Printing device

Abstract

Provided is a printing device capable of suppressing occurrence of an adverse situation in a liquid supply tube due to contact of the liquid supply tube with a waste liquid container. In the printing device, a holding portion that holds the waste liquid container is disposed at a position that is higher than a conveyance path and is downstream of a conveyance direction of a movement path of a carriage, a waste liquid container region in a region within the printing device, which overlaps the waste liquid container, overlaps the movement path of the carriage as viewed in the conveyance direction, a liquid supply tube overlaps the waste liquid container region as viewed in the conveyance direction, and a contact suppression member that suppresses contact of the waste liquid container with the liquid supply tube is disposed between the liquid supply tube and the waste liquid container region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to printing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Research and development are underway on printing apparatus for printing images on printed media.

[0003] Regarding this, a printing apparatus is known, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying a printing medium in a conveying direction; a print head for printing an image on the printing medium conveyed in the conveying direction; a carriage for moving the print head back and forth above the conveying path of the printing medium toward a scanning direction intersecting the conveying direction; a liquid container connecting unit for connecting a liquid container for containing liquid supplied to the print head; a liquid supply pipe connected to the liquid container connecting unit and supplying liquid from the liquid container to the print head via the liquid container connecting unit; a holding unit for holding a waste liquid container for containing waste liquid discharged from the print head; and a discharge unit. The nozzle has a discharge outlet for discharging waste liquid. In the printing apparatus, the holding part is located in a region within the printing apparatus that overlaps with the waste liquid container held in the holding part and a portion of the moving path when viewed from the conveying direction. A portion of the liquid supply pipe is located between the moving path and the waste liquid container area when viewed from the direction of gravity, and overlaps with the waste liquid container area when viewed from the conveying direction (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-187888

[0005] In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, during the installation and removal of the waste liquid container from the printing apparatus, contact sometimes occurs between the waste liquid container and the liquid supply pipe. This can sometimes cause malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe, which is undesirable. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, one aspect of this disclosure is a printing apparatus comprising: a transport section for transporting a printing medium along a transport direction; a print head for printing an image on the printing medium; a carriage for moving the print head back and forth above the transport path of the printing medium toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction; a liquid container connection section for connecting a liquid container for containing liquid supplied to the print head; a liquid supply pipe connected to the liquid container connection section and supplying the liquid from the liquid container to the print head via the liquid container connection section; a holding section for holding a waste liquid container capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the print head; a discharge section having a nozzle having a discharge outlet for discharging the waste liquid; and a contact suppression member for suppressing contact. The waste liquid container held in the holding part contacts the liquid supply pipe. In the printing apparatus, the holding part is located above the transport path and downstream of the carriage's movement path in the transport direction. The waste liquid container area, which overlaps with the waste liquid container held in the holding part, is positioned where a portion of the movement path overlaps when viewed from the transport direction. A portion of the liquid supply pipe, when viewed from the direction of gravity, is located between the movement path and the waste liquid container area, and overlaps with the waste liquid container area when viewed from the transport direction. The contact inhibition member is disposed between the liquid supply pipe and the waste liquid container area.

[0007] Additionally, one aspect of this disclosure is a printing apparatus comprising: a transport section for transporting a printing medium along a transport direction; a print head for printing an image on the printing medium; a carriage for moving the print head back and forth above the transport path of the printing medium toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction; a liquid container connection section connected to a liquid container for containing liquid supplied to the print head; a liquid supply pipe connected to the liquid container connection section and supplying the liquid from the liquid container to the print head via the liquid container connection section; a holding section for holding a waste liquid container capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the print head; and a discharge section having a nozzle having a discharge outlet for discharging the waste liquid. In this printing apparatus, the holding section is positioned above the transport path and above the transport path. The carriage's movement path is further downstream in the conveying direction. A portion of the movement path overlaps with the waste liquid containment area held in the holding part within the printing apparatus, as viewed from the conveying direction. A portion of the liquid supply pipe, viewed from the direction of gravity, is located between the movement path and the waste liquid containment area, and overlaps with the waste liquid containment area as viewed from the conveying direction. The waste liquid containment is connectable to the nozzle, which extends in a discharge direction represented by the composite vector of a vector representing the direction opposite to the conveying direction and a vector representing the direction opposite to gravity. The discharge outlet is formed at the tip of the nozzle in the discharge outlet direction. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the waste liquid containment body WFB when installed in the printing apparatus 1.

[0010] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of an example of the printing apparatus 1 with its cover CV open relative to the housing BX.

[0011] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 A top view of the internal structure of the housing BX in the printing apparatus 1 shown.

[0012] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the configuration within the printing apparatus 1 shown.

[0013] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1A perspective view of an example of the configuration of the periphery of the print head HD of the printing apparatus 1 shown.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the discharge section OM according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a side view showing an example of the state of the waste liquid container WFB before it is inserted into the retaining part HLD from top to bottom.

[0016] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 The diagram shows a perspective view of the waste liquid containment body WFB and the discharge part OM.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a side view showing an example of the waste liquid containment body WFB being in the second position.

[0018] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 The diagram shows a perspective view of the waste liquid containment body WFB and the discharge part OM.

[0019] Figure 12 This is a side view showing an example of the waste liquid containment body WFB being in the first position.

[0020] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 The diagram shows a perspective view of the waste liquid containment body WFB and the discharge part OM.

[0021] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing an example of a waste liquid containment body (WFB) located in a second position (the second position is located downstream of the first position in the scanning direction).

[0022] Figure 15 This is a side view showing another example of the structure of a waste liquid containment body (WFB).

[0023] Figure 16 This is a side view showing an example of the discharge section OM involved in a variation of embodiment 1.

[0024] Figure 17 It is shown Figure 16 A side view of an example of the connection between the waste liquid containment body WFB and the nozzle NZ.

[0025] Figure 18 This is a side view showing an example of the discharge section OM involved in a variation of the embodiment 2.

[0026] Figure 19 It is shown Figure 18A perspective view of an example of the condition in which nozzle NZ1 of the discharge section OM is connected to orifice HL1 and nozzle NZ2 is connected to orifice HL2.

[0027] Figure 20 This is a side view showing an example of a cover CV that functions as the operating part OPR, together with the discharge section OM and the waste liquid containment body WFB.

[0028] Figure 21 This is a perspective view showing an example of a waste liquid containment body WFB with holes HL1 and HL2 formed on its upper surface.

[0029] Figure 22 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a situation where the orifice HL1 and nozzle NZ1 are connected and the orifice HL2 and nozzle NZ2 are connected by rotating the first component EN.

[0030] Figure 23 This is a front surface view of an example of a waste liquid containment body WFB with holes HL1 and HL2 formed on the surface in the scanning direction.

[0031] Figure 24 This is a diagram showing an example of a protective component PF that has a portion that functions as a contact-inhibiting component WL.

[0032] Figure 25 This is a top view showing an example of the condition of the waste liquid containment body WFB in the first position on the holding part HLD.

[0033] Figure 26 This is a top view showing an example of the waste liquid containment body WFB contacting the protective component PF in a position further away from the second position and in the opposite direction to the conveying direction.

[0034] Figure 27 This is a side view showing an example of the holding part HLD in the case where the printing apparatus 1 has a partition wall WL2 that functions as a contact suppression member WL.

[0035] Figure 28 This is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the partition wall WL2, which is integrally formed with the retaining part HLD.

[0036] Figure 29 This is a side view showing an example of the contact between the partition wall WL2 and the liquid supply pipe TB.

[0037] Figure 30 This is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a waste liquid containment body WFB having a contact portion SHT1.

[0038] Figure 31This is a diagram showing an example of the situation where the contact part SHT1 is in the open position, and both holes HL1 and HL2 formed in the waste liquid containment body WFB can be seen.

[0039] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0040] 1…printing apparatus; AX…rotating shaft; BD1…circuit board; BD2…board connection part; BX…housing; CG…carriage; CN11…liquid container connection part; CT, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT6…liquid container; CV…cover; EN…first component; FLT…absorption component; H…transportation part; HD…print head; HL, HL1, HL2…holes; HLD…holding part; LOH, LOH1, LOH2…discharge outlet; M1…first surface; M2…second surface; MM, MM2…moving mechanism; NZ, NZ1, NZ2…nozzle; O M…Discharge section; OPR…Operating section; OPRM…Guide surface; PF…Protective component; POH…Printing media discharge port; PT1…Conveyor path; PT2…Movement path; PTM…Protrusion; SHT1…Abutted section; SHT2…Abutting section; SP…Force-applying component; TB, TB1, TB2, TB3, TB4, TB5, TB6…Liquid supply pipes; TBA…First section; TBB…Second section; TC…Three-dimensional coordinate system; TP…Input receiving section; VC…Suction mechanism; WFB…Waste liquid containment body; WL…Contact inhibition component; WL1…Barrier section; WL2…Blocker. Detailed Implementation

[0041] <Implementation Method>

[0042] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] <Summary of the printing apparatus involved in the implementation>

[0044] First, an overview of the printing apparatus involved in the implementation method will be described.

[0045] The printing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a transport section, a print head, a carriage, a liquid container connection section, a liquid supply pipe, a holding section, and a discharge section. The transport section transports printing media along a transport direction. The print head prints an image on the printing media. The carriage moves the print head back and forth above the transport path of the printing media toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction. The liquid container connection section is connected to a liquid container that holds liquid supplied to the print head. The liquid supply pipe is connected to the liquid container connection section and supplies liquid from the liquid container to the print head via the liquid container connection section. The holding section holds a waste liquid container capable of holding waste liquid discharged from the print head. The discharge section has a nozzle with a discharge outlet for discharging waste liquid. Furthermore, the holding section is located above the transport path and downstream of the carriage's movement path in the transport direction, in a region within the printing apparatus where the waste liquid container area overlapping with the waste liquid container held in the holding section overlaps with a portion of the movement path when viewed from the transport direction. Furthermore, a portion of the liquid supply pipe, when viewed from the direction of gravity, is located between the moving path and the waste liquid containment area, and when viewed from the transport direction, overlaps with the waste liquid containment area. Additionally, at least a portion of the discharge section, when viewed from the transport direction, overlaps with the waste liquid containment area, and when viewed from the scanning direction, is located downstream of the waste liquid containment area in the transport direction. Furthermore, the waste liquid containment area is separated from the liquid supply pipe. Additionally, the nozzle extends towards the direction of gravity. Furthermore, the discharge port is formed at the tip of the nozzle in the direction of gravity. Therefore, compared to the case where the nozzle extends parallel to the transport direction, this printing apparatus can increase the distance between the liquid supply pipe and the waste liquid containment. As a result, this printing apparatus can suppress defects in the liquid supply pipe caused by contact between the waste liquid containment and the liquid supply pipe.

[0046] The configuration of the printing apparatus according to the embodiments will be described in detail below.

[0047] <The configuration of the printing apparatus involved in the implementation>

[0048] The configuration of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment will now be described using printing apparatus 1 as an example. It should be noted that, for ease of explanation, the user of printing apparatus 1 will be referred to simply as the user in the following description.

[0049] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

[0050] Here, the three-dimensional coordinate system TC is a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system representing the orientation of the diagram depicting the three-dimensional coordinate system TC. For ease of explanation, the X-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the X-axis. Similarly, for ease of explanation, the Y-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the Y-axis. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the Z-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the Z-axis. Additionally, as an example, the case where the negative direction of the Z-axis coincides with the direction of gravity will be explained below. Therefore, for ease of explanation, the positive direction of the Z-axis will be referred to as the up direction or simply up, and the negative direction of the Z-axis will be referred to as the down direction or simply down.

[0051] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the surface of the printing apparatus 1 facing the positive direction of the X-axis will be referred to as the front surface of the printing apparatus 1, and the surface of the printing apparatus 1 facing the negative direction of the X-axis will be referred to as the rear surface of the printing apparatus 1. For ease of explanation, the surface of the printing apparatus 1 facing the positive direction of the Y-axis will be referred to as the right surface of the printing apparatus 1, and the surface of the printing apparatus 1 facing the negative direction of the Y-axis will be referred to as the left surface of the printing apparatus 1. For ease of explanation, the surface of the printing apparatus 1 facing the positive direction of the Z-axis will be referred to as the upper surface of the printing apparatus 1, and the surface of the printing apparatus 1 facing the negative direction of the Z-axis will be referred to as the lower surface of the printing apparatus 1. Furthermore, as an example, the case where the conveying direction of the printing medium is aligned with the positive direction of the X-axis will be explained below. Finally, the case where the printing apparatus 1 is viewed from a certain direction will be explained below as the case viewed from that direction.

[0052] The printing apparatus 1 prints an image on a printing medium. The printing medium can be any medium, such as printing paper, sticker backing paper, or other sheet-like media.

[0053] The printing apparatus 1 is composed of a housing BX, a cover CV, and an input receiving section TP. That is, the printing apparatus 1 includes a housing BX, a cover CV, and an input receiving section TP. It should be noted that the printing apparatus 1 may also be configured to include other components as constituent parts of the outer shape of the printing apparatus 1 in addition to the housing BX, the cover CV, and the input receiving section TP.

[0054] The housing BX is the housing of the printing apparatus 1. The housing BX is generally rectangular in shape. The housing BX opens upwards. The housing BX houses the components of the printing apparatus 1 other than the components that constitute its external shape.

[0055] Additionally, a printing media outlet (POH) is formed on the housing BX. The printing media outlet (POH) is an opening formed in the opening of the housing BX for the discharge of printing media after the image has been printed. Figure 1 In the example shown, the housing BX has a cover that can be opened and closed from the front to cover the printing media outlet POH. Furthermore, in Figure 1 In this structure, the printing media outlet POH is sealed by the cover. Therefore, in Figure 1 In the middle, the printing media outlet POH is hidden behind the cover.

[0056] The cover CV is a component that can be opened and closed from above to cover the opening of the housing BX. Therefore, the cover CV is a component that constitutes the upper surface of the printing apparatus 1 on the outer surface of the printing apparatus 1.

[0057] The input receiving unit TP is an input device for the printing apparatus 1 to accept various operations. The input receiving unit TP is, for example, a touch panel that integrates a touchpad and a display. It should be noted that the input receiving unit TP may also be configured to replace the touch panel or include, in addition to a touch panel, hardware keys for accepting these various operations. These hardware keys may be, for example, buttons, levers, etc., but are not limited to these.

[0058] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the input receiving unit TP is mounted on the cover CV. Therefore, the input receiving unit TP moves relative to the housing BX together with the cover CV in response to the opening and closing of the cover CV. Figure 1 In the example shown, with the cover CV closed relative to the housing BX, the input receiving unit TP forms the upper right surface of the front surface of the printing device 1.

[0059] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer. Therefore, one or more liquid containers and waste liquid containers (WFB) are installed in the printing apparatus 1. It should be noted that the printing apparatus 1 may be configured to have only some or all of the liquid containers, or it may be configured to have only some or all of the liquid containers. Additionally, the printing apparatus 1 may be configured to have or not have waste liquid containers (WFB).

[0060] One or more liquid containers are components that contain the liquid ejected by the printing apparatus 1 for printing images on a printing medium. This liquid is, for example, ink. Therefore, for ease of explanation, the liquid will be referred to as ink below. In the case of ink, each of the one or more liquid containers is, for example, an ink cartridge, but may also be other components capable of containing ink. It should be noted that the liquid may also be other liquids that the printing apparatus 1 can use to print images on a printing medium, instead of ink.

