Patent ID: 8721056
Filing Date: 2014-05-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A continuous multi-nozzle inkjet recording apparatus having a multi-nozzle inkjet head including a plurality of ink jetting nozzles to pressurize ink to jet an ink column from each of the ink jetting nozzles continuously, and a transport unit, disposed near the multi-nozzle inkjet head and opposite the ink jetting nozzles, to transport a recording medium in one direction at a given distance from the multi-nozzle inkjet head, the multi-nozzle inkjet head comprising: a liquid chamber to supply pressurized ink to the ink jetting nozzles; an ink nozzle plate, attached to the liquid chamber, including the plurality of ink jetting nozzles arranged in a given direction with a given arrangement density to jet the pressurized ink from the liquid chamber; a heating unit including a heater having a film structure and disposed in close proximity to each of the plurality of the ink jetting nozzles, the ink jetting nozzles and the heating unit being integrated as a multiple-ink-nozzle plate, the heating unit stimulates the pressurized ink at an exit opening of each of the ink jetting nozzles to separate ink droplets from a leading edge of the ink column jetted from each of the ink jetting nozzles, the separated ink droplets flying in a given direction; a gas flow applicator disposed adjacently to the liquid chamber to apply a gas flow to the flying ink droplets from a given direction to a flying direction of the flying ink droplets, the gas flow applicator including an opening to jet the gas flow; a cap to shield an area of the gas flow from an ambient atmosphere space existing around a transporting and image forming area for the recording medium; and a gutter unit disposed between the area of the gas flow and the transporting area of the recording medium to catch ink droplets that change the flying direction with an application of the gas flow to the flying ink droplets, ink droplets not caught by the gutter unit being directed onto the recording medium to form an image on the recording medium.