Droplet ejection device and image forming apparatus including the droplet ejection device

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9120315
APP PUB NO 20140015896A1
SERIAL NO

13937301

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

A droplet ejection device includes a recording head having a nozzle face with nozzles to eject droplets, a maintenance assembly including a cap to seal the nozzle face to form a sealed space therein and a wiper to wipe the nozzle face, a droplet suction channel connected to the cap to collect droplets sucked from the nozzles, and an air release channel connected to the cap to introduce air to return the sealed space to atmospheric pressure. The suction channel and the release channel are communicable with the sealed space to simultaneously perform collection of the droplets sucked from the nozzles and introduction of air into the cap. The suction channel has a flow rate greater than the release channel. When the droplets are sucked from the nozzles into the suction channel, air is introduced from the release channel at a flow rate lower than that of the suction channel.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
RICOH COMPANY LTDTOKYO 143-8555

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Katoh, Tomomi Kanagawa, JP 42 577

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation

Maintenance Fees

Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee due date
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Mar 1, 2027
Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee
Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable $700.00 $350.00 $175.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional $1,640.00 $820.00 $410.00