Patent Publication Number: US-8992002-B2

Title: Liquid ejection apparatus having liquid-receiving devices therein

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-189046, filed Aug. 31, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to liquid ejection apparatus which eject recording liquid, such as ink. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A known liquid ejection apparatus includes a head, a receiving device, and a holding portion. The head includes a plurality of ejection ports from which recording liquid is ejected. The receiving device is disposed below the head and is configured to receive the recording liquid ejected from the plurality of ejection ports. The holding portion is configured to hold the recording medium which receives the recording liquid ejected from the plurality of ejection ports. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     When the holding portion comprises a wall surface having an opening formed therethrough, a user may spill liquid onto the wall surface of the holding portion, and the liquid may enter the apparatus through the opening. Therefore, a need has arisen for a liquid ejection apparatus which overcomes this shortcoming. 
     A liquid ejection apparatus disclosed herein may comprise a head, a receiving device, a holding portion, and a path. The head may comprise a plurality of ejection ports configured to eject a recording liquid onto a recording medium. The receiving device may be disposed below the head in a substantially vertical alignment therewith and may be configured to receive at least a portion of the recording liquid ejected from the ejection ports. The holding portion may be disposed above the receiving device in the substantially vertical alignment therewith and may be configured to hold a recording medium on which the head ejected recording liquid from the ejection ports. The holding portion may comprise a wall surface. The wall surface may comprise an opening formed therein. The path may guide liquid on the wall surface of the holding portion from the opening in the wall surface of the holding portion to the receiving device. The substantially vertical alignment may be substantially parallel to a direction of gravity. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, needs satisfied thereby, and the objects, features, and advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is an exterior perspective view of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exterior perspective view of the inkjet printer in which an upper housing of the inkjet printer is pivoted with respect to and disposed in a separated position from a lower housing of the inkjet printer. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic, cross-sectional view of the inkjet printer. 
         FIG. 4(   a ) is a front view of a locking mechanism of the inkjet printer, which depicts a state in which movement of the upper housing is controlled by the locking mechanism. 
         FIG. 4(   b ) is a front view of the locking mechanism of the inkjet printer, which depicts a state in which movement of the upper housing is not controlled by the locking mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view along line V-V depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic, perspective view of two vessels and a further path disposed therebetween. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of an area VII depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a guide member of the inkjet printer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention now are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     A configuration of an inkjet printer  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention now is described, with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
     The inkjet printer  1  may comprise an upper housing  1   a  and a lower housing  1   b . Each of the upper housing  1   a  and the lower housing  1   b  may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The upper housing  1   a  may be open at a lower end thereof, and the lower housing  1   b  may be open at an upper end thereof. The upper housing  1   a  may overlap the lower housing  1   b , which may close the respective openings of the upper housing  1   a  and the lower housing  1   b . Consequently, an internal space of the inkjet printer  1  may be defined by the upper housing  1   a  and the lower housing  1   b.    
     The upper housing  1   a  may comprise an axis of rotation  1   x  along a main scanning direction (e.g., a direction perpendicular to the sheet of  FIG. 3 ). In  FIG. 3 , the center of the axis of rotation  1   x  may be a point at which a vertical straight line v and a horizontal straight line h intersect. The lower housing  1   b  may comprise a bearing  1   y , which may support the upper housing  1   a  rotatably on the axis of rotation  1   x . With this configuration, the upper housing  1   a  may be pivoted in a direction A with respect to the lower housing  1   b  about the axis of rotation  1   x . This pivoting may allow the upper housing  1   a  to be at a closed position, in which the upper housing  1   a  is close to the lower housing  1   b  (e.g., a position depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ), and at a separated position, in which a portion of the upper housing  1   a  is separated from the lower housing  1   b  (e.g., a position depicted in  FIG. 2 ). When the upper housing  1   a  is in the separated position, a part of a conveying path of a paper sheet P may be exposed, and a workspace for a user may be created between the upper housing  1   a  and the lower housing  1   b . In the separated position, for example, the user may perform a manual unjamming procedure (e.g., an operation to remove the paper sheet P jammed in the conveying path) in the workspace. 
     The upper housing  1   a  is urged in the direction from the closed position toward the separated position by a spring or other means. The upper housing  1   a  may open to a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane, and a stopper or other means may prevent the upper housing  1   a  from opening beyond the predetermined angle. The predetermined angle may be defined by the configuration of the upper housing  1   a  and the lower housing  1   b . For example, the predetermined angle may be about 29 degrees. 
     A locking mechanism  70  may be disposed in the front of the upper housing  1   a  (e.g., on the near left side of the page of  FIG. 2 ). The locking mechanism  70  may regulate movement of the upper housing  1   a  in the closed position. A lid  1   d , which may be opened and closed, may be disposed in the front of the lower housing  1   b . The lid  1   d  may cover the front of the upper housing  1   a . Opening the lid  1   d  may expose the locking mechanism  70 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a holding portion  1   e  may be disposed in an upper portion of the upper housing  1   a . As depicted by arrow heads trailed by bold dashed lines in  FIG. 3 , the conveying path, in which the paper sheet P may be conveyed toward the holding portion  1   e  from the paper feed device  1   c , may be formed in the internal space defined by the upper housing  1   a  and the lower housing  1   b  when the upper housing  1   a  is in the closed position (e.g., the internal space of the inkjet printer  1 ). 