[0061] Here, when the printing apparatus 1 is a monochrome printing press, it is equipped with one or more liquid containers holding black ink. Furthermore, when the printing apparatus 1 is a color printing press, in addition to the one or more liquid containers holding black ink, it is also equipped with one or more liquid containers holding cyan ink, one or more liquid containers holding magenta ink, and one or more liquid containers holding yellow ink. The case where the printing apparatus 1 is a color printing press will be described below as an example. Figure 1 In the example shown, six liquid containers are installed in the printing apparatus 1. For ease of explanation, these six liquid containers will be referred to as Liquid Container CT1, Liquid Container CT2, Liquid Container CT3, Liquid Container CT4, Liquid Container CT5, and Liquid Container CT6. Furthermore, as an example, Liquid Containers CT1 through CT3 will be described as ink cartridges containing black ink. Furthermore, as an example, Liquid Container CT4 will be described as an ink cartridge containing cyan ink. Furthermore, as an example, Liquid Container CT5 will be described as an ink cartridge containing magenta ink. Furthermore, as an example, Liquid Container CT6 will be described as an ink cartridge containing yellow ink. For ease of explanation, unless it is necessary to distinguish between these six liquid containers, they will all be referred to as Liquid Container CT.

[0062] The waste liquid containment body (WFB) is a component that contains waste liquid. Waste liquid refers to, for example, ink that adheres to the printing apparatus 1 but not to the printing medium during printing, or ink discharged due to maintenance of the print head of the printing apparatus 1, but is not limited to these. It should be noted that ink adhering to the printing apparatus 1 can occur, for example, due to borderless printing. Furthermore, ink discharged due to this maintenance includes, but is not limited to, ink used for rinsing the print head of the printing apparatus 1, ink drawn from the print head, etc. It should be noted that in… Figure 1 In order to prevent the diagram from becoming too complex, the waste liquid containment body WFB is represented as a cuboid-shaped object.

[0063] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the waste liquid containment body WFB when installed in the printing apparatus 1. However, in Figure 2 In order to clearly show the appearance of the waste liquid containment body WFB, the printing device 1 is omitted. Figure 2As shown, the waste liquid containment body WFB is generally a cuboid-shaped component. Inside the waste liquid containment body WFB is an absorbent component FLT that absorbs the waste liquid from the printing device 1. The absorbent component FLT is, for example, fiber such as felt, but can also be other components capable of absorbing the waste liquid from the printing device 1. It should be noted that... Figure 2 In order to prevent the diagram from becoming complicated, the absorption component FLT contained inside the waste liquid containment body WFB is represented as a cuboid-shaped object.

[0064] One or more holes are formed on the waste liquid containment body WFB, connecting the exterior and interior of the waste liquid containment body WFB. Below, as an example, the one or more holes formed in the waste liquid containment body WFB are... Figure 2 The case of the hole HL will be explained. The hole HL is a hole through which the waste liquid of the printing apparatus 1 passes from the outside of the waste liquid containment body WFB to the inside of the waste liquid containment body WFB. That is, the waste liquid of the printing apparatus 1 is absorbed by the absorption member FLT contained inside the waste liquid containment body WFB through the hole HL.

[0065] Here, in printing apparatus 1, as described later, the waste liquid is discharged from top to bottom. Therefore, in Figure 2 In the example shown, a protrusion PTM protruding in the transport direction is provided on the surface of the waste liquid container WFB when it is installed in the printing apparatus 1. Furthermore, in this example, an orifice HL opens upwards on the upper surface of the protrusion PTM. In this case, the orifice HL is formed at a position that does not overlap with the absorbent member FLT housed inside the waste liquid container WFB when viewed from the direction of gravity. Therefore, the orifice HL penetrates the interior of the protrusion PTM and reaches the interior of the waste liquid container WFB, so that waste liquid flowing in from the orifice HL is guided towards the interior of the waste liquid container WFB. Thus, even when waste liquid is discharged from top to bottom as in this example, the waste liquid container WFB allows the absorbent member FLT to efficiently absorb the waste liquid. Furthermore, by providing the protrusion PTM, the waste liquid container WFB does not need to have its volume increased in the printing apparatus 1 to receive waste liquid discharged from top. This is useful as it prevents the printing apparatus 1 from becoming too large. It should be noted that the waste liquid containment body WFB can also be shaped such that the absorbent component FLT is located below the protrusion PTM. In this case, the hole HL is formed at a position where it overlaps with the absorbent component FLT when viewed from the direction of gravity.

[0066] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, a circuit board BD1 is mounted on the waste liquid containment body WFB. Figure 2In the example shown, the circuit board BD1 is disposed on the surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB, which is mounted on the printing apparatus 1, in the direction opposite to the scanning direction. Furthermore, in Figure 2 In the example shown, the circuit board BD1 is connected to the printing apparatus 1 facing the transport direction. It should be noted that the circuit board BD1 may also be disposed on a surface other than the surface in the opposite direction to the scanning direction of the surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB.

[0067] The circuit board BD1 is, for example, a waste liquid containment body WFB installed in the printing apparatus 1, which outputs information indicating that a waste liquid containment body WFB is installed in the printing apparatus 1 based on the power supplied from the printing apparatus 1. It should be noted that the circuit board BD1 may also be a board that replaces the processing of outputting this information or performs other processing besides the processing of outputting this information.

[0068] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1 includes, for example, a transport section H, a print head HD, a carriage CG, a liquid container connection section CN11, a liquid supply pipe TB, a discharge section OM, a holding section HLD, and a suction mechanism VC. In the printing apparatus 1, the transport section H, print head HD, carriage CG, liquid supply pipe TB, discharge section OM, and holding section HLD are each housed within a housing BX. Additionally, in the printing apparatus 1, the liquid container connection section CN11 is provided within a recess formed on the outer surface of the housing BX. It should be noted that the printing apparatus 1 may also be configured to include other components besides the transport section H, print head HD, carriage CG, liquid container connection section CN11, liquid supply pipe TB, discharge section OM, and holding section HLD.

[0069] Here, Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an example of the printing apparatus 1 with its cover CV open relative to the housing BX. Additionally, Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 A top view of the internal structure of the housing BX in the printing apparatus 1 shown. However, in Figure 4 In order to clearly show the structure, the CV mask has been omitted. Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the configuration within the printing apparatus 1 shown. However, Figure 5 The sectional view shown is a sectional view of the printing apparatus 1 taken along an imaginary plane orthogonal to the Y-axis, in a manner that the plane of the carriage CG in the negative direction of the Y-axis and the plane of the waste liquid containment body WFB installed on the printing apparatus 1 can be seen. Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of an example of the configuration of the periphery of the print head HD of the printing apparatus 1 shown.

[0070] The conveying unit H includes a paper feeding motor, multiple paper feeding rollers driven by the paper feeding motor, etc., and conveys the printing medium along the conveying direction. It should be noted that... Figure 1 In order to avoid complicating the diagram, the conveyor unit H is depicted as a cuboid-shaped object. Additionally, in... Figures 3-5 In order to prevent the diagram from becoming too complicated, the transport unit H has been omitted.

[0071] The print head HD is an example of the print head in the aforementioned printing apparatus 1. The print head HD is an inkjet print head. That is, the print head HD prints an image on the printing medium by ejecting supplied ink onto the printing medium. It should be noted that in... Figure 1 In order to prevent the image from becoming too complex, the print head HD is depicted as a cuboid object. Additionally, in... Figures 3-5 The printhead HD is hidden behind other components and cannot be seen.

[0072] The carriage CG moves the print head HD back and forth in a scanning direction that intersects the transport direction. Below, as an example, ... Figure 5 As shown, the case where the scanning direction is aligned with the positive Y-axis is explained. In this case, the scanning direction is orthogonal to both the transport direction and the gravity direction. Additionally, as... Figure 5 As shown, the carriage CG moves the print head HD above the transport path PT1 of the printing media. Here, in Figure 5 In the diagram, the transport path PT1 is represented by a dashed line. It should be noted that... Figure 5 The conveying path PT1 shown is a straight path, but it can also be a path that at least partially includes a curved path.

[0073] The liquid containment body connector CN11 is a connector for connecting a liquid containment body CT. The liquid containment body connector CN11 is located within a recess formed on the outer surface of the housing BX, which serves as a recess for housing the liquid containment body CT. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the example shown, the recess is formed on the lower right side of the front surface of the housing BX. Therefore, when the cover CV is closed relative to the housing BX, the recess is located below the input receiving section TP. It should be noted that... Figure 1 and Figure 3 In order to avoid complicating the diagram, the liquid containment body connection CN11 is represented by a cuboid-shaped object. Additionally, in... Figure 4 and Figure 5 In order to avoid complicating the diagram, the liquid containment connection part CN11 has been omitted.

[0074] The liquid supply tube TB is a tube connected to the liquid container connection part CN11 and supplies ink from the liquid container CT to the printhead HD via the liquid container connection part CN11. That is, the liquid supply tube TB is connected between the liquid container connection part CN11 and the printhead HD. It should be noted that... Figures 3-5 In the middle, the liquid supply pipe TB is hidden behind other components and cannot be seen.

[0075] like Figure 6 As shown, the liquid supply tube TB contains more than one liquid supply tube. In this example, six liquid containers are connected to the liquid container connection part CN11 as liquid container CT. In this case, the liquid supply tube TB contains six liquid supply tubes. For ease of explanation, these six liquid supply tubes will be referred to as liquid supply tube TB1, liquid supply tube TB2, liquid supply tube TB3, liquid supply tube TB4, liquid supply tube TB5, and liquid supply tube TB6. Here, liquid supply tube TB1 supplies ink from liquid container CT1 to printhead HD. Liquid supply tube TB2 supplies ink from liquid container CT2 to printhead HD. Liquid supply tube TB3 supplies ink from liquid container CT3 to printhead HD. Liquid supply tube TB4 supplies ink from liquid container CT4 to printhead HD. Liquid supply tube TB5 supplies ink from liquid container CT5 to printhead HD. Liquid supply tube TB6 supplies ink from liquid container CT6 to printhead HD.

[0076] The liquid supply tube TB contains six liquid supply tubes arranged side by side in the transport direction. Therefore, when viewed from the transport direction, these six liquid supply tubes overlap, except for offsets such as those corresponding to the movement of the print head HD caused by the carriage CG.

[0077] In addition, such as Figure 6 As shown, the liquid supply tube TB bends between the liquid container connection CN11 and the printhead HD. The first portion TBA of the liquid supply tube TB, extending from the most bent position CP to the liquid container connection CN11, and the second portion TBB, extending from position CP to the printhead HD, do not overlap in the transport direction. Furthermore, in Figure 6In the example shown, the first part TBA and the second part TBB overlap when viewed from the direction of gravity. It should be noted that the first part TBA and the second part TBB may also be configured such that they do not partially or completely overlap when viewed from the direction of gravity. It should be noted that the first part TBA includes: the portion of the liquid supply pipe TB1 from its most curved position to the liquid container connection CN11; the portion of the liquid supply pipe TB2 from its most curved position to the liquid container connection CN11; the portion of the liquid supply pipe TB3 from its most curved position to the liquid container connection CN11; the portion of the liquid supply pipe TB4 from its most curved position to the liquid container connection CN11; the portion of the liquid supply pipe TB5 from its most curved position to the liquid container connection CN11; and the portion of the liquid supply pipe TB6 from its most curved position to the liquid container connection CN11. Additionally, the second part TBB includes: the portion of the liquid supply pipe TB1 from its most curved position to the print head HD, the portion of the liquid supply pipe TB2 from its most curved position to the print head HD, the portion of the liquid supply pipe TB3 from its most curved position to the print head HD, the portion of the liquid supply pipe TB4 from its most curved position to the print head HD, the portion of the liquid supply pipe TB5 from its most curved position to the print head HD, and the portion of the liquid supply pipe TB6 from its most curved position to the print head HD.

[0078] In addition, a protective component PF is provided on at least a portion of the liquid supply pipe TB. The protective component PF is made of a predetermined type of plastic, for example, made of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) film. The protective component PF protects the liquid supply pipe TB. That is, the protective component PF is respectively provided on at least a portion of the liquid supply pipe TB1, at least a portion of the liquid supply pipe TB2, at least a portion of the liquid supply pipe TB3, at least a portion of the liquid supply pipe TB4, at least a portion of the liquid supply pipe TB5, and at least a portion of the liquid supply pipe TB6, and protects these six liquid supply pipes.

[0079] exist Figures 3-6In the example shown, the protective component PF is provided in such a way that it covers approximately the entire outer peripheral surface of the curved liquid supply pipe TB. The outer peripheral surface of the liquid supply pipe TB refers to the surface formed by the surface of the first portion TBA that is opposite to the surface facing the second portion TBB, and the surface of the second portion TBB that is opposite to the surface facing the first portion TBA. Therefore, in Figures 3-5 In this example, the liquid supply pipe TB is covered by a protective component PF and is hidden behind the protective component PF. It should be noted that the protective component PF is fixed relative to the liquid supply pipe TB to a degree that allows it to offset back and forth relative to the liquid supply pipe TB in the conveying direction. Therefore, for example, when the protective component PF is pressed in the direction opposite to the conveying direction, it may sometimes offset relative to the liquid supply pipe TB in that direction. Furthermore, in this example, the protective component PF does not overlap with the liquid supply pipe TB when viewed from the conveying direction.

[0080] The discharge section OM has a nozzle with a discharge outlet for discharging the aforementioned waste liquid. At least a portion of the discharge section OM overlaps with the waste liquid containment area when viewed from the transport direction, and is located downstream of the waste liquid containment area in the transport direction when viewed from the scanning direction. Figures 3-5 In the example shown, the entire discharge section OM overlaps with the waste liquid containment area when viewed from the transport direction, and is located downstream of the waste liquid containment area in the transport direction when viewed from the scanning direction. Therefore, in this example, the discharge section OM overlaps with the waste liquid containment WFB held in the holding section HLD when viewed from the transport direction, and is located downstream of the waste liquid containment WFB in the transport direction in the scanning direction. Therefore, the discharge section OM is positioned in the scanning direction at a second end of the travel path PT2, closer to the center of the travel path PT2 in the direction opposite to the scanning direction. Detailed configuration of the discharge section OM will be described later.

[0081] The holding part HLD is a component that holds the waste liquid container WFB. In other words, the holding part HLD detachably holds the waste liquid container WFB. The holding part HLD includes, for example, a plate-shaped component capable of holding the waste liquid container WFB. This plate-shaped component can be flat, or it can be a shape including surfaces with uneven surfaces, or it can be a shape with openings such as a grid, or it can be any other shape capable of holding the waste liquid container WFB. It should be noted that the holding part HLD is arranged in the transport direction between the travel path PT2 of the carriage CG and the input receiving part TP. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the diagram, the movement path PT2 is represented by a dashed line. Additionally, the retaining part HLD is exposed through the opening of the housing BX when the cover CV opens.

[0082] Furthermore, the holding part HLD holds the waste liquid container WFB in a manner that allows it to move between a first position and a second position. The first position is predetermined as the position where the waste liquid container WFB receives waste liquid discharged from the discharge port of the discharge part OM, and the second position is predetermined as the position where the waste liquid container WFB does not receive waste liquid discharged from that discharge port. That is, when the waste liquid container WFB is in the first position, it receives waste liquid from the discharge part OM and is absorbed by the absorption member FLT. When the waste liquid container WFB is in the second position, it does not receive waste liquid from the discharge part OM. It should be noted that the second position is located upstream of the first position in the conveying direction. Hereinafter, as an example, the second position is the position of the waste liquid container WFB when the user inserts the waste liquid container WFB into the holding part HLD from top to bottom. In this case, after the user inserts the waste liquid container WFB into the holding part HLD from top to bottom, the waste liquid container WFB moves from the second position to the first position on the holding part HLD. Therefore, the waste liquid container WFB is installed on the printing device 1, thereby enabling it to receive waste liquid discharged from the discharge section OM. It should be noted that the second position may be a different position from the position of the waste liquid container WFB when the user inserts the waste liquid container WFB into the holding section HLD from top to bottom, and the first position.

