JP6977350B2 - Liquid discharge device and liquid discharge method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for discharging a liquid and a method for discharging the liquid.

In recent years, in the field of precision painting, attempts have been made to use an inkjet head to paint only where necessary, and to reduce the amount of paint that is unnecessarily scattered without being painted.
Inkjet heads have the above-mentioned advantages over spray nozzles, but paints used for painting often use highly volatile solvents and functional paints in which various fine particles are dispersed. Therefore, the number of nozzles is larger than that of the spray nozzle, the nozzle diameter is small, and the nozzles are likely to be clogged when the above-mentioned paint is used, so that non-ejection or ejection abnormality is likely to occur.
Therefore, as a conventional technique for solving the above problem, there are the following.

Patent Document 1 is to wipe off the ink on the nozzle surface with an ink receiving member having a plurality of protrusions, and then wipe off the nozzle surface while the roller-shaped wipe member rotates.
However, in Patent Document 1, the nozzle surface is wiped off with an ink receiving member having a plurality of protrusions, but the head surface is wiped off in a state where a large amount of discharged liquid containing high-hardness fine particles is exuded. If this is the case, the fine particles attached to the periphery of the nozzle hole will be damaged by repeated rubbing, resulting in a problem that the life of the head is shortened.
Further, even if the roller member is rotated and wiped off, the solute (resin or fine particles) of the discharged liquid adhering to the nozzle surface cannot be completely removed, so that unstable discharge such as non-discharge or discharge bending is likely to occur.

Patent Document 2 wipes the head with a droplet ejection head while feeding a wiping sheet to which a cleaning liquid is uniformly applied by using a roll mechanism.
However, in Patent Document 2, the head surface is cleaned while being rubbed with a wiping sheet, but when the head surface is wiped off in a state where a large amount of discharged liquid containing high-hardness fine particles is exuded, the head surface is repeatedly rubbed. As a result, the fine particles adhering to the periphery of the nozzle hole are damaged, resulting in a problem that the head life is shortened.
Further, in order to completely wipe off a large amount of exuded liquid with a thin wiping sheet, it is necessary to wipe off while feeding a large number of sheets, which consumes a large amount of wiping sheet, which is costly.

According to Patent Document 3, a plate-shaped or tube-shaped cap made of a solvent-resistant material is immersed in a solvent and then completely adhered to the head while the ejection is stopped, and the nozzle is shielded from the outside air to evaporate the droplet material. It prevents the occurrence of clogging and realizes stable discharge.
However, in Patent Document 3, since the cap uses a fluororesin-based material that does not have a function of absorbing the liquid, when the material comes into direct contact with the nozzle surface, a particularly high volatile solvent is used as the solvent for the discharged liquid. Due to the volatility of the solvent, the solute (resin and fine particles) in the discharged liquid sticks around the nozzle hole, which tends to cause unstable discharge such as non-discharge and discharge bending.
In addition, after the head is separated from the cap, it is discharged without wiping, but in the case of a discharge liquid containing fine particles, when the head is separated from the cap, a large amount of fine particles are discharged around the nozzle hole. These may impair the discharge stability of the discharged liquid and cause non-discharge or unstable discharge.

In Patent Document 4, a solvent is supplied from a solvent tank to the felt laminated on the surface of the wiping member, impregnated with the solvent, and a material such as a resist adhered to or thickened on the nozzle surface of the head is redissolved, and then the protrusion is formed. Scrape off. Further, the wiping member is scrubbed with a brush in a solvent to prevent recontamination of the nozzle surface.
However, in Patent Document 4, since the head surface is rubbed and cleaned, there is a problem that the head life is shortened as in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

According to Patent Document 5, by changing the length of the nozzle row covered by the sealing means in the row direction, the ink suction operation can be performed only on the nozzles that require suction, so that ink consumption can be suppressed and the running cost can be reduced. A short time suction is possible.
However, in Patent Document 5, in the case of a discharge liquid that is a highly volatile solvent and contains fine particles, a large amount of fine particles adhere to the periphery of the nozzle hole only by suction, and these are the discharge stability of the discharge liquid. May cause non-discharge or unstable discharge.
In addition, the wiper blade is used for wiping after suction, but if the wipe is performed after a lapse of time after the suction operation, the solvent volatilizes and thickens, and the nozzle surface is rubbed with a large amount of fine particles remaining. Similar to Documents 1 and 2, there is a problem that the head life is shortened.

As described above, the above-mentioned prior art is not sufficiently compatible with the discharged liquid containing fine particles having high hardness and is a highly volatile solvent, and it is difficult to perform stable discharge from the inkjet head, and the head life is reached. Cannot solve the problem of extremely short.

Further, in Patent Documents 1 to 4, it is necessary to discharge a large amount of paint by purging in order to discharge the thickened paint and air bubbles in the nozzle hole before wiping the head nozzle surface. Therefore, a large amount of expensive functional paint is discarded, resulting in high cost. There is also the problem that it cannot be wiped clean because it is a blade wipe.

In the present invention, good ejection properties can be obtained without purging, and even when the ejected liquid contains high-hardness fine particles, the nozzle surface is kept in a good state for a long period of time, and a good ejection state is maintained for a long period of time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for discharging a liquid capable of discharging the liquid.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a device for discharging a liquid having a liquid discharge head for discharging a liquid containing a solvent from the nozzle surface, and a capping member for capping the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head. A wiping member that wipes the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head, a solvent supply unit that supplies the solvent to the capping member, a pressing unit that presses the capping member, and the solvent held by the capping member or the wiping member. The capping member is capable of holding the solvent inside and / or on the surface, and the nozzle surface is capped while holding the solvent, and the wiping is provided. The member can hold the solvent inside and / or on the surface, and the nozzle surface is wiped while holding the solvent, and the holding amount adjusting section has the solvent supply section and the pressing section. In addition to the solvent supply unit and the pressing unit, the solvent supply unit for the wiping member that supplies the solvent to the wiping member and the pressing unit for the wiping member that presses the wiping member are provided. It is a feature.

