Waste liquid storage device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a waste liquid storage device, in which the maintenance of a printing device can be facilitated. A waste liquid storage device (1) arranged outside a printing device (10) includes a connecting portion (5), and the connecting portion (5) is used to connect the waste liquid storage device (1) to the printing device (10) in a manner that the waste liquid storage device (1) can be moved to a first position (P1) outside the printing device (10) and a second position (P2) outside the printing device (10) and different from the first position (P1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste liquid storage device arranged outside a printing device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been proposed an inkjet recording apparatus including a waste ink tank for recovering waste ink liquid generated by a cleaning operation of an inkjet head (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-202837 Summary of the invention

[0005] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] However, the waste liquid storage device is disposed inside the printing device. Therefore, when the waste liquid is full, the user opens the cover of the side or back of the printing device and takes out the waste liquid storage device, and then discards the waste liquid in the waste liquid storage device.

[0007] For example, in a printing system connected to other devices such as a conveying device for conveying a medium and a discharging device for discharging a medium, on the side of the outer peripheral surface of the printing device where the waste liquid storage device is stored, in order to remove (replace) the waste liquid storage device, it is necessary to disconnect the printing device and other devices, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. In particular, when the printing system has a plurality of printing devices arranged in series, the number of connected devices increases, which is even more time-consuming and labor-intensive.

[0008] Although it is conceivable to dispose the waste liquid storage device outside the printing device, the waste liquid storage device will block the side and back sides of the printing device, making it difficult to perform maintenance on the printing device on the surfaces blocked by the waste liquid storage device.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a waste liquid storage device that can facilitate maintenance of a printing device.

[0010] Means used to solve problems

[0011] In one embodiment, a waste liquid storage device is a waste liquid storage device arranged outside a printing device, and the waste liquid storage device has a connecting portion, which is used to connect the waste liquid storage device to the printing device in a manner that allows the waste liquid storage device to be moved to a first position outside the printing device and a second position outside the printing device and different from the first position.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the above aspect, maintenance of the printing device can be facilitated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a front view showing a configuration example of a printing system in one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 The diagram is a right rear perspective view showing a waste liquid storage device and a printing device in a first position according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a plan view showing a waste liquid storage device and a printing device in a first position according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a right side view showing the waste liquid storage device and the printing device in the first position according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 It is a plan view showing a waste liquid storage device (shown in both a first position and a second position) and a printing device in one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 6 The diagram is a right rear perspective view showing a waste liquid storage device and a printing device in a second position according to one embodiment.

[0020] Figure 7 It is a right rear perspective view showing the interior of the waste liquid storage device in a first position in one embodiment in a perspective manner.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a right rear perspective view showing the interior of the waste liquid storage device (cover omitted) in a first position in one embodiment in a perspective manner.

[0022] Fig. 9 This is a partial right side view showing in perspective the interior of the waste liquid storage device (cover omitted) at the first position in one embodiment.

[0023] Fig.10 It is a right rear perspective view showing a first receiving portion in one embodiment.

[0024] Fig.11 It is a right rear perspective view showing the second receiving portion in one embodiment.

[0025] Fig.12 It is a right rear perspective view showing a cover in one embodiment.

[0026] Fig.13 This is a partial top view showing in perspective the interior of a waste liquid storage device (cover omitted) at a first position according to one embodiment.

[0027] Fig.14This is a partial plan view showing in perspective the interior of the waste liquid storage device (the first waste liquid pipe, the second waste liquid pipe, and the cover are omitted) at the second position in one embodiment.

[0028] Description of reference numerals:

[0029] 1: waste liquid containing device; 2: waste liquid housing; 2a: waste liquid tank; 2b: sensor; 3: first waste liquid pipe; 3a: straight portion; 3b: curved portion; 4: second waste liquid pipe; 4a: straight portion; 4b: curved portion; 5: connecting portion; 5a: bracket; 5b: arm; 5c: rotating shaft portion; 6: effluent liquid support; 6a: first supporting portion; 6b: second supporting portion; 7: cover; 10: printing device; 11: right side (first side); 12: back side (second side); 12a: back cover; 13: right rear side; 20: supply device; 30: intermediate transport device; 40: discharge device; 100: printing system; C: rotation center; P1: first position; P2: second position; M: medium; V: virtual straight line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Below, while referring to the attached Figure 1 A waste liquid storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0031] Figure 1 1 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the printing system 100. Figure 1 and the following Figure 2 to Figure 14 The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction shown are, for example, horizontal directions and left-right directions, and vertical directions.