[0083] The holding part HLD is positioned above the transport path PT1 and downstream of the carriage CG's moving path PT2 in the transport direction, at a location where the waste liquid containment area overlaps with a portion of the carriage CG's moving path PT2 when viewed from the transport direction. The waste liquid containment area refers to the area within the printing apparatus 1 that overlaps with the waste liquid containment body WFB held in the holding part HLD. More specifically, it includes both the first area within the printing apparatus 1 that overlaps with the waste liquid containment body WFB held in the holding part HLD at the aforementioned first position, and the second area within the printing apparatus 1 that overlaps with the waste liquid containment body WFB held in the holding part HLD at a second position. Therefore, when the waste liquid containment body WFB is held in the holding part HLD, the waste liquid containment body WFB overlaps with a portion of the moving path PT2 in the transport direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, the holding part HLD is positioned above the printing media outlet POH when viewed from the conveying direction.

[0084] Furthermore, the holding part HLD has a substrate connection part BD2 that can be electrically connected to the circuit board BD1 of the waste liquid containment body WFB. The substrate connection part BD2 is positioned to connect to the circuit board BD1 of the waste liquid containment body WFB when the waste liquid containment body WFB moves from the second position to the first position. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this diagram, to avoid complicating the illustration, the substrate connection portion BD2 is represented as a cuboid-shaped object. It should be noted that... Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the example shown, the waste liquid containment area is located closer to the second end of the movement path PT2 in the opposite direction to the scanning direction than the first end of the movement path PT2 of the carriage CG in the scanning direction. Therefore, in this example, the substrate connection portion BD2 is also located closer to the second end of the movement path PT2 in the opposite direction to the scanning direction than the first end of the movement path PT2 of the carriage CG in the scanning direction. In other words, in this example, the substrate connection portion BD2 is located close to the second end of the movement path PT2 of the carriage CG, which is opposite to the first end in the positive direction of the Y-axis.

[0085] The suction mechanism VC is positioned closer to the first end of the scanning direction of the travel path PT2 than the center of the travel path PT2, and draws ink from the printhead HD as waste liquid. The suction mechanism VC supplies the ink drawn as waste liquid to the discharge section OM via a supply pipe (not shown).

[0086] In this example, as described above, the user places the waste liquid container WFB in the second position by inserting it from top to bottom into the holding part HLD. This is because when attempting to place the waste liquid container WFB in the first position by inserting it from top to bottom into the holding part HLD, the waste liquid container WFB interferes with the discharge part OM. Therefore, the user moves the waste liquid container WFB from the second position to the first position by moving it in the conveying direction on the holding part HLD. Thus, the user can install the waste liquid container WFB on the printing device 1 without interfering with the discharge part OM. However, when placing the waste liquid container WFB in the second position, it may sometimes come into contact with the liquid supply pipe TB due to hand movements, etc. This may also happen when the user pulls the waste liquid container WFB out of the second position. Furthermore, when the user removes the waste liquid container WFB from the printing device 1, after moving the waste liquid container WFB from the first position to the second position, the user pulls the waste liquid container WFB upwards. Therefore, the user may sometimes cause the waste liquid container WFB to come into contact with the liquid supply pipe TB due to the movement of the waste liquid container WFB from the first position to the second position. Such contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB can cause malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe TB, and is therefore undesirable.

[0087] Regarding such contact between the waste liquid containment body WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB, the larger the gap distance between the waste liquid containment body WFB placed in the second position and the protective member PF, the less likely it is to occur. This is because the gap distance is a distance longer than the distance between the waste liquid containment body WFB placed in the second position and the liquid supply pipe TB. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment configures the discharge section OM as follows: Figure 7 The configuration shown can prevent the waste liquid containment body WFB from contacting the liquid supply pipe TB. Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the discharge section OM according to the embodiment.

[0088] The discharge section OM has two nozzles, for example, nozzle NZ1 forming a discharge outlet LOH1 for discharging waste liquid and nozzle NZ2 forming a discharge outlet LOH2 for discharging waste liquid. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, nozzles NZ1 and NZ2 will be referred to as nozzle NZ unless distinction is needed. Similarly, hereafter, for ease of explanation, discharge outlets LOH1 and LOH2 will be referred to as discharge outlet LOH unless distinction is needed. It should be noted that the discharge section OM may have one or more nozzles.

[0089] The nozzle NZ extends in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 discharges waste liquid from top to bottom. Furthermore, since the nozzle NZ extends in the direction of gravity, the discharge port LOH1 is formed at the tip of the nozzle NZ1 in the direction of gravity. Additionally, the discharge port LOH2 is formed at the tip of the nozzle NZ2 in the direction of gravity. Thus, the discharge section OM can discharge waste liquid in the direction of gravity, and it can suppress waste liquid residue in the nozzle NZ after discharge. As a result, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress waste liquid dripping from the nozzle NZ when the waste liquid container WFB is removed. Furthermore, by extending the nozzle NZ in the direction of gravity, the length of the discharge section OM in the transport direction can be shortened compared to the case where the nozzle NZ extends in the direction opposite to the transport direction. As a result, compared to the case where the nozzle NZ extends in the direction opposite to the transport direction, the printing apparatus 1 can extend the aforementioned gap distance. That is, the printing apparatus 1 can prevent the waste liquid container WFB from contacting the liquid supply pipe TB, and can prevent the liquid supply pipe TB from malfunctioning due to the contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB.

[0090] <The operation of the waste liquid containment device when the user installs it on the printing equipment>

[0091] Here, the operation of the waste liquid containment body WFB when the user installs it on the printing device 1 will be explained.

[0092] Figure 8 This is a side view showing an example of the waste liquid containment unit WFB being inserted into the retaining part HLD from top to bottom. Figure 8 In the diagram, the retaining part HLD, the carriage CG, the protective component PF, and the discharge part OM are shown together with the waste liquid containment body WFB. Figure 8 The waste liquid containment body WFB shown is positioned in the second position by being inserted downwards into the retaining part HLD. It should be noted that... Figure 8 In the middle, the lower part is indicated by arrow A1. Additionally, Figure 9 yes Figure 8 The diagram shows a perspective view of the waste liquid containment body WFB and the discharge part OM.

[0093] Figure 8 and Figure 9 The waste liquid containment body WFB shown does not overlap with the discharge section OM when viewed from the direction of gravity. Therefore, even if the user... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The waste liquid container WFB moves downwards without interfering with the discharge section OM. Therefore, by inserting the waste liquid container WFB from top to bottom into the holding section HLD, the user can position the waste liquid container WFB in the second position.

[0094] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, the gap distance between the waste liquid container WFB and the protective member PF in the conveying direction is represented by distance W1. As mentioned earlier, since the nozzle NZ of the discharge section OM extends in the direction of gravity, distance W1 is longer than when the nozzle NZ of the discharge section OM extends in the opposite direction to the conveying direction. As a result, as mentioned earlier, the printing apparatus 1 can prevent the waste liquid container WFB from contacting the liquid supply pipe TB, and can prevent malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe TB caused by contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB.

[0095] on the other hand, Figure 10 This is a side view showing an example of the waste liquid containment body (WFB) in the second position. Figure 10 In the middle, the retaining part HLD, the carriage CG, the protective part PF, and the discharge part OM are also shown together with the waste liquid containment body WFB. Figure 10 The waste liquid containment body WFB shown is positioned in the first position by moving on the holding part HLD toward the conveying direction. It should be noted that... Figure 10 In the diagram, the conveying direction is indicated by arrow A2. Additionally, Figure 11 yes Figure 10 The diagram shows a perspective view of the waste liquid containment body WFB and the discharge part OM.

[0096] and, Figure 12 This is a side view showing an example of the waste liquid containment body (WFB) in its first position. Figure 12 In the middle, along with the waste liquid containment body WFB, the holding part HLD, the carriage CG, the protective part PF, and the discharge part OM are also shown. Figure 12 The waste liquid containment body WFB shown is located in the first position. Therefore, the distance between the waste liquid containment body WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB is a distance W2 that is longer than the distance W1, which is an example of a gap distance. Figure 13 yes Figure 12 The diagram shows a perspective view of the waste liquid containment body WFB and the discharge part OM.

[0097] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, when the waste liquid containment body WFB is in the first position, the discharge port LOH is located above the hole HL formed on the upper surface of the protrusion PTM of the waste liquid containment body WFB. Therefore, in this case, the waste liquid discharged from the discharge part OM is absorbed by the absorption member FLT contained inside the waste liquid containment body WFB through the hole HL. It should be noted that in this case, the nozzle NZ is not connected to the hole HL. When the nozzle NZ is not connected to the hole HL, the printing apparatus 1 does not need the component required to connect the nozzle NZ and the hole HL, resulting in simplification of the manufacturing process and reduction of manufacturing costs.

[0098] As described above, the printing apparatus 1 includes: a transport section H for transporting a printing medium along a transport direction; a print head HD for printing an image on the printing medium; a carriage CG for moving the print head HD back and forth above the transport path PT1 of the printing medium in a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction; a liquid container connection section CN11 connected to a liquid container CT for containing ink supplied to the print head HD; a liquid supply pipe TB connected to the liquid container connection section CN11 and supplying ink from the liquid container CT to the print head HD via the liquid container connection section CN11; a holding section HLD for holding a waste liquid container WFB capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the print head HD; and a discharge section OM having a nozzle NZ with a discharge outlet LOH for discharging waste liquid. In the printing apparatus, the holding section HLD is positioned above the transport path PT1 and above the carriage CG. In the printing apparatus 1, located downstream of the moving path PT2 in the transport direction, a portion of the waste liquid containment area that overlaps with the waste liquid containment body WFB held in the holding part HLD overlaps with a portion of the moving path PT2 of the carriage CG when viewed from the transport direction. A portion of the liquid supply pipe TB, when viewed from the gravity direction, is located between the moving path PT2 and the waste liquid containment area, and overlaps with the waste liquid containment area when viewed from the transport direction. At least a portion of the discharge part OM overlaps with the waste liquid containment area when viewed from the transport direction, and is located downstream of the waste liquid containment area in the transport direction when viewed from the scanning direction. The waste liquid containment area is separated from the liquid supply pipe TB, the nozzle NZ extends towards the gravity direction, and the discharge outlet LOH is formed at the front end of the nozzle NZ in the gravity direction. Therefore, compared to the case where the nozzle NZ extends parallel to the transport direction, the printing apparatus 1 can increase the gap distance between the liquid supply pipe TB and the waste liquid containment body WFB. As a result, the printing apparatus 1 is able to suppress the malfunction of the liquid supply pipe TB caused by contact between the waste liquid containment body WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB.

[0099] It should be noted that in the printing apparatus 1 described above, the second position is located upstream of the first position in the transport direction, but it can also be configured such that the second position is located upstream or downstream of the first position in the scanning direction. Figure 14 This diagram illustrates an example of a waste liquid containment unit (WFB) located in a second position (the second position being downstream of the first position in the scanning direction). Figure 14 In this diagram, the discharge section OM is shown together with the waste liquid containment body WFB. In this case, compared to the case where the second position is located upstream in the conveying direction than the first position, the printing apparatus 1 can extend the gap distance by the amount of the length of the protrusion PTM in the conveying direction. This is because, as... Figure 14As shown, in the second position, when viewed from the scanning direction, the protrusion PTM of the waste liquid container WFB is parallel to the discharge part OM in the direction of gravity. However, in this case, the distance between the waste liquid container WFB in the first position and the liquid supply pipe TB is the same as the distance between the waste liquid container WFB in the second position and the liquid supply pipe TB. Here, when the second position is located downstream of the scanning direction than the first position, the user can move the waste liquid container WFB from the second position to the first position by moving it in the direction opposite to the scanning direction. However, in this case, the circuit board BD1 of the waste liquid container WFB is connected to the substrate connection part BD2 provided on the holding part HLD in the direction opposite to the scanning direction. It should be noted that in Figure 14 In the diagram, the direction opposite to the scanning direction is indicated by arrow A3. Furthermore, when the second position is located upstream of the first position in the scanning direction, the user can move the waste liquid container WFB from the second position to the first position by moving it in the scanning direction. In this case, the circuit board BD1 of the waste liquid container WFB is connected relative to the substrate connection portion BD2 provided on the holding portion HLD in a direction opposite to the scanning direction.

[0100] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1 described above, the protrusion PTM may also be provided in the waste liquid container WFB in a configuration that allows switching between a state where it protrudes from the surface of the waste liquid container WFB in the direction of transport and a state where it is contained inside the waste liquid container WFB. Figure 15 This is a side view showing another example of the structure of a waste liquid containment unit (WFB). Figure 15 In the example shown, the protrusion PTM of the waste liquid containment body WFB is in a state where it is contained within the waste liquid containment body WFB. Therefore, in Figure 15In the diagram, the outline of the protrusion PTM housed inside the waste liquid container WFB is represented by a dashed line. When the protrusion PTM is housed inside the waste liquid container WFB, the printing apparatus 1 can extend the gap distance by the length of the protrusion PTM in the transport direction. This is because, when the protrusion PTM is housed inside the waste liquid container WFB, even when the waste liquid container WFB is inserted into the holding part HLD from top to bottom, the protrusion PTM does not interfere with the discharge part OM, thus allowing the second position to approach the first position, or the second position to coincide with the first position. Here, the hole HL opens upwards on the upper surface of the protrusion PTM when the protrusion PTM protrudes from the transport direction surface of the surface of the waste liquid container WFB. For example, when the protrusion PTM is housed inside the waste liquid container WFB and the second position coincides with the first position, the user, after positioning the waste liquid container WFB in the first position, switches the state of the protrusion PTM to protruding from the transport direction surface of the surface of the waste liquid container WFB. Therefore, the user can install the waste liquid containment body WFB onto the printing apparatus 1. It should be noted that the protrusion PTM, which protrudes from the surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB in the transport direction, is, for example, as shown in the example... Figure 10 As shown in the figure. Alternatively, the waste liquid containment body WFB may also have a mechanism that, during the process of holding the waste liquid containment body WFB in the holding portion HLD, switches the state of the protrusion PTM from being contained inside the waste liquid containment body WFB to protruding from the surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB in the transport direction. This mechanism may be a known mechanism or a mechanism developed in the future.

[0101] Furthermore, when the waste liquid containment body WFB is replaced, the carriage CG described above is located in a predetermined carriage standby position, which is the position where the carriage CG is located. The carriage standby position is a position closer to the first end of the scanning direction of the movement path PT2 than the holding part HLD when viewed from the transport direction. In other words, the carriage standby position is a position close to the end of the scanning direction of the printing apparatus 1. In this case, the liquid supply pipe TB and the holding part HLD are arranged in a predetermined arrangement area within the printing apparatus 1. Furthermore, the arrangement area is a region located close to the end of the printing apparatus 1 in the direction opposite to the scanning direction when viewed from the transport direction. That is, within the printing apparatus 1, the arrangement area and the carriage standby position are arranged in the order of arrangement area, carriage standby position, when viewed from the transport direction, facing the scanning direction. Here, the carriage standby position is, for example... Figure 4 The location of the carriage CG within area RA1 is shown. Additionally, the configuration area is, for example... Figure 4 The area shown is RA2.

[0102] <Modification 1 of the Implementation Method>

[0103] Hereinafter, a variation of the embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0104] <Summary of the printing apparatus involved in variation 1 of the implementation>

[0105] First, an overview of the printing apparatus involved in the modified embodiment 1 will be described.

