Patent Publication Number: US-9427971-B2

Title: Printer with a cleanable nozzle surface

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-153543 filed Jul. 29, 2014, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a printer that can clean a nozzle surface including a nozzle. 
     A printer is known that can clean a nozzle surface including a nozzle. For example, a known inject recording device is configured to execute a maintenance operation that cleans a nozzle surface. When the inkjet recording device executes the maintenance operation, the inkjet recording device causes a cap to closely fit to a nozzle surface of a print head. In this state, the inkjet recording device operates a suction portion and sucks out ink from the print head. Next, the inkjet recording device causes a cleaning fluid to flow into the cap, and stands by for a specified time period. After that, the inkjet recording device removes the cap from the nozzle surface and wipes the nozzle surface using a wiping portion. 
     SUMMARY 
     When the cap is removed from the nozzle surface in a state in which the cleaning fluid is in the cap, the cleaning fluid attached to the nozzle surface is separated from the cleaning fluid stored in the cap. At this time, due to the surface tension of the cleaning fluid, the cleaning fluid may remain on the leading end portion of the cap on the nozzle surface. The cleaning fluid may be mixed with ink. Therefore, when the cleaning fluid on the leading end portion of the cap dries out, the ink may be attached firmly to the leading end portion of the cap. When ink is attached firmly to the leading end portion of the cap, it becomes difficult for the cap to closely fit to the nozzle surface. In this case, for example, the firmly attached ink may cause a gap between the cap and the nozzle surface and the cleaning fluid may leak. In such a case, there is a possibility that it becomes more difficult to clean the nozzle surface. As a result, it is possible that the ink is not cleaned from the nozzle surface, the ink remains on the nozzle surface and becomes firmly attached thereto, and nozzle clogging occurs. It is thus possible that print quality may deteriorate. 
     Embodiments of the broad principles derived herein provide a printer that is capable of reducing a possibility of nozzle clogging and resultant deterioration in print quality. 
     Embodiments provide a printer that includes a head, a wiper, a cap, a supply flow path, a supply opening/closing valve, a gas channel, a gas opening/closing valve, a waste fluid flow path, a suction portion, and a processor. The head includes a nozzle surface. The nozzle surface is a surface including at least one nozzle configured to eject an ejection fluid. The wiper is configured to move relatively with respect to the nozzle surface. The wiper is configured to slide in contact with the nozzle surface. The cap is configured to be opposed to the nozzle surface. The cap is configured to fit closely to the nozzle surface and to cover the at least one nozzle. The supply flow path is connected to the cap. The supply flow path is a flow path configured to supply a cleaning fluid to the cap. The supply opening/closing valve is provided on the supply flow path. The supply opening/closing valve is configured to open and close the supply flow path. The gas channel is connected to the cap. The gas opening/closing valve is configured to open and close the gas channel. The waste fluid flow path is connected to the cap. The waste fluid flow path is a flow path configured to discharge the cleaning fluid supplied to the cap. The suction portion is connected to the waste fluid flow path. The suction portion is configured to perform suction. The processor is configured to set a covered state in which the cap covers the at least one nozzle, supply the cleaning fluid to the cap via the supply flow path, in the covered state, by opening the supply opening/closing valve, closing the gas opening/closing valve, and driving the suction portion, discharge, via the waste fluid flow path, the cleaning fluid supplied to the cap, in the covered state, by closing the supply opening/closing valve, opening the gas opening/closing valve, and driving the suction portion, set an uncovered state in which covering the at least one nozzle by the cap is released, and cause the wiper to slide in contact with the nozzle surface, in the uncovered state, by moving the wiper relatively with respect to the nozzle surface. 
     Embodiments also provide a printer that includes a head, a wiper, a cap, a plurality of supply flow paths, a plurality of supply opening/closing valves, at least one gas channel, at least one gas opening/closing valve, a waste fluid flow path, a suction portion, and a processor. The head includes a nozzle surface. The nozzle surface is a surface including at least one nozzle configured to eject an ejection fluid. The wiper is configured to move relatively with respect to the nozzle surface. The wiper is configured to slide in contact with the nozzle surface. The cap is configured to be opposed to the nozzle surface. The cap is configured to fit closely to the nozzle surface and to cover the at least one nozzle. The cap includes a plurality of areas partitioned by a partition wall. The partition wall is provided on a side, of the cap, that is configured to be opposed to the nozzle surface. The plurality of supply flow paths are respectively connected to the plurality of areas. The plurality of supply flow paths are flow paths configured to supply a cleaning fluid to the cap. The plurality of supply opening/closing valves are respectively provided on the plurality of supply flow paths. The plurality of supply opening/closing valves are respectively configured to open and close the plurality of supply flow paths. The at least one gas channel is connected to the plurality of supply flow paths. A number of the at least one gas channel is smaller than a number of the plurality of supply flow paths. The at least one gas opening/closing valve is configured to open and close the at least one gas channel. The waste fluid flow path is connected to the cap. The waste fluid flow path is a flow path configured to discharge the cleaning fluid supplied to the cap. The suction portion is connected to the waste fluid flow path. The suction portion is configured to perform suction. The processor is configured to set a covered state in which the cap covers the at least one nozzle, supply the cleaning fluid to the cap via at least one of the plurality of supply flow paths, in the covered state, by opening at least one of the plurality of supply opening/closing valves, closing the at least one gas opening/closing valve, and driving the suction portion, discharge, via the waste fluid flow path, the cleaning fluid supplied to the cap, in the covered state, by opening at least one of the plurality of supply opening/closing valves, opening the at least one gas opening/closing valve, and driving the suction portion, set an uncovered state in which covering the at least one nozzle by the cap is released, and cause the wiper to slide in contact with the nozzle surface, in the uncovered state, by moving the wiper relatively with respect to the nozzle surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a printer; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the printer; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows along a line A-A shown in  FIG. 2 , where a wiper is in a wiper separation position, and a cap is in a covering position; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the wiper is in a first contact position and a nozzle surface wiping operation is being performed; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the wiper is in a second contact position; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printer; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of a maintenance flow path system in a state in which the cap is in a cap separation position; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of maintenance processing; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of the maintenance flow path system showing a state in which the cap is in the covering position; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram of the maintenance flow path system showing a state in which ink has been drawn out from nozzles into a first area; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of the maintenance flow path system showing a state in which the ink has been discharged from the first area; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram of the maintenance flow path system showing a state in which cleaning fluid has been supplied to the first area; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram of the maintenance flow path system showing a state in which the cleaning fluid has been discharged from the first area; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram of the maintenance flow path system showing a state in which the cap is tilted diagonally; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram of the maintenance flow path system showing a state in which air is caused to flow into the cap from a gap; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic diagram of the maintenance flow path system showing a state in which the cap is in the cap separation position; and 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic diagram of a maintenance flow path system according to a modified example, showing a state in which the cap is in the cap separation position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An embodiment will be explained with reference to the drawings. A configuration of a printer  1  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7 . The upper side, the down side, the lower left side, the upper right side, the lower right side, and the upper left side in  FIG. 1  respectively correspond to an upper side, a down side, a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side of the printer  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the printer  1  is an inkjet printer that is configured to perform printing on a fabric (not shown in the drawings) such as a T-shirt, which is a print medium, by ejecting a liquid ink  91  (refer to  FIG. 10 ). Paper or the like may be used as the print medium. In the present embodiment, the printer  1  can perform printing of a color image onto the print medium, by downwardly ejecting five different types (white (W), black (K), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M)) of the ink  91 . In the following explanation, of the five types of the ink  91 , the white ink  91  is referred to as white ink. When the black, cyan, yellow, and magenta inks  91  are collectively referred to, they are referred to as color inks. 
     The printer  1  includes a housing  2 , a platen drive mechanism  6 , a pair of guide rails (not shown in the drawings), a platen  5 , a tray  4 , a frame body  10 , a guide shaft  9 , a rail  7 , a carriage  20 , head units  100  and  200 , a drive belt  101 , and a drive motor  19 . 