     A configuration of the locking mechanism  70  now is described with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The locking mechanism  70  may comprise a cylindrical rotating member  71 , two cooperating members  73   a  and  73   b , two swing members  74   a  and  74   b , two springs  76   a  and  76   b , and two fixing members  75   a  and  75   b . One end of each of the cooperating members  73   a  and  73   b  may be connected to a peripheral surface of the rotating member  71 . The swing member  74   a  may comprise a recess  74   c  formed therein, and the swing member  74   b  may comprise a recess  74   d  formed therein. Recesses  74   c  and  74   d  may open on respective sides of the swing members  74   a  and  74   b , which face away from the rotating member  71 . The fixing member  75   a  may comprise a shaft member  75   c , and the fixing member  75   b  may comprise a shaft member  75   d . The shaft member  75   c  may insert into the recess  74   c , and the shaft member  75   d  may insert into the recess  74   d . The swing axes of the swing members  74   a  and  74   b  may be fixed to the upper housing  1   a . Ends of the springs  76   a  and  76   b  near the rotating member  71  may be fixed to the upper housing  1   a . The fixing members  75   a  and  75   b  may be fixed to the lower housing  1   b.    
     A rod-shaped knob  72  may be fixed to the front of the rotating member  71 . The rod-shaped knob  72  may rotate integrally with the rotating member  71 . The springs  76   a  and  76   b  may urge upper ends of the swing members  74   a  and  74   b  toward the rotating member  71 . In this configuration, the components of the locking mechanism  70  may stop, such that the rod-shaped knob  72  extends in a substantially vertical direction when no external force is applied, as depicted in  FIG. 4(   a ). 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4(   a ), the recesses  74   c  and  74   d  may engage the shaft members  75   c  and  75   d , respectively. With this engagement, movement of the upper housing  1   a  may be restricted to prevent the upper housing  1   a  from pivoting to the separated position from the closed position. When the user rotates the knob  72  clockwise against the urging force of the springs  76   a  and  76   b , the recesses  74   c  and  74   d  may be separated from the shaft members  75   c  and  75   d , as depicted in  FIG. 4(   b ). The upper housing  1   a  subsequently may be released, and the upper housing  1   a  may be free to pivot about axis  1   x . When the upper housing  1   a  is returned to the closed position from the separated position, the recesses  74   c  and  74   d  again may engage the shaft members  75   c  and  75   d . Therefore, the locking mechanism  70  again may restrict the movement of the upper housing  1   a.    
     Components disposed in the internal space of the inkjet printer  1  now are described with reference to  FIG. 3  and other drawings. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the following components may be disposed in the internal space of the inkjet printer  1 : a control device  100  which may control components of the inkjet printer  1 ; a conveyance device  50  which may define the conveying path of the paper sheet P; a head device  9  which may comprise two heads  10  for ejecting recording liquid; two cartridges (not depicted), each corresponding to the two heads  10 ; a support portion  60 ; a vessel C 1 ; a paper feed device  1   c ; and a power board  85  for the inkjet printer  1 . 
     In accordance with recording instructions issued by an external device (e.g., a PC connected to the inkjet printer  1 ), the control device  100  may control a preparatory operation related to recording, operations regarding supply, conveyance and output of the paper sheet P, a recording liquid ejecting operation synchronized with the conveyance of the paper sheet P, and other operations associated with recording an image on the paper sheet P. 
     The control device  100  may comprise, for example, read only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM,” including non volatile RAM), an interface (“I/F”) and an input/output port (“I/O”), in addition to a central processing unit (“CPU”), which may be a processor. The ROM may store programs for execution by the CPU, various kinds of fixed data, and other information. Data (e.g., image data) for the execution of the programs may be stored temporarily in the RAM. One or more application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”) may rewrite and rearrange image data (e.g., perform signal processing and image processing) and may perform other processes. The I/F may perform data transmission and reception with external devices. The I/O may receive input detection signals from various sensors and may output information. 
     The conveyance device  50  may define a conveying path. The conveying path may comprise paths R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 , which may be associated with conveyance of a paper sheet P from the paper feed device  1   c , and paths T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 , which may be associated with re-conveyance of the paper sheet P. The conveyance device  50  may comprise the following components, which may define the paths R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 ; the paths T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 ; and a conveying motor (not depicted). 
     The path R 1  may be a U-shaped path in a plane perpendicular to the main scanning direction and may extend from the paper feed device  1   c  to a recording position (e.g., a position facing an ejection surface  10   a ). The path R 1  may be defined by a guide  31   a , a pair of rollers  22 , a guide  31   b , a pair of rollers  23 , a guide  31   c , a guide  31   d , and a pair of rollers  24 . These components may be arranged in the above-described order along the conveying direction. 
