Patent ID: 7311378
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A wiping apparatus for wiping a nozzle surface of a function liquid droplet ejection head by a wiping sheet coated with a cleaning liquid capable of dissolving a function liquid, the apparatus comprising: a feeding reel for feeding the wiping sheet; a spray head for spraying and coating the wiping sheet fed from the feeding reel with the cleaning liquid; a wiping member for causing the wiping sheet coated with the cleaning liquid to be urged against the nozzle surface of the function liquid droplet ejection head, thereby performing a wiping operation; a take-up reel for taking up the wiping sheet passing through the wiping member; a cover box covering at least the feeding reel, the take-up reel, the wiping member and the spray head, as well as a sheet-feeding passage for the wiping sheet, the passage extending from the feeding reel to the take-up reel through the wiping member; and an apparatus frame supporting the above-described constituting elements of the apparatus, wherein the cover box has formed therein a member opening through which the wiping member protrudes; a protruding/withdrawal mechanism for supporting the wiping member and also for causing the wiping member to be protruded or withdrawn from the member opening; an open/close lid for opening or closing the member opening; and a cover interlocking mechanism for closing the open/close lid in a manner interlocked with an withdrawing movement of the wiping member by the protruding/withdrawal mechanism.