[0106] The printing apparatus according to Variation 1 of the embodiment includes a transport section, a print head, a carriage, a liquid container connection section, a liquid supply pipe, a holding section, and a discharge section. The transport section transports printing media along a transport direction. The print head prints an image on the printing media. The carriage moves the print head back and forth above the transport path of the printing media toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction. The liquid container connection section is connected to a liquid container that holds liquid supplied to the print head. The liquid supply pipe is connected to the liquid container connection section and supplies liquid from the liquid container to the print head via the liquid container connection section. The holding section holds a waste liquid container capable of holding waste liquid discharged from the print head. The discharge section has a nozzle with a discharge outlet for discharging waste liquid. Furthermore, the holding section is located above the transport path and downstream of the carriage's movement path in the transport direction, in a region within the printing apparatus where the waste liquid container area overlapping with the waste liquid container held in the holding section overlaps with a portion of the movement path when viewed from the transport direction. Furthermore, a portion of the liquid supply pipe, when viewed from the direction of gravity, is located between the movement path and the waste liquid containment area, and when viewed from the direction of transport, overlaps with the waste liquid containment area. The waste liquid containment can be connected to a nozzle. The nozzle extends in the discharge direction, represented by the composite vector of a vector indicating the direction opposite to the transport direction and a vector indicating the direction opposite to gravity. The discharge outlet is formed at the tip of the nozzle in the discharge outlet direction. Thus, in this printing apparatus, the waste liquid containment is connected to the nozzle in the direction opposite to the discharge outlet direction extending from the nozzle. Therefore, in this printing apparatus, the closer the waste liquid containment is to the holding part and the closer the waste liquid containment is to the nozzle, the longer the distance between the waste liquid containment and the liquid supply pipe. Therefore, this printing apparatus can suppress contact between the waste liquid containment and the liquid supply pipe during the installation and removal of the waste liquid containment, thereby preventing malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe due to contact between the waste liquid containment and the liquid supply pipe.

[0107] The configuration of the printing apparatus according to the modified example 1 of the embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0108] <Configuration of the printing apparatus according to variation example 1 of the embodiment>

[0109] Hereinafter, a variation 1 of the embodiment will be described. It should be noted that in variation 1 of the embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to label the same components as in the embodiment, and descriptions are omitted. Furthermore, some or all of the items described in variation 1 of the embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the items described in the embodiment.

[0110] In Modification 1 of the embodiment, the waste liquid container WFB can be connected to the nozzle NZ of the discharge section OM. Furthermore, in Modification 1, the nozzle NZ extends in the discharge outlet protrusion direction, represented by the composite vector of a vector representing the direction opposite to the conveying direction and a vector representing the direction opposite to gravity. In other words, in Modification 1, the nozzle NZ extends in the discharge outlet protrusion direction with the discharge outlet protrusion direction being obliquely upward relative to the direction opposite to the conveying direction. Therefore, in Modification 1, when the user installs the waste liquid container WFB on the printing apparatus 1, that is, when the waste liquid container WFB is connected to the nozzle NZ, by moving the waste liquid container WFB in the direction opposite to the discharge outlet protrusion direction, the waste liquid container WFB can be moved directly to the first position without passing through the second position, and can be held in the holding section HLD. Therefore, the holding section HLD involved in Modification 1 holds the waste liquid container in a manner that prevents it from moving to a predetermined position as the position for holding the waste liquid container WFB. In a variation of the embodiment 1, as an example, the case where this position is the first position described in the embodiment will be explained. In this case, the user cannot move the waste liquid containment body WFB located in the first position on the holding part HLD.

[0111] Figure 16 This is a side view showing an example of the discharge section OM according to a modified example 1 of the embodiment. Figure 16 In the image, the waste liquid containment body WFB is shown together with the discharge section OM. (As shown...) Figure 16 As shown, the discharge section OM extends in the direction of the discharge outlet, represented by the composite vector of a vector indicating the direction opposite to the conveying direction and a vector indicating the direction opposite to the direction of gravity. Figure 16 In the example shown, the outlet protrudes in the opposite direction to that indicated by arrow A4. Therefore, in this example, the user can connect the waste liquid container WFB to the nozzle NZ by moving it in the direction indicated by arrow A4.

[0112] Here, in variation 1 of the embodiment, the outlet LOH of the protrusion PTM does not open upwards while the waste liquid containment body WFB is held on the holding part HLD, but... Figure 16As shown, in this state, the opening is in the direction opposite to the direction of the outlet protrusion. Therefore, as previously stated, by moving the waste liquid containment body WFB in the direction indicated by arrow A4, the user can connect the waste liquid containment body WFB to the nozzle NZ without passing through the second position.

[0113] Figure 17 It is shown Figure 16 A side view of an example of the connection between the waste liquid containment body WFB and the nozzle NZ. Figure 17 In the diagram, the retaining part HLD, the carriage CG, and the protective component PF are shown together with the waste liquid containment body WFB and the discharge part OM. Figure 17 As shown, when the waste liquid containment body WFB is connected to the nozzle NZ, it is located in the first position on the holding part HLD, and therefore separates from the protective member PF in the conveying direction. Figure 17 In the example shown, the distance between the waste liquid containment body WFB and the protective component PF in this case is the aforementioned distance W2.

[0114] When the waste liquid container WFB is moved in the direction opposite to the direction of the outlet protrusion, the distance between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB gradually increases towards distance W2. This is because the direction opposite to the direction of the outlet protrusion is the direction represented by the composite vector of the vector representing the transport direction and the vector representing the direction of gravity. Furthermore, this means that when the waste liquid container WFB is installed on the printing device 1, it will not come into contact with the liquid supply pipe TB unless intentionally contacted. On the other hand, when the waste liquid container WFB is removed from the printing device 1, it is possible that it will come into contact with the liquid supply pipe TB. However, in this case, the user pulls the waste liquid container WFB out in the direction of the outlet protrusion. Therefore, in this case, the closer the waste liquid container WFB is to the liquid supply pipe TB, the more it moves upward relative to the liquid supply pipe TB. As a result, the possibility of the waste liquid container WFB coming into contact with the liquid supply pipe TB in this case is lower than when the waste liquid container WFB is moved in the direction opposite to the transport direction on the holding part HLD. That is, the printing device 1 can suppress contact between the waste liquid containment body WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB by extending the nozzle NZ toward the outlet protrusion direction represented by the composite vector of the vector representing the direction opposite to the conveying direction and the vector representing the direction opposite to the gravity direction.

[0115] It should be noted that, since the user connects the waste liquid container WFB and the nozzle NZ by moving the waste liquid container WFB in the opposite direction to the direction of the outlet protrusion when the waste liquid container WFB is installed in the printing device 1, the circuit board BD1 of the waste liquid container WFB is connected to the board connection part BD2 of the holding part HLD in that direction.

[0116] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1 of the modified embodiment 1, the waste liquid containment body WFB may also be configured without the protrusion PTM. In this case, the discharge port LOH is formed on the surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB in the conveying direction.

[0117] As described above, the printing apparatus 1 according to the modified embodiment 1 includes: a transport section H for transporting a printing medium along a transport direction; a print head HD for printing an image on the printing medium; a carriage CG for moving the print head HD back and forth above the transport path PT1 of the printing medium toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction; a liquid container connection section CN11 connected to a liquid container CT for containing ink supplied to the print head HD; a liquid supply pipe TB connected to the liquid container connection section CN11 and supplying ink from the liquid container CT to the print head HD via the liquid container connection section CN11; a holding section HLD for holding a waste liquid container WFB capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the print head HD; and a discharge section OM having a nozzle NZ with a discharge outlet for discharging waste liquid. In the printing apparatus, the holding section HLD... A portion of the liquid supply pipe TB, located above the transport path PT1 and downstream of the carriage CG's travel path PT2 in the transport direction, overlaps with a portion of the waste liquid container WFB held in the holding part HLD within the printing apparatus 1. A portion of the liquid supply pipe TB, viewed from the direction of gravity, is situated between the travel path PT2 and the waste liquid container area, and overlaps with the waste liquid container area when viewed from the transport direction. The waste liquid container WFB can be connected to the nozzle NZ. The nozzle NZ extends in the outlet protruding direction, represented by the composite vector of a vector representing the direction opposite to the transport direction and a vector representing the direction opposite to gravity. The outlet is formed at the front end of the nozzle NZ in the outlet protruding direction. Thus, in this printing apparatus 1, the waste liquid container WFB is connected to the nozzle NZ in a direction opposite to the outlet protruding direction extending from the nozzle NZ. Therefore, in this printing apparatus 1, the closer the waste liquid container WFB is to the holding part HLD and the closer the waste liquid container WFB is to the nozzle NZ, the longer the distance between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB. Thus, this printing apparatus 1 can prevent the waste liquid container WFB from contacting the liquid supply pipe TB during installation and removal, thereby preventing malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe TB due to contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB.

[0118] <Modification 2 of the Implementation Method>

[0119] Hereinafter, a modified example 2 of the embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0120] <Summary of the printing apparatus involved in variation 2 of the implementation>

[0121] First, an overview of the printing apparatus involved in the modified embodiment 2 will be described.

[0122] The printing apparatus according to Variation 2 of the embodiment includes a transport section, a print head, a carriage, a liquid container connection section, a liquid supply pipe, a holding section, and a discharge section. The transport section transports printing media along a transport direction. The print head prints an image on the printing media. The carriage moves the print head back and forth above the transport path of the printing media toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction. The liquid container connection section is connected to a liquid container that holds liquid supplied to the print head. The liquid supply pipe is connected to the liquid container connection section and supplies liquid from the liquid container to the print head via the liquid container connection section. The holding section holds a waste liquid container capable of holding waste liquid discharged from the print head. The discharge section has a nozzle with a discharge outlet for discharging waste liquid. Furthermore, the holding section is located above the transport path and downstream of the carriage's movement path in the transport direction, in a region within the printing apparatus where the waste liquid container area overlapping with the waste liquid container held in the holding section overlaps with a portion of the movement path when viewed from the transport direction. Furthermore, a portion of the liquid supply pipe, when viewed from the direction of gravity, is located between the moving path and the waste liquid containment area, and when viewed from the transport direction, overlaps with the waste liquid containment area. The waste liquid containment area is separate from the liquid supply pipe. The discharge section is provided on the holding section and is movable between a third position and a fourth position. The third position is predetermined as the position where the discharge section discharges waste liquid into the waste liquid containment, and the fourth position is predetermined as the position where the discharge section does not discharge waste liquid into the waste liquid containment. Therefore, in this printing apparatus, during the installation and removal of the waste liquid containment, it is unnecessary to move the waste liquid containment parallel to the transport direction on the holding section. That is, the printing apparatus can reduce the chance of the waste liquid containment coming into contact with the liquid supply pipe during the installation and removal of the waste liquid containment. As a result, the printing apparatus can suppress contact between the waste liquid containment and the liquid supply pipe during the installation and removal of the waste liquid containment, and can suppress malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe caused by contact between the waste liquid containment and the liquid supply pipe.

[0123] The configuration of the printing apparatus according to the modified embodiment 2 will be described in detail below.

[0124] <Configuration of the printing apparatus according to variation example 2 of the embodiment>

[0125] Hereinafter, a variation of the embodiment 2 will be described. It should be noted that in variation 2, the same reference numerals are used to label the same components as in the embodiment, and descriptions are omitted. Furthermore, some or all of the items described in variation 2 can be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the items described in both the embodiment and variation 1.

[0126] In one embodiment, when the user installs the waste liquid container WFB on the printing apparatus 1, the waste liquid container WFB is moved from the second position to the first position. Furthermore, in another embodiment, when the user removes the waste liquid container WFB from the printing apparatus 1, the waste liquid container WFB is pulled upwards from the second position. That is, in this embodiment, the user needs to move the waste liquid container WFB parallel to the transport direction on the holding part HLD. Therefore, in this embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 suppresses contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB by extending the gap distance. In contrast, in a variation of the embodiment 2, the holding part HLD holds the waste liquid container WFB in a manner that prevents it from moving to a predetermined position. In this variation of the embodiment 2, as an example, the case where this position is the first position described in the embodiment will be explained. In this case, the user cannot move the waste liquid container WFB located at the first position on the holding part HLD. Furthermore, in Modification 2 of the embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 is configured such that the discharge section OM moves relative to the waste liquid container WFB held in a first position by the holding section HLD. Therefore, in Modification 2 of the embodiment, the user can position the waste liquid container WFB in the first position simply by placing it on the holding section HLD from top to bottom; that is, the waste liquid container WFB can be mounted on the printing apparatus 1. Thus, in the printing apparatus 1, contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB due to movement of the waste liquid container WFB between the second and first positions will not occur. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB, and can suppress malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe TB caused by contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB.

[0127] Figure 18 This is a side view illustrating an example of the discharge section OM involved in Modified Example 2 of the embodiment. Figure 18 In the image, the waste liquid containment body WFB is shown in the first position on the holding part HLD, together with the discharge part OM. However, in Figure 18 In order to prevent the diagram from becoming too complex, the holding part HLD is omitted.

[0128] In a variation of the embodiment 2, the waste liquid containment body WFB can also be connected to the nozzle NZ of the discharge section OM. Hereinafter, as an example, Figure 18 As shown, the case where the waste liquid containment body WFB does not have a protrusion PTM will be explained. Furthermore, as an example, the case where the waste liquid containment body WFB has a hole HL1 connected to nozzle NZ1 and a hole HL2 connected to nozzle NZ2 respectively formed on the surface in the transport direction. Hole HL1 is a hole for waste liquid from nozzle NZ1 to pass from the outside of the waste liquid containment body WFB to the inside of the waste liquid containment body WFB. Hole HL2 is a hole for waste liquid from nozzle NZ2 to pass from the outside of the waste liquid containment body WFB to the inside of the waste liquid containment body WFB. It should be noted that the waste liquid containment body WFB may also have a protrusion PTM. Additionally, on the surface in the transport direction of the waste liquid containment body WFB, holes HL1 and HL2 may also be formed as a single hole HL.

[0129] In a variation of the embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 includes a discharge section OM, which is operable relative to a waste liquid container WFB located in a first position on the holding section HLD. Specifically, the discharge section OM can move between a third position and a fourth position. The third position is predetermined as the position where the discharge section OM discharges waste liquid into the waste liquid container WFB, and the fourth position is predetermined as the position where the discharge section OM does not discharge waste liquid into the waste liquid container WFB. In other words, the third position is a position in which the discharge section OM can be located, where the nozzle NZ1 is connected to the orifice HL1 and the nozzle NZ2 is connected to the orifice HL2. Furthermore, the fourth position can be any position as long as it is a position in which the discharge section OM can be located, where the discharge section OM as a whole does not overlap with the waste liquid container area.

[0130] exist Figure 18 In the example shown, the discharge section OM is positioned within the holding section HLD such that it can move back and forth between a third position and a fourth position in the conveying direction. Therefore, in this example, by moving the discharge section OM in the direction indicated by arrow A5, i.e., opposite to the conveying direction, nozzle NZ1 can be connected to orifice HL1, and nozzle NZ2 can be connected to orifice HL2. In this case, the third position is located upstream in the conveying direction than the fourth position. The mechanism that realizes this operation of the discharge section OM can be a known mechanism or a mechanism developed in the future. It should be noted that... Figure 18 In order to prevent the diagram from becoming too complex, the mechanism for implementing the action of the discharge part OM has been omitted. Additionally, Figure 19 It is shown Figure 18 A perspective view of an example of the condition in which nozzle NZ1 of the discharge section OM is connected to orifice HL1 and nozzle NZ2 is connected to orifice HL2.

