Liquid ejecting apparatus, method for recovering waste liquid of liquid ejecting apparatus

Abstract

Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus and a method for recovering waste liquid of a liquid ejecting apparatus, which can reduce the possibility of contamination inside the apparatus. A liquid ejecting apparatus (11) includes: a head (14) that ejects liquid; a solidification section (15) that solidifies the liquid by applying energy to the liquid; and a waste liquid recovery section (17) that recovers the liquid as waste liquid, the waste liquid recovery section including: an absorbent (25) that absorbs the liquid from the head; a first rotary shaft (26) that holds unused absorbents; and a second rotary shaft (27) that holds used absorbents, the solidification section applying energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus and a method for recovering waste liquid of a liquid ejecting apparatus, for example. BACKGROUND

[0002] In Patent Literature 1, as one example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, an inkjet printer is described which has a head that ejects liquid and an absorbent that absorbs liquid as waste liquid. In the inkjet printer, the head is wiped by the absorbent, and the liquid adhering to the head is absorbed by the absorbent.

[0003] In such a liquid ejecting apparatus, there is a possibility that the inside of the apparatus is stained, for example, when the liquid absorbed by the absorbent drips from the absorbent.

[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-205631 SUMMARY

[0005] A liquid ejecting apparatus that solves the above-described problem has a head that ejects liquid, a solidification section that solidifies liquid by applying energy to the liquid, and a waste liquid recovery section that recovers liquid as waste liquid, the waste liquid recovery section having an absorbent that absorbs liquid from the head, a first rotating shaft that holds unused absorbents, and a second rotating shaft that holds used absorbents, the solidification section applying the energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent.

[0006] A method for recovering waste liquid of a liquid ejecting apparatus that solves the above-described problem is a method for recovering waste liquid of a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a head, the method including, in a case where an absorbed section, which is a section of the absorbent that absorbs liquid as waste liquid from the head and held on the second rotating shaft, is wound by the second rotating shaft that holds used absorbents, performing a rewinding operation of rewinding the absorbent from the second rotating shaft to the first rotating shaft that holds unused absorbents; and in parallel with or after the rewinding operation, applying energy to the liquid of the absorbed section between the section held on the first rotating shaft and the section held on the second rotating shaft, thereby solidifying the liquid.

[0007] The waste liquid recovery method for the liquid jetting device that solves the above-mentioned problem is a waste liquid recovery method for a liquid jetting device that jets liquid from the head. The waste liquid recovery method includes: when the length of the portion of liquid jetted from the head that is waste liquid absorbed in an absorber held on a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft is longer than the length of the solidification zone affected by the energy that solidifies the liquid, the energy is applied to the liquid in the absorbed portion while the absorber is rolled back toward the first rotating shaft that holds the unused absorber. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a front view showing one embodiment of the liquid injection device.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a side view of the liquid injection device.

[0010] Figure 3 From Figure 2 The state shown is a side view of the head maintenance process performed multiple times.

[0011] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating an example of a curing action. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the liquid jetting device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The liquid jetting device is, for example, an inkjet printer that records text, photographs, and other images by jetting ink, an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper or cloth.

[0013] like Figure 1 As shown, the liquid injection device 11 includes: a housing 12, a support 13, a head 14, a curing part 15, a control part 16, and a waste liquid recovery part 17.

[0014] The housing 12 houses the various structures of the liquid injection device 11.

[0015] The support portion 13 is configured to support the medium 99. For example, the support portion 13 supports the medium 99 being transported.

[0016] The head 14 is configured to spray liquid. The head 14 has one or more nozzles 18 for spraying liquid. The head 14 records an image on the medium 99 by spraying liquid from the nozzles 18 onto the medium 99 supported on the support portion 13.

[0017] The liquid ejection device 11 can have a carriage 19. The carriage 19 mounts the head 14. The head 14 records an image on the medium 99 by the carriage 19 being scanned with respect to the medium 99. In the present example, the carriage 19 is configured to move in a direction in which the medium 99 is transported as well as being scanned with respect to the medium 99. That is, the liquid ejection device 11 is a so-called lateral printer. The liquid ejection device 11 can be a serial printer that is scanned with respect to the medium 99, or can be a line printer that can simultaneously eject liquid in a manner that spans the width of the medium 99.

[0018] The liquid ejection device 11 can have a liquid storage portion 21. The liquid storage portion 21 is configured to store liquid. The liquid storage portion 21 is mounted on the carriage 19, for example. The liquid storage portion 21 is connected to the head 14. Therefore, liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 21 is supplied to the head 14.

[0019] The liquid ejection device 11 can have a temperature increasing portion 22. The temperature increasing portion 22 is configured to increase the temperature of liquid. The temperature increasing portion 22 includes a heating element, for example. The temperature increasing portion 22 is heated by being applied with a voltage, for example. The temperature increasing portion 22 is mounted on the carriage 19, for example. The temperature increasing portion 22 increases the temperature of liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 21, for example.

[0020] The temperature increasing portion 22 increases the temperature of liquid in order to set the viscosity of the liquid to be appropriate when the head 14 ejects the liquid. When the temperature of liquid is low, the viscosity of the liquid becomes high. In this case, the head 14 cannot appropriately eject liquid. Therefore, the liquid ejection device 11 cannot perform recording during a period in which the temperature increasing portion 22 increases the temperature of liquid. The temperature increasing portion 22 increases the temperature of liquid when the power supply of the liquid ejection device 11 is turned on, for example. The temperature increasing portion 22 is driven in a manner that maintains the temperature of liquid when the temperature of liquid is increased to an appropriate temperature.

[0021] The solidifying portion 15 is configured to solidify liquid by applying energy to the liquid. The solidifying portion 15 is configured to emit light energy, heat energy, electric energy, or the like as energy. The solidifying portion 15 emits energy by being applied with a voltage, for example. In the present example, the solidifying portion 15 is configured to apply ultraviolet rays to liquid as an example of light energy. Therefore, the solidifying portion 15 of the present example includes a light emitting element, for example. Liquid is solidified by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays. In the present example, the liquid ejected by the head 14 is UV ink, for example.