     The path R 2  may pass through the recording position of each of the heads  10 , and the path R 2  may be defined by a guide  32   a , a pressure roller  33 , and a pair of rollers  25 . These components may be disposed between the heads  10 . The pressure roller  33  and the pair of rollers  25  may be arranged in the above-described order along the conveying direction. 
     A path R 3  may be a U-shaped path in a plane perpendicular to the main scanning direction and disposed further downstream in the conveying direction, than the recording position. The path R 3  may extend from a guide  32   b  to the holding portion  1   e . The path R 3  may be defined by guides  32   b ,  33   a , and  33   b ; a pressure roller  35 ; and pairs of rollers  26 ,  27 , and  28 . The pairs of rollers  26 ,  27 , and  28  may be arranged in the above-described order along conveying direction. The roller  28  may output the paper sheet P from the housing  1   a , via the opening  150 , in an output direction. For example, the output direction may be a substantially horizontal direction (e.g., substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction depicted in  FIG. 3 ) or the output direction may be inclined with respect to the substantially horizontal direction. Multiple pressure rollers  35  may be disposed along the path R 3 . The path R 3  may be disposed downstream from the recording position in the conveyance direction and may curve in the direction opposite to the path R 1  while extending upward in the substantially vertical direction depicted in  FIG. 3 . Accordingly, based on the orientation of the inkjet printer  1  depicted in  FIG. 3 , the path R 1  may curve to the right (e.g., the path R 1  is a U-shaped path which opens to the right), whereas the path R 3  may curve to the left (e.g., the path R 3  is a U-shaped path which opens to the left). Thus, the paths R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  may combine to form a conveyance path having an inverse S shape. 
     The path T 1  may extend downward in the substantially vertical direction depicted in  FIG. 3 . The path T 1  may be defined by a guide  95   a  and a pair of rollers  96 . The path T 2  may extend in a direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction depicted in  FIG. 3 , and the path T 2  may be defined by a guide  95   b  and a pair of rollers  97 . The path T 3  may extend obliquely upward in the vertical direction depicted in  FIG. 3  and may reach the middle of the path R 1 . The path T 3  may be defined by a guide  95   c.    
     The pairs of rollers  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 , and  28  and the pairs of rollers  96  and  97  each may comprise a driving roller connected to the conveying motor and a driven roller, which may be driven by the respective driving roller. 
     The head device  9  may comprise two heads  10 , a main carriage  3   a , and a sub-carriage  3   b . The main carriage  3   a  and the sub-carriage  3   b  may support the heads  10 . One of the heads  10  may be a pre-coating head that ejects pretreatment liquid, and the other head may be an inkjet head that ejects black ink. The pre-coating head and the inkjet head may be arranged in the above-described order along the conveying direction. 
     The heads  10  may have similar structures Each of the heads  10  may be a substantially rectangular, parallelepiped-shaped head extending in the main scanning direction depicted in FIG.  3 . The heads  10  may be separated from each other in the sub-scanning direction (e.g., a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and to the substantially vertical direction), and the heads  10  may be fixed to the sub-carriage  3   b . The sub-carriage  3   b  may be supported by the upper housing  1   a  via the main carriage  3   a . The main carriage  3   a  may be fixed to the upper housing  1   a . The main carriage  3   a  may support the sub-carriage  3   b , such that sub-carriage  3   b  may engage in reciprocating motion in the substantially vertical direction. 
     An ejection surface  10   a  may be disposed on a lower surface of the head  10 . Many ejection ports may be formed on the ejection surface  10   a . Recording liquid paths may be formed inside the head  10 . The pretreatment liquid and black ink (collectively referred to as “recording liquid”) supplied from the cartridges may flow in the recording liquid paths and may reach the ejection ports. Fore example, the pretreatment liquid may function to prevent ink bleeding and strike through and may function to improve color enhancement and drying characteristics of the ink. 
     The support portion  60  may be disposed to face the ejection surfaces  10   a  of the heads  10  in the vertical direction. The support portion  60  may comprise: two rotary members  63 , each facing one of the heads  10 ; a platen  61  and a facing member  62  fixed to a peripheral surface of each of the rotary members  63 ; and a frame  11  that may support rotatably the rotary members  63 . 
     The length of the platen  61  and the facing member  62  may be slightly greater than the length of the ejection surface  10   a  in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. The platen  61  and the facing member  62  may be disposed to face each other in the substantially vertical direction. A surface of the platen  61  may be a support surface  61   a  that may face the ejection surface  10   a  and support the paper sheet P. Many ribs may be formed in the support surface  61   a  along the sub-scanning direction. The facing member  62  may comprise water impermeable materials or nearly water impermeable materials. A surface of the facing member  62  may be a facing surface  62   a  that may face the ejection surface  10   a.    