[0131] The movement of the discharge section OM relative to the waste liquid containment body WFB can also be considered as movement relative to the holding section HLD, the waste liquid containment area, etc. Here, the printing device 1 can be configured such that the discharge section OM moves between the third and fourth positions manually by the user, or it can be configured such that the discharge section OM moves automatically between the third and fourth positions by an actuator or the like. Alternatively, the printing device 1 can also be configured to move between the third and fourth positions by other methods. For example, the printing device 1 can also be configured to have an operating part OPR that moves the discharge section OM from the fourth position to the third position according to the received operation. The operating part OPR can be a component that receives manual operation from the user, such as a lever, or a component that receives operation from an actuator or the like; it can be any component capable of receiving operation. The operating part OPR is positioned higher than the discharge section OM. Therefore, the printing device 1 allows the user to easily operate the operating part OPR. It should be noted that the operating part OPR can be positioned at the same height as the operating part OPR, or it can be positioned lower than the operating part OPR.

[0132] Furthermore, in a variation of the embodiment 2, the printing apparatus 1 may also be configured to include both an operation unit OPR and a moving mechanism MM that moves the discharge unit OM from the fourth position to the third position according to the operation received by the operation unit OPR. The moving mechanism MM can be any mechanism that can move the discharge unit OM from the fourth position to the third position according to the operation received by the operation unit OPR.

[0133] For example, such as Figure 20 As shown, the operating unit OPR can be integrally formed with the cover CV. In other words, the operating unit OPR can also be the cover CV itself. Figure 20 This is a side view showing an example of a cover CV that functions as the operating part OPR, together with the discharge section OM and the waste liquid containment body WFB. Figure 20 The image shows a configuration where the opening of the housing BX is closed by the cover CV and the nozzle NZ of the discharge section OM is connected to the waste liquid containment body WFB.

[0134] Figure 20The operating unit OPR shown is the cover CV itself. The operating unit OPR, as the cover CV, handles the action of closing the opening of the housing BX through the cover CV, thus moving the discharge section OM. The moving mechanism MM is provided on the cover CV such that it contacts the discharge section OM from above during the process of closing the opening of the housing BX through the cover CV. The moving mechanism MM has a guide surface OPRM that contacts the discharge section OM from above during the process of closing the opening of the housing BX through the cover CV. In response to downward movement, the guide surface OPRM guides the discharge section OM from the fourth position to the third position. That is, the moving mechanism MM moves the discharge section OM from the fourth position to the third position in response to the movement of the cover CV. Here, the guide surface OPRM is a surface parallel to the scanning direction. Furthermore, the guide surface OPRM is inclined relative to the XY plane, so that when the opening of the housing BX is closed by the cover CV, the height in the direction of gravity increases in the direction opposite to the transport direction. The XY plane refers to an imaginary plane formed by the X-axis and Y-axis. Therefore, when the opening of the housing BX is closed by the cover CV, the discharge section OM will contact the end of the guide surface OPRM that is closer to the cover CV. Similarly, for the operation section OPR, since the cover CV of the operation section OPR, which is positioned as such, faces the waste liquid containment body WFB from above, has a guide surface OPRM, thus… Figure 20 The operating unit OPR shown can interpret the action of closing the opening of the housing BX through the cover CV as an action to move the discharge unit OM. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can reduce the user's labor required to connect the nozzle NZ to the orifice HL. It should be noted that... Figure 20 In the example shown, the third position is located upstream in the transport direction than the fourth position.

[0135] It should be noted that, as Figure 21 As shown, the holes HL1 and HL2 of the waste liquid containment body WFB can also be formed on the upper surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB, instead of being formed on the surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB in the transport direction. Figure 21 This is a perspective view showing an example of a waste liquid containment body (WFB) with holes HL1 and HL2 formed on its upper surface. Figure 21 The image shows the waste liquid containment body WFB in its first position on the holding part HLD. (See image for details.) Figure 21 As shown, holes HL1 and HL2 are formed on the upper surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB. Figure 21 In the example shown, holes HL1 and HL2 are arranged in the order of HL2, HL1, facing the conveying direction, and are formed at the end of the upper surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB in the scanning direction. When holes HL1 and HL2 are formed on the upper surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB in this manner, the discharge section OM is provided at... Figure 21 The moving mechanism MM2 is shown.

[0136] The moving mechanism MM2 has a first component EN, which rotates about a predetermined rotation axis AX and extends from the rotation axis AX in a direction orthogonal to it. The first component EN is an example of a component in the moving mechanism MM2 that functions as the operating part OPR. That is, by operating the first component EN, the user can connect the nozzle NZ of the discharge part OM to the orifice HL. Here, in Figure 21 In the example shown, when the waste liquid containment body WFB is installed on the printing apparatus 1, and viewed from the transport direction, the rotating shaft AX is located above the holes HL1 and HL2. In other words, in this example, the rotating shaft AX is located above the waste liquid containment area when viewed from the transport direction. Furthermore, in this example, the rotating shaft AX is parallel to the transport direction. Moreover, the rotating shaft AX is positioned such that when the first component EN is rotated toward the waste liquid containment body WFB, nozzle NZ1 can be connected to hole HL1 and nozzle NZ2 can be connected to hole HL2. It should be noted that the rotating shaft AX may not be parallel to the transport direction. Additionally, in... Figure 21 In the example shown, in the conveying direction, both ends of the moving mechanism MM2 are contained inside both ends of the waste liquid containment body WFB. However, alternatively, in the conveying direction, at least one end of the moving mechanism MM2 may be offset from the inside of both ends of the waste liquid containment body WFB. Furthermore, instead of being positioned higher than holes HL1 and HL2 when viewed from the conveying direction, the rotating shaft AX may be positioned at the same height as holes HL1 and HL2 in the gravity direction when viewed from the conveying direction, or it may be positioned lower than holes HL1 and HL2 when viewed from the conveying direction.

[0137] Figure 21 The first component EN shown is capable of rotating about the rotation axis AX toward the waste liquid containment body WFB. Thus, as... Figure 22 As shown, the discharge section OM enables nozzle NZ1 to be connected to orifice HL1 and nozzle NZ2 to be connected to orifice HL2. Figure 22 This diagram illustrates an example of a situation where orifice HL1 and nozzle NZ1 are connected, and orifice HL2 and nozzle NZ2 are connected, through rotation of the first component EN. Here, in Figure 22In the case where orifice HL1 and nozzle NZ1 are connected, and orifice HL2 and nozzle NZ2 are connected, the position of the discharge section OM is an example of the third position when the discharge section OM is provided in the moving mechanism MM2. On the other hand, the position of the discharge section OM when orifice HL1 and nozzle NZ1 are not connected, and orifice HL2 and nozzle NZ2 are not connected, is an example of the fourth position when the discharge section OM is provided in the moving mechanism MM2. For example, the fourth position when the discharge section OM is provided in the moving mechanism MM2 is the position where the direction in which the first component EN extends is aligned with the direction opposite to the direction of gravity, that is... Figure 21 The location of the discharge section OM is shown.

[0138] Here, as Figure 21 and Figure 22 As shown, when the rotating shaft AX is located higher than the holes HL1 and HL2, the printing apparatus 1 can be easily operated by the user using the first component EN, which is an example of the operating unit OPR. This is because, in this case, components that would interfere with the user's hand when operating the first component EN are not located nearby. Furthermore, in this case, the printing apparatus 1 can reliably connect the nozzle NZ1 to the hole HL1 and the nozzle NZ2 to the hole HL2, respectively.

[0139] It should be noted that the moving mechanism MM2 can also be used to connect the waste liquid container WFB to the discharge section OM when holes HL1 and HL2 are formed on the upper side of the waste liquid container WFB. Additionally, the moving mechanism MM2 can also be used to connect the waste liquid container WFB to the discharge section OM when holes HL1 and HL2 are formed on the upper front surface of the waste liquid container WFB. Furthermore, the moving mechanism MM2 can also be used to connect the waste liquid container WFB to the discharge section OM when holes HL1 and HL2 are formed on the upper rear surface of the waste liquid container WFB. In these cases, by adopting a configuration where the rotation axis AX of the moving mechanism MM2 is located higher than the waste liquid container WFB, the printing apparatus 1 can also facilitate user operation of the first component EN, which is an example of the operation section OPR.

[0140] Furthermore, as mentioned above, when the rotation axis AX of the moving mechanism MM2 is parallel to the conveying direction, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress the increase in size of the printing apparatus 1 in the conveying direction due to the presence of the components required to install the moving mechanism MM2 on the printing apparatus 1.

[0141] In addition, such as Figure 23 As shown, the holes HL1 and HL2 of the waste liquid containment body WFB can also be formed on the surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB in the scanning direction, instead of being formed on the surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB in the transport direction. Figure 23 This is a front surface view of an example of a waste liquid containment body (WFB) with holes HL1 and HL2 formed on a surface in the scanning direction. Figure 23 The image shows the waste liquid containment body WFB in its first position on the holding part HLD. However, in Figure 23 In order to avoid complicating the diagram, components other than the waste liquid containment body WFB and the discharge part OM have been omitted. Figure 23 As shown, holes HL1 and HL2 are formed on the surface of the waste liquid containment body WFB in the scanning direction. However, in Figure 23 In the diagram, hole HL2 is hidden behind hole HL1 and cannot be seen. Figure 23 In the example shown, holes HL1 and HL2 are arranged in the order of HL2, HL1, facing the transport direction. When holes HL1 and HL2 are formed on the plane of the waste liquid containment body WFB in the scanning direction, the third position is located upstream of the scanning direction than the fourth position. Therefore, in Figure 23 In the example shown, the discharge section OM is positioned on the holding section HLD such that it can move back and forth between the third and fourth positions in the opposite direction to the scanning direction. Therefore, in this example, by moving the discharge section OM in the direction indicated by arrow A6, i.e., the opposite direction to the scanning direction, nozzle NZ1 can be connected to orifice HL1, and nozzle NZ2 can be connected to orifice HL2. In this case, the printing apparatus 1 can easily move the waste liquid container WFB held on the holding section HLD from above. Furthermore, in this case, since orifices HL1 and HL2 open towards the scanning direction, compared to the case where orifices HL1 and HL2 open towards the direction of gravity, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress waste liquid dripping when changing the waste liquid container WFB. It should be noted that... Figure 23 In order to prevent the diagram from becoming too complex, the mechanism that implements the action of such discharge part OM has been omitted.

[0142] It should be noted that, as Figure 23 As shown, the holes HL1 and HL2 of the waste liquid container WFB can also be formed on the surface of the waste liquid container WFB in the direction opposite to the scanning direction, instead of being formed on the surface of the waste liquid container WFB in the transport direction. In this case, the discharge section OM is provided in the holding section HLD in a manner that allows it to move back and forth in the scanning direction between the third position and the fourth position. Therefore, in this case, the third position is located further downstream in the scanning direction than the fourth position.

[0143] Furthermore, the retaining part HLD described in Variation 2 of the embodiment can also be configured to retain the waste liquid container in a manner that allows it to move between a first position and a second position, as in the embodiment. In this case, the waste liquid container WFB can also be configured as follows: Figures 8 to 13As explained, a protrusion PTM with an upward-opening hole HL is provided on the surface of the waste liquid container WFB in the conveying direction, and the nozzle NZ of the discharge section OM extends in the direction of gravity. Furthermore, in this case, the third position is located upstream in the conveying direction than the fourth position. Therefore, by moving the waste liquid container WFB from the second position to the first position and then moving the discharge section OM from the fourth position to the third position, the user can position the discharge outlets LOH1 and LOH2 above the hole HL. Thus, in this case, the printing apparatus 1 can also suppress malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe TB due to contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB. It should be noted that in this case, the distance between the waste liquid container WFB in the first position and the liquid supply pipe TB is greater than the distance between the waste liquid container WFB in the second position and the liquid supply pipe TB.

[0144] It should be noted that in variation 2 of the embodiment, as described above, the user inserts the waste liquid containment body WFB into the first position from top to bottom. In this case, the circuit board BD1 of the waste liquid containment body WFB is connected to the board connection portion BD2 in the direction of gravity.

[0145] As described above, the printing apparatus 1 according to the modified embodiment 2 includes: a transport section H for transporting a printing medium along a transport direction; a print head HD for printing an image on the printing medium; a carriage CG for moving the print head HD back and forth above the transport path PT1 of the printing medium toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction; a liquid container connection section CN11 connected to a liquid container CT for containing ink supplied to the print head HD; a liquid supply pipe TB connected to the liquid container connection section CN11 and supplying ink from the liquid container CT to the print head HD via the liquid container connection section CN11; a holding section HLD for holding a waste liquid container WFB capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the print head HD; and a discharge section OM having a nozzle NZ having discharge outlets LOH1 and LOH2 for discharging waste liquid. In the printing apparatus, the holding section HLD is positioned above the transport path PT1. 1. A portion of the movement path PT2, located further upstream than the carriage CG and downstream in the transport direction, is positioned within the printing apparatus 1. This portion overlaps with the waste liquid container WFB held in the holding section HLD. When viewed from the transport direction, a portion of the liquid supply pipe TB is located between the movement path PT2 and the waste liquid container area when viewed from the gravity direction, and overlaps with the waste liquid container area when viewed from the transport direction. The waste liquid container area is separated from the liquid supply pipe TB. A discharge section OM is located in the holding section HLD and is movable between a third position and a fourth position. The third position is predetermined as the position where the discharge section OM discharges waste liquid into the waste liquid container WFB, and the fourth position is predetermined as the position where the discharge section OM does not discharge waste liquid into the waste liquid container WFB. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 does not experience contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB due to movement of the waste liquid container WFB between the second and first positions. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB, and can suppress the liquid supply pipe TB from malfunctioning due to contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB.

[0146] It should be noted that, in variation 2 of the embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 may also be configured such that, when viewed from the scanning direction, at least a portion of the waste liquid container WFB overlaps with the liquid supply pipe TB. Furthermore, in variation 2 of the embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 may also be configured such that, when viewed from the scanning direction, at least a portion of the waste liquid container WFB overlaps with the carriage CG. In these cases, the size of the transport direction of the printing apparatus 1 can be reduced.

[0147] Furthermore, the discharge section OM involved in the variation of the embodiment 2 can also be applied to printing apparatuses other than printing apparatus 1. In this case, the printing apparatus has a discharge section OM that can move between a third position and a fourth position.

[0148] <Modification 3 of the Implementation Method>

[0149] Hereinafter, a variation 3 of the embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0150] <Summary of the printing apparatus involved in variation 3 of the implementation>

[0151] First, an overview of the printing apparatus involved in variation 3 of the embodiment will be described.

[0152] The printing apparatus according to Variation 3 of the embodiment includes a transport section, a print head, a carriage, a liquid container connection section, a liquid supply pipe, a holding section, a discharge section, and a contact suppression member. The transport section transports the printing medium along a transport direction. The print head prints an image on the printing medium. The carriage moves the print head back and forth above the transport path of the printing medium in a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction. The liquid container connection section is connected to a liquid container that holds liquid supplied to the print head. The liquid supply pipe is connected to the liquid container connection section and supplies liquid from the liquid container to the print head via the liquid container connection section. The holding section holds a waste liquid container capable of holding waste liquid discharged from the print head. The discharge section has a nozzle with a discharge outlet for discharging waste liquid. The contact suppression member suppresses contact between the waste liquid container held in the holding section and the liquid supply pipe. Furthermore, the holding part is located above the transport path and downstream of the carriage's moving path in the transport direction, within a region of the printing apparatus where the waste liquid container area overlaps with a portion of the moving path when viewed from the transport direction. Additionally, a portion of the liquid supply pipe, when viewed from the gravity direction, is located between the moving path and the waste liquid container area, and when viewed from the transport direction, overlaps with the waste liquid container area. A contact suppression member is disposed between the liquid supply pipe and the waste liquid container area. Therefore, in this printing apparatus, contact between the waste liquid container and the liquid supply pipe can be suppressed during the installation and removal of the waste liquid container, and malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe due to contact between the waste liquid container and the liquid supply pipe can be prevented.

