portion. the liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that you have been placed. The cleaning liquid supply means, any one of the claims 1 to 3 wherein the liquid is characterized by being configured to supply the cleaning liquid at a timing landed against the cleaning liquid flowing through the extending portion top The liquid ejecting apparatus according to 1. The said washing | cleaning liquid supply means is comprised so that a washing | cleaning liquid may be supplied at the timing which flushes after the said liquid lands on the said extension part, The Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Liquid ejector. The liquid receiving part includes a receiving port, and further includes negative pressure applying means for applying a negative pressure in the liquid receiving unit to generate a suction airflow flowing into the receiving port.
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the negative pressure applying unit is driven prior to the ejection of the liquid to the liquid receiving unit by the liquid ejecting unit .

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