Patent Publication Number: US-11027541-B2

Title: Liquid discharge apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2019-047647, filed on Mar. 14, 2019, and 2020-001493, filed on Jan. 8, 2020, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a liquid discharge apparatus. 
     Related Art 
     Apparatuses including a liquid discharge head discharge liquid that does not contribute to liquid application to a target (a medium such as a sheet), for maintenance and recovery of the liquid discharge head. The liquid not contributing to liquid application is discharged toward, for example, a liquid receptacle. Such an operation is called dummy discharge (also called flushing or purging). 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment of this disclosure, a liquid discharge apparatus includes a head configured to discharge a liquid, a liquid receptacle configured to receive the liquid discharged from the head, a moving device configured to move the liquid receptacle relative to the head, and control circuitry. The liquid receptacle includes an absorber and an absorber case configured to house the absorber. The absorber includes a slit. The control circuitry is configured to cause the head to discharge the liquid into the slit of the absorber while moving, with the moving device, the liquid receptacle with respect to the head. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a printer that is a liquid discharge apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of an example of a liquid discharge unit of the printer illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of liquid receptacles of the printer illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exterior perspective view of a liquid receptacle according to a first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 5A to 5C  are perspective views illustrating a replacement procedure of a liquid receiver of the liquid receptacle; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the liquid receiver of the liquid receptacle; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view (in a plane S in  FIG. 6 ) of the liquid receiver taken along a short-side direction; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating an example of an absorbing member of the liquid receiver; 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a portion related to control of dummy discharge operation to the liquid receptacle (liquid receiver) according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of control of the dummy discharge operation according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating an effect of performing dummy discharge by relatively moving the liquid receptacle and a head according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to a second embodiment, along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to a third embodiment, along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to a fourth embodiment, along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to a fifth embodiment, along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to a sixth embodiment, along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to a seventh embodiment, along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to an eighth embodiment, along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a liquid receiver according to a ninth embodiment; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver according to the ninth embodiment; along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to a tenth embodiment, along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to an eleventh embodiment, along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to a twelfth embodiment, along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to a thirteenth embodiment, along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to a fourteenth embodiment, along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 26  is a flowchart of selection of discharge target slit in control of dummy discharge operation, according to a fifteenth embodiment; 
         FIGS. 27A to 27C  are cross-sectional views of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof, in states corresponding to the flowchart in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a flowchart of selection of discharge target slit in the control of dummy discharge operation according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 29  is a flowchart of selection of discharge position in the control of dummy discharge operation according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 30A to 30C  are cross-sectional views of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof; 
         FIG. 31  is a flowchart of selection of discharge target slit in the control of dummy discharge operation according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction; 
         FIG. 33  is a flowchart of selection of discharge target slit in the control of dummy discharge operation according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 34  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to a twentieth embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along the short-side direction; 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view of an absorber and a slit width retainer of the liquid receptacle according to the twentieth embodiment; 
         FIG. 36  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver according to a twenty-first embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along the short-side direction; and 
         FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional view of a liquid receiver in a twenty-second embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along the short-side direction. 
     
    
    
     The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have the same function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result. 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views thereof, embodiments of this disclosure are described. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     A first embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 .  FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a printer as the liquid discharge apparatus according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a plan view of an example of a liquid discharge unit of the printer illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of liquid receptacles of the printer. 
     A printer  1  includes a loading unit  10 , a printing unit  20 , a drying unit  30 , and an unloading unit  40 . The printer  1  applies, with the printing unit  20 , a liquid onto a sheet P conveyed from the loading unit  10 , to perform required printing. Thereafter, the printer  1  dries the liquid applied to the sheet P in the drying unit  30  and ejects the sheet P to the unloading unit  40 . 
     The loading unit  10  includes a loading tray  11 , a feeder  12 , and a registration roller pair  13 . A plurality of sheets P is stacked on the loading tray  11 . The feeder  12  separates and feeds the sheets P from the loading tray  11  one by one. The registration roller pair  13  sends the sheet P fed by the feeder  12  to the printing unit  20 . 
     The feeder  12  can be any feeding device such as a device using a roller or a roll, or a device using air suction. After the leading end of the sheet P sent out from the loading tray  11  by the feeder  12  reaches the registration roller pair  13 , the registration roller pair  13  is driven at a predetermined timing, to send the sheet P to the printing unit  20 . 
     The printing unit  20  includes a sheet conveyor  21  that conveys the sheet P. The sheet conveyor  21  includes a drum  51 , a suction device  52 , and the like. The drum  51  is a medium bearer (a rotator) that bears the sheet P on a peripheral face thereof and rotates. The suction device  52  generates a suction force on the peripheral face of the drum  51 . 
     The printing unit  20  includes a liquid discharge device  22  that discharges a liquid toward the sheet P carried on the drum  51  of the sheet conveyor  21 . 
     The printing unit  20  includes a transfer cylinder  24  that receives the sheet P and forwards the sheet P to the drum  51  and a transfer cylinder  25  that forwards the sheet P conveyed by the drum  51  to the drying unit  30 . 
     The transfer cylinder  24  includes a sheet griper to grip the leading end of the sheet P conveyed from the loading unit  10  to the printing unit  20 . The sheet P thus gripped is conveyed as the transfer cylinder  24  rotates. The transfer cylinder  24  forwards the sheet P to the drum  51  at a position opposite the drum  51 . 