     The rotation of the rotary member  63  about an axis of rotation thereof along the main scanning direction may switch between a first configuration (e.g., a state depicted in  FIG. 3 ) and a second configuration (not depicted). In the first configuration, the support surface  61   a  may face the ejection surfaces  10   a , whereas the facing surface  62   a  may not face the ejection surfaces  10   a . In the second configuration, the support surface  61   a  may not face the ejection surfaces  10   a , whereas the facing surface  62   a  faces the ejection surfaces  10   a . The control device  100  may control the rotary member  63  to be in the first configuration when recording liquid is ejected from the ejection ports onto the paper sheet P to form an image. The control device  100  may control the rotary member  63  to be in the second configuration when capping is performed. Capping may be an operation to cause an end of a cap member (not depicted), which may project downward from the peripheral portions of a lower end of each head  10 , to abut the facing surface  62   a , such that the space facing the ejection surface  10   a  may be separated from the external space. 
     The paper feed device  1   c  may be disposed below the head device  9 , the support portion  60 , and the vessel C 1 . The paper feed device  1   c  may comprise a paper sheet feed tray  20  and a paper sheet feed roller  21 . The paper sheet feed tray  20  may be attachable to and detachable from the lower housing  1   b , along the sub-scanning direction. The paper sheet feed tray  20  may be an upwardly-open, box box-shaped tray that may hold paper sheets P of several sizes. The control of the control device  100  may control a motor to rotate paper sheet feed roller  21 , and paper sheet feed roller  21  may send out the uppermost paper sheet P from the paper sheet feed tray  20 . 
     The paper sheet P sent out from the paper sheet feed tray  20  may be conveyed along the paths R 1  and R 2  under the control of the control device  100 . When the paper sheet P supported by the support surface  61   a  passes a position directly below the heads  10  (e.g., a recording position), each head  10  may be driven by the control device  100 ; recording liquid may be ejected from ejection ports of the ejection surface  10   a  onto the paper sheet P, such that an image may form on the paper sheet P. In the single-sided recording process, the paper sheet P then may be conveyed along the path R 3  and may be output to the holding portion  1   e . In the double-sided recording process, the paper sheet P may not be output to the holding portion  1   e , but may be conveyed along the re-conveying paths T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 . The paper sheet P then may be returned to the path R 1  and again may be conveyed along the path R 2  and R 3 . After an image is formed on the reverse side, printer  1  may output the paper sheet P to the holding portion  1   e.    
     The vessel C 1  may be a rectangular, parallel piped-shaped vessel comprising an opening formed by the vessel C 1 &#39;s walls, which may open upward when the vessel is positioned below the heads  10  and the support portion  60 . The opening of the vessel C 1  may face the ejection surfaces  10   a  of the two heads  10  and the surfaces  61   a  and  62   b  of the support portion  60  in the substantially vertical direction (e.g., a direction substantially parallel to a direction of gravity). Accordingly, the heads  10  and the vessel C 1  overlap each other seen in the vertical direction. The vessel C 1  may extend beyond the surfaces  10   a ,  61   a , and  62   a  in the horizontal direction (e.g., the main scanning direction depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 5 ). Consequently, a significant portion of the support portion  60  may be disposed inside the vessel C 1 . In this configuration, even when the recording liquid, which may be ejected from the ejection ports of the heads  10 , spatters during the recording, or even when the recording liquid leaks out of the cap member during a purge (e.g., forced ejection of the recording liquid through the ejection ports) while performing the capping, the recording liquid may be received in the vessel C 1  (e.g., via gravity), such that adhesion of the recording liquid to components other than the vessel C 1  in the inkjet printer  1  may be reduced. 
     At the bottom of the vessel C 1 , an absorber  66  may be disposed on a surface (e.g., an upper surface of the bottom of the vessel C 1 ) that faces the ejection surfaces  10   a . The absorber  66  may absorb and retain recording liquid. The absorber  66  may comprise sponge or other absorbant materials, and the absorber  66  may be disposed across the entire area of the upper surface of the bottom of the vessel C 1 . Recording liquid received in the vessel C 1  may be absorbed and retained by the absorber  66 . 
     The power board  85  may be disposed below the paper sheet feed tray  20 . A power circuit may be formed in the power board  85 . The power circuit may generate power for the components that are electrically driven (e.g., the control device  100 , various sensors, and various motors) in the inkjet printer  1 . 
     A vessel C 2  may be disposed below the power board  85 . The vessel C 2 , which may be similar to the vessel C 1 , may be a rectangular, parallelpiped-shaped vessel comprising an opening formed by the vessel C 2 &#39;s walls, which may open upward when the vessel is positioned below the paper sheet feed tray  20 . The vessel C 2  may be formed by a lower portion of the lower housing  1   b . The opening of the vessel C 2  may face the power board  85  in the vertical direction and may surround the power board  85 . 