     The housing  2  is a substantially cuboid shape whose long sides extend in the left-right direction. An operation portion (not shown in the drawings) is provided in a position on the front right side of the housing  2 . The operation portion is used to cause the printer  1  to operate. The operation portion includes a display  49  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) and operation buttons  501  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). The display  49  is configured to display various information. The operation buttons  501  may be operated when an operator inputs commands relating to various operations of the printer  1 . 
     The frame body  10  has a substantially rectangular frame shape in a plan view. The frame body  10  is provided on an upper portion of the housing  2 . The front side of the frame body  10  supports the guide shaft  9 . The rear side of the frame body  10  supports the rail  7 . The guide shaft  9  is a shaft member that includes a shaft-shaped portion that extends in the left-right direction on the inside of the frame body  10 . The rail  7  is disposed facing the guide shaft  9  and is a rod-shaped member that extends in the left-right direction. 
     The carriage  20  is supported such that the carriage  20  can be conveyed in the left-right direction along the guide shaft  9 . As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the head units  100  and  200  are mounted on the carriage  20  such that the head units  100  and  200  are arranged in the front-rear direction. The head unit  100  is positioned further to the rear than the head unit  200 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a head portion  110  is provided on a bottom portion of each of the head units  100  and  200 . The head portion  110  of the head unit  100  can eject the white ink. The head portion  110  of the head unit  200  can eject the color inks. 
     The head portion  110  includes a nozzle surface  111 . The nozzle surface  111  is a surface that includes a plurality of fine nozzles that can eject the ink  91  downward. The nozzle surface  111  is a flat surface that is parallel to the horizontal direction. The nozzle surface  111  forms a bottom surface of each of the head units  100  and  200 . On the nozzle surface  111 , the plurality of nozzles are provided in a nozzle arrangement area  120 . The nozzle arrangement area  120  is provided in a central portion of the nozzle surface  111  in the left-right direction, and extends in the front-rear direction. 
     The nozzle surface  111  includes a plurality of nozzle arrays  121  to  124  in each of which the plurality of nozzles are arrayed. Each of the nozzle arrays  121  to  124  is an array of a plurality of the nozzles. The nozzle arrays  121  to  124  are respectively positioned in four areas into which the nozzle arrangement area  120  is divided in the left-right direction. The nozzle array  121 , the nozzle array  122 , the nozzle array  123 , and the nozzle array  124  are aligned in that order from the left side to the right side. 
     The nozzle arrays  121  to  124  of the head unit  100  can each eject white ink. The nozzle arrays  121  and  122  of the head unit  100  are connected, via mutually different white ink supply tubes (not shown in the drawings), to a single cartridge (not shown in the drawings) that stores white ink. The nozzle arrays  123  and  124  of the head unit  100  are connected, via mutually different white ink supply tubes (not shown in the drawings), to another cartridge that stores white ink. 
     The nozzle arrays  121  to  124  of the head unit  200  are connected, via mutually different color ink supply tubes (not shown in the drawings), to ink cartridges (not shown in the drawings) that store color inks corresponding to the respective colors. Specifically, the nozzle array  121  is connected to an ink cartridge of black ink. The nozzle array  122  is connected to an ink cartridge of yellow ink. The nozzle array  123  is connected to an ink cartridge of cyan ink. The nozzle array  124  is connected to an ink cartridge of magenta ink. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the drive belt  101  is strip-shaped, and is arranged along the left-right direction on the inside of the frame body  10 . The drive belt  101  is made of flexible resin. The drive motor  19  is provided on a front right portion on the inside of the frame body  10 . The drive motor  19  can rotate in the forward direction and the reverse direction. The drive motor  19  is coupled to the carriage  20  via the drive belt  101 . When the drive motor  19  drives the drive belt  101 , the carriage  20  is reciprocated in the left-right direction along the guide shaft  9 . The head units  100  and  200  are thus reciprocated in the left-right direction. The head units  100  and  200  can eject the ink  91  toward the platen  5  that is positioned below the head units  100  and  200  such that the platen  5  is opposed to the head units  100  and  200 . Printing can thus be performed on the print medium supported by the platen  5 . 
     The platen drive mechanism  6  includes the pair of guide rails (not shown in the drawings) and a platen support base (not shown in the drawings). The pair of guide rails extend in the front-rear direction on the inside of the platen drive mechanism  6 . The pair of guide rails support the platen support base such that the platen support base can move in the front-rear direction. The upper portion of the platen support base supports the platen  5 . The platen  5  may support the print medium. 
     The tray  4  is provided below the platen  5 . The tray  4  may receive a sleeve or the like of a T-shirt that is placed on the platen  5 , and may thus protect the sleeve or the like such that the sleeve or the like does not come into contact with a component inside the housing  2 . 
     The platen drive mechanism  6  is driven by a sub-scanning drive portion  46  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), which will be described below, and moves the platen support base and the platen  5  along the pair of guide rails in the front-rear direction of the housing  2 . Printing by the printer  1  on the print medium may be performed by the platen  5  conveying the print medium in the front-rear direction (a sub-scanning direction) and the ink  91  being ejected from the head portion  110  that is reciprocated in the left-right direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , in the present embodiment, the carriage  20  is disposed on the inside of the frame body  10 . Therefore, the head portion  110  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) can be moved in the left-right direction between a left end portion and a right end portion on the inside of the frame body  10 . On a movement path of the head portion  110 , an area in which printing is performed by the head portion  110  is referred to as a printing area  130 . An area, on the movement path of the head portion  110 , other than the printing area  130  is referred to as a non-printing area  140 . The non-printing area  140  is an area of a left portion of the printer  1 . The printing area  130  is an area from the right side of the non-printing area  140  to a right end portion of the printer  1 . The platen  5 , the tray  4 , and the like are provided in the printing area  130 . 
     In the present embodiment, various maintenance operations to secure the print quality are executed in the non-printing area  140 . The maintenance operations includes a flushing operation, an ink purge operation, a cleaning operation, a nozzle surface wiping operation, and a wiper wiping operation, for example. The flushing operation is an operation in which, before the printing is performed on the print medium, the ink  91  is ejected from the head portion  110  onto a flushing receiving portion  145  (refer to  FIG. 2 ), which will be described below. As a result of performing the flushing operation, the ink  91  may be ejected appropriately from the head portion  110  immediately after printing is started. The ink purge operation is an operation (refer to  FIG. 10 ) in which the ink  91  is drawn out from the nozzles by a suction pump  708 , which will be described below, in a state in which the nozzles of the nozzle surface  111  are covered by a cap  67  (refer to  FIG. 2 ), which will be described below. As a result of performing the ink purge operation, for example, air bubbles entered inside the nozzles may be discharged along with the ink  91 . In this way, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the occurrence of an ejection defect as a result of air bubbles. The cleaning operation is an operation (refer to  FIG. 12 ) in which the nozzle surface  111  to which the ink  91  is attached is cleaned by using a cleaning fluid  92 . 
