Container storage device and ink jet recording device

Abstract

To provide a container storage device that improves visibility of the lower part of the device and allows easy replacement of ink containers.SOLUTION: A container storage device 7 includes a device body 71, multiple container storage sections 72, and multiple cover members 73. The multiple container storage sections 72 have openings 721 juxtaposed and adjacent to each other in a vertical direction on the side surface of the device body 71 and store ink containers 100 filled with ink. The multiple cover members 73 are attached to the device body 71 in such a manner that the openings 721 can be opened / closed. The cover member 73 has an inclined section 732 that is inclined toward the inner side from the outer side of the container storage section 72 as it heads from the upper side to the lower end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container accommodation device and an inkjet recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Inkjet recording apparatuses that eject ink onto a recording medium such as paper to record an image are widely used as image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers because they are capable of recording high-definition images.

[0003] Many of these inkjet recording devices are provided with multiple cover members as exteriors of the device body. The inkjet recording device allows access to the inside of the device by opening the cover members. This allows the inkjet recording device to perform tasks such as removing jammed recording paper, performing device maintenance, and replacing ink containers that have become empty of ink.

[0004] For example, the conventional image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a left front door and a right front door as opening and closing covers on the front of the housing. These left front door and right front door are provided so as to be able to be opened and closed like double doors. The image forming apparatus is designed so that a serviceman can perform maintenance work by opening the left front door and the right front door. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-191699 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Conventional image forming apparatuses have a problem in that it is difficult for a user standing in front of the apparatus to visually confirm the condition of the lower part of the apparatus. For example, when an openable cover member is provided on the front of the image forming apparatus, the lower part of the cover member itself gets in the way, and there is a concern that the visibility of the part below the cover member is poor. When there is a storage space for a toner container below such a cover member, there is a risk that the visibility of the storage space is poor and the toner container replacement work cannot be easily performed.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a container storage device and an inkjet recording device that improve visibility of the lower part of the device and allow the ink container to be easily replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the container storage device of the present invention includes a device main body, a plurality of container storage sections, and a plurality of cover members. The plurality of container storage sections have openings arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction on a side surface of the device main body, and store ink containers filled with ink. The plurality of cover members are attached to the device main body so as to be able to open and close the openings. The cover members have an inclined portion that inclines from the outside to the inside of the container storage section as it moves from the top to the bottom end. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the configuration of the present invention, the portion of the container storage device below the cover member is easily visible through the inclined portion. Therefore, in the container storage device, the visibility of the lower portion of the device can be improved, and the ink container can be easily replaced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic sectional front view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording unit of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the periphery of a recording unit of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a perspective view of the recording unit in FIG. 2, showing a state in which a tray of the container receiving device is pulled out. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the container storage device of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the container storage device of FIG. 5 with a cover member open. FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is a partial perspective view of the container storage device of FIG. 5 with a cover member open; FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the container storage device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of an inkjet recording apparatus 1 of an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a recording unit 3 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of Fig. 1. Note that some components of the recording unit 3 are omitted in Fig. 2. In addition, arrows indicating the left-right lateral direction Dx, the front-rear direction Dy, and the up-down direction Dz of the apparatus are appropriately drawn in the following figures including Figs. 1 and 2.

[0013] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 is, for example, an inkjet recording printer. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a paper supply unit 2, a recording unit 3, a drying unit 4, a paper discharge unit 5, and a control unit 6, as shown in FIG.

[0014] The paper supply unit 2 is disposed at the most upstream position in the paper transport direction Dc in the inkjet recording device 1. The paper supply unit 2 stores a plurality of sheets of paper (recording media) S, and separates and sends out the sheets S one by one during recording.

[0015] The recording section 3 is connected to the downstream side of the paper supply section 2 with respect to the paper transport direction Dc of the inkjet recording device 1. The recording section 3 includes a belt transport section 31 and a recording unit 32.

