Patent ID: 8608298
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A printing apparatus comprising: a print head that ejects ink; an ink tank that holds ink that is supplied to the print head; a supply channel for supplying ink from the ink tank to the print head; a first filter for trapping bubbles disposed in a supply port through which ink is supplied from the supply channel to the print head; a collection channel for collecting ink from the print head to the ink tank; a second filter for trapping bubbles disposed in a collection port through which ink is supplied from the print head to the collection channel; a pump disposed in the collection channel; a first one-way valve disposed between the pump and the ink tank in the collection channel, the first one-way valve allowing movement of ink from the pump to the ink tank and blocking movement of ink from the ink tank to the pump; a circulation channel that connects the ink tank to a position between the pump and the first one-way valve of the collection channel; a second one-way valve disposed in the circulation channel, the second one-way valve allowing movement of ink from the ink tank to the pump and blocking movement of ink from the pump to the ink tank; and control means for controlling the pump, wherein the control means causes the pump to rotate in a first direction so that ink is supplied from the ink tank to the print head through the supply channel and ink is collected from the print head to the ink tank through the collection channel, and the control means causes the pump to rotate in a second direction so that ink is supplied from the ink tank to the print head through the circulation channel and ink is collected from the print head to the ink tank through the supply channel.