According to the present invention, good ejection properties can be obtained without purging, and even when the ejected liquid contains high-hardness fine particles, the nozzle surface is kept in a good state for a long period of time, and a good ejection state is maintained for a long period of time. Can be kept.

It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating an example of a capping member in an example of the apparatus which discharges a liquid of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating an example of the wiping member in the example of the apparatus which discharges a liquid of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the example of wiping in FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating another example of a wiping member in an example of the apparatus which discharges a liquid of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the example of wiping in FIG. It is a schematic plan view of a main part in an example of the apparatus which discharges a liquid of this invention. It is a schematic side view of the main part in the apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic diagram in another example of the apparatus which discharges a liquid of this invention. It is a schematic diagram in another example of the apparatus which discharges a liquid of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the liquid circulation mechanism in an example of the apparatus which discharges a liquid of this invention. It is a schematic diagram (a)-(c) in another example of a capping member. It is schematic diagram (a)-(d) for demonstrating the structure and operation of the comparative example 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the structure of the comparative example 2. It is a photograph which shows the discharge state immediately after discharge and time-lapse in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

Hereinafter, the device for discharging the liquid and the liquid discharging method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and can be modified within the range conceivable by those skilled in the art, such as other embodiments, additions, modifications, and deletions. However, as long as the action and effect of the present invention are exhibited, it is included in the scope of the present invention.

The device for discharging a liquid of the present invention is a device for discharging a liquid including a liquid discharge head for discharging a liquid containing a solvent from a nozzle surface, and is a capping member for capping the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head and the liquid. A wiping member for wiping the nozzle surface of the discharge head is provided, and the capping member can hold the solvent inside and / or on the surface, and the nozzle surface is capped while holding the solvent, and the wiping is performed. The member is capable of holding the solvent inside and / or on the surface, and is characterized in that the nozzle surface is wiped while holding the solvent.

Further, the liquid discharge method of the present invention is a liquid discharge method in which a liquid containing a solvent is discharged from a nozzle surface by a liquid discharge head, and the liquid discharge step of discharging the liquid and the liquid discharge head by a capping member. It has a capping step of capping the nozzle surface of the liquid, and a wiping step of wiping the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head with a wiping member, and the capping member can hold the solvent inside and / or on the surface. The nozzle surface is capped while holding the solvent, and the wiping member can hold the solvent inside and / or on the surface, and the nozzle surface is wiped while holding the solvent. do.

<Liquid>
The liquid (also referred to as a discharge liquid, ink, etc.) discharged by the liquid discharge head contains a solvent and, if necessary, other components.
The solvent can be appropriately changed, and examples thereof include tetrahydrofuran (THF), cyclohexanone (anone), cyclopentanone and the like. One of these may be used, or two or more thereof may be used.

Examples of other components include resins and fine particles.
Examples of the resin include polycarbonate-based resins and acrylic monomers.

The liquid discharged by the liquid discharge head may appropriately contain fine particles, particularly fine particles having a high hardness, for the purpose of increasing the durability of the coating film after discharge.
Examples of the fine particles include ceramic-based fine particles.
Examples of ceramic-based fine particles include alumina, zirconia, and the like.

The liquid to be discharged may have a viscosity and surface tension that can be discharged from the head, and is not particularly limited, but has a viscosity of 30 mPa · s or less at room temperature, under normal pressure, or by heating or cooling. Is preferable. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, polymerizable compounds, resins, functionalizing materials such as surfactants, biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids and proteins, and calcium. , Solvents, suspensions, emulsions, etc. containing edible materials such as natural pigments, such as inks for inkjets, surface treatment liquids, components of electronic and light emitting elements, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns. It can be used for applications such as liquids and material liquids for three-dimensional modeling.

<Capping member>
Next, a capping member that caps the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head will be described.
The capping member of the present embodiment can hold the solvent inside and / or on the surface, and caps the nozzle surface while holding the solvent. It is preferable that the capping member can hold the solvent inside and on the surface.
When capping, it is sufficient that at least one of the inside and the surface of the capping member, or a part thereof, retains the solvent.

In the present embodiment, the solvent held by the capping member is the same component as the solvent contained in the discharged liquid, instead of using a dedicated cleaning liquid. The discharge liquid contains a solvent and, if necessary, other components such as particles, but the capping member holds the solvent contained in the discharge liquid. Therefore, in the present invention, the solvent held by the capping member is different from the solvent contained in another liquid such as a cleaning liquid.
Further, if the solvent contained in the discharged liquid is changed, the solvent to be retained in the capping member can be changed accordingly.

The shape of the capping member is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a block shape. The size is not particularly limited as long as it can cap the nozzle surface.
When the capping member caps the nozzle surface, it is preferable that the capping member is in close contact with the nozzle surface.

The material of the capping member is appropriately changed depending on the solvent used and the like, and is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and fluororesin.
Further, the capping member is preferably in the form of a sponge that is porous and has a liquid absorbing property, and in this case, it becomes easy to retain the solvent.
It should be noted that in the case of urethane, olefin, etc., for example, when a polar solvent is used, it may be dissolved by the solvent, so caution is required.

The average value of the mesh diameter of the capping member is preferably 30 to 100 μm. In the above range, there is an advantage that the liquid can be quickly absorbed without clogging.
When the discharged liquid contains high-hardness fine particles, the average value of the mesh diameter of the capping member is preferably larger than the particle diameter of the high-hardness fine particles. In this case, when the high-hardness fine particles are attached to the nozzle surface, it is easy to move to the capping member side, and the nozzle surface can be in a cleaner state.

<Wipe member>
Next, a wiping member that wipes the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head will be described.
The wiping member of the present embodiment can hold the solvent inside and / or on the surface, and wipes the nozzle surface while holding the solvent (also referred to as wiping or the like). It is preferable that the wiping member can hold the solvent inside and on the surface.
When wiping, it is sufficient that at least one or a part of the inside and the surface of the wiping member retains the solvent.

