Patent Publication Number: US-2023158798-A1

Title: Liquid ejecting device

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/464,946 filed on Sep. 2, 2021; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/101,395 filed on Nov. 23, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,345,153 B2 issued on May 31, 2022; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/542,498 filed on Aug. 16, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,870,280 B2 issued on Dec. 22, 2020; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/190,674 filed on Nov. 14, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,384,453 B2 issued on Aug. 20, 2019; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/819,627 filed on Nov. 21, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,137,689 B2 issued on Nov. 27, 2018; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/592,858 filed on May 11, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,827,768 B2 issued on Nov. 28, 2017; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/173,949 filed on Jun. 6, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,649,866 B2 issued on May 16, 2017; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/516,534 filed on Oct. 16, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,375,934 B2 issued on Jun. 28, 2016; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/043,712 filed on Oct. 1, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,882,248 B2 issued on Nov. 11, 2014; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/626,779 filed on Sep. 25, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,573,738 B2 issued on Nov. 5, 2013; which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-262893 filed on Nov. 30, 2011. The entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Technical Field 
     The invention relates to a liquid ejecting device that ejects liquid from ejection ports. 
     Background 
     A serial-type inkjet recording device is disclosed that conveys a recording medium while moving a recording head reciprocatingly in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the recording medium, thereby recoding an image on the recording medium. 
     Generally, an inkjet recording device is designed such that pressure within a recording head is maintained within a predetermined negative pressure range relative to atmospheric pressure so as to prevent ink from leaking through ejection ports. As a method for achieving this, for example, a main tank and the recording head are connected with each other via a tube such that a liquid surface of the main tank (cartridge) is lower than an ejection surface. 
     An ink receiving section (a suction cap, a waste-ink receiving tray) for receiving ink ejected from the recording head is disposed in a maintenance region of the inkjet recording device, which is outside a print region. Generally, waste ink received by the ink receiving section is collected in a waste ink tank that is connected via a tube. 
     DESCRIPTION 
     Summary 
     In the above-described inkjet recording device, when a recording medium is jammed between the recording head and a platen, the jammed recording medium can be removed through an opening of a casing by moving the recording head out to the maintenance region. On the other hand, there exists a line-type inkjet recording device that records an image on a recording medium by using a recording head having a print region of approximately the same width as the recording medium for high-speed printing. If such a line-type recording head is adopted in the above-described recording head, high-speed printing can be performed. 
     However, the line-type recording head does not move during recording of an image. Hence, when a jam occurs, there is a need to move the recording head relative to the platen such that the recording head and the platen are spaced away from each other. Thus, the inventor considered, for example, splitting the casing into an upper casing and a lower casing such that the upper casing holds the recording head and the lower casing holds the platen. In this case, it is preferable that the main tank be located at a lower position than the recording head in order to keep pressure within recording head in a predetermined negative pressure range. Hence, it is preferable that the main tank be disposed at the lower casing. Then, if the upper casing is moved relative to the lower casing when a jam occurs, there is a possibility that a tube connecting the recording head with the main tank is pulled and strained and that the tube is damaged. 
     In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide a liquid ejecting device that is capable of preventing damage at a liquid conveying section. 
     In order to attain the above and other objects, this specification discloses a printer. The printer includes a platen, a head, a first frame, a second frame, and a head lifter. The platen is configured to support a medium. The head includes an ejection surface at which an ejection port is opened. The ejection port is configured to eject liquid toward the medium supported by the platen. The first frame holds the platen. The second frame holds the head. The second frame is pivotally coupled with the first frame. The second frame is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position. When the second frame is at the first position, the head is configured to face the platen. When the second frame is at the second position, the second frame is positioned farther away from the first frame than when the second frame is at the first position. When the second frame is at the second position, the head is positioned farther away from the platen than when the second frame is at the first position. The head lifter is held by the second frame. When the second frame is at the first position, the head lifter configured to move the head with respect to the second frame between a printing position and a separate position. When the head is at the printing position, the head is configured to eject liquid toward the medium supported by the platen. When the head is at the separate position, the head is farther away from the platen in an intersecting direction intersecting the ejection surface than when the head is at the printing position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments in accordance with the invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing the appearance of an inkjet-type printer according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer in a state where an upper casing of the printer is pivotally moved relative to a lower casing and is disposed in a spaced position; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic side view showing the interior of the printer; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic plan view showing the interior of the printer; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a schematic side view of the printer; 
         FIG.  5 B  is a schematic front view of the printer; 
         FIG.  5 C  is a schematic side view of the printer for particularly showing frames of the upper and lower casings; 
         FIGS.  6 A,  6 B and  6 C  are schematic views for illustrating operations of a supporting mechanism and a confronting member; 
         FIG.  7    is a block diagram showing a configuration for controlling the printer shown in  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIGS.  8 A,  8 B and  8 C  are schematic views for illustrating first and second wiping operations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The schematic configuration of an inkjet-type printer  101  according to an embodiment of the invention will be described while referring to  FIGS.  1  through  4   . 
     The printer  101  has an apparatus casing  1  including an upper casing  1   a  (first casing) and a lower casing  1   b  (second casing) both of which have a rectangular-parallelepiped shape and that have approximately the same size. The apparatus casing  1  is a rectangular-parallelepiped shape having six surfaces. Of the six surfaces of the apparatus casing  1 , the side surface at the far side in a direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet of  FIG.  1    is a rear surface, and the side surface at the near side in the direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet of  FIG.  1    is a front surface. Of the surfaces connecting the rear surface and the front surface, the side surface at the far side in a direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet of  FIG.  1    is a left surface, and the side surface at the near side in the direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet of  FIG.  1    is a right surface. Of the surfaces connecting the rear surface and the front surface, the surface at the upper side in a vertical direction Z is an upper surface. Each of the rear surface and the front surface extends in the vertical direction Z and in a main scanning direction X. Each of the right surface and the left surface extends in the vertical direction Z and in a sub-scanning direction Y. The upper surface extends in the main scanning direction X and in the sub-scanning direction Y. The upper casing  1   a  has an opening at its lower side, and the lower casing  1   b  has an opening at its upper side. When the upper casing  1   a  lies on the lower casing  1   b  and the both openings are closed by each other, a space inside the printer  101  is defined (see  FIG.  3   ). 