[0032] The printing system 100 includes two printing devices 10, a supply device 20, two intermediate transport devices 30, and a discharge device 40. Each device is connected to an adjacent device, and is arranged in series in the order of the supply device 20, the printing device 10, the intermediate transport device 30, the printing device 10, the intermediate transport device 30, and the discharge device 40, for example, in the conveying direction (right direction) of the paper or medium M.

[0033] The printing system 100 also includes a waste liquid storage device 1 disposed at the right rear of each of the two printing devices 10. The waste liquid storage device 1 will be described in detail later.

[0034] The two printing devices 10 are inkjet printing devices that use ink for printing. The printing device 10 is in the shape of a cuboid. Usually, the printing device 10 has concavoconvex parts through the insertion port, discharge port and other parts of the medium M, or has steps in the front, back, top, bottom, left and right surfaces (right side 11, back side 12, etc.) as the outer surface, or the edges between the surfaces are formed as curved surfaces, etc., so that it is not in a complete cuboid shape. Therefore, even if the surfaces of the printing device 10 are provided with concavoconvex parts, steps or the edges are formed as curved surfaces, the shape of the printing device 10 can be regarded as a cuboid. It should be noted that as a printing device 10, as long as it is a printing device that discharges waste liquid, it can also be a printing device other than an inkjet printing device that uses printing (such as a copy plate printing device), or a printing device that does not use ink in printing. If it is a printing device that does not use ink in printing, the cleaning liquid in the printing device becomes waste liquid.

[0035] As an example, the printing device 10 on the upstream side (left side) in the conveying direction prints on the front side of the medium M, and the printing device 10 on the downstream side (right side) in the conveying direction prints on the back side of the medium M. Alternatively, the printing device 10 on the downstream side prints on the medium M on the same side as or on the opposite side to the surface printed by the printing device 10 on the upstream side, using ink different from that of the printing device 10 on the upstream side.

[0036] The medium supply device 20 supplies the medium M loaded on the upper and lower loading tables, for example, to the printing device 10 .

[0037] The two intermediate transport devices 30 transport the medium M discharged from the printing apparatus 10. It should be noted that the intermediate transport device 30 disposed between the two printing apparatuses 10 may be omitted and the two printing apparatuses 10 may be connected to each other.

[0038] The discharge device 40 discharges the medium M discharged from the intermediate transport device 30 on the downstream side to the loading platform.

[0039] Figure 2 to Figure 4 It is a right rear perspective view, a top view, and a right side view showing the waste liquid storage device 1 and the printing device 10 at the first position P1.

[0040] Figure 5 It is a plan view showing the waste liquid storage device 1 (shown in both the first position P1 and the second position P2 ) and the printing device 10 .

[0041] Figure 6 It is a right rear perspective view showing the waste liquid storage device 1 and the printing device 10 at the second position P2.

[0042] Figure 7 It is a right rear perspective view showing the interior of the waste liquid storage device 1 in a perspective manner at the first position P1.

[0043] Figure 8 This is a right rear perspective view showing the interior of the waste liquid storage device 1 (the cover 7 is omitted) in a see-through manner at the first position P1.

[0044] Fig. 9 This is a partial right side view showing the interior of the waste liquid storage device 1 (the cover 7 is omitted) in a perspective manner at the first position P1.

[0045] Figure 10 to Figure 12 2 is a right rear perspective view showing the first receiving portion 6a, the second receiving portion 6b, and the cover 7. It should be noted that the second receiving portion 6b and the cover 7 are fixed to the rotatable waste liquid housing 2, but Fig.11 as well as Fig.12 The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction shown are directions when the waste liquid storage device 1 is in the first position P1.

[0046] Fig.13 This is a partial plan view showing the interior of the waste liquid storage device 1 (the cover 7 is omitted) in a see-through manner at the first position P1.

[0047] Fig.14 This is a partial plan view showing in a perspective manner the interior of the waste liquid storage device 1 (the first waste liquid pipe 3, the second waste liquid pipe 4, and the cover 7 are omitted) at the second position P2 according to one embodiment.