In the present embodiment, the solvent held by the wiping member is the same component as the solvent contained in the liquid, instead of using a dedicated cleaning liquid. The liquid contains a solvent and, if necessary, other components such as particles, while the wiping member retains the solvent contained in the liquid. Therefore, in the present invention, the solvent held by the wiping member is different from the solvent contained in another liquid such as a cleaning liquid.
Further, if the solvent contained in the liquid is changed, the solvent to be retained in the wiping member can be changed accordingly.

The shape of the wiping member is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a roller shape and a block shape. The size is not particularly limited as long as it can wipe the nozzle surface.

The material of the wiping member may be appropriately changed depending on the solvent used and the like, and is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and fluororesin.
Further, the wiping member is preferably in the form of a sponge that is porous and has a liquid absorbing property, and in this case, it becomes easy to retain the solvent.
It should be noted that in the case of urethane, olefin, etc., for example, when a polar solvent is used, it may be dissolved by the solvent, so caution is required.

The average value of the mesh diameter of the wiping member is preferably 10 to 100 μm. If it is too large, the grain of the material becomes coarse and it becomes difficult to perform sufficient wiping, and if it is too small, the speed of taking in the discharged liquid and the hard fine particles in the discharged liquid becomes slow, and it becomes difficult to perform sufficient wiping.

<Explanation of action and effect>
A mechanism for obtaining the effect of the present invention by the above configuration will be described.
By capping the capping member on the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head during standby before discharging the discharged liquid, it is possible to prevent the nozzle surface from drying. In addition to this, by using a capping member that retains the solvent contained in the discharged liquid, the liquid (discharged liquid) that seeps out from the nozzle surface due to the permeation action can be appropriately permeated into the capping member, so that the nozzle surface can be permeated. It is possible to prevent the thickened discharge liquid from adhering to the periphery of the nozzle hole.

Even if the discharged liquid contains high-hardness fine particles, the number of high-hardness fine particles adhering to the nozzle surface and the periphery of the nozzle hole can be reduced, and the nozzle surface is damaged by the high-hardness fine particles when wiped by the wiping member. Can be suppressed. As a result, the nozzle surface can be kept in a good state for a long period of time, and a good ejection state can be maintained for a long period of time.

Further, when the liquid discharge head is separated from the capping member, a small amount of the discharged liquid seeps out to the nozzle surface due to the capillary phenomenon of the discharged liquid in the nozzle hole. In the present embodiment, since the nozzle surface is wiped by the wiping member that holds the solvent, the discharged liquid slightly exuded on the nozzle surface is sucked and wiped off at the same time. Therefore, the nozzle surface can be easily cleaned.

In addition, a small amount of high-hardness fine particles adhering to the nozzle surface can easily move to the wiping member side, and the amount of high-hardness fine particles adhering to the nozzle surface can be further reduced. Therefore, the nozzle surface is damaged by the high-hardness fine particles during wiping. It is possible to further suppress this, and it is possible to maintain good ejection properties for a long period of time.

As described above, since the discharged liquid can be prevented from thickening and drying in the nozzle hole or in the vicinity of the nozzle hole and the nozzle surface can be kept clean, the thickened discharge liquid in the nozzle hole is discharged. It is possible to suppress the clogging of the nozzle hole without purging. As described above, according to the present embodiment, good ejection performance can be obtained without performing purging.
Further, since purging is not required, it is possible to significantly suppress the consumption of expensive discharged liquid, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

In addition, since the amount of the discharged liquid adhering to the nozzle surface is extremely small as compared with the case of purging, when the discharged liquid contains high-hardness fine particles, the amount of the high-hardness fine particles adhering to the nozzle surface is also extremely small. It will be slight. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the nozzle surface from being damaged during wiping, and it is possible to maintain good ejection performance for a long period of time.

<Adjustment of solvent retention>
The device for discharging the liquid of the present embodiment preferably includes a holding amount adjusting unit for adjusting the holding amount of the solvent held by the capping member or the wiping member.
The holding amount adjusting unit of the present embodiment has a solvent supply unit that supplies the solvent to the capping member or the wiping member, and a pressing unit that presses the capping member or the wiping member.
By pressing the capping member or the wiping member with the pressing portion, the discharge liquid or the solvent held by the capping member or the wiping member can be squeezed out.
The holding amount adjusting unit of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

<< Embodiment of capping member >>
First, an example in the case of a capping member will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 1, a block-shaped capping member 32, a drawing block 34 as a pressing portion, and a fixing base 38 having a liquid discharge hole 36 and punch holes 37 are shown.

In the present embodiment, when the liquid discharge head is separated from the capping member 32, the solvent is dropped onto the capping member 32 by the solvent supply unit, and the liquid is pressed by the drawing block 34 to make the soaked discharge liquid a solvent. Can be squeezed out with. By periodically performing this squeezing operation, the capping member 32 can be kept in a clean state for a long period of time.

Further, the amount of the solvent held by the capping member 32 can be kept within a desired range by supplying the solvent by the solvent supply unit and squeezing out the excess solvent by the drawing block 34. If the amount of the solvent held by the capping member is large, there is a concern that the solvent may enter the nozzle of the liquid discharge head and adversely affect the discharge. On the other hand, if the amount of the solvent held by the capping member is small, it may not be possible to prevent the discharged liquid from thickening and drying.

In the present embodiment, the capping member 32 is installed on the fixing base 38 whose bottom is mesh-shaped, and the mesh-shaped bottom functions as the liquid discharge hole 36. Therefore, the squeezed solvent is appropriately punched. It passes through 37 and is discharged from the liquid discharge hole 36.

The material of the drawing block 34 is not particularly limited, but is preferably harder than the capping member 32, and examples thereof include those made of metal.