     The nozzle surface wiping operation is an operation (refer to  FIG. 4 ) in which the excessive ink  91  and cleaning fluid  92  on the surface of the nozzle surface  111  are wiped by a wiper  31 , which is described below. As a result of performing the nozzle surface wiping operation, for example, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink  91  remaining on the nozzle surface  111  becomes firmly attached to the nozzle surface  111  and it becomes difficult to eject the ink  91  from the nozzle surface  111 . The wiper wiping operation is an operation (refer to  FIG. 5 ) in which the ink  91  attached to the wiper  31  is wiped away by an absorption member  51 , which will be described below. For example, the ink  91  and the cleaning fluid  92  wiped from the nozzle surface  111  may be attached to the wiper  31 . In this case, as a result of performing the wiper wiping operation, when the next nozzle surface wiping operation is performed, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the ink  91  and the cleaning fluid  92  becoming attached to the nozzle surface  111  from the wiper  31 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , maintenance portions  141  and  142  are provided in the non-printing area  140 . The maintenance portions  141  and  142  are respectively positioned below the movement paths of the head units  100  and  200 . By the control of a CPU  40  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) of the printer  1 , in the maintenance portions  141  and  142 , maintenance operations are performed on the head units  100  and  200 . The configuration and the operation of the maintenance portion  141  are the same as those of and the maintenance portion  142 . Therefore, in the following explanation, the maintenance portion  141  will be explained. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the maintenance portion  141  includes the wiper  31 , the flushing receiving portion  145 , the absorption member  51 , a support plate  149 , the cap  67 , and a cap support portion  69 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the flushing receiving portion  145  is positioned on a right portion, of the maintenance portion  141 , above a wall portion  74  of a movement portion  63 , which will be described below. The flushing receiving portion  145  includes a container portion  146  and an absorption body  147 . The container portion  146  is a container that is rectangular in a plan view and that is open at the top. The absorption body  147  is disposed inside the container portion  146 . The absorption body  147  is a cuboid member that can absorb the ink  91 . The flushing receiving portion  145  may receive the ink  91  that is ejected from the head unit  100  by the flushing operation. The ink  91  may be absorbed by the absorption body  147 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the wiper  31  is provided to the left of the flushing receiving portion  145 . The wiper  31  can be moved in the up-down direction. As shown in  FIG. 3 , in the up-down direction, the wiper  31  is provided below the nozzle surface  111 . The wiper  31  extends in the front-rear direction. The upper end of the wiper  31  is parallel to the nozzle surface  111 . A wiper support portion  32  is provided below the wiper  31  and supports the wiper  31 . The wiper support portion  32  is a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction when seen from the left side, and has a specified width in the left-right direction. The movement portion  63  is provided with inclined portions  641  and  642 , which will be described below. A lower portion of the wiper support portion  32  is in contact with inclined portions  641  and  642  such that the wiper support portion  32  can be moved with respect to the inclined portions  641  and  642 . A coil spring  60  is fixed to the lower portion of the wiper support portion  32 . The wiper support portion  32  is urged downward by the coil spring  60 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the movement portion  63  includes opposing wall portions  651  and  652 , and the wall portion  74  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). The pair of opposing wall portions  651  and  652  are opposed to each other in the front-rear direction. Each of the pair of opposing wall portion  651  and  652  is a substantially triangular shape in a side view. The opposing wall portions  651  and  652  respectively include the inclined portions  641  and  642 . 
     The pair of inclined portions  641  and  642  are opposed to each other in the front-rear direction. The pair of inclined portions  641  and  642  respectively form upper portions of the opposing wall portions  651  and  652 , and are portions that extend downward and diagonally to the left. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the wall portion  74  is a wall portion that is rectangular in a plan view and that is connected to right end portions of lower portions of the opposing wall portions  651  and  652 . The wall portion  74  is connected to a second drive portion  195  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), which will be described below. The movement portion  63  can be moved in the left-right direction as a result of driving of the second drive portion  195 . The wiper support portion  32  can be moved in the up-down direction along the inclined portions  641  and  642  in accordance with the movement of the movement portion  63  in the left-right direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a position of each of the wiper  31  and the wiper support portion  32  in the up-down direction in which the wiper  31  is separated from the nozzle surface  111  and the absorption member  51  is referred to as a wiper separation position. In the wiper separation position, the wiper support portion  32  is in contact with the lower end portions of the inclined portions  641  and  642 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a position of the wiper  31  and the wiper support portion  32  in the up-down direction in which the wiper  31  can come into contact with the nozzle surface  111  is referred to as a first contact position. In the first contact position, the wiper support portion  32  is in contact with the upper end portions of the inclined portions  641  and  642 . When the carriage  20  moves to the right in a state in which the wiper  31  and the wiper support portion  32  are in the first contact position, the wiper  31  slides in contact with the nozzle surface  111 . In this manner, the ink  91  and the cleaning fluid  92  may be removed from the nozzle surface  111 . The nozzle surface wiping operation is thus performed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a position of each of the wiper  31  and the wiper support portion  32  in the up-down direction in which the wiper  31  can come into contact with the absorption member  51  is referred to as a second contact position. In the second contact position, the wiper support portion  32  is in contact with portions of the inclined portions  641  and  642  that are slightly to the lower side than the center of the inclined portions  641  and  642  in the up-down direction. 
     The support plate  149  is provided between the wiper  31  and the cap  67  in the left-right direction. The support plate  149  is a plate-shaped member that is rectangular in a plan view and that extends in the horizontal direction. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the absorption member  51  is attached to the bottom surface of the support plate  149 , and is supported by the support plate  149 . The absorption member  51  is plate-shaped and extends in the horizontal direction. The absorption member  51  can absorb the ink  91  and the cleaning fluid  92 . 
     The support plate  149  is moved in the left-right direction by the driving of a first drive portion  194  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). When the support plate  149  is moved to the right in a state in which the wiper  31  and the wiper support portion  32  are in the second contact position, the wiper  31  slides in contact with the bottom surface of the absorption member  51 . In this manner, the absorption member  51  may absorb and remove the ink  91  and the cleaning fluid  92  that are attached to the wiper  31 . The wiper wiping operation is thus performed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the cap  67  and the cap support portion  69  are provided on a left portion of the maintenance portion  141 . The cap  67  is included in a maintenance flow path system  700  (refer to  FIG. 7 ), which will be described below. The cap support portion  69  is a box shape that is rectangular in a plan view and its upper surface is open. The cap  67  is disposed inside the cap support portion  69 . 
     The cap  67  is formed, for example, by a synthetic resin, such as rubber or the like. The cap  67  includes a bottom wall  671 , a peripheral wall  672 , and a partition wall  673 . The bottom wall  671  is a plate-shaped wall portion that forms a lower portion of the cap  67  and that extends in the horizontal direction. The bottom wall  671  has a rectangular shape that corresponds to an inner surface of the cap support portion  69  in a plan view. The peripheral wall  672  is a wall portion that is provided on an upper side, namely on the nozzle surface  111  side, of the cap  67 . The peripheral wall  672  extends upward from around the periphery of the bottom wall  671 . In the up-down direction, the peripheral wall  672  is opposed to the periphery of the nozzle arrangement area  120  of the nozzle surface  111 . 
     The partition wall  673  is a wall portion that is provided on the upper side, namely on the nozzle surface  111  side, of the cap  67 . The partition wall  673  extends upward from the bottom wall  671 . The partition wall  673  is provided between the center of the bottom wall  671  in the left-right direction and the left end portion of the bottom wall  671 , and extends in the front-rear direction. The front end and the rear end of the partition wall  673  are connected to a front end portion and a rear end portion of the peripheral wall  672 , respectively. In the up-down direction, the partition wall  673  is opposed to a boundary  127  between the nozzle array  121  and the nozzle arrays  122  to  124 . Cap lips  676 , which form the top ends of the peripheral wall  672  and of the partition wall  673 , have the same height in the up-down direction. The cap lips  676  are positioned above the top end of the cap support portion  69 . 
     An area inside the peripheral wall  672  is divided into two by the partition wall  673 . In the following explanation, of the areas inside the peripheral wall  672 , an area on the left side of the partition wall  673  is referred to as a first area  661  and an area on the right side of the partition wall  673  is referred to as a second area  662 . 
     By the driving of a third drive portion  196  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), which will be described below, the cap support portion  69  is moved in the up-down direction between a covering position (refer to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 9 ) and a cap separation position (refer to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 16 ). The covering position is a position of each of the cap  67  and the cap support portion  69  in which the cap  67  fits closely to the nozzle surface  111  and covers the nozzles. The cap separation position is a position in which the cap  67  is separated from and below the nozzle surface  111 . As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 9 , when the cap  67  and the cap support portion  69  are in the covering position, the peripheral wall  672  fits closely to the periphery of the nozzle arrangement area  120  of the nozzle surface  111 , and the partition wall  673  fits closely to the boundary  127  of the nozzle surface  111 . The ink purge operation, the cleaning operation, and the like are performed when the cap  67  and the cap support portion  69  are in the covering position. 
