Liquid discharge device and liquid discharge system

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device which enables a liquid storage container in which liquid remains to be cut off easily from one end of a supply passage, and to provide a liquid discharge system.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes: a discharge head; a plurality of liquid storage containers 18; a housing 20; and fixing parts 42 which fixes the liquid storage containers 18 to the housing 20. The liquid storage container 18 has a liquid storage part, a liquid supply part 52, and a liquid discharge part 71. One end of a supply passage 24 which supplies liquid to the discharge head is directly or indirectly connected to the liquid supply part 52. The liquid discharge part 71 discharges the liquid stored in the liquid storage part to the outside. The liquid discharge device includes a separation mechanism 47 which is configured so that the liquid storage containers 18 can be separated from the housing 20 separately in a first direction A in which the liquid supply part 52 can be cut off from the one end of the supply passage 24 in a state that fixture of the liquid storage containers 18 to the housing 20 by the fixing parts 42 is released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device and a liquid ejection system that include an ejection head that ejects liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses, as an example of a liquid ejection device, an inkjet printing device that includes an ejection head that ejects liquid such as ink onto a medium such as paper. The liquid ejection device includes an ink tank as an example of a liquid storage container that stores liquid to be supplied to the ejection head.

[0003] Also known is a cartridge-type liquid ejection device in which an ink cartridge can be detachably attached. In the case of a cartridge-type liquid ejection device, when ink runs out, the entire ink cartridge is replaced. On the other hand, a liquid storage container such as an ink tank is basically assembled in a state of being fixed to a housing by a fixing part such as a screw. When ink runs out, a user refills the liquid storage container with liquid from the ink bottle by connecting an ink bottle to an ink injection flow path part of the liquid storage container.

[0004] Incidentally, when disposing of a liquid ejection device, if the device is a cartridge type, the ink cartridge can be removed from the device and disposed of even if liquid such as ink remains in the ink cartridge. In contrast, in the case of a liquid storage container such as an ink tank, the liquid ejection device is often disposed of with the liquid storage container fixed to the housing. However, if liquid such as ink remains in the liquid storage container when the liquid ejection device is disposed of, there is a possibility that the liquid may overflow from the liquid storage container if the cap is loose or removed when the liquid ejection device is tilted during disposal.

[0005] Therefore, when disposing of a tank-type liquid ejection device, it is preferable for the user to collect the liquid inside the liquid storage container before disposing of the liquid ejection device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-69717 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in a liquid ejection device equipped with a liquid refill type liquid storage container, the liquid storage container is structured such that it is difficult to remove from the housing. Specifically, the liquid storage container is fixed to a metal plate or the like that constitutes the housing of the liquid ejection device by a fixing portion such as a screw. This provides a strong fixation so that it is not affected by external shocks during transportation, for example. Therefore, the liquid ejection device is discarded with the liquid storage container still attached. Thus, in a conventional liquid refill type liquid storage container, no consideration is given to a configuration for discharging or recovering the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container when the liquid ejection device is discarded.

[0008] For example, in order to discharge or recover the liquid in the liquid storage container, it is necessary to disconnect the liquid supply unit of the liquid storage container from the supply flow path such as a tube and to drain the liquid from the liquid supply unit, or to drain the liquid from an inlet for refilling the liquid. Since these liquid supply units and inlets are not designed to allow for the draining of liquid, there is a possibility that the liquid may overflow during the draining operation, or that the ink or other liquid may adhere to and stain the fingers. Specifically, the liquid supply unit that supplies the ink or other liquid from the liquid storage container to the ejection head has a tube pressed into it and is designed not to be easily inserted or removed, so that when the tube is removed from the liquid supply unit, the ink in the liquid storage container may overflow from the supply inlet of the liquid supply unit. Therefore, there is a demand for a liquid ejection device that is easy to drain or recover the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container when the liquid ejection device is disposed of. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem is a liquid ejection device comprising an ejection head that ejects liquid, a plurality of liquid storage containers capable of storing liquid to be supplied to the ejection head, a housing that houses the ejection head and the plurality of liquid storage containers, and a fixing portion that fixes the plurality of liquid storage containers to the housing, wherein each of the plurality of liquid storage containers has a liquid storage portion configured to store liquid, a liquid supply portion that is a portion to which one end of a supply flow path that supplies liquid to the ejection head is directly or indirectly connected, and a liquid discharge portion that discharges liquid stored in the liquid storage portion to the outside, and is provided with a separation mechanism configured to be able to individually separate the liquid storage container from the housing in a first direction, which is a direction in which the liquid supply portion can be disconnected from the one end of the supply flow path, when the fixation of the liquid storage container to the housing by the fixing portion is released.

[0010] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem is a liquid ejection device comprising an ejection head that ejects liquid, a plurality of liquid storage containers capable of storing liquid to be supplied to the ejection head, a housing that houses the ejection head and the plurality of liquid storage containers, and a fixing portion that fixes the plurality of liquid storage containers to the housing, wherein each of the plurality of liquid storage containers has a liquid storage portion configured to store liquid, a liquid supply portion that is a portion to which one end of a supply flow path that supplies liquid to the ejection head is directly or indirectly connected, and a liquid discharge portion that discharges liquid stored in the liquid storage portion to the outside, and is provided with a separation mechanism configured to be able to separate the plurality of liquid storage containers collectively from the housing in a first direction, which is a direction in which the liquid supply portion can be disconnected from the one end of the supply flow path, when the fixation by the fixing portion is released.

[0011] A liquid ejection system that solves the above problem is a liquid ejection system comprising the above liquid ejection device and a liquid recovery container, wherein the liquid recovery container comprises a recovery connection portion connectable to the liquid discharge portion of the liquid storage container, a recovery storage portion that stores liquid recovered from the liquid storage container through the connection between the liquid discharge portion and the recovery connection portion, and an atmosphere communication portion that communicates the inside of the recovery storage portion with the atmosphere, and is configured such that the liquid in the liquid storage container can be recovered into the liquid recovery container by head pressure by connecting the liquid discharge portion of at least one of the liquid storage containers that is detached from one end of the supply flow path to the recovery connection portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the liquid ejection device when refilling the liquid container with liquid. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing the internal configuration of the liquid ejection device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a liquid storage container is removed from a storage portion. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view showing a storage section in which a plurality of liquid storage containers are stored. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the liquid storage container is removed from the storage portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a liquid storage container. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a liquid storage container and a discharge head. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a process of moving the liquid storage container to disconnect it from the supply flow path. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a liquid storage container and a recovery container. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing the collection container. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a state in which liquid is recovered from a liquid storage container to a recovery container. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a liquid storage container is being removed from a storage unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic front view showing a storage section in which a plurality of liquid storage containers are stored. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the liquid storage container is removed from the storage portion. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a liquid storage container and a discharge head. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a process of moving the liquid storage container to disconnect it from the supply flow path. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a liquid storage container and a recovery container. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a state in which liquid is recovered from a liquid storage container to a recovery container. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing a liquid storage container and a recovery container. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing a state in which liquid is recovered from a liquid storage container to a recovery container. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram, partly cut away, showing how a liquid storage container is separated in a configuration including a holder according to a modified example. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram, partly cut away, showing how a liquid storage container is separated in a configuration including a holder in a modified example different from that in FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a collection container provided with a sealing member in a modified example. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a collection container provided with a sealing member in a modified example different from that shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of a liquid ejection device including a liquid storage container will be described below with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejection device of this embodiment is, for example, a multifunction machine that ejects liquid such as ink onto a medium such as paper to print (record) characters, images, and the like onto the medium.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a device main body 12 and an image reading device 13 on top of the device main body 12, and has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. 1, the liquid ejection device 11 is illustrated as being placed on a horizontal plane, with the direction of gravity being the vertical direction Z, and two directions along the horizontal plane being the width direction X and the transport direction Y. That is, the width direction X, the transport direction Y, and the vertical direction Z intersect (preferably perpendicular to) each other. The transport direction Y is the direction in which the medium M is transported at a printing position facing the ejection head 25 described below. In addition, one end side in the transport direction Y is referred to as the front side, and the other end side opposite to the one end side is referred to as the rear side, and one end side of the width direction X viewed from the front side is sometimes referred to as the right side, and the other end side as the left side.

[0015] <Configuration of liquid ejection device 11> As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 17 is provided on the front surface of the liquid ejection device 11. The operation panel 17 has an operation section 15 such as buttons for performing various operations, and a display section 16 for displaying various information such as menus and operation states. Furthermore, a storage section 19 is provided on the right side of the operation panel 17. The storage section 19 stores at least one liquid storage container 18. The storage section 19 in this embodiment stores multiple (five in this embodiment) liquid storage containers 18. The storage section 19 constitutes a part of a housing 20. In other words, the housing 20 includes the storage section 19 capable of storing multiple liquid storage containers 18. The liquid storage container 18 is, for example, an ink tank type.

[0016] The storage section 19 includes a storage section main body 19A having a substantially box-like shape that opens upward, and a cover 32. The cover 32 covers the upper opening of the storage section main body 19A in an openable and closable state. The storage section main body 19A includes a door body 19B located on the front side and having at least one (five in this embodiment) window portion 21 for viewing, and a pair of left and right side plates 19C, 19D. The window portion 21 is provided for each liquid storage container 18. The window portion 21 exposes a viewing surface 22 that the liquid storage container 18 has on the front side. A user visually checks the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container 18 through the viewing surface 22 exposed in the window portion 21. In this embodiment, the door body 19B, which is a plate-shaped part having the window portion 21 and which constitutes the front plate portion of the storage section main body 19A, is configured to be removable.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the 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 line in the width direction X. In the example shown in FIG. 1, there is one first liquid storage container 18A and four second liquid storage containers 18B. The one first liquid storage container 18A has a larger capacity than the second liquid storage container 18B and stores, for example, black ink. The four second liquid storage containers 18B store, for example, inks of different colors. The multiple liquid storage containers 18 store different types of liquid, such as inks of different ink colors, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The liquid may be pigment ink or dye ink. The liquid may also be a coating liquid or the like.

[0018] The first liquid storage container 18A and the second liquid storage container 18B have the same basic configuration except for the width dimension due to the difference in capacity. Therefore, when there is no particular distinction between the first liquid storage container 18A and the second liquid storage container 18B, they will simply be referred to as "liquid storage containers 18."

[0019] The liquid ejection device 11 also includes, within the housing 20, a printing unit 23 that applies liquid such as ink to the medium M to perform printing, and a supply flow path 24 consisting of a tube or the like that supplies the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 to the printing unit 23. The printing unit 23 includes an ejection head 25 that ejects the liquid, and a carriage 26 that holds the ejection head 25 and is capable of moving back and forth 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.

[0020] The liquid ejection device 11 of this embodiment includes a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 that supply liquid to the ejection head 25. The plurality of liquid storage containers 18 are configured to be capable of storing liquid to be supplied to the ejection head 25. The liquid ejection device 11 includes a housing 20 that houses the ejection head 25 and the plurality of liquid storage containers 18. The liquid ejection device 11 further includes a fixing portion 42 that fixes the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 to the housing 20. That is, the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 are fixed to the housing 20 via the fixing portion 42.

