Patent ID: 8132891
Filing Date: 2012-03-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An image recording apparatus comprising: a liquid-droplet ejecting head which extends in one direction and which includes a plurality of incoming passages having respective inlets receiving a liquid, a plurality of common liquid passages communicating with the respective incoming passages, and a plurality of individual liquid passages extending from outlets of the common liquid passages to nozzles open in a liquid ejecting surface through pressure chambers; a liquid supply device configured to selectively supply the liquid to said plurality of incoming passages; a wiping member formed of an elastic material; a moving mechanism for moving the wiping member in said one direction, in contact with the liquid ejecting surface; and a control device configured to control said liquid supply device and said moving mechanism, and wherein said liquid ejecting surface has a plurality of unit areas which are arranged in said one direction such that a plurality of groups of said nozzles communicating with the respective incoming passages are open in the respective unit areas, said control device controlling said liquid supply device so as to sequentially supply the liquid to the incoming passages corresponding to the respective unit areas, in the order of arrangement of the unit areas in said one direction, until a predetermined volume of the liquid is discharged from the nozzles in each of said unit areas, and controlling said moving mechanism such that said unit areas are sequentially wiped by the wiping member after the predetermined volume of the liquid is discharged from the nozzles in each of the unit areas