[0022] The solidifying portion 15 can apply infrared rays to liquid, can apply radiant heat to liquid, or can apply microwaves to liquid, for example. The solidifying portion 15 applies energy that matches the properties of liquid to liquid, thereby promoting the solidification of liquid.

[0023] For example, the solidification section 15 solidifies the liquid jetted on the medium 99 by applying energy to the liquid jetted on the medium 99. Thus, the liquid jetted on the medium 99 is fixed on the medium 99.

[0024] The solidification section 15 is mounted on the carriage 19, for example. The solidification section 15 is mounted on the carriage 19 in a state of being arranged side by side with the head 14 in the conveyance direction Al in which the medium 99 is conveyed, for example. The solidification section 15 is located upstream of the conveyance direction Al compared with the head 14, for example. The solidification section 15 solidifies the liquid jetted on the medium 99 by applying energy to the liquid jetted on the medium 99 while moving on the carriage 19.

[0025] The control section 16 performs overall control of the liquid jetting apparatus 11, for example. The control section 16 controls the head 14, the waste liquid recovery section 17, the carriage 19, and the temperature elevation section 22, for example. The control section 16 can be configured as an electric circuit including: α: one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program; β: one or more dedicated hardware circuits for specific use that execute at least a part of the processes; or γ: a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU, and a memory such as a RAM and a ROM that stores program codes or instructions configured in such a manner that the CPU executes the processes. The memory, that is, the computer readable medium includes a so-called readable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0026] The waste liquid recovery section 17 is configured to recover the liquid as waste liquid from the head 14. The waste liquid refers to liquid that does not contribute to an image to be recorded on the medium 99. The waste liquid is generated due to maintenance of the head 14, for example. The waste liquid recovery section 17 is located adjacent to the support section 13, for example. The waste liquid recovery section 17 recovers the waste liquid from the head 14 located directly above, for example.

[0027] As the maintenance of the head 14, flushing, cleaning, and wiping can be cited, for example.

[0028] Flushing refers to an operation of appropriately jetting liquid from the nozzle 18 in order to suppress clogging of the nozzle 18. Flushing is performed before, during, and after recording, for example. In a case where flushing is performed, the head 14 jets liquid toward the waste liquid recovery section 17.

[0029] Cleaning refers to an operation of forcibly discharging liquid from the nozzle 18 in order to discharge foreign matter, air bubbles, and the like in the head 14. In the present example, as cleaning, pressurization cleaning of forcibly discharging liquid from the nozzle 18 by pressurizing the inside of the head 14 is performed. Cleaning is performed before and after recording, for example. In a case where cleaning is performed, the head 14 discharges liquid toward the waste liquid recovery section 17.

[0030] Wiping refers to an action of wiping the head 14 in order to remove liquid adhering to the head 14. Wiping is performed, for example, after cleaning. When wiping is performed, the head 14 is wiped by the waste liquid recovery portion 17.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the waste liquid recovery portion 17 has a housing 24, an absorbent 25 that absorbs liquid, a first rotating shaft 26 that holds the absorbent 25, and a second rotating shaft 27 that holds the absorbent 25. The waste liquid recovery portion 17 of the present example has a press roller 28 that presses the absorbent 25 toward the head 14 and one or more guide rollers 29 that guide the absorbent 25. Figure 2

[0032] The housing 24 houses, for example, the absorbent 25, the first rotating shaft 26, the second rotating shaft 27, the press roller 28, the guide roller 29, and the like. The housing 24 is configured to be detachable with respect to the casing 12, for example. Thus, the waste liquid recovery portion 17 is replaceable with respect to the liquid ejecting device 11.

[0033] The absorbent 25 absorbs liquid from the head 14. The absorbent 25 absorbs waste liquid. The absorbent 25 can be cloth, for example, or a sponge. The absorbent 25 is a long member.

[0034] The absorbent 25 is held on the first rotating shaft 26 and the second rotating shaft 27. The absorbent 25 has, for example, an intermediate portion 31. The intermediate portion 31 refers to a portion of the absorbent 25 between a portion held on the first rotating shaft 26 and a portion held on the second rotating shaft 27. The intermediate portion 31 is a portion between a portion wound around the first rotating shaft 26 and a portion wound around the second rotating shaft 27. The absorbent 25 receives liquid related to, for example, flushing, cleaning, and wiping, using a portion of the intermediate portion 31 that opposes the head 14.

[0035] The absorbent 25 has a first face 32 and a second face 33. The first face 32 is a face that receives liquid from the head 14. Thus, the first face 32 is a face that opposes the head 14, for example. The second face 33 is a face opposite the first face 32.

[0036] The first rotating shaft 26 holds, for example, an unused absorbent 25. That is, the first rotating shaft 26 holds an absorbent 25 that has not absorbed liquid. Although there are cases in which the first rotating shaft 26 temporarily holds a used absorbent 25 in the present example, the first rotating shaft 26 mainly holds an unused absorbent 25. Thus, the first rotating shaft 26 also functions as a supply portion that supplies an unused absorbent 25.

[0037] ​The first rotary shaft 26 holds, for example, the absorbent body 25 that is wound into a roll shape. In the present example, the first rotary shaft 26 holds the absorbent body 25 in such a manner that the first face 32 becomes the inner side. That is, the first rotary shaft 26 holds the absorbent body 25 in such a manner that the second face 33 becomes the outer side.

[0038] The second rotary shaft 27 holds, for example, the used absorbent body 25. That is, the second rotary shaft 27 holds the absorbent body 25 that has absorbed liquid. Thus, the second rotary shaft 27 functions also as a recovery section that recovers the used absorbent body 25.

[0039] The second rotary shaft 27 holds, for example, the absorbent body 25 that is wound into a roll shape. In the present example, the second rotary shaft 27 holds the absorbent body 25 in such a manner that the first face 32 becomes the outer side. That is, the second rotary shaft 27 holds the absorbent body 25 in such a manner that the second face 33 becomes the inner side.

[0040] The first rotary shaft 26 and the second rotary shaft 27 are provided, for example, side by side in the conveyance direction Al. The first rotary shaft 26 and the second rotary shaft 27 are provided, for example, in such a manner as to extend in the direction in which the carriage 19 scans.