The solvent supply unit is not particularly limited and can be appropriately changed. In the present embodiment, the solvent is dropped onto the capping member 32 when the capping member is separated from the liquid discharge head, but the method is not limited to this. For example, the solvent may be supplied while the capping member 32 is in close contact with the liquid discharge head.

The amount of the solvent to be retained in the capping member varies depending on the liquid ejection head, the composition of the ink, the type of the capping member, the type of the solvent, etc. be able to.

<< Embodiment of Wiping Member (1) >>
Next, an example in the case of the wiping member will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
In FIG. 2, a solvent pool 48 having a roller-shaped wiping member 42, a drawing roller 44, and a liquid discharge hole 46 is shown.
The same solvent contained in the discharged liquid is stored in the solvent pool 48, and the lower portion of the wiping member 48 is installed so as to be immersed in the solvent in the solvent pool 48.

In the present embodiment, the roller-shaped wiping member 42 is installed on a rotating shaft to which a motor 41 for rotating or fixing the wiping member 42 is connected, and is appropriately rotated and fixed. Further, the diaphragm roller 44 is installed by being pressed against the roller-shaped wiping member 42, and is rotated around by the rotation of the wiping member 42.

By rotating the wiping member 42 by rotating the motor 41, the solvent-soaked portion of the wiping member 42 is pressed against the drawing roller 44, and excess solvent can be squeezed out. As a result, the amount of the solvent held by the wiping member 42 in the roller-shaped circumferential direction can be kept constant, and the removability of the discharged liquid exuded to the nozzle surface at the time of wiping can be improved. Further, if the wiping is performed with a large amount of solvent soaked in the wiping member 42, there is a concern that the solvent may enter the nozzle of the liquid discharge head and adversely affect the discharge, but this can be prevented. can.

Further, according to the present embodiment, in addition to keeping the amount of the solvent held by the wiping member 42 constant as described above, it is also possible to wash the discharged liquid wiped off by the wiping member 42 by wiping. As a result, wiping can be performed in a clean state for a long period of time.

The amount of the solvent held in the wiping member varies depending on the configuration of the liquid ejection head and the ink, the type of the wiping member, the type of the solvent, etc. It can be 3 ml.

The solvent squeezed out by the drawing roller 44 moves to the solvent pool 48 and is discharged from the liquid discharge hole 46 as needed. Further, the amount of the solvent in the solvent pool 48 can be appropriately adjusted.

The material of the drawing roller 44 is not particularly limited, but is preferably harder than the wiping member 42, and examples thereof include those made of metal.
The size of the diaphragm roller 44 is not particularly limited and can be appropriately changed.

Next, a diagram illustrating an example of wiping in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, in addition to FIG. 2, the liquid discharge head 60 is shown. The arrow in the figure indicates the wiping direction, and the nozzle surface is wiped by the wiping member advancing in the direction of the arrow.

In the present embodiment, in FIG. 2, the wiping member 42 is rotated, and when the portion where the solvent is squeezed reaches the apex of the wiping member 42, the rotation of the motor 41 is stopped and locked at the same time, and the wiping member 42 does not rotate. To do so. Then, the liquid discharge head is wiped with the rotation of the wiping member 42 locked.

By wiping the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head in the locked state in this way, it is possible to wipe the portion where the amount of the solvent held by the wiping member 42 is appropriately adjusted, and the amount of the solvent is large and the nozzle hole can be wiped. It is possible to prevent it from penetrating into the inside and preventing it from being sufficiently wiped due to a small amount of solvent. Further, by fixing the rotation of the wiping member 42, it is possible to stabilize the removability of the discharged liquid that has exuded to the nozzle surface.

Further, the nozzle surface is wiped off at the portion where the wiping member 42 has been washed, so that the removability of the discharged liquid can be further improved.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the amount of the solvent held by the wiping member 42 can be kept constant for a long period of time, and the wiping member 42 can be washed, so that the wiping member can be reused without being thrown away. Therefore, it is also advantageous in terms of cost.

Further, since the wiping member 42 has a roller shape, the roller wipes linearly with respect to the nozzle surface, so that there is an advantage that the head contact is more reliable.

<< Embodiment (2) of wiping member >>
Next, other examples in the case of the wiping member will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
In FIG. 4, a fixing base 58 having a block-shaped wiping member 52, a drawing block 54, and a liquid discharge hole 56 is shown.

In the present embodiment, the block-shaped wiping member 52 is installed on the fixing base 58, and the drawing block 54 as a pressing portion is pressed against the wiping member 52.
In the present embodiment, before wiping the liquid discharge head, the solvent is dropped onto the wiping member 52 by the solvent supply unit, and the drawing block 54 is pressed against the wiping member 52 to squeeze the solvent to hold the wiping member 52. The amount of solvent can be kept constant. Therefore, by wiping with the surface where the holding amount of the solvent is kept constant, the removability of the discharged liquid exuded to the nozzle surface can be stabilized. If wiping is performed while the wiping member 52 holds a large amount of solvent, there is a concern that the solvent held by the wiping member may invade the nozzle hole and adversely affect the ejection, but this can be prevented. can.

In the present embodiment, by dropping the solvent onto the wiping member 52 and pressing the drawing block 54 against the wiping member 52, it is possible to squeeze out the discharged liquid wiped off by the wiping member 52 by wiping together with the solvent. Therefore, the wiping member 52 can be cleaned, and the nozzle surface can be wiped in a clean state. Further, by performing this periodically, the wiping member 52 can be kept in a clean state for a long period of time, and the nozzle surface can be kept in a clean state for a long period of time.

Further, when the drawing block 54 is pressed against the wiping member 52, the wiping member 52 is pressed against the mesh 57 provided between the wiping member 52 and the liquid pool 59, and the discharged liquid or the solvent moves to the liquid pool 59. Then, if necessary, the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge hole 56 as appropriate.

Next, a diagram illustrating an example of wiping in FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, in addition to FIG. 4, the liquid discharge head 60 is shown. The arrow in the figure indicates the wiping direction, and the nozzle surface is wiped by the wiping member advancing in the direction of the arrow.