     At the bottom of the vessel C 2 , an absorber  86  may be disposed on a surface (e.g., an upper surface of the bottom of the vessel C 2 ) that faces the power board  85 . The absorber  86  may absorb and retain recording liquid. The absorber  86  may comprise sponge or other absorbent materials, and the absorber  86  may be disposed across the entire area of the upper surface of the bottom of the vessel C 2 . Recording liquid received by the vessel C 2  may be absorbed and retained by the absorber  86 . 
     A plurality of projections  1   b   2  that project upward from the bottom (e.g., the bottom of the vessel C 2 )  1   b   1  of the lower housing  1   b  may support the power board  85  from below. Ends of the projections  1   b   2  may extend above the absorber  86  in the substantially vertical direction. Therefore, the power board  85  may be separated from the bottom  1   b   1  of the lower housing  1   b  and from the absorber  86 . 
     The vessel C 1  and the vessel C 2  may connect to each other via a frame  80 , as depicted in  FIG. 5 . The frame  80  may be fixed to the lower housing  1   b . The bottom of the vessel C 1  may be fixed to an upper end of the frame  80  in the substantially vertical direction, and a lower end of frame  80  in the substantially vertical direction may be fixed to the bottom  1   b   1  of the vessel C 2 . The paper sheet feed tray  20  and the power board  85  may be disposed inside the frame  80 . 
     A pair of pipes  81  may be fixed to a side portion of the frame  80 , as depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The pipes  81  may sandwich the paper sheet feed tray  20  and the power board  85  therebetween. Each of the pipes  81  may extend from the bottom of the vessel C 1  downward, passing by the side portions of the paper sheet feed tray  20  and the power board  85 , to reach a position above the vessel C 2  (e.g., a position immediately above the absorber  86  in the substantially vertical direction). A through hole may be formed at the bottom of the vessel C 1 , as depicted in  FIG. 7 . The pipe  81  and the inside of the vessel C 1  may communicate with each other via the through hole. 
     A configuration of the holding portion  1   e  now is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  8 . 
     The holding portion  1   e  comprises a support member  1   e   1  and a guide member  1   e   2 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     The support member  1   e   1  may be formed by an upper wall of the upper housing  1   a  and may comprise a surface  1   e   1   c  that supports the output paper sheet P. The surface  1   e   1   c  of the support member  1   e   1  may incline downward, with respect to the horizontal direction, toward an opening  1   e   3  in the conveying direction. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of recesses  1   e   1   x  extending in the conveying direction may be formed on a substantial portion of the surface  1   e   1   c.    
     The guide member  1   e   2  may comprise a main portion  1   e   2   a  and a pair of side portions  1   e   2   b  extending uprightly from side edges of the main portion  1   e   2   a , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  8 . The side edges of the main portion  1   e   2   a  may be boundaries along the main scanning direction on a surface  1   e   2   ac  (e.g., a surface facing the opening  1   e   3 ) of the main portion  1   e   2   a . The main portion  1   e   2   a  may extend in the substantially vertical direction and in the main scanning direction, and the side portions  1   e   2   b  may extend in the substantially vertical direction and in the sub-scanning direction. The main portion  1   e   2   a  may be disposed upstream of the support member  1   e   1  in the conveying direction, and a gap (e.g., an opening)  1   e   3  may be formed between the main portion  1   e   2   a  and the support member  1   e   1 . A plurality of recesses  1   e   2   x , which may extend in the substantially vertical direction, may be formed on the substantial portion of the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a . The support member  1   e   1  and the guide member  1   e   2  may constitute wall surfaces of the holding portion  1   e . In particular, the surface  1   e   1   c  of the support member  1   e   1  and the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  of the guide member  1   e   2  may constitute the wall surfaces of the holding portion  1   e . Accordingly, the surface  1   e   1   c  of the support member  1   e   1  may constitute a part of the wall surface of the holding portion  1   e , and the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  of the guide member  1   e   2  may constitute a part of the wall surface of the holding portion  1   e.    
     The main portion  1   e   2   a  may extend below the opening  1   e   3 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 . A lower end of the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  may be disposed inside the vessel C 1  when the lower end of the surface  1   e   2   ac  and the vessel C 1  are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the substantially vertical direction. In particular, a projection  1   e   2   c  depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 8  and protruding to the left in  FIG. 3  may be disposed at the lower end of the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a . The projection  1   e   2   c  may be disposed inside the vessel C 1  when the projection  1   e   2   c  and the vessel C 1  are projected onto the plane perpendicular to the substantially vertical direction. As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the length of the guide member  1   e   2  in the main scanning direction may be less than the length of the vessel C 1  in the main scanning direction. Consequently, the entire guide member  1   e   2  may be disposed inside the vessel C 1 , and the entire guide member  1   e   2  and the vessel C 1  are projected onto the plane perpendicular to the substantially vertical direction. The straight line L depicted in  FIG. 3  may be drawn along the lower end of the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  in the substantially vertical direction. The holding portion  1   e  and the vessel C 1  may overlap each other, when the holding portion  1   e  and the vessel C 1  are projected onto the plane perpendicular to the substantially vertical direction. 
