Liquid discharge system, liquid recovery container, and liquid recovery method

Abstract

The invention provides a liquid discharge system, a liquid recovery method, and a liquid recovery method capable of discharging liquid remaining in a liquid storage container and then discarding a liquid discharge device. The liquid ejection system includes a liquid ejection device including an ejection head that ejects a liquid and a liquid storage container that can store the liquid supplied to the ejection head, and a liquid collection container. The liquid storage container includes: a liquid storage portion configured to be capable of storing a liquid; a liquid injection unit that injects a liquid into the liquid storage unit; a liquid supply unit that supplies a liquid to the ejection head; and a liquid discharge part which discharges the liquid accommodated in the liquid accommodating part to the outside. The liquid collection container is provided with: a collection connection part that can be connected to the liquid discharge part; and a collection and storage unit that stores the liquid collected from the liquid storage container by the connection between the liquid discharge unit and the collection connection unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection system including a liquid ejection device having an ejection head for ejecting liquid, a liquid recovery container, and a liquid recovery method. Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses, as an example of a liquid ejecting device, an inkjet printing device including an ejecting head for ejecting a liquid such as ink toward a medium such as paper.

[0003] This liquid ejecting device includes an ink tank as an example of a liquid storage container that stores the liquid supplied to the ejecting head.

[0004] In addition, there is also known a cartridge-type liquid ejecting device in which an ink cartridge can be installed in a detachable manner. In the case of the cartridge type, when the ink runs out, the ink cartridge is replaced together. On the other hand, a liquid storage container such as an ink tank is basically assembled in a state where it is fixed to a housing by a fixing portion such as a screw. When the ink runs out, the user connects the ink bottle to the ink injection flow channel portion of the liquid storage container to replenish the liquid from the ink bottle into the liquid storage container.

[0005] However, in the case of discarding a liquid ejecting device, even if there is liquid such as ink remaining in the ink cartridge, if it is a cartridge type, the ink cartridge can be removed from the device and discarded. In contrast, in the case of a liquid storage container such as an ink tank, the liquid ejecting device is often discarded while the liquid storage container is fixed to the housing. However, if there is liquid such as ink remaining in the liquid storage container when the liquid ejecting device is discarded, if the cover is loose or removed when the liquid ejecting device tilts during the discarding operation, the liquid may overflow from the liquid storage container.

[0006] Therefore, in the case of a discard tank type liquid ejecting device, it is preferred that the user recycle the liquid in the liquid storage container before discarding the liquid ejecting device. This is because when the liquid ejecting device is discarded, the liquid such as ink remaining in the liquid storage container cannot be completely processed, which may sometimes cause environmental pollution.

[0007] However, in a liquid ejecting device having a liquid replenishing type liquid storage container, the liquid storage container has a structure that is difficult to remove from the housing. Specifically, the liquid storage container is fixed to a metal plate or the like constituting the housing of the liquid ejecting device by means of a fixing portion such as a screw. Thus, the liquid ejecting device is firmly fixed so as not to be affected even by external impacts during transportation, for example. Therefore, the liquid ejecting device may be discarded in a state where the liquid storage container is still assembled. In this way, in the existing liquid replenishing type liquid storage container, a structure for discharging or recovering the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container when the liquid ejecting device is discarded is not considered.

[0008] For example, in order to discharge or recover the liquid in the liquid storage container, it is necessary to disconnect the liquid supply part of the liquid storage container from the supply channel such as a tube and extract the liquid from the liquid supply part, or extract the liquid from the injection port for replenishing the liquid. Since these liquid supply parts or injection ports are not structures that take into account the extraction of liquid, there is a possibility that the liquid overflows or liquids such as ink adhere to and stain the fingers during the extraction operation. Specifically, since the liquid supply part that supplies liquids such as ink from the liquid storage container to the ejection head is pressed into the tube and becomes a structure that cannot be easily plugged in and out, if the tube is removed from the liquid supply part, the ink in the liquid storage container may overflow from the supply port of the liquid supply part. Therefore, it is desired to have a liquid ejection device that can easily discharge or recover the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container when the liquid ejection device is discarded.

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-69717 Summary of the invention

[0010] A liquid ejection system for solving the above-mentioned problems is a liquid ejection system comprising a liquid ejection device and a liquid recovery container, wherein the liquid ejection device comprises a ejection head for ejecting liquid, and a liquid receiving container capable of receiving liquid supplied to the ejection head, wherein in the liquid ejection system, the liquid receiving container comprises: a liquid receiving portion, which is configured to receive liquid; a liquid injection portion, which injects liquid into the liquid receiving portion; a liquid supply portion, which supplies liquid to the ejection head; a liquid discharge portion, which discharges the liquid received in the liquid receiving portion to the outside, and the liquid recovery container comprises: a recovery connection portion, which can be connected to the liquid discharge portion; and a recovery receiving portion, which receives liquid recovered from the liquid receiving container through the connection between the liquid discharge portion and the recovery connection portion.

[0011] A liquid recovery container for solving the above-mentioned problem comprises: a recovery connection portion, which can be connected to the liquid discharge portion of the liquid storage container; a recovery storage portion, which stores the liquid recovered from the liquid storage container through the recovery connection portion connected to the liquid discharge portion; and an atmosphere connecting portion, which connects the interior of the recovery storage portion with the atmosphere.

[0012] A liquid recovery method for recovering liquid in the liquid storage container of the liquid ejecting device in the liquid ejecting system to solve the above-mentioned problem includes the following contents, namely: connecting the liquid discharge part of the liquid storage container and the recovery connection part of the liquid recovery container; and recovering the liquid in the liquid storage container by moving it into the liquid recovery container by utilizing the water level difference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the liquid ejecting device in the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the liquid ejecting device when the liquid storage container is replenished with liquid.

[0015] Figure 3 A schematic side sectional view showing the internal structure of the liquid ejecting device.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic perspective view showing a state where a liquid storage container is taken out from a storage portion.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a schematic front view showing a storage section storing a plurality of liquid storage containers.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a schematic plan view showing a state where the liquid storage container is taken out from the storage portion.

[0019] Figure 7 It is a schematic side sectional view showing a liquid storage container.

[0020] Figure 8 It is a schematic side sectional view showing the liquid storage container and the ejection head.

[0021] Fig. 9 This is a schematic side sectional view showing a process of moving the liquid storage container to disconnect the liquid storage container from the supply flow path.

[0022] Fig.10 It is a schematic side sectional view showing a liquid storage container and a liquid recovery container.

[0023] Fig.11 A schematic front view showing a liquid recovery container.

[0024] Fig.12 It is a schematic side sectional view showing a state where liquid is recovered from the liquid storage container to the liquid recovery container.

[0025] Fig.13 This is a schematic side sectional view showing a liquid storage container and a discharge head in the second embodiment.

[0026] Fig.14 This is a schematic side sectional view showing a process of moving the liquid storage container to disconnect the liquid storage container from the supply flow path.

[0027] Fig.15 It is a schematic side sectional view showing a liquid storage container and a liquid recovery container.

[0028] Fig.16 It is a schematic side sectional view showing a state where liquid is recovered from the liquid storage container to the liquid recovery container.

[0029] Fig.17 It is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing a liquid storage container and a liquid recovery container.

[0030] Fig.18 This is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing a state in which liquid is recovered from the liquid storage container to the liquid recovery container.

[0031] Fig.19 It is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing a liquid storage container and a liquid recovery container in the third embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 20 This is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing a state in which liquid is recovered from the liquid storage container to the liquid recovery container.

[0033] Fig.21 It is a schematic side sectional view showing a liquid storage container and a liquid recovery container.

[0034] Fig. 22 It is a schematic side sectional view showing a state where liquid is recovered from the liquid storage container to the liquid recovery container.

[0035] Fig.23 This is a schematic side sectional view showing the state of returning the liquid from the liquid recovery container to the liquid storage container.

[0036] Fig.24 It is a schematic side sectional view showing a liquid storage container and a liquid recovery container in the fourth embodiment.

[0037] Fig.25 It is a schematic side sectional view showing a state where liquid is recovered from the liquid storage container to the liquid recovery container.

[0038] Fig.26 This is a schematic side sectional view showing the state of returning the liquid from the liquid recovery container to the liquid storage container.

[0039] Fig. 27 It is a schematic side sectional view showing a liquid storage container and a liquid recovery container in the fifth embodiment.

[0040] Fig.28 It is a schematic side sectional view showing a state where liquid is recovered from the liquid storage container to the liquid recovery container.

[0041] Fig.29 This is a schematic side sectional view showing the state of returning the liquid from the liquid recovery container to the liquid storage container.

[0042] Fig.30 It is a schematic side sectional view showing a liquid recovery container provided with a sealing member in a modified example.

[0043] Fig.31 To indicate that Fig.30 Schematic side cross-sectional view of a liquid recovery container with a sealing component in a different modified example.

[0044] Fig.32 To indicate that Fig.31 Schematic side cross-sectional view of a liquid recovery container with a sealing component in a different modified example.

[0045] Fig.33 To indicate that Fig.32 Schematic side cross-sectional view of a liquid recovery container with a sealing component in a different modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] First embodiment

[0047] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a liquid ejection device having a liquid storage container will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the liquid ejection device of this embodiment is, for example, a multifunction machine, which prints (records) text or images on a medium such as paper by ejecting liquid such as ink onto the medium.

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, the liquid ejection device 11 includes an ejection head 25 for ejecting liquid, and a liquid storage container 18 capable of storing the liquid supplied to the ejection head 25. The liquid ejection device 11, which is also a multifunction machine, includes an apparatus body 12 and an image reading device 13 provided on the upper portion of the apparatus body 12, and is generally in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.

[0049] exist Figure 1In the figure, the liquid ejection device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, and the gravity direction is set as the vertical direction Z, and the two directions along the horizontal plane are set as the width direction X and the conveying direction Y. That is, the width direction X, the conveying direction Y and the vertical direction Z intersect each other (preferably orthogonal). The conveying direction Y is the direction in which the medium M is conveyed at the printing position opposite to the ejection head 25 described later. In addition, sometimes one end side in the conveying direction Y is called the front side, the other end side opposite to the one end side is called the rear side, one end side in the width direction X viewed from the front side is called the right side, and the other end side is called the left side.

[0050] Structure of the liquid ejection device 11

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, an operation panel 17 is provided on the front surface of the liquid ejection device 11. The operation panel 17 has an operation portion 15 such as buttons for performing various operations, and a display portion 16 for displaying various information such as menus or operation states. Furthermore, a storage portion 19 is provided on the right side of the operation panel 17. In the storage portion 19, at least one liquid storage container 18 is stored. In the storage portion 19 of the present embodiment, a plurality of (five in the present embodiment) liquid storage containers 18 are stored. The storage portion 19 constitutes a part of the housing 20. In other words, the housing 20 has a storage portion 19 capable of storing a plurality of liquid storage containers 18. The liquid storage container 18 is, for example, an ink tank type.

[0052] The storage section 19 includes a storage section body 19A that is generally box-shaped and opened upward, and a cover 32. The cover 32 covers the upper opening of the storage section body 19A in an openable and closable state. The storage section body 19A includes a door body 19B located at the front side and having at least one (five in the present embodiment) window portion 21 for visual confirmation, and a pair of left and right side plates 19C and 19D. The window portion 21 is provided for each of the liquid storage containers 18. In the window portion 21, a visual confirmation surface 22 of the liquid storage container 18 on the front surface is exposed. The user visually confirms the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container 18 through the visual confirmation surface 22 exposed in the window portion 21. In the present embodiment, the plate-shaped portion having the window portion 21, i.e., the door body 19B, which constitutes the front plate portion of the storage section body 19A, is configured to be detachable.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 stored in the storage section 19 include a first liquid storage container 18A and a second liquid storage container 18B that can store different amounts of ink, and are arranged in a row in the width direction X. Figure 1In the example shown, there is one first liquid storage container 18A and four second liquid storage containers 18B. The first liquid storage container 18A has a larger capacity than the second liquid storage container 18B, and stores black ink, for example. The four second liquid storage containers 18B store, for example, colored inks of different colors. In the plurality of liquid storage containers 18, different types of liquids, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and other ink colors are stored. The liquid may be either a pigment ink or a dye ink. In addition, the liquid may also be a coating liquid, etc.

[0054] The first liquid storage container 18A and the second liquid storage container 18B have the same basic structure except that the width dimensions are different due to the different capacities. Therefore, when the first liquid storage container 18A and the second liquid storage container 18B are not particularly distinguished, they are simply described as "liquid storage container 18".

[0055] In addition, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a printing unit 23 that prints by attaching a liquid such as ink to a medium M, and a supply flow path 24 composed of a tube or the like that supplies the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 to the printing unit 23 in the housing 20. The printing unit 23 of this embodiment includes an ejection head 25 and a carriage 26 that holds the ejection head 25 and can reciprocate along the width direction X (scanning direction). The printing unit 23 prints on the medium M by ejecting liquid from the moving ejection head 25 toward the medium M.

[0056] The liquid ejection device 11 of this embodiment includes a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 for supplying liquid to the ejection head 25. The plurality of liquid storage containers 18 are configured to be able to store the liquid supplied to the ejection head 25. The liquid ejection device 11 includes a housing 20 for storing the ejection head 25 and the plurality of liquid storage containers 18. Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 11 also includes a fixing portion 42 for fixing the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 relative to the housing 20. That is, the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 are fixed relative to the housing 20 via the fixing portion 42.