[0041] The first rotary shaft 26 and the second rotary shaft 27 unwind or wind the absorbent body 25 by rotating. Thus, the absorbent body 25 is conveyed toward the downstream or the upstream of the conveyance direction Al by the first rotary shaft 26 and the second rotary shaft 27 rotating. In the present example, the first rotary shaft 26 is located at the downstream of the conveyance direction Al compared to the second rotary shaft 27. Thus, in the present example, the absorbent body 25 is mainly conveyed toward the upstream of the conveyance direction Al.

[0042] The press roller 28 is located between the first rotary shaft 26 and the second rotary shaft 27 in the conveyance direction Al. The press roller 28 is provided, for example, in such a manner as to extend in the direction in which the carriage 19 scans. The press roller 28 is held, for example, on the housing 24.

[0043] An absorbent 25 is wound onto the pressing roller 28. A middle portion 31 is wound onto the pressing roller 28. The pressing roller 28 contacts the second surface 33. The pressing roller 28 is configured, for example, to move up and down. The pressing roller 28 presses the middle portion 31 onto the head 14 by moving. Wiping is performed by moving the head 14 relative to the waste liquid recovery section 17 while the middle portion 31 is pressed onto the head 14 by the pressing roller 28. Although in this example, the head 14 moves relative to the waste liquid recovery section 17, it is also possible for the waste liquid recovery section 17 to move relative to the head 14, or for both the head 14 and the waste liquid recovery section 17 to move. In this example, during wiping, the head 14, with the absorbent 25 pressed onto it, moves downstream in the conveying direction A1 relative to the waste liquid recovery section 17.

[0044] The guide roller 29 is located between the first rotating shaft 26 and the second rotating shaft 27 in the conveying direction A1. The guide roller 29 is arranged to extend in the scanning direction of the carriage 19. The guide roller 29 is held on the housing 24, for example. The guide roller 29 is not limited to the housing 24, but may also be mounted on, for example, the housing 12.

[0045] The absorbent body 25 is wound onto the guide roller 29. The intermediate portion 31 is wound onto the guide roller 29. The guide roller 29, for example, guides the absorbent body 25, which is unwound from the first rotating shaft 26, toward the second rotating shaft 27. The absorbent body 25 is conveyed from the first rotating shaft 26 to the second rotating shaft 27 via the press roller 28 and the guide roller 29.

[0046] Next, the waste liquid recycling implemented by the waste liquid recycling unit 17 will be explained.

[0047] During maintenance of head 14, waste liquid recovery unit 17 recovers waste liquid from head 14. Waste liquid recovery unit 17 can recover waste liquid while the absorber 25 is stationary, or it can recover waste liquid while the absorber 25 is being transported. For example, in cases where the amount of waste liquid is large, such as during cleaning, waste liquid recovery unit 17 can recover waste liquid while the absorber 25 is being transported.

[0048] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, when the absorber 25 absorbs liquid, an absorption portion 35 is formed on the absorber 25. The absorption portion 35 refers to the portion of the absorber 25 that has absorbed liquid. The length and number of absorption portions 35 formed on the absorber 25 vary depending on the type and frequency of maintenance.

[0049] The waste liquid recovery section 17 transports the absorbent 25 from the first rotating shaft 26 to the second rotating shaft 27, for example, at each time when maintenance of the head 14 is performed. The waste liquid recovery section 17 recovers waste liquid using the unused absorbent 25, for example, in a case where maintenance of the head 14 is performed. Thus, in a case where the amount of waste liquid recovered at one time of maintenance is large, in a case where maintenance is performed a plurality of times, and the like, there is a case where the absorption section 35 is wound onto the second rotating shaft 27.

[0050] When liquid is absorbed by the absorbent 25 due to maintenance of the head 14, the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent 25. Thus, the liquid absorbed by the absorbent 25 is solidified. When the liquid absorbed by the absorbent 25 is solidified, it is possible to reduce the possibility of staining inside the device due to dripping or scattering of the liquid from the absorbent 25.

[0051] In the present example, when the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid of the absorption section 35, the absorption section 35 disappears due to solidification of the liquid. That is, the absorption section 35 refers to a section in which liquid is absorbed in the absorbent 25 and which is not solidified by the solidification section 15.

[0052] Liquid ejected from the head 14 sometimes emits odor. In particular, in a case where the head 14 ejects UV ink, monomers contained in the UV ink easily emit odor. Thus, when the UV ink is absorbed by the absorbent 25 and left as it is, there is a possibility that odor is emitted from the waste liquid recovery section 17. In view of this, since the liquid absorbed by the absorbent 25 is solidified by the solidification section 15, so that the monomers contained in the UV ink become polymers, it is possible to reduce the possibility of odor being emitted from the waste liquid recovery section 17.

[0053] The timing at which the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent 25 is not limited. Although the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid after completion of maintenance of the head 14 in the present example, it is also possible to apply energy to the liquid in parallel with maintenance of the head 14. It is also possible, for example, for the solidification section 15 to apply energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent 25 each time maintenance of the head 14 is performed. That is, it is also possible to solidify the liquid each time the absorbent 25 absorbs liquid. It is also possible, for example, for the solidification section 15 to apply energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent 25 after maintenance of the head 14 is performed a plurality of times. It is also possible, for example, for the solidification section 15 to apply energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent 25 during a period in which the liquid is warmed by the warming section 22. In this case, since the liquid absorbed by the absorbent 25 is solidified during a time in which the liquid ejection device 11 cannot perform recording, it is possible to effectively utilize the time in which recording cannot be performed.

[0054] The time during which the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 can differ, for example, based on the amount of liquid absorbed by the absorber 25. For example, the time during which the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 can be changed by changing the time during which a voltage is applied to the solidification section 15. The time during which the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 can also be changed by changing the amount of the absorber 25 transported per unit time by the first rotating shaft 26 and the second rotating shaft 27. The more liquid absorbed by the absorber 25, the longer the time during which the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25. Thus, the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 is appropriately solidified.

