Patent ID: 8038267
Filing Date: 2011-10-18
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A droplet jetting applicator, comprising: a liquid storage unit configured to store liquid; a droplet jetting head having an inner channel through which the liquid supplied from the liquid storage unit passes, the droplet jetting head configured to jet, as a droplet, the liquid passing through the inner channel; a liquid supply channel configured to connect the liquid storage unit and the inner channel of the droplet jetting head so as to supply the liquid from the liquid storage unit to the droplet jetting head; a liquid supply unit provided in the liquid supply channel, and configured to supply the liquid from the liquid storage unit to the droplet jetting head through the liquid supply channel; a first buffer liquid reservoir provided in the liquid supply channel so as to be positioned closer to the droplet jetting head than the liquid supply unit, and formed so that the liquid flowing from the liquid supply channel drops thereinto and thereafter is reserved therein; a decompression unit configured to decompress the inside of the first buffer liquid reservoir; a liquid return channel configured to connect the inner channel of the droplet jetting head and one of the liquid storage unit and the first buffer liquid reservoir so as to return the liquid having passed through the inner channel of the droplet jetting head from the liquid jetting head to the one of the liquid storage unit and the first buffer liquid reservoir; a liquid return unit provided in the liquid return channel, and configured to return the liquid having passed through the inner channel of the droplet jetting head from the liquid jetting head to one of the liquid storage unit and the first buffer liquid reservoir through the liquid return channel; and a second buffer liquid reservoir provided in the liquid return channel so as to be positioned closer to the droplet jetting head than the liquid return unit, and formed so that the liquid flowing from the liquid return channel drops thereinto and thereafter is reserved therein, wherein the first buffer liquid reservoir allows the liquid flowing from the liquid supply channel to flow along an inner wall surface thereof thereby to remove any bubbles in the liquid flowing from the liquid supply channel, and stores the liquid having flown along the inner wall surface therein, and the second buffer liquid reservoir allows the liquid flowing from the liquid return channel to flow along an inner wall surface thereof thereby to remove any bubbles in the liquid flowing from the liquid supply channel, and stores the liquid having flown along the inner wall surface therein.