JP7183691B2 - Device for ejecting liquid - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for ejecting liquid.

2. Description of the Related Art In a device that ejects liquid, a configuration is disclosed in which a drying device is provided on a medium transport path in order to dry the liquid that adheres to the medium (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200012).

However, in the prior art described above, the range in which the medium can receive the drying energy in the transport path is limited to a part, and there is a problem that the drying efficiency is poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for ejecting liquid capable of improving drying efficiency.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a transport path along which a medium is transported, a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid onto the medium transported on the transport path, and drying means for drying the ejected medium, wherein the transport path includes a switchback path for switching back the transport direction of the medium onto which the liquid has been ejected; a discharge path that conveys the medium to an outlet, wherein the drying means dries the medium on the switchback path and the medium on the discharge path , and the switchback path dries the liquid ejection surface of the medium inward. The apparatus for ejecting liquid is characterized in that the medium is conveyed while being bent, and the drying means dries the medium that is bent by the switchback path.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the drying efficiency of a medium can be improved.

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of an apparatus (image forming apparatus) that ejects liquid. FIG. 2 is an internal schematic diagram of an apparatus (image forming apparatus) that ejects liquid. FIG. 3 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the transport path and its peripheral configuration in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the transport path and its peripheral configuration in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the transport path and its peripheral configuration in the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the transport path and its peripheral configuration in the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the transport path and its peripheral configuration in the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the transport path and its peripheral configuration in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the transport path and its peripheral configuration in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the transport path and its peripheral configuration in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the conveying route in the seventh embodiment.

(First embodiment)
An outline of an apparatus (image forming apparatus) 1000 for ejecting liquid will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. A liquid ejection device 1000 includes an apparatus main body 1001 , a paper feed tray 2 , a paper discharge tray 10 , an operation section 900 , an ADF 901 , a cartridge holder 910 , a cartridge 912 , and a post-processing device 14 .

The paper feed tray 2 accommodates paper P (medium). The paper discharge tray 10 is a discharge destination of paper P on which an image or the like is formed by a liquid discharge head, which will be described later. An operation unit 900 includes a touch panel, physical buttons, and the like, and a user can issue a print command or the like to the apparatus main body 1001 via the operation unit 900 . ADF 901 is a so-called scanner device.

The cartridge 912 is a liquid storage container containing liquid (such as ink) to be ejected by the liquid ejection head, and is attached to the cartridge holder 910 . The liquid inside the cartridge 912 is sent to the liquid ejection head through a tube or the like. The post-processing device 14 is a device that staples sheets together and folds the sheets.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the apparatus main body 1001. As shown in FIG. The apparatus main body 1001 includes a transport roller 4 , a transport path 60 , a drying device 20 , a liquid ejection head 7 , a discharge port 8 and a switching section 12 .

The transport roller 4 is a roller for transporting the paper P on the paper feed tray 2 or the transport path 60 in the transport direction. The conveying rollers 4 are a combination of rollers that can be rotationally driven by a driving source such as a motor and rollers that do not have a driving force and are simply fitted in bearings (there is no distinction in this embodiment).

The transport path 60 is a path for transporting the paper P on the paper feed tray 2, and is configured so that the paper P is discharged from the discharge port 8 after the paper P passes under the liquid ejection head 7. It is The drying device 20 is a device that dries the paper P transported on the transport path 60, and specifically includes a blower device. Details of the transport path 60 and the drying device 20 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

The liquid ejection head 7 is a portion that ejects liquid onto the paper P on the transport path 60, and may be a piezo inkjet head using piezoelectric elements, a thermal inkjet head using heat, or the like. . Further, in this embodiment, a so-called line type inkjet head (or one-pass type inkjet head) in which a plurality of liquid ejection heads 7 are arranged in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper P is used.

The switching unit 12 is a claw for switching the conveying direction of the paper P, and guides the paper P on which the liquid has been discharged to the post-processing device 14, guides it to the discharge port 8, and guides it to a switchback path, which will be described later. Guide to 61.

Next, the transport path 60 and the method for drying the paper P according to this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

3 and 4 are enlarged views of the transport path 60 and its periphery in FIG. The transport path 60 includes a switchback path 61 , an ejection path 62 , a head upper path 64 and an ejection path 63 . The switchback path 61 is a path for switching back the conveying direction of the paper P on which the liquid has been ejected.

