Patent Description:
In a transport belt cleaning method described in <CIT>, by electrolyzing a cleaning liquid used for cleaning a medium to be cleaned, ink in the cleaning liquid is decomposed into dye and the cleaning liquid.

In the method described in <CIT>, although dye is used for ink, no consideration is given, in a case of using ink containing pigment, to separation of the pigment. Here, ink containing pigment is used in an inkjet printer, and when a transport unit of a medium is soiled with the ink, the ink is removed by cleaning using a cleaning liquid. However, a method for separating pigment from cleaning liquid containing the pigment has not been established.

<CIT> discloses a case body of an ink cartridge that has a recording ink storage chamber containing a recording ink and a waste-ink storage chamber containing an ink coagulant. The recording ink is supplied to a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus. A head cleaning unit collects waste-ink from the recording head and feeds it to the waste-ink storage chamber. A heater heats the waste-ink and the ink coagulant in the waste-ink storage chamber, so that the ink coagulant melts and mixes with the waste-ink. The mixture of the ink coagulant and the waste-ink is cooled and solidified into gel. The gelled mixture of the waste-ink and the ink coagulant can be easily taken out of the waste-ink storage chamber by heating to liquefy it again, facilitating recycling the case body.

In order to solve the problems described above, a coagulation method according to the invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

A coagulation device according to the invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

According to the invention the pigment is dispersed in the liquid after being used to clean a transport unit, as an element to be cleaned by the cleaning liquid. Furthermore, since the dispersed pigment coagulates, the pigment is easily recovered. This makes it easier to separate the cleaning liquid component from the liquid, making it easier to reuse the cleaning liquid for cleaning the transport unit. Note that, an element cleaned by a cleaning liquid is not particularly limited as long as the element is an element to which pigment can adhere in accordance with operation of a liquid ejecting device, and configures the liquid ejecting device.

According to the invention, by efficiently removing the pigment from the mixture using the centrifugation unit, the liquid after removing the components of the pigment from the mixture can be reused as the cleaning liquid for cleaning the transport unit.

Hereinafter, a coagulation method, a coagulation unit <NUM>, and a printer <NUM> according to Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

<FIG> illustrates an overall configuration of the printer <NUM>.

The printer <NUM> is an example of an ejecting device, and performs recording on a sheet P, which is an example of a medium. Other examples of the medium include fiber. Note that, an X-Y-Z coordinate system illustrated in each figure is an orthogonal coordinate system.

An X direction is a device width direction of the printer <NUM>, and as an example, is a horizontal direction. A tip side of an arrow indicating a direction is defined as a +X direction, and a base end side of the arrow indicating the direction is defined as a -X direction. Furthermore, the X direction is an example of a width direction of the sheet P and a width direction of a glue belt <NUM> described below.

A Y direction is a depth direction of the printer <NUM>, and is the horizontal direction. The Y direction is orthogonal to the X direction. A tip side of an arrow indicating a direction is defined as a +Y direction, and a base end side of the arrow indicating the direction is defined as a -Y direction. The +Y direction is also an example of a transport direction in which the sheet P is transported.

A Z direction is along a gravitational direction in which gravity acts. A tip side of an arrow indicating a direction is defined as a +Z direction, and a base end side of the arrow indicating the direction is defined as a -Z direction. The +Z direction is a device height direction of the printer <NUM>, and is orthogonal to both the Y direction and the X direction.

The printer <NUM> includes, as an example, a body frame (not illustrated), a transporting unit <NUM>, a record unit <NUM>, a cleaning unit <NUM>, a controlling unit <NUM>, a power source <NUM>, and the coagulation unit <NUM>.

The transporting unit <NUM> is provided at the body frame. In particular, the transporting unit <NUM> includes a driving roller <NUM>, a driven roller <NUM>, the glue belt <NUM>, and a motor (not illustrated). Then, the transporting unit <NUM> transports the sheet P supported by the glue belt <NUM> in the +Y direction, in accordance with movement of the glue belt <NUM> by rotation of the driving roller <NUM>. In the +Y direction, the driving roller <NUM> is disposed downstream the driven roller <NUM>. In addition, both the driving roller <NUM> and the driven roller <NUM> include a rotary shaft in the X direction. Rotation of the driving roller <NUM> is controlled by the controlling unit <NUM> described below controlling operation of the motor.

The glue belt <NUM> is an example of a transport unit, and transports the sheet P in the +Y direction. The glue belt <NUM> is configured as an endless belt obtained by joining both ends of a planar plate having elasticity. Further, the glue belt <NUM> is wound around an outer circumferential surface of the driving roller <NUM> and an outer circumferential surface of the driven roller <NUM>. In other words, the glue belt <NUM> is capable of transporting the sheet P by being cycled.

