# US 11,027,541 B2 · Liquid discharge apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,541 B2 - Document ID: US11027541B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/804,013 - Filed: 2020-02-28 - Published: 2020-09-17 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-14 - Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd. - Applicants: Kazuhisa Yoda - Inventors: Kazuhisa Yoda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027541B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/04501: {Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits} - B41J 2/17553: {Outer structure} - B41J 2/14: Structure thereof {only for on-demand ink jet heads} - B41J 2/16526: {by applying pressure only} - B41J 2/16585: {for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads} - B41J 2/17513: {Inner structure} - B41J 2/2114: {Ejecting specialized liquids, e.g. transparent or processing liquids (B41J2/211 takes precedence)} - B41J 2/2117: {Ejecting white liquids} - B41J 2002/14362: {Assembling elements of heads} - B41J 2002/14491: {Electrical connection} - B41J 2025/008: {comprising a plurality of print heads placed around a drum} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A liquid discharge apparatus includes a head configured to discharge a liquid, a liquid receptacle configured to receive the liquid discharged from the head, a moving device configured to move the liquid receptacle relative to the head, and control circuitry. The liquid receptacle includes an absorber and an absorber case configured to house the absorber. The absorber includes a slit. The control circuitry is configured to cause the head to discharge the liquid into the slit of the absorber while moving, with the moving device, the liquid receptacle with respect to the head. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid discharge apparatus comprising: a head configured to discharge a liquid; a liquid receptacle configured to receive the liquid discharged from the head, the liquid receptacle including: an absorber including a slit; and an absorber case configured to house the absorber; a moving device configured to move the liquid receptacle relative to the head; and control circuitry configured to cause the head to discharge the liquid into the slit of the absorber while moving, with the moving device, the liquid receptacle with respect to the head. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the absorber includes: a plurality of first absorbing members; and a plurality of second absorbing members shorter than the plurality of first absorbing members, the plurality of second absorbing members disposed alternately with the plurality of first absorbing members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the absorber includes a plurality of slits including the slit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control circuitry is configured to: measure a discharge amount of the liquid to each of the plurality of slits; cause the head to discharge the liquid to a target slit of the plurality of slits; and change the target slit every time the discharge amount of the liquid to the target slit exceeds a threshold, or every discharge of the liquid to the plurality of slits. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control circuitry is configured to change the target slit in an order from extreme downstream one of the plurality of slits to extreme upstream one of the plurality of slits in a direction in which the liquid receptacle moves relative to the head. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control circuitry is configured to: cause the head to discharge the liquid to a target slit of the plurality of slits; and change the target slit every time a predetermined time elapses from previous discharge of the liquid to the plurality of slits. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid receptacle further includes a slit width retainer configured to maintain a width of the slit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the absorber case includes a bent portion configured to cover a portion of a top of the absorber and sandwich a portion of the slit width retainer together with the top of the absorber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of liquid receptacles including the liquid receptacle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control circuitry is configured to measure a discharge amount of the liquid to each of the plurality of liquid receptacles. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving device includes a plurality of sheet conveyance faces at positions different from the liquid receptacle in a direction in which the liquid receptacle moves relative to the head, the plurality of sheet conveyance faces configured to convey a plurality of sheets to which the head applies the liquid, respectively, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause the head to discharge the liquid into the slit of the absorber at a timing when the liquid receptacle faces the head. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of the slit of the absorber is wider on an entrance side than on a bottom side, the width being a length of the slit in a direction in which the liquid receptacle moves relative to the head. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of the slit of the absorber is wider on a bottom side than on an entrance side, the width being a length of the slit in a direction in which the liquid receptacle moves relative to the head. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the absorber case includes a lid having an opening corresponding to the slit of the absorber. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured to change a discharge position in the slit, the discharge position to which the head discharges the liquid.