Patent ID: 7419241
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a head part with an ejection port configured to eject ink; a discarded-ink tank configured to collect ejected or absorbed ink in order to restore a function of the ejection port; and a sensing device configured to sense the discarded ink collected in the discarded-ink tank, the sensing device including an absorber configured to absorb the ink and an optical sensor configured to sense light received from the absorber; wherein: the apparatus uses ink having a characteristic such that the discarded ink is accumulated in a mountain-like shape in the discarded-ink tank, and the absorber is arranged at a location, at which discarded ink can be absorbed when a mountain top of the discarded ink accumulated in a mountain-like shape reaches a predetermined height so that the discarded ink flows along a slope of the discarded ink accumulated in a mountain-like shape to the absorber.