According to the above, the amount of the solvent to be retained is appropriately adjusted, and by wiping with the cleaned wiping member 52, the discharged liquid can be stably removed, and a large amount of solvent permeates the inside of the nozzle hole. It is possible to prevent this from happening and the amount of solvent is too small to be sufficiently wiped.

According to the present embodiment, the amount of the solvent held by the wiping member 52 can be kept constant for a long period of time, and the wiping member 52 can be washed, so that the wiping member can be reused without being thrown away. It is also advantageous in terms of cost.

Further, since the wiping member 52 has a block shape, there is an advantage that it can be in contact with the nozzle surface on a wide surface.

<< Other Embodiments >>
Next, other embodiments will be described.
The holding amount adjusting unit in the above embodiment has a solvent supply unit and a pressing unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adjust the amount of the solvent to be retained by supplying the solvent to the capping member or the wiping member by the solvent supply unit and then sucking or drying the solvent.

Further, in the above embodiment, the capping member and the wiping member are separate members, but it is also possible to configure the capping member and the wiping member as one member capable of performing both capping and wiping. For example, it is also possible to wipe the liquid discharge head by the block-shaped capping member shown in FIG.

<Basic configuration of the device that discharges liquid>
Next, the basic configuration of the device for discharging the liquid of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a main part of the device for discharging the liquid of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the main part of the device.
The device of this embodiment is a serial type device, and the carriage 403 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by the main scanning moving mechanism 493. The main scanning movement mechanism 493 includes a guide member 401, a main scanning motor 405, a timing belt 408, and the like. The guide member 401 is bridged over the left and right side plates 491A and 491B to movably hold the carriage 403. Then, the carriage 403 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by the main scanning motor 405 via the timing belt 408 bridged between the drive pulley 406 and the driven pulley 407.

The carriage 403 is equipped with a liquid discharge unit 440 in which a liquid discharge head 404 and a head tank 441 are integrated. The liquid discharge head 404 of the liquid discharge unit 440 discharges, for example, liquids of each color of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). Further, the liquid discharge head 404 has a nozzle row composed of a plurality of nozzles 411 arranged in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and is mounted with the discharge direction facing downward.

The liquid stored in the liquid cartridge 450 is supplied to the head tank 441 by the supply mechanism 494 for supplying the liquid stored outside the liquid discharge head 404 to the liquid discharge head 404.

The supply mechanism 494 includes a cartridge holder 451 which is a filling part for mounting the liquid cartridge 450, a tube 456, a liquid feeding unit 452 including a liquid feeding pump, and the like. The liquid cartridge 450 is detachably attached to the cartridge holder 451. Liquid is delivered from the liquid cartridge 450 to the head tank 441 by the liquid feeding unit 452 via the tube 456.

This device includes a transport mechanism 495 for transporting the paper 410. The transport mechanism 495 includes a transport belt 412, which is a transport means, and a sub-scanning motor 416 for driving the transport belt 412.

The transport belt 412 attracts the paper 410 and transports it at a position facing the liquid discharge head 404. The transport belt 412 is an endless belt, and is hung between the transport roller 413 and the tension roller 414. Adsorption can be performed by electrostatic adsorption, air suction, or the like.

Then, the transport belt 412 orbits in the sub-scanning direction by rotationally driving the transport roller 413 via the timing belt 417 and the timing pulley 418 by the sub-scanning motor 416.

Further, on one side of the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 420 for maintaining / recovering the liquid discharge head 404 is arranged on the side of the transport belt 412.

The maintenance / recovery mechanism 420 includes, for example, a cap member 421 that caps the nozzle surface (the surface on which the nozzle 411 is formed) of the liquid discharge head 404, a wiper member 422 that wipes the nozzle surface, and the like.

The main scanning movement mechanism 493, the supply mechanism 494, the maintenance / recovery mechanism 420, and the transport mechanism 495 are attached to a housing including the side plates 491A and 491B and the back plate 491C.

In this apparatus configured in this way, the paper 410 is fed onto the transport belt 412 and sucked, and the paper 410 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the circumferential movement of the conveyor belt 412.

Therefore, by driving the liquid ejection head 404 in response to the image signal while moving the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, the liquid is ejected onto the stopped paper 410 to form an image.

As described above, since this device includes the liquid discharge head according to the present invention, it is possible to stably form a high-quality image.

Next, another example of the liquid discharge unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory plan view of a main part of the unit.

This liquid discharge unit includes a housing portion composed of side plates 491A, 491B and a back plate 491C, a main scanning movement mechanism 493, a carriage 403, and a liquid among the members constituting the device for discharging the liquid. It is composed of a discharge head 404.

It should be noted that a liquid discharge unit may be configured in which at least one of the above-mentioned maintenance / recovery mechanism 420 and the supply mechanism 494 is further attached to, for example, the side plate 491B of the liquid discharge unit.

Next, still another example of the liquid discharge unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a front explanatory view of the unit.

This liquid discharge unit includes a liquid discharge head 404 to which the flow path component 444 is attached, and a tube 456 connected to the flow path component 444.

The flow path component 444 is arranged inside the cover 442. A head tank 441 may be included instead of the flow path component 444. Further, a connector 443 that electrically connects to the liquid discharge head 404 is provided on the upper part of the flow path component 444.

In the present application, the "device for discharging a liquid" is a device provided with a liquid discharge head or a liquid discharge unit and driving the liquid discharge head to discharge the liquid. The device for discharging a liquid includes not only a device capable of discharging a liquid to a device to which the liquid can adhere, but also a device for discharging the liquid into the air or into the liquid.

The "device for discharging the liquid" can also include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging paper to which the liquid can adhere, as well as a pretreatment device, a posttreatment device, and the like.

For example, as a "device that ejects a liquid", an image forming device that is a device that ejects ink to form an image on paper, and a three-dimensional object (three-dimensional object) are formed in layers in order to form a three-dimensional object. There is a three-dimensional modeling device (three-dimensional modeling device) that discharges the modeling liquid into the powder layer.