     The portion of printer  1  disposed further below the opening  1   e   3  in the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  may define a first path S 1 , in which the liquid entered through the opening  1   e   3  may be guided to the vessel C 1 . A gap may be formed between the guides  32   b  and the  33   a . The gap may be a part of the first path S 1 . Accordingly, a gap, which may be a part of the first path S 1 , may be formed near the lower end of the main portion  1   e   2   a  of the guide member  1   e   2  in the guide that defines the conveying path. Consequently, when the user spills liquid, such as a beverage, onto the holding portion  1   e , the liquid may enter the printer  1  through the opening  1   e   3 , may flow along the first path S 1 , and may be received in the vessel C 1 . As depicted in  FIG. 5 , when the amount of the liquid received in the vessel C 1  exceeds the capacity of the absorber  66  in the vessel C 1 , overflowing liquid may pass through a second path S 2  in the pipe  81  and may be received in the vessel C 2 . The holding portion  1   e  and the paper sheet feed tray  20  may overlap each other, when the holding portion  1   e  and the paper sheet feed tray  20  are projected onto the plane perpendicular to the substantially vertical direction. 
     When the amount of the liquid received in the vessel C 2  exceeds the capacity of the absorber  86  in the vessel C 2 , the control device  100  may provide an error notification via an output device, such as one or more of a display and a speaker comprised in the inkjet printer  1 , and the control device  100  may control the operations of the components of the inkjet printer  1  to stop. Although not depicted, a conduction sensor formed by a pair of electrodes may be disposed in a cavity formed in the absorber  86 . When the amount of liquid received in the vessel C 2  exceeds the capacity of the absorber  86  in the vessel C 2 , the liquid may enter the cavity, and the conduction sensor may detect conduction between the electrodes. In accordance with signals from the conduction sensor, the control device  100  may determine whether the vessel C 2  has received an amount of liquid exceeding the capacity of the absorber  86 . 
     The opposite side of the main portion  1   e   2   a  (e.g., a side opposite to the surface that faces the opening  1   e   3 ) may define the path R 3 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 . In particular, the opposite side of the main portion  1   e   2   a  may form a part of the guides  33   a  and  33   b.    
     The upper housing  1   a  may support the support member  1   e   1 . The lower housing  1   b  may support the guide member  1   e   2 . The lower housing  1   b  may support components of the conveyance device  50 , the support portion  60 , the paper sheet feed tray  20 , the vessels C 1  and C 2 , and the power board  85 . When the upper housing  1   a  is pivoted toward the separated position from the closed position, the components supported by the upper housing  1   a  may move together with the upper housing  1   a , whereas the components supported by the lower housing  1   b  may not move and may stay in fixed positions. At the time of this pivoting, the support member  1   e   1  may move with respect to the guide member  1   e   2 , but the support member  1   e   1  may not touch the guide member  1   e   2  because of the existence of the opening  1   e   3 . 
     As described above, the paper sheet feed tray  20  may be disposed below the vessel C 1  in the substantially vertical alignment, and the holding portion  1   e  may be disposed above the vessel C 1  in the substantially vertical alignment, such that an area of the printer  1  in plan view may be reduced. Liquid, which enters through the opening  1   e   3  of the holding portion  1   e , may flow along the first path S 1  to the vessel C 1  and may be received therein. In this configuration, adhesion of liquid, which enters through a opening  1   e   3  in a holding portion  1   e , to the paper sheet feed tray  20  or to the paper sheet P in the paper sheet feed tray  20  may be reduced, and the area of the entire printer  1  may be reduced in plan view. 
     When the upper housing  1   a  which supports the heads  10  is pivoted with respect to the lower housing  1   b  that supports the conveyance device  50 , the heads  10  may be separated from the conveyance device  50 , and, thereby, the conveying path may be exposed. This allows the user to perform a manual unjamming procedure (e.g., an operation to remove the paper sheet P jammed in the conveying path) in the space formed between the upper housing  1   a  and the lower housing  1   b.    
     In such a configuration, however, a gap for the prevention of interference is necessary between the upper housing  1   a  and the lower housing  1   b . Accordingly, when the holding portion  1   e  is formed by a part of the upper housing  1   a  (e.g., the support member  1   e   1 ) and a part of the lower housing  1   b  (e.g., a guide member  1   e   2 ), as described above, a gap may be formed unintentionally between the support member  1   e   1  and the guide member  1   e   2 . In this configuration, when liquid enters the inkjet printer  1  through the gap (e.g., the opening  1   e   3 ), adhesion of liquid to the paper sheet feed tray  20  or to the paper sheet P in the paper sheet feed tray  20  may occur. Nevertheless, liquid that enters the inkjet printer  1  through the opening  1   e   3  may flow along the first path S 1  to the vessel C 1  and may be received therein. Therefore, according to the embodiments described above, the user may perform an unjamming procedure and, at the same time adhesion of liquid that enters through the opening  1   e   3  of the holding portion  1   e  to the paper sheet feed tray  20  or to the paper sheet P in the paper sheet feed tray  20  may be reduced. 