[0048] like Figure 2 to Figure 4 As shown, the waste liquid storage device 1 includes a waste liquid housing 2, a first waste liquid pipe 3 and a second waste liquid pipe 4 (see the following description). Figure 7 to Figure 9 as well as Fig.13 ), connecting portion 5, effluent receiving portion 6, cover 7. The waste liquid storage device 1 is arranged outside the printing device 10 (for example, in a Figure 2 to Figure 4 The first position P1 shown is the back right side of the printing device 10).

[0049] The waste liquid housing 2 accommodates Figure 7 to Figure 9 The waste liquid tank 2a shown. The waste liquid tank 2a stores waste liquid discharged from the printing device 10 and flowing in the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4. It should be noted that the waste liquid flowing in the first waste liquid pipe 3 is, for example, ink discharged due to the purification process of the inkjet head. In addition, the waste liquid flowing in the second waste liquid pipe 4 is, for example, ink in the remaining part of the pressurized tank and the negative pressure tank of the ink circulation line, ink dripping when the ink cartridge is disassembled, etc. It should be noted that the waste liquid housing 2 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped for accommodating the waste liquid tank 2a, and the waste liquid tank 2a can be taken out by opening the upper cover, but it can also be accommodated in the waste liquid housing 2 in a state where the waste liquid tank 2a is exposed to the outside (for example, a state where the upper part of the waste liquid tank 2a is exposed).

[0050] like Figure 7as well as Figure 8 As shown, a sensor 2b for detecting the presence or absence of the waste liquid tank 2a and the amount of waste liquid (e.g., full) is arranged at the right rear part of the waste liquid housing 2 when the waste liquid storage device 1 is located at the first position P1. The detection signal of the sensor 2b is sent to the control unit (processor) of the printing device 10 via wiring (not shown). It should be noted that it is preferred that the wiring extends from the waste liquid housing 2 to the printing device 10 along the upper part of the first waste liquid pipe 3 or the second waste liquid pipe 4, and bends while being connected to the printing device 10 and the sensor 2b (or the control unit of the waste liquid housing 2) as the waste liquid housing 2 rotates.

[0051] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown, the waste liquid storage device 1 is configured to be rotatable (an example of being movable) to a first position P1 (see FIG. 1 ) outside the printing device 10 where the waste liquid housing 2 is arranged along the printing device 10 (for example, the back side 12 of the printing device 10) Figure 2 to Figure 4 ), and a second position P2 (see FIG. 1 ) which is a position rotated 90 degrees from the first position P1, that is, outside the printing device 10. Figure 6 The second position P2 of the waste liquid storage device 1 is, for example, obliquely to the right rear of the printing device 10. The waste liquid housing 2 is rotated from the first position P1 arranged along the back side 12 of the printing device 10 to the second position P2, thereby Figure 6 As shown, it can be moved to a position separated from the back cover 12a (an example of an exterior) arranged on the back side 12. As a result, the back cover 12a can be removed to perform maintenance on the interior of the printing device 10. It should be noted that the second position P2 of the waste liquid containing device 1 can also be a position where the waste liquid housing 2 is arranged along the printing device 10 (for example, the right side 11 of the printing device 10). Here, when the waste liquid housing 2 is arranged at the first position P1 (or the second position P2) of the waste liquid containing device 1 along the printing device 10, it can be in contact with the printing device 10 or slightly separated. In addition, the printing device 10 can be maintained when the waste liquid containing device 1 is located at least one of the first position P1 and the second position P2. In addition, Figure 5 Unlike the example of the embodiment of the present invention, the waste liquid housing 2 can be rotated so that a part of the waste liquid housing 2 in the first position P1 overlaps a part of the waste liquid housing 2 in the second position P2. Even in this case, the waste liquid storage device 1 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by rotating the waste liquid housing 2, so the second position P2 can be called a position different from the first position P1 or a position spaced apart from the first position P1. In addition, casters such as rollers can be provided at the bottom of the waste liquid housing 2 to facilitate manual rotation of the waste liquid housing 2.

