Patent ID: 7581811
Filing Date: 2009-09-01
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An inkjet printer comprising: a printhead having a front surface in which is formed a nozzle row consisting of a plurality of nozzles from each of which a droplet of ink is ejected; a maintenance unit including a purge cap which receives ink from the nozzles during a purging operation, the purge cap having a contact surface to be brought into contact with the front surface of the printhead, and a main channel extending alongside the nozzle row; and a plurality of dents formed on at least one of the contact surface of the purge cap and the front surface of the printhead so as to form, at least when the contact surface is in contact with the front surface, a plurality of branches each of which has at least one end portion, each of the branches being in communication with at least one of the nozzles only at the at least one end portion while being in communication with the main channel at least a part of an other portion thereof than the at least one end portion, each of the at least one end portion connecting with only one of the plurality of branches.