As an example, a front surface <NUM> of the glue belt <NUM> has adhesiveness, and is capable of supporting and adsorbing the sheet P. The adhesiveness refers to a property that makes temporarily bonding with another member and peeling in a bonded state possible.

The record unit <NUM> is an example of a recording unit. Furthermore, the record unit <NUM> is capable of recording information on the sheet P transported in the +Y direction. Specifically, the record unit <NUM> includes a recording head <NUM>, which is an example of an ejecting unit, and a carriage <NUM> that supports the recording head <NUM> so that reciprocating movement is possible along the X direction. Also, the record unit <NUM> is disposed above the glue belt <NUM>. The recording head <NUM> has a plurality of nozzles (not illustrated), and is disposed in the +Z direction with respect to the front surface <NUM>. Additionally, the recording head <NUM> can perform recording on the sheet P by ejecting ink Q from the plurality of nozzles onto a recording surface of the sheet P.

The ink Q is an example of a composition. The ink Q includes a black ink, and color inks different from the black ink. Examples of colors of the color ink include yellow, cyan, and magenta. Specifically, the ink Q includes a pigment G (<FIG>) as a color material, a solvent for ensuring ejection stability and preservation stability of ink, a surfactant, a pH adjusting agent, a preservative, and an anti-mold agent. Note that, in the present exemplary embodiment, the pigment G of the black ink is used, as an example.

As the pigment G, both of an inorganic pigment and an organic pigment can be used. The inorganic pigment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include carbon black, iron oxide, titanium oxide, and silica oxide, for example.

The organic pigment is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include, for example, a quinacridone-based pigment, a quinacridone quinone-based pigment, a dioxazine-based pigment, a phthalocyanine-based pigment, an anthrapyrimidine-based pigment, an anthanthrone-based pigment, an indanthrone-based pigment, a flavanthrone-based pigment, a perylene-based pigment, a diketopyroropyrrole-based pigment, a perinone-based pigment, a quinophthalone-based pigment, an anthraquinone-based pigment, a thioindigo-based pigment, a benzimidazolone-based pigment, an isoindolinone-based pigment, an azomethine-based pigment, and an azo-based pigment.

The cleaning unit <NUM> is an example of a cleaner unit. The cleaning unit <NUM> is disposed at a predetermined position in the -Z direction with respect to the glue belt <NUM>. Specifically, the cleaning unit <NUM> includes a cleaning tank <NUM> and a cleaning brush <NUM>.

The cleaning tank <NUM> is disposed in a state of opening in the +Z direction. An outflow pipe <NUM> is coupled to a bottom of the cleaning tank <NUM>. A valve (not illustrated) is provided at the outflow pipe <NUM> so as to be able to open and close.

In the cleaning tank <NUM>, a cleaning liquid C is stored. For example, the cleaning liquid C is formed of water or an organic solvent. Note that, the cleaning liquid C may contain additives such as surfactants as necessary.

The cleaning brush <NUM> is rotatable about a central axis along the X direction, provides the cleaning liquid C to the front surface <NUM> in accordance with rotation while recovering the ink Q on the front surface <NUM>.

In this way, the cleaning unit <NUM> cleans the front surface <NUM> of the glue belt <NUM> to which the ink Q adheres with the cleaning liquid C.

Here, a liquid containing the pigment G and the cleaning liquid C is referred to as a recovered liquid K. The recovered liquid K is an example of a liquid containing the pigment G and the cleaning liquid C. Note that, a recovered liquid before a temperature thereof is changed by a temperature change unit <NUM> described below is referred to as the recovered liquid K, and a recovered liquid after the temperature thereof is changed by the temperature change unit <NUM> is referred to as a mixture M (<FIG>), and the two are distinguished. Chemical composition of the mixture M is the same as chemical composition of the recovered liquid K. However, the chemical composition of the mixture M may be different from the chemical composition of the recovered liquid K. For example, the chemical composition of the recovered liquid K changes during a process of heating the recovered liquid K, and as a result, the chemical composition of the mixture M may be different from the chemical composition of the recovered liquid K.

The controlling unit <NUM> is configured to include a central processing unit (CPU) (not illustrated), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a storage (not illustrated), and controls operation of each unit of the printer <NUM>.

The power source <NUM> is controlled by the controlling unit <NUM>, and is capable of powering each unit of the printer <NUM>. A part of power of the power source <NUM> is used for operation of the temperature change unit <NUM> described below.