[0052] Figure 7 to Figure 9The first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 are connected to the printing device 10 and the waste liquid tank 2a. Figure 7 to Figure 9 The waste liquid discharged from the right side 11 of the printing device 10, which is only partially shown in the figure, flows to the waste liquid tank 2a. In addition, the second waste liquid pipe 4 allows the waste liquid discharged from the right side 11 of the printing device 10, which is farther back than the connection part with the first waste liquid pipe 3, to flow to the waste liquid tank 2a. The second waste liquid pipe 4 passes directly above the first waste liquid pipe 3. It should be noted that in this embodiment, as an example of a waste liquid pipe, although an example in which the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 are configured is described, if it is possible to set a waste liquid discharge line of the common printing device 10 and set the discharge outlet of the waste liquid from the printing device 10 to be single, the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 can be changed to a single waste liquid pipe.

[0053] The first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 have: straight portions 3a, 4a, which allow the waste liquid to flow along the right side surface 11 (an example of the first surface) of the printing device 10; and curved portions 3b, 4b, which are located on the downstream side of the flow path of the waste liquid than the straight portions 3a, 4a, and are bent along with the rotation of the waste liquid housing 2. The first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 can be flexible, and the straight portions 3a, 4a and the curved portions 3b, 4b are integrally formed. It should be noted that, as described above, since the second waste liquid pipe 4 is connected to the printing device 10 at a position farther back than the first waste liquid pipe 3, Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the remaining portion of the curved portion 4b of the second waste liquid pipe 4 is curved into a ring shape inside the waste liquid housing 2. However, if the second waste liquid pipe 4 is provided as a pipe shorter than the first waste liquid pipe 3, the circular curved portion of the curved portion 4b can be omitted.

[0054] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 7 ,as well as Figure 8 The connecting portion 5 shown is connected to the printing device 10 in such a manner that the waste liquid housing 2 can be rotated to the first position P1 of the waste liquid storage device 1 arranged along the printing device 10 and the second position P2 of the waste liquid storage device 1 different from the first position P1, while the waste liquid tank 2a is connected to the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4. It should be noted that although the waste liquid storage device 1 moves between the first position P1 and the second position P2 by the rotation of the waste liquid housing 2, the waste liquid housing 2 (waste liquid storage device 1) may also be able to move by, for example, moving straight along a guide rail.

[0055] The connection portion 5 includes, for example, a bracket 5a, an arm 5b, and a rotation shaft portion 5c.

[0056] The bracket 5a is fixed to the waste liquid housing 2, and its upper and lower horizontal parts protrude horizontally. The bracket 5a supports the upper and lower ends of the rotating shaft 5c extending in the vertical direction through the two horizontal parts.

[0057] The arm 5b is fixed to the right side surface 11 of the printing device 10, and extends straight to the rear of the printing device 10. The rotation shaft portion 5c penetrates the rear end of the arm 5b.

[0058] The rotating shaft 5c is supported at the upper and lower ends by the bracket 5a. The rotating shaft 5c functions as the rotation center C of the waste liquid housing 2. Figure 8 As shown, the rotation center C can be regarded as a straight line passing through the vertical direction of the rotation shaft portion 5c, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown, it intersects with a virtual straight line V passing through the straight portions 3a and 4a of the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4. It should be noted that the virtual straight line V only needs to pass through one of the straight portions 3a and 4a, and does not need to pass through the center of the straight portions 3a and 4a.

[0059] Here, as described above, the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 (straight portions 3a, 4a) allow the waste liquid to flow along the right side surface 11 (an example of the first surface) of the printing device 10. In addition, the first position P1 of the waste liquid housing 2 is a position of the back surface 12 (an example of the second surface) adjacent to the right side surface 11 across the right rear side 13 (an example of a side of the periphery of the first surface) of the printing device 10. Moreover, the rotation center C (rotation axis portion 5c) of the waste liquid housing 2 is located between the area opposite to the right side surface 11 (i.e., the right side of the printing device 10) and the area opposite to the back surface 12 (i.e., the rear side of the printing device 10) (i.e., the right rear side of the printing device 10), and is parallel to the right rear side 13.

[0060] Figure 8 , Fig. 9 The outflow liquid support 6 shown in the figure supports the outflow liquid flowing out from the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4. The outflow liquid is the waste liquid that flows out from the connection part between the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 and the printing device 10 and is transferred in the first waste liquid pipe 3 or the second waste liquid pipe 4 because the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 are damaged and the waste liquid leaks very little.