     Similarly, the drum  51  includes a sheet gripper on the surface thereof, and the leading end of the sheet P is gripped by the sheet gripper. The drum  51  includes a plurality of suction holes dispersed on the surface thereof. The suction device  52  generates suction airflows orienting inward from the suction holes of the drum  51 . 
     On the drum  51 , the sheet gripper grips the leading end of the sheet P forwarded from the transfer cylinder  24 , and the sheet P is attracted to and carried on the drum  51  by the suction airflows by the suction device  52 . As the drum  51  rotates, the sheet P is conveyed. 
     The liquid discharge device  22  includes discharge units  23  ( 23 A to  23 F) that discharge liquids. For example, the discharge unit  23 A discharges a liquid of cyan (C), the discharge unit  23 B discharges a liquid of magenta (M), the discharge unit  23 C discharges a liquid of yellow (Y), and the discharge unit  23 D discharges a liquid of black (K), respectively. Further, the discharge units  23 E and  23 F are used to discharge the liquid of any one of Y, M, C, and K or special liquid such as white and gold (silver). Furthermore, a discharge unit that discharges a treatment liquid such as a surface coating liquid may be provided. 
     The discharge unit  23  is a full line head and includes a plurality of liquid discharge heads  100  (hereinafter simply referred to as “heads  100 ”) arranged on a base  102 . The liquid discharge head  100  includes nozzle rows  101  including a plurality of nozzles. The nozzles are arranged, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The discharge operation of each discharge unit  23  of the liquid discharge device  22  is controlled by a drive signal corresponding to print data. When the sheet P carried on the drum  51  passes through a region facing the liquid discharge device  22 , the respective color liquids are discharged from the discharge units  23 , and an image corresponding to the print data is formed. 
     A plurality of liquid receptacles  200  ( 200 A,  200 B, and  200 C) is arranged at substantially equal angular intervals in the drum  51  of the sheet conveyor  21 . In the present embodiment, the drum  51  is provided with the three liquid receptacles  200 A,  200 B, and  200 C. The liquid receptacles  200  are embedded in recesses on the peripheral face of the drum  51 . The peripheral face of the drum  51  includes a plurality of sheet conveyance faces  510  at positions different from the liquid receptacles  200  in the direction in which the liquid receptacles  200  move relative to the liquid discharge heads  100 . The sheet conveyance faces  510  carry the sheets P, respectively. 
     When performing maintenance of the heads  100  of the discharge unit  23 , a liquid (dummy discharge droplet) not applied to the sheet P is discharged to the liquid receptacle  200 , which is called “dummy discharge operation.” 
     The drying unit  30  includes a drying mechanism  31  and a suction conveyance mechanism  32 . The drying mechanism  31  dries the liquid applied on the sheet P in the printing unit  20 . The suction conveyance mechanism  32  conveys the sheet P conveyed from the printing unit  20  while sucking the sheet P. 
     The sheet P conveyed from the printing unit  20  is received by the suction conveyance mechanism  32 , conveyed passing through the drying mechanism  31 , and forwarded to the unloading unit  40 . 
     When the sheet P passes through the drying mechanism  31 , the liquid on the sheet P is dried. As a result, a liquid component such as moisture in the liquid evaporates, and the colorant contained in the liquid is fixed on the sheet P. Additionally, curling of the sheet P is inhibited. 
     The unloading unit  40  includes an unloading tray  41  on which a plurality of sheets P is stacked. The sheets P conveyed from the drying unit  30  are sequentially stacked and held on the unloading tray  41 . 
     The printer  1  can further include, for example, a pretreatment unit disposed upstream from the printing unit  20 , or a post-processing unit (a finisher) disposed between the drying unit  30  and the unloading unit  40 . The pretreatment unit performs pretreatment on the sheet P. The post-processing unit performs post-processing of the sheet P to which the liquid is applied. 
     For example, the pretreatment unit coats the sheet P with a treatment liquid that reacts with the liquid to inhibit bleeding (a pre-coating process). For example, the post-processing unit turns upside down the sheet printed by the printing unit  20  and again sends the sheet to the printing unit  20  for performing printing on both sides of the sheet (a sheet reversal conveyance process). Alternatively, the post-processing unit can bind together a plurality of sheets. 
     Although the printer to perform printing on cut sheets P is described as the liquid discharge apparatus, aspects of this disclosure are applicable to a printer or the like to perform printing on a continuous medium, such as continuous paper. 
     Next, the liquid receptacle according to the first embodiment is described with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIG. 4  is an exterior perspective view of the liquid receptacle.  FIGS. 5A to 5C  are perspective views illustrating a replacement procedure of a liquid receiver of the liquid receptacle. 
     The liquid receptacle  200  includes a liquid receiver  201  and a support case  202 . The liquid receiver  201  receives the liquid discharged from the head  100 . The support case  202  is a support that supports the liquid receiver  201  on the drum  51 . 
     The support case  202  includes a slide rail  203  on the bottom face thereof. The slide rail  203  detachably supports the liquid receiver  201  and is movable in the axial direction of the drum  51 . 
     Then, when a receiver-full detector detects that the liquid receiver  201  is full, a user can pull out the liquid receiver  201  from the support case  202  for replacement. 
     In the replacement of the liquid receiver  201 , the slide rail  203  is pulled out in the direction indicated by the arrow illustrated in  FIG. 5A  to the position illustrated in  FIG. 5B . Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the used liquid receiver  201  is pulled out in the direction indicated by the arrow illustrated in  FIG. 5B , and the slide rail  203  is emptied as illustrated in  FIG. 5C . Thereafter, a new liquid receiver  201  is set on the slide rail  203 , and the slide rail  203  is returned inside the support case  202  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     As described above, since the liquid receiver  201  alone is replaceable, the number of replacement parts can be reduced, and cost can be reduced. However, the liquid receptacle  200  can be constructed only of the liquid receiver  201 . 