[0057] The liquid ejection device 11 is provided with a scanning mechanism 27 for moving (scanning) the printing unit 23 in the housing 20. The scanning mechanism 27 includes a guide shaft 28 for guiding the carriage 26 so as to be movable in the width direction X, a carriage motor 29 as a driving source, a pair of pulleys 30, and an endless timing toothed belt 31 wound around the pair of pulleys 30. One of the pair of pulleys 30 is fixed to the output shaft of the carriage motor 29. When the carriage motor 29 is driven in the forward direction, the printing unit 23 moves forward in the +X direction, and when the carriage motor 29 is driven in the reverse direction, the printing unit 23 moves back in the -X direction.

[0058] The housing 20 contains a liquid storage container 18, a supply flow channel 24, a discharge head 25, a carriage 26, a scanning mechanism 27, and the like. A plurality of supply flow channels 24 are provided so as to correspond to each of the liquid storage containers 18. That is, the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 supply liquids of different colors to the printing unit 23 through the plurality of supply flow channels 24.

[0059] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the image reading device 13 is configured to be movable relative to the liquid ejecting device 11 via a rotation mechanism 13A such as a hinge. Figure 1 The closed position shown and Figure 2 When the image reading device 13 is in the open position, the cover 32 and the cover 32 mounted on the liquid storage container 18 (see Figure 1 ) can be opened and closed. When the liquid storage container 18 is replenished with liquid such as ink, Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the image reading device 13, the cover 32, and the cover rod 33 are placed in the open position. The liquid bottle 34 is placed in an inverted posture with the supply port facing downward, and its supply port is connected to the liquid injection port of the liquid storage container 18. In addition, although the cover 32 is configured to be able to be opened and closed when the image reading device 13 is in the open state, it can also be configured to be able to be opened and closed independently even in the closed state.

[0060] Internal structure of the liquid ejection device 11

[0061] Next, refer to Figure 3 The internal structure of the liquid ejection device 11 is described below. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 2 , the ejection head 25 includes a nozzle forming surface 25A in which nozzles 25N are opened. Figure 3 In the example shown, a plurality of nozzles 25N are opened on the nozzle forming surface 25A. The ejection head 25 is configured to eject liquid from the plurality of nozzles 25N. For example, a plurality of nozzles 25N may be provided for each type (eg, color) of the ejected liquid.

[0062] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a maintenance device 35 for maintaining the ejection head 25, and a liquid supply device 36 for supplying liquid from the liquid storage container 18 to the ejection head 25. The maintenance device 35 includes a cover 37 that can be raised and lowered relative to the ejection head 25 in the standby position, and a discharge pipe 38 connected to the cover 37. The cover 37 is configured to be able to be raised and lowered at a position away from the ejection head 25. Figure 3 The cap 37 moves between the escape position shown in the figure and a capping position (not shown) in contact with the nozzle forming surface 25A of the ejection head 25. The cap 37 can receive the liquid ejected or discharged from the nozzle 25N for maintenance.

[0063] When the cap 37 is in the capping position, a closed space communicating with the nozzle 25N is formed between the cap 37 and the nozzle forming surface 25A. The maintenance device 35 is provided with a suction pump 39 disposed in the middle of the discharge pipe 38. The maintenance device 35 drives the suction pump 39 in a state where the ejection head 25 is capped, and decompresses the closed space formed by the cap 37 and the nozzle forming surface 25A. By decompressing the pressure, foreign matter such as bubbles is sucked out from the nozzle 25N of the ejection head 25 together with the liquid. The liquid discharged from the nozzle 25N by the cleaning is recovered in the waste liquid storage unit 40 through the cap 37 and the discharge pipe 38.

[0064] like Figure 3 As shown in the figure, although a plurality of liquid supply devices 36 are provided in a manner corresponding to the plurality of liquid storage containers 18, Figure 3 1 shows one liquid supply device 36 including one liquid storage container 18. Since the plurality of liquid supply devices 36 have basically the same structure, the structure of one liquid supply device 36 will be described below.

[0065] like Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the liquid supply device 36 has a liquid storage container 18 and a supply flow channel 24 for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 to the ejection head 25. The supply flow channel 24 can be a tube that can be elastically deformed, or a flow channel formed inside a flow channel forming member composed of a hard resin material. In addition, the supply flow channel 24 can also include a portion formed by pasting a film on a flow channel forming member having a groove.

[0066] The upstream end (one end) of the supply flow path 24 is connected to the liquid storage container 18. The downstream end (the other end) of the supply flow path 24 is connected to the upstream end of the liquid flow path 41 provided in the carriage 26. The liquid in the liquid storage container 18 is sent to the ejection head 25 through the supply flow path 24 and the liquid flow path 41.

[0067] The liquid storage container 18 includes a container body 50. The container body 50 is formed by a shell made of synthetic resin. In addition, the shell constituting the container body 50 is made of a transparent or translucent resin. Therefore, the liquid level of the liquid contained in the liquid storage chamber 55 can be visually confirmed from the outside through the visual confirmation surface 22 on the front surface of the container body 50. The liquid storage container 18 is fixed to the liquid ejection device 11 by a fixing portion 42. The fixing portion 42 is, for example, composed of a screw 43 that fixes the liquid storage container 18 directly or via a mounting component (not shown) relative to a frame constituting the chassis 20. In addition, the container body 50 can also be a structure in which a film is attached to one surface of a storage shell having a recessed portion for a storage chamber that is recessed and arranged on one surface, so that a liquid storage chamber 55 is surrounded by the film and the recessed portion for the storage chamber.

[0068] like Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the liquid storage container 18 includes: a liquid storage part 51 configured to store liquid; a liquid injection part 53 for injecting liquid into the liquid storage part 51; and a liquid supply part 52 for supplying liquid to the ejection head 25. Furthermore, the liquid storage container 18 also includes a liquid discharge part 71 for discharging the liquid stored in the liquid storage part 51 to the outside.

[0069] The liquid supply portion 52 is a portion directly or indirectly connected to one end of the supply channel 24 that supplies liquid to the ejection head 25. The liquid supply portion 52 supplies liquid in the liquid storage portion 51. The liquid supply portion 52 of this embodiment is a portion directly connected to one end of the supply channel 24 that supplies liquid to the ejection head 25. In this embodiment, the liquid supply portion 52 also serves as a liquid discharge portion 71. A connecting portion 45 is fixed to one end of the upstream side of the supply channel 24. The liquid supply portion 52 is connected to the supply channel 24 via the connection with the connecting portion 45.

[0070] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , at least a portion of the liquid storage container 18 is located below the ejection head 25. That is, the ejection head 25 is located above the liquid level LP in the liquid storage container 18 in the vertical direction Z. Specifically, the opening of the nozzle 25N is located above the position when the liquid level LP in the liquid storage container 18 is at the maximum height. In addition, the positional relationship between the ejection head 25 and the liquid storage container 18 in the vertical direction Z can be arbitrarily set as long as a curved liquid surface of the liquid is formed in the nozzle 25N and the liquid does not drip from the nozzle 25N.

[0071] Figure 3The liquid ejection device 11 shown in the figure includes a control unit 100 for controlling the overall operation. The control unit 100 controls the carriage motor 29 for reciprocating the carriage 26, a transport unit (not shown) for transporting the medium M, the ejection operation of the ejection head 25, and the cleaning operation of the maintenance device 35.

[0072] like Figure 4 As shown in the figure, a separation mechanism 47 is provided in the storage portion 19, and the separation mechanism 47 is configured to be able to separate the liquid storage container 18 from the housing 20 individually when the fixing of the liquid storage container 18 relative to the housing 20 by the fixing portion 42 is released. The separation mechanism 47 can separate the liquid storage container 18 from the housing 20 individually in the first direction A, which is a direction in which the liquid supply portion 52 can be disconnected from one end of the supply channel 24.

[0073] The separation mechanism 47 includes a loading portion 48 constituting at least a portion of the bottom plate 20A of the housing 20. The upper surface of the loading portion 48 is a loading surface on which a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 are loaded in a state of being arranged in a second direction B that intersects the first direction as the disconnection direction. A guide portion 48A extending in the first direction A with a width dimension slightly larger than the width dimension of the liquid storage container 18 is provided on the loading surface of the loading portion 48. Figure 4 In the example shown, the guide portion 48A is a slide groove that is recessed on the upper surface of the mounting portion 48. The slide groove is a guide groove that extends along the first direction A. The guide groove is a groove that penetrates at least on the first direction A side. In addition, the guide portion 48A is not limited to a guide groove such as a slide groove, and may also be a track that engages with a track groove that is recessed on the bottom surface of the liquid storage container 18 and can guide the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction A.

[0074] The fixing portion 42 is composed of a screw 43 and a limiting member 44. The fixing portion 42 is fixed to the front surface of the mounting portion 48 in a state where the movement of the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction A is limited. In addition, the fixing portion 42 may be a structure in which the liquid storage container 18 is fixed to the mounting portion 48 by being locked via the limiting member 44.

[0075] The storage section 19 has a door 19B. The door 19B is configured to be movable relative to the housing 20 to a shielding position covering the first direction A side of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 and an open position not covering the first direction A side. The door 19B has a window 21 that allows visual confirmation of the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container 18.

[0076] When the door 19B is in the open position, the user can pull out the liquid storage container 18 from the storage portion 19 in the first direction A. The separation mechanism 47 has a guide portion 48A that guides the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction A in a movable manner. The user can move the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction A by the guide portion 48A. By the movement of the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction A by the user, the liquid supply portion 52 is disconnected from one end of the supply flow path 24. That is, the connection between the liquid supply portion 52 and the connection port 45A of the connection portion 45 is disconnected.

[0077] Structure of the liquid storage container 18

[0078] Next, refer to Figure 7 The structure of the liquid storage container 18 will be described. In addition, although the first liquid storage container 18A and the second liquid storage container 18B have different widths due to their different capacities, their basic structures are the same. Therefore, in the following description, the first liquid storage container 18A and the second liquid storage container 18B are not particularly distinguished, and are described as the liquid storage container 18.

[0079] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the container body 50 has a liquid storage part 51 having a liquid storage chamber 55, and a protruding part 56 protruding from the upper side thereof. In the container body 50, as a tubular part protruding outward, there are a liquid supply part 52, a liquid injection part 53, and an atmosphere communication part 54. The liquid supply part 52, the liquid injection part 53, and the atmosphere communication part 54 are connected to the liquid storage chamber 55. The liquid IL is stored in the liquid storage chamber 55.

[0080] The liquid injection portion 53 is used to inject liquid such as ink into the liquid storage chamber 55. The liquid injection portion 53 and the liquid storage chamber 55 are connected via a liquid flow channel 57 and an air flow channel 58. The liquid injection portion 53 is connected to both the liquid flow channel 57 and the air flow channel 58. The ends (lower ends) of the liquid flow channel 57 and the air flow channel 58 on the liquid storage chamber 55 side are located at the highest liquid level.

[0081] The atmosphere communicating portion 54 communicates the air region above the liquid surface LP in the liquid storage chamber 55 with the atmosphere. The container body 50 has a partition wall portion 51C that divides the liquid storage portion 51 and the protruding portion 56 inside. A portion of the communication passage between the liquid storage chamber 55 and the atmosphere communicating portion 54 includes narrow and winding pores. Therefore, the liquid storage chamber 55 is communicated with the atmosphere communicating portion 54 in a state where the water content of the liquid stored therein is difficult to evaporate.

[0082] like Figure 8 As shown in the figure, when injecting liquid into the liquid storage container 18, the liquid bottle 34 is connected to the liquid injection part 53 by the supply part 34A in an inverted posture. The inside of the liquid bottle 34 connected to the liquid injection part 53 is communicated with the liquid storage chamber 55 through both the liquid flow path 57 and the air flow path 58. Therefore, while the liquid in the liquid bottle 34 is injected into the liquid storage container 18 through the liquid flow path 57, the air in the liquid storage chamber 55 is sent to the liquid bottle 34 through the air flow path 58. Through this gas-liquid exchange, the injection of liquid from the liquid bottle 34 into the liquid storage chamber 55 is continuously performed until the liquid level LP reaches the lower end of the air flow path 58. Then, when the liquid level LP reaches the lower end of the air flow path 58, the gas-liquid exchange is no longer performed, and the injection of liquid from the liquid bottle 34 into the liquid storage chamber 55 is stopped. Therefore, when the liquid level LP reaches the highest liquid level, the injection of liquid into the liquid storage container 18 is stopped. Furthermore, when the liquid is injected from the liquid bottle 34 into the liquid storage container 18 , the air in the liquid storage chamber 55 is discharged from the atmosphere communication portion 54 .

[0083] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown in the figure, in the liquid storage container 18 of the first embodiment, the liquid supply part 52 also serves as the liquid discharge part 71. The liquid discharge part 71 is arranged at the bottom surface 51A or the lower part of the side surface 51B of the liquid storage part 51. Therefore, the liquid supply part 52 also serving as the liquid discharge part 71 is arranged at the lower part of the bottom surface 51A or the side surface 51B of the liquid storage part 51. Figure 7 , Figure 8 In the illustrated example, the liquid supply portion 52 also serving as the liquid discharge portion 71 is disposed at the lower portion of the side surface 51B of the liquid storage portion 51 .

[0084] Here, the so-called lower part of the side surface 51B may be, for example, a part below half the height of the highest liquid level in the liquid storage section 51. Of course, if the liquid discharge section 71 is located at the lowest possible height in the liquid storage chamber 55, more liquid can be discharged by utilizing the water level difference between the liquid surface in the liquid storage section 51 and the discharge port of the liquid discharge section 71. However, the liquid remaining in the liquid storage section 51 can also be discharged by tilting the liquid storage container 18. Therefore, the liquid discharge section 71 only needs to be located at a height that can discharge at least a part of the liquid by utilizing the water level difference when more than half of the liquid remains in the liquid storage section 51.