[0055] In the present example, the solidification section 15 moves directly above the waste liquid recovery section 17 in the case where the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 is solidified because the solidification section 15 is mounted on the carriage 19. Thus, the solidification section 15 opposes the intermediate section 31. Therefore, in the present example, the solidification section 15 is configured to release energy toward the intermediate section 31 in the absorber 25. The solidification section 15 opposes the first surface 32 when the solidification section 19 moves directly above the waste liquid recovery section 17. Therefore, the solidification section 15 releases energy toward the first surface 32 in the case where the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 is solidified.

[0056] In the present example, the solidification section 15 can oppose the intermediate section 31 in the case where the head 14 opposes the intermediate section 31. Therefore, the solidification section 15 can oppose the intermediate section 31 at the time of maintenance of the head 14. Therefore, the solidification section 15 can solidify the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 in parallel with the maintenance of the head 14.

[0057] In the case where the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 is solidified by the solidification section 15, the waste liquid recovery section 17 causes the absorption section 35 to oppose the solidification section 15 by rotating the first rotating shaft 26 and the second rotating shaft 27. The waste liquid recovery section 17, for example, causes the absorption section 35 to be positioned directly below the solidification section 15.

[0058] The solidification section 15 releases energy toward the portion of the intermediate section 31 positioned in the solidification section 36. The solidification section 36 refers to an interval during which the solidification section 15 can simultaneously apply energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25. That is, the solidification section 36 is an interval in which the energy for solidifying the liquid reaches. In the present example, the solidification section 36 is an interval during which the solidification section 15 can simultaneously irradiate ultraviolet rays. The waste liquid recovery section 17 causes the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 to be solidified by rotating the first rotating shaft 26 and the second rotating shaft 27 in such a manner that the absorption section 35 overlaps the solidification section 36.

[0059] In the present example, in a state where the solidification section 15 opposes the intermediate section 31, the irradiation range of the solidification section 15 includes the entire width of the absorbent 25. Therefore, the solidification section 15 can simultaneously release energy toward the entire width of the absorbent 25 with respect to the absorbent 25.

[0060] In a case where the absorption section 35 is not included in the solidification section 36, for example, in a case where the length of the absorption section 35 is longer than the length of the solidification section 36, the waste liquid recovery section 17 solidifies the absorption section 35 by passing the absorption section 35 through the solidification section 15 while conveying the absorbent 25. Specifically, the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid of the absorption section 35 while rewinding the absorbent 25 toward the first rotation axis 26. That is, the solidification section 15 sequentially solidifies the absorption section 35 from a portion close to the first rotation axis 26.

[0061] The "while rewinding the absorbent 25 toward the first rotation axis 26" herein refers to a structure in which the rewinding of the absorbent 25 is stopped halfway through the rewinding, and the rewinding is performed again after a predetermined time elapses. Therefore, the structure in which the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid of the absorption section 35 while rewinding the absorbent 25 toward the first rotation axis 26 also includes a structure in which the rewinding of the absorbent 25 is stopped halfway through the rewinding, and the rewinding is performed again after the energy is applied to the liquid.

[0062] At this time, the first rotation axis 26 can continuously perform the winding, or can intermittently perform the winding. Thereby, the possibility that the absorption section 35 is wound onto the first rotation axis 26 is reduced. For example, in a case where the solidification section 15 sequentially solidifies the absorption section 35 from a portion close to the second rotation axis 27, there is a possibility that the absorption section 35 is wound onto the first rotation axis 26. In this case, there is a possibility that the liquid of the absorption section 35 adheres to the unused portion.

[0063] In a case where the absorption section 35 is a plurality of absorption sections 35, the absorption section 35 is sequentially solidified from the absorption section 35 located close to the first rotation axis 26 among the plurality of absorption sections 35. Thereby, the possibility that the absorption section 35 is wound onto the first rotation axis 26 can be reduced.

[0064] In the absorbent 25, there is a case where the liquid received by the first face 32 seeps out to the second face 33 depending on the amount of the liquid received. In the present example, since the solidification section 15 opposes the first face 32, it is difficult to solidify the liquid that has seeped out to the second face 33. Therefore, there is a case where the first rotary shaft 26 winds up the absorbent 25 in a state where there is a possibility that the liquid that has seeped out to the second face 33 is not solidified. In this regard, the first rotary shaft 26 winds up the absorbent 25 with the first face 32 as the inner side in a case where the absorbent 25 that has released energy toward the first face 32 by the solidification section 15 is wound up. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid that has seeped out to the second face 33 adheres to the unused absorbent 25.

[0065] After the liquid of the absorbent section 35 is solidified by the solidification section 15, the absorbent 25 is wound up on the second rotary shaft 27. In the present example, as described above, there is a case where the second rotary shaft 27 winds up the absorbent 25 in a state where there is a possibility that the liquid that has seeped out to the second face 33 is not solidified. In this regard, the second rotary shaft 27 winds up the absorbent 25 with the second face 33 as the inner side in a case where the absorbent 25 that has released energy toward the first face 32 by the solidification section 15 is wound up. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid that has seeped out to the second face 33 drips from the second face 33. Further, it is possible to reduce the possibility that odor is emitted from the liquid that has seeped out to the second face 33.

[0066] In the present example, as described above, there is a case where the absorbent 25 is wound up on the second rotary shaft 27 before the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid of the absorbent section 35. When the second rotary shaft 27 winds up the absorbent section 35, the liquid of the absorbent section 35 adheres to the used absorbent 25 held on the second rotary shaft 27. Thereby, the amount of the liquid of the absorbent section 35 decreases, and thus it becomes easy to solidify the absorbent section 35. In particular, it becomes easy to solidify the second face 33. Therefore, the waste liquid recovery section 17 can also rewind the absorbent section 35 from the second rotary shaft 27 to the first rotary shaft 26 after temporarily winding up the absorbent section 35 on the second rotary shaft 27, and then solidify the absorbent section 35 by the solidification section 15. In this way, the waste liquid recovery section 17 can rewind the absorbent 25 from the second rotary shaft 27 to the first rotary shaft 26 and solidify the rewound absorbent section 35 in a case where the absorbent section 35 is wound up by the second rotary shaft 27 before the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid of the absorbent section 35. In this case, it is also possible to cause the solidification section 15 to release energy toward the used absorbent 25 to which the liquid that has seeped out from the second face 33 adheres.