[0021] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a scanning mechanism 27 for moving (scanning) the printing unit 23 within the housing 20. The scanning mechanism 27 includes a guide shaft 28 for movably guiding the carriage 26 in the width direction X, a carriage motor 29 as a drive source, a pair of pulleys 30, and an endless timing 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 backward in the -X direction.

[0022] The housing 20 accommodates a liquid storage container 18, a supply flow path 24, an ejection head 25, a carriage 26, a scanning mechanism 27, and the like. A plurality of supply flow paths 24 are provided in correspondence with the liquid storage containers 18. That is, the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 each supply liquid of a different color to the printing unit 23 through the plurality of supply flow paths 24.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading device 13 is configured to be openable and closable between a closed position shown in FIG. 1 and an open position shown in FIG. 2 with respect to the liquid ejection device 11 via a pivot mechanism 13A such as a hinge. When the image reading device 13 is positioned at the open position, the cover 32 and the cap lever 33 attached to the liquid storage container 18 (see FIG. 1) can be opened and closed. When refilling the liquid storage container 18 with liquid such as ink, the image reading device 13, the cover 32, and the cap lever 33 are positioned at the open position as shown in FIG. 2. The liquid bottle 34 is in an upside-down position with its supply port facing downward, and the supply port is connected to the liquid inlet of the liquid storage container 18. The cover 32 is configured to be openable and closable when the image reading device 13 is in an open state, but may be configured to be openable and closable independently even in a closed state.

[0024] <Internal configuration of liquid ejection device 11> Next, the internal configuration of the liquid ejection device 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the ejection head 25 has a nozzle forming surface 25A in which nozzles 25N open. In the example shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of nozzles 25N open in the nozzle forming surface 25A. The ejection head 25 is configured to be able to eject liquid from the plurality of nozzles 25N. For example, a plurality of nozzles 25N may be provided for each type (e.g., color) of liquid to be ejected.

[0025] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a maintenance device 35 that performs maintenance on the ejection head 25, and a liquid supply device 36 that supplies liquid from a liquid storage container 18 to the ejection head 25. The maintenance device 35 includes a cap 37 that can be raised and lowered relative to the ejection head 25 in a standby position, and a discharge tube 38 connected to the cap 37. The cap 37 is configured to be movable between a retracted position shown in FIG. 3 separated from the ejection head 25, and a capping position (not shown) in which the cap 37 contacts the nozzle forming surface 25A of the ejection head 25. The cap 37 is capable of receiving liquid that is ejected or discharged from the nozzles 25N for maintenance.

[0026] When the cap 37 is in the capping position, it forms a closed space between itself and the nozzle forming surface 25A, which communicates with the nozzles 25N. The maintenance device 35 includes a suction pump 39 disposed midway through the discharge tube 38. The maintenance device 35 drives the suction pump 39 with the discharge head 25 capped, and reduces the pressure in the closed space surrounded and formed by the cap 37 and the nozzle forming surface 25A. This reduction in pressure causes foreign matter such as air bubbles to be sucked and discharged together with the liquid from the nozzles 25N of the discharge head 25. The liquid discharged from the nozzles 25N by this cleaning is collected in the waste liquid storage unit 40 through the cap 37 and the discharge tube 38.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of liquid supply devices 36 are provided corresponding to a plurality of liquid storage containers 18, however Fig. 3 shows one liquid supply device 36 including one liquid storage container 18. Since the plurality of liquid supply devices 36 basically have the same configuration, the configuration of one liquid supply device 36 will be described below.

[0028] 3, the liquid supply device 36 includes a liquid storage container 18 and a supply flow path 24 that supplies the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 to the ejection head 25. The supply flow path 24 may be an elastically deformable tube, or may be formed inside a flow path forming member made of a hard resin material. The supply flow path 24 may also include a portion formed by attaching a film to a flow path forming member having a groove formed therein.

[0029] An upstream end (one end) of the supply flow path 24 is connected to the liquid storage container 18. A downstream end (the other end) of the supply flow path 24 is connected to an upstream end of a liquid flow path 41 of 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.

[0030] The liquid storage container 18 includes a container body 50. The container body 50 is configured as a case made of synthetic resin. The case constituting the container body 50 is made of transparent or translucent resin. Therefore, the liquid level of the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber 55 can be visually confirmed from the outside through the visual confirmation surface 22 on the front side of the container body 50. The liquid storage container 18 is fixed to the liquid ejection device 11 by a fixing part 42. The fixing part 42 is configured, for example, by a screw 43 or the like that fixes the liquid storage container 18 to a frame constituting the housing 20 directly or via an attachment member (not shown). The container body 50 may be configured such that a film is fixed to one surface of a storage case having a storage chamber recess recessed into one surface, and the liquid storage chamber 55 is surrounded and formed by the film and the storage chamber recess.

[0031] Each of the liquid storage containers 18 has a liquid storage section 51 configured to be able to store liquid, a liquid supply section 52, and a liquid discharge section 71 that discharges the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 51 to the outside. The liquid supply section 52 is a section to which one end of the supply flow path 24 that supplies liquid to the ejection head 25 is directly or indirectly connected. The liquid supply section 52 supplies the liquid in the liquid storage section 51. Furthermore, each of the liquid storage containers 18 includes a liquid injection section 53 that injects liquid into the liquid storage section 51. The liquid supply section 52 in this embodiment is a section to which one end of the supply flow path 24 that supplies liquid to the ejection head 25 is directly connected. In this embodiment, the liquid supply section 52 is configured to also function as the liquid discharge section 71. A connecting section 45 is fixed to the upstream end of the supply flow path 24. The liquid supply section 52 is connected to the connecting section 45 to communicate with the supply flow path 24.

[0032] 3, 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. More 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 its maximum height. The positional relationship between the ejection head 25 and the liquid storage container 18 in the vertical direction Z can be set arbitrarily as long as a meniscus of the liquid is formed in the nozzle 25N and the liquid does not drip from the nozzle 25N.

[0033] 3 includes a control unit 100 that controls the overall operation of the liquid ejection device 11. The control unit 100 controls a carriage motor 29 that reciprocates the carriage 26, a transport unit (not shown) that transports the medium M, the ejection operation of the ejection head 25, and the cleaning operation of the maintenance device 35.

[0034] 4, a separation mechanism 47 configured to be able to individually separate the liquid storage container 18 from the housing 20 is provided within the storage section 19 when the liquid storage container 18 is released from the fixing section 42 to the housing 20. The separation mechanism 47 is able to individually separate the liquid storage container 18 from the housing 20 in a first direction A which is a direction in which the liquid supply section 52 can be separated from one end of the supply flow path 24.

[0035] The separation mechanism 47 includes a mounting portion 48 that constitutes at least a part of the bottom portion 20A of the housing 20. The upper surface of the mounting portion 48 is a mounting surface on which the liquid storage containers 18 are placed while being arranged in a second direction B that is a direction intersecting with the first direction that is the separation direction. The mounting surface of the mounting portion 48 is provided with a guide portion 48A that extends in the first direction A with a width dimension slightly larger than the width dimension of the liquid storage containers 18. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the guide portion 48A is a slide groove recessed in 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. Note that the guide portion 48A is not limited to a guide groove such as a slide groove, and may be a rail that can engage with a rail groove recessed in the bottom surface of the liquid storage container 18 to guide the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction A.

[0036] The fixing portion 42 is composed of a screw 43 and a restricting member 44. The fixing portion 42 is fixed to the front surface of the mounting portion 48 in a state in which the fixing portion 42 restricts the movement of the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction A. The fixing portion 42 may be configured to fix the liquid storage container 18 to the mounting portion 48 by engagement via the restricting member 44.

[0037] The storage section 19 has a door body 19B. The door body 19B is configured to be movable with respect to the housing 20 between a covering position that covers the first direction A side of the multiple liquid storage containers 18 and an open position that does not cover the first direction A side. The door body 19B has a window portion 21 through which the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage containers 18 can be visually observed.

[0038] With door body 19B in the open position, the user can pull out liquid storage container 18 from storage section 19 in first direction A. Separation mechanism 47 has guide section 48A that guides liquid storage container 18 so that it can move individually in first direction A. Guide section 48A allows the user to move liquid storage container 18 individually in first direction A. When the user moves liquid storage container 18 in first direction A, liquid supply section 52 is separated from one end of supply flow path 24. In other words, the connection between liquid supply section 52 and connection port 45A of coupling section 45 is cut off.

[0039] <Configuration of Liquid Storage Container 18> Next, the configuration of the liquid storage container 18 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Although the first liquid storage container 18A and the second liquid storage container 18B have different width dimensions due to the difference in capacity, they have the same basic configuration. Therefore, hereinafter, the first liquid storage container 18A and the second liquid storage container 18B will be described as the liquid storage container 18 without any particular distinction.

[0040] 7 and 8, container body 50 has liquid storage section 51 having liquid storage chamber 55, and protrusion section 56 protruding from the upper side thereof. Container body 50 has liquid supply section 52, liquid injection section 53, and atmosphere communication section 54 as tubular sections protruding outward. Liquid supply section 52, liquid injection section 53, and atmosphere communication section 54 are in communication with liquid storage chamber 55. Liquid IL is stored in liquid storage chamber 55.

[0041] The liquid injection unit 53 is used to inject a liquid such as ink into the liquid storage chamber 55. The liquid injection unit 53 and the liquid storage chamber 55 are connected via a liquid flow path 57 and an air flow path 58. The liquid injection unit 53 communicates with both the liquid flow path 57 and the air flow path 58. The ends (lower ends) of the liquid flow path 57 and the air flow path 58 on the liquid storage chamber 55 side are located at the maximum liquid level height.

[0042] The atmosphere communication part 54 connects the air area above the liquid level LP in the liquid storage chamber 55 to the atmosphere. The container body 50 has a partition part 51C that divides the liquid storage chamber 51 and the protruding part 56 inside. A part of the communication path between the liquid storage chamber 55 and the atmosphere communication part 54 includes a thin, serpentine pore. Therefore, the liquid storage chamber 55 communicates with the atmosphere communication part 54 in a state in which the moisture of the liquid stored therein is not easily evaporated.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 8, when liquid is injected into the liquid storage container 18, the supply unit 34A is connected to the liquid injection unit 53 with the liquid bottle 34 in an upside-down position. The inside of the liquid bottle 34 connected to the liquid injection unit 53 is in communication with the liquid storage chamber 55 through both the liquid flow path 57 and the air flow path 58. Therefore, the liquid in the liquid bottle 34 is injected into the liquid storage container 18 through the liquid flow path 57, while the air in the liquid storage chamber 55 is sent into the liquid bottle 34 through the air flow path 58. Due to 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, 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. In this way, when the liquid level LP reaches the highest liquid level, the injection of liquid into the liquid storage container 18 is stopped. When liquid is poured from the liquid bottle into the liquid storage container 18, the air within the liquid storage chamber 55 is discharged through the atmosphere communication portion .

[0044] 7 and 8, in liquid storage container 18 of the first embodiment, liquid supply unit 52 also serves as liquid discharge unit 71. Liquid discharge unit 71 is disposed below bottom surface 51A or side surface 51B of liquid storage unit 51. For this reason, liquid supply unit 52 also serves as liquid discharge unit 71 is disposed below bottom surface 51A or side surface 51B of liquid storage unit 51. In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, liquid supply unit 52 also serves as liquid discharge unit 71 is disposed below side surface 51B of liquid storage unit 51.