The coagulation unit <NUM> is an example of a coagulation device for coagulating pigments G from the recovered liquid K. The coagulation unit <NUM> includes a storage unit <NUM> and the temperature change unit <NUM>. The coagulation unit <NUM> performs coagulation treatment. The coagulation treatment includes treatment for storing the recovered liquid K, treatment for cooling the recovered liquid K such that at least a part of the recovered liquid solidifies, and treatment for heating a solid S (<FIG>) such that the solid S generated by solidifying at least a part of the recovered liquid K liquefies. Note that, the solid S will be described below.

The storage unit <NUM> has a reservoir <NUM>, as an example. The reservoir <NUM> is open in the +Z direction, and is disposed in the -Z direction with respect to the cleaning tank <NUM>. The reservoir <NUM> stores the recovered liquid K flowing from the cleaning tank <NUM> through the outflow pipe <NUM>.

Note that, the cleaning unit <NUM> and the storage unit <NUM> are supported by a sliding unit (not illustrated), and the sliding unit is moved in the X direction, thereby allowing extraction from the body frame or storage in the body frame.

As an example, the temperature change unit <NUM> includes the power source <NUM>, a cooling unit <NUM>, and a heating unit <NUM>. As an example, operation of the temperature change unit <NUM> is controlled by the controlling unit <NUM> to change a temperature of the recovered liquid K stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

The cooling unit <NUM> includes, as an example, a cooling plate <NUM> that is constituted by a Peltier element and to which a heat sink (not illustrated) is attached. The cooling plate <NUM> is attached to a side portion of the reservoir <NUM>, as an example. When the power source <NUM> energizes the cooling plate <NUM>, the cooling unit <NUM> cools the reservoir <NUM>. Note that, the cooling unit <NUM> can cool an inside of the reservoir <NUM> to a temperature lower than <NUM>. A material constituting the reservoir <NUM> may be metal such as iron, stainless steel, or aluminum.

The heating unit <NUM> includes, as an example, a heating plate <NUM> formed of a planar heating element attached to a bottom of the reservoir <NUM>. When the power source <NUM> energizes the heating plate <NUM>, the heating unit <NUM> heats the reservoir <NUM>. The heating unit <NUM> heats the frozen or solidified recovered liquid K by the cooling unit <NUM> so as to melt, and changes a state thereof to the mixture M. Note that, the frozen recovered liquid K is referred to as the solid S (<FIG>).

In this way, the temperature change unit <NUM> cools the recovered liquid K such that at least a part of the recovered liquid K solidifies. Furthermore, the temperature change unit <NUM> heats the solid S such that the solid S generated by solidifying at least a part of the recovered liquid K liquefies.

Next, an action of the coagulation method, the coagulation unit <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> according to Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> will be described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, after recording is performed by the record unit <NUM> on the sheet P to be transported, a part of the ink Q may adhere to the front surface <NUM> of the glue belt <NUM>. For example, this applies to a case where marginless recording is performed on the sheet P, and the like. A part of the ink Q adhering to the front surface <NUM> is cleaned in the cleaning unit <NUM>, recovered in the cleaning tank <NUM> together with the cleaning liquid C, and becomes the recovered liquid K. Then, by opening the valve (not illustrated), the recovered liquid K flows from the cleaning tank <NUM> to the reservoir <NUM>, and is stored in the reservoir <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in a state where the recovered liquid K is stored in the reservoir <NUM>, the cooling unit <NUM> is energized by the power source <NUM> (<FIG>). A temperature of the cooling plate <NUM> is decreased due to a Peltier effect. As a result, a temperature of the recovered liquid K is decreased such that at least a part of the stored recovered liquid K solidifies. As a result, the stored recovered liquid K solidifies. Arrows in the figure represent heat movement. Since the heating unit <NUM> is not energized while the cooling unit <NUM> cools the recovered liquid K, heating is not performed.

Note that, when the recovered liquid K was observed during solidification, an outer edge part of the recovered liquid K was brought into a state of being close to transparent, and a state in which the pigments G (<FIG>) collect inside the recovered liquid K was seen. The outer edge part of the recovered liquid K is a part where solidification is started earlier in time compared to an inside of the recovered liquid K, and includes a part of the recovered liquid K that comes into contact with an inner wall of the reservoir <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the pigments G coagulate in the solid S generated by solidifying the recovered liquid K. Note that, the pigments G are illustrated as a plurality of quadrangles to facilitate understanding of the pigments G, but are actually aggregate that is close to a mass.

