Patent ID: 7387377
Filing Date: 2008-06-17
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A liquid ejection apparatus comprising: a liquid reservoir which retains a liquid; a head having a nozzle which ejects liquid through the nozzle; a liquid supply line connecting the liquid reservoir to the head; and a pressure chamber defined in the liquid supply line, wherein the pressure chamber comprises a liquid inlet portion and a liquid outlet portion, wherein the pressure chamber comprises first and second wall surfaces, which are opposed to each other, wherein the first wall surface is formed by a flexible member, which is deformable in correspondence with a pressure difference between an interior of the pressure chamber and an exterior of the pressure chamber, wherein an interval between the second wall surface and the flexible member becomes smaller in a direction separating from the liquid outlet portion, wherein, when an amount of liquid in the pressure chamber decreases, the flexible member is flexed due to a pressure difference between the interior of the pressure chamber and the exterior of the pressure chamber, so as to block the liquid outlet portion so that the flexible member is brought into contact with the second wall surface gradually from a portion at which the interval between the flexible member and the second wall surface is relatively small and then the flexible member blocks the liquid outlet portion, and wherein, when liquid is supplied to the pressure chamber, through the liquid inlet portion from the liquid reservoir, the flexible member separates from the liquid outlet portion due to a pressure of the liquid.