Further, the "device for discharging a liquid" is not limited to a device in which a significant image such as characters and figures is visualized by the discharged liquid. For example, those that form patterns that have no meaning in themselves and those that form a three-dimensional image are also included.

The above-mentioned "thing to which a liquid can adhere" means a material to which a liquid can adhere at least temporarily, such as a material to which the liquid adheres and adheres, and a material to which the liquid adheres and permeates. Specific examples include paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, recorded media such as cloth, electronic substrates, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and media such as inspection cells. Yes, and includes everything to which the liquid adheres, unless otherwise specified.

The above "materials to which liquid can adhere" are temporary liquids such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, building materials such as wallpaper and flooring, and textiles for clothing. But it is good if it can be attached.

Further, the "device for discharging the liquid" includes, but is not limited to, a device in which the liquid discharge head and the device to which the liquid can adhere move relatively. Specific examples include a serial type device that moves the liquid discharge head, a line type device that does not move the liquid discharge head, and the like.

In addition, as a "device for ejecting liquid", a treatment liquid coating device for ejecting a treatment liquid to the paper in order to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the paper for the purpose of modifying the surface of the paper, raw materials. There is an injection granulation device that granulates fine particles of raw materials by injecting a composition liquid dispersed in a solution through a nozzle.

In addition, it can be applied to, for example, coating of a protective layer on the surface of a photoconductor drum in an electrophotographic method, coating of a charged roller dielectric, and the like.

The "liquid discharge unit" is a liquid discharge head integrated with functional parts and a mechanism, and is a collection of parts related to liquid discharge. For example, the "liquid discharge unit" includes a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance / recovery mechanism, a main scanning movement mechanism in which at least one of the configurations is combined with a liquid discharge head, and the like.

Here, the term "integration" means, for example, a liquid discharge head and a functional component, a mechanism in which the mechanism is fixed to each other by fastening, bonding, engagement, etc., or one in which one is movably held with respect to the other. include. Further, the liquid discharge head, the functional component, and the mechanism may be configured to be detachable from each other.

For example, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a liquid discharge head and a head tank integrated, such as the liquid discharge unit 440 shown in FIG. 7. In some cases, the liquid discharge head and the head tank are integrated by being connected to each other by a tube or the like. Here, a unit including a filter can be added between the head tank of these liquid discharge units and the liquid discharge head.

Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a unit in which a liquid discharge head and a carriage are integrated.

Further, 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 by a guide member constituting a part of the scanning movement mechanism. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a liquid discharge head, a carriage, and a main scanning movement mechanism are integrated.

Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a carriage to which a liquid discharge head is attached, in which a cap member which is a part of the maintenance / recovery mechanism is fixed, and the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the maintenance / recovery mechanism are integrated. ..

Further, as a liquid discharge unit, as shown in FIG. 9, a tube is connected to a head tank or a liquid discharge head to which a flow path component is attached, and the liquid discharge head and a supply mechanism are integrated. ..

The main scanning movement mechanism shall include a single guide member. Further, the supply mechanism includes a single tube and a single loading unit.

Further, the pressure generating means used for the "liquid discharge head" is not limited. For example, in addition to the piezoelectric actuator (which may use a laminated piezoelectric element) as described in the above embodiment, it is composed of a thermal actuator using an electric heat conversion element such as a heat generating resistor, a vibrating plate, and a counter electrode. An electrostatic actuator or the like may be used.

Further, in the terms of the present application, image formation, recording, printing, printing, printing, modeling, etc. are all synonymous.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for schematically explaining a circulation mechanism in a device for discharging a liquid. Although an example in which an inkjet head is used as the liquid ejection head will be described here, the present invention is not limited to this.

If the discharged liquid discharged from the inkjet head is allowed to stand without stirring, particles such as alumina fine particles contained in the ink will precipitate. Therefore, in this embodiment, a stirrer 76 is installed at the bottom of the tank and stirred in the tank. The child 75 is rotated to constantly stir the discharged liquid. In the circulation configuration, a differential pressure is provided in the liquid feeding tank 73 and the liquid receiving tank 74, and the liquid is circulated by the differential pressure. To provide the differential pressure, the pressure is measured by the pressure sensor 77 and adjusted by the suction pump 72 so as to have a predetermined pressure.

The circulation path is such that the discharged liquid circulates in the order of the liquid feeding tank 73, the inkjet head 70, and the liquid receiving tank 74, and the arrow in the figure indicates the direction of circulation. In the present embodiment, the liquid is fed from the liquid receiving tank 74 to the liquid feeding tank 73 by using the diaphragm pump 71.

In this way, the discharged liquid circulates between the liquid feeding tank 73, the inkjet head 70, and the liquid receiving tank 74. Further, the liquid feeding tank 73 and the liquid receiving tank 74 are sucked by air by a tube pump to apply negative pressure, and the discharged liquid is discharged in the inkjet head 70 so as not to seep out from the nozzle hole in the inkjet head 70. The air suction pressure is adjusted so that an appropriate negative pressure is applied to the liquid.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following Examples.

(Example 1)
<Device for discharging liquid>
As the device for discharging the liquid, the device having the configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 was used. In this example, an inkjet device was used.

<Discharge liquid>
The following materials were used as the discharge liquid.
・ Polycarbonate resin ・ Alumina fine particles as high hardness fine particles (volume average particle size: 300 nm)
-Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and cyclohexanone (anone) as solvents

<Liquid circulation mechanism>
The liquid circulation mechanism shown in FIG. 10 was used. In this embodiment, a stirrer 76 is installed in the lower part of the tank, and the stirrer 75 is rotated in the tank to constantly stir the discharged liquid. Further, the discharged liquid is circulated in the order of the liquid feeding tank 73, the inkjet head 70, and the liquid receiving tank 74.