The pigments G, in a state of being dispersed in the ink Q (<FIG>), are kept so as not to coagulate due to differences in ionization tendency. In other words, the pigments G are in a state of being coated with what is positively or negatively charged, and repulsive force acts on the pigments G. Here, when frozen, the coating of the pigments G is in a state of being removed, so it is assumed that the repulsive force is unlikely to act on the pigments G, and the pigments G coagulate.

In a state where the cooling by the cooling unit <NUM> is stopped, and the solid S is accommodated in the reservoir <NUM>, the heating unit <NUM> is energized by the power source <NUM> to start heating of the solid S.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the solid S is melted by being heated by the heating unit <NUM> such that the solid S liquefies. This generates the mixture M. In accordance with the generation of the mixture M, the heating by the heating unit <NUM> is stopped.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which the temperature change unit <NUM> is removed from the reservoir <NUM>. When the mixture M is left alone, the pigments G precipitate, thereby separating a lower layer M1 containing a large amount of the pigments G, and an upper layer M2 containing a large amount of the cleaning liquids C. Here, an outflow port <NUM> is provided in a part of the reservoir <NUM> to effuse the upper layer M2, which is a supernatant, and recover the upper layer M2 in a container (not illustrated). Most of the supernatant recovered in the container is composed of the cleaning liquid C.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the pigments G are recovered from the reservoir <NUM> in which the pigments G precipitate. In this way, in the coagulation unit <NUM> of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM>, each of the cleaning liquid C and the pigments G can be recovered by using a sedimentation method, as an example.

As described above, according to the coagulation method and the coagulation unit <NUM> of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM>, the pigments G disperse in the recovered liquid K after being used in the cleaning of the glue belt <NUM> (<FIG>). Furthermore, by coagulating the dispersed pigments G, the pigments G are easily recovered. This makes it easier to separate the cleaning liquid C component from the recovered liquid K, making it possible to facilitate the reuse of the cleaning liquid C for cleaning of the glue belt <NUM>.

According to the printer <NUM>, the pigments G are easily separated from the recovered liquid K, thus it is possible to suppress a reduction in cleaning performance of the glue belt <NUM>, when the cleaning liquid C is reused.

Next, a coagulation method, the coagulation unit <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> according to Modified Example <NUM> of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> will be described in detail. Note that, parts common to those of the coagulation method, the coagulation unit <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> according to Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> are denoted by the same reference signs, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The coagulation method, the coagulation unit <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> of Modified Example <NUM> are substantially the same as those of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM>, but a method of recovering the pigments G from the solid S is different from that of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which the solid S obtained by the coagulation method of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> is cut by a cutting machine <NUM>. When the solid S is generated by cooling the recovered liquid K, points of time at which a plurality of parts of the recovered liquid K solidify differ from each other, so concentration of the pigments G in each part is not even. Many of the pigments G collect, rather than in an outer edge of the solid S, in an inside where solidification occurs later. A central portion SA in which these pigments G collect is cut into a cuboid shape by the cutting machine <NUM>, as an example. Note that, of the solid S, a remaining part except the central portion SA is referred to as a remaining portion SB.

In the central portion SA, a mixing ratio of the pigments G is greater compared to the remaining portion SB. Thus, the central portion SA as is can be discarded as the pigments G.

The remaining portion SB has a small amount of the pigments G. Thus, as an example, by melting and leaving alone the remaining portion SB to precipitate the remaining pigments G, it is possible to recover the cleaning liquid C becoming the supernatant.

There is such a method for recovering the pigments G by cutting the coagulated pigments G from the solid S.

The coagulation method, the coagulation unit <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> of Modified Example <NUM> are substantially the same as those of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM>, but a method of recovering the pigments G from the solid S is different from those of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> and Modified Example <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which the solid S (<FIG>) obtained by the coagulation method of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> is pulverized by a pulverizer (not illustrated), and then screened out. Note that, the solid S is pulverized in advance into a plurality of chips each having a size that does not melt during the screening.

Here, a chip containing the pigments G the most is referred to as a chip A, a chip having a lower mixing ratio of the pigments G compared to the chip A is referred to a chip B, and a chip having a lower mixing ratio of the pigments G compared to the chip B is referred to as a chip C. Note that, the chip A, the chip B, and the chip C illustrated in <FIG> are partially extracted, and are illustrated with the mixing ratios different from actual mixing ratios. In addition, the mixing ratio is, for example, a ratio of volume of the pigments G contained in a single chip with respect to volume of the single chip.

The chip A, the chip B, and the chip C are screened out by a screening device <NUM>, as an example.