     Next, the liquid receiver of the liquid receptacle is described with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 8 .  FIG. 6  is an exterior perspective view of the liquid receptacle.  FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view (in a plane S in  FIG. 6 ) of the liquid receiver taken along a short-side direction (lateral direction) thereof.  FIG. 8  is an exterior perspective view illustrating an example of an absorbing member of the liquid receptacle. 
     The liquid receiver  201  includes an absorber  211  and an absorber case  212  that houses the absorber  211 . 
     The absorber  211  includes slits  213  extending along the longitudinal direction thereof. The longitudinal direction of the absorber  211  coincides with the axial direction of the drum  51  and is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet. The number of slits  213  can be one or more. In the present embodiment, three slits  213  ( 213 A to  213 C) are arranged side by side in the conveyance direction. 
     The absorber  211  includes a plurality of laminated absorbing members  211 A and a flat absorbing member  211 B. Each absorbing member  211 A includes through grooves  211   a  to form the slit  213 . The absorbing member  211 B is plate-shaped and disposed on the bottom face of the absorber case  212 . Then, the absorbing member  211 B and the plurality of absorbing members  211 A are sequentially stacked in this order from the bottom face of the absorber case  212 . 
     The absorber case  212  is made of, for example, a resin having no liquid permeability. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , regarding the shape of the through groove  211   a  forming the slit  213 , the end of the through groove  211   a  in the longitudinal direction of the absorbing member  211 A can be either closed or open, that is, not closed. 
     Next, a description is given of control of the dummy discharge operation to the liquid receptacle (liquid receiver) in the first embodiment, with reference to the block diagram of  FIG. 9 . 
     A dummy discharge controller  701  controls the dummy discharge operation. The dummy discharge controller  701  drives the head  100  with a head drive controller  702  and causes the head  100  to discharge the liquid to the liquid receptacle  200  between the sheets P. 
     A drum motor drive controller  703  controls a drum motor  751  to drive the drum  51  to rotate. The drum motor drive controller  703  is implemented by a main controller of the printer  1  and drives the drum  51  while the sheet P is conveyed. 
     The dummy discharge controller  701  accepts a signal input from an encoder  752  that detects the rotational position of the drum  51 . Based on the rotation amount of the drum  51  from a home position, the dummy discharge controller  701  causes the head  100  to discharge the liquid at the position opposite the liquid receptacle  200  (dummy discharge operation). 
     A discharge amount measurement unit  710  measures the amount of liquid (dummy discharge amount) discharged from the head  100  by the dummy discharge controller  701 . The discharge amount measurement unit  710  measures and stores the dummy discharge amount, for example, for each liquid receptacle  200 , each slit  213  of the liquid receptacle  200 , or each different discharge position of the slit  213 . The dummy discharge amount can be measured by, for example, multiplying the number of discharged droplets with the volume of one droplet. 
     Next, a description is given of control of the dummy discharge operation in the present embodiment, with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 10 . 
     The dummy discharge controller  701  determines whether or not to perform the dummy discharge operation (Step S 1 , hereinafter referred to as “S 1 ”). 
     The dummy discharge operation is performed, for example, when printing has been performed on a predetermined number of sheets P or every time a print job on a sheet P or sheets P completes. 
     Further, there is a situation, such as an initial operation, where the drum  51  rotates with the head  100  decapped, although the printing is not performed on the sheet P. Therefore, the dummy discharge operation can be performed when the head  100  is in the decapped state regardless of during printing and non-printing period. In other words, although the liquid at the nozzle dries when the head  100  is decapped, the dummy discharge operation can suppress the drying of the liquid. 
     By contrast, the dummy discharge operation can be prohibited in a situation other than the decapped state during printing. Such control can minimize wasteful consumption of liquid due to the dummy discharge operation. 
     Then, when performing the dummy discharge operation, the dummy discharge controller  701  selects the liquid receptacle  200  to which the liquid is discharged (S 2 ). In the selection of the liquid receptacle  200 , the liquid receptacle  200  to which the liquid is discharged last time is regarded as an n-th liquid receptacle, and an (n+1)th liquid receptacle is selected as the target receptacle to receive the dummy discharge. For example, when the discharge has been previously performed to the liquid receptacle  200 A, the liquid receptacle  200 B is selected this time as the target receptacle. 
     That is, in a configuration in which the plurality of liquid receptacles  200  is arranged around the drum  51 , the weights of the liquid receptacles  200  can be balanced by equalizing the amounts of liquid discharged to the liquid receptacles  200  to some extent. Accordingly, fluctuations in rotation due to the unbalanced weight of the drum  51  can be suppressed. 
     The discharge amount measurement unit  710  measures the discharge amount (amount of waste liquid) to each of the liquid receptacles  200 A to  200 C. When the dummy discharge controller  701  selects the liquid receptacle  200  having a small amount of waste liquid, the weights of the liquid receptacles  200  can be more precisely balanced. 
     Next, the slit  213  to which the liquid is to be discharged is selected from the plurality of slits  213 A to  213 C of the target liquid receptacle  200  (S 4 ). 