     An electrical configuration of the printer  1  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 6 . The printer  1  includes the CPU  40 , which controls the printer  1 . A ROM  41 , a RAM  42 , a head drive portion  43 , a main scanning drive portion  45 , the sub-scanning drive portion  46 , the first drive portion  194 , the second drive portion  195 , the third drive portion  196 , an electromagnetic valve drive portion  197 , a pump drive portion  198 , a display control portion  48 , and an operation processing portion  50  are electrically connected to the CPU  40  via a bus  55 . 
     The ROM  41  stores a control program, initial values, and the like that are used by the CPU  40  to control the operations of the printer  1 . The RAM  42  temporarily stores various data that is used in the control program. The head drive portion  43  is electrically connected to the head portions  110 , which is configured to eject the ink  91 . The head drive portion  43  is configured to drive piezoelectric elements provided on ejection channels of the head portions  110  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) and cause the ink  91  to be ejected from the nozzles. 
     The main scanning drive portion  45  includes the drive motor  19  (refer to  FIG. 1 ). The main scanning drive portion  45  is configured to move the carriage  20  in the left-right direction (a main scanning direction). The sub-scanning drive portion  46  includes a motor and gears that are not shown in the drawings. The sub-scanning drive portion  46  is configured to drive the platen drive mechanism  6  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) and moves the platen  5  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) in the front-rear direction (the sub-scanning direction). 
     The first drive portion  194  includes a first drive motor (not shown in the drawings), gears (not shown in the drawings), and the like. The first drive portion  194  is configured to move the support plate  149  in the left-right direction. Thus, the first drive portion  194  can move the absorption member  51  in the left-right direction. The second drive portion  195  includes a second drive motor (not shown in the drawings), gears (not shown in the drawings), the movement portion  63  (refer to  FIG. 3 ), and the like. The second drive portion  195  is configured to move the wiper support portion  32  in the up-down direction. Thus, the second drive portion  195  can move the wiper  31  in the up-down direction. The third drive portion  196  includes a third drive motor (not shown in the drawings), gears (not shown in the drawings), and the like. The third drive portion  196  is configured to move the cap support portion  69  in the up-down direction. Thus, the third drive portion  196  can move the cap  67  in the up-down direction. Further, the third drive portion  196  is configured to tilt the cap support portion  69  with respect to the horizontal plane. Thus, the third drive portion  196  can tilt the cap  67  with respect to the nozzle surface  111  (refer to  FIG. 14 ). When tilting the cap support portion  69  with respect to the nozzle surface  111 , for example, the third drive portion  196  may drive an actuator that is not shown in the drawings to pull the left end portion of the cap support portion  69  downward. In this manner, the third drive portion  196  may tilt the cap support portion  69  diagonally downward to the left. The cap support portion  69  may be tilted using another configuration. The cap  67  is tilted in the left-right direction in  FIG. 14 , but the cap  67  may be tilted in the front-rear direction. 
     The electromagnetic valve drive portion  197  is configured to open and close supply opening/closing valves  721  and  722 , gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742 , and waste fluid opening/closing valves  771  and  772  (refer to  FIG. 7 ), which will be described below. The pump drive portion  198  is configured to drive the suction pump  708  (refer to  FIG. 7 ), which will be described below. The display control portion  48  is configured to control display of the display  49 . The operation processing portion  50  is configured to output, to the CPU  40 , an operation input with any one of the operation buttons  501 . 
     The maintenance flow path system  700  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 7 , in order to make the drawing easier to understand, the maintenance flow path system  700  and the head portion  110  are illustrated schematically. The maintenance flow path system  700  is a mechanism through which the ink  91 , the cleaning fluid  92 , and air flow when maintenance processing (refer to  FIG. 8 ), which will be described below, is performed. The maintenance flow path system  700  includes a cleaning fluid tank  705 , supply flow paths  711  and  712 , the supply opening/closing valves  721  and  722 , gas channels  731  and  732 , the gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742 , waste fluid flow paths  761 ,  762 , and  763 , the waste fluid opening/closing valves  771  and  772 , the suction pump  708 , and a waste fluid tank  706 . 
     The cleaning fluid tank  705  is a container in which the cleaning fluid  92  stored. The supply flow path  711  is a flow path that is connected to the first area  661  of the cap  67  and to the cleaning fluid tank  705 . The supply flow path  711  can supply the cleaning fluid  92  that is stored in the cleaning fluid tank  705  to the first area  661  of the cap  67 , by an operation of the suction pump  708 , which will be described below. The supply flow path  712  is a flow path that is connected to the second area  662  of the cap  67  and to the cleaning fluid tank  705 . The supply flow path  712  can supply the cleaning fluid  92  that is stored in the cleaning fluid tank  705  to the second area  662  of the cap  67 , by an operation of the suction pump  708 , which will be described below. 
     The supply opening/closing valves  721  and  722  are electromagnetic valves that are provided on the supply flow paths  711  and  712 , respectively. The supply opening/closing valves  721  and  722  can open and close the supply flow paths  711  and  712 , respectively. The gas channels  731  and  732  are connected to the supply flow paths  711  and  712 , respectively, at confluence portions  751  and  752  that are positioned closer to the cap  67  than the supply opening/closing valves  721  and  722 . Thus, the gas channel  731  is connected to the first area  661  of the cap  67  via the supply flow path  711 . The gas channel  732  is connected to the second area  662  of the cap  67  via the supply flow path  712 . Ends of the gas channels  731  and  732  on the opposite side to the cap  67  side are exposed to the air. The gas channels  731  and  732  are channels for air. The gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742  are electromagnetic valves that are provided on the gas channels  731  and  732 , respectively. The gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742  open and close the gas channels  731  and  732 , respectively. 
     The waste fluid flow path  761  is connected to the first area  661  of the cap  67 . The waste fluid flow path  762  is connected to the second area  662  of the cap  67 . The waste fluid flow paths  761  and  762  converge at a confluence portion  707 , and thus become the one waste fluid flow path  763 . The waste fluid flow path  763  is connected to the waste fluid tank  706 . The waste fluid tank  706  is a container that stores the ink  91  and the cleaning fluid  92  discharged from the cap  67 . The suction pump  708  is provided on the waste fluid flow path  763 . The ink  91  and the cleaning fluid  92  can be discharged from the cap  67  via the waste fluid flow paths  761 ,  762 , and  763  by an operation of the suction pump  708 . The waste fluid opening/closing valves  771  and  772  are electromagnetic valves that are provided on the waste fluid flow paths  761  and  762 , respectively. The waste fluid opening/closing valves  771  and  772  can open and close the waste fluid flow paths  761  and  762 , respectively. 
     In the following explanation, the supply flow path  711 , the gas channel  731 , and the waste fluid flow paths  761  and  763  that are connected to the first area  661  are referred to as a first flow path system  701 . The supply flow path  712 , the gas channel  732 , and the waste fluid flow paths  762  and  763  that are connected to the second area  662  are referred to as a second flow path system  702 . 
     The maintenance processing will be explained with reference to  FIG. 8 . In the maintenance processing, the ink purge operation, the cleaning operation, the nozzle surface wiping operation, the wiper wiping operation, and the like are performed. The CPU  40  reads out the control program stored in the ROM  41 , controls the printer  1  and performs the maintenance processing (refer to  FIG. 8 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , it is assumed that the cap  67  is in the cap separation position. Further, as shown in  FIG. 3 , it is assumed that the wiper  31  is in the wiper separation position. The CPU  40  drives the third drive portion  196  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) and moves the cap support portion  69  upward, thus moving the cap  67  from the cap separation position (refer to  FIG. 7 ) to the covering position (refer to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 9 ) (step S 1 ). In this way, the nozzle surface  111  is set to a covered state. In the covered state, the cap  67  covers the nozzle surface  111 . A case is assumed, for example, in which, when the processing at step S 1  is performed, the gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742  are closed. In this case, when the cap  67  is pressed against the nozzle surface  111 , the air inside the first area  661  and the second area  662  is compressed and a repulsive force is generated. Thus, it may become difficult for the cap  67  to fit closely to the nozzle surface  111 . Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the processing at step S 1  is performed, the CPU  40  causes the gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742  to open such that the first area  661  and the second area  662  communicate with the air, as shown in  FIG. 9 . In this way, it is easier for the air inside the first area  661  and the second area  662  to escape to the outside via the gas channels  731  and  732 . As a result, the cap  67  fits closely to the nozzle surface  111  in a smooth manner. The gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742  may remain closed. 