The screening device <NUM> includes an identification unit <NUM> that is capable of identifying the chip A, the chip B, and the chip C, and a separation unit <NUM> that separates the chip A from the chip B and the chip C, among the chip A, the chip B, and the chip C identified in the identification unit <NUM>.

The identification unit <NUM> is configured to include, for example, a camera that performs identification using near infrared rays.

The separation unit <NUM> is configured to include an air nozzle (not illustrated). In addition, the separation unit <NUM> blows off the chip B and the chip C detected by the identification unit <NUM> using air. On the other hand, the chip A falls due to its own weight. As a result, the chip A is separated. There is such a method for recovering a part containing a large amount of the pigments G by pulverizing and screening the solid S.

Next, a coagulation method, a coagulation unit <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> according to Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> will be specifically described. Note that, parts common to those of the coagulation method, the coagulation unit <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> according to Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> are denoted by the same reference signs, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> is different in that the coagulation unit <NUM> is used in the printer <NUM> instead of the coagulation unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the coagulation unit <NUM> includes a storage unit <NUM>, a temperature change unit <NUM>, a separation unit <NUM>, and a recovery tank <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> has the reservoir <NUM>. A supply pipe <NUM> is coupled to a bottom of the reservoir <NUM>.

The temperature change unit <NUM> includes a cooler unit <NUM> and a heater unit <NUM>.

Since a Peltier effect is generated by energization by the power source <NUM> (<FIG>), the cooler unit <NUM> cools the reservoir <NUM> and solidifies the recovered liquid K inside the reservoir <NUM>.

The heater unit <NUM> is energized by the power source <NUM> and heats the reservoir <NUM> to melt or liquefy the solid S (<FIG>) inside the reservoir <NUM>.

The separation unit <NUM> is coupled to an inside of the reservoir <NUM> via the supply pipe <NUM>. The supply pipe <NUM> is provided with a supply pump <NUM>. Also, as an example, the separation unit <NUM> includes a filtration unit <NUM> and a centrifugation unit <NUM>.

The filtration unit <NUM> is configured to include a filter (not illustrated). In addition, the filtration unit <NUM> filters the mixture M generated by the solid S generated in the storage unit <NUM> being heated by the temperature change unit <NUM>.

The centrifugation unit <NUM> performs centrifugation to separate the pigments G from the mixture M.

Note that, in the separation unit <NUM>, the centrifugation is performed by the centrifugation unit <NUM> for the mixture M after the filtration is performed in the filtration unit <NUM>.

An inside of the recovery tank <NUM> is coupled to the separation unit <NUM> via a discharge pipe <NUM>. The discharge pipe <NUM> is provided with a discharge pump <NUM>. Liquid approximately close to the cleaning liquid C after the pigments G are separated in the separation unit <NUM> is stored inside the recovery tank <NUM>.

Next, an action of the coagulation method, the coagulation unit <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> will be described.

In the coagulation unit <NUM>, the cooler unit <NUM> is energized by the power source <NUM> to solidify the recovered liquid K inside the reservoir <NUM>. This causes the pigments G to coagulate in a central portion of the solid S (<FIG>). Then, the energizing the cooler unit <NUM> is stopped.

Subsequently, the heater unit <NUM> heats the solid S by being energized by the power source <NUM>. As a result, the mixture M is generated inside the reservoir <NUM>. Then, the energizing the heater unit <NUM> is stopped.

The supply pump <NUM> is driven to supply the mixture M inside the reservoir <NUM> to the separation unit <NUM>.

In the separation unit <NUM>, the filtration unit <NUM> separates the pigments G by filtering the mixture M.

Subsequently, the centrifugation unit <NUM> further separates the pigments G by performing centrifugation for the mixture M containing a part of the remaining pigments G.

The discharge pump <NUM> is driven to discharge the cleaning liquid C separated from the pigments G in the separation unit <NUM> into the recovery tank <NUM>.

As described above, according to the coagulation method, the coagulation unit <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM>, a liquid after components of the pigments G are removed from the mixture M using the filtration unit <NUM> can be reused as the cleaning liquid C for cleaning the glue belt <NUM>.

In addition, by efficiently removing the pigments G from the mixture M using the centrifugation unit <NUM>, a liquid after component of the pigments G are removed from the mixture M can be reused as the cleaning liquid C for cleaning the glue belt <NUM>. In addition, compared to a sedimentation method, a time for removing the components of the pigments G from the mixture M can be shortened.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the coagulation unit <NUM> includes a storage unit <NUM>, a temperature change unit <NUM>, the controlling unit <NUM>, and the power source <NUM>. The controlling unit <NUM> in Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> is an example of a control unit.

