Print head and method for controlling the spread of fluid around a nozzle orifice

摘要

A printing head that prevents ink, diluent, and a mixed solution thereof from adhering to a spreading about a portion of the printing head around a nozzle. A printing apparatus using such a printing head has an enhanced ability to reproduce a gradation of concentration, thereby making it possible to form a recorded image of high resolution. The printing head has a first nozzle (34), which discharges a discharge medium, and a second nozzle (36), which discharges a metering medium. The orifices of the first and second nozzles are adjacent to each other in a nozzle outlet face (38a) of the printing head. A groove, a hydrophilic portion, or an insular projection is formed between the first and second nozzles to control the spread of ink, diluent, and a mixed solution thereof around the nozzles. The hydrophilic portion may be made by a non-processed portion of the outlet face of the printing head, and a portion other than the non-processed portion may be made a hydrophobic portion. Several variations of the groove, hydrophilic portion, and insular projection are disclosed.