     In  FIG. 9 , the flow paths that are open by opening the gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742  are indicated by bold lines in comparison to the other flow paths. Although not particularly explained below, in  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 16  (to be described below) also, the flow paths that are open by the opening of the electromagnetic valves are indicated by bold lines. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , in the covered state, the peripheral wall  672  fits closely to the periphery of the nozzle arrangement area  120  on which the nozzles are arrayed. Further, in the covered state, the partition wall  673  fits closely to the boundary  127  between the nozzle array  121  and the nozzle arrays  122  to  124 . Thus, the nozzle array  121  is disposed inside the first area  661  and the nozzle arrays  122  to  124  are disposed inside the second area  662 . 
     Next, processing from step S 2  to step S 10  is performed. At step S 2  to step S 10 , after the first flow path system  701  is used and the ink purge operation, the cleaning operation, and the like are performed with respect to the first area  661 , the nozzle surface wiping operation and the wiper wiping operation are performed. While the CPU  40  is performing the processing at step S 2  to step S 10 , in a case where the second flow path system  702  is not specifically referred to, the supply opening/closing valve  722  and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  772 , which are the electromagnetic valves positioned on the second flow path system  702 , are constantly closed. The gas opening/closing valve  742  may be closed or may be open. Therefore, in the processing from step S 2  to step S 10  explained below, an explanation is omitted with respect to the control of the electromagnetic valves positioned on the second flow path system  702 . 
     The CPU  40  causes the ink  91  inside the nozzles to be drawn out into the first area  661  of the cap  67  (step S 2 ). As shown in  FIG. 10 , at step S 2 , the CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  721  and the gas opening/closing valve  741  to close and causes the waste fluid opening/closing valve  771  to open. The CPU  40  causes the suction pump  708  to be driven. The supply opening/closing valve  721  and the gas opening/closing valve  741  are closed, and thus a negative pressure is established inside the first area  661  when the suction pump  708  sucks the air inside the first area  661 . Accordingly, the ink  91  inside the nozzle array  121  is drawn out into the first area  661  and the ink  91  is stored in the first area  661 . Part of the ink  91  may flow to the side of the waste fluid tank  706  through the waste fluid flow paths  761  and  763 . 
     Next, the CPU  40  causes the ink  91  drawn out of the nozzles at step S 2  to be discharged via the waste fluid flow paths  761  and  763  (step S 3 ). As shown in  FIG. 11 , at step S 3 , the CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  721  to close and causes the gas opening/closing valve  741  and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  771  to open. The CPU  40  causes the suction pump  708  to be driven. By the suction force of the suction pump  708 , the air flows into the first area  661  via the gas channel  731 , and the ink  91  inside the first area  661  is discharged into the waste fluid tank  706  via the waste fluid flow paths  761  and  763 . 
     Next, the CPU  40  causes the cleaning fluid  92  to be supplied from the cleaning fluid tank  705  to the first area  661  of the cap  67  via the supply flow path  711  (step S 4 ). As shown in  FIG. 12 , at step S 4 , the CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  721  and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  771  to open and causes the gas opening/closing valve  741  to close. The CPU  40  causes the suction pump  708  to be driven. By the suction force of the suction pump  708 , the cleaning fluid  92  flows from the cleaning fluid tank  705  to the first area  661  via the supply flow path  711 . Accordingly, the first area  661  is filled with the cleaning fluid  92 , and a portion in which the nozzle array  121  of the nozzle surface  111  is positioned and a portion inside the first area  661  of the cap  67  are cleaned by the cleaning fluid  92 . After the cleaning fluid  92  is supplied to the first area  661 , the CPU  40  may cause the driving of the suction pump  708  to stop and may stand by for a specified period of time. In this case, while the CPU  40  is standing by, the cleaning by the cleaning fluid  92  is performed. Part of the cleaning fluid  92  that has flowed into the first area  661  may flow into the waste fluid tank  706  via the waste fluid flow paths  761  and  763 . 
     Next, the CPU  40  causes the cleaning fluid  92  to be discharged from the first area  661  via the waste fluid flow paths  761  and  763  (step S 5 ). As shown in  FIG. 13 , at step S 5 , the CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  721  to close and causes the gas opening/closing valve  741  and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  771  to open. The CPU  40  causes the suction pump  708  to be driven. By the suction force of the suction pump  708 , the air flows into the first area  661  via the gas channel  731 , and the cleaning fluid  92  in the first area  661  is discharged to the waste fluid tank  706  via the waste fluid flow paths  761  and  763 . 
     Next, the CPU  40  causes the third drive portion  196  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) to be driven and causes the cap support portion  69  to be tilted diagonally with respect to the horizontal direction, causing the cap  67  to tilt with respect to the nozzle surface  111  (step S 6 ). In this way, as shown in  FIG. 14 , a gap  68  is formed between the nozzle surface  111  and the periphery of the cap  67 . A case is assumed, for example, in which, when the processing at step S 6  is performed, the gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742  are closed. In this case, a negative pressure occurs when the cap  67  is pulled away from the nozzle surface  111 , and it may become difficult for the cap  67  to tilt with respect to the nozzle surface  111 . Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the processing at step S 6  is performed, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the CPU  40  causes the gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742  to open, causing the first area  661  and the second area  662  to communicate with the air. In this way, it becomes difficult for the negative pressure to occur, and the cap  67  tilts smoothly with respect to the nozzle surface  111 . The gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742  may remain closed. 
     Next, the CPU  40  causes the air to flow into the first area  661  from the periphery of the cap  67  via the gap  68  (step S 7 ). As shown in  FIG. 15 , at step S 7 , the CPU  40  causes the waste fluid opening/closing valve  771  to open and causes the supply opening/closing valve  721  and the gas opening/closing valve  741  to close. The CPU  40  causes the suction pump  708  to be driven. By the suction force of the suction pump  708 , the air flows from the periphery of the cap  67  into the first area  661  via the gap  68  (refer to an arrow  681 ). Due to the inflowing air, bubbles of the cleaning fluid  92  attached to the cap lips  676  may be removed. 
     Next, the CPU  40  causes the third drive portion  196  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) to be driven and causes the cap support portion  69  to move downward, thus moving the cap  67  to the cap separation position (refer to  FIG. 16 ) (step S 8 ). In this way, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the nozzle surface  111  is set to an uncovered state. In the uncovered state, the covering of the nozzle surface  111  by the cap  67  is released. 
     Next, the CPU  40  performs the nozzle surface wiping operation (step S 9 ). As shown in  FIG. 4 , at step S 9 , the CPU  40  causes the second drive portion  195  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) to be driven and causes the wiper  31  and the wiper support portion  32  to move from the wiper separation position (refer to  FIG. 3 ) to the first contact position. The CPU  40  causes the main scanning drive portion  45  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) to be driven and causes the carriage  20  to move to the right. Accordingly, the wiper  31  slides in contact with the nozzle surface  111  and wipes away the cleaning fluid  92  and the ink  91  remaining on the surface of the nozzle surface  111 . 
     Next, the CPU  40  performs the wiper wiping operation (step S 10 ). As shown in  FIG. 5 , at step S 10 , the CPU  40  causes the second drive portion  195  to be driven and causes the wiper  31  and the wiper support portion  32  to move from the first contact position (refer to  FIG. 4 ) to the second contact position. The CPU  40  causes the first drive portion  194  to be driven and causes the absorption member  51  to move to the right. Accordingly, the wiper  31  slides to contact with the bottom surface of the absorption member  51 , and the absorption member  51  wipes away the cleaning fluid  92  and the ink  91  that are attached to the wiper  31 . The CPU  40  causes the second drive portion  195  to be driven and causes the wiper  31  to move from the second contact position (refer to  FIG. 5 ) to the wiper separation position (refer to  FIG. 3 ). The CPU  40  causes the first drive portion  194  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) to be driven and causes the support plate  149  and the absorption member  51 , which have been moved to the right, to move to the left. The CPU  40  causes the main scanning drive portion  45  to be driven and causes the carriage  20  to move to the left, disposing the nozzle surface  111  above the cap  67 . 