[0153] The configuration of the printing apparatus according to the modified embodiment 3 will be described in detail below.

[0154] <Configuration of the printing apparatus according to variation example 3 of the implementation>

[0155] Hereinafter, a variation of the embodiment 3 will be described. It should be noted that in variation 3, the same reference numerals are used to mark the same components as in the embodiment, and the description is omitted. In addition, some or all of the items described in variation 3 can be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the items described in each of the embodiment, variation 1, and variation 2.

[0156] In Variation 3 of the embodiment, the holding part HLD, like in the embodiment, holds the waste liquid container WFB in a manner that allows it to move between a first position and a second position. Here, in the embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 does not include a component that separates the waste liquid container area from the liquid supply pipe TB. Therefore, in the embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 suppresses contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB during installation and removal of the waste liquid container WFB by extending the gap distance. In contrast, in Variation 3 of the embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 includes a contact suppression member WL that suppresses contact between the waste liquid container WFB held in the holding part HLD and the liquid supply pipe TB. That is, in Variation 3 of the embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 includes a contact suppression member WL disposed between the waste liquid container area and the liquid supply pipe TB. Thus, the printing apparatus 1 according to Variation 3 of the embodiment can suppress contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB while shortening the gap distance. This prevents malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe TB caused by contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB, and also reduces the size of the transport direction of the printing device 1, thus proving useful. It should be noted that the contact suppression component WL can be any component capable of suppressing contact between the waste liquid container WFB held in the holding part HLD and the liquid supply pipe TB.

[0157] For example, such as Figure 24 As shown, the contact suppression component WL can also be part of the protective component PF. In this case, the contact suppression component WL, viewed from the conveying direction, is positioned above the printing media outlet POH. This is because the protective component PF is located above the conveying path PT1. Figure 24 This is a diagram showing an example of a protective member PF that functions as a contact-inhibiting member WL. Here, in this embodiment, the protective member PF is configured to cover the outer peripheral surface of the curved liquid supply pipe TB. In contrast, in a variation of the embodiment 3, as... Figure 24As shown, the protective component PF includes a barrier portion WL1 that separates the waste liquid containment area from a portion of the liquid supply pipe TB in the conveying direction, serving as a contact suppression component WL to inhibit contact between the waste liquid containment WFB held in the holding portion HLD and the liquid supply pipe TB. The barrier portion WL1 can be any component, as long as it is provided on the protective component PF and functions as a barrier separating at least a portion between the waste liquid containment area and the liquid supply pipe TB. Figure 24 In the example shown, the barrier portion WL1 is provided in the region of the end of the protective member PF in the conveying direction, and the target region RA3 is predetermined as the region where the barrier portion WL1 is provided. Furthermore, in this example, the target region RA3 is the region at the end of the portion of the protective member PF located on the outer peripheral surface of the first portion TBA of the liquid supply pipe TB in the conveying direction. Additionally, in this example, the target region RA3 is at least a portion of the region that overlaps with the waste liquid containment area when viewed from the conveying direction. Figure 24 In the diagram, the object area RA3 is represented by a thick dashed line. Furthermore, in this example, the barrier portion WL1 is a plate-shaped component protruding from the outer peripheral surface toward the liquid supply pipe TB at thirteen different locations on the object area RA3, in a direction orthogonal to the outer peripheral surface of the protective component PF, which bends together with the liquid supply pipe TB. Figure 24 In this example, any three components selected from the thirteen plate-like components protruding from these locations are designated as barrier sections WL1. That is, in this example, barrier section WL1 is divided into two or more separate components. It should be noted that some or all of the barrier sections WL1 protruding from these thirteen locations may also be connected. Furthermore, some or all of the barrier sections WL1 protruding from these thirteen locations may be integrally formed with the protective member PF, or they may be formed separately from the protective member PF.

[0158] Thus, in variation 3 of the embodiment, the protective member PF includes a barrier portion WL1. Therefore, even when the printing apparatus 1 moves the waste liquid container WFB from the second position to the first position, it can prevent the waste liquid container WFB from contacting the protective member PF. Figure 25 This is a top view showing an example of the waste liquid containment body WFB in the first position on the holding part HLD. The user will... Figure 25When the waste liquid container WFB is removed from the printing unit 1, it is moved in the direction indicated by arrow A7, i.e., opposite to the conveying direction. The user then moves the waste liquid container WFB to the second position. Sometimes, the user mistakenly moves the waste liquid container WFB to a position further opposite to the conveying direction than the second position. In this case, the waste liquid container WFB comes into contact with the protective component PF. Figure 26 This is a top view showing an example of the waste liquid containment body WFB contacting the protective component PF in a position further away from the conveying direction than the second position. In the printing apparatus 1, the shorter the gap distance, such as... Figure 26 As shown, the higher the likelihood that the user will contact the waste liquid container WFB with the protective member PF, the more likely it is that the user will contact the waste liquid container WFB with the protective member PF. However, when the protective member PF includes a barrier portion WL1, in the printing apparatus 1, even if the waste liquid container WFB contacts the protective member PF, it is difficult for the waste liquid container WFB to contact the liquid supply pipe TB. This is because the barrier portion WL1 is disposed between the waste liquid container area and the liquid supply pipe TB. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 according to the modified embodiment 3, by utilizing the protective member PF including the barrier portion WL1, can suppress the contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB, and can suppress the occurrence of defects in the liquid supply pipe TB due to the contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 according to the modified embodiment 3 can shorten the gap distance and also reduce the size of the transport direction.

[0159] Additionally, for example, such as Figure 27 As shown, the contact suppression component WL can also be a partition wall WL2 that separates the waste liquid containment area from a portion of the liquid supply pipe TB in the conveying direction. In this case, the contact suppression component WL is positioned above the printing media outlet POH when viewed from the conveying direction. This is because the holding part HLD is located above the conveying path PT1. Figure 27 This is a side view showing an example of the holding part HLD in a printing apparatus 1 when it has a partition wall WL2 that functions as a contact suppression member WL. Figure 27 In the middle, together with the holding part HLD, the waste liquid containment body WFB, the protective component PF, and the carriage CG held in the holding part HLD are shown.

[0160] exist Figure 27 In the example shown, the waste liquid container WFB is located in a second position on the holding part HLD. Furthermore, in this example, the partition wall WL2 is provided on the holding part HLD and is movable together with the waste liquid container WFB held by the holding part HLD. In this case, the partition wall WL2 can be integrally formed with the holding part HLD or separately formed from the holding part HLD. Below, as an example, the partition wall WL2 is described as follows... Figure 27 The following explanation will focus on the case where the holding section HLD is integrally formed with the printing unit. In this case, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress the enlargement of the holding section HLD, which is provided with the partition wall WL2, and consequently, the enlargement of the printing apparatus 1 can be suppressed. It should be noted that... Figure 28 This is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the partition wall WL2, which is integrally formed with the holding section HLD. Alternatively, in the case where the holding section HLD and the partition wall WL2 are configured separately, the mechanism for placing the partition wall WL2 in the holding section HLD in a manner that allows the partition wall WL2 to move together with the waste liquid containment body WFB can be a known mechanism or a mechanism to be developed in the future.

[0161] Here, as Figure 28 As shown, when the carriage CG is in the carriage standby position, the partition wall WL2, viewed from the conveying direction, overlaps with the most curved position CP of the liquid supply pipe TB. Furthermore, viewed from the conveying direction, the area of ​​the liquid supply pipe TB includes a protected area RA4 that overlaps with the partition wall WL2 and a non-protected area RA5 that does not overlap with the partition wall WL2. Figure 28 In the diagram, the protected area RA4 is represented by a dashed line. Additionally, in... Figure 28 In the diagram, the unprotected area RA5 is represented by a dashed line. Furthermore, observe... Figure 28 It is known that the protected area RA4 is smaller than the unprotected area RA5. Furthermore, the upper end of the partition wall WL2 is higher than the highest point of the liquid supply pipe TB in the direction of gravity. Conversely, the lower end of the partition wall WL2 is lower than the lowest point of the liquid supply pipe TB in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 does not need to construct the partition wall WL2 to cover the entire area of ​​the liquid supply pipe TB when viewed from the transport direction, thus preventing the partition wall WL2 from becoming too large, and it can also suppress contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB using the partition wall WL2. It should be noted that the upper end of the partition wall WL2 can also be positioned below the highest point of the liquid supply pipe TB in the direction of gravity. Furthermore, the lower end of the partition wall WL2 can also be positioned above the lowest point of the liquid supply pipe TB in the direction of gravity. Additionally, the protected area RA4 can be configured to be larger than the unprotected area RA5.

[0162] Printing apparatus 1 in such Figure 27 With the partition wall WL2 as shown, even if the user mistakenly moves the waste liquid container WFB to a position further away from the conveying direction than the second position, the partition wall WL2 can prevent the waste liquid container WFB from contacting the liquid supply pipe TB. In this case, in the printing apparatus 1, as... Figure 29 As shown, sometimes the contact occurs not with the liquid supply pipe TB, but with the adjacent WL2. Figure 29This is a side view illustrating an example of the contact between the partition wall WL2 and the liquid supply pipe TB. However, even in cases like... Figure 29 As shown, the liquid supply pipe TB contacts the partition wall WL2, and the liquid supply pipe TB will not be worn by the partition wall WL2 when the waste liquid container WFB is pulled upwards. This is because the partition wall WL2 is located in the holding part HLD, so when the waste liquid container WFB is pulled upwards, the partition wall WL2 does not move upwards with the waste liquid container WFB. As a result, the printing apparatus 1 can use the partition wall WL2 to suppress malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe TB caused by contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB.

[0163] It should be noted that, as Figure 27 and Figure 29 As shown, the partition wall WL2 can also be configured to be forced in the conveying direction by the force-applying component SP. The force-applying component SP is, for example, a spring, but can also be any other component capable of applying force to the partition wall WL2 in the conveying direction. When the partition wall WL2 is forced in the conveying direction by the force-applying component SP, the printing apparatus 1 can prevent the user from causing the partition wall WL2 and the waste liquid container WFB to come into contact with the liquid supply pipe TB. Therefore, in this case, the printing apparatus 1 can more reliably prevent malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe TB.

[0164] Alternatively, the partition wall WL2 may not move together with the waste liquid container WFB held by the holding part HLD. In this case, the partition wall WL2 is located in a position that does not overlap with the waste liquid container area. Even when the partition wall WL2 cannot move together with the waste liquid container WFB, the printing device 1 can suppress contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the partition wall WL2 and the liquid supply pipe TB, thus more reliably suppressing malfunctions of the liquid supply pipe TB.

[0165] Furthermore, the partition wall WL2 has a first surface M1 facing the liquid supply pipe TB and a second surface M2 opposite to the first surface M1. Here, in the printing device 1, the lower the coefficient of friction of the first surface M1, the lower the likelihood of malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe TB when the partition wall WL2 and the liquid supply pipe TB are in contact. For example, by making the coefficient of friction of the first surface M1 lower than the coefficient of friction of the surface of the housing BX, the printing device 1 can more reliably suppress malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe TB. In this case, the coefficient of friction of the second surface M2 can be different from or the same as the coefficient of friction of the first surface M1. It should be noted that when the coefficient of friction of the second surface M2 is lower than the coefficient of friction of the surface of the housing BX, the printing device 1 can reduce the force required to pull out the waste liquid container WFB from the holding part HLD. That is, in this case, the printing device 1 can reduce the burden on the user when pulling out the waste liquid container WFB upwards from the holding part HLD. For example, the partition wall WL2 is made of the same type of plastic as the plastic constituting the protective member PF. In this case, the coefficients of friction of both the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 are lower than the coefficient of friction of the surface of the housing BX. Furthermore, in this case, the printing apparatus 1 can also suppress malfunctions of the protective component PF caused by contact between the partition wall WL2 and the protective component PF.

[0166] Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1, the softer the first surface M1, the lower the likelihood of defects in the liquid supply pipe TB, even when the partition wall WL2 is in contact with the liquid supply pipe TB. For example, by making the hardness of the first surface M1 softer than the surface hardness of the housing BX, the printing apparatus 1 can more reliably suppress defects in the liquid supply pipe TB. In this case, the hardness of the second surface M2 can be different from or the same as the hardness of the first surface M1. It should be noted that in the printing apparatus 1, when the hardness of the second surface M2 is lower than the surface hardness of the housing BX, the force exerted by the waste liquid containment body WFB pressing against the partition wall WL2 towards the liquid supply pipe TB is dispersed and weakened. As a result, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress defects in the liquid supply pipe TB caused by contact between the partition wall WL2 and the liquid supply pipe TB. For example, the partition wall WL2 is made of an elastic component such as rubber. In this case, the hardness of both the first surface M1 and the second surface M2 is softer than the surface hardness of the housing BX.

[0167] Alternatively, the printing apparatus 1 may be configured to include a barrier section WL1 and a partition wall WL2 as contact suppression components WL. This allows the printing apparatus 1 to more reliably suppress malfunctions in the liquid supply pipe caused by contact between the waste liquid container and the liquid supply pipe.

[0168] As described above, the printing apparatus 1 according to the modified embodiment 3 includes: a transport section H for transporting a printing medium along a transport direction; a print head HD for printing an image on the printing medium; a carriage CG for moving the print head HD back and forth above the transport path PT1 of the printing medium toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction; a liquid container connection section CN11 for connecting a liquid container CT that contains ink supplied to the print head HD; a liquid supply pipe TB for connecting to the liquid container connection section CN11 and supplying ink from the liquid container CT to the print head HD via the liquid container connection section CN11; a holding section HLD for holding a waste liquid container WFB capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the print head HD; and a discharge section OM having a nozzle having a discharge port LOH1 and a discharge port LOH2 for discharging waste liquid. NZ; and contact suppression component WL, which suppresses contact between the waste liquid container WFB held in the holding part HLD and the liquid supply pipe TB. In the printing apparatus, the holding part HLD is located in a region within the printing apparatus 1 that overlaps with the waste liquid container WFB held in the holding part HLD and a portion of the moving path PT2 when viewed from the conveying direction, at a position that is higher than the conveying path PT1 and downstream of the moving path PT2 of the carriage CG. A portion of the liquid supply pipe TB is located between the moving path PT2 and the waste liquid container area when viewed from the gravity direction, and overlaps with the waste liquid container area when viewed from the conveying direction. The contact suppression component WL is disposed between the liquid supply pipe TB and the waste liquid container area. Thus, the printing apparatus 1 can suppress contact between the waste liquid container WFB and the liquid supply pipe TB while shortening the gap distance.

[0169] It should be noted that the waste liquid containment body WFB described above can also be formed with pores HL1 and HL2, such as... Figure 30 As shown, the device has a structure that includes an abutting part SHT1 that can move between the closed position of both holes HL1 and HL2 and the open position of both holes HL1 and HL2. Figure 30 This is a front surface view showing an example of the structure of a waste liquid containment body WFB having a contact portion SHT1. However, in Figure 30 As an example, a waste liquid containment body WFB with holes HL1 and HL2 formed on its front surface is shown.

[0170] The abutting part SHT1 is disposed in the waste liquid containment body WFB in a manner that allows it to move between a closed position (closing both holes HL1 and HL2 formed in the waste liquid containment body WFB) and an open position (opening both holes HL1 and HL2). It should be noted that the abutting part SHT1 can be moved manually between the closed and open positions by the user, automatically by an actuator or the like, or by other methods. Figure 30 The abutted portion SHT1 shown is located in the closed position of the hole. Therefore, in Figure 30 In the middle, the holes HL1 and HL2 formed in the waste liquid containment body WFB are hidden behind the contact part SHT1.