[0045] Here, the lower part of side surface 51B may be, for example, a part that is equal to or lower than half the height of the maximum liquid level in liquid storage portion 51. Of course, if liquid discharge portion 71 is positioned at as low a height as possible within liquid storage chamber 55, more liquid can be discharged by utilizing the head pressure between the liquid level in liquid storage portion 51 and the discharge port of liquid discharge portion 71. However, the remaining liquid in liquid storage portion 51 can also be discharged by tilting liquid storage container 18. Therefore, when more than half of the liquid remains in liquid storage portion 51, it is sufficient that liquid discharge portion 71 is positioned at a height that allows at least a portion of the liquid to be discharged by utilizing the head pressure.

[0046] 7 and 8, the bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber 55 is inclined so that the height decreases toward the position opposite the viewing surface 22 in the depth direction Y. For this reason, the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 is likely to be supplied to the outside from the liquid supply unit 52 to the end. The liquid storage chamber 55 may be divided into a plurality of compartments that communicate with each other by a plurality of ribs (not shown). In this case, for example, shaking of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 55 is suppressed when the liquid ejection device 11 is transported, and mixing of air (air bubbles) into the liquid due to foaming caused by shaking is suppressed.

[0047] The liquid supply unit 52 is connected to the connection unit 45, so that the liquid supply unit 52 is connected to the connection port 45A of the connection unit 45. The liquid storage container 18 includes a first valve 59 that can open and close a flow path to which the liquid supply unit 52 supplies liquid. In other words, in the first embodiment in which the liquid supply unit 52 also functions as the liquid discharge unit 71, the liquid discharge unit 71 includes a second valve 72 that can open and close a flow path that discharges the liquid. Here, the liquid supply unit 52 is a part that has an outlet for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 to the ejection head 25. On the other hand, the liquid discharge unit 71 is a part that has an outlet for discharging the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 to the outside when the liquid ejection device 11 is discarded, etc. The liquid supply unit 52 and the liquid discharge unit 71 both have a function of discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container 18, although the discharge destination is either the ejection head 25 or the outside. Therefore, the liquid supply section 52 and the liquid discharge section 71 can be combined into one.

[0048] 7 in which the liquid supply unit 52 is not connected to the connecting portion 45 fixed to the upstream end of the supply flow path 24. On the other hand, the first valve 59 is in an open state in a connected state shown in Fig. 8 in which the liquid supply unit 52 is connected to the connecting portion 45 of the supply flow path 24. The first valve 59 is configured to automatically switch between opening and closing depending on whether the liquid supply unit 52 and the connecting portion 45 are connected or not.

[0049] The first valve 59 may have the following structure, for example. The first valve 59 has a valve body that is biased in a direction to advance outward by a biasing member (not shown) while being movable in the axial direction of the liquid supply unit 52, and a valve seat (both not shown) against which the biased valve body abuts. For example, when the connecting part 45 is connected to the liquid supply unit 52, the valve body at the back of the liquid supply unit 52 moves away from the valve seat due to the force received from the connecting part 45, and the first valve 59 switches from the closed state to the open state. Also, when the connecting part 45 is detached from the liquid supply unit 52, the valve body abuts against the valve seat due to the biasing force of the biasing member, and the first valve 59 switches from the open state to the closed state. Therefore, the connecting part 45 can be attached to and detached from the liquid supply unit 52 while suppressing leakage of liquid.

[0050] Furthermore, when the liquid discharge device 11 is disposed of, the first valve 59 also functions as the second valve 72. The second valve 72 has a function of opening and closing the discharge flow path of the liquid discharge part 71 when discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 to the outside other than the discharge head 25. The second valve 72 may have, for example, the following structure. The second valve 72 has a valve body that is biased by a biasing member (not shown) in a direction to advance outward while being movable forward and backward in its axial direction, and a valve seat against which the biased valve body abuts. For example, when the recovery connection part 62 of the liquid recovery container 60 described later is connected to the liquid discharge part 71, the valve body moves away from the valve seat due to the force received from the recovery connection part 62, and the second valve 72 switches from the closed state to the open state. Furthermore, when the recovery connection part 62 is removed from the liquid discharge part 71, the valve body abuts against the valve seat due to the biasing force of the biasing member, and the second valve 72 switches from the open state to the closed state. Therefore, recovery connection part 62 can be attached to and detached from liquid discharge part 71 while preventing leakage of liquid.

[0051] <Configuration of the liquid ejection system> In this embodiment, a liquid ejection system is configured by the liquid ejection device 11 and a liquid collection container 60 (hereinafter simply referred to as "collection container 60"). The liquid ejection device 11 and the collection container 60 may be sold as a set, or the user may obtain the collection container 60 for a fee or free of charge when disposing of the liquid ejection device 11. Also, a recess may be provided in the housing 20 of the liquid ejection device 11, and the collection container 60 may be inserted into the recess. The opening of the recess may be covered with a cover. When disposing of the liquid ejection device 11, the cover may be removed and the collection container 60 may be taken out of the recess for use.

[0052] 10 and 11, the recovery container 60 includes a recovery connection part 62 connectable to a liquid discharge part 71 of the liquid storage container 18, a recovery storage part 61 that stores liquid, and an atmosphere communication part 64 that communicates the inside of the recovery storage part 61 with the atmosphere. The liquid recovered from the liquid storage container 18 through the connection between the liquid discharge part 71 and the recovery connection part 62 is stored in the recovery storage part 61.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 11, recovery connection parts 62, the number of which is the same as the number of liquid storage containers 18 included in one liquid ejection device 11, are provided at intervals in the width direction X on the upper side of the recovery container 60. These intervals correspond to the width dimensions of the multiple liquid storage containers 18. Therefore, multiple liquid storage containers 18 can be connected to the recovery container 60 at the same time. An atmosphere communication part 64 protrudes upward from the top surface of the recovery storage part 61. The atmosphere communication part 64 communicates with the recovery storage chamber 61A. Note that as long as the recovery storage chamber 61A in the recovery container 60 is a single chamber, the atmosphere communication part 64 may be multiple or one.

[0054] At least one of the multiple liquid storage containers 18 that is separated from one end of the supply flow path 24 is connected to the recovery container 60 shown in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 11, a liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 and a recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60 are connected. The liquid in the liquid storage container 18 can be recovered in the recovery container 60 by head pressure.

[0055] <Recovery of Liquid from Liquid Storage Container 18> Next, the configuration and process for recovering the liquid inside the liquid storage container 18 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0056] 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 unit 52 and the supply flow path 24. As described above, the door body 19B (see FIG. 1) constituting the front part of the storage unit 19 is removable, so the door body 19B is slid upward in the -Z direction or in the width direction X to remove the liquid storage container 18, and then, as shown in FIG. 9, the liquid storage container 18 is moved in a first direction indicated by a white arrow in the figure, which is the connection direction between the liquid supply unit 52 and the connection unit 45. This movement of the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction removes the connection unit 45 from the liquid supply unit 52. At this time, the valve 59 switches from an open state to a closed state. Therefore, even if the liquid supply unit 52 is exposed as shown in FIG. 9, liquid leakage from the liquid supply unit 52 is suppressed. The liquid in the removed liquid storage container 18 is collected, for example, in a collection container 60 shown in FIG. 10.

[0057] <Configuration of collection container 60> Next, the configuration of the collection container 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. The recovery container 60 shown in Fig. 10 is prepared by the user, for example, when disposing of the liquid ejection device 11. The recovery container 60 includes a recovery container section 61 that contains liquid discharged from the liquid discharge section 71 of the liquid storage container 18, and a recovery connection section 62 configured to be connectable to the liquid discharge section 71. The recovery container 60 recovers liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 through the connection between the liquid discharge section 71 and the recovery connection section 62. The recovery connection section 62 is located on an upper surface 61B or an upper portion of a side surface 61C of the recovery storage section 61. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the recovery connection section 62 is located on an upper portion of the side surface 61C of the recovery storage section 61. The recovery storage section 61 includes a recovery storage chamber 61A.

[0058] The recovery container 60 may include a third valve 63 that opens and closes the flow path through which the recovery connection part 62 recovers the liquid. For example, the third valve 63 is in a closed state in a disconnected state shown in FIG. 10 in which the recovery connection part 62 is not connected to the liquid discharge part 71 on the liquid storage container 18 side. On the other hand, the third valve 63 is in an open state in a connected state shown in FIG. 12 in which the recovery connection part 62 is connected to the liquid discharge part 71. In this way, the third valve 63 may be configured to automatically switch between opening and closing depending on whether the liquid discharge part 71 and the recovery connection part 62 are connected or not.

[0059] For example, when the liquid discharge part 71 is connected to the recovery connection part 62, there is a valve body on the recovery connection part 62 side that displaces against the biasing force of the biasing member, and this displaced valve body moves away from a valve seat (both not shown), causing the third valve 63 to switch from a closed state to an open state. Also, when the liquid discharge part 71 is detached from the recovery connection part 62, the valve body on the recovery connection part 62 side returns to its original position due to the biasing force of the biasing member and hits the valve seat, causing the third valve 63 to switch from an open state to a closed state.

[0060] 10, the collection container 60 includes an atmosphere communication part 64. The atmosphere communication part 64 communicates the collection storage chamber 61A with the outside. The atmosphere communication part 64 communicates the collection storage chamber 61A with the outside via an atmosphere communication passage including a pore portion formed by a meandering path.

[0061] 12, when the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60 are connected, the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 moves to the recovery container 60 due to head pressure. That is, in a state in which the liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60 are connected, the inner bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber 55 in the liquid storage container 18 is set to be positioned higher than the maximum liquid level height when the maximum amount of liquid is recovered in the recovery storage chamber 61A of the recovery container 60. Here, the maximum liquid amount is the sum of the maximum liquid amounts that can be stored in each of the multiple liquid storage containers 18.

[0062] Furthermore, with the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62 connected, an amount of air corresponding to the volume of liquid that has flowed from the liquid storage container 18 into the recovery container 60 is exhausted from the atmosphere communication portion 64, thereby allowing liquid to continuously flow from the liquid storage container 18 into the recovery container 60. Since the volume of the recovery container 60 is larger than the maximum amount of liquid that can be stored in the liquid storage container 18, the liquid will not overflow from the recovery container 60.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, the collection container 60 may have a liquid holding member 65 capable of holding liquid in the collection container 61. The liquid holding member 65 is a liquid absorbing member capable of holding liquid by absorbing the liquid. The liquid holding member 65 may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric. The liquid holding member 65 may be a liquid absorbing member made of a sponge or a porous material. The liquid holding member 65 is held in the collection container 61A with a volume capable of holding an amount of liquid equivalent to the maximum volume of liquid contained in the liquid container 18. The collection container 60 is configured so that the liquid inside is held in the liquid holding member 65, so that the liquid does not leak even if the collection container 60 is tilted. In this embodiment, the collection container 60 and the liquid ejection device 11 may form a liquid ejection system.