     Next, in a similar manner to step S 1 , the CPU  40  causes the third drive portion  196  to be driven (refer to  FIG. 6 ) and causes the cap support portion  69  to move upward, thus moving the cap  67  from the cap separation position (refer to  FIG. 16 ) to the covering position (refer to  FIG. 9 ) (step S 11 ). In this manner, the nozzle surface  111  is set to the covered state. 
     Next, processing from step S 12  to step S 20  is performed. At step S 12  to step S 20 , the second flow path system  702  is used and, after the ink purge operation, the cleaning operation, and the like are performed with respect to the second area  662 , the nozzle surface wiping operation and the wiper wiping operation are performed. In other words, processing that is similar to that performed at step S 2  to step S 10  with respect to the first area  661  is performed with respect to the second area  662 . The processing at step S 12  to step S 20  corresponds to the processing at step S 2  to step S 10 , and therefore, the following explanation is simplified as appropriate. While the CPU  40  is performing the processing at step S 12  to step S 20 , in a case where the first flow path system  701  is not specifically referred to, the supply opening/closing valve  721  and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  771 , which are the electromagnetic valves positioned on the first flow path system  701 , are constantly closed. The gas opening/closing valve  741  may be closed or may be open. Thus, in the processing at step S 12  to step S 20  explained below, an explanation is omitted with respect to the control of the electromagnetic valves positioned on the first flow path system  701 . 
     The CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  722  and the gas opening/closing valve  742  to close, causes the waste fluid opening/closing valve  772  to open, and causes the suction pump  708  to be driven (step S 12 ). Accordingly, similarly to the case of the first area  661  shown in  FIG. 1 , the ink  91  inside the nozzle arrays  122  to  124  is drawn out into the second area  662  and the ink  91  is stored in the second area  662  (step S 12 ). 
     Next, the CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  722  to close and causes the gas opening/closing valve  742  and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  772  to open. The CPU  40  causes the suction pump  708  to be driven (step S 13 ). Accordingly, similarly to the case of the first area  661  shown in  FIG. 11 , the ink  91  inside the second area  662  is discharged to the waste fluid tank  706  via the waste fluid flow paths  762  and  763  (step S 13 ). 
     Next, the CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  722  and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  772  to open and causes the gas opening/closing valve  742  to close. The CPU  40  causes the suction pump  708  to be driven (step S 14 ). Accordingly, similarly to the case of the first area  661  shown in  FIG. 12 , the cleaning fluid  92  is supplied from the cleaning fluid tank  705  to the second area  662  via the supply flow path  712  (step S 14 ). In this manner, the second area  662  is filled with the cleaning fluid  92 , and a portion in which the nozzle arrays  122  to  124  of the nozzle surface  111  are positioned and a portion inside the second area  662  of the cap  67  are cleaned by the cleaning fluid  92 . The CPU  40  may cause the driving of the suction pump  708  to stop and stand by for a specified period of time. 
     Next, the CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  722  to close and causes the gas opening/closing valve  742  and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  772  to open. The CPU  40  causes the suction pump  708  to be driven (step S 15 ). Accordingly, similarly to the case of the first area  661  shown in  FIG. 13 , the cleaning fluid  92  is discharged as waste fluid from the second area  662  via the waste fluid flow paths  762  and  763  (step S 15 ). 
     Next, the CPU  40  causes the third drive portion  196  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) to be driven and causes the cap support portion  69  to be tilted diagonally with respect to the horizontal direction, causing the cap  67  to tilt with respect to the nozzle surface  111  (step S 16 ). Accordingly, similarly to the case of the first area  661  shown in  FIG. 14 , the gap  68  is formed between the nozzle surface  111  and the periphery of the cap  67 . 
     Next, the CPU  40  causes the waste fluid opening/closing valve  772  to open and causes the supply opening/closing valve  722  and the gas opening/closing valve  742  to close. The CPU  40  causes the suction pump  708  to be driven (step S 17 ). Accordingly, similarly to the case of the first area  661  shown in  FIG. 15 , the air flows from the periphery of the cap  67  into the second area  662  via the gap  68  (step S 17 ). Due to the inflowing air, bubbles of the cleaning fluid  92  attached to the cap lips  676  may be removed. 
     Next, the CPU  40  causes the third drive portion  196  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) to be driven and causes the cap support portion  69  to move downward, thus moving the cap  67  to the cap separation position (refer to  FIG. 16 ) (step S 18 ). In this way, similarly to the case of the first area  661  shown in  FIG. 16 , the nozzle surface  111  is set to the uncovered state. 
     Next, in a similar manner to step S 9 , the CPU  40  performs the nozzle surface wiping operation (step S 19 ). After that, in a similar manner to step S 10 , the CPU  40  performs the wiper wiping operation (step S 20 ). Next, the CPU  40  causes the third drive portion  196  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) to be driven and causes the cap support portion  69  to move upward, thus moving the cap  67  from the cap separation position (refer to  FIG. 16 ) to the covering position (refer to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 9 ) (step S 21 ). In this manner, the nozzle surface  111  is set to the covered state. Then, the CPU  40  ends the processing in a state in which the covered state is set. In other words, the state is maintained in which the nozzles arranged on the nozzle surface  111  are covered by the cap  67 . 
     In the present embodiment, at step S 4  and step S 14  shown in  FIG. 8 , the nozzle surface  111  is cleaned by the cleaning fluid  92  supplied to the cap  67  (refer to  FIG. 12 ). Then, at step S 5  and step S 15 , after the cleaning fluid  92  is discharged from the cap  67  (refer to  FIG. 13 ), the covering of the nozzle surface  111  by the cap  67  is released at step S 8  and step S 18  (refer to  FIG. 16 ). It is assumed, for example, that the nozzle surface  111  and the cap  67  are separated from each other in a state in which the cap  67  is filled with the cleaning fluid  92 . In this case, due to surface tension, it is easy for the cleaning fluid  92  to rise up onto the cap lips  676  and remain there. In the present embodiment, the nozzle surface  111  and the cap  67  are separated from each other after the cleaning fluid  92  is discharged. Therefore, it is difficult for the cleaning fluid  92  to remain on the cap lips  676 , which are the leading edge portions of the cap  67  on the nozzle surface  111  side. A possibility is therefore reduced that the cleaning fluid  92  remaining on the cap lips  676  dries out and a component of the ink  91  included in the cleaning fluid  92  become firmly attached. Further, after the cleaning of the nozzle surface  111 , the cleaning fluid  92  and the ink  91  remaining on the nozzle surface  111  are wiped away (refer to step S 9  and step S 19 ). Thus, the possibility that the component of the ink  91  mixed with the cleaning fluid  92  become firmly attached to the nozzle surface  111  can be reduced. Therefore, when the covered state is once more set and the cleaning is performed, it is easy for the cap  67  to fit closely to the nozzle surface  111 . As a result, the nozzle surface  111  can be cleaned appropriately, and it becomes difficult for clogging of the nozzles to occur. The possibility of deterioration in the print quality can therefore be reduced. 
     At step S 4  and step S 14 , the ink  91  attached to the nozzle surface  111  is cleaned by the cleaning fluid  92  (refer to  FIG. 12 ). Therefore, the component of the ink  91  remaining on the nozzle surface  111  are less, compared to a case in which the cleaning is not performed using the cleaning fluid  92 . Specifically, the ink  91  is diluted by the cleaning fluid  92 . Depending on the type of a component, such as resin, that is included in the ink  91 , the viscosity may be high in comparison to the cleaning fluid  92 . Therefore, in comparison to a case in which the ink  91  with the higher viscosity is attached to the nozzle surface  111  without being diluted, it is easier to remove the ink  91  from the nozzle surface  111  at step S 9  and step S 19 . Thus, the possibility that the ink  91  remains on and becomes firmly attached to the nozzle surface  111  can be reduced. As a result, it becomes difficult for clogging of the nozzles to occur, and the possibility of deterioration in the print quality can be reduced. 