The storage unit <NUM> includes, as an example, a reservoir <NUM>, a reservoir <NUM>, and a reservoir <NUM>. The reservoir <NUM> is an example of a first storage unit. The reservoir <NUM> is an example of a second storage unit with respect to the reservoir <NUM>. In addition, the reservoir <NUM> is also an example of the first storage unit with respect to the reservoir <NUM>. The reservoir <NUM> is an example of a third storage unit. In addition, when the reservoir <NUM> is regarded as the first storage unit with respect to the reservoir <NUM>, the reservoir <NUM> is also an example of the second storage unit.

The reservoir <NUM> is located downstream the reservoir <NUM> in the +Y direction. The reservoir <NUM> is located downstream the reservoir <NUM> in the +Y direction. The reservoirs <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are each capable of storing the recovered liquid K.

The reservoir <NUM> and the reservoir <NUM> are partitioned by a partition wall <NUM> that stands upright in the +Z direction. The reservoir <NUM> and the reservoir <NUM> are partitioned by a partition wall <NUM> that stands upright in the +Z direction. A height of the partition wall <NUM> in the +Z direction and a height of the partition wall <NUM> in the +Z direction are approximately the same height, as an example. The partition wall <NUM> and the partition wall <NUM> also include, as an example, components of aluminum.

A drain pipe <NUM> is provided at a predetermined location in the +Z direction with respect to the reservoir <NUM>. The recovered liquid K recovered after cleaning the glue belt <NUM> (<FIG>) flows from the drain pipe <NUM> to the reservoir <NUM> only. The recovered liquid K contains the pigments G (<FIG>).

When the reservoir <NUM> is full, the recovered liquid K overflowing from the reservoir <NUM> flows into the reservoir <NUM>. When the reservoir <NUM> is full, the recovered liquid K overflowing from the reservoir <NUM> flows into the reservoir <NUM>. In this manner, the recovered liquid K is stored in an order of the reservoir <NUM>, the reservoir <NUM>, and the reservoir <NUM>.

The temperature change unit <NUM> includes a temperature changing unit <NUM> for changing a temperature of the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM>, a temperature changing unit <NUM> for changing a temperature of the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM>, and a temperature changing unit <NUM> for changing a temperature of the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM>.

The temperature changing unit <NUM> is an example of a first temperature change unit. Specifically, the temperature changing unit <NUM> is constituted by an endothermic plate <NUM>, a heat dissipating plate <NUM>, and a Peltier element (not illustrated). The Peltier element is sandwiched between the endothermic plate <NUM> and the heat dissipating plate <NUM>, and is energized by the power source <NUM> to generate a Peltier effect. The heat dissipating plate <NUM> is attached to a side wall in the -Y direction of the reservoir <NUM>. The endothermic plate <NUM> is exposed to an inside of the reservoir <NUM>.

The temperature changing unit <NUM> is an example of a second temperature change unit. Note that, the temperature changing unit <NUM> is also an example of the first temperature change unit. The temperature changing unit <NUM> is capable of discharging heat to the reservoir <NUM>, when cooling the recovered liquid K in the reservoir <NUM>. Specifically, the temperature changing unit <NUM> is constituted by an endothermic plate <NUM>, a heat dissipating plate <NUM>, and a Peltier element (not illustrated). The Peltier element is sandwiched between the endothermic plate <NUM> and the heat dissipating plate <NUM>, and is energized by the power source <NUM> to generate a Peltier effect. The heat dissipating plate <NUM> is attached to a surface in the +Y direction of the partition wall <NUM>. The endothermic plate <NUM> is exposed to an inside of the reservoir <NUM>.

The temperature changing unit <NUM> is an example of a third temperature change unit. Note that, when the temperature changing unit <NUM> is regarded as the first temperature change unit, the temperature changing unit <NUM> is also an example of the second temperature change unit. The temperature changing unit <NUM> is capable of discharging heat to the reservoir <NUM>, when the recovered liquid K is cooled in the reservoir <NUM>. Specifically, the temperature changing unit <NUM> is constituted by an endothermic plate <NUM>, a heat dissipating plate <NUM>, and a Peltier element (not illustrated). The Peltier element is sandwiched between the endothermic plate <NUM> and the heat dissipating plate <NUM>, and is energized by the power source <NUM> to generate a Peltier effect. The heat dissipating plate <NUM> is attached to a surface in the +Y direction of the partition wall <NUM>. The endothermic plate <NUM> is exposed to an inside of the reservoir <NUM>.