[0085] like Figure 7 , Figure 8As shown in the figure, the bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber 55 is inclined in such a manner that the height becomes lower as the position is located on the opposite side of the visual confirmation surface 22 in the conveying direction Y. Therefore, the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 is easily supplied to the outside from the liquid supply portion 52 until the end. In addition, the liquid storage chamber 55 can also be divided into a plurality of mutually connected divided chambers by a plurality of ribs not shown. In this case, for example, when the liquid ejection device 11 is transported, shaking of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 55 is suppressed, and mixing of air (bubbles) into the liquid caused by bubbling caused by shaking is suppressed.

[0086] The liquid supply part 52 is connected to the connection part 45, so that the liquid supply part 52 is connected to the connection port 45A of the connection part 45. The liquid storage container 18 is provided with a first valve 59 capable of opening and closing the flow path for supplying liquid to the liquid supply part 52. In other words, in the first embodiment in which the liquid supply part 52 also serves as the liquid discharge part 71, the liquid discharge part 71 has a second valve 72 capable of opening and closing the flow path for discharging liquid. Here, the liquid supply part 52 is a part having a discharge port for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 to the ejection head 25. On the other hand, the liquid discharge part 71 is a part having a discharge port for discharging the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 to the outside when the liquid ejection device 11 is discarded. For the liquid supply part 52 and the liquid discharge part 71, although there is a difference in whether the discharge destination is the ejection head 25 or the outside, both have the function of discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container 18. Therefore, the liquid supply part 52 and the liquid discharge part 71 can share one.

[0087] The first valve 59 is provided when the liquid supply portion 52 is not connected to the connection portion 45 fixed to the upstream end of the supply flow path 24. Figure 7 In the non-connected state shown, the first valve 59 is in the closed valve state. Figure 8 In the connection state shown, the valve is in an open state. The first valve 59 is configured to automatically switch between opening and closing depending on whether the liquid supply unit 52 and the connection unit 45 are connected.

[0088] The first valve 59 may also be, for example, a structure as shown below. The first valve 59 includes a valve body and a valve seat (both are omitted in the figure), the valve body being forced in a direction of being pushed outward by a force-applying member (not shown) in a state in which it can move forward and backward in the axial direction of the liquid supply portion 52, and the valve seat abuts against the valve body to which the force is applied. For example, when the connecting portion 45 is connected to the liquid supply portion 52, the valve body on the inner side of the liquid supply portion 52 leaves the valve seat by utilizing the force received from the connecting portion 45, thereby switching the first valve 59 from a closed valve state to an open valve state. In addition, when the connecting portion 45 is removed from the liquid supply portion 52, the valve body abuts against the valve seat by utilizing the force applied by the force-applying member, thereby switching the first valve 59 from an open valve state to a closed valve state. Therefore, the connecting portion 45 can be disassembled and assembled relative to the liquid supply portion 52 while suppressing leakage of the liquid.

[0089] In addition, when the liquid ejection device 11 is discarded, the first valve 59 also functions as the second valve 72. The second valve 72 has the function of opening and closing the discharge flow path of the liquid discharge portion 71 when the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 is discharged to the outside outside the ejection head 25. The second valve 72 may also be, for example, a structure as shown below. The second valve 72 has a valve body and a valve seat, and the valve body is forced in a direction of being pushed outward by a force-applying member not shown in the figure in a state in which it can move forward and backward in the axial direction thereof, and the valve seat abuts against the valve body to which the force is applied. For example, when the recovery connection portion 62 of the liquid recovery container 60 described later is connected to the liquid discharge portion 71, the valve body is separated from the valve seat by the force received from the recovery connection portion 62, thereby switching the second valve 72 from the closed valve state to the open valve state. In addition, when the recovery connection portion 62 is removed from the liquid discharge portion 71, the valve body is abutted against the valve seat by the force applied by the force-applying member, thereby switching the second valve 72 from the open valve state to the closed valve state. Therefore, the recovery connection portion 62 can be attached to and detached from the liquid discharge portion 71 while suppressing leakage of the liquid.

[0090] The structure of the liquid ejection system

[0091] In the present embodiment, the liquid ejection system is composed of a liquid ejection device 11 and a liquid recovery container 60 (hereinafter, also referred to as "recovery container 60"). The liquid ejection device 11 and the recovery container 60 can be sold as a set, or the recovery container 60 can be obtained by the user for a fee or free of charge during the stage when the user discards the liquid ejection device 11. In addition, it can also be a structure in which a recess is provided in the housing 20 of the liquid ejection device 11, and the recovery container 60 is inserted into the recess. The opening of the recess can also be covered by a cover. It can also be a structure in which, when the liquid ejection device 11 is discarded, the cover is removed and the recovery container 60 is taken out of the recess for use.

[0092] like Fig.10 , Fig.11 As shown in the figure, the recovery container 60 includes a recovery connection portion 62 that can be connected to the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18, and a recovery storage portion 61 configured to store liquid. The recovery storage portion 61 is configured to store liquid recovered from the liquid storage container 18 through the connection between the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62. In addition, the recovery container 60 includes an atmosphere communication portion 64 that connects the inside of the recovery storage portion 61 to the atmosphere.

[0093] like Fig.11 As shown in the figure, on the upper side of the recovery container 60, the same number of recovery connection parts 62 as the number of liquid storage containers 18 possessed by one liquid ejection device 11 are provided in a manner spaced apart in the width direction X. These intervals correspond to the width dimensions of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously connect a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 relative to the recovery container 60. The atmosphere communication part 64 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the recovery storage part 61. The atmosphere communication part 64 is connected to the recovery storage chamber 61A. In addition, if the recovery storage chamber 61A in the recovery container 60 is a single chamber, the atmosphere communication part 64 can be either multiple or one.

[0094] exist Fig.10 The recovery container 60 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to at least one of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 that is disconnected from one end of the supply channel 24. Fig.11 As shown, the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60. The liquid is moved by utilizing the water head difference of the liquid in the liquid storage container 18, thereby recovering the liquid to the recovery container 60. In this way, it is configured that the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 can be recovered into the recovery container 60 by utilizing the water head difference.

[0095] Regarding the recovery of the liquid in the liquid storage container 18

[0096] Next, refer to Figures 9 to 12 Next, the structure and process for recovering the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 will be described.

[0097] In the first embodiment, the liquid storage container 18 is configured to be removable from the housing 20 of the liquid ejection device 11 along the connection direction between the liquid supply portion 52 and the supply channel 24. As described above, the door 19B (see FIG. 1 ) constituting the front surface portion of the storage portion 19 is Figure 1 ) can be disassembled, so after the door body 19B is removed by sliding it upward in the direction -Z or in the width direction X, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9As shown in FIG. 1 , the liquid storage container 18 is moved in the first direction, which is the connection direction between the liquid supply unit 52 and the connection unit 45 and is indicated by the hollow arrow in the figure. By moving the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction, the connection unit 45 is removed from the liquid supply unit 52. At this time, the valve 59 is switched from the open valve state to the closed valve state. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , even if the liquid supply portion 52 is exposed, leakage of the liquid from the liquid supply portion 52 is suppressed. The liquid in the removed liquid storage container 18 is recovered, for example, to Fig.10 The recovery container 60 is shown.

[0098] Structure of the recovery container 60

[0099] Next, refer to Figures 10 to 12 The structure of the recovery container 60 will be described.

[0100] for Fig.10 The recovery container 60 shown is prepared by the user, for example, when the liquid ejection device 11 is discarded. The recovery container 60 includes a recovery storage portion 61 for storing liquid discharged from the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18, and a recovery connection portion 62 that is configured to be connectable to the liquid discharge portion 71. The recovery container 60 recovers the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 by connecting the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62. The recovery connection portion 62 is located on the upper surface 61B or the upper portion of the side surface 61C of the recovery storage portion 61. Fig.10 In the illustrated example, the recovery connection portion 62 is located above the side surface 61C of the recovery storage portion 61. The recovery storage portion 61 includes a recovery storage chamber 61A.

[0101] The recovery container 60 includes a sealing member 63 for preventing the liquid passing through the flow path of the recovery connection portion 62 from leaking out. The sealing member 63 may also be a sealing valve 63B for preventing the liquid passing through the flow path of the recovery connection portion 62 from leaking out. The sealing valve 63B may also be an on-off valve for opening and closing the flow path of the recovery connection portion 62 for recovering the liquid. For example, the sealing valve 63B may be provided in a position where the recovery connection portion 62 is not connected to the liquid discharge portion 71 on the liquid storage container 18 side. Fig.10 In the non-connected state shown, the sealing valve 63B is in the closed valve state. Fig.12 In the connection state shown, the valve is in the open state. In this way, the sealing valve 63B may also be a structure that automatically switches between opening and closing according to the presence or absence of the connection between the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62.

[0102] For example, when the liquid discharge part 71 is connected to the recovery connection part 62, a valve body is displaced on the recovery connection part 62 side to overcome the force of the force member, and the displaced valve body leaves the valve seat (both are omitted in the figure), so that the sealing valve 63B is switched from the closed valve state to the open valve state. In addition, when the liquid discharge part 71 is removed from the recovery connection part 62, the valve body on the recovery connection part 62 side is restored to the original position by the force of the force member and hits the valve seat, so that the sealing valve 63B is switched from the open valve state to the closed valve state.

[0103] In addition, if Fig.10 As shown, the recovery container 60 includes an atmosphere communicating portion 64. The atmosphere communicating portion 64 communicates the recovery storage chamber 61A with the outside. The atmosphere communicating portion 64 communicates the recovery storage chamber 61A with the outside via an atmosphere communicating passage including a portion of fine holes formed by a serpentine path.

[0104] like Fig.12 As shown in the figure, when the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60, the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 moves to the recovery container 60 due to the water level difference. That is, in the state where the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60, the inner bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber 55 in the liquid storage container 18 is set to be located at a position higher than the highest liquid level when the maximum amount of liquid is recovered in the recovery storage chamber 61A of the recovery container 60. Here, the so-called maximum liquid amount refers to the total amount of liquid that can be stored in each of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 at most.

[0105] In addition, when the liquid discharge portion 71 is connected to the recovery connection portion 62, since an amount of air corresponding to the volume of the liquid flowing from the liquid storage container 18 into the recovery container 60 is exhausted from the atmosphere communication portion 64, the liquid from the liquid storage container 18 into the recovery container 60 is continuously flowed. The volume of the recovery container 60 is larger than the entire volume that can be stored in the liquid storage container 18. Therefore, the liquid does not overflow on the recovery container 60 side.

[0106] In addition, if Fig.10 , Fig.12As shown, the recovery container 60 may also have a liquid holding component 65 capable of holding liquid in the recovery storage section 61. The liquid holding component 65 is sealed inside the liquid recovery container 60. The liquid holding component 65 is a liquid absorbing component that can hold liquid by absorbing liquid. For the liquid holding component 65, for example, it can be a non-woven fabric, or a porous material such as a sponge or a foam-like component. The liquid holding component 65 may also be stored in the recovery storage chamber 61A in a volume of liquid that can hold an amount of liquid equivalent to the maximum volume of the liquid stored in the liquid storage container 18. The recovery container 60 is configured so that the liquid inside is held in the liquid holding component 65, so that the liquid will not leak even if the recovery container 60 is tilted. In addition, in the present embodiment, the liquid ejection system may also be formed by the recovery container 60 and the liquid ejection device 11.

[0107] like Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the number of the recovery connection parts 62 is set to be less than the number of the liquid storage containers 18. Fig.10 , Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the interior of the liquid recovery container 60 is formed as a single space as a whole. Fig.11 In the example shown, a plurality of recovery connection parts 62 are provided on the recovery container 60. The recovery connection parts 62 are provided in the same number as the number of liquid storage containers 18 assembled in the liquid ejection device 11, for example. Fig.10 , Fig.11 As shown, the volume V1 of the liquid that can be stored in the recovery container 60. In this example of the recovery container 60, although the liquid holding member 65 is sealed, the volume V1 of the liquid can be stored.

[0108] On the other hand, the total volume of liquid that can be contained in the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 of the liquid ejection device 11 is V2. Moreover, the volume V1 of the recovery container 60 is set to a value greater than the total volume V2 of liquid. Fig.10 As shown, the volume V1 of the recoverable liquid in the liquid recovery container 60 is greater than Figure 5The total volume of the liquid that can be accommodated in the liquid storage container 18 shown is the total liquid volume V2. The volume V1 of the recovery container 60 that can accommodate liquid is set to be greater than the total amount of liquid that can be accommodated in the multiple liquid storage containers 18, that is, the total liquid volume V2. Suppose that the volume of liquid that can be accommodated in the first liquid storage container 18A is V2a, and the volume of liquid that can be accommodated in the second liquid storage container 18B is V2b. The total volume of liquid that can be accommodated in the multiple liquid storage containers 18, that is, the total liquid volume V2, is V2=V2a+4*V2b. The volume V1 of the recovery container 60 is set to a value greater than the total liquid volume V2. Therefore, even if it is assumed that all the multiple liquid storage containers 18 are full of liquid, all the liquid can be recovered in the recovery container 6.

[0109] Function of the first embodiment

[0110] Next, the operation of the liquid ejecting device 11 including the liquid storage container 18 of the first embodiment will be described. The operation of the liquid ejecting system including the liquid ejecting device 11 and the recovery container 60 will be described together.