     At step S 2  and step S 12 , the ink  91  inside the nozzles is drawn out. Thus, it is also possible to draw out air bubbles that are mixed in with the ink  91  inside the nozzles, together with the ink  91  (refer to  FIG. 10 ). Thus, in comparison to a case in which the air bubbles are mixed in the nozzles, the ink  91  can be appropriately ejected from the nozzles when printing is performed. As a result, print quality can be improved. Further, at step S 3  and step S 13 , the ink  91  drawn out from the nozzles is discharged from the cap  67  (refer to  FIG. 11 ). After that, at step S 4  and step S 14 , the cleaning fluid  92  is supplied to the cap  67 , and the cleaning of the nozzle surface  111  is performed (refer to  FIG. 12 ). Therefore, in comparison to a case in which the cleaning fluid  92  is supplied to the cap  67  in a state in which the ink  91  drawn out from the nozzles has not been discharged from the cap  67 , the amount of ink  91  remaining in the cap  67  is less. Thus, the nozzle surface  111  can be more reliably cleaned. As a result, it becomes difficult for clogging of the nozzles to occur, and the possibility of deterioration in the print quality can be reduced. 
     In addition, in comparison to a case in which the ink  91  drawn out from the nozzles is not discharged from the cap  67 , the amount of ink  91  remaining in the cap  67  is less. It is therefore sufficient to use less amount of the cleaning fluid  92  to dilute the ink  91  and perform the cleaning. Thus, it is possible to clean the nozzle surface  111  while reducing usage amount of the cleaning fluid  92 . As a result, it is possible to make it difficult for clogging of the nozzles to occur while reducing the usage amount of the cleaning fluid  92 . Accordingly, the possibility of deterioration in the print quality can be reduced. 
     After the air is caused to flow into the cap  67  from the periphery of the cap  67  at step S 7  and step S 17  (refer to  FIG. 15 ), the uncovered state is set at step S 8  and step S 18  (refer to  FIG. 16 ). In other words, after the bubbles of the cleaning fluid  92  that are attached to the cap lips  676  of the cap  67  are removed, the cap  67  is separated from the nozzle surface  111 . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the bubbles of the cleaning fluid  92  dry out on the cap lips  676  and that a component of the ink  91  included in the cleaning fluid  92  become firmly attached to the cap lips  676 . Therefore, in comparison to a case in which the component of the ink  91  become firmly attached to the cap lips  676 , it is easy for the cap  67  to closely fit to the nozzle surface  111  when the covered state is once more set. As a result, the nozzle surface  111  can be appropriately cleaned and it becomes difficult for clogging of the nozzles to occur. Thus, the possibility of deterioration in the print quality can be reduced. 
     The nozzle surface  111  is cleaned at step S 4  and step S 14  (refer to  FIG. 12 ), and the wiper  31  slides in contact with the nozzle surface  111  at step S 9  and step S 19 , thus removing the cleaning fluid  92  from the nozzle surface  111  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). After that, at step S 21 , the nozzle surface  111  is set to the covered state (refer to  FIG. 3 ). At step S 21 , a slight amount of the cleaning fluid  92  remains in the cap  67  when the covered state is set. Therefore, when the covered state is set, the inside of the cap  67  becomes moist due to the vaporized cleaning fluid  92 . In other words, in comparison to a case in which the covered state is not set, it is possible to cause the nozzle surface  111  to be moist. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink  91  inside the nozzles dries out and causes clogging of the nozzles. Thus, the possibility of deterioration in the print quality can be reduced. 
     In the covered state, the partition wall  673  closely fits to the boundary  127  between the nozzle array  121  and the nozzle arrays  122  to  124 . Therefore, the space that is formed between the nozzle surface  111  and the cap  67  is divided into the first area  661  in which the nozzle array  121  is positioned and the second area  662  in which the nozzle arrays  122  to  124  are positioned. As a result, when the nozzle surface  111  is cleaned by the cleaning fluid  92 , the cleaning of the nozzle array  121  and the cleaning of the nozzle arrays  122  to  124  is performed separately (step S 4  and step S 14 ). Thus, it is possible to inhibit the ink  91  of the nozzle array  121  and the ink  91  of the nozzle arrays  122  to  124  from being mixed together. In particular, in the head unit  200 , the nozzle array  121  can discharge the black ink and the nozzle arrays  122 ,  123 , and  124  can discharge the yellow ink, the cyan ink, and the magenta ink, respectively. However, by providing the partition wall  673 , it is possible to inhibit the black ink from attaching to the nozzle arrays  122  to  124  and causing a mixing of colors. 
     Various modifications to the above-described embodiment may be made. A maintenance flow path system  710  according to a modified example of the above-described embodiment will be explained with reference to  FIG. 17 . In the following explanation, the same reference numerals will be assigned to configurations that are the same as the above-described embodiment and an explanation thereof will be omitted. Points that differ from the above-described embodiment will be explained. The maintenance flow path system  700  according to the above-described embodiment includes the gas channels  731  and  732 , the number of which is the same as that of the supply flow paths  711  and  712 . However, the maintenance flow path system  710  according to the present modified example includes a gas channel  733 , the number of which is smaller than that of the supply flow paths  711  and  712 . Specifically, the maintenance flow path system  710  includes two supply flow paths  711  and  712  and one gas channel  733 . Further, in place of the gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742 , the maintenance flow path system  710  includes a gas opening/closing valve  743 . The gas opening/closing valve  743  is an electromagnetic valve that is provided on the gas channel  733 . 
     Maintenance processing performed by the printer  1  that includes the maintenance flow path system  710  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 17 . Similarly to step S 1  of the above-described embodiment, the CPU  40  causes the cap  67  to move from the cap separation position to the covering position (step S 1 ). In this case, the CPU  40  causes the gas opening/closing valve  743  and the supply flow paths  711  and  712  to open and thus causes the first area  661  and the second area  662  of the cap  67  to communicate with the air. At least one of the supply flow paths  711  and  712  may be closed. All of the supply flow paths  711  and  712  and the gas opening/closing valve  743  may be closed. 
     Next, similarly to step S 2  and step S 3  of the above-described embodiment, the CPU  40  causes the ink  91  inside the nozzles to be drawn out into the first area  661 , and causes the ink  91  to be discharged via the waste fluid flow paths  761  and  763  (step S 2  and step S 3 ). At step S 2 , the gas opening/closing valve  743  may be closed or may be open. At step S 3 , the CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  721 , the gas opening/closing valve  743 , and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  771  to open. The cleaning fluid  92  has viscosity. Thus, inside the supply flow path  711 , the air flows easily and the cleaning fluid  92  does not flow so easily. As a result, when the suction pump  708  is driven in a state in which the supply opening/closing valve  721 , the gas opening/closing valve  743 , and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  771  are open, the air flows inside the supply flow path  711 . 
     Next, similarly to step S 4  and step S 5  of the above-described embodiment, the CPU  40  causes the cleaning fluid  92  to be supplied from the cleaning fluid tank  705  to the first area  661  and causes the cleaning fluid  92  to be discharged via the waste fluid flow paths  761  and  763  (step S 4  and step S 5 ). At step S 5 , the CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  721 , the gas opening/closing valve  743 , and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  771  to open. Next, similarly to step S 6  of the above-described embodiment, the CPU  40  causes the cap  67  to tilt with respect to the nozzle surface  111  (step S 6 ). In this case, the CPU  40  causes the gas opening/closing valve  743  and the supply flow paths  711  and  712  to open, causing the first area  661  and the second area  662  to communicate with the air. At least one of the supply flow paths  711  and  712  may be closed. All of the supply flow paths  711  and  712  and the gas opening/closing valve  743  may be closed. 
