Patent ID: 7334862
Filing Date: 2008-02-26
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a line type recording head in which a plurality of nozzles ejecting ink are arranged through a length corresponding to a full width of a recording medium; a recording medium conveyance device which supports and conveys the recording medium in a direction of conveyance of the recording medium and causes the recording head and the recording medium to move relatively to each other, the recording medium conveyance device including a medium supporting part which supports the recording medium, a plurality of opening sections being formed in the medium supporting part, the plurality of opening sections being arranged in a staggered matrix in such a manner that at least one of the plurality of opening sections is present throughout a whole width of a nozzle region of the recording head when the plurality of opening sections are projected so as to be aligned in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of conveyance of the recording medium; an ejection control device which performs control of preliminary ejection of the ink from the recording head toward the opening sections in synchronism with positions of the opening sections; and an ink receiving member which receives the ink in the preliminarily ejection through the opening sections, wherein the ink receiving member moves relative to the recording medium conveyance device and the recording head.