[0061] The outflow liquid support 6 has a first support portion 6a (see Fig.10 ) and the second supporting portion 6b (refer to Fig.11). The first supporting portion 6a is fixed to the printing device 10 (right side 11) and is arranged below the straight portions 3a and 4a of the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4. The second supporting portion 6b is fixed to the waste liquid housing 2 and is arranged below the curved portions 3b and 4b of the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4. It should be noted that Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first receiving portion 6a is in a U-shape in a horizontal direction, and is therefore arranged to cover not only the bottom of the straight portions 3a and 4a, but also the right side and the top of the straight portions 3a and 4a. When the first receiving portion 6a is arranged between the printing device 10 and other devices (e.g., the intermediate transport device 30, the discharge device 40, the inspection device, and the post-processing device), it is preferred that the width of the first receiving portion 6a is narrow in the direction in which they are adjacent (left-right direction).

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, the first supporting portion 6a is on the right side 11 of the printing device 10, facing the waste liquid housing 2 and extending along a horizontal plane (at Figure 4 The reason for this is that the flow path of the waste liquid is tilted downward toward the downstream side so that the waste liquid flows inside the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 by its own weight.

[0063] like Fig. 9 , Fig.13 ,as well as Fig.14 As shown, the second supporting portion 6b is arranged below the first supporting portion 6a in a manner of supporting the outflowing liquid from the first supporting portion 6a, covering the entire rotation range of the waste liquid housing 2 (the first position P1 and the second position P2 of the waste liquid storage device 1, and the position between them). It should be noted that the second supporting portion 6b may also be inclined in a direction below the horizontal direction toward the waste liquid housing 2, similarly to the first supporting portion 6a.

[0064] like Figure 7 As shown, the cover 7 (refer to Fig.12 ) is fixed to the waste liquid housing 2, and is arranged between the first supporting portion 6a and the waste liquid housing 2 to cover the upper part and the right rear of the curved portions 3b and 4b. It should be noted that when the waste liquid housing 2 rotates between the first position P1 and the second position P2 of the waste liquid storage device 1, in the case where the cover 7 interferes with the first supporting portion 6a and the second supporting portion 6b, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the waste liquid housing 2 is rotated with the cover 7 removed.

[0065] In the above description, the printing system 100 includes two printing devices 10, two waste liquid storage devices 1, etc., but the printing system may include a single waste liquid storage device 1 and a single printing device 10. It should be noted that, when the printing system includes the waste liquid storage device 1, the printing device 10, and other devices (for example, the intermediate transport device 30, the discharge device 40, the inspection device, and the post-processing device), the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 of the waste liquid storage device 1 can allow the waste liquid to flow between the printing device 10 and the other devices.

[0066] In the above description, the case where the rotation center C of the waste liquid casing 2 is in the vertical direction is taken as an example, but the rotation center C of the waste liquid casing 2 may be in a direction different from the vertical direction (for example, the horizontal direction).

[0067] In the present embodiment described above, the waste liquid storage device 1 arranged outside the printing device 10 has a connecting portion 5, which is used to connect the waste liquid storage device 1 to the printing device 10 in a manner that allows it to be moved to a first position P1 outside the printing device 10 and to a second position P2 outside the printing device 10 and different from the first position P1.

[0068] Thus, firstly, by arranging the waste liquid storage device 1 outside the printing device 10, for example, it becomes easy to take out and replace the full waste liquid tank 2a. In addition, since the waste liquid storage device 1 can be moved to the first position P1 and the second position P2, when the waste liquid storage device 1 is located at one position (for example, the second position P2), for example, the back cover 12a can be removed to perform maintenance on the inside of the printing device 10. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to facilitate maintenance of the printing device 10.

[0069] In addition, in the present embodiment, the waste liquid storage device 1 further includes a waste liquid housing 2, a first waste liquid pipe 3 as an example of a waste liquid pipe, and a second waste liquid pipe 4. The waste liquid housing 2 stores a waste liquid tank 2a. The first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 are connected to the printing device 10 and the waste liquid tank 2a, so that the waste liquid discharged from the printing device 10 flows into the waste liquid tank 2a. The connecting portion 5 is connected to the printing device 10 in such a manner that the waste liquid housing 2 can rotate between the first position P1 and the second position P2 of the waste liquid storage device 1.