[0064] 11, the recovery container 60 is provided with a plurality of recovery connection parts 62. For example, the number of recovery connection parts 62 is the same as the number of liquid storage containers 18 assembled to the liquid ejection device 11. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the volume of liquid that can be stored in the recovery container 60 is V1. In this example of the recovery container 60, although it has a liquid holding member 65, it is capable of storing liquid of volume V1.

[0065] On the other hand, the total liquid volume that the multiple liquid storage containers 18 equipped in one liquid ejection device 11 can store is V2. The volume V1 of the recovery container 60 is set to a value larger than the volume V2. The liquid recovery volume V1 of the liquid recovery container 60 shown in FIG. 10 is larger than the total liquid volume V2, which is the total liquid storage volume of the liquid storage containers 18 shown in FIG. 5. The liquid storage volume V1 of the recovery container 60 is set to be larger than the total liquid volume V2, which is the total amount of liquid that can be stored in the multiple liquid storage containers 18. The first liquid storage container 18A has a volume V2a that can store liquid, and the second liquid storage container 18B has a volume V2b that can store liquid. The total liquid volume V2, which is the total volume of the liquid storage containers 18 that can store liquid, 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. Therefore, even if all of the multiple liquid storage containers 18 are filled with liquid, all of the liquid can be recovered in the recovery container 60.

[0066] <Operation of the First Embodiment> Next, the operation of the liquid ejection device 11 including the liquid storage container 18 of the first embodiment will be described. The operation of a liquid ejection system including the liquid ejection device 11 and the recovery container 60 will also be described.

[0067] When disposing of the liquid ejection device 11, the user obtains the collection container 60. The collection 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 collection container 60 from a manufacturer, a retailer, or the like when disposing of the liquid ejection device 11. The collection container 60 may be available for a fee or free of charge. In addition, the collection container 60 inserted into a recess in the housing 20 of the liquid ejection device 11 may be removed from the recess by removing the cover.

[0068] 2, in the liquid ejection device 11 shown in Fig. 1, the user opens the image reading device 13 and the cover 32. Furthermore, the user removes the door body 19B constituting the front part of the storage part 19 from the housing 20, for example, by sliding it upward. By removing the door body 19B, the front (+Y direction side) of the liquid storage container 18 in the storage part 19 is opened.

[0069] Next, the fixing of the fixing portion 42 is released. More specifically, the screw 43 is loosened and the regulating member 44 is removed. This makes it possible to move the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction (+Y direction).

[0070] Next, at least one of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 is moved individually in the first direction A relative to the mounting portion 48, thereby individually disconnecting the liquid storage container 18 from one end of the supply flow path 24.

[0071] 4 to 6 and 9, the user moves the liquid storage containers 18 in a first direction A by sliding the liquid storage containers 18 along the guide portions 48A on the mounting portion 48. The user moves the liquid storage containers 18 in the first direction A individually, one by one.

[0072] The first direction A is the connection direction between the liquid supply unit 52 and the supply flow path 24. In particular, in this example, the first direction A is the connection direction between the liquid supply unit 52 and the connecting portion 45. The first direction A may be a direction that intersects with the connection direction between the liquid supply unit 52 and the supply flow path 24 or the connecting portion 45, for example, in the range of 0<θ≦20°. In this way, when the user moves the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction, the connection between the liquid supply unit 52 and the supply flow path 24 or the connecting portion 45 can be removed without applying excessive load to either of them.

[0073] Furthermore, because the liquid storage containers 18 are configured to be removed from the housing 20 one by one, only a small force is required when removing the liquid storage containers 18 by moving them in the first direction A. In other words, the force required when removing the liquid storage containers 18 is only a force equivalent to the force required to disconnect one connection between the liquid supply unit 52 and the connecting unit 45. Two or more liquid storage containers 18 may be simultaneously disconnected from the supply flow path 24 by moving two or more liquid storage containers 18 in the first direction A at the same time.

[0074] When the connecting portion 45 is detached from the liquid supply portion 52, the first valve 59 switches from an open state to a closed state, thereby preventing liquid such as ink from leaking from the liquid supply portion 52. This minimizes contamination of the inside of the housing 20 with liquid such as ink. In addition, when the connecting portion 45 is detached from the liquid supply portion 52, a valve (not shown) provided on the connecting portion 45 side switches from an open state to a closed state, thereby preventing liquid such as ink from leaking from the connecting portion 45.

[0075] The user may disconnect all of the multiple liquid storage containers 18 from one end of the supply flow path 24, or may check the remaining amount on the viewing surface 22 and selectively remove one or more liquid storage containers 18 that it is determined require liquid to be drained (recovered).

[0076] Next, the liquid discharge part 71 of the liquid storage container 18 removed from the housing 20 is connected to the collection connection part 62 of the collection container 60. This connection switches both the second valve 72 (the same valve as the first valve 59 in this embodiment) and the third valve 63 from a closed state to an open state. In this connected state, the liquid level in the liquid storage container 18 is located above the full liquid level in the collection container 60. Therefore, the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 moves to the collection container 60 by the head pressure. Air in an amount corresponding to the volume of the liquid flowing from the liquid storage container 18 into the collection container 60 is exhausted from the atmosphere communication part 64. As a result, the liquid flows continuously from the liquid storage container 18 into the collection container 60. The volume V1 of the collection container 60 shown in FIG. 10 is larger than the total liquid volume V2 of the liquid that can be stored in the multiple (e.g., five) liquid storage containers 18 shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, all of the liquid in the multiple liquid storage containers 18 can be collected in the collection container 60. The liquid collected in the collection container 60 is absorbed by the liquid holding member 65. Therefore, even if the collection container 60 is tilted after collecting the liquid, the liquid will not leak. The user installs the liquid storage container 18, from which the remaining liquid has been removed, into the housing 20, and then discards the liquid ejection device 11.

[0077] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1-1) The liquid ejection device 11 includes an ejection head 25 that ejects liquid, a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 capable of storing liquid to be supplied to the ejection head 25, and a housing 20 that houses the ejection head 25 and the plurality of liquid storage containers 18. The liquid ejection device 11 also includes a fixing unit 42 that fixes the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 to the housing 20. Each of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 has a liquid storage unit 51 configured to be capable of storing liquid, a liquid supply unit 52, and a liquid discharge unit 71. The liquid supply unit 52 is a part to which one end of a supply flow path 24 that supplies liquid to the ejection head 25 is directly or indirectly connected. The liquid discharge unit 71 is a part that discharges the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 51 to the outside. The liquid ejection device 11 includes a separation mechanism 47. The separation mechanism 47 is configured to be able to individually separate the liquid storage container 18 from the housing 20 in a first direction A, which is a direction in which the liquid supply unit 52 can be separated from one end of the supply flow path 24, when the liquid storage container 18 is released from the fixing unit 42 to the housing 20. With this configuration, the liquid storage containers 18 that have liquid remaining therein can be individually separated from one end of the supply flow path 24. In other words, it is possible to selectively separate from the supply flow path 24 those liquid storage containers 18 from which liquid needs to be discharged.

[0078] (1-2) The liquid discharge unit 71 is disposed on the bottom surface or the lower side surface of the liquid storage unit 51. With this configuration, it becomes possible to discharge liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 of the liquid ejection device 11 to the outside from the liquid discharge unit 71 disposed on the bottom surface or the lower side surface of the liquid storage unit 51. Therefore, the liquid ejection device 11 can be disposed of after the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 has been discharged to the outside.

[0079] (1-3) The liquid storage container 18 includes a first valve 59 as an example of a valve that opens and closes the flow path of the liquid supply unit 52. The first valve 59 closes when the liquid supply unit 52 is connected to one end of the supply flow path 24, and closes when the liquid supply unit 52 is disconnected from one end of the supply flow path 24. According to this configuration, the first valve 59 opens when the liquid supply unit 52 is connected to one end of the supply flow path 24 that supplies liquid to the ejection head 25, and closes when the liquid supply unit 52 is disconnected from the one end of the supply flow path 24. Therefore, the liquid can be appropriately supplied to the ejection head 25, and leakage of the liquid from the liquid supply unit 52 when it is disconnected from the one end of the supply flow path 24 can be suppressed.

[0080] (1-4) The housing 20 includes a storage section 19 capable of storing a plurality of liquid storage containers 18. The storage section 19 includes a door body 19B having a window section 21 through which the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container 18 can be visually confirmed. The door body 19B is configured to be movable relative to the housing 20 between a closed position that covers the first direction A side of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 and an open position that does not cover the first direction A side. With this configuration, the first direction A side of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 can be opened by moving the door body 19B from the closed position to the open position. Thus, the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 can be moved in the first direction A. As a result, the liquid storage container 18 can be taken out from the storage section 19 to the outside while being directly or indirectly separated from one end of the supply flow path 24.

[0081] (1-5) With door body 19B in the open position not covering the front faces of the multiple liquid storage containers 18, liquid storage containers 18 are pulled outward from storage section 19 by separation mechanism 47, thereby being separated from one end of supply flow path 24. With this configuration, even if liquid storage containers 18 are stored in storage section 19, with door body 19B in the open position, liquid storage containers 18 can be moved in first direction A, and the connection between liquid supply section 52 and one end of supply flow path 24 can be cut off.

[0082] (1-6) The liquid ejection system includes a liquid ejection device 11 and a liquid recovery container 60. The liquid recovery container 60 includes a recovery connection portion 62, a recovery storage portion 61, and an atmosphere communication portion 64. The recovery connection portion 62 is configured to be connectable to a liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18. The recovery storage portion 61 stores liquid recovered from the liquid storage container 18 through the connection between the liquid discharge portion 71 and the recovery connection portion 62. The atmosphere communication portion 64 communicates the inside of the recovery storage portion 61 with the atmosphere. The liquid discharge portion 71 of at least one liquid storage container 18 that is separated from one end of the supply flow path 24 among the multiple liquid storage containers 18 is connected to the recovery connection portion 62. Particularly in the first embodiment, the liquid storage containers 18 can be individually connected to the recovery container 60. The liquid in the liquid storage container 18 is configured to be recoverable to the liquid recovery container 60 by head pressure. According to this configuration, when the liquid ejection device 11 is disposed of, the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 can be relatively easily collected in the collection container.

[0083] Second embodiment Next, the configuration of the liquid storage container 18 and the collection container 60 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 21. Also, in the second embodiment, the configuration of the separation mechanism is different from that of the first embodiment. The basic configuration of the liquid ejection device 11 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, the configuration of the liquid ejection device 11 is given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted, and the configuration of the liquid storage container 18, the collection container 60, and the separation mechanism will be particularly described. Note that, for the liquid storage container 18, the collection container 60, and the like, configurations common to the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0084] 1, the liquid ejection device 11 includes an ejection head 25 that ejects liquid, a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 capable of storing liquid to be supplied to the ejection head 25, and a housing 20 that accommodates the ejection head 25 and the plurality of liquid storage containers 18. The liquid storage container 18 of the first embodiment is configured such that the liquid supply unit 52 also functions as the liquid discharge unit 71 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), whereas the liquid storage container 18 of the second embodiment includes the liquid supply unit 52 and the liquid discharge unit 71 separately, as shown in FIG.

[0085] FIG. 14 shows a state in which a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 are fixed to the housing 20 by fixing portions 42, and FIGS. 13 and 15 show how the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 are separated by the separation mechanism 80 of this embodiment.