     A paper discharging section  31  (discharging section) is provided at the upper surface of the apparatus casing  1 . As indicated by thick dashed arrows in  FIG.  3   , a conveying path along which paper P is conveyed is formed in a space defined by the upper casing  1   a  and the lower casing  1   b  (an internal space of the apparatus casing  1 ) from a first paper feeding section  1   c  and a second paper feeding section  1   d  to the paper discharging section  31 . 
     The upper casing  1   a  includes frames  1   a   1  (see  FIG.  4   ) and panels  1   a   2  arranged outside the frames  1   a   1 . The frames  1   a   1  include a pair of rigid frames confronting in the main scanning direction X and having high strength and a linking frame (not shown) that links the rigid frames. The lower casing  1   b  includes frames  1   b   1  (see  FIGS.  2  and  4   ) and panels  1   b   2  arranged outside the frames  1   b   1 . The frames  1   b   1  also include a pair of rigid frames confronting in the main scanning direction X and having high strength and a linking frame that links the rigid frames. As shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 C , the pair of rigid frames of the frames  1   b   1  has an L-shape as viewed from the main scanning direction X. The pair of rigid frames has a pair of protruding sections  1   b   3  that protrudes upward from its rear side in the sub-scanning direction Y. That is, each of the rigid frames has the protruding section  1   b   3  that protrudes upward from its rear side. The frames  1   b   1  support a conveying mechanism  40  described later, and has the highest rigidity of all the frames. Note that, in  FIG.  5 C , the frame  1   a   1  of the upper casing  1   a  and the frame  1   b   1  of the lower casing  1   b  are shown in bold lines for illustration purposes. 
     The apparatus casing  1  has a shaft  1   x  extending in the main scanning direction X. As shown in  FIG.  3   , the shaft  1   x  is located near one end (the right end in  FIG.  3   ) of the upper casing  1   a  in the sub-scanning direction Y and at approximately a center of the upper casing  1   a  in the vertical direction Z. That is, the shaft  1   x  is disposed at a position closer to the rear surface of the apparatus casing  1  than to the front surface of the apparatus casing  1 . The upper casing  1   a  is linked to the lower casing  1   b  via the shaft  1   x . The upper casing  1   a  can be pivotally moved, about an axis  1   z  of the shaft  1   x , relative to the lower casing  1   b . With pivotal movement, the upper casing  1   a  can take both an adjacent position at which the upper casing  1   a  is adjacent to the lower casing  1   b  (first position: the position shown in  FIGS.  1  and  3   ) and a spaced position at which the upper casing  1   a  is farther spaced away from the lower casing  1   b  than at the adjacent position (second position: the position shown in  FIG.  2   ). At the spaced position, a distance between an ejection surface  10   a  of a head  10  described later and platens  44  and  45  is larger than the corresponding distance at the adjacent position. When the upper casing  1   a  is at the spaced position, a part of the paper conveying path formed by the upper casing  1   a  and the lower casing  1   b  at the adjacent position is exposed to the outside, and a work space for a user is secured on the paper conveying path. The user can use the work space to manually perform a jam process (an operation of removing a jam of paper P on the conveying path) from the front side of the apparatus casing  1 . That is, a jam process can be performed by “front access”. Note that, in the apparatus casing  1 , of the two surfaces confronting in the sub-scanning direction Y (the surfaces extending in the vertical direction Z and in the main scanning direction X), the surface farther from the axis  1   z  is the front surface, and the surface closer to the axis  1   z  is the rear surface. 
     The shaft  1   x  is formed to protrude outward in the main scanning direction X at each of the pair of protruding sections  1   b   3  (see  FIGS.  4 ,  5 A, and  5 C ) that protrudes upward in the frames  1   b   1  of the lower casing  1   b . The shaft  1   x  extends in the main scanning direction X, and its axial direction is in parallel with the main scanning direction X. As shown in  FIG.  4   , bearings  1   y  for rotatably supporting the shaft  1   x  are provided at the frames  1   a   1  of the upper casing  1   a . The upper casing  1   a  and the lower casing  1   b  are pivotally coupled by the shaft  1   x  and the bearings  1   y.    
     The shaft  1   x  is provided with a spring (not shown) that urges the upper casing  1   a  in such a direction that the upper casing  1   a  is opened (from the adjacent position toward the spaced position). In the present embodiment, the upper casing  1   a  can open up to a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal surface. That is, the upper casing  1   a  can open until an angle θ made by the upper casing  1   a  and the lower casing  1   b  reaches the predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is such an angle that the user can put his or her hand between the upper casing  1   a  and the lower casing  1   b  for a jam process, and is 29° (degrees) in the present embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , a lock mechanism  65  is provided at the front surface of the upper casing  1   a  (the surface at the left near-side surface in  FIGS.  1  and  2   ), for restricting movement of the upper casing  1   a  located at the adjacent position. A door  22  straddling the upper and lower casings  1   a  and  1   b  and capable of opening and closing is provided at the front surface of the apparatus casing  1 . The door  22  is configured to partially cover the front surface of the apparatus casing  1  in a closed state. By opening the door  22 , the lock mechanism  65  is exposed. By releasing restriction performed by the lock mechanism  65 , the upper casing  1   a  can be pivotally moved relative to the lower casing  1   b . Further, when the upper casing  1   a  at the spaced position is returned to the adjacent position, the lock mechanism  65  automatically restricts movement of the upper casing  1   a . Note that the door  22  also functions as a manual-feed tray  22  of the second paper feeding section  1   d  as will be described later. 
     Next, various elements arranged in the internal space of the printer  101  will be described while referring to  FIGS.  3  through  5 C  etc. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the apparatus casing  1  accommodates, in its internal space, a controller  100  that controls various sections of the printer  101 , the conveying mechanism  40  that defines the conveying path of paper P, a supporting mechanism  48  (supporting section), a head unit  9 , a head lifting mechanism  35  (see  FIG.  7   ), a liquid conveying section  72  (see  FIG.  4   ), two cartridges  4  (first tank), two cartridge mount sections  70 , the first paper feeding section  1   c , the second paper feeding section  1   d , a liquid receiving section  90 , a waste-liquid tank  99 , a waste-liquid-tank mount section  98 , a waste-liquid conveying section  97 , and a wiper unit  36  (see  FIGS.  8 A through  8 C ). Of these, the controller  100 , the head unit  9 , the head lifting mechanism  35 , the liquid conveying section  72 , the two cartridges  4 , and the cartridge mount sections  70  are provided at the upper casing  1   a . The conveying mechanism  40 , the supporting mechanism  48 , the first paper feeding section  1   c , the second paper feeding section  1   d , the liquid receiving section  90 , the waste-liquid tank  99 , the waste-liquid-tank mount section  98 , the waste-liquid conveying section  97 , and the wiper unit  36  are provided at the lower casing  1   b.    