Note that, the endothermic plates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the heat dissipating plates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be made of metal, a thermally conductive ceramic, or the like. Additionally, the endothermic plate <NUM>, the heat dissipating plate <NUM>, and the partition wall <NUM> are an example of members constituting a heat transfer path between the reservoir <NUM> and the reservoir <NUM>. The endothermic plate <NUM>, the heat dissipating plate <NUM>, and the partition wall <NUM> are an example of members constituting a heat transfer path between the reservoir <NUM> and the reservoir <NUM>. In other words, the coagulation unit <NUM> and the printer <NUM> have a heat transfer unit that transfers heat discharged from the second temperature change unit to the first storage unit. Here, for the heat transfer unit, a thermal conduction method need not be adopted in which a plurality of members are combined as in the present exemplary embodiment. For example, a thermal conduction method with a single member may be used. Further, the heat discharged from the second temperature change unit may be transferred to the first storage unit by radiation, convection generated by flowing air, or the like.

The controlling unit <NUM> controls operation of the temperature changing units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In addition, the controlling unit <NUM> causes the temperature changing unit <NUM> to stop the operation, after causing the temperature changing unit <NUM> to solidify the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM>. Furthermore, after the operation of the temperature changing unit <NUM> is stopped, the controlling unit <NUM> performs control to cause the reservoir <NUM> to be heated by heat discharged from the temperature changing unit <NUM>.

The controlling unit <NUM> causes the temperature changing unit <NUM> to stop the operation, after causing the temperature changing unit <NUM> to solidify the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM>. Furthermore, after the operation of the temperature changing unit <NUM> is stopped, the controlling unit <NUM> performs control to cause the reservoir <NUM> to be heated by heat discharged from the temperature changing unit <NUM>.

In other words, the controlling unit <NUM> causes the temperature changing unit <NUM> to stop the operation for cooling the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM>, after causing the temperature changing unit <NUM> to solidify the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM>, and after the operation of the temperature changing unit <NUM> for cooling the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM> is stopped, performs control such that the temperature changing unit <NUM> cools the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM> while discharging heat to the reservoir <NUM>. Note that, the controlling unit <NUM> may perform control such that the temperature changing unit <NUM> heats the solid S in the reservoir <NUM>, when the temperature changing unit <NUM> cools the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM> while discharging heat to the reservoir <NUM>. In addition, the controlling unit <NUM> may perform control to cause the temperature changing unit <NUM> to completely stop the operation, when the temperature changing unit <NUM> cools the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM> while discharging heat to the reservoir <NUM>.

The controlling unit <NUM> causes the temperature changing unit <NUM> to stop the operation for cooling the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM>, after causing the temperature changing unit <NUM> to solidify the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM>, and after the operation of the temperature changing unit <NUM> for cooling the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM> is stopped, performs control such that the temperature changing unit <NUM> cools the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM> while discharging heat to the reservoir <NUM>. Note that, the controlling unit <NUM> may perform control such that the temperature changing unit <NUM> heats the solid S in the reservoir <NUM>, when the temperature changing unit <NUM> cools the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM> while discharging heat to the reservoir <NUM>. In addition, the controlling unit <NUM> may perform control to cause the temperature changing unit <NUM> to completely stop the operation, when the temperature changing unit <NUM> cools the recovered liquid K stored in the reservoir <NUM> while discharging heat to the reservoir <NUM>.

Furthermore, a detector may be provided that detects a degree of solidification of the recovered liquid K stored in each of the reservoirs <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. For example, as the detector, a temperature sensor may be used. In this case, based on a detection result of the temperature sensor, the controlling unit <NUM> can determine whether the recovered liquid K stored in each of the reservoirs <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is solidified or not. Note that, a sensor unit may be used as the detector that includes a vibration piece immersed in the recovered liquid K, and an actuator that vibrates the vibration piece. In this case, when a part of the recovered liquid K that comes into contact with the vibrating piece solidifies, the vibration piece is less likely to vibrate, and a current is changed that is to be supplied to the actuator in order to cause the vibration piece to vibrate with a predetermined amplitude. Based on the change in the current supplied to the actuator, the controlling unit <NUM> can determine whether the recovered liquid K stored in each of the reservoirs <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is solidified or not.

A predetermined amount of the recovered liquid K is stored in each of the reservoir <NUM>, the reservoir <NUM>, and the reservoir <NUM>. Here, when the reservoir <NUM> is substantially full, the power source <NUM> energizes the temperature changing unit <NUM>. By this energization, a Peltier element (not illustrated) is operated, and thus heat is absorbed in the endothermic plate <NUM> and is dissipated in the heat dissipating plate <NUM>. As a result, a temperature of the recovered liquid K in the reservoir <NUM> is reduced, and the recovered liquid K becomes the solid S. Then, the energizing the temperature changing unit <NUM> is stopped.