     Next, similarly to step S 7  to step S 11  of the above-described embodiment, the CPU  40  causes the air to flow into the first area  661 , causes the cap  67  to move to the cap separation position, performs the nozzle surface wiping operation and the wiper wiping operation, and causes the cap  67  to move to the covering position (step S 7  to step S 11 ). Next, processing that is the same as that performed with respect to the first area  661  at step S 2  to S 10  is performed with respect to the second area  662  at step S 12  to step S 20 . The processing from step S 12  to step S 20  corresponds to the processing from step S 2  to step S 10  and, in the following explanation, an explanation thereof is simplified as appropriate. 
     The CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  722  to close, causes the waste fluid opening/closing valve  772  to open, and causes the suction pump  708  to be driven (step S 12 ). The CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  722 , the gas opening/closing valve  743 , and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  772  to open, and causes the suction pump  708  to be driven (step S 13 ). The CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  722  and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  772  to open, causes the gas opening/closing valve  743  to close, and causes the suction pump  708  to be driven (step S 14 ). The CPU  40  causes the supply opening/closing valve  722 , the gas opening/closing valve  743 , and the waste fluid opening/closing valve  772  to open and causes the suction pump  708  to be driven (step S 15 ). 
     The CPU  40  causes the cap  67  to tilt with respect to the nozzle surface  111  (step S 16 ). Similarly to step S 17  to step S 21  of the above-described embodiment, the CPU  40  causes the air to flow into the second area  662 , causes the cap  67  to move to the cap separation position, performs the nozzle surface wiping operation and the wiper wiping operation, and causes the cap  67  to move to the covering position (step S 17  to step S 21 ). 
     As described above, in the modified example, the number of the gas channel  733  is smaller than the number of the supply flow paths  711  and  712 . The gas opening/closing valve  743  is provided on the gas channel  733 . In other words, the number of the gas opening/closing valve  743  is smaller than the number of the supply opening/closing valves  721  and  722 . Thus, the number of components of the maintenance flow path system  710  and the printer  1  is reduced. As a result, the possibility of clogging of the flow paths by the ink can be reduced. It is therefore possible to further inhibit failure of the printer  1 . Further, it is possible to reduce the electric power required to drive the gas opening/closing valve  743 . In addition, it is possible to reduce the time required to assemble the maintenance flow path system  710  and the printer  1 . 
     For example, in the above-described embodiment and modified example, after the processing at step S 2  to step S 10  is performed with respect to the first area  661 , the processing at step S 12  to step S 20  is performed with respect to the second area  662 . However, the processing may be performed simultaneously with respect to the first area  661  and the second area  662 . There is no limit on the number of the partition walls  673 . For example, three of the partition walls  673  may be provided on the cap  67 . Each of the three partition walls  673  may be opposed to and fit closely to a boundary between each adjacent ones of the nozzle arrays  121  to  124 . The partition wall  673  need not necessarily be provided. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the two flow path systems, namely, the first flow path system  701  and the second flow path system  702 , and a single flow path may be provided. 
     The waste fluid opening/closing valves  771  and  772  need not necessarily be provided. The cleaning fluid tank  705  may be disposed outside the printer  1 . The waste fluid tank  706  may be disposed outside the printer  1 . The waste fluid tank  706  need not necessarily be provided. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the gas opening/closing valve  741  is closed at step S 7 . However, the gas opening/closing valve  741  may be open at step S 7 . Similarly, in the above-described embodiment, the gas opening/closing valve  742  is closed at step S 17 . However, the gas opening/closing valve  742  may be open at step S 17 . Even if the gas opening/closing valves  741  and  742  are open, as long as an aperture area of the gap  68  is larger than a cross-sectional area of the flow paths of the gas channels  731  and  732 , the air flows into the cap  67  from the gap  68 . Thus, it is possible to remove the bubbles attached to the cap lips  676 . In the above-described modified example, the gas opening/closing valve  743  may be open at step S 7 . The gas opening/closing valve  743  may be open at step S 17 . 
     In the above-described embodiment and modified example, at step S 6  and step S 16 , the cap  67  is tilted with respect to the nozzle surface  111 . However, it is sufficient if the cap  67  is moved with respect to the nozzle surface  111  and a gap is formed between the nozzle surface  111  and the cap  67 , and the cap  67  need not necessarily be tilted. For example, the entire cap  67  may be moved slightly downward and the entire cap  67  may be slightly separated from the nozzle surface  111 , thus forming the gap  68 . In this case, at step S 7  and step S 17 , the air is caused to flow into the cap  67  from the gap  68 , and the bubbles of the cleaning fluid  92  attached to the cap lips  676  may be removed. The processing at step S 6 , step S 7 , step S 16 , and step S 17  need not necessarily be performed. Then, after the cleaning fluid  92  is discharged from the cap  67  at step S 5  and step S 15 , the processing at step S 8  and step S 18  may be performed and the uncovered state may be set. 
     The processing at step S 3  and step S 13  may not be performed and the ink  91  may not be discharged from the cap  67 . In this case, the cleaning fluid  92  may be supplied to the first area  661  in the state in which the ink  91  remains in the cap  67 , and the nozzle surface  111  may be cleaned. The processing at step S 2  and step S 12  may not be performed, the ink purge operation may not be performed, and the nozzle surface  111  may be cleaned at step S 4  and step S 14 . In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the covered state is set at step S 21 , and the nozzle surface  111  is caused to become moist. However, the processing at step S 21  need not necessarily be performed. 
     In the above-described embodiment and modified example, at step S 9  and step S 19 , the head portion  110  is moved to the right and the nozzle surface wiping operation is performed, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. It is sufficient if the wiper  31  is moved relatively with respect to the nozzle surface  111 . For example, the wiper  31  may be moved to the left with respect to the head portion  110  and the nozzle surface wiping operation may be performed. In the above-described embodiment and modified example, at step S 10  and step S 20 , the absorption member  51  is moved to the right and the wiper wiping operation is performed, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. It is sufficient if the absorption member  51  is moved relatively with respect to the wiper  31 . For example, the wiper  31  may be moved to the right with respect to the absorption member  51  and the wiper wiping operation may be performed. 
     In the above-described embodiment and modified example, at step S 1 , step S 8 , step S 11 , step S 18 , and step S 21 , one of the covered state and the uncovered state is set by moving the cap  67  in the up-down direction, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. It is sufficient if the cap  67  is moved relatively to the nozzle surface  111 . For example, the head portion  110  may be moved in the up-down direction with respect to the cap  67 . In the above-described embodiment and modified example, at step S 6  and step S 16 , the cap  67  is moved and is tilted with respect to the nozzle surface  111 , but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. It is sufficient if the cap  67  is moved relatively to the nozzle surface  111 . For example, the head portion  110  may be moved and the nozzle surface  111  may be tilted with respect to the cap  67 . The fluid that is ejected from the nozzle surface  111  is not limited to the ink  91 . For example, the fluid ejected from the nozzle surface  111  may be a discharge agent that removes a color with which a fabric has been dyed. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the end portions of the gas channels  731  and  732  on the side opposite to the cap  67  side are exposed to the air, but it is sufficient if the end portions are exposed to gas. For example, the end portions of the gas channels  731  and  732  on the side opposite to the cap  67  side may be connected to a gas cylinder storing a gas other than the air. For a similar reason, in the above-described modified example, it is sufficient if the end portion of the gas channel  733  on the side opposite to the cap  67  side is exposed to gas. For example, the end portion of the gas channel  733  on the side opposite to the cap  67  side may be connected to a gas cylinder storing a gas other than the air. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the gas channels  731  and  732  are connected to the cap  67  via the supply flow paths  711  and  712 . However, the gas channels  731  and  732  may be directly connected to the cap  67 . In the above-described modified example, the gas channel  733  is connected to the cap  67  via the supply flow paths  711  and  712 . However, the gas channel  733  may be directly connected to the cap  67 . 
     The apparatus and methods described above with reference to the various embodiments are merely examples. It goes without saying that they are not confined to the depicted embodiments. While various features have been described in conjunction with the examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements of those features and/or examples may be possible. Accordingly, the examples, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative. Various changes may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the underlying principles.