     The conveying path defined by the conveying mechanism  40  includes paths R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  used for normal conveying, and a path R 4  connecting the second paper feeding section  1   d  with the path R 1 . The conveying mechanism  40  includes elements defining the path R 1  through R 4  to be described later and a conveying motor (not shown). The conveying mechanism  40  is supported by the frames  1   b   1 . The elements defining the path R 3  are supported by the pair of protruding sections  1   b   3  of the frames  1   b   1 . 
     The path R 1  (curved path) is a path that is curved in a U-shape as viewed from the main scanning direction X and that leads from the first paper feeding section  1   c  to a recording position (a position between the ejection surface  10   a  and the platens  44 ,  45 ). The path R 1  is defined by guides  41  through  43  and roller pairs  51  through  53 . The path R 1  is a path for conveying paper P accommodated in a paper feed tray  20  from the rear side to the front side and subsequently conveying the paper P to the rear side in a U-turn at the front side of the apparatus casing  1 . 
     The path R 2  is a path that passes through respective recording positions of the two heads  10 , and that is defined by the platens  44  and  45  in confrontation with the respective ejection surfaces  10   a  of the two heads  10  and by a pair of rollers  54 . The path R 2  is a path for conveying paper P from the front side toward the rear side. 
     Here, the supporting mechanism  48  having the two platens  44  and  45  will be described. The supporting mechanism  48  supports, from the underside, paper P that is conveyed during recording. The platen  44  has divided platens  44   a  and  44   b  that are divided into two pieces. Similarly, the platen  45  has divided platens  45   a  and  45   b  that are divided into two pieces. The supporting mechanism  48  has a driving mechanism  48   a  (platen moving mechanism) (see  FIG.  7   ) for pivotally moving each of the divided platens  44   a,    44   b,    45   a,  and  45   b.  Each of the divided platens  44   a,    44   b,    45   a,  and  45   b  has a pivotal axis extending in the main scanning direction X. Each of the divided platens  44   a  and  45   a  at the upstream side in the conveying direction has a pivotal center at their upstream ends in the conveying direction. Each of the divided platens  44   b  and  45   b  at the downstream side in the conveying direction has a pivotal center at their downstream ends in the conveying direction. Here, the conveying direction is a direction in which paper P is conveyed along the path R 2 . The controller  100  controls the driving mechanism  48   a  to drive each of the platens  44  and  45  (the divided platens  44   a,    44   b,    45   a , and  45   b ) to pivotally move between a supporting-surface forming position (confronting position) and an open position (retracted position). At the supporting-surface forming position, as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  6 A , the free ends of the divided platens  44   a  and  44   b  abut each other, and the divided platens  44   a  and  44   b  form a planar supporting surface. Similarly, at the supporting-surface forming position, the free ends of the divided platens  45   a  and  45   b  abut each other, and the divided platens  45   a  and  45   b  form a planar supporting surface. These supporting surfaces confront the respective ejection surfaces  10   a.  At the open position, as shown in  FIG.  6 B , each of the divided platens  44   a,    44   b,    45   a,  and  45   b  is pivotally moved 90 degrees, and each free end hangs down. And, the upper surfaces of the divided platens  44   a  and  44   b  confront each other and extend in parallel with each other. Similarly, the upper surfaces of the divided platens  45   a  and  45   b  confront each other and extend in parallel with each other. That is, the platens  44  and  45  do not confront the respective ejection surfaces  10   a.  Thus, the ejection surfaces  10   a  confront confronting members  91  and  92  with a space therebetween. When the platens  44  and  45  are at the open position, the confronting members  91  and  92  can move upward and downward. Note that the two platens  44  and  45  are located at the supporting-surface forming position during a recording operation, and are located at the open position during a maintenance operation. 
     The path R 3  is a path that is curved in a U-shape, as viewed from the main scanning direction X, leading from the recording position to the paper discharging section  31 , and that is defined by guides  46  and  47  and pairs of rollers  55  through  57 . The path R 3  is a path for conveying paper P having passed through the path R 2  from the front side to the rear side and subsequently conveying the paper P to the front side in a U-turn at the rear side of the apparatus casing  1 . The path R 3  is located farther upward than the recording position, and is curved in the opposite direction from the path R 1 . That is, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the path R 1  is curved to be convex toward the front side (the left side in  FIG.  3   ) near the front surface of the apparatus casing  1 , whereas the path R 3  is curved to be convex toward the rear side (the right side in  FIG.  3   ) near the rear surface of the apparatus casing  1 . Thus, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet of  FIG.  3    (toward the far side), the paths R 1  through R 3  are formed in a reversed S-shape, as a whole. 
     The path R 4  is a path leading from the second paper feeding section  1   d  to a middle part of the path R 1 , and is defined by a divergence guide  43   a  diverged from the guide  43 . Each of the roller pairs  51  through  57  includes a drive roller that is connected with a conveying motor and a follow roller that rotates following rotation of the drive roller. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the paper discharging section  31  is provided at the upper surface of the upper casing  1   a . The paper discharging section  31  has a supporting surface  31   a  that supports discharged paper P. The supporting surface  31   a  is slanted downward toward the shaft  1   x  in the sub-scanning direction Y. Paper P discharged to the paper discharging section  31  slides downward along a slant of the supporting surface  31   a,  and the upstream end of the paper P in the conveying direction abuts a wall surface of the paper discharging section  31  at the upstream side in the conveying direction. Thus, paper P discharged to the paper discharging section  31  is aligned. Note that, because the supporting surface  31   a  is slanted, the size of the paper discharging section  31  in the sub-scanning direction Y can be reduced. 