Subsequently, the temperature changing unit <NUM> is energized by the power source <NUM>. By this energization, heat is absorbed in the endothermic plate <NUM>, and is dissipated in the heat dissipating plate <NUM>. As a result, a temperature of the recovered liquid K in the reservoir <NUM> is reduced, and the recovered liquid K becomes the solid S. At this time, the heat dissipated from the heat dissipating plate <NUM> moves to the solid S in the reservoir <NUM> via the partition wall <NUM>. This restores the solid S in the reservoir <NUM> to the mixture M (<FIG>). Then, the energizing the temperature changing unit <NUM> is stopped.

Subsequently, the temperature changing unit <NUM> is energized by the power source <NUM>. By this energization, heat is absorbed in the endothermic plate <NUM>, and is dissipated in the heat dissipating plate <NUM>. As a result, a temperature of the recovered liquid K in the reservoir <NUM> is reduced, and the recovered liquid K becomes the solid S. At this time, the heat dissipated from the heat dissipating plate <NUM> moves to the solid S in the reservoir <NUM> via the partition wall <NUM>. This restores the solid S in the reservoir <NUM> to the mixture M. Then, the energizing the temperature changing unit <NUM> is stopped.

As described above, according to the coagulation method, the coagulation unit <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM>, even when heating is not performed using the temperature changing units <NUM> and <NUM>, the solidified solid S in the reservoir <NUM> and <NUM> can be restored to the mixture M, which is liquid, again, by using the heat discharged from the temperature changing units <NUM> and <NUM>. This allows energy consumed by the coagulation unit <NUM> and the printer <NUM> to be reduced.

The coagulation method, the coagulation units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are based on the configuration described above. However, as a matter of course, modifications, omission, and the like may be made to a partial configuration without departing from the gist of the disclosure of the present application.

In the coagulation unit <NUM>, when an atmospheric temperature is sufficiently low, the recovered liquid K may be solidified by leaving alone the reservoir <NUM> in which the recovered liquid K is stored, in the atmosphere. In this case, power required for solidification and the like are unnecessary, and thus energy for solidifying the recovered liquid K can be reduced. In addition, when the atmospheric temperature fluctuates greatly during one day, leaving the recovered liquid K alone allows thawing after solidification.

In the coagulation unit <NUM>, when concentration of the pigments G in the recovered liquid K is high, the pigments G do not coagulate very much when the recovered liquid K is frozen in some cases. In this case, after the recovered liquid K is diluted using water or the cleaning liquid C, by solidifying the recovered liquid K, more of the pigments G can be coagulated.

When cooling by the cooling unit <NUM> is performed in the coagulation unit <NUM>, the present disclosure is not limited to a method for uniformly cooling the entire reservoir <NUM>, and the reservoir <NUM> may be partially cooled by setting a time difference.

The cooling unit <NUM> and the heating unit <NUM> may be provided at a position opposite to the reservoir <NUM>. In Modified Example <NUM>, the pulverized chips A, B, and C may be separated not by free-fall, but while being transported using a belt conveyor.

In the coagulation unit <NUM>, the separation unit <NUM> may be constituted of only the filtration unit <NUM> or only the centrifugation unit <NUM>. Furthermore, after the centrifugation unit <NUM> is used in advance, the filtration unit <NUM> may be used.

In the coagulation unit <NUM>, the reservoir <NUM> and the temperature changing unit <NUM> need not be present. Furthermore, the number of each of the reservoirs and the temperature changing units may be four or more.

In the temperature change unit, cooling and heating may be performed by different members, respectively, or one member may have both cooling and heating functions. Furthermore, as an example of the temperature change unit, not only a temperature change unit having a cooling unit using a Peltier element, but also a temperature change unit having a heat pump may be used.

The recovered liquid K is not limited to a recovered liquid recovered from the glue belt <NUM>, and may be, for example, a recovered liquid recovered by cleaning a member different from the glue belt <NUM>, such as the recording head <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A coagulation method for a liquid containing pigment and a cleaning liquid recovered from a liquid ejecting device (<NUM>), the method comprising:
storing the liquid;
cooling the liquid such that at least a part of the liquid solidifies;
heating a solid generated by solidifying at least a part of the liquid in order to liquefy the solid; and characterised in that the coagulation method further comprises the step of
performing centrifugation to separate the pigment from a mixture generated by heating the solid.