     The surface  1   e   1   c  of the support member  1   e   1  may incline downward toward the opening  1   e   3  along the conveying direction depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . In the configuration described above, the inclination may guide liquid spilt on the surface  1   e   1   c  of the support member  1   e   1  to the opening  1   e   3 . Therefore, this configuration may reduce an amount of liquid that may flow out of the opening  1   e   3 . 
     A plurality of recesses  1   e   1   x  may extend in the conveying direction and may be formed on the surface  1   e   1   c  of the support member  1   e   1 . In the configuration described above, liquid spilt onto the surface  1   e   1   c  of the support member  1   e   1  may be guided to the opening  1   e   3  through the recesses  1   e   1   x . Therefore, this configuration may reduce an amount of liquid that flows out of the opening  1   e   3 . 
     The surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  of the guide member  1   e   2  may extend in the substantially vertical direction. In the configuration described above, liquid spilt onto or adhering to the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  may be guided to the opening  1   e   3  along the substantially vertical direction. Therefore, this configuration may reduce an amount of liquid that flows out of the opening  1   e   3 . 
     A plurality of recesses  1   e   2   x  may extend in the substantially vertical direction and may be formed in the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  of the guide member  1   e   2 . In the configuration described above, liquid spilt onto or adhering to the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  may be guided to the opening  1   e   3  through the recesses  1   e   2   x . Therefore, this configuration may reduce an amount of liquid that flows out of the opening  1   e   3  more reliably. 
     The surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  of the guide member  1   e   2  may extend further below the opening  1   e   3  in the substantially vertical direction, and the portion extending below the opening  1   e   3  of the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  may define the first path S 1 . The lower end of the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  may be disposed inside the vessel C 1  when the lower end of the surface  1   e   2   ac  and the vessel C 1  are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the substantially vertical direction. In the configuration described above, the liquid that enters through the opening  1   e   3  may be guided downward along the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a , and the liquid reliably may be received in the vessel C 1  from the lower end of the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a.    
     The opposite side of the main portion  1   e   2   a  of the guide member  1   e   2  may define the conveying path along which the conveyance device  50  may convey the paper sheet P. The guide member  1   e   2 , which the lower housing  1   b  may support, may not be moved and may stay at the fixed position thereof when the upper housing  1   a  is pivoted. When the guide member  1   e   2  defines the conveying path, certain problems may arise. For example, when the guide member  1   e   2 , which the upper housing  1   a  may support, is pivoted together with the upper housing  1   a , precision of the conveying path may be reduced. In the configuration described above, such a problem may be mitigated. 
     The guide member  1   e   2  may comprise the side portions  1   e   2   b  extending uprightly from the side edges of the main portion  1   e   2   a  in the substantially vertical direction. In the configuration described above, even when liquid spilt onto or adhering to the surface  1   e   2   ac  of the main portion  1   e   2   a  flows into the side of the surface, the liquid may be held back by the side portions  1   e   2   b  and may be guided to the opening  1   e   3 . This may reduce the likelihood of an outflow of liquid toward portions other than the opening  1   e   3 . 
     The inkjet printer  1  may comprise the vessel C 2  disposed below the paper sheet feed tray  20  in the substantially vertical direction and disposed below the second path S 2 , in which liquid may pass from the vessel C 1  to the vessel C 2  via the side of the paper sheet feed tray  20 . When the vessel C 1  is filled with liquid, liquid may overflow the vessel C 1  and may adhere to the paper sheet feed tray  20  or the paper sheet P in the paper sheet feed tray  20  disposed below the vessel C 1 . In the configuration described above, even when the vessel C 1  is filled with liquid, liquid may pass in the second path S 2  from the vessel C 1  to the vessel C 2 , via the side of the paper sheet feed tray  20  (e.g., through the pipes  81 ). The vessel C 2  subsequently may receive the liquid. Therefore, the problem described above may be reduced or eliminated. 
     The inkjet printer  1  may comprise the power board  85  disposed at a position separated from the vessel C 2  that may be below the paper sheet feed tray  20  and above the vessel C 2 . The second path S 2  may extend to reach the vessel C 2  from the vessel C 1 , via the side of the paper sheet feed tray  20  and the side of the power board  85 . Adhesion of liquid to the power board  85  may cause combustion or malfunction. Therefore, the power board  85  may be disposed at a position where there may be a lower possibility of adhesion of liquid (e.g., an upper portion of the inkjet printer  1 , such as a position above the heads  10  in the substantially vertical direction). Nevertheless, the power board  85  may be disposed at a lower portion of the inkjet printer  1  because of, for example, restrictions of the layout. Even in such a case, adhesion of the liquid to the power board  85  may be reduced by the second path S 2 . 
     Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various design changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Configurations (e.g., shape, dimension and the number) of vessels C 1  and C 2  may be changed. For example, the vessel C 1  may be disposed at each head. The vessel C 1  may function as a cap member used in the capping process. In this configuration, the vessel C 1  may receive the recording liquid ejected from the ejection ports during the purge process. The absorbers  66  and  86  may be disposed across the entire area of the bottom portions of the vessels C 1  and C 2 , respectively. Alternatively, the absorbers  66  and  86  may be disposed across only a part of the area of the bottom portions of the vessels C 1  and C 2 . Fore example, the part of the area may be an area which faces the ejection surface  10   a  in the vessel C 1  and an area which faces the second path S 2  in the second receiving device. Alternatively, the absorbers  66  and  86  may be excluded from the vessels C 1  and C 2 . The vessels C 1  and C 2  may be in fluid communication with a waste liquid reservoir, and liquid received by each of the vessels C 1  and C 2  may be discharged into the waste liquid reservoir. Alternatively, the vessel C 2  may be excluded. 
     Configurations (e.g., shape, dimension and the number) of the first path S 1  and the second path S 2  may be changed. The first path  51  may be formed of a pipe similar to the pipe  81  of the second path S 2 , according to embodiments described above. Liquid that enters through the opening  1   e   3  of the holding portion may flow to the vessel C 1  without touching with another object. Alternatively, the second path S 2  may be excluded. 
     The surface  1   e   1   c , which may support a recording sheet P in the support member  1   e   1 , may extend in various directions. For example, the surface  1   e   1   c , which may support a recording sheet P in the support member  1   e   1 , may extend substantially horizontally. The surface  1   e   2   ac , which may face the opening in a guide member  1   e   2 , also may extend in various directions. For example, the surface  1   e   2   ac , which may face the opening  1   e   3  in a guide member  1   e   2 , may extend in a direction inclined with respect to the substantially vertical direction (e.g., in the substantially horizontal direction). Alternatively, the side portion  1   e   2   b  of the guide member  1   e   2  may be excluded. The guide member  1   e   2  may not define the conveying path. 
     A lower end of the surface  1   e   2   ac , which may face the opening  1   e   3  in the guide member  1   e   2 , may not be disposed inside the vessel C 1  when the surface  1   e   2   ac  and the vessel C 1  are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the substantially vertical direction. The surface  1   e   2   ac , which may face the opening  1   e   3  in the guide member  1   e   2 , may not extend further below the opening  1   e   3 . In such configurations, for example, another member that may guide the liquid toward the first receiving device from the surface  1   e   2   ac  may be disposed in the inkjet printer  1 . 
     Recesses of the guide member  1   e   2  may be formed only at portions above the opening  1   e   3  in the substantially vertical alignment. Alternatively, the recesses of the members  1   e   1  and  1   e   2  may be excluded. The holding portion  1   e  may not be formed by two members, e.g., members  1   e   1  and  1   e   2 , and may be formed by a single member having an opening formed therein. 
     An electronic component may not be limited to the power board, and, for example, may be one or more of a control substrate of a conveyance device  50 , a control substrate of a head  10 , and an integrated circuit (“IC”) for apparatus authentication. The electronic component may not be disposed below the paper sheet feed tray  20 . 
     One or more of the paths related to re-conveyance (e.g., paths T 1 , T 2 , or T 3 ) may be excluded, and the pressure rollers  33  and  35  may be excluded. The recording medium may be conveyed in a belt conveyance system, rather than the roller conveyance system described above. The configuration of the conveying path may be changed. For example, the paths R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  associated with conveyance of the recording medium from the paper feed device  1   c  may form an inverted S shape when combined; however, paths related to the conveyance of the recording medium may be other shapes, such as U-shape when combined together. 
     In yet other embodiments, the upper housing  1   a  may not pivot with respect to the lower housing  1   b , and the upper housing  1   a  may move substantially horizontally or substantially vertically with respect to the lower housing  1   b . The housing of the liquid ejection apparatus may not be formed by two members (e.g., the upper and lower housings  1   a  and  1   b ), and the housing may comprise instead a single housing. 
     The head  10  may eject recording liquid other than pretreatment liquid and ink. The direction in which the ejection surface extends may not be limited to the substantially horizontal direction, and the direction, in which the ejection surface extends, may be the substantially vertical direction. The liquid ejection apparatus may comprise one or more heads  10 . 
     The recording medium may not be limited to the paper sheet P, and the recording medium may be another medium adapted to recording. The present invention may not be limited to a printer, and the invention may be applied to other apparatus, such as facsimile machines and copiers. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with various exemplary structures and illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other variations and modifications of the structures, configurations, and embodiments described above may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, this application comprises any possible combination of the various elements and features disclosed herein, and the particular elements and features presented in the claims and disclosed above may be combined with each other in other ways within the scope of the application, such that the application should be recognized as also directed to other embodiments comprising any other possible combinations. Other structures, configurations, and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and the described examples are illustrative with the true scope of the invention being defined by the following claims.