[0016] The belt conveying section 31 has an endless conveying belt 311 and a paper suction section 312. The conveying belt 311 has a plurality of holes (not shown) penetrating from the front to the back. The paper suction section 312 is disposed inside the conveying belt 311 and adjacent to the upper part of the conveying belt 311. A suction section (not shown) consisting of a plurality of holes that sucks air downward is formed on the upper surface of the paper suction section 312.

[0017] The belt conveying unit 31 conveys the paper S by suctioning and holding the paper S on the upper surface of the conveying belt 311 using the paper suction unit 312. The belt conveying unit 31 is disposed below the recording unit 32 and faces the recording unit 32, and conveys the paper S received from the paper supply unit 2.

[0018] The recording unit 32 is disposed opposite the belt conveying section 31. The recording unit 32 faces the paper S that is attracted to and held on the upper surface of the conveying belt 311 and conveyed, and is disposed above the conveying belt 311 with a predetermined gap therebetween.

[0019] 3 is a plan view of the recording unit 32 and its surroundings of the inkjet recording device 1 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the recording unit 32 holds head units 321B, 321C, 321M, and 321Y corresponding to the four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. The head units 321B, 321C, 321M, and 321Y are arranged side by side along the paper transport direction Dc so that their longitudinal directions are parallel to the paper width direction Dw perpendicular to the paper transport direction Dc. Since the four head units 321B, 321C, 321M, and 321Y have the same basic configuration, in the following description, the identification symbols "B", "C", "M", and "Y" representing each color may be omitted unless there is a particular need to limit them.

[0020] Each of the head units 321 for each color has a line-type inkjet recording head 322. In each of the head units 321 for each color, a plurality of recording heads 322 (for example, three (322a, 322b, 322c)) are arranged in a staggered pattern along the paper width direction Dw.

[0021] The recording head 322 has a plurality of ink ejection nozzles 3221 at its bottom. The plurality of ink ejection nozzles 3221 are arranged in a line along the paper width direction Dw, and can eject ink over the entire recording area on the paper S. The recording unit 32 sequentially ejects ink from the recording heads 322 of the four color head units 321B, 321C, 321M, and 321Y toward the paper S transported by the transport belt 311, and records a full-color image or a monochrome image on the paper S.

[0022] 1, the drying section 4 is connected to the downstream side of the recording section 3 in the paper transport direction Dc of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The drying section 4 includes a belt transport section 41 and a heating unit .

[0023] The belt conveying section 41 has an endless conveying belt 411 and a paper suction section 412. The conveying belt 411 has a plurality of holes (not shown) penetrating from the front to the back. The paper suction section 412 is disposed inside the conveying belt 411 and adjacent to the upper part of the conveying belt 411. A suction section (not shown) consisting of a plurality of holes that sucks air downward is formed on the upper surface of the paper suction section 412.

[0024] The belt conveying unit 41 conveys the paper S by suctioning and holding the paper S on the upper surface of the conveying belt 411 using the paper suction unit 412. The belt conveying unit 41 is disposed below the heating unit 42 and faces the heating unit 42, and conveys the paper S received from the paper supply unit 2.

[0025] The heating unit 42 is disposed opposite the belt conveyor 41. The heating unit 42 faces the paper S that is adsorbed and held on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 411 and conveyed, and is disposed above the conveyor belt 411 with a predetermined gap therebetween. The heating unit 42 has a heat source, such as a heater, for heating and drying the paper S. The paper S on which an ink image has been recorded in the recording unit 3 is adsorbed and held by the belt conveyor 41 in the drying unit 4, while being conveyed.

[0026] The paper discharge section 5 is connected downstream of the drying section 4 with respect to the paper transport direction Dc of the inkjet recording device 1. The paper S on which the ink has been dried in the drying section 4 and recording (printing) has been completed is transported to the paper discharge section 5. In the paper discharge section 5, the printed paper (printed matter) is removed from above, the side, etc.

