Image forming apparatus

Details Image forming apparatus Image forming apparatus

2011-02-22

2011-02-22

Smith, Duane (Department: 1776)

Gas separation: apparatus

Degasifying means for liquid

With control means responsive to sensed condition

C055S385100, C096S219000, C347S092000, C347S093000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07892330

ABSTRACT:
The image forming apparatus includes: a head which ejects droplets of liquid in accordance with an image signal; a sub tank which is integrated with the head; a liquid holding chamber which is arranged in the sub tank and has an intake port and an outflow port, the liquid being supplied to the liquid holding chamber through the intake port and supplied to the head through the outflow port; an air connection channel which is arranged in the sub tank and has a suction port through which air is sucked; a dividing plate which is provided in the sub tank and divides the liquid holding chamber from the air connection channel; a gas/liquid separating member which is disposed in a portion of the dividing plate and allows only air to pass between the liquid holding chamber and the air connection channel; a supply connection device which is capable of connecting with the intake port and the suction port; a liquid holding tank which is connected to the supply connection device and capable of communicating with the liquid holding chamber through the intake port; a suction device which is connected to the supply connection device and capable of communicating with the air connection channel through the suction port; and a judgment device which judges whether or not replacement of the gas/liquid separating member is required in accordance with a state of contact between the gas/liquid separating member and a surface of the liquid in the liquid holding chamber.

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patent: 2002/0063761 (2002-05-01), Sato et al.
patent: 2002-86747 (2002-03-01), None
patent: 2002-240323 (2002-08-01), None

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