[0086] The separation mechanism 47 of the first embodiment is configured to be able to individually separate multiple liquid storage containers 18 from the supply flow path 24, whereas the separation mechanism 80 of the second embodiment is configured to be able to collectively separate multiple liquid storage containers 18 from the supply flow path 24, as shown in Figures 13 and 15.

[0087] 14, the multiple liquid storage containers 18 are fixed to the housing 20 by fixing parts 42. Each of the multiple liquid storage containers 18 has a liquid storage section 51 configured to be able to store liquid, a liquid supply section 52, and a liquid discharge section 71 that discharges the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 51 to the outside. The liquid supply section 52 is a part to which one end of a supply flow path 24 that supplies liquid to the ejection head 25 is directly or indirectly connected.

[0088] As shown in Figures 13 and 15, the separation mechanism 80 is configured to be able to collectively separate multiple liquid storage containers 18 from the housing 20 in a first direction A, which is a direction in which the liquid supply section 52 can be detached from one end of the supply flow path 24, when the fixation by the fixing section 42 is released.

[0089] 13 to 15, the separation mechanism 80 includes a movable stage 81 configured to be movable in a first direction A relative to the bottom 20A of the housing 20. The upper surface of the movable stage 81 is a mounting surface 81A, and a plurality of (e.g., five) liquid storage containers 18 are mounted on the mounting surface 81A. The plurality of liquid storage containers 18 are fixed to the movable stage 81 using screws 43 and regulating members 44.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 14, the movable stage 81 is fixed to the bottom 20A of the housing by a fixing portion 42. The fixing portion 42 includes a screw 43 and a restricting member 44. The liquid storage container 18 is positioned in the first direction A and the second direction B in a state where the liquid storage container 18 fits into a plurality of grooves recessed in the mounting surface 81A of the movable stage 81 and abuts against a wall surface located at the back of the grooves. The restricting member 44, which restricts the liquid storage container 18 from moving forward from the front side, is fixed to the front surface of the movable stage 81 by the screw 43, so that the liquid storage container 18 can move in the first direction A together with the movable stage 81.

[0091] A pair of rails 46 similar to those in the first embodiment are provided on the side plates 19C and 19D that constitute the storage section 19, and the door body 19B can be attached and detached by moving the door body 19B upward along the pair of rails 46.

[0092] A pair of rails 82 extending along the first direction A are provided at a height position corresponding to the height at which the movable platform 81 is disposed on the side plates 19C, 19D. A pair of rail grooves 81B engageable with the pair of rails 82 are recessed in a pair of side surfaces of the movable platform 81 intersecting with the second direction B. Therefore, when the movable platform 81 is released from the fixing portion 42, it is possible for the movable platform 81 to move in the first direction A. The rail grooves 81B and the rails 82 form a moving mechanism 83.

[0093] The storage section 19 has a door body 19B. The door body 19B is configured to be movable with respect to the housing 20 between a covering position that covers the first direction A side of the multiple liquid storage containers 18 and an open position that does not cover the first direction A side. The door body 19B has a window portion 21 through which the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage containers 18 can be visually observed.

[0094] With the door body 19B in an open position not covering the first direction A side of the multiple liquid storage containers 18, the liquid storage containers 18 are pulled outward from the storage part 19 by the separation mechanism 47. This causes the liquid supply part 52 of the liquid storage container 18 to be separated from one end of the supply flow path 24.

[0095] 16, liquid storage container 18 in the second embodiment has a configuration in which liquid supply unit 52 is separate from liquid discharge unit 71. In other words, this is an example in which liquid discharge unit 71 for discharging liquid inside liquid storage container 18 to the outside is provided separately from liquid supply unit 52.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 16, the basic configuration of the liquid storage container 18 is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, like the liquid storage container 18 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the liquid storage container 18 includes a liquid storage section 51 configured to be able to store liquid, and a liquid injection section 53 that injects liquid into the liquid storage section 51. Furthermore, the liquid storage container 18 includes a liquid supply section 52 that supplies liquid in the liquid storage section 51, and a liquid discharge section 71 that discharges the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 51 to the outside, which is a section to which one end of a supply flow path 24 (see FIG. 12) that supplies liquid to the ejection head 25 is connected. The liquid supply section 52 is located at the upper part of the side surface 51B of the liquid storage container 18. The inside of the liquid storage chamber 55 of the liquid storage section 51 is partitioned into an area in which the liquid is stored and a supply flow path section that guides the liquid to the liquid supply section 52 by a flow path forming wall 51D that extends downward from a partition section 51C.

[0097] The liquid supply unit 52 is configured to be connectable to a connecting portion 45 provided at the upstream end of the supply flow path 24. The liquid supply unit 52 is connected (coupled) to the connecting portion 45 (see FIG. 16), whereby the liquid supply unit 52 is connected to a connection port 45A of the connecting portion 45. The liquid discharge unit 71 is disposed on the bottom surface 51A or the lower part of the side surface 51B of the liquid storage unit 51. In the example shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the liquid discharge unit 71 is disposed on the bottom surface 51A of the liquid storage unit 51. The liquid discharge unit 71 protrudes downward from the bottom surface 51A of the liquid storage unit 51.

[0098] Furthermore, the liquid storage container 18 includes a first valve 59 capable of opening and closing the flow path of the liquid supply portion 52. The liquid storage container 18 includes 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 similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0099] That is, the first valve 59 has a valve body, a valve seat, and a biasing member (e.g., a spring) that biases the valve body in a direction in which it hits the valve seat. For example, when the connecting part 45 is connected to the liquid supply part 52, the valve body at the back of the liquid supply part 52 moves away from the valve seat due to the force received from the connecting part 45, and the first valve 59 switches from the closed state to the open state. Also, when the connecting part 45 is detached from the liquid supply part 52, the valve body hits the valve seat due to the biasing force of the biasing member, and the first valve 59 switches from the open state to the closed state.

[0100] The second valve 72 has a valve body, a valve seat, and a biasing member (e.g., a spring) that biases the valve body in a direction in which it hits the valve seat. For example, when the recovery connection part 62 of the recovery container 60 described later is connected to the liquid discharge part 71, the second valve 72 switches from a closed state to an open state as the valve body retreats in a direction away from the valve seat due to the force it receives from the recovery connection part 62 (see FIG. 18). In addition, when the recovery connection part 62 is detached from the liquid discharge part 71, the valve body hits the valve seat due to the biasing force of the biasing member, and the second valve 72 switches from an open state to a closed state.

[0101] <Configuration of the liquid ejection system> Next, the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery container 60 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0102] In this embodiment, a liquid ejection system is configured by the liquid ejection device 11 and the collection container 60. The liquid ejection device 11 and the collection container 60 may be sold as a set, or the user may obtain the collection container 60 for a fee or free of charge when disposing of the liquid ejection device 11. Also, a recess may be provided in the housing 20 of the liquid ejection device 11, and the collection container 60 may be inserted into the recess. The opening of the recess may be covered with a cover. When disposing of the liquid ejection device 11, the cover may be removed and the collection container 60 may be taken out of the recess for use.

[0103] 18 and 19, the recovery container 60 includes a recovery connection part 62 connectable to a liquid discharge part 71 of the liquid storage container 18, a recovery storage part 61 that stores liquid, and an atmosphere communication part 64 that communicates the inside of the recovery storage part 61 with the atmosphere. As shown in FIG. 19, the liquid recovered from the liquid storage container 18 through the connection between the liquid discharge part 71 and the recovery connection part 62 is stored in the recovery storage part 61.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 20, the upper surface of the recovery container 60 is provided with recovery connection parts 62 spaced apart in the width direction X, the number of which is equal to the number of liquid storage containers 18 possessed by one liquid ejection device 11. These intervals correspond to the width dimensions of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18. For this reason, the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 can be connected to the recovery container 60 at the same time. An atmosphere communication part 64 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the recovery storage part 61. The atmosphere communication part 64 communicates with the recovery storage chamber 61A. Note that as long as the recovery storage chamber 61A in the recovery container 60 is a single chamber, the atmosphere communication part 64 may be one or multiple.

[0105] A plurality of liquid storage containers 18 that have been separated from one end of the supply flow path 24 are collectively connected to a recovery container 60 shown in Fig. 21. As shown in Fig. 21, a liquid discharge portion 71 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to a recovery connection portion 62 of the recovery container 60. The liquid in the liquid storage container 18 can be recovered in the recovery container 60 by head pressure.

[0106] As shown in Figs. 18 to 21, the multiple liquid storage containers 18 are configured to be connectable to the collection container 60 together with the movable platform 81. The liquid discharge unit 71 is located at the movable platform 81, but the movable platform 81 is not in the way and the liquid discharge unit 71 and the collection connection unit 62 can be connected. The movable platform 81 is interposed between the liquid storage container 18 and the collection container 60, but the movable platform 81 is set to a thickness that allows the liquid discharge unit 71 and the collection connection unit 62 to be connected. In other words, even if the movable platform 81 of a predetermined thickness is interposed between the liquid storage container 18 and the collection container 60, a connection allowance is set that allows the liquid discharge unit 71 and the collection connection unit 62 to be completely connected. Therefore, the multiple liquid storage containers 18 together with the movable platform 81 can be connected to the collection container 60.

[0107] 20, the recovery container 60 is placed below the liquid storage container 18 removed from the housing 20. The recovery connection part 62 is cylindrical and has a recess 66A into which the liquid discharge part 71 can fit. Then, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the liquid discharge part 71 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to the recovery connection part 62 of the recovery container 60. Then, both the second valve 72 and the third valve 63 are switched from a closed state to an open state. The liquid in the liquid storage container 18 moves to the recovery container 60 due to the head pressure.

[0108] Here, as shown in FIG. 20, the volume V1 of the collection container 60 that can store liquid is larger than the total liquid volume V2, which is the total volume of the liquid storage container 18 that can store liquid. The volume V1 of the collection container 60 that can store liquid is set to be larger than the total liquid volume V2, which is the total amount of liquid that can be stored in the multiple liquid storage containers 18. The first liquid storage container 18A has a volume V2a that can store liquid, and the second liquid storage container 18B has a volume V2b that can store liquid. The total liquid volume V2, which is the total amount of liquid that can be stored in the multiple liquid storage containers 18, is V2=V2a+4*V2b. The volume V1 of the collection container 60 is set to a value larger than the total liquid volume V2. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 20 etc., the liquid holding member 65 is enclosed in the collection container 60, but the volume of the liquid excluding the volume of the liquid holding member 65 of the collection container 60 is set to a volume V1 larger than the total liquid volume V2.

[0109] Therefore, almost all of the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 is collected in the collection container 60 without overflowing. The liquid collected in the collection container 60 is absorbed by the liquid holding member 65. Therefore, even if the collection container 60 is tilted, the liquid will not leak. The user then returns the empty liquid storage container 18, from which the remaining liquid has been discharged into the collection container 60, back into the original storage section 19. The user discards the liquid ejection device 11, which has now been emptied of any remaining liquid in the liquid storage container 18.

[0110] <Operation of the Second Embodiment> Next, the operation of the liquid ejection device 11 including the liquid storage container 18 of the second embodiment will be described. The operation of a liquid ejection system including the liquid ejection device 11 and the recovery container 60 will also be described.