[0111] When the liquid ejection device 11 is discarded, the user takes the recovery container 60. The recovery container 60 may be packaged together with the liquid ejection device 11 when the liquid ejection device 11 is purchased, or the user may order the recovery container 60 from a manufacturer or a sales store when the liquid ejection device 11 is discarded. In addition, the recovery container 60 may be paid for or free of charge. In addition, the cover may be removed and the recovery container 60 inserted in the recess of the housing 20 of the liquid ejection device 11 may be taken out from the recess.

[0112] like Figure 2 As shown, the user Figure 1 The image reading device 13 and the cover 32 are opened in the liquid ejection device 11 shown in the figure. Furthermore, the user slides the door body 19B constituting the front surface portion of the storage section 19 upward, for example, to remove it from the housing 20. By removing the door body 19B, the front (+Y direction side) of the liquid storage container 18 in the storage section 19 is opened.

[0113] Next, the fixing of the fixing portion 42 is released. Specifically, the screw 43 is loosened and the restricting member 44 is removed. Thereby, the liquid storage container 18 can be moved in the first direction (+Y direction).

[0114] Next, at least one of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 is independently moved in the first direction A relative to the mounting portion 48 , so that the liquid storage container 18 is independently disconnected from one end of the supply flow path 24 .

[0115] like Figures 4 to 6 , Fig. 9 As shown, the user slides the liquid storage container 18 along the guide portion 48A on the placement portion 48 to move the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction A. The user moves the liquid storage containers 18 in the first direction A independently one by one.

[0116] The first direction A is the connection direction between the liquid supply portion 52 and the supply channel 24. In particular, in this example, the first direction A is the connection direction between the liquid supply portion 52 and the connecting portion 45. The first direction A may also be a direction that intersects the connection direction between the liquid supply portion 52 and the supply channel 24 or the connecting portion 45, for example, within a range of 0<θ≤20°. In this way, when the user moves the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction A, the connection between the liquid supply portion 52 and the supply channel 24 or the connecting portion 45 can be disassembled without placing excessive load on both parties.

[0117] In addition, since the liquid storage containers 18 are removed from the housing 20 one by one, the force required to move the liquid storage containers 18 in the first direction A and remove them is small. In other words, the force required to remove the liquid storage containers 18 is a force equivalent to the force required to disconnect one connection between the liquid supply portion 52 and the connecting portion 45. In addition, it is also possible to disconnect two or more liquid storage containers 18 from the supply channel 24 at the same time by moving two or more liquid storage containers 18 in the first direction A at the same time. In addition, it is also possible to disconnect the liquid storage containers 18 from the supply channel 24 by moving all of the multiple liquid storage containers 18 in the first direction A at the same time.

[0118] When the connecting portion 45 is removed from the liquid supply portion 52, the first valve 59 is switched from the open valve state to the closed valve state, thereby suppressing the leakage of liquid such as ink from the liquid supply portion 52. Therefore, the inside of the housing 20 is suppressed from being contaminated by liquid such as ink as much as possible. In addition, when the connecting portion 45 is removed from the liquid supply portion 52, the valve (not shown) provided on the connecting portion 45 side is switched from the open valve state to the closed valve state, thereby also suppressing the leakage of liquid such as ink from the connecting portion 45.

[0119] The user can disconnect all of the multiple liquid storage containers 18 from one end of the supply channel 24, or can confirm the remaining amount by visually confirming the surface 22 and selectively remove one or more liquid storage containers 18 that are determined to need to discharge (recover) the liquid. In addition, the steps of removing the liquid storage container 18 so far are equivalent to the steps of removing the liquid storage container 18 from the liquid ejection device 11 before connecting the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62 in the liquid recovery method in the liquid ejection system.

[0120] Next, the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 removed from the chassis 20 and the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60 are connected. Through this connection, the second valve 72 (in the present embodiment, the same valve as the first valve 59) and the sealing valve 63B are switched from a closed valve state to an open valve state. In this connected state, the liquid level in the liquid storage container 18 is located above the full liquid level in the recovery container 60. In addition, the connecting step here is equivalent to the step of connecting the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery connection portion 62 of the liquid recovery container 60 in the liquid recovery method in the liquid ejection system.

[0121] As a result of the above connection, the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 moves to the recovery container 60 by utilizing the water level difference. An amount of air corresponding to the volume of the liquid flowing from the liquid storage container 18 into the recovery container 60 is exhausted from the atmosphere communication portion 64. Thus, the movement of the liquid from the liquid storage container 18 to the recovery container 60 is continuously performed. Fig.10 The recovery container 60 shown has a volume V1 greater than that in Figure 5 The total amount of liquid that can be stored in the plurality of (e.g., five) liquid storage containers 18 shown is the total liquid volume V2. Therefore, all the liquids in the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 can be recovered in the recovery container 60. In addition, the recovery step here is equivalent to a step of recovering the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 by moving the liquid in the recovery container 60 by utilizing the water level difference in the liquid recovery method in the liquid ejection system.

[0122] The liquid recovered in the recovery container 60 is absorbed by the liquid holding member 65. Therefore, even if the recovery container 60 is tilted after the liquid is recovered, the liquid will not leak. After the user assembles the empty liquid storage container 18 from which the residual liquid has been discharged into the housing 20, the liquid ejecting device 11 is discarded.

[0123] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0124] (1-1) The liquid ejection system includes a liquid ejection device 11 and a liquid recovery container 60. The liquid ejection device 11 includes an ejection head 25 for ejecting liquid, and a liquid storage container 18 capable of storing liquid supplied to the ejection head 25. The liquid storage container 18 includes a liquid storage portion 51 configured to store liquid, a liquid injection portion 53 for injecting liquid into the liquid storage portion 51, a liquid supply portion for supplying liquid to the ejection head 25, and a liquid discharge portion 71 for discharging the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 51 to the outside. The liquid recovery container 60 includes a recovery connection portion 62 capable of being connected to the liquid discharge portion 71, and a recovery storage portion 61 for storing liquid recovered from the liquid storage container 18 by connecting the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62. According to this structure, liquid such as ink remaining in the liquid storage container 18 can be recovered from the liquid storage container 18 to the liquid recovery container 60. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the environmental load caused by liquid contamination due to the residual liquid leaking from the liquid storage container 18 when the liquid ejecting device 11 is discarded.

[0125] (1-2) In the liquid ejection system, the liquid is moved by utilizing the water head difference of the liquid in the liquid storage container 18, thereby recovering the liquid to the liquid recovery container 60. According to this structure, the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 can be smoothly recovered to the liquid recovery container 60 by utilizing the water head difference without adopting a complicated structure.

[0126] (1-3) The volume of the recoverable liquid in the liquid recovery container 60 is larger than the entire volume of the liquid storable liquid in the liquid storage container 18. According to this configuration, the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 can be completely recovered by using one liquid recovery container 60.

[0127] (1-4) The recovery connection portion 62 is provided with a sealing member 63 for preventing leakage of the liquid passing through the flow path of the recovery connection portion 62. With this configuration, leakage of the recovered liquid to the outside of the liquid recovery container 60 can be suppressed.

[0128] (1-5) The liquid holding member 65 is sealed inside the liquid recovery container 60. According to this structure, the risk of the liquid recovered in the liquid recovery container 60 scattering to the outside can be reduced.

[0129] (1-6) The number of recovery connection parts 62 is less than the number of liquid storage containers 18, and the interior of the liquid recovery container 60 is formed as a whole as one space. According to this structure, since the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 can be uniformly recovered in the liquid recovery container 60, the recovered liquid can be uniformly discarded.

[0130] (1-7) The liquid recovery container 60 includes: a recovery connection portion 62 that can be connected to the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18; a recovery storage portion 61 that stores the liquid recovered from the liquid storage container 18 through the recovery connection portion 62 connected to the liquid discharge portion 71; and an atmosphere communication portion 64 that communicates the inside of the recovery storage portion 61 with the atmosphere. According to this structure, the liquid such as ink remaining in the liquid storage container 18 can be smoothly recovered from the liquid storage container 18 to the liquid recovery container 60. Therefore, the environmental load caused by liquid contamination caused by the residual liquid leaking from the liquid storage container 18 accompanying the disposal of the liquid ejection device 11 can be suppressed.

[0131] (1-8) The liquid recovery container 60 includes a sealing member 63 for preventing leakage of the liquid that has passed through the flow path of the recovery connection portion 62. According to this structure, since the sealing member 63 for preventing leakage of the liquid that has passed through the flow path of the recovery connection portion 62 is provided, it is possible to suppress leakage of the liquid in the liquid recovery container 60 from the discharge connection portion after the liquid is recovered.

[0132] (1-9) In the liquid ejection system, a liquid recovery method for recovering liquid in a liquid storage container 18 of a liquid ejection device 11 may include the following two parts. (a) Connecting the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery connection portion 62 of the liquid recovery container 60. (b) Recovering the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 by moving it into the liquid recovery container 60 using a water level difference.

[0133] According to this method, the liquid such as ink remaining in the liquid storage container 18 can be recovered from the liquid storage container 18 to the liquid recovery container 60. Therefore, the environmental load caused by liquid contamination caused by leakage of residual liquid such as residual ink in the liquid storage container 18 accompanying the disposal of the liquid ejecting device 11 can be suppressed.

[0134] (1-10) The liquid recovery method may further include the following (c). (c) Before connecting the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62, the liquid storage container 18 is removed from the liquid ejection device 11. According to this method, before connecting the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62, the liquid storage container 18 is removed from the liquid ejection device 11. Therefore, compared with a method in which the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62 are connected without removing the liquid storage container 18 from the liquid ejection device 11, the operation of connecting the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62 is easier to perform.

[0135] Second embodiment

[0136] Next, refer to Figures 13 to 18The structure of the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery container 60, which are part of the liquid ejection system of the second embodiment, will be described. The basic structure of the liquid ejection device 11 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, regarding the structure of the liquid ejection device 11, the same symbols as those of the first embodiment are marked and the detailed description thereof is omitted. In particular, the structure of the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery container 60 will be mainly described. In addition, regarding the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery container 60, the same symbols are marked for the structures common to the first embodiment and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0137] like Fig.13 , Fig.14 As shown, the liquid storage container 18 of the second embodiment has a structure in which the liquid supply unit 52 and the liquid discharge unit 71 are separated. That is, the liquid discharge unit 71 for discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 to the outside is provided separately from the liquid supply unit 52.

[0138] like Fig.13 , Fig.14 As shown in FIG. 1 , the basic structure of the liquid storage container 18 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Fig.13 , Fig.14 As shown in the figure, the liquid storage container 18 includes a liquid storage portion 51 and a liquid injection portion 53. The liquid storage portion 51 is configured to be able to store liquid, and the liquid injection portion 53 injects liquid into the liquid storage portion 51. Further, the liquid storage container 18 includes a liquid supply portion 52, which is a portion connected to one end of the supply flow channel 24 that supplies liquid to the ejection head 25 and supplies the liquid in the liquid storage portion 51, and a liquid discharge portion 71 that discharges the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 51 to the outside. The liquid supply portion 52 is located at the upper part of the side 51B of the liquid storage container 18. The inside of the liquid storage chamber 55 of the liquid storage portion 51 is divided into a region for storing liquid and a supply flow channel that guides the liquid to the liquid supply portion 52 by a flow channel forming wall 51D extending downward from the partition portion 51C.

[0139] The liquid supply section 52 is configured to be connected to the connection section 45 provided at the upstream end of the supply channel 24. The liquid supply section 52 is connected to the connection section 45, thereby connecting the liquid supply section 52 to the connection port 46 of the connection section 45. The liquid discharge section 71 is disposed at the bottom surface 51A or the lower part of the side surface 51B of the liquid storage section 51. Fig.13 , Fig.14In the illustrated example, the liquid discharge portion 71 is disposed on the bottom surface 51A of the liquid storage portion 51. The liquid discharge portion 71 protrudes downward from the bottom surface 51A of the liquid storage portion 51.

[0140] In addition, the liquid storage container 18 is provided with a first valve 59 capable of opening and closing the flow path of the liquid supply portion 52. The liquid storage container 18 has a second valve 72 capable of opening and closing the flow path of the liquid discharge portion 71. In this second embodiment, since the liquid supply portion 52 and the liquid discharge portion 71 are provided separately, the first valve 59 and the second valve 72 are also provided separately. The valve structure and function of the first valve 59 and the valve structure and function of the second valve 72 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0141] That is, the first valve 59 includes a valve body, a valve seat, and a force applying member (e.g., a spring) that applies force in a direction that causes the valve body to abut against the valve seat. For example, when the connection portion 45 is connected to the liquid supply portion 52, the valve body on the inner side of the liquid supply portion 52 is separated from the valve seat by the force received from the connection portion 45, thereby switching the first valve 59 from the closed valve state to the open valve state. In addition, when the connection portion 45 is removed from the liquid supply portion 52, the valve body is abutted against the valve seat by the force of the force applying member, thereby switching the first valve 59 from the open valve state to the closed valve state.

[0142] The second valve 72 includes a valve body, a valve seat, and a biasing member (e.g., a spring) that biases the valve body in a direction that causes the valve body to abut against the valve seat. For example, when the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60 described later is connected to the liquid discharge portion 71, the valve body is used to utilize the recovery connection portion 62 (see Fig.18 ) is subjected to the force and retreats in the direction away from the valve seat, thereby switching the second valve 72 from the closed valve state to the open valve state. In addition, when the recovery connection part 62 is removed from the liquid discharge part 71, the valve body is pressed against the valve seat by the force of the force applying member, thereby switching the second valve 72 from the open valve state to the closed valve state.