When the paper P is to be reversed, the switching unit 12 positioned downstream of the liquid ejection head 7 in the transport direction of the paper P is operated to guide the paper P onto which the liquid has been ejected to the switchback path 61 . After the paper P reaches the vicinity of the end of the switchback path 61 (near the discharge port 8), the paper P is conveyed upstream by, for example, reversing the driving of the conveying rollers 4. FIG.

After that, the paper P is conveyed to the ejection path 63 via the head upper path 64 above the liquid ejection head 7 . As described above, the transport direction of the paper P can be switched back. In addition, by this operation, the paper P can be turned upside down, and the liquid can be discharged onto the back surface of the paper P. FIG.

After the liquid ejection to one side or both sides of the paper P is completed, the paper P is guided to the ejection path 62 (FIG. 4). The ejection path 62 is a path connecting the liquid ejection head 7 and the ejection port 8 , and the paper P is ejected from the ejection port 8 to the paper ejection tray 10 .

Further, in this embodiment, since the discharge tray 10 is arranged above the liquid discharge head 7 in the vertical direction, the discharge path 62 separates from the liquid discharge head 7 from the downstream side of the liquid discharge head 7 to the discharge port 8 . It is arranged curved (warped) as shown. Furthermore, the switchback route 61 is arranged adjacent to (along) the discharge route 62 .

Thereby, the switchback path 61 and the discharge path 62 can be accommodated in a small space.

In the vicinity of the transport path 60, the drying device 20 (drying means) described above is arranged. Specifically, the drying device 20 is arranged at a position facing the switchback path 61 and the discharge path 62 . The drying device 20 is a device for drying the liquid adhering to the paper P, such as a device for drying by rotating a fan or the like to blow air, or a device for drying the paper P by heating it with a heating unit such as a heater. is mentioned. Of course, a combination of them may be used. The drying means also includes curing means for curing the liquid using a UV lamp or the like. In this embodiment, the drying device 20 is an air blower (air blower) that blows air by rotating a fan.

Here, the drying device 20 dries the paper P on the switchback path 61 and the paper P on the discharge path 62 . In other words, the drying device 20 is arranged so that the paper P on the switchback path 61 and the paper P on the discharge path 62 can be dried. More specifically, the direction of blowing air by the drying device 20 (or the direction of irradiation of heating energy by the heating unit; here, collectively referred to as the drying energy supply direction F), the switchback path 61 and the discharge A path 62 is arranged.

As a result, the drying energy from the drying device 20 is supplied to both the paper P positioned in the switchback path 61 and the paper P positioned in the discharge path 62, so that the paper P can receive the drying energy in the transport path 60. The range can be expanded and the drying efficiency can be improved.

Further, in this embodiment, the switchback path 61 is arranged closer to the drying device 20 than the discharge path 62 in the drying energy supply direction F of the drying device 20 . In other words, the drying device 20 is arranged to face the discharge path 62 with the switchback path 61 interposed therebetween. As a result, the paper P transported to the switchback path 61 can be dried immediately during double-sided printing, and more efficient drying can be performed.

Note that the liquid that has landed on the paper P permeates the paper P, and in the process, the liquid ejection surface side of the paper P is mainly swollen, and the paper P curls so that the liquid ejection surface side becomes convex. I know you will.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. The side of the sheet P is curved so that the surface to be ejected is convex), and the sheet P is transported while bending the side of the surface to be ejected liquid inward (in the case of double-sided printing, the surface to which the liquid is ejected last is used as the surface to be ejected). In other words, the switchback path 61 conveys the paper P so that the liquid ejection surface of the paper P faces the drying device 20 side. Similarly, the ejection path 62 conveys the paper P so that the liquid ejection surface of the paper P faces the drying device 20 side. As a result, the drying energy from the drying device 20 is supplied to the side of the liquid ejection surface of the paper P. As shown in FIG.

Further, in this way, the curl of the paper P is corrected by bending (warping) the paper P, which tends to curl with the liquid ejection surface side convex, in the opposite direction. While correcting the curl, the curl is further corrected by supplying the drying energy to the liquid ejection surface side.

It is known that the amount of curling of the paper P described above increases as the amount of water contained in the liquid (ink) increases. On the other hand, ink with a relatively low water content (for example, ink with a water content of about 20% by mass) curls less in the first place. (This does not mean excluding the possibility of combinations). In particular, when the curvature of the switchback path 61 is large, the influence of reverse curl is remarkable.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is particularly preferable to use ink having a water content of 50% by mass or more. By combining ink with a moisture content of 50% by mass or more with the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve both ejection of ink with a high moisture content and suppression of curling. Ink with a moisture content of 50% by mass or more has low viscosity, and therefore has the advantage of stabilizing liquid ejection by the liquid ejection head 7 (for example, enabling ejection at a high frequency).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, not only the switchback path 61 but also the discharge path 62 are curved so as to protrude along the direction F of the drying energy supplied by the drying device 20 . As a result, it is possible to reduce the above-described backward curl in the discharge path 62 as well.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the main body of the apparatus when printing a plurality of sheets.