[0111] When disposing of the liquid discharger 11, the user obtains the collection container 60. The method of obtaining the collection container 60 is the same as in the first embodiment. 2, in the liquid ejection device 11 shown in Fig. 1, the user opens the image reading device 13 and the cover 32. Furthermore, the user removes the door body 19B constituting the front part of the storage part 19 from the housing 20, for example, by sliding it upward. By removing the door body 19B, the front (+Y direction side) of the liquid storage container 18 in the storage part 19 is opened.

[0112] Next, the fixing of the fixing portion 42 is released. More specifically, the screw 43 is loosened and the regulating member 44 is removed. This makes it possible to move the multiple liquid storage containers 18 together with the movable stage 81 in the first direction (+Y direction). Furthermore, by moving the multiple liquid storage containers 18 together with the movable stage 81 in the first direction A, the multiple liquid storage containers 18 are collectively disconnected from one end of the supply flow path 24.

[0113] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 15, and FIG. 17, the user moves the moving stage 81 on which the multiple liquid storage containers 18 are placed in the first direction A by the moving mechanism 83. This allows the user to remove the multiple liquid storage containers 18 together with the moving stage 81 from the housing 20. At this time, in the process of moving the moving stage 81 in the first direction A, the connections between the liquid supply units 52 and the connecting units 45 in the number corresponding to the number of liquid storage containers 18 are disconnected. Since the multiple liquid storage containers 18 are moved together with the moving stage 81, the force required for the movement is greater than that in the first embodiment, but the load applied per connection between the liquid supply units 52 and the connecting units 45 is the same. No excessive load is applied to the connection units between the liquid supply units 52 and the connecting units 45, etc. Note that a working space may be provided where the user can disconnect the connection between the liquid supply units 52 and the connecting units 45 in advance, and after disconnecting the connection between the liquid supply units 52 and the connecting units 45, the multiple liquid storage containers 18 may be moved together with the moving stage 81 in the first direction A.

[0114] When the connecting portion 45 is detached from the liquid supply portion 52, the first valve 59 switches from an open state to a closed state, thereby preventing liquid such as ink from leaking from the liquid supply portion 52. This minimizes contamination of the inside of the housing 20 with liquid such as ink. When the connecting portion 45 is detached from the liquid supply portion 52, a valve (not shown) provided on the connecting portion 45 side switches from an open state to a closed state.

[0115] Next, as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 20, the recovery container 60 is placed under the liquid storage container 18 removed from the housing 20. The recovery connection part 62 has a cylindrical shape and has a recess 66A into which the liquid discharge part 71 can fit. Then, as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 21, the liquid discharge part 71 of the liquid storage container 18 and the recovery connection part 62 of the recovery container 60 are connected. Then, both the second valve 72 and the third valve 63 are switched from a closed state to an open state. The liquid in the liquid storage container 18 moves to the recovery container 60 by the head pressure. During this liquid recovery process, air in an amount corresponding to the volume of the liquid that has flowed from the liquid storage container 18 into the recovery container 60 is exhausted from the atmosphere communication part 64. As a result, the liquid continues to flow from the liquid storage container 18 into the recovery container 60.

[0116] Here, the volume V1 of the collection container 60 that can contain liquid is set to be larger than the total liquid volume V2 that can contain liquid in the multiple liquid storage containers 18. Therefore, almost all of the liquid in the liquid storage containers 18 is collected in the collection container 60 without overflowing. The liquid collected in the collection container 60 is absorbed by the liquid holding member 65. Therefore, even if the collection 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 into the collection container 60 back into the original storage section 19. The user discards the liquid ejection device 11, which is now almost empty with no remaining liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18.

[0117] Therefore, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-2) to (1-4) in the first embodiment, the following effects are obtained. (2-1) The liquid ejection device 11 includes an ejection head 25 that ejects liquid, a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 capable of storing liquid to be supplied to the ejection head 25, and a housing 20 that houses the ejection head 25 and the plurality of liquid storage containers 18. The liquid ejection device 11 also includes a fixing unit 42 that fixes the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 to the housing 20. Each of the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 has a liquid storage unit 51 configured to be capable of storing liquid, a liquid supply unit 52, and a liquid discharge unit 71. The liquid supply unit 52 is a part to which one end of a supply flow path 24 that supplies liquid to the ejection head 25 is directly or indirectly connected. The liquid discharge unit 71 is a part that discharges the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 51 to the outside. The liquid ejection device 11 includes a separation mechanism 80. The separation mechanism 80 is configured to be able to collectively separate the multiple liquid storage containers 18 from the housing 20 in a first direction A, which is a direction in which the liquid supply unit 52 can be separated from one end of the supply flow path 24, when the liquid storage containers 18 are released from the fixing unit 42. With this configuration, the multiple liquid storage containers 18 can be collectively separated from one end of the supply flow path 24 and separated from the housing 20. Because the multiple liquid storage containers 18 can be separated collectively, this is less time-consuming than separating the liquid storage containers 18 individually.

[0118] (2-2) With door body 19B in the open position not covering the front faces of the multiple liquid storage containers 18, liquid storage containers 18 are pulled outward from storage section 19 by separation mechanism 80, thereby being separated from one end of supply flow path 24. With this configuration, even if liquid storage containers 18 are stored in storage section 19, with door body 19B in the open position, liquid storage containers 18 can be moved in first direction A, and the connection between liquid supply section 52 and one end of supply flow path 24 can be cut off.

[0119] (2-3) The liquid ejection system includes a liquid ejection device 11 and a liquid recovery container 60. A liquid discharge portion 71 of at least one liquid storage container 18 that is separated from one end of the supply flow path 24 among the multiple liquid storage containers 18 is connected to a recovery connection portion 62. In particular, in the second embodiment, the liquid storage containers 18 can be connected together to the recovery container 60. The liquid in the liquid storage container 18 can be recovered in the liquid recovery container 60 by head pressure. With this configuration, when the liquid ejection device 11 is disposed of, liquid remaining in the liquid storage container 18 can be relatively easily recovered in the recovery container.

[0120] The above embodiment can be modified to the following modified examples. Further modified examples can be appropriately combined with the above embodiment and the following modified examples, or further modified examples can be appropriately combined with each other.

[0121] In the first embodiment, the liquid supply unit 52 may be a portion to which one end of the supply flow path 24 that supplies liquid to the ejection head 25 is indirectly connected. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the liquid supply unit 52 may be configured to include a holder 85 to which a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 can be attached. In this case, the mounting portion 48 may also serve as a portion of the holder 85. For example, the holder 85 has the mounting portion 48 and a back portion 86 that extends upward from the rear of the mounting portion 48. The separation mechanism 47 has the holder 85 that holds the plurality of liquid storage units 51 in a state in which they are aligned in a second direction B that intersects with the first direction A, and a guide portion 48A that guides the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 to be movable in the first direction A relative to the holder 85. The holder 85 has, for example, a first connected portion 87 to which the liquid supply unit 52 is connected, and a second connected portion 88 to which the connecting portion 45 provided at one end of the supply flow path 24 can be connected, on both sides of the back portion 86. The holder 85 incorporates a flow path that communicates the first connected portion 87 and the second connected portion 88. The liquid supply unit 52 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to the first connected portion 87 of the holder 85, and the connecting portion 45 of the supply flow path 24 is connected to the second connected portion 88, so that the liquid supply unit 52 is indirectly connected to one end of the supply flow path 24 via the holder 85. Then, as shown in FIG. 22, in a state in which the fixation of the liquid storage container 18 to the housing 20 (for example, the bottom portion 20A) by the fixing portion 42 (FIG. 4, etc.) is released, the separation mechanism 47 is configured to be able to separate the liquid storage container 18 in a first direction A, which is a direction in which the liquid storage container 18 is individually separated from the housing 20. The separation mechanism 47 moves the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction A, which is a direction in which the liquid storage container 18 can be separated, so that the liquid supply unit 52 is indirectly separated from one end of the supply flow path 24. In this manner, by disconnecting the liquid storage container 18 from the holder 85 , the liquid supply portion 52 of the liquid storage container 18 may be indirectly disconnected from the connecting portion 45 connected to the holder 85 .

[0122] 22 includes a holder 85 that holds a plurality of liquid storage sections 51 aligned in a second direction B intersecting the first direction A, and a guide section 48A that guides a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 to be movable in the first direction A relative to the holder 85. The liquid supply section 52 of the liquid storage container 18 is indirectly connected to one end of the supply flow path 24 via the holder 85. With this configuration, liquid storage containers 18 in which liquid remains can be individually separated from the holder 85. For example, a liquid storage container 18 from which liquid needs to be discharged can be selectively separated from the supply flow path 24. As a result, it becomes easier to discharge the liquid in the liquid storage container 18.

[0123] In the second embodiment, the liquid supply unit 52 may be a portion to which one end of the supply flow path 24 that supplies liquid to the ejection head 25 is indirectly connected. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the liquid supply unit 52 may be configured to include a holder 90 to which a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 can be attached. That is, as shown in FIG. 23, the separation mechanism 80 includes a holder 90 that holds a plurality of liquid storage units 51 arranged in a second direction B intersecting with the first direction A, and a moving mechanism 83 configured to move the holder 90 in the first direction A. In this case, the moving platform 81 may be configured to serve as a part of the holder 90. For example, the holder 90 has a moving platform 81 and a back portion 91 that extends upward from the rear of the moving platform 81. The holder 90 has, for example, a first connected portion 92 to which the liquid supply unit 52 is connected, and a second connected portion 93 to which a connecting portion 45 provided at one end of the supply flow path 24 can be connected, on both sides of the back portion 91. The holder 90 incorporates a flow path 94 that communicates the first connected portion 92 and the second connected portion 93. The liquid supply unit 52 of the liquid storage container 18 is connected to the first connected portion 92 of the holder 90, and the connecting portion 45 of the supply flow path 24 is connected to the second connected portion 93, so that the liquid supply unit 52 is indirectly connected to one end of the supply flow path 24 via the holder 90. Then, as shown in FIG. 23, in a state in which the fixation of the liquid storage container 18 to the housing 20 (for example, the bottom portion 20A) by the fixing portion 42 (FIG. 14, etc.) is released, the separation mechanism 47 is configured to be able to separate the liquid storage container 18 in a first direction A, which is a direction in which the liquid storage container 18 is individually separated from the housing 20. The separation mechanism 47 moves the liquid storage container 18 in the first direction A, which is a direction in which the liquid storage container 18 can be separated, so that the liquid supply unit 52 is indirectly separated from one end of the supply flow path 24. In this manner, by disconnecting the liquid storage container 18 from the holder 85 , the liquid supply portion 52 of the liquid storage container 18 may be indirectly disconnected from the connecting portion 45 connected to the holder 85 .

[0124] 23 includes a holder 90 that holds a plurality of liquid storage units 51 aligned in a second direction B intersecting the first direction A, and a movement mechanism 83 configured to be able to move the holder 90 in the first direction A. The liquid supply unit 52 of the liquid storage container 18 is indirectly connected to one end of the supply flow path 24 via the holder 90. With this configuration, by separating the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 together with the holder 90 from the housing 20, the plurality of liquid supply units 52 can be indirectly separated from one end of the supply flow path 24 together. This requires less effort than separating the liquid storage containers 18 individually.