     Thereafter, the dummy discharge controller  701  determines whether or not the drum  51  has reached the position (dummy discharge position) of the selected slit  213  of the liquid receptacle  200  (S 4 ). When the head  100  reaches the dummy discharge position, the head  100  is driven to discharge the liquid toward the selected slit  213  of the discharge receptacle  200  (S 5 ). 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, the rotation of the drum  51  is not stopped for the dummy discharge. The head  100  discharges the liquid to the slit  213  of the liquid receptacle  200  (dummy discharge is performed) in the state where the liquid receptacle  200  moves with the rotation of the drum  51 , that is, the liquid receptacle  200  and the head  100  move relative to each other. The drum  51  serves as a moving device that relatively moves the liquid receptacles  200  and the heads  100 . 
     The position of the slit  213  of the liquid receptacle  200  can be obtained as rotation amount (rotational position) information of the drum  51  with reference to the home position of the drum  51 . Therefore, when the rotation amount of the drum  51  from the home position reaches the rotation amount representing the position of the slit  213  of the liquid receptacle  200 , the liquid is discharged from the head  100 . The drive timing (dummy discharge timing) of the head  100  changes depending on the rotation speed of the drum  51 , the discharge speed from the head  100 , the distance between the head  100  and the slit  213  of the liquid receptacle  200 , and the like. 
     In the example described above, the target receptacle is changed among the plurality of liquid receptacles  200  for each dummy discharge operation, or based on the measurement result of the amount of liquid discharged to the liquid receptacles  200 . Alternatively, for example, the liquid receptacle  200  that reaches the head  100  first can be selected as the target of dummy discharge. 
     Such control can reduce the time required for the selected liquid receptacle  200  to reach the dummy discharge position, and accordingly reduce the length of time of the dummy discharge operation. 
     Preferably, the dummy discharge is performed at a timing between sheets (sheet interval) during consecutive printing in which printing is consecutively performed on a plurality of sheets. Alternatively, when performing a plurality of print jobs for printing on a plurality of sheets, the dummy discharge can be performed at timing between print jobs. 
     Further, the measurement of the amount of liquid discharged for each liquid receptacle  200  can be obviated in the following handling. For example, when one of the liquid receptacles  200  becomes full, the apparatus can prompt the user to replace all the liquid receptacles  200 . Such handling can reduce the number of times of replacement work of the liquid receptacles  200 . 
     Next, a description is given of effects of performing dummy discharge while relatively moving the liquid receptacles and the heads, with reference also to  FIG. 11 . 
     As illustrated in a diagram (a) in  FIG. 11 , when liquid  300  is discharged toward the slit  213  while the liquid receptacle  200  and the head  100  move relative to each other, an airflow  301  occurs inside the slit  213  of the liquid receptacle  200  with the rotation of the drum  51 . 
     The liquid  300  discharged into the slit  213  by the airflow  301  adheres more to side wall surfaces  213   a  and  213   b  of the slit  213  than to a bottom surface  213   c  (see also  FIG. 7 ) of the slit  213 . Further, regarding the side wall surfaces  213   a  and  213   b  of the slit  213 , the liquid  300  adheres more to the side wall on the downstream side of the airflow  301 , for example, the side wall surface  213   a . Diagrams (b) and (c) in  FIG. 11  illustrate the results of observation of the liquid adhering state in the slit  213 . 
     As described above, the liquid  300  is caused to adhere to the side wall surfaces  213   a  and  213   b  of the slit  213 . This configuration is advantageous in retarding the growth of deposit, compared with a case where a deposit formed by drying of the liquid  300  grows from the bottom surface  213   c  of the slit  213 . 
     Thus, according to the liquid receptacle  200  of the present embodiment, the useful life of the liquid receiver  201  can be extended, and the frequency of replacement of the liquid receptacle  200  can be reduced. 
     Next, a liquid receiver according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the absorber  211  is formed by sequentially laminating the plurality of absorbing members  211 A on the bottom face of the absorber case  212 . Each absorbing member  211 A includes the through grooves  211   a  (see  FIG. 8 ) that form the slits  213 , similar to the first embodiment. 
     As a result, the cost can be reduced because the absorber  211  is constructed of the absorbing members  211 A having the same shape. 
     Next, a liquid receiver according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the absorber  211  uses two types of absorbing members  211 C and  211 D having different lengths. The absorbing members  211 C and  211 D are alternately arranged so that the short absorbing member  211 D (second absorbing members) is sandwiched between the long absorbing members  211 C (first absorbing members). The spaces above the absorbing members  211 D serve as the slits  213 . 
     This structure requires only making the length of the absorbing members  211 C and  211 D different, and the processing of the absorbing members becomes easy. 
     Next, a liquid receiver according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the absorber  211  is formed by engraving the slits  213  in one absorbing member  211 E. 
     Such a method can reduce the number of components and improve the workability in mounting the absorber  211  in the absorber case  212 . 
     In each of the above-described embodiments, the relationship between the slit  213  and the color of the liquid to be discharged in dummy discharge can be fixed, and the width of the slit  213  in the short-side direction can be changed according to the color of the liquid. 
     Such setting can equalize the deposition height in each slit  213  when liquids having different deposition rates are used. 
     Next, a liquid receiver according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the absorber  211  includes absorbing members  211 D 1  to  211 D 3  having widths W different in the short-side direction of the slit  213 , corresponding to the colors of the liquids. Here, a width W 11  of the absorbing member  211 D 1 , a width W 12  of the absorbing member  211 D 2 , and a width W 13  of the absorbing member  211 D 3  satisfy the relationship expressed as W 11 &gt;W 12 &gt;W 13 . However, the relationship is not limited thereto. 
     In this configuration, the liquid of frequently discharged color is discharged to the wide slit  213 , and the liquid of less frequently discharged color is discharged to the narrow slit  213 , thereby leveling the deposition height in each slit  213 . 
