| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To obtain an ink feed apparatus which is high in reliability and stability without leaking an ink by providing an ink retaining means having a narrow gap into which said ink is retained by the capillary action, a nozzle forming member having one or more nozzle openings, a pressure generating means for generating a pressure assuring flying in the form of ink drops and a filter means placed within said ink retaining means. CONSTITUTION:When a selective electric signal is applied to a vibrator 24, a piezoelectric element shrinks by the piezoelectric effect, whereas a foil member which is high in rigidity is restricted to change its size. Accordingly, the vibrator is deformed and shifted to the side of a nozzle plate 21, whereby a pressure is generated at a very small gap between the vibrator 24 and nozzle plate 21. Consequently, ink drops are discharged by this pressure. At this time, the volume of a hot melt ink is greatly changed when the ink changes its phase, making it impossible to avoid generation of air bubbles inside an ink retaining means. However, a filter 40 placed inside the ink retaining means can play a role as an air trap, so that the air bubbles can be prevented from entering the vicinity of the pressure generating means subsequent to the consumption of the ink 32. |