[0070] Therefore, by rotating the waste liquid housing 2 that holds the waste liquid tank 2a connected to the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 while maintaining the connection with the printing device 10, the waste liquid storage device 1 can be easily moved to a position (for example, the second position P2) where maintenance of the printing device 10 is easy. Therefore, maintenance of the printing device 10 can be made easier.

[0071] In addition, in the present embodiment, the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 allow the waste liquid to flow along the right side 11 (an example of the first side) of the printing device 10 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first position P1 of the waste liquid storage device 1 is a position of the back side 12 (an example of the second side) of the printing device 10 adjacent to the right side 11 along one side (the right rear side 13) of the periphery of the right side 11 of the printing device 10. The connecting portion 5 is arranged so that the rotation center C of the waste liquid housing 2 is parallel to the right rear side 13 between the area opposite to the right side 11 and the area opposite to the back side 12.

[0072] Thus, the waste liquid case 2 can be moved away from the back surface 12 of the printing device 10 along the first position P1 of the waste liquid storage device 1 to the second position P2, so that, for example, the back surface cover 12a can be removed more easily to perform maintenance inside the printing device 10.

[0073] In addition, in the present embodiment, the waste liquid storage device 1 further includes an outflow liquid support 6 for supporting the outflow liquid flowing out of the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4. The first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 have straight straight portions 3a and 4a, and curved portions 3b and 4b that are located at the downstream side of the flow path of the waste liquid relative to the straight portions 3a and 4a and are curved along with the rotation of the waste liquid housing 2. The outflow liquid support 6 includes a first support portion 6a and a second support portion 6b. The first support portion 6a is fixed to the printing device 10 and is arranged below the straight portions 3a and 4a of the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4. The second support portion 6b is fixed to the waste liquid housing 2 and is arranged below the curved portions 3b and 4b of the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4. Furthermore, the second receiving portion 6 b is disposed below the first receiving portion 6 a over the entire rotation range of the waste liquid case 2 so as to receive the outflow liquid flowing out from the first receiving portion 6 a .

[0074] Thus, even if the waste liquid housing 2 rotates between the first position P1 and the second position P2 of the waste liquid storage device 1, it is possible to suppress leakage of the outflow liquid flowing out of the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 to the outside.

[0075] In addition, in the present embodiment, the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 have straight portions 3a and 4a and curved portions 3b and 4b that are located on the downstream side of the flow path of the waste liquid relative to the straight portions 3a and 4a and that are curved with the rotation of the waste liquid housing 2. The connecting portion 5 is configured so that the rotation center C of the waste liquid housing 2 intersects with a virtual straight line V that passes through the straight portions 3a and 4a of the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4.

[0076] Thus, it is possible to suppress the change in the length of the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 accompanying the rotation of the waste liquid housing 2. Therefore, even if the straight portions 3a, 4a and the curved portions 3b, 4b are formed as one body in the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4, it is possible to apply pressure to the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 and the wiring to prevent the occurrence of defects such as pipe blockage and disconnection. In addition, compared with the case where a joint is provided between the straight portions 3a, 4a and the curved portions 3b, 4b, the first waste liquid pipe 3 and the second waste liquid pipe 4 can be formed into a simple structure. However, in the case where a joint is provided between the straight portions 3a, 4a and the curved portions 3b, 4b, the flow path of the waste liquid is narrowed inside the joint, thereby generating flow path resistance, or the interval between the device (for example, the intermediate transport device 30) adjacent to the right side 11 of the printing device 10 cannot be narrowed due to the increase in the pipe of the joint. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the arrangement of the joint can be omitted, it is possible to avoid the flow path resistance caused by the arrangement of the joint, and it is possible to narrow the interval between the devices adjacent to the printing device 10 .

[0077] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and the structural elements can be deformed and concretized in the implementation stage without departing from the scope of its main purpose. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of multiple structural elements disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, all structural elements shown in the embodiments can be appropriately combined. In this way, various deformations and applications can certainly be performed within the scope of not departing from the main purpose of the invention. Below, the invention described in the claims at the time of application of this application is attached.

[0078] [Note 1]

[0079] A waste liquid storage device is arranged outside a printing device, characterized in that the waste liquid storage device has a connecting portion, which is used to connect the waste liquid storage device to the printing device in a manner that the waste liquid storage device can be moved to a first position outside the printing device and a second position outside the printing device and different from the first position.