[0143] Next, if Fig.13 , Fig.14 As shown, there is a cover member 75 which is detachably mounted on the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 and seals the liquid discharge portion 71 when the liquid discharge portion 71 is not connected to a connection object.

[0144] like Fig.13 , Fig.14 As shown in the figure, the liquid discharge part 71 is sealed by covering the liquid discharge part 71 with the cover member 75. The cover member 75 is attached to the liquid discharge part 71 by, for example, fitting or screwing.

[0145] The structure of the liquid ejection system

[0146] Next, refer to Figures 15 to 18 The liquid storage container 18 and the recovery container 60 will be described.

[0147] In the present embodiment, the liquid ejection system is composed of a liquid ejection device 11 and a recovery container 60. The liquid ejection device 11 and the recovery container 60 can be sold as a set, or the recovery container 60 can be obtained by the user for a fee or for free when the user discards the liquid ejection device 11. In addition, it can also be a structure in which a recess is provided in the housing 20 of the liquid ejection device 11, and the recovery container 60 is inserted into the recess. The opening of the recess can also be covered by a cover. It can also be a structure in which, when the liquid ejection device 11 is discarded, the cover is removed and the recovery container 60 is taken out of the recess for use.

[0148] like Fig.15 , Fig.16 As shown, the recovery container 60 includes: a recovery storage portion 61, which is configured to store liquid; a recovery connection portion 62, which can be connected to the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18; and an atmosphere communication portion 64, which allows the interior of the recovery storage portion 61 to communicate with the atmosphere. Fig.16 As shown, the liquid recovered from the liquid storage container 18 by the connection between the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62 is stored in the recovery storage portion 61 .

[0149] Similar to the first embodiment, a sealing member 63 is provided on the recovery connection portion 62 to prevent leakage of the liquid passing through the flow path of the recovery connection portion 62. The sealing member 63 is a sealing valve 63B that prevents leakage of the liquid passing through the flow path of the recovery connection portion 62. In addition, similar to the first embodiment, a liquid holding member 65 is sealed inside the recovery container 60.

[0150] like Fig.17 As shown in FIG. 1 , the number of the recovery connection parts 62 is less than the number of the liquid storage containers 18. Fig.15 , Fig.17 As shown in FIG. 1 , the interior of the recovery container 60 is formed as a single space as a whole. Fig.17 In the illustrated example, a plurality of recovery connection portions 62 are provided on the recovery container 60. The recovery connection portions 62 are provided in the same number as the number of liquid storage containers 18 incorporated in the liquid ejection device 11, for example.

[0151] like Fig.17As shown in the figure, on the upper surface of the recovery container 60, the same number of recovery connection parts 62 as the number of liquid storage containers 18 possessed by a liquid ejection device 11 are provided in a manner spaced apart in the width direction X. These intervals correspond to the width dimensions of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously connect a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 relative to the recovery container 60. The atmosphere communication part 64 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the recovery storage part 61. The atmosphere communication part 64 is connected to the recovery storage chamber 61A. In addition, if the recovery storage chamber 61A in the recovery container 60 is a single chamber, the atmosphere communication part 64 can be either multiple or one.

[0152] like Fig.17 As shown, the volume V1 of the recoverable liquid in the recovery container 60 is larger than the total volume of the liquid that can be accommodated in the liquid storage container 18, that is, the total liquid volume V2. The volume V1 of the recovery container 60 that can accommodate liquid is set to be larger than the total amount of liquid that can be accommodated in the multiple liquid storage containers 18, that is, the total liquid volume V2. Suppose that the volume of liquid that can be accommodated in the first liquid storage container 18A is V2a, and the volume of liquid that can be accommodated in the second liquid storage container 18B is V2b. The total volume of liquid that can be accommodated in the multiple liquid storage containers 18, that is, the total liquid volume V2, is V2=V2a+4*V2b. The volume V1 of the recovery container 60 is set to a value larger than the total liquid volume V2. In addition, although in Fig.17 In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the liquid retaining member 65 is sealed in the recovery container 60 , but the volume of the liquid in the recovery container 60 excluding the volume of the liquid retaining member 65 is set to a volume V1 larger than the total liquid volume V2 .

[0153] like Fig.17 As shown in FIG. 1 , the recovery container 60 is disposed on the lower side of the liquid storage container 18 removed from the housing 20. The recovery connection portion 62 is composed of a cylinder portion 66 having a recess 66A into which the liquid discharge portion 71 composed of a tube portion 73 can be fitted. Fig.16 , Fig.18 As shown, the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60. Then, both the second valve 72 and the sealing valve 63B are switched from the closed valve state to the open valve state.

[0154] exist Fig.18 The recovery container 60 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 disconnected from one end of the supply flow path 24. Fig.18As shown, the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60. The liquid in the liquid storage container 18 is configured to be recovered in the liquid recovery container 60 by utilizing the water head difference.

[0155] In the recovery container 60, almost all the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 is recovered without overflowing. The liquid recovered in the recovery container 60 is absorbed by the liquid holding member 65. Therefore, even if the recovery container 60 is tilted, the liquid will not leak. Then, the user returns the empty liquid storage container 18 from which the remaining liquid has been discharged to the recovery container 60 to the original storage section 19. The user discards the liquid ejection device 11 in an empty state in which no liquid remains in the liquid storage container 18.

[0156] Effects of the Second Embodiment

[0157] Next, the operation of the liquid ejection device 11 including the liquid storage container 18 according to the second embodiment will be described. The operation of the liquid ejection system including the liquid ejection device 11 and the recovery container 60 will be described together.

[0158] When the liquid ejection device 11 is discarded, the user takes the recovery container 60. As in the first embodiment, the user slides the liquid storage container 18 toward the Fig.13 The first direction A is the connection direction between the liquid supply part 52 and the supply channel 24. In particular, in this example, the first direction A is the connection direction between the liquid supply part 52 and the connecting part 45 as one end of the supply channel 24.

[0159] Even if the connection part 45 is removed from the liquid supply part 52, since the first valve 59 is switched from the open valve state to the closed valve state, leakage of liquid such as ink from the liquid supply part 52 is suppressed. Therefore, the inside of the housing 20 is suppressed from being contaminated by liquid such as ink as much as possible. In addition, when the connection part 45 is removed from the liquid supply part 52, the valve (not shown) provided on the connection part 45 side is switched from the open valve state to the closed valve state.

[0160] When removing the liquid storage container 18 from the housing 20, the cover member 75 is removed from the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18. Fig.15 , Fig.17As shown in FIG. 1 , a recovery container 60 is disposed at the lower side of the liquid storage container 18. The recovery container 60 includes a recovery storage portion 61 having a recovery storage chamber 61A. The recovery container 60 includes a recovery connection portion 62, which is a portion connected to the liquid discharge portion 71, on the upper surface 61B of the recovery storage portion 61. The recovery connection portion 62 is cylindrical and has a recess 66A in the cylinder into which the tubular liquid discharge portion 71 can be fitted. Then, as shown in FIG. Fig.16 , Fig.18 As shown, the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60 are connected. Then, the second valve 72 and the sealing valve 63B are switched from the closed valve state to the open valve state. The liquid in the liquid storage container 18 moves to the recovery container 60 using the water level difference. During the recovery process of the liquid, the air corresponding to the volume of the liquid flowing from the liquid storage container 18 into the recovery container 60 is exhausted from the atmosphere communication portion 64. Thus, the inflow of the liquid from the liquid storage container 18 into the recovery container 60 is continuously implemented. In the recovery container 60, almost all of the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 is recovered without overflow. The liquid recovered in the recovery container 60 is absorbed by the liquid retaining member 65. Therefore, even if the recovery container 60 is tilted, the liquid will not leak. Then, after removing the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18, the user discards the liquid ejection device 11.

[0161] As described above, even in the second embodiment, the recovery of the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 is implemented by the liquid recovery method in the liquid ejection system that is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the liquid recovery method includes three steps. The first is a step of removing the liquid storage container 18 from the liquid ejection device 11 before connecting the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62. The second is a step of connecting the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60. The third is a step of recovering the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 by moving it into the recovery container 60 using the water level difference.

[0162] Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the effects (1-1) to (1-10) in the first embodiment can be obtained in the same manner.

[0163] Third embodiment

[0164] Next, refer to Figures 19 to 23 The structure of the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery container 60 of the third embodiment will be described. The basic structure of the liquid ejection device 11 is the same as that of the first embodiment. In addition, regarding the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery container 60, the same symbols will be marked for the structures common to the second embodiment and their detailed description will be omitted.

[0165] like Figures 19 to 23 As shown in the figure, the liquid storage container 18 has the same structure as the second embodiment. The recovery container 60 of this embodiment has the function of returning the liquid recovered from the liquid storage container 18 to the liquid storage container 18. In addition to the method of using the liquid storage container 18 to recover the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 when the liquid ejecting device 11 is discarded, it can also be used in the case where the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 needs to be temporarily discharged due to transportation or maintenance of the liquid ejecting device 11.

[0166] The liquid recovery container 60 of the present embodiment includes a recovery storage portion 61, a recovery connection portion 62, and an atmosphere communication portion 64 (see Fig.21 ). The recovery connection portion 62 is configured to be connectable to the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18. The recovery storage portion 61 stores the liquid recovered from the liquid storage container through the recovery connection portion connected to the liquid discharge portion. The atmosphere communication portion 64 communicates the interior of the recovery storage portion 61 with the atmosphere.

[0167] A plurality of recovery connection parts 62 are formed according to the number of liquid storage containers 18. The interior of the recovery container 60 is divided into the same number of spaces as the number of liquid storage containers 18. In detail, the recovery container 60 is divided into a plurality of recovery chambers 68 by the partition wall 67. On the upper surface 61B of the recovery container 60, a plurality of recovery connection parts 62 corresponding to each of the plurality of recovery chambers 68 are protrudingly provided. The recovery connection part 62 is composed of a concave-shaped cylindrical part 66, and the cylindrical part 66 has a recessed part 66A that can be engaged with a tubular liquid discharge part 71 in a convex shape.

[0168] The recovery connection portion 62 is provided with a sealing member 63 for preventing leakage of the liquid passing through the flow path of the recovery connection portion 62. The sealing member 63 is, for example, a sealing valve 63B capable of opening and closing the flow path of the recovery connection portion 62.

[0169] The sealing valve 63B, for example, has a valve body and a valve seat, wherein the valve body is forced in a direction of being pushed outward by a force-applying member (not shown) in a state in which the valve body can move forward and backward in the axial direction thereof, and the valve seat abuts against the valve body to which the force is applied. When the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to the recovery connection portion 62, the valve body leaves the valve seat by utilizing the force received from the liquid discharge portion 71, thereby switching the sealing valve 63B from a closed valve state to an open valve state. In addition, when the liquid discharge portion 71 is removed from the recovery connection portion 62, the valve body abuts against the valve seat by utilizing the force applied by the force-applying member, thereby switching the sealing valve 63B from an open valve state to a closed valve state. Therefore, after the recovery of the liquid is completed, leakage of the liquid in the recovery container 60 from the recovery connection portion 62 can be suppressed.

[0170] like Fig.19 As shown in FIG. 1 , on the upper surface of the recovery container 60, the same number of recovery connection parts 62 as the number of liquid storage containers 18 included in one liquid ejecting device 11 are provided at intervals in the width direction X. These intervals correspond to the respective width dimensions of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18. Therefore, a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 can be connected to the recovery container 60 at the same time.

[0171] In addition, if Fig. 20 , Fig. 22 As shown in the figure, the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60 are connected. Then, the second valve 72 and the sealing valve 63B are switched from the closed valve state to the open valve state. The liquid in the liquid storage container 18 moves to the recovery container 60 by utilizing the water level difference, and is recovered in the recovery container 60.

[0172] like Fig.19 , Fig.21 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the recovery container 60 of the present embodiment, a liquid resupply portion 81 is provided as a liquid supply port for returning the liquid recovered in the recovery storage portion 61 to the liquid storage container 18 again. That is, the recovery container 60 has a liquid resupply portion 81 that can be connected to the liquid injection portion 53. The liquid resupply portion 81 is provided at the lower portion of the recovery storage portion 61. The liquid resupply portion 81 is formed separately from the recovery connection portion 62. That is, as shown in FIG. Fig.19 , Fig.21 As shown in FIG. 1 , the recovery connection portion 62 is disposed at the upper portion of the recovery storage portion 61, and the liquid resupply portion 81 is disposed at the lower portion of the recovery storage portion 61. In addition, the liquid resupply portion 81 is not limited to Fig.19 , Fig.21 The structure provided on the bottom surface of the recovery storage section 61 as shown may also be provided on the lower side of the recovery storage section 61 .

[0173] like Fig.19 , Fig.21 As shown in the figure, the liquid resupply part 81 is composed of a cylinder 83. The cylinder 83 is formed to have an inner diameter size that can be fitted with the liquid injection part 53 on the side of the liquid storage container 18. In detail, the liquid resupply part 81 is composed of a cylinder 83 of a concave shape that can be fitted with the convex liquid injection part 53. The cylinder 83 has a concave part 83A of an inner diameter size that can be externally fitted on the tube part of the liquid injection part 53. In addition, the concave-convex relationship between the liquid resupply part 81 and the liquid injection part 53 can also be reversed. For example, the liquid resupply part 81 can be convex and the liquid injection part 53 can be concave.

[0174] The liquid resupply part 81 has a valve 82 that can open and close the flow channel of the liquid resupply part 81. The valve 82, for example, has a valve body and a valve seat, and the valve body is forced outward by a force-applying member (not shown) in a state in which it can move forward and backward in the axial direction, and the valve seat abuts against the valve body that is forced. When the liquid resupply part 81 is connected to the liquid injection part 53 of the liquid storage container 18, the valve body leaves the valve seat by utilizing the force received from the liquid injection part 53, so that the valve 82 is switched from a closed valve state to an open valve state. In addition, when the liquid resupply part 81 is removed from the liquid injection part 53, the valve body abuts against the valve seat by utilizing the force of the force-applying member, so that the valve 82 is switched from an open valve state to a closed valve state. Therefore, whether during the liquid recovery in the recovery container 60, after the liquid recovery, or in the process of returning the liquid to the liquid storage container 18, the leakage of the liquid from the liquid resupply part 81 can be suppressed.

[0175] Here, if Fig.19 As shown, the volumes V1a and V1b of the liquid that can be accommodated in the multiple recovery storage chambers 61A divided in the recovery container 60 are set to be larger than the volumes V2a and V2b of the liquid that can be accommodated in the multiple liquid storage containers 18. It is assumed that the volume that can be accommodated in the first liquid storage container 18A is V2a, and the volume that can be accommodated in the second liquid storage container 18B is V2b. The volume V1a of the first recovery chamber 68A in the recovery container 60 is set to a value larger than the volume V2a of the first liquid storage container 18A. In addition, the volume V1b of the second recovery chamber 68B in the recovery container 60 is set to a value larger than the volume V2b of the second liquid storage container 18B. In addition, the volume of the liquid storage container 18 is the amount of liquid when the liquid level reaches the lower end of the air flow channel 58. The volume of the recovery container 60 is, for example, the amount of liquid when the liquid level reaches a position below the communication position of the atmosphere communication portion 64 and slightly below the open / closed position of the sealing valve 63B. In addition, the volume V1 of the recovery container 60 may be set to an appropriate value in consideration of the fact that the recovered liquid does not leak. Figures 19 to 22As shown, in the present embodiment, the liquid retaining member 65 is not accommodated in the recovery container 60 .

[0176] like Fig.21 As shown, the atmosphere communication portion 64 protrudes upward from the upper surface 61B of the recovery storage portion 61. The atmosphere communication portion 64 communicates with the recovery chamber 68 at a position above the liquid level when the liquid volume in the recovery chamber 68 is at a maximum.

[0177] like Fig. 20 , Fig. 22 As shown in the figure, the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60. The liquid is moved by utilizing the water level difference of the liquid in the liquid storage container 18, so that the liquid is recovered to the recovery container 60. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Fig. 20 As shown in FIG. 1 , the liquids in the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 are recovered separately for each color in the plurality of recovery chambers 68. Fig. 20 , an example is shown in which all of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 are connected to the recovery container 60 at the same time, but the liquid in the liquid storage containers 18 may be recovered into the recovery container 60 one by one or in a plurality less than the total number.

[0178] After the liquid recovery is completed, the liquid ejecting device 11 is maintained or transported. After the maintenance or transportation is completed, the user returns the liquid in the recovery container 60 to the liquid storage container 18.

[0179] like Fig.23 As shown in FIG. 1 , the liquid resupply portion 81 of the recovery container 60 is connected to the liquid injection portion 53 of the liquid storage container 18. During the connection, the valve body of the sealing valve 63B is pressed by the liquid injection portion 53, so that the sealing valve 63B is switched from a closed valve state to an open valve state. As a result, the liquid in the recovery container 60 moves toward the liquid storage container 18 through the liquid flow path 57 by utilizing the water level difference.

[0180] At this time, along with the inflow of liquid into the liquid storage container 18, the air in the liquid storage chamber 55 is discharged to the outside from the atmosphere communication portion 54. As a result, the liquid in the recovery container 60 continuously moves into the liquid storage container 18. In this way, the liquid in the recovery container 60 returns to the liquid storage container 18. Fig.23 When the connection shown is used to return the liquid in the recovery container 60 to the liquid storage container 18, multiple liquid storage containers 18 can be connected to the recovery container 60 at the same time, or one by one or a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 less than the total number can be connected to the recovery container 60.

[0181] Therefore, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-1) to (1-4) and (1-7) to (1-10) in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0182] (3-1) The recovery connection portion 62 is formed in plurality according to the number of liquid storage containers 18, and the interior of the liquid recovery container 60 is divided into the same number of spaces as the number of liquid storage containers 18. According to this structure, the liquid in each liquid storage container 18 can be separately recovered in the divided spaces in the liquid recovery container 60. It is possible to consider replenishing the recovered liquid and prevent mixing of different liquids.

[0183] (3-2) The liquid recovery container 60 includes the liquid resupply portion 81 connectable to the liquid injection portion 53. According to this configuration, the liquid recovered in the liquid recovery container 60 can be reused.

[0184] (3-3) The liquid resupply portion 81 is formed separately from the recovery connection portion 62. According to this structure, the liquid recovered in the liquid recovery container 60 can be smoothly supplied to the liquid storage container 18. In addition, for example, there is a case where the recovery connection portion 62 can be used as an atmosphere opening.

[0185] Fourth embodiment

[0186] Next, refer to Figure 24 to Figure 26 The structure of the recovery container 60 of the fourth embodiment will be described. The basic structure of the liquid ejection device 11 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The structure of the liquid storage container 18 is the same as that of the second and third embodiments. Therefore, in the following, the structure of the recovery container 60 will be described as the center. In addition, regarding the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery container 60, the same symbols will be marked for the structures common to the second and third embodiments, and their detailed description will be omitted.

[0187] like Fig.24 , Fig.25 As shown in the figure, the recovery container 60 of this embodiment has the function of returning the liquid recovered from the liquid storage container 18 to the liquid storage container 18 in the same manner as the third embodiment. In addition to the method of using the recovery method to recover the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 when the liquid ejecting device 11 is discarded, it can also be used in the case where the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 needs to be temporarily discharged due to transportation or maintenance of the liquid ejecting device 11.

[0188] like Fig.24 , Fig.25As shown in the figure, the recovery connection part 62 is formed in plurality according to the number of liquid storage containers 18, and the interior of the recovery container 60 is divided into the same number of spaces as the number of liquid storage containers 18. In detail, the recovery container 60 is divided into a plurality of recovery chambers 68 by the partition part 67 as in the third embodiment. On the upper surface 61B of the recovery container 60, a plurality of recovery connection parts 62 corresponding to each of the plurality of recovery chambers 68 are protrudingly provided. The recovery connection part 62 is composed of a concave-shaped cylinder 66, and the cylinder 66 has a concave part 66A that can be fitted with a tubular liquid discharge part 71 in a convex shape.

[0189] The recovery container 60 of this embodiment also has a recovery connection part 62, a recovery storage part 61, and an atmosphere communication part 64 in the same manner as the above-mentioned various embodiments. On the recovery connection part 62, a sealing component 63 is provided to prevent the leakage of the liquid passing through the flow channel of the recovery connection part 62. The sealing component 63 is, for example, a sealing valve 63B that can open and close the flow channel of the recovery connection part 62. The sealing valve 63B is, for example, a structure similar to that of the third embodiment, and is provided with a valve body, a force member, and a valve seat. When the liquid discharge part 71 is connected to the recovery connection part 62, the valve body uses the force received from the liquid discharge part 71 to leave the valve seat, thereby switching the sealing valve 63B from the closed valve state to the open valve state. In addition, when the liquid discharge part 71 is removed from the recovery connection part 62, the valve body is pressed against the valve seat by the force of the force member, thereby switching the sealing valve 63B from the open valve state to the closed valve state.

[0190] like Fig.25 As shown, the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60. In this connection state, the liquid is moved by utilizing the water level difference of the liquid in the liquid storage container 18, thereby recovering the liquid to the recovery container 60. In this way, after the liquid recovery is completed, the liquid ejection device 11 is maintained or transported.

[0191] The recovery container 60 of the fourth embodiment has a liquid resupply portion 81 connectable to the liquid injection portion 53. However, the recovery container 60 of the third embodiment does not have a dedicated liquid resupply portion 81. The recovery connection portion 62 may also serve as the liquid resupply portion 81.

[0192] In this way, in the present embodiment, since the recovery connection portion 62 also serves as the liquid resupply portion 81, when the liquid in the recovery container 60 is returned to the liquid storage container 18, the recovery container 60 is reversed so that the recovery connection portion 62 is directed downward. Then, the liquid resupply portion 81 also serving as the recovery connection portion 62 is connected to the liquid injection portion 53 of the liquid storage container 18. Although the atmosphere communication portion 64 is located at the lower side in the vertical direction Z when the recovery container 60 is reversed, the recovery container 60 has a structure in which the atmosphere communication portion 64 can be communicated with the atmosphere even in such a reversed posture.

[0193] like Fig.24 As shown, the recovery container 60 has a flow channel forming partition wall portion 61E extending from the upper portion of the recovery storage portion 61 toward the bottom in the recovery chamber 68. The flow channel forming partition wall portion 61E forms an atmosphere communication flow channel 64A communicating with the atmosphere communication portion 64 in the recovery chamber 68. The atmosphere communication flow channel 64A communicates with a space region outside the atmosphere communication flow channel 64A in the recovery chamber 68 through a communication portion on the bottom side.

[0194] By providing such a flow path forming partition wall portion 61E, even if the recovery container 60 storing the liquid is turned upside down, the atmosphere communication flow path 64A can be filled with air. Thus, the recovery connection portion 62 also serves as the liquid resupply portion 81.

[0195] After maintenance or transportation, the user returns the liquid in the recovery container 60 to the liquid storage container 18. At this time, by moving the recovery container 60 containing the liquid to the liquid storage container 18, the user returns the liquid in the recovery container 60 to the liquid storage container 18. Fig.25 During the half-turn of the recovery container 60, the liquid flows out from the atmosphere communication flow channel 64A, thereby filling the atmosphere communication flow channel 64A with air.

[0196] Then, if Fig.26 As shown in the figure, while maintaining the inverted posture, the recovery connection part 62 of the recovery container 60 is connected to the liquid injection part 53 of the liquid storage container 18. Here, the inner diameter of the cylinder 66 constituting the recovery connection part 62 is set to a size that can be fitted with the liquid injection part 53 on the liquid storage container 18 side. In detail, since the liquid injection part 53 of the liquid storage container 18 is composed of a convex tube part, the recovery connection part 62 is formed by a concave cylinder 66 that can be fitted with the convex liquid injection part 53. In addition, the inner diameter of the cylinder 66 is set to a size that can be fitted outside the tube part constituting the liquid injection part 53.

[0197] When Fig.26In the state shown, when the recovery connection part 62 is connected to the liquid injection part 53, the liquid injection part 53 overcomes the force of the force applying member and presses the valve body (not shown) constituting the sealing valve 63B, thereby switching the sealing valve 63B from the closed valve state to the open valve state. Therefore, the liquid in the recovery container 60 flows into the liquid storage container 18 through the liquid flow channel 57 by the water level difference.

[0198] At this time, along with the inflow of liquid into the liquid storage container 18, the air in the liquid storage chamber 55 moves into the recovery container 60 through the air flow path 58. In this way, while the gas-liquid exchange is performed in the liquid storage container 18, the liquid in the recovery container 60 continuously flows into the liquid storage container 18. In this way, the liquid in the recovery container 60 returns to the liquid storage container 18.

[0199] Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to obtaining the effects of (1-1) to (1-4), (1-7) to (1-10) in the first embodiment, and the effects of (3-1) to (3-3) in the third embodiment, the following effects are further obtained.

[0200] (4-1) Recovery connection portion 62 also serves as liquid resupply portion 81 According to this configuration, since the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60 also serves as the liquid resupply portion 81, it is possible to suppress complication of the structure of the recovery container 60.

[0201] Fifth embodiment

[0202] Next, refer to Figure 27 to Figure 29 The structure of the recovery container 60 of the fifth embodiment will be described. The structure of the liquid storage container 18 is the same as that of the second to fourth embodiments.

[0203] like Fig. 27 , Fig.28 As shown in the figure, the recovery container 60 of this embodiment has the function of returning the liquid recovered from the liquid storage container 18 to the liquid storage container 18 in the same manner as the third and fourth embodiments. In addition to the method of using the recovery method to recover the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 when the liquid ejecting device 11 is discarded, it can also be used in the case where the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 needs to be temporarily discharged due to transportation or maintenance of the liquid ejecting device 11.

[0204] like Fig. 27As shown, the liquid recovery container 60 includes a recovery storage portion 61 and a recovery connection portion 62. The recovery connection portion 62 is configured to be connectable to the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18. The recovery storage portion 61 stores the liquid recovered from the liquid storage container 18 through the recovery connection portion 62 connected to the liquid discharge portion 71. The recovery container 60 does not include the atmosphere communication portion 64 included in the recovery container 60 of the first to fourth embodiments. The recovery connection portion 62 also has a liquid flow channel 85 and an air flow channel 86 constituting a gas-liquid exchange portion.

[0205] like Fig. 27 As shown, on the recovery storage portion 61, a plurality of recovery connection portions 62 are formed according to the number of liquid storage containers 18. The interior of the liquid recovery container 60 is divided into the same number of spaces as the number of liquid storage containers 18. In detail, the recovery container 60 is divided into a plurality of recovery chambers 68 by a partition portion 67. On the upper surface 61B of the recovery container 60, a plurality of recovery connection portions 62 corresponding to each of the plurality of recovery chambers 68 are protrudingly provided. The recovery connection portion 62 is composed of a tube portion 69, and the tube portion 69 can be engaged with a liquid discharge portion 71 composed of a concave barrel portion 74. The tube portion 69 is configured to be able to be inserted into the recess 74A of the barrel portion 74.