<Capping member>
The capping member of this embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG. As the capping member of this example, a sponge block made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used. In addition, the capping member has a porous and liquid-absorbing structure, and is large enough to cover the nozzle surface. The average value of the mesh diameter of the cap member used was 80 μm.

When the inkjet head separates from the capping member, an appropriate amount of solvent (tetrahydrofuran and cyclohexanone) is dropped, the drawing block is pressed against the capping member, and the discharged liquid soaked in the capping member is squeezed out together with the solvent. This squeezing operation was performed periodically, and in this embodiment, it was performed every time the inkjet head was separated from the capping member.

In this example, a metal block was used as the drawing block.
The capping member was installed on a fixed base having a mesh-like bottom, and the discharged liquid and the solvent squeezed out by the squeezing operation were discharged from the liquid discharge holes.

At the time of capping, an appropriate amount of solvent was dropped on the capping member, and then the nozzle surface of the inkjet head was pressed against the capping member to perform capping.
When the inkjet head was separated from the cap after capping, the discharged liquid was slightly exuded from the head surface.

<Wipe member>
The wiping member of this embodiment has the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
As the wiping member, a sponge roller made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (Cygnus roller manufactured by Aion Co., Ltd.) was used. The average value of the mesh diameter of the wiping member was 80 μm.
The roller-shaped wiping member was connected to a motor for rotating or fixing, and the lower portion of the roller-shaped wiping member was installed so as to be immersed in a solvent pool filled with a solvent (tetrahydrofuran and cyclohexanone).

In addition, a metal roller was used as a drawing roller and installed so as to be pressed against a roller-shaped wiping member. The drawing roller is rotated by the rotation of the roller-shaped wiping member, and by rotating the motor to rotate the wiping member, the part of the wiping member soaked with the solvent is pressed against the drawing roller, resulting in excess. The solvent was squeezed out. This allowed the amount of solvent held by the wiping member to be within the desired range.

At the time of wiping, the nozzle surface of the inkjet head is pressed against the wiping member while the wiping member is fixed so as not to rotate, and the wiping member is moved in parallel to the head surface while being pressed to wipe the ink jet head.

(Example 2)
In the first embodiment, the entire device for discharging the liquid, the discharged liquid and the liquid circulation mechanism, and the capping member were the same as those in the first embodiment, and the wiping member was changed to a fluororesin sponge roller (florus roller manufactured by Aion Co., Ltd.).

(Example 3)
In the first embodiment, the entire device for discharging the liquid, the discharged liquid and the liquid circulation mechanism, and the capping member are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the wiping member is changed as follows.

The wiping member of this embodiment has a configuration as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge block (Belle Eater manufactured by Aion Co., Ltd.) was used as the wiping member. The wiping member of this embodiment is a sponge material having a liquid absorbing property. The average value of the mesh diameter of the wiping member was 80 μm.

As shown in FIG. 4, a block-shaped wiping member was installed on a fixed base having a mesh-shaped bottom. Before wiping, a solvent (tetrahydrofuran and cyclohexanone) is dropped on the wiping member, and the discharged liquid soaked by the following drawing mechanism is squeezed out together with the solvent. As a result, excess solvent was squeezed out so that the wiping member could hold an appropriate amount of solvent.

Further, a metal block is used as a drawing block and pressed against a block-shaped wiping member to squeeze out excess discharged liquid. As shown in FIG. 5, at the time of wiping, the wiping member in the above state is pressed against the nozzle surface of the inkjet head, and the wipe is moved in parallel to the head surface while being pressed against the nozzle surface.

(Comparative Example 1)
In the first embodiment, the entire device for discharging the liquid, the discharged liquid and the liquid circulation mechanism are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the capping member and the wiping member are changed as follows.
The configuration of the capping member in Comparative Example 1 is shown in FIG. 11 (a). The cap method shown in FIG. 11A is to seal the nozzle surface 94 of the inkjet head 80 with a fluororesin-based capping member 82. The capping member in Comparative Example 1 has a structure that does not retain the solvent of the discharged liquid. While the discharge was stopped, the capping member was brought into close contact with the outside air so that the nozzle hole and the peripheral portion of the nozzle would not dry out.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram for explaining the operations of purging, wiping, and discharging in Comparative Example 1. As shown in FIG. 12A, after the inkjet head 80 is separated from the capping member 82 for ejection, the inkjet head 82 moves from the capping member to the liquid receiving portion 88 and enters the liquid chamber in the inkjet head 80. A positive pressure is applied to discharge the discharged liquid 87 from the nozzle by several cc. The discharged liquid 87 is received by the liquid receiving unit 88 and then discarded. As described above, in Comparative Example 1, a purge operation is performed in order to discharge the thickened discharge liquid and air bubbles in the nozzle hole. The flow of the discharged liquid is schematically indicated by an arrow.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 12B, the dripping 86 adheres to the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 80 by performing purging. Therefore, in Comparative Example 1, a fluororesin-based blade is used as the wiping member 91, and as shown in FIG. 12 (c), the blade is moved to wipe the nozzle surface. The solvent for the discharged liquid is not supplied to the wiping member 91 in Comparative Example 1. Then, discharge is performed as shown in FIG. 12 (d).

(Comparative Example 2)
In Comparative Example 1, the same procedure as in Comparative Example 1 was carried out except that the wiping member of the blade was changed to the wiping member of the roller. That is, the wiping configuration shown in FIG. 12 (c) was used as the wiping configuration shown in FIG.
In Comparative Example 2, a roller (wiping member 92) made of a fluororesin-based sponge material was used. Further, although the roller is made of a porous material having a liquid absorbing property, the solvent of the discharged liquid is not supplied to the wiping member.
As shown in FIG. 13, the roller is rotated to wipe the nozzle surface. Then, discharge is performed as shown in FIG. 12 (d).