For example, when the user instructs the apparatus main body 1001 to print a plurality of sheets, it is conceivable that a plurality of sheets P are positioned on the transport path 60 at the same time. At this time, when the paper P is positioned in the range where drying energy is supplied by the drying device 20 (referred to as a supply receiving range Af) in the discharge path 62, the paper P positioned in the switchback path 61 is not supplied. If the range Af is covered (in other words, the paper P overlaps the drying energy supply line), the paper P in the discharge path 62 cannot be dried efficiently.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the paper P (first medium) is positioned in the supply receiving range Af of the discharge path 62, the paper P (second medium) conveyed on the switchback path 61 is dried. It is configured so as not to cover the entire supply target range Af when viewed from the device 20 . 5, the paper P (second medium) conveyed on the switchback path 61 covers a part of the supplied range Af when viewed from the drying device 20. It also includes a form in which the sheet P (second medium) conveyed on the switchback path 61 does not cover the supplied range Af at all when viewed from the drying device 20 .

Specifically, the above-described transport method is possible by adjusting the driving amount of the transport roller 4 or by adjusting the distance of the switchback path 61 and the discharge path 62 to adjust the transport amount of the paper.

This reduces the possibility that the drying energy is blocked by the paper P in the switchback path 61 and does not reach the paper P in the discharge path 62, so that drying can be performed more efficiently. In addition, in order to further improve the drying efficiency, when the paper P (first medium) is positioned in the supply receiving range Af of the discharge path 62, the paper P (second medium) conveyed on the switchback path 61 medium) should not overlap with the supplied range Af when viewed from the drying device 20 . However, if the paper is transported so that it does not overlap at all, it may take a long time to transport. Therefore, as shown in FIG. , it does not matter if it enjoys a part of the supplied energy. By doing so, it is possible to achieve both reduction in printing time and drying efficiency of the paper.

Further, when an air blower is used as the drying device 20, the movement of air is less likely to wrap around the paper P than the movement of heat or the like, so the effect of increasing the drying efficiency according to the present embodiment is great.

The "supplied range" is the "blown range" and "ventilated range" when the drying device 20 is a blower, and the "irradiated range" and "heated range" when the drying device 20 is a heating device. When the drying device 20 is a curing ray irradiation device such as a UV lamp, it can be rephrased as "irradiated range" and the like, and the configuration is not limited.

A blown range (received wind range) in the exhaust path 62 is defined by comparing the wind velocity in the switchback path 61 and the wind velocity in the exhaust path 62 . Specifically, when the wind speed in the portion of the switchback path 61 where the wind speed is the highest is taken as 100%, the range where the wind speed is 1% or more on the discharge route 62 is the blown range. Define.

Also, the irradiated range (heated range) in the discharge path 62 is defined by comparing the temperature in the switchback path 61 and the temperature in the discharge path 62 . Specifically, when the amount of temperature rise (maximum value at a certain portion) of the paper P on the switchback path 61 when heated for 10 seconds is assumed to be 100%, the paper P on the discharge path 62 is A range in which the temperature rise amount of the paper P when warmed for 10 seconds is 1% or more is defined as a blown range. Note that the paper may be scorched depending on the material of the paper and the output of the heating means, so in that case, the heating time can be shortened to 5 seconds or the like and similarly defined.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

In this embodiment, the arrangement of the drying device 20 is different from each of the above-described embodiments. Specifically, the drying device 20 is arranged on the side facing the switchback path 61 with the discharge path 62 interposed therebetween, and the drying energy is applied toward the opposite side of the liquid ejection surface of the paper P (that is, the back surface). We are trying to supply

When a large amount of liquid adheres to the paper P, if the liquid is not completely dried immediately after printing and a strong wind is applied, the liquid may move and print quality may be impaired. In such a case, this modified example is effective, and the liquid can be prevented from moving by drying from the back side.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, 4th Embodiment is described using FIG.