     The rear end of the supporting surface  31   a  is located between the cartridge mount sections  70  and the ejection surfaces  10   a  with respect to the vertical direction Z. Further, a part of the supporting surface  31   a  at the front side overlaps a part of the cartridge mount sections  70  at the rear side in the vertical direction Z. With this configuration, the cartridge mount sections  70  can be arranged in a dead space between the supporting surface  31   a  of the upper casing  1   a  and the heads  10 , the dead space being formed by the slant of the supporting surface  31   a.  This contributes to downsizing of the printer  101 . 
     The head unit  9  includes the two heads  10  and a carriage  3  that supports the heads  10 . The two heads  10  include a precoat head that ejects pretreatment liquid and an inkjet head that ejects black ink, which are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the conveying direction of paper P. 
     Each head  10  has the same structure, and is a line-type head that is elongated in the main scanning direction X, and has an outer shape of substantially a rectangular-parallelepiped. The heads  10  are fixed to the carriage  3 , while being spaced away from each other in the sub-scanning direction Y (a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction X and to the vertical direction Z). The carriage  3  is supported by the frames  1   a   1  of the upper casing  1   a , such that the carriage  3  can move up and down. 
     The lower surface of the head  10  serves as the ejection surface  10   a  in which a large number of ejection ports are formed. Liquid channels are formed within the head  10  for allowing pretreatment liquid or black ink (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “liquid”) supplied from the cartridge  4  to flow to the ejection ports. Here, pretreatment liquid is a liquid having a function of preventing spread and strike-through of ink, a function of improving color production performance and quick-drying performance of ink, and the like. In  FIG.  3   , the ejection surface  10   a  is a surface in parallel with a horizontal surface. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the two cartridge mount sections  70  (first tank mount section) are provided between the two frames  1   a   1  of the upper casing  1   a , while being arranged in the vertical direction Z adjacent to each other. The cartridge mount sections  70  are arranged at a higher position than the heads  10  with respect to the vertical direction Z (see  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B ). With this configuration, liquid can be supplied naturally from the mounted cartridges  4  to subsidiary tanks  80  (described later). 
     The cartridge mount sections  70  define spaces to which the respective cartridges  4  are mounted. As shown in  FIG.  4   , each cartridge mount section  70  extends to be elongated in the main scanning direction X, like the head  10 . Further, the cartridge mount sections  70  (and the mounted cartridges  4 ) are arranged to be aligned with the heads  10  in the sub-scanning direction Y, as viewed from the vertical direction Z. The cartridge mount sections  70  are arranged at positions closer to the front side than the heads  10  are. Because the cartridge mount sections  70  are arranged in this configuration, although the heads  10  elongated in the main scanning direction X are adopted, the space within the upper casing  1   a  can be utilized effectively. Hence, the upper casing  1   a  can be downsized in the main scanning direction X, which suppresses an increase in the size of the printer  101  in a plan view (i.e., footprint). Further, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the cartridge mount sections  70  overlap the path R 1  in the vertical direction Z. With this configuration, the size of the printer  101  in a plan view can be reduced. 
     A mount opening  71  of each cartridge mount section  70  is formed in the front surface of the upper casing  1   a . A door  1   e  (see  FIG.  1   ) for opening and closing the mount openings  71  is provided at the upper casing  1   a . The door  1   e  is a plate-shaped member that is pivotally supported by the upper casing  1   a . As indicated by the double-dot chain lines in  FIG.  3   , the mount openings  71  are exposed by pivotally moving the door  1   e . Through the mount openings  71 , the cartridges  4  are mounted on the cartridge mount sections  70 . By inserting and removing the cartridges  4  through the mount openings  71 , the cartridges  4  can be replaced. The mounting direction of the cartridges  4  is a direction in parallel with the sub-scanning direction Y, and is a direction from the front side toward the rear side. 
     The liquid conveying section  72  includes a hollow needle  74 , a moving mechanism  75  that moves the hollow needle  74 , pipes  76  and  81 , and the subsidiary tank  80 . The liquid conveying section  72  connects the cartridge  4  mounted on the cartridge mount section  70  with the head  10 . The subsidiary tank  80  is provided with a pump  82  (see  FIG.  7   ). The liquid conveying section  72  is provided for each of the cartridge mount sections  70 . The hollow needle  74  and the moving mechanism  75  are arranged at one end side (the upper side in  FIG.  4   ) of the cartridge mount section  70  in the main scanning direction X, such that the hollow needle  74  and the moving mechanism  75  are aligned with the cartridge mount section  70  (and the mounted cartridge  4 ) in the main scanning direction X. The pipe  76  connects the hollow needle  74  with the subsidiary tank  80 . In the present embodiment, liquid is replenished naturally from the mounted cartridge  4  to the subsidiary tank  80 . However, a pump may be provided between the hollow needle  74  and the subsidiary tank  80 . If the pump is provided, the pump performs replenishment of liquid from the mounted cartridge  4  to the subsidiary tank  80 . If the pump is provided, for example, it may be so configured that, when a liquid amount within the subsidiary tank  80  becomes less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the pump replenishes the subsidiary tank  80  with a predetermined amount of liquid from the cartridge  4 . Alternatively, the pump may replenish the subsidiary tank  80  with liquid from the cartridge  4 , such that the liquid amount within the subsidiary tank  80  is always a predetermined amount. 
     The controller  100  controls the moving mechanism  75  to move the hollow needle  74  in the main scanning direction X between a connection position and a separation position. At the connection position, the hollow needle  74  protrudes into the cartridge mount section  70  so as to connect the cartridge  4  mounted on the cartridge mount section  70  with the liquid conveying section  72 . At the separation position, the hollow needle  74  does not protrude into the cartridge mount section  70  so as to be separated from the cartridge  4  mounted on the cartridge mount section  70 . A mounting operation of the cartridge  4  is performed in a state where the hollow needle  74  is at the separation position. Further, in a state where the hollow needle  74  is at the separation position, the cartridges  4  are removed and inserted so as to perform replacement of the cartridge  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , the cartridge  4  has substantially a rectangular-parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the main scanning direction X in a state where the cartridge  4  is mounted on the cartridge mount section  70 . Liquid is filled inside the cartridge  4 . A liquid supplying section  4   a  (connection section) protruding in the main scanning direction X is provided at one end (the upper in  FIG.  4   ) of the cartridge  4  in the main scanning direction X. A spout made of rubber is provided at a tip end surface of the liquid supplying section  4   a.  After the cartridge  4  is mounted on the cartridge mount section  70 , the controller  100  controls the moving mechanism  75  to move the hollow needle  74  from the separation position to the connection position, so that the hollow needle  74  penetrates the spout. With this operation, liquid within the cartridge  4  is supplied to the subsidiary tank  80  through the hollow needle  74  and the pipe  76 . The liquid supplying section  4   a  is located at the subsidiary tank  80  side, with respect to the main scanning direction X. With this configuration, the length of the pipe  76  of the liquid conveying section  72  can be shortened (that is, a distance of conveying liquid can be shortened). Because the length of the pipe  76  is short, air does not tend to enter liquid through the pipe  76 . If air enter liquid, there is a possibility that ejection malfunction occurs. 