(evaluation)
FIG. 14 shows the results of observing the discharge state of the discharged liquid by repeating continuous discharge for 40 seconds in the devices of the above Examples and Comparative Examples. FIG. 14 is a photograph of the state of the nozzle surface 94 immediately after discharge and with time, and the discharge state of the discharged liquid 87.
In Examples 1 to 3, no dripping occurred on the nozzle surface even when the liquid was repeatedly discharged 500 times, and no non-discharge or abnormal discharge was observed in the liquid discharge, and a good discharge state was obtained. ..
In Comparative Example 1, liquid dripping started to occur on the nozzle surface immediately after the first ejection, the number of non-ejecting nozzles gradually increased, and all the nozzles went down in about 20 seconds. The same was true for the second and subsequent discharges, and continuous discharge for 40 seconds could not be performed.
In Comparative Example 2, a good ejection state was obtained from the start to about 10 times, but from around 10 times, dripping gradually occurred and non-ejection nozzles began to appear, and after 15 times, all of them were discharged. About 30% of the nozzles were discharged with the nozzles down.

(Example 4)
In Example 1, the same evaluation as in Example 1 was performed except that the block-shaped capping member was changed from polyvinyl alcohol to fluororesin. Even if the liquid was repeatedly discharged 500 times in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 3, no dripping occurred on the nozzle surface, no non-discharge or abnormal discharge was observed in the liquid discharge, and a good discharge state was obtained. There is.

(Comparative Example 3)
In Comparative Example 1, the capping member was the same as that of Comparative Example 1 except that the capping member was changed from the one shown in FIG. 11 (a) to the one shown in FIG. 11 (b).
FIG. 11B shows a method of sealing the nozzle surface of the head with a fluororubber-based sealing material. While the discharge was stopped, the nozzle hole and the peripheral part of the nozzle were kept out of contact with the outside air so as not to dry.
When the same evaluation as in the other Examples and Comparative Examples was performed, dripping occurred immediately after the discharge as in Comparative Example 1, and the dripping became worse as the discharge was continued.

(Comparative Example 4)
In Comparative Example 1, the capping member was the same as that of Comparative Example 1 except that the capping member was changed from the one shown in FIG. 11 (a) to the one shown in FIG. 11 (c).
FIG. 11C shows a method of sealing the nozzle surface of the head with a fluororubber-based sealing material as in FIG. 11B, but the shape of the capping member and the position of the sealing material are different.
When the same evaluation as in the other Examples and Comparative Examples was performed, dripping occurred immediately after the discharge as in Comparative Example 1, and the dripping became worse as the discharge was continued.

32 Capping member 34 Squeeze block 36 Liquid discharge hole 37 Punch hole 38 Fixed base 42 Wiping member 44 Squeeze roller 46 Liquid discharge hole 48 Solvent pool 52 Wiping member 54 Squeeze block 56 Liquid discharge hole 57 Mesh 58 Fixed base 59 Liquid pool 60 Liquid discharge Head 62 Rotating or fixing motor 80 Inkjet head 82, 83 Capping member 84 Seal 86 Liquid dripping 87 Discharge liquid 89 Liquid tank 91, 92 Wiping member 94 Nozzle surface 401 Guide member 403 Carriage 404 Liquid discharge head 405 Main scanning motor 406 Drive pulley 407 Driven pulley 408 Timing belt 410 Paper 411 Nozzle 412 Conveying belt 413 Conveying roller 414 Tension roller 416 Sub-scanning motor 417 Timing belt 418 Timing pulley 420 Maintenance recovery mechanism 421 Cap member 422 Wiper member 440 Liquid discharge unit 441 Head tank 442 Cover 443 Connector 444 Flow path parts 450 Liquid cartridge 451 Cartridge holder 452 Liquid transfer unit 456 Tube 491A, 491B Side plate 491C Back plate 493 Main scanning movement mechanism 494 Supply mechanism 495 Transfer mechanism

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-142450 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-111808 Japanese Patent No. 4858486 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-273285 Japanese Patent No. 4485709

Claims (5)

A device for discharging a liquid having a liquid discharge head for discharging a liquid containing a solvent from the nozzle surface.
A capping member that caps the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head,
A wiping member that wipes the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head,
A solvent supply unit that supplies the solvent to the capping member,
A pressing portion that presses the capping member and
A holding amount adjusting unit for adjusting the holding amount of the solvent held by the capping member or the wiping member is provided.
The capping member can hold the solvent inside and / or on the surface, and the nozzle surface is capped while holding the solvent.
The wiping member can hold the solvent inside and / or on the surface, and the nozzle surface is wiped while holding the solvent .
The holding amount adjusting unit has the solvent supply unit and the pressing unit, and is a solvent supply unit for the wiping member that supplies the solvent to the wiping member separately from the solvent supply unit and the pressing unit. A device for discharging a liquid , which comprises, and a pressing portion for a wiping member that presses the wiping member. The device for discharging a liquid according to claim 1, wherein the solvent held by the capping member and the wiping member has the same component as the solvent contained in the liquid. The device for discharging a liquid according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the pressing portion or the pressing portion for a wiping member has a roller shape or a block shape. The device for discharging a liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the wiping member has a roller shape or a block shape. A liquid discharge method in which a liquid containing a solvent is discharged from a nozzle surface by a liquid discharge head.
The discharge process for discharging the liquid and
The capping process of capping the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head with a capping member,
A wiping process of wiping the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head with a wiping member,
A solvent supply step of supplying the solvent to the capping member and
The pressing process of pressing the capping member by the pressing portion, and
It has a holding amount adjusting step of adjusting the holding amount of the solvent held by the capping member or the wiping member .
The capping member can hold the solvent inside and / or on the surface, and the nozzle surface is capped while holding the solvent.
The wiping member can hold the solvent inside and / or on the surface, and the nozzle surface is wiped while holding the solvent .
The holding amount adjusting step includes the solvent supply step and the pressing step, and is a solvent supply step for the wiping member that supplies the solvent to the wiping member separately from the solvent supply step and the pressing step. A liquid discharge method comprising: and a pressing step for a wiping member that presses the wiping member.

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