In this embodiment, a heating device 21 is used instead of the drying device 20 in each of the above-described embodiments. The heating device 21 is configured by, for example, a heat transfer heater. Since most of the drying energy by the heating device 21 becomes heat energy, the heat can be transferred through the parts (for example, plastic) that constitute the switchback path 61 . Therefore, compared to a blower using a fan, the drying energy can easily reach the far side of the switchback path 61 (that is, the discharge path 62 side), and more efficient drying can be performed.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

This embodiment adds the shielding part 30 to the structure of 1st Embodiment previously mentioned. The shielding portion is elongated along the width direction of the paper P on the downstream side of the liquid ejection head 7 in the paper P transport direction. As a result, it is possible to reduce the influence of the drying energy (for example, blowing air) of the drying device 20 being reflected and reaching the vicinity of the liquid ejection head 7 and affecting the liquid ejection.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, 6th Embodiment is described using FIG.

In this embodiment, a heating means 22 is provided as a drying means as compared with each of the above-described embodiments. The heating means 22 is arranged adjacent to both the switchback route 61 and the discharge route 62 (arranged so as to be sandwiched between the switchback route 61 and the discharge route 62). As a result, the drying energy from the heating means 22 can be applied not only to the switchback path 61 but also to the discharge path 62, so that more efficient drying can be performed.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the switchback path 61 (viewed from a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of the paper P) (the curve of the switchback path 61 is not considered).

The switchback path 61 has the previously described transport rollers 4 and the holes 42 . The hole portion 42 is a space for holding the conveying roller 4 , and by holding the shaft 41 extending from the conveying roller 4 in the inner peripheral portion of the hole portion 42 , the inner wall of the hole portion 42 and the conveying roller 4 are aligned. A gap 43 is formed therebetween. As a result, the drying energy from the drying device 20 can pass through the hole 42 (in other words, the gap 43 between the conveying roller 4 and the hole 42), and the drying energy reaches the discharge path 62 more efficiently. be able to.

Also, the same effect can be obtained by providing a separate hole 44 in a portion that is not related to the holding of the conveying roller 4 . Moreover, this configuration can be applied not only to the switchback route 61 but also to other transport routes including the discharge route 62 .

Although each embodiment according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are. can. Also, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of the plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components across different embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

In the present application, the liquid to be ejected is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be ejected from the head. It is preferable that More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, functional-imparting materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. , edible materials such as natural pigments, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, etc. These are, for example, inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, components of electronic elements and light emitting elements, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns It can be used for applications such as liquids for liquids and material liquids for three-dimensional modeling.

Piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric element and thin film piezoelectric element), thermal actuators that use electrothermal conversion elements such as heating resistors, and electrostatic actuators that consist of a diaphragm and a counter electrode are used as energy sources for liquid ejection. includes those that

The "apparatus for ejecting liquid" includes an apparatus that includes a liquid ejection head or a liquid ejection unit, and drives the liquid ejection head to eject liquid. Devices that eject liquid include not only devices that can eject liquid onto an object to which liquid can adhere, but also devices that eject liquid into air or liquid.

The "liquid ejecting device" can include means for feeding, transporting, and ejecting an object to which liquid can adhere, as well as a pre-processing device, a post-processing device, and the like.

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

Further, the "apparatus for ejecting liquid" is not limited to one that visualizes significant images such as characters and figures with the ejected liquid. For example, it includes those that form patterns that have no meaning per se, and those that form three-dimensional images.

The above-mentioned "substance (medium) to which a liquid can adhere" means a substance to which a liquid can adhere at least temporarily, such as a substance to which liquid adheres and adheres, a substance which adheres and permeates, and the like. Specific examples include media such as recording media such as paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic components such as electronic substrates and piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and test cells. Yes, and unless otherwise specified, includes anything that has liquid on it.

The material of the above-mentioned "thing (medium) to which a liquid can adhere" may be paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc., as long as the liquid can adhere even temporarily.

Further, the ``device for ejecting liquid'' includes a device in which a liquid ejection head and an object to which liquid can be adhered move relatively, but is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type apparatus in which the liquid ejection head is moved and a line type apparatus in which the liquid ejection head is not moved.

In addition, the "apparatus for ejecting liquid" also includes a treatment liquid coating device that ejects a treatment liquid onto the paper for the purpose of modifying the surface of the paper. There is an injection granulator that granulates fine particles of the raw material by injecting a composition liquid in which raw materials are dispersed in a solution through a nozzle.

The terms used in the present application, such as image formation, recording, printing, copying, printing, and molding, are synonymous.