     The two subsidiary tanks  80  are tanks that temporarily store liquid supplied from the respective cartridges  4 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , the subsidiary tanks  80  are arranged to be aligned with the respective heads  10  in the main scanning direction X as viewed from the vertical direction Z, and are arranged at positions closer to the left surface of the upper casing  1   a  than the heads  10  are. The subsidiary tank  80  and the head  10  are arranged to partially overlap each other in the main scanning direction X (see  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B ). The subsidiary tanks  80  are arranged at one end side (the upper in  FIG.  4   ) of the heads  10  in the main scanning direction X. The subsidiary tanks  80  are supported by the frame  1   a   1  between the frame  1   a   1  and the panel  1 a 2 . Further, the subsidiary tanks  80  are supported by the frame  1   a   1 , such that the inner liquid surface is within a predetermined level range that is lower than the ejection surface  10   a.  With this configuration, pressure within the head  10  is negative pressure, and liquid does not tend to leak from the ejection ports. The pipes  81  connect the subsidiary tanks  80  and the respective heads  10 . The subsidiary tanks  80  are supported by the frame  1   a   1 , such that the inner liquid surface is within the predetermined level range that is lower than the ejection surface  10   a  even when the upper casing  1   a  is at the spaced position. Hence, even if the upper casing  1   a  moves between the spaced position and the adjacent position, pressure within the head  10  is kept at negative pressure, and liquid does not tend to leak from the ejection ports. 
     Each subsidiary tank  80  is provided with the pump  82  (see  FIG.  7   ). The controller  100  controls each pump  82  to forcefully send liquid within the subsidiary tank  80  to the head  10 . Note that the pump  82  may be omitted. In a case where the pump  82  is not provided, it may be so configured that, as liquid is ejected from the head  10 , liquid is supplied to the head  10  from the subsidiary tank  80 . More specifically, as liquid is ejected from the head  10 , pressure within the head  10  becomes negative pressure. Because pressure within the head  10  becomes negative pressure, the head  10  sucks liquid from the subsidiary tank  80 . Thus, liquid is supplied to the head  10  from the subsidiary tank  80 . 
     The head lifting mechanism  35  (see  FIG.  7   ) moves the carriage  3  up and down so that the head  10  moves between a print position and a retracted position. At the print position (see  FIGS.  3  and  8 A ), the ejection surfaces  10   a  and the platens  44  and  45  located at the supporting-surface forming position confront each other with a space suitable for printing therebetween. At the print position, the head  10  is located at the lower end in the moving range. At the retracted position (see  FIG.  8 C ), the ejection surfaces  10   a  and the platens  44  and  45  located at the supporting-surface forming position are spaced farther away from each other than at the print position. That is, at the retracted position, the head  10  is located at a higher position than at the print position. At the retracted position, the head  10  is located at the upper end in the moving range. A wiping position (see  FIG.  8 B ) is located between the print position and the retracted position. At the wiping position and at the retracted position, wipers  36   a  and  36   b  (described later) can move in a space between the head  10  and the confronting member  91 ,  92  (described later). 
     The wiper unit  36  is provided for each of the heads  10 . The wiper unit  36  includes the two wipers  36   a  and  36   b,  a base section  36   c,  and a wiper moving mechanism  27 . The wiper  36   a  is provided to stand at the upper side of the base section  36   c  for wiping the ejection surface  10   a  (first wiping operation). The wiper  36   b  is provided to stand at the lower side of the base section  36   c  for wiping the surface of the confronting member  91 ,  92  (second wiping operation). The wiper moving mechanism  27  includes a pair of guides  28  (only one guide  28  is shown in  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C ) and a driving motor (not shown). When the driving motor is driven, the base section  36   c  moves reciprocatingly along the guides  28 . As shown in  FIG.  8 A , a standby position of the base section  36   c  is adjacent to the left end of the head  10 . In each wiping operation, the wiper  36   a  or  36   b  wipes the surface while moving rightward in  FIG.  8 B or  8 C . The base section  36   c  returns to the standby position in a state where the head  10  is at the retracted position and where the confronting member  91 ,  92  is at a third position ( FIG.  6 A ; described later). Note that the two wiper units  36  for the respective heads  10  can be driven independently. 
     Returning to  FIG.  3   , the liquid receiving section  90  includes the two confronting members  91  and  92 , a confronting-member lifting mechanism  93  (see  FIG.  7   ), and a waste-liquid tray  94 . Each of the confronting members  91  and  92  is a glass plate having a rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the ejection surface  10   a  in a plan view. The confronting members  91  and  92  are arranged between the ejection surfaces  10   a  and a paper-feed-tray mount section  19  with respect to the vertical direction Z. Further, the confronting members  91  and  92  are arranged to overlap the respective ejection surfaces  10   a  in the vertical direction Z. The confronting members  91  and  92  are provided for receiving liquid ejected from the ejection surfaces  10   a  during a purging operation described later. The confronting members  91  and  92  also constitute a cap mechanism  95  (described later) in cooperation with an annular member  96  (described later). 