[0171] Figure 31 This diagram illustrates an example where the contact portion SHT1 is in the open position, allowing a view of both holes HL1 and HL2 formed in the waste liquid containment body WFB. Figure 30 and Figure 31 In the example shown, the open hole position is located above the closed hole position. In this case, the abutting part SHT1 can move upward from the closed hole position to the open hole position, and can also move downward from the open hole position to the closed hole position. It should be noted that the open hole position can also be located upstream or downstream of the closed hole position in the scanning direction, or upstream or downstream of the closed hole position in the transport direction. Here, the holding part HLD of the printing apparatus 1 can also be configured to include an abutting part SHT2 as a component that moves the abutting part SHT1 from the closed hole position to the open hole position. The abutting part SHT2 is a component that abuts against the abutting part SHT1 and moves the abutting part SHT1 from the closed hole position to the open hole position in response to the placement of the waste liquid container WFB onto the holding part HLD. The abutting part SHT2 can be any configuration that allows it to abut against the abutted part SHT1 and move the abutted part SHT1 from the closed position to the open position in response to the placement of the waste liquid container WFB onto the holding part HLD. It should be noted that the abutted part SHT1... Figure 3 and Figure 4 The object is represented by a cuboid shape.

[0172] It should be noted that the nozzle NZ described above can also be configured to extend in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity. In this case, the discharge port LOH is formed at the front end of the nozzle NZ in this direction. Furthermore, in this case, the waste liquid container WFB, for example, has a protrusion PTM with a downward-opening hole HL. In this case, the printing apparatus 1 can prevent waste liquid from dripping from the front end of the nozzle NZ when the waste liquid container WFB is removed.

[0173] Furthermore, the items described above can be combined in any way.

[0174] <Postscript 1> [1]

[0176] A printing apparatus includes: a transport section for transporting a printing medium along a transport direction; a print head for printing an image on the printing medium; a carriage for moving the print head back and forth above the transport path of the printing medium toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction; a liquid container connection section for connecting a liquid container for containing liquid supplied to the print head; a liquid supply pipe connected to the liquid container connection section and supplying the liquid from the liquid container to the print head via the liquid container connection section; a holding section for holding a waste liquid container capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the print head; a discharge section having a nozzle having a discharge outlet for discharging the waste liquid; and a contact suppression member for suppressing contact held in the holding section. The contact between the waste liquid containment body and the liquid supply pipe is described in the printing apparatus. The holding portion is located above the transport path and downstream of the carriage's moving path in the transport direction. The waste liquid containment body region, which overlaps with the waste liquid containment body held in the holding portion, is positioned where a portion of the moving path overlaps when viewed from the transport direction. A portion of the liquid supply pipe, viewed from the direction of gravity, is located between the moving path and the waste liquid containment body region, and overlaps with the waste liquid containment body region when viewed from the transport direction. The contact inhibition member is disposed between the liquid supply pipe and the waste liquid containment body region. [2]

[0178] According to the printing apparatus described in [1], the liquid supply pipe and the holding part are disposed in a predetermined area within the printing apparatus. [3]

[0180] According to the printing apparatus described in [1] or [2], the holding portion holds the waste liquid container in a manner movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container receives the waste liquid discharged from the outlet, the second position being predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container does not receive the waste liquid discharged from the outlet, and being located upstream of the first position in the transport direction, the waste liquid container region comprising both a first region within the printing apparatus that overlaps with the waste liquid container held in the holding portion in the first position and a second region within the printing apparatus that overlaps with the waste liquid container held in the holding portion in the second position. [4]

[0182] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the contact inhibition member includes a partition that separates the waste liquid containment area from a portion of the liquid supply pipe in the conveying direction. [5]

[0184] According to the printing apparatus described in [4], the printing apparatus further comprises a housing having a first surface facing the liquid supply pipe and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the coefficient of friction of the first surface is lower than the coefficient of friction of the surface of the housing. [6]

[0186] According to the printing apparatus described in [5], the coefficient of friction of the second surface is lower than the coefficient of friction of the surface of the housing. [7]

[0188] The printing apparatus according to any one of [4] to [6], wherein the printing apparatus comprises a housing, the partition having a first surface facing the liquid supply pipe and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface being less rigid than the housing. [8]

[0190] According to the printing apparatus described in [7], the hardness of the second surface is softer than that of the housing. [9]

[0192] The printing apparatus according to any one of [4] to [8], wherein the printing apparatus further comprises a protective component disposed on at least a portion of the liquid supply pipe and protecting the liquid supply pipe, the protective component being made of a predetermined type of plastic, and the partition being made of the plastic.

[10]

[0194] According to any one of [4] to [9], in the printing apparatus, the liquid supply pipe is bent between the liquid container connection and the print head, and a first portion of the liquid supply pipe from the most bent position to the liquid container connection and a second portion of the liquid supply pipe from the most bent position to the print head do not overlap in the transport direction. When the waste liquid container is replaced, and the carriage is in a carriage standby position predetermined as the position of the carriage, the partition wall overlaps with the most bent position when viewed from the transport direction. When viewed from the transport direction, the area of ​​the liquid supply pipe includes a protected area that overlaps with the partition wall and a non-protected area that does not overlap with the partition wall, and the protected area is smaller than the non-protected area.

[11]

[0196] According to any one of [4] to

[10] , the printing apparatus wherein the holding portion holds the waste liquid container in a manner movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container receives the waste liquid discharged from the outlet, the second position being predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container does not receive the waste liquid discharged from the outlet, and is located upstream of the first position in the conveying direction, the partition wall being disposed in the holding portion and being movable together with the waste liquid container held by the holding portion.

[12]

[0198] According to the printing apparatus described in

[11] , the partition is force-applied by a force-applying member in a direction relative to the holding portion away from the liquid supply pipe.

[13]

[0200] The printing apparatus according to any one of [4] to

[12] , wherein the partition wall is integrally formed with the holding part.

[14]

[0202] The printing apparatus according to any one of [4] to

[13] , wherein the liquid supply tube is bent between the liquid container connection and the printing head, a first portion of the portion of the liquid supply tube from the most bent position to the liquid container and a second portion of the portion of the liquid supply tube from the most bent position to the printing head do not overlap in the transport direction, and the upper end of the partition is higher than the highest position of the liquid supply tube.

[15]

[0204] The printing apparatus according to any one of [4] to

[14] , wherein the liquid supply tube is bent between the liquid container connection and the printing head, a first portion of the portion of the liquid supply tube from the most bent position to the liquid container and a second portion of the portion of the liquid supply tube from the most bent position to the printing head do not overlap in the transport direction, and the lower end of the partition is lower than the lowest position of the liquid supply tube.

[16]

[0206] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[15] , wherein the nozzle extends toward a discharge outlet protruding direction represented by a composite vector of a vector representing a direction opposite to the conveying direction and a vector representing a direction opposite to the direction of gravity, the discharge outlet being formed at the front end of the nozzle in the discharge outlet protruding direction.

[17]

[0208] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[16] , wherein the printing apparatus further comprises a housing having a printing medium outlet formed thereon for discharging the printing medium, the holding part being disposed above the printing medium outlet when viewed from the transport direction, and the contact inhibition member being disposed above the printing medium outlet when viewed from the transport direction.

[18]

[0210] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[17] , wherein the printing apparatus further comprises an input receiving unit for receiving input from the outside, and the holding unit is disposed between the moving path and the input receiving unit in the conveying direction.

[19]

[0212] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[18] further comprises an aspiration mechanism disposed at a position closer to a first end of the moving path in the scanning direction than the center of the moving path, and aspirating the liquid from the print head as the waste liquid, the waste liquid container being detachable from the holding portion, and the discharge portion being disposed in the scanning direction at a position closer to a second end of the moving path in the direction opposite to the scanning direction than the center of the moving path.

[20]

[0214] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[19] , wherein a hole is formed on the waste liquid container for the waste liquid discharged from the outlet to pass from the outside of the waste liquid container to the inside of the waste liquid container, the waste liquid container having an abutting portion having the abutting portion having the ability to move between a hole-closed position that closes the hole and a hole-open position that opens the hole, the holding portion having an abutting portion that abuts against the abutting portion, the abutting portion moving from the hole-closed position to the hole-open position in response to the placement of the waste liquid container on the holding portion. [twenty one]

[0216] According to any one of [1] to

[20] , the printing apparatus wherein the holding portion holds the waste liquid container in a manner movable between a first position and a second position, the first position being predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container receives the waste liquid discharged from the outlet, the second position being predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container does not receive the waste liquid discharged from the outlet, and is located upstream of the first position in the transport direction, the waste liquid container being connectable to the nozzle, the holding portion having a substrate connection portion capable of being electrically connected to a circuit board disposed on the waste liquid container, the substrate connection portion being disposed at a position where it is connected to the circuit board when the waste liquid container is moved from the second position to the first position, and being disposed at a position closer to the second end of the movement path in the direction opposite to the scanning direction than the first end of the scanning direction of the movement path. [twenty two]

[0218] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[21] , wherein the printing apparatus further comprises: a housing with an upward opening; and a cover capable of opening and closing from above to cover the opening of the housing, wherein the retaining portion is exposed through the opening of the housing when the cover opens the opening of the housing. [twenty three]

[0220] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[22] , wherein the printing apparatus further comprises a protective member disposed on at least a portion of the liquid supply pipe and protecting the liquid supply pipe, the protective member comprising a barrier portion that spacees the waste liquid containment area from a portion of the liquid supply pipe in the conveying direction, and the contact inhibition member comprising the barrier portion. [twenty four]

[0222] According to the printing apparatus described in

[23] , the barrier portion is divided into two or more separate parts.

[25]

[0224] A printing apparatus includes: a transport section for transporting a printing medium along a transport direction; a print head for printing an image on the printing medium; a carriage for moving the print head back and forth above the transport path of the printing medium toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction; a liquid container connection section connected to a liquid container for containing liquid supplied to the print head; a liquid supply pipe connected to the liquid container connection section and supplying the liquid from the liquid container to the print head via the liquid container connection section; a holding section for holding a waste liquid container capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the print head; and a discharge section having a nozzle having a discharge outlet for discharging the waste liquid. In the printing apparatus, the holding section is positioned above the transport path and above the moving path of the carriage. Downstream of the conveying direction, in a region within the printing apparatus, a waste liquid containment area overlapping with the waste liquid containment held in the holding portion overlaps with a portion of the moving path when viewed from the conveying direction. A portion of the liquid supply pipe, when viewed from the direction of gravity, is located between the moving path and the waste liquid containment area, and overlaps with the waste liquid containment area when viewed from the conveying direction. The waste liquid containment is connectable to the nozzle, which extends toward a discharge outlet protruding direction represented by a composite vector of a vector representing the direction opposite to the conveying direction and a vector representing the direction opposite to the direction of gravity. The discharge outlet is formed at the front end of the nozzle in the discharge outlet protruding direction.

[26]

[0226] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[25] , wherein the printing apparatus includes the waste liquid containment body.

[0227] <Appendix 2> [1]

[0229] A printing apparatus includes: a transport section for transporting a printing medium along a transport direction; a print head for printing an image on the printing medium; a carriage for moving the print head back and forth above the transport path of the printing medium toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction; a liquid container connection section connected to a liquid container for containing liquid supplied to the print head; a liquid supply pipe connected to the liquid container connection section and supplying the liquid from the liquid container to the print head via the liquid container connection section; a holding section for holding a waste liquid container capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the print head; and a discharge section having a nozzle having a discharge outlet for discharging the waste liquid. In the printing apparatus, the holding section is located above the transport path and downstream of the transport direction than the moving path of the carriage. The waste liquid containment area, which is disposed in the area within the printing apparatus and overlaps with the waste liquid containment held in the holding part, overlaps with a portion of the moving path when viewed from the transport direction. A portion of the liquid supply pipe, when viewed from the direction of gravity, is located between the moving path and the waste liquid containment area, and overlaps with the waste liquid containment area when viewed from the transport direction. The waste liquid containment area is separated from the liquid supply pipe. The discharge part is disposed in the holding part and is movable between a third position and a fourth position. The third position is predetermined as the position where the discharge part discharges the waste liquid into the waste liquid containment, and the fourth position is predetermined as the position where the discharge part does not discharge the waste liquid into the waste liquid containment. [2]

[0231] According to the printing apparatus described in [1], a hole is formed on the waste liquid container for the waste liquid discharged from the outlet to pass from the outside of the waste liquid container to the inside of the waste liquid container. The holding part holds the waste liquid container in a manner that allows it to move between a first position and a second position. The first position is predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container receives the waste liquid discharged from the outlet, and the second position is predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container does not receive the waste liquid discharged from the outlet. The distance between the waste liquid container and the liquid supply pipe at the first position is greater than the distance between the waste liquid container and the liquid supply pipe at the second position. A protrusion is provided on the surface of the surface of the waste liquid container in the conveying direction, protruding from the waste liquid container in the conveying direction. The hole opens upward on the upper surface of the protrusion. The nozzle extends in the direction of gravity. When the discharge part is in the third position, the outlet is located above the hole of the waste liquid container. The waste liquid container is located in the first position. [3]

[0233] According to the printing apparatus described in [1] or [2], a hole is formed on the waste liquid container for the waste liquid discharged from the outlet to pass from the outside of the waste liquid container to the inside of the waste liquid container, and the nozzle is connected to the hole of the waste liquid container held by the holding part when the discharge part moves from the fourth position to the third position. [4]

[0235] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the printing apparatus further comprises: an operation unit for receiving an operation to move the discharge unit from the fourth position to the third position; and a moving mechanism for moving the discharge unit from the fourth position to the third position according to the operation received by the operation unit. [5]

[0237] According to the printing apparatus of [4], a hole is formed on the waste liquid container for the waste liquid discharged from the outlet to pass from the outside of the waste liquid container to the inside of the waste liquid container. The hole is formed on the surface of the surface of the waste liquid container in the conveying direction. The third position is located upstream of the conveying direction than the fourth position. [6]

[0239] According to the printing apparatus described in [4], a hole is formed on the waste liquid container for the waste liquid discharged from the outlet to pass from the outside of the waste liquid container to the inside of the waste liquid container. The hole is formed on the surface of the surface of the waste liquid container in the scanning direction, and the third position is located upstream of the scanning direction than the fourth position. [7]

[0241] The printing apparatus according to any one of [4] to [6], wherein the operating part is disposed above the discharge part. [8]

[0243] The printing apparatus according to any one of [4] to [7], wherein the printing apparatus further comprises: a housing with an upward opening; and a cover capable of opening and closing from above to cover the opening of the housing, the operating part being the cover, and the moving mechanism responding to the movement of the cover to move the discharge part from the fourth position to the third position. [9]

[0245] According to the printing apparatus of [8], the moving mechanism has a guide surface that contacts the discharge portion from above during the process of closing the opening of the housing through the cover, the guide surface guiding the discharge portion from the fourth position toward the third position in response to downward movement.

[10]

[0247] According to the printing apparatus described in [4], a hole is formed on the upper surface of the waste liquid container for the waste liquid discharged from the outlet to pass from the outside of the waste liquid container to the inside of the waste liquid container.

[11]

[0249] According to the printing apparatus of

[10] , the moving mechanism has a first component that rotates about a predetermined rotation axis and extends from the rotation axis in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis, the discharge portion is provided at the end of the first component opposite to the rotation axis, the rotation axis is parallel to an imaginary plane including the conveying direction and the scanning direction, and is provided at a position that allows the nozzle to be connected to the orifice when the first component is rotated toward the waste liquid containment, and the operating portion is the first component.

[12]

[0251] According to the printing apparatus described in

[11] , the rotating shaft is parallel to the conveying direction, and in the conveying direction, the two ends of the moving mechanism are contained inside the two ends of the waste liquid containment body.