[0027] The control unit 6 includes a CPU, a memory unit, and other electronic circuits and electronic components (none of which are shown). The CPU controls the operation of each component provided in the inkjet recording device 1 based on control programs and data stored in the memory unit to perform processing related to the functions of the inkjet recording device 1. The paper supply unit 2, recording unit 3, drying unit 4, and paper discharge unit 5 each receive individual commands from the control unit 6 and work together to record on the paper S. The memory unit is composed of a combination of a non-volatile storage device such as a program ROM (Read Only Memory) or a data ROM, and a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0028] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 further includes a container storage device 7 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The container storage device 7 is configured below the recording unit 3 and is integrated with the recording unit 3.

[0029] The container storage device 7 may be configured as an integral part of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 as in this embodiment, or may be configured as an optional device that is detachable from the inkjet recording apparatus 1.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the recording unit 3 in FIG. 2, showing a state in which the tray of the container accommodating device 7 is pulled out. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the container accommodating device 7 in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the container accommodating device 7 in FIG. 5, showing a state in which a cover member is opened. Note that, like FIG. 2, some components of the recording unit 3 are not illustrated in FIG. 4. Also, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a state in which a joint portion 725 of the container accommodating device 7, which will be described later, and a cap portion 102 of an ink container 100 are connected.

[0031] 2 and 4, the container holding device 7 is disposed below the recording unit 3. The container holding device 7 holds a plurality of ink containers 100 filled with ink to be supplied to the recording unit 3. The container holding device 7 includes a device main body 71, a plurality of container holding sections 72, and a plurality of cover members 73.

[0032] The multiple container storage sections 72 are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical and horizontal directions. In this embodiment, the container storage device 7 includes twelve container storage sections 72. The twelve container storage sections 72 are arranged adjacent to each other in four rows in the left-right lateral direction Dx and in three stages in the vertical direction Dz.

[0033] The container holding portion 72 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped internal space extending in the front-rear direction Dy of the device body 71. The container holding portion 72 holds an ink container 100 filled with ink in the internal space. Each of the multiple container holding portions 72 has an opening 721 at its front edge that communicates with the outside. The multiple openings 721 are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical and horizontal directions on a side surface (front surface) of the device body 71. The ink container 100 can be inserted into and removed from the container holding portion 72 via the opening 721.

[0034] The multiple cover members 73 are disposed to face the openings 721 of the multiple container housing sections 72. When viewed from the front, the cover members 73 are rectangular and have substantially the same size as the openings 721, and are formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cover members 73 have a hinge portion 731 and an inclined portion 732.

[0035] The hinge portion 731 is disposed at one end (e.g., the left end) of the cover member 73 in the left-right lateral direction Dx. The hinge portion 731 connects the device body 71 and the cover member 73. The hinge portion 731 rotates the cover member 73 relative to the device body 71 about a rotation axis extending in the up-down direction Dz. As a result, the multiple cover members 73 are attached to the device body 71 so as to be able to open and close the opening 721.

[0036] The inclined portion 732 is disposed at the lower front portion of the cover member 73. The inclined portion 732 is adjacent to the lower end of the cover member 73 and is formed from the lower end toward the upper side. The upper edge portion of the inclined portion 732 is located below the center of the cover member 73 in the up-down direction Dz. The inclined portion 732 extends across the entire area of ​​the cover member 73 in the left-right lateral direction Dx.

[0037] The inclined portion 732 is inclined from the outside toward the inside of the container accommodating portion 72 as it moves from the top to the bottom end. In this embodiment, the inclined portion 732 is inclined from the front side toward the back side of the container accommodating device 7 as it moves from the top to the bottom end. In other words, the periphery of the lower end of the cover member 73 is recessed and inclined toward the inside (back side) of the container accommodating portion 72.

[0038] 6, when the upper cover member 73 is opened, the state of the area around the opening 721 in the lower container housing portion 72 can be easily seen. That is, in the container housing device 7, the area below the cover member 73 can be easily seen through the inclined portion 732. Therefore, in the container housing device 7, the visibility of the lower part of the device can be improved, and the ink container 100 can be easily replaced.