[0067] Next, one example of a specific waste liquid recovery method realized by the control section 16 controlling the waste liquid recovery section 17 will be described. The waste liquid recovery section 17, for example, performs an absorption action of absorbing waste liquid. The waste liquid recovery section 17, for example, can also perform a solidification action of solidifying the recovered waste liquid after the absorption action is completed. The solidification action can also be performed after a plurality of absorption actions are performed. The timing of performing the solidification action is not limited. For example, the solidification action can be performed based on an instruction of a user, or can be performed when the liquid is warmed by the warming section 22. The absorption action and the solidification action are performed by the control section 16 controlling the waste liquid recovery section 17. By the absorption action and the solidification action, the waste liquid is recovered.

[0068] Although the waste liquid recovery section 17 solidifies the waste liquid after the waste liquid is recovered in the present example, the waste liquid can be solidified while the waste liquid is recovered. In the case where the waste liquid is solidified while the waste liquid is recovered, the absorbent 25 is transported from the first rotating shaft 26 to the second rotating shaft 27 while absorbing the liquid from the head 14 and receiving the energy released from the solidification section 15.

[0069] The control section 16 performs the absorption action in the case where the head 14 is maintained. In the absorption action, the control section 16 causes the absorbent 25 to absorb the waste liquid. At this time, the control section 16 causes the unused portion of the absorbent 25 to face the head 14 by controlling the first rotating shaft 26 and the second rotating shaft 27.

[0070] The control section 16 causes the waste liquid to be absorbed by the unused portion of the absorbent 25. For example, in the case where wiping is performed, the control section 16 causes the head 14 to contact the absorbent 25. For example, in the case where flushing, cleaning is performed, the control section 16 causes the absorbent 25 to receive the liquid ejected from the head 14. Thus, the absorption portion 35 is formed on the absorbent 25. The control section 16 ends the absorption action when the waste liquid is absorbed by the absorbent 25.

[0071] As Figure 4As shown, in step Sll, the control section 16 causes the second rotating shaft 27 to hold the absorption section 35. That is, the control section 16 causes the second rotating shaft 27 to wind the absorption section 35. At this time, the control section 16 causes the absorption body 25 to be transported from the first rotating shaft 26 to the second rotating shaft 27 by controlling the first rotating shaft 26 and the second rotating shaft 27. When the absorption section 35 is held on the second rotating shaft 27, the liquid of the absorption section 35 is attached to the used portion. In the case where the absorption section 35 is plural, for example, the control is performed in such a manner that all the absorption sections 35 are held on the second rotating shaft 27. Therefore, the control section 16 winds the absorption section 35 on the second rotating shaft 27 before the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid of the absorption section 35.

[0072] In step S12, the control section 16 causes the absorption body 25 to be rewound and causes the liquid of the absorption section 35 to be solidified. At this time, the control section 16 performs a rewinding operation of rewinding the absorption body 25 from the second rotating shaft 27 to the first rotating shaft 26 by controlling the first rotating shaft 26 and the second rotating shaft 27. The control section 16 causes the absorption section 35 to be located in the solidification section 36 by performing the rewinding operation. In the case where the absorption section 35 is plural, the control section 16 causes the absorption section 35 closest to the first rotating shaft 26 among the plural absorption sections 35 to be located in the solidification section 36. The control section 16 causes the liquid of the absorption section 35 to be solidified by controlling the solidification section 15. The control section 16 causes the liquid absorbed by the absorption body 25 to be solidified in order from the portion close to the first rotating shaft 26 by controlling the solidification section 15, the first rotating shaft 26, and the second rotating shaft 27. The rewinding operation herein refers to the period from the start of rewinding to the completion of rewinding.

[0073] The control section 16 can also cause the absorption body 25 to be rewound and solidified simultaneously in step S12, or can cause the absorption body 25 to be solidified after the rewinding is completed. For example, the absorption body 25 is caused to be rewound and solidified simultaneously in the case where the absorption section 35 is not collected in the solidification section 36, in the case where the absorption section 35 is plural, and the like. In the case where the absorption section 35 is one and is collected in the solidification section 36, the absorption section 35 is solidified after the rewinding is completed. That is, the solidification section 15 releases energy to the liquid of the absorption section 35 in parallel with the rewinding operation of rewinding the absorption body 25 from the second rotating shaft 27 to the first rotating shaft 26, or after the rewinding operation. As the rewinding operation, the structure in which the rewinding of the absorption body 25 is stopped in the rewinding operation, and the rewinding is performed again after a predetermined time elapses can also be included. Therefore, the structure in which the solidification section 15 releases energy to the liquid of the absorption section 35 in parallel with the rewinding operation also includes the structure in which the rewinding of the absorption body 25 is stopped in the rewinding operation, and the rewinding is performed again after the solidification section 15 applies energy.

[0074] In the rewinding operation, the control section 16 can rewind the absorbent 25 by a length longer than the length of the absorbent 25 transported from the first rotary shaft 26 to the second rotary shaft 27 in step Sll after the absorbent portion 35 is wound on the second rotary shaft 27. The control section 16 can also rewind the absorbent 25 by winding the absorbent portion 35 on the second rotary shaft 27, for example, in such a manner that the used portion of the absorbent portion 35 estimated to have the liquid attached thereto is located in the solidification section 36. In this case, the control section 16 applies energy to the liquid of the absorbent portion 35 from the solidification section 15 in parallel with the rewinding operation.

[0075] The control section 16 ends the solidification process at the end of the process in step S12. As a result, the liquid absorbed by the absorbent 25 is solidified.

[0076] Next, the effects and advantages of the above-described embodiment are described.

[0077] (1) The solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid absorbed into the absorbent 25.

[0078] According to the above-described structure, the liquid absorbed by the absorbent 25 is solidified by the solidification section 15. Thereby, for example, it is possible to reduce the possibility of fouling inside the device due to the liquid dripping from the absorbent 25. Further, it is possible to reduce the possibility of odor from the liquid absorbed by the absorbent 25.

