The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 23, 2013
Filed:
May. 20, 2011
Masaru Kobashi, Matsumoto, JP;
Yoshiyuki Kurebayashi, Chiba, JP;
Yoichi Yamada, Shiojiri, JP;
Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A maintenance apparatus that removes bubbles from a nozzle is provided in a printer that includes a recording head having a nozzle capable of ejecting ink from a nozzle opening formed in a nozzle formation surface. The maintenance apparatus includes: a pressurizing pump that pressurizes the ink in the nozzle in a direction in which the ink is discharged from the nozzle opening; and a contact member having an upper surface that makes contact with the nozzle formation surface so as to cover the nozzle opening, and that has, formed therein, a flow channel whose pressure loss is greater than that of the nozzle and that allows air to pass through from the side of the upper surface. The ink within the nozzle is pressurized by the pressurizing pump in a state in which the contact member is in contact with the nozzle formation surface.