Patent ID: 7878620

Claim:
A liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus comprising: a drawing mechanism configured to draw liquid from a plurality of nozzles; and an ejection head, the ejection head comprising: a nozzle face comprising the plurality of nozzles, wherein the plurality of nozzles are configured to eject liquid; and a protection plate configured to protect the plurality of nozzles, the protection plate comprising: a frame portion surrounding the plurality of nozzles; a first end fixed to the nozzle face and positioned at a first widthwise plane; and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the protection plate has a first opening and at least one second opening formed therethrough, wherein the first opening is configured to provide fluid communication between at least one of the plurality of nozzles and an exterior of the ejection head, and wherein the at least one second opening is configured to provide fluid communication between the plurality of nozzles and an exterior of the protection plate at a second widthwise plane, wherein at least a portion of the protection plate and at least a portion of the nozzle face define at least one flow path therebetween, and the at least one flow path is configured to provide fluid communication between the first opening and the at least one second opening, and wherein the drawing mechanism comprises: a cap member configured to selectively contact and separate from at least one of the nozzle face of the ejection head and the protection plate, wherein when the cap member contacts the at least one of the nozzle face and the ejection head, a space is formed between the cap member and the at least one of the nozzle face and the ejection head; and a pressure reducing member configured to reduce the pressure in the space, wherein the drawing mechanism is configured to selectively operate in one of a first mode in which the cap member covers the first opening and the at least one second opening, and the drawing mechanism draws ink from the first opening and from the at least one second opening, and a second mode in which the cap member seals one of the first opening and the at least one second opening, and the drawing mechanism draws ink from the sealed one of the first opening and the at least one second opening.