APPARATUS FOR PRINTING IMAGE, AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING INK DROPLET

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus whose structure is simplified, and capable of printing an image having a high resolution using ink with a large volume, and capable of printing on various materials with various ink. SOLUTION: The apparatus includes a droplet forming mechanism operable in a first state to form droplets having a first volume travelling along a path and in a second state to form droplets having a plurality of other volumes travelling along the same path. A droplet deflector system applies force to the droplets travelling along the path. The force is applied in a direction such that the droplets having the first volume diverge from the path while the droplets having the plurality of other volumes remain travelling substantially along the path or diverge slightly and begin travelling along a gutter path. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT