Ink-jet printer

Abstract

Many holes are formed in a platen that is so disposed as to confront a printing head. A suction fan disposed under the platen generates suction force through the holes formed in the platen to thereby bring a paper into close contact with a surface of the platen. On a back surface of the platen, disposed is an airflow restriction plate formed with openings that correspond to a part of the holes in the platen. Before a leading edge of the paper arrives at the platen, the airflow restriction plate closes the holes. In association with a conveyance of the paper, the airflow restriction plate moves in a paper conveyance direction on the back surface of the platen and, at the same time, opens the closed holes sequentially from upstream in the paper conveyance direction. This can restrict inflow of air into the holes located downstream, in the paper conveyance direction, of the leading edge of the paper.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.