     The confronting-member lifting mechanism  93  moves the confronting member  91 ,  92  up and down. The confronting-member lifting mechanism  93  drives the confronting member  91 ,  92  up and down between first and third positions. As shown in  FIG.  6 B , the first position (receiving position) is a position where the confronting member  91 ,  92  is the closest to the ejection surface  10   a.  A purging operation is performed in a state where the confronting member  91 ,  92  is located at the first position and where the head  10  is located at the print position. In a state where the confronting member  91 ,  92  is located at the first position and where the head  10  is located at the print position, the distance between the surface of the confronting member  91 ,  92  and the ejection surface  10   a  is the same as the distance between the surface of the platen  44 ,  45  and the ejection surface  10   a  during printing. At a second position, as shown in  FIG.  6 C , the distance between the surface of the confronting member  91 ,  92  and the ejection surface  10   a  is larger than the corresponding distance at the first position. The wiper  36   b  wipes the confronting member  91 ,  92  in a state where the confronting member  91 ,  92  is located at the second position. At the third position (standby position), as shown in  FIG.  6 A , the distance between the surface of the confronting member  91 ,  92  and the ejection surface  10   a  is larger than the corresponding distance at the second position. When the confronting member  91 ,  92  is located at the third position, the confronting member  91 ,  92  does not make contact with the wiper  36   b.  Note that the third position is a standby position of the confronting members  91  and  92  during printing. Not only the platens  44  and  45  but also the confronting members  91  and  92  are arranged between the ejection surfaces  10   a  and the paper-feed-tray mount section  19 . The platens  44  and  45  and the confronting members  91  and  92  are arranged in a dead space between the ejection surfaces  10   a  and the paper-feed-tray mount section  19 , the dead space being formed by forming the path R 1 . Further, because the confronting members  91  and  92  move in the vertical direction Z, the size of the printer  101  in a plan view does not increase. Hence, the footprint of the printer  101  can be made small. 
     The waste-liquid tray  94  has a concave section  94   a.  The waste-liquid tray  94  is disposed between the confronting members  91  and  92  and the paper-feed-tray mount section  19  with respect to the vertical direction Z. The waste-liquid tray  94  is disposed to overlap the confronting members  91  and  92  and the paper-feed-tray mount section  19  in the vertical direction Z. Further, the waste-liquid tray  94  is disposed to overlap the confronting members  91  and  92  in the vertical direction Z. With this configuration, the waste-liquid tray  94  receives liquid that drips from the confronting members  91  and  92  in the purging operation, and receives liquid that is wiped off from the confronting members  91  and  92  by the wiper  36   b  in the second wiping operation. 
     The waste-liquid conveying section  97  has a pump  97   a  and a pipe  97   b  connecting the pump  97   a  with the waste-liquid tank  99 . The pump  97   a  is provided at a bottom section of the waste-liquid tray  94 . The controller  100  controls the pump  97   a  to discharge liquid stored in the concave section  94   a,  via the pipe  97   b,  to the waste-liquid tank  99  mounted on the waste-liquid-tank mount section  98 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3 ,  4 , and  5 B , the waste-liquid-tank mount section  98  is disposed at a position below the liquid conveying section  72  and at a side (the upper side in  FIG.  4   ) of the liquid receiving section  90  in the main scanning direction X. In other words, the waste-liquid tank  99  and the liquid receiving section  90  are arranged in the main scanning direction X. The waste-liquid-tank mount section  98  is for defining a space to which the waste-liquid tank  99  is mounted. A mount opening  98   c  of the waste-liquid-tank mount section  98  is formed in the front surface of the lower casing  1   b . A door  1   g  is provided at the lower casing  1   b  for opening/closing the mount opening  98   c.  The door  1   g  is a plate-shaped member that is pivotally supported by the lower casing  1   b . By pivotally moving the door  1   g  in the direction of the arrow in  FIG.  1   , the mount opening  98   c  is exposed. The waste-liquid tank  99  is mounted on the waste-liquid-tank mount section  98  through the mount opening  98   c.  The waste-liquid tank  99  can be inserted and removed through the mount opening  98   c  for replacing the waste-liquid tank  99 . The mounting direction of the waste-liquid tank  99  is the same as the mounting direction of the cartridges  4 . 
     The waste-liquid-tank mount section  98  has a horizontal section  98   a  and a vertical section  98   b,  and has an L-shape as viewed from the main scanning direction X. The horizontal section  98   a  is an elongated section that extends in the sub-scanning direction Y. The vertical section  98   b  is formed to protrude upward from the front side of the horizontal section  98   a.  With respect to the vertical direction Z, the vertical section  98   b  overlaps the moving mechanism  75 , and the horizontal section  98   a  overlaps the subsidiary tanks  80 . The subsidiary tanks  80  are arranged at positions overlapping the waste-liquid-tank mount section  98  in this way. With this configuration, the waste-liquid tank  99  mounted on the waste-liquid-tank mount section  98  and the subsidiary tanks  80  also overlap each other in the vertical direction Z. With this configuration, an increase in the size of the printer  101  in a plan view can be suppressed. Further, because the waste-liquid tank  99  and the moving mechanism  75  also overlap each other in the vertical direction Z, an increase in the size of the printer  101  in a plan view can be further suppressed. 
     The waste-liquid tank  99  has a horizontal section  99   a  (extending section) and a vertical section  99   b  (protruding section), and has an L-shape as viewed from the main scanning direction X, like the waste-liquid-tank mount section  98 . The horizontal section  99   a  is a part that is disposed at the horizontal section  98   a  when the waste-liquid tank  99  is mounted on the waste-liquid-tank mount section  98 . The horizontal section  99   a  is elongated in the sub-scanning direction Y. The vertical section  99   b  is formed to protrude upward from the front end of the horizontal section  99   a.  The vertical section  99   b  is a part that is disposed at the vertical section  98   b  when the waste-liquid tank  99  is mounted on the waste-liquid-tank mount section  98 . The vertical section  99   b  of the waste-liquid tank  99  overlaps the subsidiary tanks  80  in the sub-scanning direction Y when the upper casing  1   a  is at the adjacent position (see  FIGS.  4  and  5 A ). With this configuration, the subsidiary tanks  80  can be arranged in a dead space located above the horizontal section  99   a  of the waste-liquid tank  99 , and an increase in height of the printer  101  can be suppressed. Further, due to the L-shape structure of the waste-liquid tank  99 , the capacity of the waste-liquid tank  99  can be increased while utilizing the dead space within the printer  101 . The waste-liquid tank  99  is connected with the pipe  97   b  of the waste-liquid conveying section  97  via a connection mechanism (not shown) when the waste-liquid tank  99  is mounted on the waste-liquid-tank mount section  98 . Note that an air vent port is provided at a top part of the vertical section  99   b  for venting air when liquid flows into the waste-liquid tank  99  and for venting liquid vapor to reduce the amount of liquid in the waste-liquid tank  99 . 