     Next, a liquid receiver according to a sixth embodiment is described with reference to  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the absorber  211  is constructed combining absorbing members  211 F and  211 G. With this structure, the widths W (W 1  and W 2 ) of the slits  213  in the relative movement direction differ in the height direction. The slit  213  of the absorber  211  is shaped so that a width W 1  on the entrance side is wider than a width W 2  on the bottom side. That is, the width of the slit  213  increases as the position in the height direction becomes closer to the nozzle of the head  100 . 
     This structure is advantageous in a case where the liquid easily adheres to upper portions of the side wall surfaces  213   a  and  213   b  of the slit  213  due to the type of liquid and the discharge conditions. This structure can increase the area where the liquid can be deposited, thereby extending the useful life. 
     Next, a liquid receiver according to a seventh embodiment is described with reference to  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the absorber  211  is constructed combining absorbing members  211 H and  211 I. This structure forms the slits  213  whose widths W (W 1  and W 2 ) in the relative movement direction differ in the height direction. The slit  213  of the absorber  211  is shaped so that the width W 2  on the bottom side is wider than the width W 1  on the entrance side. That is, the width of the slit  213  increases as the position in the height direction draws away from the nozzle of the head  100 . 
     This structure is advantageous when the liquid easily adheres to lower portions of the side wall surfaces  213   a  and  213   b  of the slit  213  due to the type of liquid and the discharge conditions. This structure can increase the area where the liquid can be deposited, thereby extending the useful life. 
     Next, a liquid receiver according to an eighth embodiment is described with reference to  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the absorber case  212  includes a film case  212 A and a holding case  212 B. The absorber  211  is the same as that of the third embodiment, but can be the same as that of another embodiment. This applies to the following embodiments similarly. 
     The film case  212 A is made of a material having no liquid permeability (for example, a plastic film) to store the discharged liquid. By contrast, the holding case  212 B is made of a material (paper, plastic, etc.) capable of keeping the shape of the film case  212 A and has such a shape to keep the shape of the film case  212 A. When the holding case  212 B is made of paper, the cost can be reduced, recyclability can be improved, and weight can be reduced. 
     Next, a liquid receiver according to a ninth embodiment is described with reference to  FIGS. 19 and 20 .  FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the liquid receiver.  FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the liquid receiver  201  includes a lid  214  that covers the opening side of the absorber case  212 . The lid  214  includes openings  215  corresponding to the slits  213 . 
     This structure can prevent the absorber  211  from popping out from the absorber case  212  outward in the radial direction of the drum  51  when the liquid receptacle  200  is rotated by the rotation of the drum  51 . 
     A description is given below of a liquid receiver according to tenth embodiment with reference to  FIG. 21 .  FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the liquid receiver  201  includes the lid  214  that covers the opening side of the absorber case  212 . The lid  214  includes the openings  215  corresponding to the slits  213  and further includes bent portions  214   a . The bent portions  214   a  are folded to the side wall surfaces  213   a  and  213   b.    
     This structure can prevent the absorber  211  from popping out from the absorber case  212  outward in the drum radial direction, and regulate the position of the absorber  211  in the width direction. In particular, this configuration is advantageous for a configuration in which long and short absorbing members  211 C and  211 D are alternately arranged like the absorber  211  of the third embodiment. That is, although the long absorbing member  211 C may fall down absorbing the waste liquid over time, this structure can prevent such falling down. 
     A description is given below of a liquid receiver according to an eleventh embodiment with reference to  FIG. 22 .  FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the absorber case  212  of the liquid receiver  201  includes a bent portion  212   a  at the opening thereof. 
     Accordingly, the position in the height direction of the absorber  211  can be regulated. 
     Note that, in the configuration using the absorber  211  of the third embodiment as in the present embodiment, the absorbing members  211 C and  211 D are contactless with the bent portion  212   a . However, the absorbing members  211 C and  211 D contactless with the bent portion  212   a  are held by the frictional force between the absorbing members  211 C and  211 D. 
     A description is given below of a liquid receiver according to a twelfth embodiment with reference to  FIG. 23 .  FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the support case  202  of the liquid receptacle  200  includes a lid  204  as an integral part thereof. The lid  204  covers the opening side of the absorber case  212  and includes openings  205  facing the slits  213 . 
     This structure can prevent the absorber  211  from popping out from the absorber case  212  outward in the drum radial direction due to the rotation of the liquid receptacle  200 . 
     A description is given below of a liquid receiver according to a thirteenth embodiment with reference to  FIG. 24 .  FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the support case  202  of the liquid receptacle  200  includes a bent portion  202   a  at the opening thereof. 
     This structure can prevent the liquid receiver  201  from popping out from the support case  202  outward in the drum radial direction due to the rotation of the liquid receptacle  200 . 
     A description is given below of a liquid receiver according to a fourteenth embodiment with reference to  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, the support case  202  of the liquid receptacle  200  includes the lid  204 , as an integral part thereof, that covers the opening side of the absorber case  212 . The lid  204  includes the openings  205  facing the slits  213 . The lid  204  further includes bent portions  204   a  bent onto the side wall surfaces  213   a  and  213   b  enclosing the slits  213 . 
     This structure can prevent the absorber  211  from popping out from the absorber case  212  outward in the drum radial direction, and regulate the position of the absorber  211  in the width direction. 
     Accordingly, the absorber  211  can be prevented from popping out from the absorber case  212  outward in the drum radial direction due to the rotation of the liquid receptacle  200 . 
