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:
Aug. 13, 2013
Filed:
Aug. 12, 2011
Tatsuro Watanabe, Miyagi, JP;
Tatsuro Watanabe, Miyagi, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head part configured to include plural heads configured to discharge liquid droplets and a head tank provided for the plural heads; a distribution member configured to distribute liquid to the respective heads of the recording head part via the head tank; a circulation path configured to return the liquid to the distribution member from the head tank of the recording head part; an air-liquid separation tank, provided in the circulation path, configured to separate air bubbles and the liquid; a circulation pump, provided in the circulation path, configured to send the liquid from the head tank to the distribution member; and a control part configured to control operations of removing air bubbles contained in the head tanks. The control part is configured to drive the circulation pump intermittently.