     As modifications, the waste-liquid tray  94 , the waste-liquid conveying section  97 , and the waste-liquid tank  99  may be provided separately for each head  10 . Further, the inside of the waste-liquid tray  94  and the waste-liquid tank  99  may be divided (for example, a partition is provided inside the concave section  94   a  of the waste-liquid tray  94  and inside the waste-liquid tank  99 , so that the inside of the waste-liquid tray  94  and the waste-liquid tank  99  are divided). With this configuration, pretreatment liquid and ink are not mixed easily, and condensation can be suppressed. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the first paper feeding section  1   c  is disposed below the paper discharging section  31 , the head unit  9 , the platens  44  and  45 , and the liquid receiving section  90 , and overlaps these components in the vertical direction Z. Hence, the paths R 1  through R 3  are formed in a reversed S-shape as described above, and the size of the printer  101  in a plan view is made small. As a result, the footprint of the printer  101  can be made small. The first paper feeding section  1   c  has the paper feed tray  20 , a paper feed roller  21 , and the paper-feed-tray mount section  19  on which the paper feed tray  20  is mounted. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3 ,  5 A, and  5 B , the paper-feed-tray mount section  19  defines a space to which the paper feed tray  20  is mounted, and extends in the sub-scanning direction Y. A mount opening  19   a  (first opening) of the paper-feed-tray mount section  19  is formed in the front surface of the lower casing  1   b . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the paper feed tray  20  is mounted on the paper-feed-tray mount section  19  through the mount opening  19   a.  The paper-feed-tray mount section  19  and the waste-liquid-tank mount section  98  are arranged in the main scanning direction X. Similarly, the paper feed tray  20  and the waste-liquid tank  99  are also arranged in the main scanning direction X. With this configuration, the height of the printer  101  can be reduced. The mounting direction of the paper feed tray  20  is the same as the mounting direction of the waste-liquid tank  99  and the cartridges  4 . The paper feed tray  20  is a box opened upward and can accommodate paper P. The controller  100  controls the paper feed roller  21  to rotate and send out paper P that is located at the uppermost position in the paper feed tray  20 . 
     The second paper feeding section  1   d  has the manual-feed tray  22  (the door  22 ) and a paper feed roller  23 , and is configured to feed paper to a middle part of the path R 1 . The manual-feed tray  22  that can be opened/closed is provided at the front surface of the apparatus casing  1 . The manual-feed tray  22  is a plate-shaped member that is pivotally supported by the lower casing  1   b . The manual-feed tray  22  is pivotable between: a close position at which the manual-feed tray  22  closes an opening lab ( FIG.  3   ) formed in the front surface of the apparatus casing  1  (the position shown in  FIG.  1   ); and an open position at which the manual-feed tray  22  opens the opening lab (the position shown in  FIG.  2   ). Normally (when the second paper feeding section  1   d  is not used), the manual-feed tray  22  is located at the close position so as to cover the opening lab. That is, when the manual-feed tray  22  closes the opening lab, the manual-feed tray  22  constitutes a part of the front surface of the apparatus casing  1 . When the manual-feed tray  22  closing the opening lab is pivotally moved to the open position as shown in  FIG.  2   , the second paper feeding section  1   d  becomes a usable state. Paper P in predetermined sizes is placed on the manual-feed tray  22  when the manual-feed tray  22  is located at the open position, and the controller  100  controls the paper feed roller  23  to rotate. With this operation, paper P on the manual-feed tray  22  is conveyed from the path R 4  via the path R 1  to the path R 2 . Because the manual-feed tray  22  is also provided at the front surface of the apparatus casing  1  as described above, an operation of placing paper P on the manual-feed tray  22  can also be accessed from the front. 
     Next, the controller  100  will be described. The controller  100  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) serving as an arithmetic processing unit, as well as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory: including a non-volatile RAM), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an I/F (Interface), and I/O (Input/Output Port), and the like. The ROM stores programs executed by the CPU, various fixed data, and the like. The RAM temporarily stores data (image data etc.) that are necessary when programs are executed. The ASIC performs rewriting, rearrangement, etc of image data (for example, signal processing and image processing). The I/F performs transmission and reception of data with an external device. The I/O performs input/output of detection signals of various sensors. 
     The controller  100  controls operations of each section of the printer  101  and governs overall operations of the printer  101 . The controller  100  controls a recording operation based on a print command (image data etc.) supplied from an external device (a PC etc. connected with the printer  101 ). Upon receiving the print command, the controller  100  drives the first paper feeding section  1   c  (or the second paper feeding section  1   d ) and the roller pairs  51  through  57 . Paper P sent out from the first paper feeding section  1   c  is conveyed along the paths R 1  and R 2 . Paper P sent out from the second paper feeding section  1   d  is conveyed from the path R 4  via the path R 1  to the path R 2 . When paper P sequentially passes positions directly below the heads  10  (recording positions) while being supported on the platens  44  and  45 , the controller  100  controls each head  10  to drive and eject liquid from ejection ports of the ejection surface  10   a  toward paper P. In this way, an image is formed on paper P. After that, paper P is conveyed along the path R 3  and is discharged onto the paper discharging section  31 . 
     The controller  100  controls maintenance operations such as recovery of liquid ejecting characteristics of the heads  10 . The maintenance operations include a purging operation, a first wiping operation for the ejection surface  10   a,  a second wiping operation for the confronting member  91 ,  92 , and the like. 
     Here, an example of the maintenance operation will be described with reference to  FIGS.  8 A through  8 C . 
     Upon receiving a maintenance signal, the controller  100  controls the purging operation. The controller  100  controls the supporting mechanism  48  such that the platen  44 ,  45  (the divided platens  44   a,    44   b,    45   a,    45   b ) takes the open position and, subsequently, as shown in  FIG.  8 A , controls the confronting-member lifting mechanism  93  such that confronting member  91 ,  92  takes the first position. After that, the controller  100  controls the pump  82  to supply liquid to the head  10  with pressure (the purging operation). At the purging operation of the present embodiment, a predetermined amount of liquid in the cartridge  4  is forcefully sent to the head  10  so that liquid is discharged from the ejection ports. 