[0079] (2) The second rotary shaft 27 winds the absorbent 25 after the energy is released toward the first face 32 by the solidification section 15 in such a manner that the second face 33 becomes the inner side.

[0080] When the absorbent 25 receives the liquid from the head 14 using the first face 32, there is a case where the absorbed liquid seeps to the second face 33. Since the solidification section 15 releases the energy toward the first face 32, the liquid that seeps to the second face 33 is difficult to solidify. Therefore, for example, when the second rotary shaft 27 winds the absorbent 25 in such a manner that the second face 33 becomes the outer side, there is a possibility that the liquid that seeps to the second face 33 drips from the second face 33. In this regard, according to the above-described structure, since the second rotary shaft 27 winds the absorbent 25 in such a manner that the second face 33 becomes the inner side, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid that seeps to the second face 33 drips from the second face 33. Further, it is possible to reduce the possibility of odor from the liquid that seeps to the second face 33.

[0081] (3) The first rotary shaft 26 winds the absorbent 25 in such a manner that the first face 32 becomes the inner side in the case of winding the absorbent 25 after the energy is released toward the first face 32 by the solidification section 15.

[0082] When the absorbent 25 receives liquid with the first face 32 from the head 14, there is a case where the absorbed liquid seeps out to the second face 33. Since the solidifying section 15 releases energy toward the first face 32, the liquid that has seeped out to the second face 33 is difficult to solidify. Therefore, for example, when the first rotating shaft 26 winds up the absorbent 25 in such a manner that the second face 33 becomes the inner side, there is a possibility that the liquid that has seeped out to the second face 33 adheres to the unused absorbent 25. In this regard, according to the above-described structure, since the first rotating shaft 26 winds up the absorbent 25 in such a manner that the first face 32 becomes the inner side, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid that has seeped out to the second face 33 adheres to the unused absorbent 25.

[0083] (4) In a case where the second rotating shaft 27 winds up the absorbent section 35 before the solidifying section 15 applies energy to the liquid of the absorbent section 35, the waste liquid recovery section 17 performs a rewinding operation of rewinding the absorbent 25 from the second rotating shaft 27 toward the first rotating shaft 26. In parallel with the rewinding operation, or after the rewinding operation, the solidifying section 15 applies energy to the liquid of the absorbent section 35.

[0084] According to the above-described structure, in a case where the second rotating shaft 27 winds up the absorbent section 35, the liquid that has seeped out to the second face 33 is absorbed by the portion that has been used up. In this case, since the amount of the liquid of the absorbent section 35 is reduced, it becomes easy to solidify the liquid of the absorbent section 35.

[0085] (5) In the rewinding operation, an amount of the absorbent 25 that is longer than the length of the absorbent 25 that is transported from the first rotating shaft 26 toward the second rotating shaft 27 when the second rotating shaft 27 winds up the absorbent section 35 is rewound. The solidifying section 15 applies energy to the liquid of the absorbent section 35 in parallel with the rewinding operation.

[0086] According to the above-described structure, it is possible to solidify the liquid that adheres to the used absorbent 25 due to the winding up of the absorbent section 35 by the second rotating shaft 27. In addition, it is possible to reduce the possibility that odor is generated from the liquid that adheres to the used absorbent 25.

[0087] (6) In a case where the length of the portion of the absorbent 25 that has absorbed liquid, that is, the absorbent section 35 is longer than the length of the solidification section 36 in which the solidifying section 15 is able to simultaneously apply energy, the solidifying section 15 applies energy to the liquid that is absorbed by the absorbent 25 while the first rotating shaft 26 rewinds the absorbent 25.

[0088] According to the above structure, the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 can be solidified from the portion close to the first rotary shaft 26 by the solidification section 15. Thus, the possibility that the absorbed portion 35 is wound onto the first rotary shaft 26 can be reduced. As a result, the possibility that the liquid of the absorbed portion 35 in the absorber 25 adheres to the unused portion can be reduced.

[0089] (7) The time at which the solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 is changed based on the amount of the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25.

[0090] According to the above structure, the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 can be effectively solidified.

[0091] (8) The solidification section 15 applies energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 during the period in which the liquid is warmed up by the warming section 22.

[0092] According to the above structure, the time in which the liquid is warmed up by the warming section 22 can be effectively utilized.

[0093] The present embodiment can be implemented by being changed as follows. The present embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a range in which they are not technically contradictory.

[0094] • The first rotary shaft 26 and the second rotary shaft 27 can also be provided side by side in the direction in which the carriage 19 performs scanning. In the case of a line printer, the first rotary shaft 26 and the second rotary shaft 27 can also be provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the head 14. In such a modified example, the first rotary shaft 26 and the second rotary shaft 27 are provided, for example, in a manner extending in the conveyance direction Al.

[0095] • A solidification section that solidifies the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 can also be provided separately from the solidification section 15 that solidifies the liquid ejected onto the medium 99.

[0096] • The solidification section 15 can also be configured to release energy toward the portion held on the second rotary shaft 27. For example, the solidification section 15 can also be configured to release energy toward the portion held on the second rotary shaft 27 in the absorber 25.

[0097] • The solidification section 15 can also be configured to release energy toward the second face 33 with respect to the absorber 25. The solidification section 15 can also be provided, for example, to face the second face 33.

[0098] • The solidification section 15 can also be provided side by side in the direction in which the carriage 19 performs scanning with respect to the head 14.

[0099] • The curing section 15 can also be configured to release energy without being able to cross the entire width of the first surface 32 at the same time, for example, the entire width of the absorber 25 can not be included in the irradiation range of the curing section 15. In this case, the curing section 15 or the absorber 25 is moved so that the curing section 15 can release energy toward the entire width of the absorber 25.

[0100] • The first rotating shaft 26 can also pay out the unused absorber 25 toward the second rotating shaft 27 side at the end of maintenance. At this time, the amount of the absorber 25 paid out from the first rotating shaft 26 can also be wound up by the second rotating shaft 27. Thus, when maintenance is not performed, the unused portion of the absorber 25 is located between the first rotating shaft 26 and the second rotating shaft 27. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user touches the place where the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 has been cured.