4 Conveying Roller 7 Liquid Ejection Head 8 Discharge Port 10 Discharge Tray 20 Drying Device (Blower Device)
21 Heating Means 22 Heating Means 41 Shaft 42 Hole 43 Gap 60 Conveyance Path 61 Switchback Path 62 Ejection Path 1001 Device Main Body (Device for ejecting liquid, image forming device)
Af Supply range F Supply direction of drying energy P Paper (medium)

JP 2011-068485 A JP 2011-194888 A JP 2013-144375 A

Claims (11)

a transport path along which the medium is transported;
a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid onto the medium transported on the transport path;
drying means for drying the medium onto which the liquid has been ejected;
The transport route is
a switchback path for switching back the conveying direction of the medium on which the liquid has been ejected;
a discharge path that conveys the medium onto which the liquid has been discharged to a discharge port;
The drying means dries the medium on the switchback path and the medium on the discharge path ,
the switchback path conveys the medium while bending the liquid ejection surface of the medium inward;
the drying means dries the medium being bent by the switchback path;
An apparatus for ejecting a liquid characterized by: a transport path along which the medium is transported;
a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid onto the medium transported on the transport path;
drying means for drying the medium onto which the liquid has been ejected;
The transport route is
a switchback path for switching back the conveying direction of the medium on which the liquid has been ejected;
a discharge path that conveys the medium onto which the liquid has been discharged to a discharge port;
The drying means dries the medium on the switchback path and the medium on the discharge path,
The switchback path and the discharge path are arranged on an extension line in the direction of supply of the drying energy supplied by the drying means,
The discharge path is curved so as to protrude along the supply direction of the drying energy supplied by the drying means.
An apparatus for ejecting a liquid characterized by: a transport path along which the medium is transported;
a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid onto the medium transported on the transport path;
drying means for drying the medium onto which the liquid has been ejected;
The transport route is
a switchback path for switching back the conveying direction of the medium on which the liquid has been ejected;
a discharge path that conveys the medium onto which the liquid has been discharged to a discharge port;
The drying means dries the medium on the switchback path and the medium on the discharge path,
The drying means includes blowing means for blowing gas,
The switchback path is
a transport roller that transports the medium;
a hole supporting the transport roller so that a gap is formed around the transport roller;
the gas blown by the blowing means reaches the discharge path through the gap;
An apparatus for ejecting a liquid characterized by: a transport path along which the medium is transported;
a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid onto the medium transported on the transport path;
drying means for drying the medium onto which the liquid has been ejected;
The transport route is
a switchback path for switching back the conveying direction of the medium on which the liquid has been ejected;
a discharge path that conveys the medium onto which the liquid has been discharged to a discharge port;
The drying means dries the medium on the switchback path and the medium on the discharge path,
The drying means includes heating means for heating the medium,
the heating means is positioned adjacent to the switchback path and the discharge path;
An apparatus for ejecting a liquid characterized by: The liquid contains 50% by mass or more of water,
3. The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 2, wherein the switchback path is curved so as to protrude along the supply direction of the drying energy supplied by the drying means. The liquid contains 50% by mass or more of water,
3. The device for ejecting liquid according to claim 2 , characterized in that: When the range to which the drying energy is supplied in the discharge route is defined as a supplied range Af,
When the first medium is positioned on the supply target range Af, the second medium conveyed on the switchback path is positioned so as not to cover the entire supply target range Af. The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 2 or 5 . a transport path along which the medium is transported;
a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid onto the medium transported on the transport path;
a heating means for heating the medium onto which the liquid has been discharged;
The transport route is
a switchback path for switching back the conveying direction of the medium on which the liquid has been ejected;
a discharge path that conveys the medium onto which the liquid has been discharged to a discharge port;
The heating means is arranged to face the switchback route and the discharge route , and is arranged adjacent to the switchback route and the discharge route,
An apparatus for ejecting a liquid characterized by: 9. The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 8 , wherein the heating means is arranged so as to face the discharge path with the switchback path interposed therebetween. a transport path along which the medium is transported;
a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid onto the medium transported on the transport path;
a blowing means for blowing air to the medium onto which the liquid has been discharged;
The transport route is
a switchback path for switching back the conveying direction of the medium on which the liquid has been ejected;
a discharge path that conveys the medium onto which the liquid has been discharged to a discharge port;
The blower means is arranged to face the switchback path and the discharge path ,
The switchback path is
a transport roller that transports the medium;
a hole supporting the transport roller so that a gap is formed around the transport roller;
the gas blown by the blowing means reaches the discharge route through the gap;
An apparatus for ejecting a liquid characterized by: 11. The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 10 , wherein the air blowing means is arranged so as to face the discharge path with the switchback path interposed therebetween.

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