[0206] like Fig. 27 As shown, in the recovery container 60, a liquid resupply portion 81 is provided as a liquid supply port for returning the liquid recovered in the recovery storage portion 61 to the liquid storage container 18 again. The liquid resupply portion 81 is configured to be connectable to the liquid injection portion 53. The liquid resupply portion 81 is disposed on the lower portion, which is opposite to the upper portion of the recovery storage portion 61 where the recovery connection portion 62 is formed. In other words, the liquid resupply portion 81 is disposed on the bottom surface 61D of the recovery storage portion 61. In this way, the liquid resupply portion 81 is formed separately from the recovery connection portion 62. In addition, the liquid resupply portion 81 is not limited to being disposed on the bottom surface 61D of the recovery storage portion 61, but may also be disposed at the lower portion of the side surface 61C.

[0207] like Fig. 27 As shown in the figure, the liquid resupply part 81 is composed of a cylinder 83. The cylinder 83 is formed to have an inner diameter of a size that can be fitted with the liquid injection part 53 on the liquid storage container 18 side. In detail, the liquid resupply part 81 is composed of a cylinder 83 of a concave shape that can be fitted with the convex shape of the liquid injection part 53. The cylinder 83 is formed with an inner diameter size that can be externally fitted on the tube part of the liquid injection part 53. In addition, the concave-convex relationship between the liquid resupply part 81 and the liquid injection part 53 may be reversed.

[0208] The basic principle of the liquid flow passage 85 and the air flow passage 86 constituting the gas-liquid exchange section of the recovery connection portion 62 and the liquid flow passage 57 and the air flow passage 58 constituting the gas-liquid exchange section of the liquid storage container 18 are the same. Fig.28 As shown in the figure, when the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60, the liquid moves from the liquid storage container 18 to the recovery container 60 due to the water level difference. The air in the recovery chamber 68 is discharged into the liquid storage container 18 through the air flow channel 86 until it reaches Fig.28 The air that has risen as bubbles from the liquid discharge portion 71 in the liquid storage container 18 is discharged from the liquid storage chamber 55 through the air flow path 58 and the liquid injection portion 53 to the atmosphere.

[0209] On the other hand, if the liquid reaches Fig.28 If the liquid level in the recovery container 60 shown in the figure is lower than the height indicated by the double-dotted chain line, the air flow channel 86 is closed by the liquid. As a result, the movement of the liquid from the liquid storage container 18 to the recovery container 60 through the liquid flow channel 85 stops. In this way, in the recovery container 60, the air flow channel 86 constituting the gas-liquid exchange portion which is integrally provided with the recovery connection portion 62 functions as an atmosphere communication portion which is indirectly connected to the atmosphere on the path passing through the liquid injection portion 53 on the side of the liquid storage container 18 of the connection destination. At this point, the liquid discharge portion 71 also serves as the atmosphere communication portion. In addition, since the volume of the recovery container 60 is larger than the total volume of the liquid in the corresponding liquid storage container 18, there is basically no liquid reaching the recovery container 60. Fig.28 The liquid level is indicated by the double-dotted line.

[0210] exist Fig.28 When the recovery of the liquid shown is completed, the liquid ejecting device 11 is maintained or transported. After the maintenance or transportation is completed, the user returns the liquid in the recovery container 60 to the liquid storage container 18.

[0211] like Fig.29 As shown in FIG. 1 , the liquid resupply portion 81 of the recovery container 60 is connected to the liquid injection portion 53 of the liquid storage container 18. During the connection, the valve body of the sealing valve 63B is pressed by the liquid injection portion 53, so that the sealing valve 63B is switched from a closed valve state to an open valve state. As a result, the liquid in the recovery container 60 moves to the liquid storage container 18 through the liquid flow path 57 by utilizing the water level difference.

[0212] At this time, along with the inflow of the liquid in the liquid storage container 18, the air in the liquid storage chamber 55 is discharged to the outside from the atmosphere communication portion 54. As a result, the liquid in the recovery container 60 continuously moves into the liquid storage container 18. In addition, along with the reduction of the liquid in the recovery container 60, the air is introduced into the recovery chamber 68 from the recovery connection portion 62. That is, the recovery connection portion 62 communicates the atmosphere with the inside of the recovery chamber 68, and thus functions as an atmosphere communication portion. Thus, the liquid in the recovery container 60 continuously moves to the liquid storage container 18. In this way, the liquid in the recovery container 60 returns to the liquid storage container 18.

[0213] Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, in addition to obtaining the effects of (1-1) to (1-4), (1-7) to (1-10) in the first embodiment, and the effects of (3-1) and (3-2) in the third embodiment, the following effects are further obtained.

[0214] (5-1) The recovery connection portion 62 also serves as the atmosphere communication portion. According to this configuration, since the recovery connection portion 62 also serves as the atmosphere communication portion, the structure of the liquid recovery container 60 can be simplified.

[0215] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiment can also be changed into the form of the modified example shown below. Furthermore, the example obtained by appropriately combining the above-mentioned embodiment and the modified example shown below can be set as a further modified example, and the example obtained by appropriately combining the modified examples shown below can be set as a further modified example.

[0216] The recovery container 60 may also include a sealing member that is detachably mounted on the recovery connection portion 62. Fig.30 As shown, the recovery container 60 of the first embodiment may also include a sealing component 91 that can be detached from the recovery connection part 62. The sealing component 91 is a cover component that seals the connection port of the recovery connection part 62. The sealing component 91 is installed relative to the recovery connection part 62 in a state in which its connection port is sealed, for example, by fitting or screwing. When recovering the liquid, the user removes the sealing component 91 from the recovery connection part 62 and connects the liquid discharge part 71 of the liquid storage container 18 to the recovery connection part 62. When the recovery of the liquid in the recovery container 60 is completed, the connection between the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery container 60 is released, and the sealing component 91 is installed on the recovery connection part 62 of the recovery container 60. According to this structure, it is possible to suppress the liquid recovered in the recovery container 60 from leaking from the recovery connection part 62. In addition, as Fig.31As shown in FIG. 1 , the recovery container 60 of the second embodiment may also include a sealing member 92 that can be attached to and detached from the recovery connection portion 62. Fig.32 As shown in FIG. 1 , the recovery container 60 of the third embodiment may also include a sealing member 93 that can be attached to and detached from the recovery connection portion 62. In this case, Fig.32 As shown in FIG. 6A , the sealing valve 63B may not be installed. Fig.33 As shown, the recovery container 60 of the fifth embodiment may also include a sealing component 94 that can be detached from the recovery connection portion 62. In addition, the recovery container 60 of the fourth embodiment may also include a sealing component that can be detached from the recovery connection portion 62. Even with any of these structures, it is possible to suppress the liquid recovered in the recovery container 60 from leaking out of the recovery connection portion 62. For the recovery containers 60 of the third to fifth embodiments, although the liquid retaining component 65 that can help suppress the leakage of the liquid is basically unable to be accommodated, the leakage of the liquid in the recovery container 60 can be suppressed by the sealing components 91 to 94.

[0217] · The moving direction of the door body 19B can be set to any method as long as the liquid storage container 18 can be taken out in the first direction A. For example, the sliding direction can also be the width direction X. In addition, the door body 19B can be set to any method as long as the liquid storage container 18 can be taken out in the first direction A. It is not limited to sliding and can also be a rotating method. For example, the door body 19B can also be a structure that rotates around the lower end, a structure that rotates around the right end, a structure that rotates around the left end, and a structure that rotates around the upper end.

[0218] Although in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, a method of connecting the liquid storage container 18 that is removed from the chassis 20 by releasing the fixing portion 42 is adopted, a method of connecting the liquid recovery container 60 to the liquid storage container 18 while maintaining the state of being fixed to the chassis 20 may also be adopted. For example, a structure is set in which the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 is exposed from an opening of the bottom plate of the chassis 20, and the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60 is connected to the liquid discharge portion 71 through the opening. In addition to the connection embodiment, the opening may be covered by a cover. In addition, if the structure is that the liquid discharge portion 71 is exposed from the chassis 20, the position of the opening may also be other surfaces such as the side of the chassis 20. In summary, even when the liquid storage container 18 is fixed to the housing 20, a method having the following two parts is sufficient: (a) connecting the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery connection portion 62 of the liquid recovery container 60; and (b) recovering the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 by moving it into the liquid recovery container 60 using the water level difference. According to this liquid recovery method, the labor and time of removing the fixing portion 42 are unnecessary, and even without adopting a special structure such as the door body 19B required for removing the liquid storage container 18 from the storage portion 1, the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 can be recovered in the liquid recovery container 60. Therefore, when the liquid ejection device 11 is discarded in a state where liquid remains in the liquid storage container 18, the environmental load caused by the leaked liquid can be suppressed.

[0219] The first direction A, which is the moving direction of the liquid storage container 18 when it is removed from the liquid ejection device 11, is not limited to the Y direction, and may be other directions. For example, it may be set to the +Z direction (downward direction) and the liquid storage container 18 may be taken out from the opening of the bottom plate of the housing 20, or it may be set to the -Z direction (upward direction) and the cover 32 may be opened to take out the liquid storage container 18 upward. In addition, it may be set to the -Y direction (backward) and the liquid storage container 18 may be taken out from the back of the housing 20. Further, it may be set to the -X direction (rightward) and the liquid storage container 18 may be taken out to the right from the opening of the door body provided on the right side of the storage section 19. In addition, in a structure in which the storage section 19 is located on the left side of the front portion of the housing 20, the liquid storage container 18 may be taken out to the left from the opening of the door body provided on the left side of the storage section 19.

[0220] The guide for taking out the liquid storage container 18 from the housing 20 is not limited to the guide portion 48A such as the guide groove. For example, the guide portion may be a track. It is also possible to have a structure in which the liquid storage container 18 is guided by the track and moves in the first direction A. In addition, it is also possible to have a structure in which the liquid storage container 18 is moved in the first direction A in an electric manner. In this case, the motor of the power source may also be used as a driving source of the conveying portion that conveys the medium M, that is, a conveying motor or a driving source of the maintenance device 35.

[0221] The connection part 45 may be fixed by an arm extending from the frame constituting the housing 20. For example, when the tube constituting the supply flow path 24 is extended during the process of moving the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction A, the restoring force of the extended tube increases, so the force required for cutting is likely to increase. On this basis, when the connection is released, the liquid such as ink may be scattered due to the impact of the tube shrinking suddenly. On the other hand, if the connection part 45 is directly or indirectly fixed to the housing 20, when the liquid storage container 18 is moved in the first direction A, the liquid storage container 18 and the supply flow path 24 can be cut off without the extension of the tube. In addition, the rigidity can be improved by setting the portion of the predetermined length spanning at least one end side of the supply flow path 24 as a synthetic resin or metal pipe material, thereby suppressing the extension of the supply flow path 24 when the liquid storage container 18 is removed.

[0222] The position of the liquid discharge portion 71 in the liquid storage portion 51 or the position of the recovery connection portion 62 in the recovery storage portion 61 may be changed as appropriate as long as the position is such that the liquid can be discharged using the water head difference.

[0223] In the first embodiment, the first valve 59 of the liquid supply unit 52 may be a manual on-off valve that can be opened and closed manually, or a structure that has the function of a manual on-off valve. In this case, although the liquid supply unit 52 may be connected to the recovery container 60, when the liquid is recovered in other containers such as empty bottles, if the valve can be opened manually, even when the liquid is recovered in other containers, leakage can be suppressed.

[0224] In the second to fifth embodiments, the second valve 72 of the liquid discharge portion 71 may be a manual on-off valve that is manually opened and closed, or an electric on-off valve that also functions as a manual on-off valve.

[0225] Although the liquid ejection device 11 in the above embodiment includes a plurality of liquid storage containers 18, the liquid ejection device 11 may include only one liquid storage container 18. The one liquid storage container 18 may be a container storing black ink as liquid, for example, and the liquid ejection device 11 may be a printer dedicated to monochrome printing.

[0226] The liquid retaining member 65 is not limited to nonwoven fabric or porous material, and may be a super absorbent polymer (SAP).

[0227] Although in the above embodiment, the liquid is recovered in the recovery container 60 by connecting the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery storage portion 61, the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 may be injected from the liquid discharge portion 71 to the injection port of the recovery container 60. For example, the opening of the recovery storage portion 61 may be made larger than the opening of the liquid discharge portion 71, and the liquid may be injected from positions where the openings are separated from each other using the water level difference.

[0228] The moving direction when removing the liquid storage container 18 from the housing 20 may also be a direction other than the Y direction (forward direction) or the Z direction (downward direction). In short, any method may be used as long as it is along the connection direction between the liquid supply portion 52 and the supply channel 24. For example, it may be the -Y direction (backward direction) or the -Z direction (upward direction), or it may be the width direction X. In the case of the width direction X, it may be the -X direction (right direction) or the +X direction (left direction). Furthermore, it may be a direction having components in the two directions of the X direction and the Y direction, or a direction having components in the two directions of the Y direction and the Z direction, or a direction having components in the two directions of the X direction and the Z direction, etc. Furthermore, it may be a direction having components in the three directions of the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction.

[0229] In the liquid ejection device 11, the arrangement position of the liquid storage container 18 is not limited to the front right side of the housing 20. For example, it may be the front left side of the housing 20. In addition, the arrangement position of the liquid storage container 18 may also be the side of the housing 20 or the rear of the housing 20. In addition, although in the above embodiment, the arrangement position of the liquid storage container 18 is a position in which the housing 20 protrudes to a part of the outside (for example, the front side), it may also be arranged at a position where the housing 20 does not protrude to the outside.