[0101] Further, when the liquid absorbed by the absorber 25 has been cured, there is a case where the liquid is cured in a manner that forms a concave-convex with respect to the surface of the absorber 25. When the place where the liquid has been cured is located at a position opposite to the head 14 or the curing section 15, there is a possibility that the head 14 or the curing section 15 and the place where the liquid has been cured rub against each other when the carriage 19 is moved.

[0102] In such a case, it is also possible to reduce the case where the head 14 or the curing section 15 and the place where the liquid has been cured rub against each other by locating the unused portion of the absorber 25 between the first rotating shaft 26 and the second rotating shaft 27. At this time, the length of the unused portion of the absorber 25 paid out by the first rotating shaft 26 is only required to be equal to the length of the head 14 or the curing section 15. That is, only the position opposite to the head 14 or the curing section 15 is required to be the unused portion of the absorber 25.

[0103] Further, in the case where the unused portion of the absorber 25 is located between the first rotating shaft 26 and the second rotating shaft 27 at the end of maintenance, it is preferable that maintenance is performed after the action of winding up the unused portion of the absorber 25 by the first rotating shaft 26 is performed at the start of the next maintenance. With this configuration, it is possible to continue to use the absorber 25 used in the past from the continuation thereof, and thus it is possible to reduce the amount of use of the absorber 25.

[0104] • The liquid ejected by the head 14 is not limited to ink, and can be, for example, a liquid body in which particles of a functional material are dispersed or mixed in a liquid, or the like. For example, the head 14 can eject a liquid body containing a material such as an electrode material or a pixel material used in the manufacture of a liquid crystal display, an electroluminescent display, and a surface light emitting display, in a dispersed or dissolved form.

[0105] The following describes the technical ideas and effects of the above-described embodiments and modifications.

[0106] (A) The liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a head that ejects a liquid; a solidifying section that solidifies the liquid by applying energy to the liquid; and a waste liquid recovery section that recovers the liquid as waste liquid, the waste liquid recovery section having: an absorbent that absorbs the liquid from the head; a first rotary shaft that holds the absorbent that is unused; and a second rotary shaft that holds the absorbent that is used up, the solidifying section applying the energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent.

[0107] According to the above-described structure, the liquid absorbed by the absorbent is solidified by the solidifying section. Therefore, for example, the possibility of the liquid dripping from the absorbent can be reduced. Thus, the possibility of the inside of the apparatus being stained can be reduced.

[0108] (B) In the above-described liquid ejecting apparatus, the absorbent can have a first face that receives the liquid from the head and a second face that is opposite to the first face, and the solidifying section can be configured to release the energy toward the first face, and the second rotary shaft can wind the absorbent after the energy is released toward the first face by the solidifying section so that the second face becomes an inside.

[0109] When the absorbent receives the liquid from the head using the first face, there is a case where the absorbed liquid seeps to the second face. Since the solidifying section releases the energy toward the first face, the liquid that seeps to the second face is difficult to solidify. Therefore, for example, when the second rotary shaft winds the absorbent so that the second face becomes an outside, there is a possibility that the liquid that seeps to the second face drips from the second face. In this regard, according to the above-described structure, since the second rotary shaft winds the absorbent so that the second face becomes an inside, the possibility of the liquid that seeps to the second face dripping from the second face can be reduced.

[0110] (C) In the above-described liquid ejecting apparatus, the absorbent can have a first face that receives the liquid from the head and a second face that is opposite to the first face, and the solidifying section can be configured to release the energy toward the first face, and the first rotary shaft can wind the absorbent after the energy is released toward the first face by the solidifying section so that the first face becomes an inside.

[0111] When the absorbent receives liquid from the beginning using the first face, there is a case where the absorbed liquid seeps out to the second face. Since the solidifying section releases energy toward the first face, the liquid that seeps out to the second face is difficult to solidify. Therefore, for example, when the first rotary shaft winds up the absorbent in a manner that the second face becomes the inner side, there is a possibility that the liquid that seeps out to the second face adheres to the unused absorbent. In this regard, according to the above-described structure, since the first rotary shaft winds up the absorbent in a manner that the first face becomes the inner side, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid that seeps out to the second face adheres to the unused absorbent.

[0112] (D) In the above-described liquid ejecting apparatus, it can also be configured that the solidifying section is configured to release the energy toward a portion of the absorbent that becomes a portion between the portion held on the first rotary shaft and the portion held on the second rotary shaft, and the waste liquid recovery section performs a rewinding operation of rewinding the absorbent from the second rotary shaft to the first rotary shaft in a case where the second rotary shaft winds up the portion of the absorbent in which the liquid is absorbed before the solidifying section applies the energy to the liquid of the portion of the absorbent, that is, an absorbed portion, and the solidifying section applies the energy to the liquid of the absorbed portion in parallel with the rewinding operation or after the rewinding operation.

[0113] According to the above-described structure, in a case where the second rotary shaft winds up the absorbed portion, the liquid that seeps out to the second face is absorbed by the portion of the absorbent that is used up. In this case, it is possible to reduce the amount of the liquid of the absorbed portion, and thus it becomes easy to solidify the liquid of the absorbed portion.

[0114] (E) In the above-described liquid ejecting apparatus, it can also be configured that, in the rewinding operation, the absorbent is rewound by an amount that is longer than a length of the absorbent that is transported from the first rotary shaft to the second rotary shaft when the second rotary shaft winds up the absorbed portion, and the solidifying section applies the energy to the liquid of the absorbed portion in parallel with the rewinding operation.

[0115] According to the above-described structure, by winding up the absorbed portion by the second rotary shaft, it is possible to solidify the liquid that is adsorbed on the absorbent that is used up.

[0116] (F) In the above-described liquid ejecting apparatus, it can also be configured that, in a case where a length of a portion of the absorbent in which the liquid is absorbed, that is, an absorbed portion, is longer than a length of a solidifying interval in which the solidifying section can simultaneously apply the energy, the solidifying section applies the energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent while the first rotary shaft rewinds the absorbent.