[0125] The collection container 60 may include a sealing member that is detachably attached to the collection connection part 62. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the collection container 60 of the first embodiment may include a sealing member 68 that is detachably attached to the collection connection part 62. The collection connection part 62 may be provided with a sealing member 68 that seals the liquid in the collection storage part 61 so that it cannot flow out. In the example shown in FIG. 24, the sealing member 68 is a cap member that seals the connection port of the collection connection part 62. The sealing member 68 made of a cap member is attached to the collection connection part 62 in a state where the connection port is sealed by, for example, fitting or screwing. When collecting liquid, the user removes the sealing member 68 from the collection connection part 62 and connects the liquid discharge part 71 of the liquid storage container 18 to the collection connection part 62. When the collection of liquid is completed, the liquid storage container 18 and the collection container 60 are disconnected, and the sealing member 68 is attached to the collection connection part 62. According to this configuration, after liquid is collected in the collection container 60, the collection connection part 62 is sealed by the sealing member 68, thereby preventing the liquid in the collection container 60 from leaking out. Furthermore, the collection container 60 of the second embodiment may be provided with a sealing member 69 that is detachable from the collection connection part 62, as shown in Fig. 25. With this configuration as well, the sealing member 69 can prevent the liquid in the collection container 60 from leaking out.

[0126] The movement direction of the door body 19B can be set to any direction as long as the liquid storage container 18 can be removed in the first direction A. For example, the sliding direction may be the width direction X. Furthermore, the door body 19B is not limited to a sliding type as long as the liquid storage container 18 can be removed in the first direction A, and may be of a rotating type. For example, the door body 19B may be configured to rotate around the lower end, the right end, the left end, or the upper end.

[0127] The moving direction when the liquid storage container 18 is removed from the liquid ejection device 11 is not limited to the first direction A, and may be another direction. For example, the moving direction may be the Z direction (downward). An opening is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 20 below the position where the liquid storage container 18 is arranged, and a cover is provided to open and close the opening. The liquid storage container 18 has a liquid supply unit 52 protruding upward. The connection direction between the liquid supply unit 52 and the supply flow path 24 is the Z direction. By moving the liquid storage container 18 along the rail in the Z direction, the liquid supply unit 52 and the supply flow path 24 are removed, and the liquid storage container 18 is removed from the bottom of the housing. In this way, the first direction may be downward. In this case, the liquid storage container 18 may be configured to be individually movable in the first direction as in the first embodiment, or multiple liquid storage containers 18 may be configured to be movable downward together as in the second embodiment. The first direction may be the right direction (-X direction), the left direction (+X direction), or the rear direction (-Y direction). For example, in FIG. 1 and the like, the right side of the storage section 19 may be a door body, and the liquid storage container 18 in the storage section 19 may be taken out to the right from the opening by opening the door body. In this case, the window 21 may be provided on the door body, or may be left on the front surface of the storage section 19. Also, when the storage section 19 is arranged on the left side of the front of the housing 20, the first direction may be the left direction. Furthermore, when two storage sections 19 are arranged on the left and right sides of the front of the housing 20, the first direction may be the direction toward the outside of the width direction X. Furthermore, the first direction may be a direction having components in two directions, the X direction and the Y direction, a direction having components in two directions, the Y direction and the Z direction, or a direction having components in two directions, the X direction and the Z direction. Furthermore, the first direction may be a direction having components in three directions, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction.

[0128] The first direction is not limited to a direction parallel to the transport direction Y, and may be the width direction X, or a downward or upward direction. In short, it may be a direction along the connection direction between the liquid supply unit 52 and the supply flow path 24. In the case of the width direction X, the door body 19B may be provided on the right side or left side of the housing 20, the door body 19B may be opened by sliding or rotating, and the liquid storage container 18 may be moved in the first direction A, which is the width direction X, to separate the liquid storage container 18 from one end of the supply flow path 24. Also, the door body 19B may be provided on the back side of the housing 20, the door body 19B may be opened by sliding or rotating, and the liquid storage container 18 may be moved in the first direction A, which is the depth direction -Y, to separate the liquid storage container 18 from one end of the supply flow path 24. Furthermore, the cover 32 may be used as the door body, the cover 32 may be opened, and the liquid storage container 18 may be moved in the first direction A, which is the upward direction -Z, to separate the liquid storage container 18 from one end of the supply flow path 24. Also, a door may be provided at the bottom of the housing 20, and the door may be slid or rotated to open the liquid storage container 18, and the liquid storage container 18 may be moved in a first direction A, which is the vertical direction Z, to separate the liquid storage container 18 from one end of the supply flow path 24. Note that the door 19B is not limited to being of a sliding or rotating type, and may be configured to be detachable from the housing 20.

[0129] The position of the liquid discharge portion 71 in the liquid storage portion 51 and the position of the recovery connection portion 62 in the recovery storage portion 61 may be changed as appropriate, so long as the position allows the liquid to be discharged by head pressure. In the first embodiment, the first valve 59 of the liquid supply unit 52 may be a manual on-off valve that can be manually opened and closed by operating an operating unit, or may be an on-off valve that also has a manually operable function. In this case, the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 may be collected in the collection container 60 by connecting the liquid supply unit 52 to the collection connection unit 62, or the liquid may be collected in another container such as an empty bottle. In the latter case, the first valve 59 can be manually held in a closed state when collecting the liquid in another container, so that leakage of liquid from the liquid supply unit 52 can be suppressed even if the liquid storage container 18 is separated from the supply flow path 24.

[0130] In the second embodiment, the second valve 72 of the liquid discharge portion 71 may be a manual on-off valve that can be manually opened and closed by operating an operating portion, or an on-off valve that also has a manually operable function. In this case, if the second valve 72 can be manually opened and closed, the liquid can be recovered in another container such as an empty bottle. In other words, since the second valve 72 can be normally kept in a closed state, it is possible to suppress liquid leakage from the liquid discharge portion 71. On the other hand, by manually opening the second valve 72 when recovering the liquid in another container, the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 can be recovered from the liquid discharge portion 71 into the other container.

[0131] The multiple liquid storage containers 18 in the second embodiment may be configured to be individually detachable in the first direction A from one end of the supply flow path 24 by the separation mechanism 47 of the first embodiment. In this case, the liquid storage container 18 in which the liquid discharge part 71 is disposed on the bottom surface or the lower part of the side surface of the liquid storage part 51 is configured to be movable in the first direction A along the guide part 48A of the mounting part 48.

[0132] The plurality of liquid storage containers 18 in the first embodiment may be configured to be collectively detachable in the first direction A from one end of the supply flow path 24 by the separation mechanism 80 of the second embodiment. In this case, the liquid storage container 18 in which the liquid supply unit 52, which also serves as the liquid discharge unit 71, is disposed on the lower part of the side surface of the liquid storage unit 51, is configured to be movable together with the moving stage 81 in the first direction A while being fixed on the moving stage 81.

[0133] In the above-described embodiments, the storage section 19 is disposed at a position near the front right end of the housing 20, but may be disposed at a position near the front left end of the housing 20. Furthermore, two storage sections 19 may be disposed on both the left and right sides of the front of the housing 20. For example, two storage sections 19 may be disposed on both sides of the operation panel 17 in the width direction X. In this case, one storage section 19 may accommodate a black liquid storage container 18, and the other storage section 19 may accommodate a plurality of liquid storage containers 18 that accommodate liquids of colors that constitute a color. In this case, the color of the liquid in the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 may be a plurality of colors including cyan, magenta, and yellow. In this case, the separation mechanism may be a separation mechanism 47 that can move the liquid storage containers 18 individually in the first direction A relative to the mounting section 48, or a separation mechanism 80 that can move the plurality of liquid storage containers 18 together with the moving stage 81 in the first direction A.

[0134] The multiple liquid storage containers 18 included in the liquid ejection device 11 may be two liquid storage containers 18. For example, the liquid ejection device 11 may be a printer dedicated to monochrome printing, which is equipped with two liquid storage containers 18 that store black ink as liquid.

[0135] The liquid holding member 65 is not limited to nonwoven fabric, sponge, porous material, etc., and may be a superabsorbent polymer (SAP). In the above embodiment, the liquid was collected in the collection container 60 by connecting the liquid discharge part 71 and the collection container 61, but the liquid in the liquid storage container 18 may be poured from the liquid discharge part 71 to the inlet of the collection container 60. For example, the opening of the collection container 61 may be made larger than the opening of the liquid discharge part 71, and the liquid may be poured by head pressure from a position separated from the openings.

[0136] The liquid is not limited to being collected in a collection container. It may be collected in a vinyl bag containing an absorbent material such as nonwoven fabric. In this case, there is no need to prepare a collection container. Also, when collecting the liquid in the liquid storage container 18, the liquid can be collected to the outside by utilizing the head pressure. Therefore, compared to a method of collecting the liquid by tilting the liquid supply unit, it is easier to avoid staining the liquid ejection device 11 and the surrounding area where the collection operation is performed with liquid such as ink during the collection operation.

[0137] In the liquid ejection device 11, the 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. Also, the position of the liquid storage container 18 may be on the side of the housing 20 or the rear of the housing 20. Also, in the above embodiment, the position of the liquid storage container 18 was a position where the housing 20 was partially shaped to protrude outward (for example, to the front), but it may be located at a position where the housing 20 does not protrude outward.

[0138] The liquid ejection device 11 is not limited to an inkjet printer that prints on paper, but may be a textile printing device. The medium M is not limited to paper or fabric, but may be a synthetic resin film, or a fabric such as cloth or nonwoven fabric. Furthermore, the medium M may be a laminate medium including a synthetic resin layer and a metal layer, or a foil or leaf made of metal.

[0139] The liquid ejection device 11 may be a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid other than ink. The state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection device as minute droplets includes granular, teardrop, and thread-like tails. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device. For example, the liquid may be any state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, and includes fluids such as high or low viscosity liquids, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals (metal melts). The liquid includes not only liquids as one state of matter, but also particles of functional materials made of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes various liquid compositions such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot melt inks. Specific examples of liquid ejection devices include devices that eject liquids containing materials such as electrode materials and color materials in a dispersed or dissolved form, which are used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects biological organic matter used in the manufacture of biochips, a device that ejects liquid samples used as a precision pipette, a textile printing device, a microdispenser, or the like. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects lubricating oil with pinpoint accuracy onto precision machinery such as watches and cameras, or a device that ejects transparent resin liquid such as ultraviolet curing resin onto a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) used in optical communication elements, or the like. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects an etching liquid such as an acid or alkali to etch a substrate, or the like.

[0140] The technical concepts and effects obtained from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below. (A) A liquid ejection device comprising an ejection head that ejects liquid, a plurality of liquid storage containers capable of storing liquid to be supplied to the ejection head, a housing that houses the ejection head and the plurality of liquid storage containers, and a fixing portion that fixes the plurality of liquid storage containers to the housing, wherein each of the plurality of liquid storage containers has a liquid storage portion configured to store liquid, a liquid supply portion that is a portion to which one end of a supply flow path that supplies liquid to the ejection head is directly or indirectly connected, and a liquid discharge portion that discharges liquid stored in the liquid storage portion to the outside, and is provided with a separation mechanism configured to individually separate the liquid storage container from the housing in a first direction that is a direction in which the liquid supply portion can be disconnected from the one end of the supply flow path when the fixation of the liquid storage container to the housing by the fixing portion is released.