     Next, the first wiping operation is performed. At this time, the controller  100  controls the head lifting mechanism  35  such that the head  10  takes the wiping position, and controls the confronting-member lifting mechanism  93  such that the confronting member  91 ,  92  takes the third position. After that, as shown in  FIG.  8 B , the controller  100  controls the wiper unit  36  (the wiper moving mechanism  27 ) to wipe the ejection surface  10   a  with the wiper  36   a  (the first wiping operation). After the first wiping operation, the controller  100  controls the head lifting mechanism  35  such that the head  10  takes the retracted position and, subsequently, controls the wiper unit  36  to return the base section  36   c  (the wipers  36   a  and  36   b ) to the standby position. 
     Next, the second wiping operation is performed. The controller  100  controls the confronting-member lifting mechanism  93  such that the confronting member  91 ,  92  takes the second position. After that, as shown in  FIG.  8 C , the controller  100  controls the wiper unit  36  (the wiper moving mechanism  27 ) to wipe the surface of the confronting member  91 ,  92  with the wiper  36   b  (the second wiping operation). After the second wiping operation, the controller  100  controls the confronting-member lifting mechanism  93  such that the confronting member  91 ,  92  takes the third position and, subsequently, controls the wiper unit  36  to return the base section  36   c  (the wipers  36   a  and  36   b ) to the standby position. Further, at this time, the controller  100  drives the pump  97   a  of the waste-liquid conveying section  97  to discharge, to the waste-liquid tank  99 , liquid stored in the waste-liquid tray  94  as a result of the purging operation and the first and second wiping operations. 
     Next, the controller  100  controls the head lifting mechanism  35  such that the head  10  takes the print position. After that, the cap mechanism  95  seals a space facing the ejection surface  10   a  from the external space, so that the head  10  becomes a standby state. Then, the maintenance operation ends. 
     The cap mechanism  95  includes the confronting member  91 ,  92  and the annular member  96  (schematically shown in  FIGS.  6 A through  6 C ). The annular member  96  is provided at the periphery of each head  10  and is configured to be moved up and down by a moving mechanism (not shown). In order to seal the space facing the ejection surface  10   a  from the external space, the confronting member  91 ,  92  is moved to the first position, and the annular member  96  is moved down so as to seal the space facing the ejection surface  10   a  in cooperation with the confronting member  91 ,  92 . 
     As described above, according to the printer  101  of the present embodiment, even when the upper casing  1   a  is pivotally moved (relatively moved) with respect to the lower casing  1   b  such that the upper casing  1   a  takes the spaced position, the heads  10 , the cartridges  4 , and the liquid conveying sections  72  move together with the upper casing  1   a  as a unit. Hence, the pipes  76  and  81  of the liquid conveying sections  72  are not pulled and strained, and thus are not damaged easily. Further, because the liquid receiving section  90 , the waste-liquid tank  99 , and the waste-liquid conveying section  97  are arranged at the lower casing  1   b , the pipe  97   b  of the waste-liquid conveying section  97  is not pulled and strained, and thus is not damaged easily, either. 
     While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the above aspects thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the claims. 
     For example, the upper casing  1   a  and the lower casing  1   b  may be coupled with each other such that the upper casing  1   a  can slide relative to the lower casing  1   b , and that the upper casing  1   a  can take an adjacent position and a spaced position. That is, other configurations may be adopted, as long as the upper casing  1   a  is coupled with the lower casing  1   b  such that the upper casing  1   a  can move relative to the lower casing  1   b.    
     It is not necessary that the waste-liquid tank  99  and the liquid receiving section  90  be arranged in the main scanning direction X. It is not necessary that the subsidiary tanks  80  and the heads  10  be arranged in the main scanning direction X. Further, it is not necessary that the subsidiary tanks  80  and the waste-liquid tank  99  overlap in the vertical direction Z. 
     It is not necessary that the cartridges  4  and the heads  10  be arranged in the sub-scanning direction Y. It is not necessary that the subsidiary tanks  80  overlap the waste-liquid tank  99  (the vertical section  99   b ) in the sub-scanning direction Y when the upper casing  1   a  and the lower casing  1   b  take the adjacent position. It is not necessary that the moving mechanism  75  and the waste-liquid tank  99  overlap each other in the vertical direction Z. 
     Some of the paper feed tray  20 , the platens  44  and  45 , the heads  10 , and the paper discharging section  31  may overlap each other in the vertical direction Z, or it may be so configured that none of these components overlap each other in the vertical direction Z. 
     It is not necessary that the paper feed tray  20  and the waste-liquid tank  99  be arranged in the main scanning direction X. Further, it is not necessary that the supporting surface  31   a  of the paper discharging section  31  be slanted. It is not necessary that the path R 1  and the cartridge mount sections  70  overlap each other in the vertical direction Z. 
     It is not necessary that the liquid conveying section  72  have the subsidiary tanks  80  and the pump  82 . In this case, the cartridge mount sections  70  are so arranged that the inner liquid surface of the mounted cartridge  4  is within a predetermined level range that is lower than the ejection surface  10   a.    
     Further, the liquid conveying section  72  may include only a pipe for connecting the cartridge  4  with the head  10 . In this case, it is so configured that liquid is supplied from the cartridge  4  to the head  10  as liquid is ejected from the head  10 . 
     Further, in a case where the subsidiary tanks  80  are not provided, liquid may be supplied from the cartridge  4  to the head  10  with a pump. Further, the liquid conveying section  72  need not have the moving mechanism  75 . In this case, it may be so configured that a hollow needle is connected with the cartridge  4  when the cartridge  4  is mounted on the cartridge mount section  70 . 
     Further, the liquid conveying section  72  need not have a hollow needle. The waste-liquid conveying section  97  need not have the pump  97   a,  and may only include the pipe  97   b.  In a case where the waste-liquid conveying section  97  does not have the pump  97   a,  gravity causes liquid to be conveyed from the waste-liquid tray  94  via the pipe  97   b  to the waste-liquid tank  99 . 
     In the above-described embodiment, the platens  44  and  45  are described as an example of the supporting section that supports a recording medium. However, another configuration such as a conveying belt may be adopted as the supporting section. 
     The invention can be applied not only to a monochromatic printer but also to a color printer. The invention is not limited to a printer, but can be applied to a facsimile apparatus, a copier, and the like. The heads may eject any liquid other than ink and pretreatment liquid. The number of heads included in the liquid ejecting device may be one or greater than two. A recording medium is not limited to paper P, but may be any medium on which recording can be performed.