[13]

[0253] According to the printing apparatus described in

[11] or

[12] , the rotating shaft is located above the hole when viewed from the conveying direction.

[14]

[0255] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[13] , wherein, when the waste liquid container is replaced, the carriage is located in a carriage standby position predetermined as the position of the carriage, the carriage standby position being a position that is closer to the first end of the scanning direction of the movement path than the holding part when viewed from the transport direction.

[15]

[0257] According to any one of [4] to

[14] , in the waste liquid container, a hole is formed for the waste liquid discharged from the outlet to pass from the outside of the waste liquid container to the inside of the waste liquid container. The holding part holds the waste liquid container in a manner that allows it to move between a first position and a second position. The first position is predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container receives the waste liquid discharged from the outlet, and the second position is predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container does not receive the waste liquid discharged from the outlet. The distance between the waste liquid container and the liquid supply pipe in the first position is greater than the distance between the waste liquid container and the liquid supply pipe in the second position. When the waste liquid container is in the second position, the nozzle is connected to the hole of the waste liquid container held in the holding part by means of operation received by the operating part.

[16]

[0259] According to the printing apparatus described in

[15] , the hole is formed at a position that overlaps with the absorbent component housed inside the waste liquid containment when viewed from the direction of gravity.

[17]

[0261] According to the printing apparatus described in

[15] , the hole is formed at a position that does not overlap with the absorbent component housed inside the waste liquid containment when viewed from the direction of gravity.

[18]

[0263] The printing apparatus according to any one of

[15] to

[17] , wherein the second position is located upstream of the first position in the conveying direction.

[19]

[0265] The printing apparatus according to any one of

[15] to

[17] , wherein the second position is located upstream or downstream of the first position in the scanning direction.

[20]

[0267] The printing apparatus according to any one of

[15] to

[19] , wherein a protrusion protruding in the conveying direction is provided on the surface of the surface of the waste liquid containment, the hole opening upward on the upper surface of the protrusion, and the nozzle being connected to the hole of the waste liquid containment located in the first position when the discharge portion is located in the third position. [twenty one]

[0269] According to the printing apparatus described in

[20] , the protrusion is configured to switch between a state in which it protrudes from the surface of the waste liquid container in the transport direction and a state in which it is contained inside the waste liquid container, and the hole opens upward toward the upper surface of the protrusion in the state in which the protrusion protrudes from the surface of the waste liquid container in the transport direction. [twenty two]

[0271] According to the printing apparatus described in

[21] , the waste liquid containment body has a mechanism for switching the state of the protrusion from being contained inside the waste liquid containment body to protruding from the surface of the waste liquid containment body in the conveying direction during the process of holding the waste liquid containment body onto the holding portion. [twenty three]

[0273] According to the printing apparatus described in [1], the holding part holds the waste liquid container at a predetermined position. [twenty four]

[0275] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[23] , wherein the printing apparatus includes the waste liquid containment body.

[25]

[0277] A printing apparatus includes: a transport section for transporting a printing medium along a transport direction; a print head for printing an image on the printing medium; a carriage for moving the print head back and forth above the transport path of the printing medium toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction; a liquid container connection section connected to a liquid container for containing liquid supplied to the print head; a liquid supply pipe connected to the liquid container connection section and supplying the liquid from the liquid container to the print head via the liquid container connection section; a holding section for holding a waste liquid container capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the print head; and a discharge section having a nozzle having a discharge outlet for discharging the waste liquid. In the printing apparatus, the holding section is positioned above the transport path and downstream of the transport direction from the moving path of the carriage. In the printing apparatus, a waste liquid containment area that overlaps with the waste liquid containment held in the holding portion overlaps with a portion of the moving path when viewed from the transport direction. A portion of the liquid supply pipe, when viewed from the gravity direction, is located between the moving path and the waste liquid containment area, and overlaps with the waste liquid containment area when viewed from the transport direction. At least a portion of the discharge portion overlaps with the waste liquid containment area when viewed from the transport direction, and is located downstream of the waste liquid containment area in the transport direction when viewed from the scanning direction. The waste liquid containment area is separated from the liquid supply pipe. The nozzle extends toward the gravity direction, and the discharge port is formed at the front end of the nozzle in the gravity direction.

[26]

[0279] According to the printing apparatus of

[25] , the printing apparatus includes a housing on which a printing medium outlet for discharging the printing medium is formed, and the holding part is positioned above the printing medium outlet when viewed from the conveying direction.

[26]

[0281] According to the printing apparatus described in

[25] or

[26] , the printing apparatus further comprises: a contact suppression member for suppressing contact between the waste liquid containment held in the holding portion and the liquid supply pipe; and an input receiving portion for receiving input from the outside, wherein the holding portion is disposed in the conveying direction between the moving path and the input receiving portion, and the contact suppression member is disposed in the conveying direction between the moving path and the input receiving portion.

[27]

[0283] The printing apparatus according to any one of

[25] to

[26] further comprises an aspiration mechanism disposed at a position closer to a first end of the moving path in the scanning direction than the center of the moving path, and aspirating the liquid from the print head as the waste liquid, the waste liquid container being detachable from the holding portion, and the discharge portion being disposed in the scanning direction at a position closer to a second end of the moving path in the direction opposite to the scanning direction than the center of the moving path.

[28]

[0285] The printing apparatus according to any one of

[25] to

[27] , wherein a hole is formed on the waste liquid container for the waste liquid discharged from the outlet to pass from the outside of the waste liquid container to the inside of the waste liquid container, the waste liquid container having an abutting portion having the abutting portion having the ability to move between a hole-closed position that closes the hole and a hole-open position that opens the hole, the holding portion having an abutting portion that abuts against the abutting portion, the abutting portion moving from the hole-closed position to the hole-open position in response to the placement of the waste liquid container onto the holding portion.

[29]

[0287] According to any one of

[25] to

[28] , in the printing apparatus, a hole is formed on the waste liquid container for the waste liquid discharged from the outlet to pass through from the outside of the waste liquid container to the inside of the waste liquid container; the holding portion has a substrate connection portion that can be electrically connected to a circuit board provided on the waste liquid container; and holds the waste liquid container in a manner that allows it to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is predetermined as a position in which the waste liquid container receives the waste liquid discharged from the outlet, and the second position is predetermined as a position in which the waste liquid container does not receive the waste liquid discharged from the outlet. The distance between the waste liquid container and the liquid supply pipe at the first position is greater than the distance between the waste liquid container and the liquid supply pipe at the second position. When the waste liquid container is in the second position, the nozzle is connected to the hole of the waste liquid container held in the holding part by the operation unit. The substrate connection part is provided at the position where it is connected to the circuit board when the waste liquid container is moved from the second position to the first position, and is provided at the position closer to the second end of the movement path in the direction opposite to the scanning direction than the first end of the scanning direction of the movement path.

[30]

[0289] A printing apparatus includes: a transport section for transporting a printing medium along a transport direction; a print head for printing an image on the printing medium; a carriage for moving the print head back and forth above the transport path of the printing medium toward a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction; a liquid container connection section connected to a liquid container for containing liquid supplied to the print head; a liquid supply pipe connected to the liquid container connection section and supplying the liquid from the liquid container to the print head via the liquid container connection section; a holding section for holding a waste liquid container capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the print head; and a discharge section having a nozzle having a discharge outlet for discharging the waste liquid. In the printing apparatus, the discharge section is disposed on the holding section and is movable between a third position and a fourth position, the third position being predetermined as a position where the discharge section discharges the waste liquid into the waste liquid container, and the fourth position being predetermined as a position where the discharge section does not discharge the waste liquid into the waste liquid container.

[0290] Although the embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments. As long as they do not depart from the spirit of this disclosure, changes, substitutions, deletions, etc., can be made.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, have: The conveying unit transports the printing media along the conveying direction; A print head that prints images on the printing medium; The carriage allows the print head to move back and forth above the transport path of the printing medium in a scanning direction that intersects the transport direction; A liquid containment connection portion is connected to a liquid containment body that contains liquid supplied to the printhead; A liquid supply tube is connected to the liquid container connection portion and supplies the liquid from the liquid container to the printhead via the liquid container connection portion; A holding section holds a waste liquid containment body capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the printhead; The discharge section has a nozzle with a discharge outlet for discharging the waste liquid; as well as A contact suppression component prevents contact between the waste liquid containment held in the retaining portion and the liquid supply pipe. In the printing apparatus, The holding part is located above the transport path and downstream of the carriage's moving path in the transport direction, in a region within the printing apparatus where the waste liquid containment area overlaps with a portion of the moving path when viewed from the transport direction. A portion of the liquid supply pipe, when viewed from the direction of gravity, is located between the movement path and the waste liquid containment area, and when viewed from the direction of transport, overlaps with the waste liquid containment area. The contact inhibition component is disposed between the liquid supply pipe and the waste liquid containment area. The contact inhibition component includes a partition that separates the waste liquid containment area from a portion of the liquid supply pipe in the conveying direction.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid supply pipe and the retaining part are arranged in a predetermined area within the printing apparatus.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retaining part holds the waste liquid container in a manner that allows it to move between a first position and a second position. The first position is predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container receives waste liquid discharged from the outlet, and the second position is predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container does not receive waste liquid discharged from the outlet, and is located upstream of the first position in the conveying direction. The waste liquid containment area includes both a first area within the printing apparatus that overlaps with the waste liquid containment held in the first position at the holding portion and a second area within the printing apparatus that overlaps with the waste liquid containment held in the second position at the holding portion.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing apparatus also includes a housing. The partition has a first side facing the liquid supply pipe and a second side opposite to the first side. The coefficient of friction of the first surface is lower than that of the surface of the housing.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The coefficient of friction of the second surface is lower than that of the surface of the housing.

6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing apparatus also includes a housing. The partition wall has a first side facing the liquid supply pipe and a second side opposite to the first side. The hardness of the first surface is less than that of the shell.

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second surface is less rigid than the shell.

8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing apparatus further includes a protective component disposed on at least a portion of the liquid supply pipe and protecting the liquid supply pipe. The protective component is made of a predetermined type of plastic. The partition is made of the plastic.

9. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid supply tube is bent between the liquid containment connection and the print head. The first portion of the liquid supply tube, from its most curved position to the connection of the liquid container, and the second portion of the liquid supply tube, from its most curved position to the print head, do not overlap in the transport direction. When the waste liquid container is replaced, and the carriage is in the carriage standby position predetermined as the location of the carriage, the partition, viewed from the conveying direction, overlaps with the most curved position. Viewed from the conveying direction, the area of ​​the liquid supply pipe includes a protected area that overlaps with the partition wall and a non-protected area that does not overlap with the partition wall. The protected area is smaller than the unprotected area.

10. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retaining part holds the waste liquid container in a manner that allows it to move between a first position and a second position. The first position is predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container receives waste liquid discharged from the outlet, and the second position is predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container does not receive waste liquid discharged from the outlet, and is located upstream of the first position in the conveying direction. The partition is disposed in the holding part and is movable together with the waste liquid container held by the holding part.

11. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The partition is subjected to force in a direction relative to the retaining part away from the liquid supply pipe.

12. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The partition wall and the retaining part are integrally formed.

13. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid supply tube is bent between the liquid containment connection and the print head. The first portion of the liquid supply tube, from its most curved position to the liquid container, and the second portion of the liquid supply tube, from its most curved position to the print head, do not overlap in the transport direction. The upper end of the partition is higher than the highest point of the liquid supply pipe.

14. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid supply tube is bent between the liquid containment connection and the print head. The first portion of the liquid supply tube, from its most curved position to the liquid container, and the second portion of the liquid supply tube, from its most curved position to the print head, do not overlap in the transport direction. The lower end of the partition is lower than the lowest point of the liquid supply pipe.

15. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nozzle extends toward the outlet protrusion direction represented by the composite vector of a vector representing a direction opposite to the conveying direction and a vector representing a direction opposite to the direction of gravity. The outlet is formed at the front end of the nozzle in the direction of the outlet protrusion.

16. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing apparatus also includes a housing. A printing media outlet is formed on the housing for discharging the printing media. The retaining part is positioned above the printing media outlet when viewed from the conveying direction. The contact inhibition component is positioned above the printing media outlet when viewed from the transport direction.

17. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing apparatus also includes an input receiving unit that accepts inputs from external sources. The holding part is disposed between the moving path and the input receiving part in the conveying direction.

18. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing apparatus also includes a suction mechanism positioned closer to a first end of the scanning direction of the travel path than the center of the travel path, and suctions the liquid from the print head as waste liquid. The waste liquid containment body can be detached from the retaining part. The discharge portion is positioned in the scanning direction at a second end of the moving path that is closer to the center of the moving path than the second end in the direction opposite to the scanning direction.

19. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The waste liquid containment body has holes formed therein for the waste liquid discharged from the outlet to pass through from the outside of the waste liquid containment body to the inside of the waste liquid containment body. The waste liquid containment body includes a contact portion, which is movable between a closed position (closing the hole) and an open position (opening the hole). The retaining part includes an abutting part that abuts against the abutting part. The contact portion moves from the closed position to the open position of the hole in response to the placement of the waste liquid container on the holding portion.

20. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retaining part holds the waste liquid container in a manner that allows it to move between a first position and a second position. The first position is predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container receives waste liquid discharged from the outlet, and the second position is predetermined as a position where the waste liquid container does not receive waste liquid discharged from the outlet, and is located upstream of the first position in the conveying direction. The waste liquid containment body can be connected to the nozzle. The retaining part has a substrate connection part that can be electrically connected to the circuit board provided in the waste liquid containment body. The substrate connection portion is disposed at a position where it is connected to the circuit board when the waste liquid container is moved from the second position to the first position, and is disposed at a position closer to the second end of the movement path in the direction opposite to the scanning direction than the first end of the scanning direction of the movement path.

21. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing apparatus also includes: The shell opens upwards; and A cover that can be opened and closed from above to cover the opening of the housing. The retaining part is exposed through the opening of the housing when the cover opens the opening of the housing.

22. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing apparatus further includes a protective component disposed on at least a portion of the liquid supply pipe and protecting the liquid supply pipe. The protective component includes a barrier portion that separates the waste liquid containment area from a portion of the liquid supply pipe in the conveying direction. The contact inhibition component includes the barrier portion.

23. The printing apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that, The barrier is divided into two or more separate components.

24. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 18, characterized in that, The printing apparatus includes the waste liquid containment body.

25. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, have: The conveying unit transports the printing media along the conveying direction; A print head that prints images on the printing medium; The carriage allows the print head to move back and forth above the transport path of the printing medium in a scanning direction that intersects the transport direction; A liquid containment connection portion is connected to a liquid containment body that contains liquid supplied to the printhead; A liquid supply tube is connected to the liquid container connection portion and supplies the liquid from the liquid container to the printhead via the liquid container connection portion; A holding section, which holds a waste liquid containment body capable of containing waste liquid discharged from the printhead; and The discharge section has a nozzle with a discharge outlet for discharging the waste liquid. In the printing apparatus, The holding part is located above the transport path and downstream of the carriage's moving path in the transport direction, in a region within the printing apparatus where the waste liquid containment area overlaps with a portion of the moving path when viewed from the transport direction. A portion of the liquid supply pipe, when viewed from the direction of gravity, is located between the movement path and the waste liquid containment area, and when viewed from the direction of transport, overlaps with the waste liquid containment area. The waste liquid containment body can be connected to the nozzle. The nozzle extends toward the outlet protrusion direction represented by the composite vector of a vector representing a direction opposite to the conveying direction and a vector representing a direction opposite to the direction of gravity. The outlet is formed at the front end of the nozzle in the direction of the outlet protrusion.

Images