[0141] According to this configuration, the liquid storage containers in which liquid remains can be individually separated from one end of the supply flow path, i.e., the liquid storage containers from which liquid needs to be discharged can be selectively separated from the supply flow path.

[0142] (B) A liquid ejection device comprising an ejection head that ejects liquid, a plurality of liquid storage containers capable of holding liquid to be supplied to the ejection head, a housing that houses the ejection head and the plurality of liquid storage containers, and a fixing portion that fixes the plurality of liquid storage containers to the housing, wherein each of the plurality of liquid storage containers has a liquid storage portion configured to hold liquid, a liquid supply portion that is a portion to which one end of a supply flow path that supplies liquid to the ejection head is directly or indirectly connected, and a liquid discharge portion that discharges liquid contained in the liquid storage portion to the outside, and is provided with a separation mechanism configured to be able to separate the plurality of liquid storage containers collectively from the housing in a first direction in which the liquid supply portion can be disconnected from the one end of the supply flow path when the fixation by the fixing portion is released.

[0143] According to this configuration, the plurality of liquid storage containers can be collectively cut off from one end of the supply flow path and separated from the housing. Since the plurality of liquid storage containers can be collectively separated, it is less time-consuming than separating the liquid storage containers individually.

[0144] (C) In the liquid ejection device described in (A) above, in the liquid ejection device described in claim 1, the separation mechanism has a holder that holds the multiple liquid storage sections in a state aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a guide section that guides the multiple liquid storage containers to be movable in the first direction relative to the holder, and the liquid supply section of the liquid storage container may be indirectly connected to one end of the supply flow path via the holder.

[0145] According to this configuration, the liquid containers having residual liquid therein can be individually separated from the holder. For example, the liquid containers from which liquid needs to be discharged can be selectively separated from the supply flow path. As a result, it becomes easier to discharge the liquid in the liquid containers.

[0146] (D) In ​​the liquid ejection device described in (B) above, the separation mechanism includes a holder that holds a plurality of the liquid storage sections aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a moving mechanism configured to move the holder in the first direction, and the liquid supply section of the liquid storage container may be indirectly connected to one end of the supply flow path via the holder.

[0147] According to this configuration, by separating the liquid storage containers together with the holders from the housing, the liquid supply units can be indirectly separated together from one end of the supply flow path, which is less time-consuming than separating the liquid storage containers individually.

[0148] (E) In the liquid ejection device according to any one of (A) to (D) above, the liquid discharge section may be disposed on a bottom surface or a lower side surface of the liquid storage section. With this configuration, liquid remaining in a liquid storage container in the liquid ejection device can be discharged to the outside from the liquid discharge section disposed on the bottom surface or a lower side surface of the liquid storage section. Therefore, the liquid ejection device can be disposed of after the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container has been discharged to the outside.

[0149] (F) In the liquid ejection device described in any one of (A) to (E) above, the liquid storage container may include a valve for opening and closing a flow path of the liquid supply unit, the valve being closed when the liquid supply unit is connected to one end of the supply flow path, and being closed when the liquid supply unit is disconnected from the one end of the supply flow path.

[0150] According to this configuration, the valve opens when the liquid supply unit is connected to one end of the supply flow path that supplies liquid to the ejection head, and closes when the liquid supply unit is disconnected from the one end of the supply flow path, thereby allowing the liquid to be appropriately supplied to the ejection head and preventing the liquid from leaking from the liquid supply unit when it is disconnected from the one end of the supply flow path.

[0151] (G) In the liquid ejection device described in any one of (A) to (F) above, the housing may include a storage section capable of storing a plurality of the liquid storage containers, the storage section may have a door body having a window portion through which the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage containers can be visually observed, and the door body may be configured to be movable relative to the housing between a covering position that covers the first direction side of the plurality of the liquid storage containers and an open position that does not cover the first direction side.

[0152] According to this configuration, the first direction side of the multiple liquid storage containers can be opened by moving the door body from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, the multiple liquid storage containers can be moved in the first direction. As a result, the liquid storage containers can be directly or indirectly disconnected from one end of the supply flow path while being removed to the outside from the storage part.

[0153] (H) In the liquid ejection device described in (G) above, when the door body is in the open position, the liquid storage container may be pulled outward from the storage section by the separation mechanism, thereby being detached from one end of the supply flow path.

[0154] According to this configuration, even if the liquid storage container is contained in the storage section, the liquid storage container can be moved in the first direction with the door body in the open position, and the connection between the liquid supply section and one end of the supply flow path can be disconnected.

[0155] (I) A liquid ejection system includes a liquid ejection device according to any one of (A) to (H) above, and a liquid recovery container, the liquid recovery container including a recovery connection part connectable to the liquid discharge part of the liquid storage container, a recovery storage part that stores liquid recovered from the liquid storage container through the connection between the liquid discharge part and the recovery connection part, and an atmosphere communication part that communicates the inside of the recovery storage part with the atmosphere, and is configured such that the liquid in the liquid storage container can be recovered to the liquid recovery container by head pressure by connecting the liquid discharge part of at least one of the liquid storage containers that is separated from the one end of the supply flow path to the recovery connection part. With this configuration, when the liquid ejection device is disposed of, the liquid remaining in the liquid storage container can be relatively easily recovered to the recovery container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] Reference Signs List 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...housing, 20A...bottom, 21B...outlet, 21C...bottom cover, 21...window, 22...visible surface, 23...printing unit, 24...supply flow path, 25...ejection head, 25A...nozzle formation surface, 25N...nozzle, 26...carriage, 27 ...scanning mechanism, 28...guide shaft, 29...carriage motor, 30...pulley, 31...timing belt, 32...cover, 33...cap lever, 34...liquid bottle, 34A...supply section, 35...maintenance device, 36...liquid supply device, 37...cap, 38...discharge tube, 39...suction pump, 40...waste liquid storage section, 41...liquid flow path, 42...fixing section, 43...screw, 44...regulating member, 45...connecting section, 45A...connection port, 46...rail, 47...separation mechanism, 48...placement section, 48A...guide section, 50...container body, 51...liquid storage Container portion, 51A... bottom surface, 51B... side surface, 51C... partition wall portion, 51D... flow path forming wall, 52... liquid supply portion, 53... liquid injection portion, 54... atmosphere communication portion, 55... liquid storage chamber, 56... protruding portion, 57... liquid flow path, 58... air flow path, 59... first valve, 60... liquid recovery container (recovery container), 61... recovery storage portion, 61A... recovery storage chamber, 61B... upper surface, 61C... side surface, 62... recovery connection portion, 63... valve, 64... atmosphere communication portion, 65... liquid holding member, 66... ​​cylindrical portion, 66A... recessed portion, 67... tube portion, 68... sealing member, 69... sealing member, 71... liquid discharge portion, 7 2...second valve, 73...pipe portion, 74...cylindrical portion, 74A...recess, 75...discharge connection structure portion, 76...sealing member, 77...sealing member, 80...separation mechanism, 81...moving table, 81A...mounting surface, 81B...rail groove, 82...rail, 83...moving mechanism, 85...holder, 86...back plate portion, 87...first connected portion, 88...second connected portion, 90...holder, 91...back plate portion, 92...first connected portion, 93...second connected portion, 94...flow path, 100...control portion, M...medium, IL...liquid, X...width direction, Y...conveying direction, Z...vertical direction, A...first direction, B...second direction.

Claims

1. A liquid ejection device comprising: an ejection head that ejects liquid; a plurality of liquid containers capable of containing liquid to be supplied to the ejection head; a housing that houses the ejection head and the plurality of liquid containers; and a fixing part that fixes the plurality of liquid containers to the housing, Each of the plurality of liquid storage containers is A liquid storage portion configured to be able to store liquid; a liquid supply unit to which one end of a supply flow path for supplying liquid to the ejection head is directly or indirectly connected; a liquid discharge section that discharges the liquid contained in the liquid storage section to the outside, A liquid ejection device characterized in that it is provided with a separation mechanism configured to individually separate the liquid storage container from the housing in a first direction, which is a direction in which the liquid supply part can be detached from one end of the supply flow path, when the fixation of the liquid storage container to the housing by the fixing part is released.

2. A liquid ejection device comprising: an ejection head that ejects liquid; a plurality of liquid containers capable of containing liquid to be supplied to the ejection head; a housing that houses the ejection head and the plurality of liquid containers; and a fixing part that fixes the plurality of liquid containers to the housing, Each of the plurality of liquid storage containers is A liquid storage portion configured to be able to store liquid; a liquid supply unit to which one end of a supply flow path for supplying liquid to the ejection head is directly or indirectly connected; a liquid discharge section that discharges the liquid contained in the liquid storage section to the outside, A liquid ejection device characterized in that it is provided with a separation mechanism configured to be able to separate multiple liquid storage containers together from the housing in a first direction, which is a direction in which the liquid supply part can be detached from the one end of the supply flow path, when the fixation by the fixing part is released.

3. 2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, The separation mechanism includes: a holder that holds the liquid storage portions in a state where the liquid storage portions are aligned in a second direction that intersects with the first direction; a guide portion that guides the liquid storage containers so that the liquid storage containers are movable in the first direction relative to the holder, The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply portion of the liquid storage container is indirectly connected to one end of the supply flow path via the holder.

4. 3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, The separation mechanism includes: a holder that holds the liquid storage portions in a state where the liquid storage portions are aligned in a second direction that intersects with the first direction; a moving mechanism configured to move the holder in the first direction; Equipped with The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply portion of the liquid storage container is indirectly connected to one end of the supply flow path via the holder.

5. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A liquid ejection device, wherein the liquid ejection portion is disposed on a bottom surface or a lower portion of a side surface of the liquid storage portion.

6. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the liquid container includes a valve that opens and closes a flow path of the liquid supply unit, A liquid ejection device, characterized in that the valve closes when the liquid supply unit is connected to one end of the supply flow path, and closes when the liquid supply unit is disconnected from the one end of the supply flow path.

7. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the housing includes a storage portion capable of storing a plurality of the liquid storage containers, the container has a door having a window through which the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container can be visually confirmed, The liquid ejection device, wherein the door body is configured to be movable with respect to the housing between a blocking position that covers the first direction side of the plurality of liquid storage containers and an open position that does not cover the first direction side.

8. 8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, A liquid ejection device, characterized in that, when the door body is in the open position, the liquid storage container is pulled outward from the storage section by the separation mechanism, thereby being separated from one end of the supply flow path.

9. A liquid ejection system comprising the liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a liquid collection container, The liquid collection container includes: a recovery connection portion connectable to the liquid discharge portion of the liquid storage container; a recovery storage section that stores liquid recovered from the liquid storage container through a connection between the liquid discharge section and the recovery connection section; an atmosphere communication part that communicates the inside of the recovery storage part with the atmosphere; Equipped with A liquid ejection system characterized in that the liquid discharge portion of at least one liquid storage container among a plurality of liquid storage containers, which is detached from one end of the supply flow path, is connected to the recovery connection portion, so that the liquid in the liquid storage container can be recovered into the liquid recovery container by head pressure.

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