[0230] The liquid ejecting device 11 is not limited to an inkjet printer that prints on paper, but may also be a printing and dyeing device.

[0231] The medium M from which the liquid ejecting device 11 ejects liquid is not limited to paper or cloth, and may be a film made of synthetic resin, a laminated medium including a synthetic resin layer and a metal layer, or a metal foil or foil sheet made of metal.

[0232] The liquid ejection device 11 may also be a liquid ejection device that ejects other liquids other than ink. As the state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection device in the form of a small amount of droplets, it is set to include a state of granular, tear-like, thread-like, and then pulled out tail-like objects. The liquid mentioned here can be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device. For example, the liquid can be any material in the state of the substance in the liquid phase, and it can be set to include a fluid body such as a liquid with high or low viscosity, a sol, a gel water, other inorganic solvents, an organic solvent, a solution, a liquid resin, and a liquid metal (metal melt). The liquid is set to include not only a liquid as a state of the substance, but also a substance in which particles of functional materials composed of solid objects such as pigments or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. As representative examples of liquids, inks or liquid crystals as described in the above embodiments can be listed. Here, the so-called ink is set to include various liquid compositions such as general water-soluble inks and oil-based inks as well as gel inks and hot melt inks. As a specific example of a liquid ejection device, there is a device that ejects a liquid containing materials such as electrode materials or color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescent) displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters in a dispersed or dissolved form. The liquid ejection device may also be a device that ejects biological organic matter used in the manufacture of biochips, a device that is used as a precision pipette and ejects liquid as a sample, a printing and dyeing device, or a micro-dispenser. The liquid ejection device may also be a device that accurately ejects lubricating oil to precision equipment such as clocks or cameras, or a device that ejects a transparent resin liquid such as ultraviolet curing resin onto a substrate in order to form a tiny hemispherical lens (optical lens) used in optical communication elements. The liquid ejection device may also be a device that ejects an etching liquid such as an acid or an alkali in order to etch a substrate.

[0233] Hereinafter, technical ideas and effects understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described together.

[0234] (A) The liquid ejection system is a liquid ejection system comprising a liquid ejection device and a liquid recovery container, wherein the liquid ejection device comprises a ejection head for ejecting liquid, and a liquid receiving container capable of receiving liquid supplied to the ejection head, wherein in the liquid ejection system, the liquid receiving container comprises: a liquid receiving portion configured to receive liquid; a liquid injection portion for injecting liquid into the liquid receiving portion; a liquid supply portion for supplying liquid to the ejection head; a liquid discharge portion for discharging the liquid received in the liquid receiving portion to the outside, and the liquid recovery container comprises: a recovery connection portion capable of being connected to the liquid discharge portion; and a recovery receiving portion for receiving liquid recovered from the liquid receiving container through connection between the liquid discharge portion and the recovery connection portion.

[0235] According to this structure, the liquid such as ink remaining in the liquid storage container can be recovered from the liquid storage container to the liquid recovery container, thereby suppressing the environmental load caused by liquid pollution caused by leakage of residual liquid such as residual ink in the liquid storage container when the liquid ejection device is discarded.

[0236] (B) In the liquid ejection system described in (A) above, the following method may be adopted, namely, the liquid is moved by utilizing the water level difference of the liquid in the liquid storage container, thereby implementing the recovery of the liquid to the liquid recovery container.

[0237] According to this configuration, the liquid such as ink remaining in the liquid storage container can be smoothly recovered in the liquid recovery container by utilizing the water head difference without adopting a complicated configuration.

[0238] (C) In the liquid ejection system described in (A) or (B) above, the following method may be adopted, that is, the volume of the recoverable liquid of the liquid recovery container is larger than the total volume of the liquid that can be stored in the liquid storage container. According to this structure, the liquid in the liquid storage container can be completely recovered by using one recovery container.

[0239] (D) In ​​the liquid ejection system described in any one of (A) to (C) above, a sealing member for preventing the liquid passing through the flow path of the recovery connection from leaking out may be provided on the recovery connection. According to this structure, it is possible to suppress the recovered liquid from leaking out of the liquid recovery container.

[0240] (E) In the liquid ejection system described in any one of (A) to (D) above, a liquid retaining member may be sealed inside the liquid recovery container. This structure can reduce the risk of the liquid recovered in the recovery container scattering to the outside.

[0241] (F) In the liquid ejection system described in any one of (A) to (E) above, the recovery connection parts may be provided in a number less than the number of the liquid storage containers, and the interior of the liquid recovery container may be formed as a whole as one space. According to this structure, since the liquid in the liquid storage container can be uniformly recovered into the liquid recovery container, the recovered liquid can be uniformly discarded.

[0242] (G) In the liquid ejection system described in any one of (A) to (F) above, the following method may be adopted, that is, the recovery connection part is formed in plurality according to the number of the liquid storage containers, and the interior of the liquid recovery container is divided into the same number of spaces as the number of the liquid storage containers. According to this structure, the liquid in each liquid storage container can be recovered separately into the divided space in the liquid recovery container. Considering the replenishment of the recovered liquid, mixing of different liquids can be prevented.

[0243] (H) In the liquid ejection system described in any one of (A) to (G) above, the liquid recovery container may include a liquid resupply portion that can be connected to the liquid injection portion. According to this structure, the liquid recovered in the liquid recovery container can be reused.

[0244] (I) In the liquid ejection system described in any one of (A) to (H) above, the recovery connection portion may also serve as the liquid resupply portion. According to this structure, the recovery connection portion of the liquid recovery container also serves as the liquid resupply portion, thereby preventing the structure of the liquid recovery container from becoming complicated.

[0245] (J) In the liquid ejection system described in any one of (A) to (H) above, the liquid resupply portion and the recovery connection portion may be formed separately. According to this structure, the liquid recovered in the liquid recovery container can be smoothly supplied to the liquid storage container. For example, there is a case where the recovery connection portion can be used as an atmospheric opening.

[0246] (K) The liquid recovery container comprises: a recovery connection portion, which can be connected to the liquid discharge portion of the liquid storage container; a recovery storage portion, which stores the liquid recovered from the liquid storage container through the recovery connection portion connected to the liquid discharge portion; and an atmosphere connecting portion, which connects the interior of the recovery storage portion with the atmosphere.

[0247] (L) In the liquid recovery container described in (K) above, the recovery connection portion may also serve as the atmosphere communication portion. According to this structure, since the recovery connection portion also serves as the atmosphere communication portion, the structure of the liquid recovery container can be simply realized.

[0248] (M) In the liquid recovery container described in (K) or (L) above, a sealing member for preventing the liquid passing through the flow path of the recovery connection from leaking out may be provided. According to this structure, by providing a sealing member for preventing the liquid passing through the flow path of the recovery connection from leaking out, it is possible to suppress the liquid in the liquid recovery container from leaking out from the discharge connection after the liquid is recovered.

[0249] (N) The liquid recovery method is a liquid recovery method for recovering the liquid in the liquid storage container of the liquid ejection device in the liquid ejection system described in any one of (A) to (M) above, and the liquid recovery method includes the following contents, namely: connecting the liquid discharge portion of the liquid storage container and the recovery connection portion of the liquid recovery container; and recovering the liquid in the liquid storage container by moving it into the liquid recovery container by utilizing the water level difference. According to this method, liquid such as ink remaining in the liquid storage container can be recovered from the liquid storage container to the liquid recovery container. Therefore, the environmental load caused by liquid contamination caused by leakage of residual liquid such as residual ink in the liquid storage container accompanying the disposal of the liquid ejection device can be suppressed.

[0250] (O) The liquid recovery method described in (N) above may also include the following content, that is, before connecting the liquid discharge part and the recovery connection part, the liquid storage container is removed from the liquid ejection device. According to this method, before connecting the liquid discharge part and the recovery connection part, the liquid storage container is removed from the liquid ejection device. Therefore, compared with a method in which the liquid discharge part and the recovery connection part are connected without removing the liquid storage container from the liquid ejection device, the operation of connecting the liquid discharge part and the recovery connection part becomes easier.

[0251] Explanation of symbols

[0252] 11…Liquid ejection device; 12…Device body; 13…Image reading device; 13A…Rotation mechanism; 15…Operation unit; 16…Display unit; 17…Operation panel; 18…Liquid storage container; 18A…First liquid storage container; 18B…Second liquid storage container; 19…Storage unit; 19A…Storage unit body; 19B…Door body; 19C, 19D…Side plate; 20…Basket; 20A…Bottom; 21B…Taking-out port; 21C…Bottom cover; 21…Window; 22…Visual confirmation surface; 23…Printing unit; 24…Supply flow channel; 25…Ejection head; 25A…Nozzle forming surface; 25N…Nozzle; 2 6… carriage; 27… scanning mechanism; 28… guide shaft; 29… carriage motor; 30… pulley; 31… timing belt; 32… cover; 33… cover rod; 34… liquid bottle; 34A… supply unit; 35… maintenance device; 36… liquid supply device; 37… cover; 38… discharge pipe; 39… suction pump; 40… waste liquid storage unit; 41… liquid flow channel; 42… fixing unit; 43… screw; 44… limiting member; 45… connecting unit; 45A… connection port; 46… rail; 47… separation mechanism; 48… loading unit; 48A… guide unit; 50… container body; 51… liquid storage unit; 51A… bottom surface; 5 1B…side surface; 51C…partition wall; 51D…channel forming wall; 52…liquid supply portion; 53…liquid injection portion; 54…atmosphere communicating portion; 55…liquid storage chamber; 56…protruding portion; 57…liquid flow channel; 58…air flow channel; 59…first valve; 60…liquid recovery container (recovery container); 61…recovery storage portion; 61A…recovery storage chamber; 61B…upper surface; 61C…side surface; 61D…bottom surface; 62…recovery connection portion; 63…sealing member; 63B…sealing valve; 64…atmosphere communicating portion; 64A…atmosphere communicating flow channel; 65…liquid retaining member; 66…cylinder; 66A…recess part; 67…partition wall; 68…recovery chamber; 68A…first recovery chamber; 68B…second recovery chamber; 69…tube; 71…liquid discharge portion; 72…second valve; 73…tube; 74…cylinder; 74A…recess; 75…cover member; 81…liquid resupply portion; 82…valve; 83…cylinder; 83A…recess; 85…liquid flow path; 86…air flow path; 91…sealing member; 92…sealing member; 93…sealing member; 94…sealing member; 100…control member; M…medium; IL…liquid; X…width direction; Y…conveying direction; Z…up and down direction; A…first direction; B…second direction.

Claims

1. A liquid ejection system, It is characterized in that The invention relates to a liquid ejection system having a liquid ejection device and a liquid recovery container. The liquid ejection device has an ejection head for ejecting liquid and a liquid storage container for storing the liquid supplied to the ejection head. In the liquid ejection system, The liquid storage container comprises: a liquid storage portion configured to store liquid; a liquid injection portion for injecting liquid into the liquid receiving portion; a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the ejection head; a liquid discharge portion for discharging the liquid contained in the liquid containing portion to the outside, The liquid recovery container comprises: A recovery connection portion, which can be connected to the liquid discharge portion; The recovery storage portion stores the liquid recovered from the liquid storage container through the connection between the liquid discharge portion and the recovery connection portion.

2. The liquid ejection system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The liquid is moved by utilizing the water head difference of the liquid in the liquid storage container, thereby recovering the liquid in the liquid recovery container.

3. The liquid ejection system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The volume of the recoverable liquid in the liquid recovery container is larger than the entire volume of the liquid storable liquid in the liquid storage container.

4. The liquid ejection system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The recovery connection portion is provided with a sealing member for preventing leakage of liquid passing through the flow path of the recovery connection portion.

5. The liquid ejection system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A liquid retaining member is sealed inside the liquid recovery container.

6. The liquid ejection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, It is characterized in that The number of the recovery connection parts is less than the number of the liquid storage containers, and the interior of the liquid recovery container is formed as a single space as a whole.

7. The liquid ejection system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The recovery connection part is formed in plurality according to the number of the liquid storage containers. The interior of the liquid recovery container is partitioned into the same number of spaces as the number of the liquid storage containers.

8. The liquid ejection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and claim 7, It is characterized in that The liquid recovery container includes a liquid resupply portion connectable to the liquid injection portion.

9. The liquid ejection system according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The recovery connection portion also serves as the liquid resupply portion.

10. The liquid ejection system according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The liquid resupply portion and the recovery connection portion are formed separately.

11. A liquid recovery container, It is characterized in that The liquid recovery container in the liquid ejection system according to claim 1 comprises: A recovery connection portion, which can be connected to the liquid discharge portion of the liquid storage container; a recovery storage portion that stores the liquid recovered from the liquid storage container through the recovery connection portion connected to the liquid discharge portion; The atmosphere connecting part connects the interior of the recovery storage part with the atmosphere.

12. The liquid recovery container according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The recovery connection portion also serves as the atmosphere communication portion.

13. The liquid recovery container according to claim 11, It is characterized in that A sealing member is provided to prevent leakage of the liquid passing through the flow path of the recovery connection portion.

14. A liquid recovery method, which is a liquid recovery method for recovering liquid in the liquid storage container of the liquid ejection device in the liquid ejection system according to claim 1, the liquid recovery method comprising the following contents, namely: connecting the liquid discharge portion of the liquid storage container and the recovery connection portion of the liquid recovery container; The liquid in the liquid storage container is moved into the liquid recovery container by utilizing the water head difference, and is recovered.

15. The liquid recovery method according to claim 14, in, The method includes removing the liquid storage container from the liquid ejecting device before connecting the liquid discharge portion and the recovery connection portion.

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