Patent ID: 7753474
Filing Date: 2010-07-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A droplet ejection apparatus comprising: a droplet ejection head having a nozzle forming surface in which a nozzle is formed, the droplet ejection head ejecting a liquefied material containing a functional material from the nozzle as a droplet; a head support portion supporting the droplet ejection head; a cap casing having an accommodating portion in which a portion of the droplet ejection head including at least the nozzle forming surface is accommodated, wherein the cap casing has a seal member that contacts the head support portion or the droplet ejection head to substantially seal the nozzle forming surface; a liquid supply device that supplies a liquid to the accommodating portion; a controller that drives the liquid supply device so as to control the amount of the liquid retained in the accommodating portion; and a movement device that moves at least one of the cap casing and the droplet ejection head relative with the other, wherein, when recovery is performed on the droplet ejection head or the droplet ejection head is held in a nonoperating state, the movement device arranges the cap casing relative to the droplet ejection head in such a manner that the nozzle forming surface is immersed in the liquid retained in the accommodating portion, wherein the controller controls, depending on whether the nozzle forming surface is substantially sealed by the cap casing, the amount of the liquid retained in the accommodating portion such that the liquid does not contact with the seal member.