Patent ID: 8303104
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An inkjet recording apparatus to print by discharging ink onto a surface of a recording medium comprising: an endless rotation conveyance member with a plurality of first through-holes to support the recording medium on its surface; a suction unit to suction the recording medium on the surface of the endless rotation conveyance member by suctioning air through the first through-holes of the endless rotation conveyance member; a plurality of ink discharge heads including a plurality of ink discharge nozzles arranged in a direction perpendicular to a recording medium conveyance direction; a blank discharge ink receiver to receive ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzles of the plurality of ink discharge heads and passing through the first through-holes, the blank discharge ink receiver being disposed in a position corresponding to the plurality of ink discharge nozzles in an inner circumference area of the endless rotation conveyance member; a control unit to cause the ink discharge nozzles to discharge the ink when there is no recording medium on the endless rotation conveyance member and the first through-holes come to a position facing the ink discharge nozzles; and a fixed plate provided along an inner surface of the endless rotation conveyance member in the inner circumference area, the fixed plate including a plurality of openings having a size corresponding to an area where the ink discharge nozzles of the plurality of ink discharge heads are formed and located in a position corresponding to the plurality of ink discharge heads including ink discharge nozzles, and a plurality of second through-holes to suction air aside from the openings, the plurality of openings having a larger area than the second through-holes, wherein the blank discharge ink receiver is disposed corresponding to the openings of the fixed plate so as to seal an inside space of the blank discharge receiver as a substantially closed space except the plurality of openings, by contacting with a back surface of the fixed plate without a gap around the openings, and the blank discharge ink receiver is resettable or replaceable by being released from the fixed plate, and wherein the ink discharge heads discharge ink onto the blank discharge ink receiver for blank discharge in a state in which the blank discharge ink receiver is in close contact with the back surface of the fixed plate and an upper surface of the fixed plate is away from the ink discharge heads.