     Next, control of the dummy discharge operation according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIGS. 26 to 27C .  FIG. 26  is a flowchart of selection of discharge target slit in control of the dummy discharge operation.  FIGS. 27A to 27C  are cross-sectional views of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the process of selecting the slit to which the liquid is discharged, the dummy discharge controller  701  determines whether or not the amount of liquid discharged to the first slit has reached a predetermined amount (S 11 ). When the predetermined amount of liquid has not yet been discharged to the first slit, the first slit is selected as the discharge target slit (S 13 ). The predetermined amount is, for example, stored in a memory by a manufacturer based on empirical data. Then, for example, the slit  213 A is selected, and the liquid  300  is discharged from the head  100  to the slid  213 A as illustrated in  FIG. 27A . 
     When the predetermined amount of liquid has been discharged to the first slit, the dummy discharge controller  701  determines whether or not the amount of liquid discharged to the second slit has reached a predetermined amount (S 12 ). When the predetermined amount of liquid has not yet been discharged to the second slit, the second slit is selected as the discharge target slit (S 14 ). Then, for example, the slit  213 B is selected, and the liquid  300  is discharged from the head  100  to the slid  213 A as illustrated in  FIG. 27B . 
     When the predetermined amount of liquid has been discharged to the second slit, the third slit is selected as the discharge target slit (S 15 ). Then, for example, the slit  213 C is selected, and the liquid  300  is discharged from the head  100  to the slid  213 A as illustrated in  FIG. 27C . 
     Then, when the third slit is selected as the discharge target slit, a flag of each slit  213  representing completion of discharge of the predetermined amount of liquid is reset (S 16 ). Thus, next time, the discharge is started again from the first slit. 
     As described above, in the structure including the plurality of slits  213 , the discharge target slit is changed every time the predetermined amount of liquid has been discharged (every time the discharge amount exceeds a threshold). Accordingly, the deposition of the waste liquid can be dispersed per slit, thereby increasing the area where the waste liquid can be deposited. Further, the liquid is discharged to the same slit  213  until the discharge amount reaches a certain amount, which is advantageous when a liquid that dries easily is used. The surface of the waste liquid that has landed on the liquid receptacle  200  is less likely to dry, and the deposition rate of the waste liquid can be reduced. 
     In the present embodiment, the liquid is discharged while changing the slits in the order from the extreme downstream slit  213 A to the extreme upstream slit  213 C in the moving direction of the absorber  211 . In other words, the liquid can be discharged while changing the slits in the order of the slit that opposes the head  100  as the absorber  211  enters under the head  100  by rotation of the drum  51 . 
     By discharging the liquid while changing the slits in this order, the liquid can be discharged to a plurality of locations in the liquid receptacle  200  in accordance with the direction of rotation of the drum  51 , and the control can be simplified. 
     Alternatively, the liquid can be discharged while changing the slits in the order from the extreme upstream stream slit  213 C to the extreme downstream slit  213 A in the moving direction of the absorber  211 . 
     Next, a description is given of control of the dummy discharge operation according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, with reference also to  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 28  is a flowchart of selection of discharge target slit in control of the dummy discharge operation. 
     In the present embodiment, the dummy discharge controller  701  determines whether or not the discharge target slit in the previous dummy discharge operation is the third slit (S 21 ). When the discharge target slit in the previous dummy discharge operation is the third slit, the first slit is selected as the discharge target slit (S 23 ). 
     When the discharge target slit in the previous dummy discharge operation is not the third slit, the dummy discharge controller  701  determines whether or not the previous discharge target slit is the first slit (S 22 ). When the discharge target slit in the previous dummy discharge operation is the first slit, the second slit is selected as the discharge target slit (S 24 ). 
     When the target slit in the previous dummy discharge operation is not the first slit, the third slit is selected as the target slit (S 25 ). 
     In this manner, every time the dummy discharge operation is performed, the discharge target slit is changed, that is, the liquid is not continuously discharged to the same slit. Such control can extend the permeation time of a hard-to-dry liquid into the absorber  211 , thereby inhibiting deposition on the surface of the absorber  211 . 
     Next, control of the dummy discharge operation according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIGS. 29 to 30C .  FIG. 29  is a flowchart of selection of discharge position in control of the dummy discharge operation.  FIGS. 30A to 30C  are cross-sectional views of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the discharge position selection processing, a plurality of discharge positions to which the liquid is discharged is set in the same slit  213 , and the discharge position in the dummy discharge operation, that is, the relative position between the head  100  and one slit  213  is changed. 
     For example, when first to third discharge positions F 1  to F 3  are set as illustrated in  FIGS. 30A to 30C , the dummy discharge controller  701  determines whether a predetermined amount of liquid has been discharged to the first discharge position F 1  (S 31 ). When the predetermined amount of liquid has not yet been discharged to the first discharge position F 1 , the first discharge position F 1  is selected as a target discharge position (S 33 ). Accordingly, for example, the liquid  300  is discharged from the head  100  to the first discharge position F 1  as illustrated in  FIG. 30A . 
     When the predetermined amount of liquid has been discharged to the first discharge position F 1 , the dummy discharge controller  701  determines whether a predetermined amount of liquid has been discharged to the second discharge position F 2  (S 32 ). When the predetermined amount has not yet been discharged to the second discharge position F 2 , the second discharge position is selected as the target discharge position (S 34 ). Accordingly, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 30B , the liquid  300  is discharged from the head  100  to the second discharge position F 2 . 