[0080] [Note 2]

[0081] The waste liquid containing device according to Appendix 1 is characterized in that the waste liquid containing device also includes: a waste liquid housing, which contains a waste liquid tank; and a waste liquid pipe, which is connected to the printing device and the waste liquid tank and allows the waste liquid discharged from the printing device to flow into the waste liquid tank, and the connecting part connects the waste liquid housing to the printing device in a manner that allows it to rotate between the first position and the second position of the waste liquid containing device.

[0082] [Note 3]

[0083] The waste liquid containing device according to Note 2 is characterized in that the waste liquid pipe causes the waste liquid to flow along the first surface of the printing device which is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the first position of the waste liquid containing device is the position of the waste liquid shell along the second surface of the printing device, the second surface of the printing device is adjacent to the first surface across one side of the periphery of the first surface of the printing device, and the connecting portion is configured so that the rotation center of the waste liquid shell is parallel to the one side between the area opposite to the first surface and the area opposite to the second surface.

[0084] [Note 4]

[0085] The waste liquid containing device according to Appendix 2 or 3 is characterized in that the waste liquid containing device is further provided with an outflow liquid support for supporting outflow liquid flowing out of the waste liquid pipe, the waste liquid pipe having: a straight portion; and a curved portion, which is located at a position downstream of the flow path of the waste liquid than the straight portion and is curved as the waste liquid shell rotates, the outflow liquid support having: a first supporting portion, which is fixed to the printing device and arranged below the straight portion of the waste liquid pipe; and a second supporting portion, which is fixed to the waste liquid shell and arranged below the curved portion of the waste liquid pipe, the second supporting portion being arranged below the first supporting portion in a manner that supports the outflow liquid flowing out of the first supporting portion over the entire rotation range of the waste liquid shell.

[0086] [Note 5]

[0087] A waste liquid storage device according to any one of Appendixes 2 to 4, characterized in that the waste liquid pipe has: a straight portion; and a curved portion, which is located on the downstream side of the flow path of the waste liquid than the straight portion and bends as the waste liquid shell rotates, and the connecting portion is configured so that the rotation center of the waste liquid shell intersects a virtual straight line passing through the straight portion of the waste liquid pipe.

Claims

1. A waste liquid storage device, the waste liquid storage device is arranged outside the printing device, It is characterized in that The waste liquid storage device includes a connection portion for connecting the waste liquid storage device to the printing device in a manner that allows the waste liquid storage device to be movable to a first position outside the printing device and a second position outside the printing device and different from the first position. The waste liquid storage device further comprises: a waste liquid housing that accommodates the waste liquid tank; a waste liquid pipe connected to the printing device and the waste liquid tank and allowing the waste liquid discharged from the printing device to flow to the waste liquid tank; as well as an effluent support, which is used to support the effluent flowing out of the waste liquid pipe, The connecting portion connects the waste liquid housing to the printing device in a manner that allows the waste liquid housing to rotate between the first position and the second position of the waste liquid storage device. The waste liquid pipe has: a straight portion; and a curved portion, which is located at a downstream side of the flow path of the waste liquid than the straight portion and is curved along with the rotation of the waste liquid housing. The outflow liquid support comprises: a first support portion, which is fixed to the printing device and arranged below the straight portion of the waste liquid pipe; and a second support portion, which is fixed to the waste liquid housing and arranged below the curved portion of the waste liquid pipe. The second receiving portion is disposed below the first receiving portion over the entire rotation range of the waste liquid housing so as to receive the outflow liquid flowing out from the first receiving portion.

2. The waste liquid storage device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The waste liquid pipe allows the waste liquid to flow along the first surface of the printing device in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The first position of the waste liquid storage device is a position of the waste liquid housing along the second surface of the printing device, and the second surface of the printing device is adjacent to the first surface of the printing device across one side of the periphery of the first surface of the printing device. The connecting portion is arranged such that the rotation center of the waste liquid case is parallel to the one side between a region facing the first surface and a region facing the second surface.

3. The waste liquid storage device according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The waste liquid pipe has: a straight portion; and a curved portion, which is located at a downstream side of the flow path of the waste liquid than the straight portion and is curved along with the rotation of the waste liquid housing. The connection portion is arranged so that the rotation center of the waste liquid case intersects a virtual straight line passing through the straight portion of the waste liquid pipe.

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