[0117] According to the above structure, the liquid absorbed by the absorbent can be solidified from the portion close to the first rotation axis by the solidification section. Thus, the possibility that the absorption portion is wound on the first rotation axis can be reduced. As a result, the possibility that the liquid of the absorption portion in the absorbent adheres to the unused portion can be reduced.

[0118] (G) In the above liquid ejecting apparatus, the time during which the solidification section applies the energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent can be changed based on the amount of the liquid absorbed by the absorbent.

[0119] According to the above structure, the liquid absorbed by the absorbent can be effectively solidified.

[0120] (H) The above liquid ejecting apparatus can include a temperature increasing section that can increase the temperature of the liquid ejected from the head, and the solidification section can apply the energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent during the time when the temperature increasing section increases the temperature of the liquid.

[0121] According to the above structure, the time when the temperature increasing section increases the temperature of the liquid can be effectively utilized.

[0122] (I) A waste liquid recovery method of a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid from a head, includes: in a case where an absorption portion, which is a portion in which a liquid ejected from the head is absorbed as a waste liquid in an absorbent held on a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis, is wound on the second rotation axis that holds the absorbent that has finished being used, performing a rewinding operation of rewinding the absorbent from the second rotation axis to the first rotation axis that holds the absorbent that is not used; and in parallel with or after the rewinding operation, applying energy to the liquid of the absorption portion between the portion held on the first rotation axis and the portion held on the second rotation axis, thereby solidifying the liquid.

[0123] According to the above structure, the same effects as the above liquid ejecting apparatus can be obtained.

[0124] (J) A waste liquid recovery method of a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid from a head, includes: in a case where a length of an absorption portion, which is a portion in which a liquid ejected from the head is absorbed as a waste liquid in an absorbent held on a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis, is longer than a length of a solidification range in which energy for solidifying the liquid reaches, applying the energy to the liquid of the absorption portion while rewinding the absorbent to the first rotation axis that holds the absorbent that is not used.

[0125] According to the above structure, the same effects as the above liquid ejecting apparatus can be obtained.

[0126] Symbol explanation

[0127] 11 liquid jet device; 12 housing; 13 support portion; 14 head; 15 solidification portion; 16 control portion; 17 waste liquid recovery portion; 18 nozzle; 19 carriage; 21 liquid storage portion; 22 temperature elevation portion; 24 outer shell; 25 absorbent body; 26 first rotation axis; 27 second rotation axis; 28 press roller; 29 guide roller; 31 intermediate portion; 32 first face; 33 second face; 35 absorption portion; 36 solidification interval; 99 medium.

Claims

1. A liquid ejecting apparatus characterized by comprising: Possessing: a head that ejects liquid; a solidification section that solidifies liquid by applying energy thereto; a waste liquid recovery section that recovers liquid as waste liquid, the waste liquid recovery section has: an absorbent that absorbs liquid from the head; a first rotation shaft that can hold the absorbent before the liquid is absorbed; a second rotation shaft that can hold the absorbent after the liquid is absorbed, the solidification section applies the energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent, the absorbent has a first face that is a face that receives liquid from the head and a second face that is a face opposite the first face, the solidification section is configured to release the energy toward the first face, the first rotation shaft is configured to wind the absorbent after the liquid is absorbed, and in a case where the absorbent is wound after the energy is released toward the first face by the solidification section, the absorbent is wound in a manner such that the first face becomes an inner side.

2. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second rotation shaft winds the absorbent after the energy is released toward the first face by the solidification section in a manner such that the second face becomes an inner side.

3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the solidification section is configured to release the energy toward a portion of the absorbent that is between a portion held on the first rotation shaft and a portion held on the second rotation shaft, in a case where the second rotation shaft winds the portion of the absorbent to which the liquid is absorbed by the absorbent before the solidification section applies the energy to the liquid of the portion, the waste liquid recovery section performs a rewinding operation that rewinds the absorbent from the second rotation shaft to the first rotation shaft side, in parallel with or after the rewinding operation, the solidification section applies the energy to the liquid of the portion.

4. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in the rewinding operation, a length of the absorbent that is rewound is longer than a length of the absorbent that is transported from the first rotation shaft to the second rotation shaft when the second rotation shaft winds the portion of the absorbent, the solidification section applies the energy to the liquid of the portion in parallel with the rewinding operation.

5. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a case where, when a portion of the absorbent to which the liquid is absorbed is set as a portion of the absorbent, a length of the portion before solidification is performed by the solidification section is longer than a length of a solidification section interval in which the solidification section can simultaneously apply the energy, the solidification section applies the energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent while the first rotation shaft rewinds the absorbent.

6. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a time at which the solidification section applies the energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent is changed based on an amount of the liquid absorbed by the absorbent.

7. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The liquid ejection apparatus includes a heating section configured to heat liquid ejected from a head, The solidifying section applies the energy to the liquid absorbed by the absorbent during the heating of the liquid by the heating section.

8. A waste liquid recovery method for a liquid ejection apparatus, characterized by comprising: the liquid ejection apparatus ejects liquid from a head, the waste liquid recovery method includes: in a case where a portion of the liquid ejected from the head, which is absorbed as waste liquid in an absorbent held on a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft, is wound by the second rotating shaft that holds the absorbent after use, performing a rewinding operation of rewinding the absorbent from the second rotating shaft to the first rotating shaft that holds the absorbent that is not used; in parallel with or after the rewinding operation, applying energy to the liquid of the absorbed portion between the portion held on the first rotating shaft and the portion held on the second rotating shaft, thereby solidifying the liquid.

9. A waste liquid recovery method for a liquid ejection apparatus, characterized by comprising: the liquid ejection apparatus ejects liquid from a head, the waste liquid recovery method includes: in a case where a length of a portion of the liquid ejected from the head, which is absorbed as waste liquid in an absorbent held on a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft, is longer than a length of a solidifying section involved in solidification of the liquid, applying the energy to the liquid of the absorbed portion while rewinding the absorbent to the first rotating shaft that holds the absorbent that is not used.

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