     When the predetermined amount of liquid has been discharged to the second discharge position F 2 , the third discharge position F 3  is selected as the target discharge position (S 35 ). As a result, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 30C , the liquid  300  is discharged from the head  100  to the third discharge position F 3 . 
     When the third discharge position F 3  is selected as the target discharge position, the flag of each discharge position representing completion of discharge of the predetermined amount of liquid is reset (S 36 ). Thus, next time, the discharge is started again from the first discharge position. 
     As described above, in the structure including a plurality of discharge positions, the target discharge position is changed every time a predetermined amount of liquid is discharged. Accordingly, the deposition of the waste liquid can be dispersed, thereby increasing the area where the waste liquid can be deposited and extending the useful life. Thus, the frequency of replacement can be reduced. 
     Next, the control of the dummy discharge operation in an eighteenth embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIGS. 31 and 32 .  FIG. 31  is a flowchart of selection of discharge target slit in control of the dummy discharge operation.  FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 32 , the head  100  includes a contactless detector  180  to detect the amount (deposition height) of the waste liquid in the slit  213 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 31 , the dummy discharge controller  701  determines whether or not the deposition amount in the first slit is equal to or smaller than a threshold (S 41 ). At this time, when the deposition amount in the first slit is equal to or smaller than the threshold, the first slit is selected as a discharge target slit (S 44 ). 
     When the deposition amount in the first slit is not equal to or smaller than the threshold, the dummy discharge controller  701  determines whether the deposition amount in the second slit is equal to or smaller than the threshold (S 42 ). At this time, when the deposition amount in the second slit is equal to or smaller than the threshold, the second slit is selected as the discharge target slit (S 45 ). 
     When the deposition amount in the second slit is not equal to or smaller than the threshold, the dummy discharge controller  701  determines whether the deposition amount in the third slit is equal to or smaller than the threshold (S 43 ). At this time, when the deposition amount in the third slit is equal to or smaller than the threshold, the third slit is selected as the discharge target slit (S 46 ). 
     When the deposition amount in the third slit is not equal to or smaller than the threshold, the liquid receptacle  200  is regarded as being full-filled, and replacement is prompted (S 47 ). 
     As described above, in the structure including a plurality of slits, the target discharge position is changed every time the deposition amount reaches the threshold. Accordingly, the deposition of the waste liquid can be dispersed, thereby extending the useful life, and reducing the frequency of replacement. 
     Note that, although the present embodiment is described using an example in which the discharge slit is selected, alternatively a plurality of discharge positions can be set as in the above-described seventeenth embodiment. In such a case, the deposition amount at each discharge position is detected, and the discharge position can be changed each time the deposition amount reaches the threshold. 
     Yet alternatively, the first slit to the third slit can be set in the order from the extreme downstream slit  213 A to the extreme upstream slit  213 C in the moving direction of the absorber  211 . The order can be expressed as the order of the slit that opposes the head  100  as the absorber  211  enters under the head  100  by rotation of the drum  51 . 
     Alternatively, the first slit to the third slit can be set in the order from the extreme upstream slit  213 C to the extreme downstream slit  213 A in the moving direction of the absorber  211 . 
     Further, the discharge position can be changed based on the discharge amount, instead of the deposition amount (deposition height) of waste liquid, detected by the contactless detector  180 . 
     Next, a description is given of control of the dummy discharge operation according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, with reference also to  FIG. 33 .  FIG. 33  is a flowchart of selection of discharge target slit in control of the dummy discharge operation. 
     In the present embodiment, the dummy discharge controller  701  determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous discharge of liquid (S 51 ). For example, the predetermined time is stored in a memory by the manufacturer based on empirical data. When the predetermined time has not yet elapsed, the slit  213  to which the liquid is discharged in the previous discharge is selected (S 53 ). When the predetermined time has elapsed, the next slit  213  is selected (S 52 ). 
     In this manner, every time the predetermined time elapses from the previous dummy discharge operation, the discharge target slit is changed. Such control can secure the permeation time of the waste liquid into the absorber  211 , thereby inhibiting deposition of the liquid on the surface of the absorber  211 . 
     Next, a liquid receiver according to a twentieth embodiment is described with reference to  FIGS. 34 and 35 .  FIG. 34  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof.  FIG. 35  is a perspective view of an absorber and a slit width retainer of the liquid receiver. 
     In the present embodiment, the liquid receiver  201  includes slit width retainers  216  ( 216 A and  216 B) on the opening side of the absorber case  212 . The slit width retainers  216  secure the slit widths W of the slits  213 . 
     The slit width retainer  216  is formed as follows. Bend a linear member made of, e.g., stainless steel to form projecting portions and recessed portions, and fit the projecting portions and recessed portions on tops of the absorbing members  211 C and between the absorbing members  211 C and  211 C. 
     In the longitudinal direction of the liquid receiver  201 , a plurality of slit width retainers  216 A and  216 B is arranged. The number of the slit width retainers  216  can be three or more. 
     This structure can reduce variations of the slit width W of the slits  213  due to the swing of the absorbing member  211 C by the rotation of the liquid receptacle  200  and the manner of fitting of the absorbing members  211 C and  211 D. 
     A description is given below of a liquid receiver according to a twenty-first embodiment with reference to  FIG. 36 .  FIG. 36  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction thereof. 
     In the present embodiment, in addition to the structure according to the twentieth embodiment, the absorber case  212  includes the bent portion  212   a  that covers a portion of the top of the absorbing members  211 C and  211 C on both sides. 
     Then, a portion  216   a  of the slit width retainer  216  is sandwiched between the bent portion  212   a  of the absorber case  212  and the top of the absorbing member  211 C. 
     This structure can prevent the absorbing members  211 C and the slit width retainer  216  from popping out from the absorber case  212  outward in the drum radial direction due to the rotation of the liquid receptacle  200 . 
     In the present embodiment, the slit width retainer  216  is also sandwiched between the absorber case  212  and the outer wall surface of the absorbing member  211 C. Thus, the absorbing members  211 C and the slit width retainer  216  can be more reliably prevented from popping out. 
     A description is given below of a liquid receiver according to a twenty-second embodiment with reference to  FIG. 37 .  FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver along the short-side direction. 
     In the present embodiment, the slit width retainer  216  is in contact with not only the top of the absorbing member  211 C but also the top of the absorbing member  211 D. This structure can prevent the position of the absorbing member  211 D from shifting due to the rotation of the liquid receptacle  200 . 
     In the twentieth to the twenty-second embodiments, the number of the slit width retainers  216  arranged in the longitudinal direction of the liquid receiver  201  is not limited to two. When one slit width retainer  216  is used, the slit width retainer  216  is preferably disposed at the center of the liquid receiver  201  in the longitudinal direction. When three or more slit width retainers  216  are used, the intervals between the adjacent slit width retainers  216  in the longitudinal direction of the liquid receiver  201  can be made equal, or the slit width retainers  216  can be disposed not to oppose to the nozzles. 
     In the present disclosure, the “liquid” discharged is not limited to a particular liquid as long as the liquid has a viscosity or surface tension to be discharged from a head (liquid discharge head). However, preferably, the viscosity of the liquid is not greater than 30 mPa·s under ordinary temperature and ordinary pressure or by heating or cooling. Examples of the liquid include a solution, a suspension, or an emulsion including, for example, a solvent, such as water or an organic solvent, a colorant, such as dye or pigment, a functional material, such as a polymerizable compound, a resin, a surfactant, a biocompatible material, such as DNA, amino acid, protein, or calcium, and an edible material, such as a natural colorant. Such a solution, a suspension, or an emulsion can be used for, e.g., inkjet ink, surface treatment liquid, a liquid for forming components of electronic element or light-emitting element or a resist pattern of electronic circuit, or a material solution for three-dimensional fabrication. 
     The term “liquid discharge head” signifies liquid discharge heads employing, as an energy source to generate energy to discharge liquid, a piezoelectric actuator (a laminated piezoelectric element or a thin-film piezoelectric element), a thermal actuator that employs an electrothermal transducer element, such as a heat element, or an electrostatic actuator including a diaphragm and opposed electrodes. 
     The term “liquid discharge apparatuses” signifies apparatuses that drive a liquid discharge head to discharge liquid. The liquid discharge apparatus is not limited to an apparatus capable of discharging a liquid to a material to which liquid can adhere but includes an apparatus that discharges a liquid toward gas or into liquid. 
     The liquid discharge apparatus can include at least one of devices for feeding, conveying, and ejecting a material to which liquid can adhere. The liquid discharge apparatus can further include at least one of a pretreatment apparatus and a post-treatment apparatus. 
     As the liquid discharge apparatuses, for example, there are image forming apparatuses to discharge ink onto sheets to form images and three-dimensional fabricating apparatuses to discharge molding liquid to a powder layer in which powder is molded into a layer-like shape, so as to form three-dimensional fabricated objects. 
     The “liquid discharge apparatus” is not limited to an apparatus to discharge liquid to visualize meaningful images, such as letters or figures. For example, the liquid discharge apparatus can be an apparatus to form arbitrary images, such as arbitrary patterns, or fabricate three-dimensional images. 
     The above-mentioned term “material to which liquid can adhere” represents a material which liquid can, at least temporarily, adhere to and solidify thereon, or a material into which liquid permeates. Examples of “material to which liquid can adhere” include paper sheets, recording media such as recording sheet, recording sheets, film, and cloth; electronic components such as electronic substrates and piezoelectric elements; and media such as powder layers, organ models, and testing cells. The term “material to which liquid can adhere” includes any material to which liquid adheres, unless particularly limited. 
     The above-mentioned “material to which liquid adheres” can be any material, such as paper, thread, fiber, cloth, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, or the like, as long as liquid can temporarily adhere. 
     The “liquid discharge apparatus” can be an apparatus in which the liquid discharge head and a material to which liquid can adhere move relatively to each other. However, the liquid discharge apparatus is not limited to such an apparatus. For example, the liquid discharge apparatus can be a serial head apparatus that moves the liquid discharge head or a line head apparatus that does not move the liquid discharge head. 
     Examples of the “liquid discharge apparatus” further include a treatment liquid coating apparatus to discharge a treatment liquid to a sheet to coat the treatment liquid on a sheet surface to reform the sheet surface and an injection granulation apparatus in which a composition liquid including raw materials dispersed in a solution is discharged through nozzles to granulate fine particles of the raw materials. 
     Further, as a mode in which the liquid receptacle is relatively moved with respect to the head, the liquid receptacle can be fixed, and the head can be moved with respect to the liquid receptacle. 
     The terms “image formation,” “recording,” “printing,” “image printing,” and “fabricating” used herein can be used synonymously with each other. 
     The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present disclosure. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Any one of the above-described operations may be performed in various other ways, for example, in an order different from the one described above. 
     Each of the functions of the described embodiments may be implemented by one or more processing circuits or circuitry. Processing circuitry includes a programmed processor, as a processor includes circuitry. A processing circuit also includes devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA) and conventional circuit components arranged to perform the recited functions.