[0039] The container housing portion 72 also includes a tray 722 , a slide rail 723 , an ink pipe 724 , and a joint portion 725 .

[0040] The ink container 100 accommodated in the container accommodation section 72 has a container body 101 and a cap section 102. The container body 101 is made of, for example, a laminate film, which is a flexible film, and is filled with ink. The container body 101 is, for example, a so-called gusset bag with gussets (folds) in the side sections to provide thickness. The cap section 102 is disposed at one end of the container body 101. The cap section 102 has an ink flow passage that connects the inside and outside of the container body 101, and is an ink outlet for the ink container 100.

[0041] The tray 722 is placed in the container housing portion 72. The tray 722 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped box shape with an open top. A handle 722h is attached to the front of the tray 722. In the internal space of the tray 722, the ink containers 100 are loaded from the top opening. The tray 722 has a cap insertion portion 722a.

[0042] The cap insertion portion 722a is formed on a front wall portion 722w of the tray 722. The front wall portion 722w of the tray 722 extends in the left-right lateral direction Dx and the up-down direction Dz. The cap insertion portion 722a is configured as a groove portion extending a predetermined length downward from the upper edge of the front wall portion 722w.

[0043] When the ink container 100 is accommodated in the container accommodation portion 72, the cap portion 102 of the ink container 100 is inserted from above into the cap insertion portion 722a. The cap portion 102 is inserted into the cap insertion portion 722a so that the ink outlet faces the front side (forward) of the tray 722.

[0044] The slide rails 723 are arranged as a pair on both the left and right sides of the tray 722 when the container accommodating section 72 is viewed from the front. The pair of slide rails 723 are arranged between the inner surface of the container accommodating section 72 and the outer surface of the tray 722, and face each other in the left-right lateral direction Dx with the tray 722 in between. The slide rails 723 are composed of, for example, a fixed rail attached to the inner surface of the container accommodating section 72, a tip rail attached to the outer surface of the tray 722, and an intermediate rail connected between the fixed rail and the tip rail.

[0045] The slide rails 723 extend parallel to the insertion and withdrawal directions of the tray 722 relative to the container accommodation section 72, i.e., parallel to the front-rear direction Dy of the container accommodation device 7. The user holds a handle 722h on the front side of the tray 722 to slide the tray 722 in the insertion and withdrawal directions. That is, the slide rails 723 hold the tray 722 slidably in the insertion and withdrawal directions.

[0046] The ink pipe 724 is disposed in the container housing portion 72. The ink pipe 724 extends from inside the device body 71 toward the opening 721. The ink pipe 724 is configured, for example, from a flexible synthetic resin tube, and one end is connected to the recording head 322 via a suction pump and a sub-ink tank (neither of which are shown). A joint portion 725 is provided at the other end of the ink pipe 724. Ink filled in the ink container 100 flows inside the ink pipe 724.

[0047] The joint part 725 is provided at an end of the ink pipe 724 extending from inside the device main body 71. The joint part 725 has an ink flow passage that connects the inside and outside of the ink pipe 724, and is an ink inlet of the ink container 100. The joint part 725 is detachably connected to the cap part 102 of the ink container 100 loaded in the tray 722.

[0048] 5 and 6, the joint part 725 is disposed adjacent to the cover member 73 on the inner side of the cover member 73. With this configuration, since the cover member 73 has the inclined part 732, when the upper cover member 73 is opened, the state of the joint part 725 in the lower container storage part 72 can be easily visually confirmed. This improves the workability in attaching and detaching the joint part 725 to the cap part 102 of the ink container 100. As a result, the ink container 100 can be easily replaced.

[0049] Further, the inclined portion 732 of the cover member 73 has a handle portion 733. The handle portion 733 is formed in a concave shape extending inward from the outer surface of the inclined portion 732. In other words, the handle portion 733 is recessed from the outside (front side) of the cover member 73 toward the inside (back side) of the container accommodation portion 72. Further, more specifically, the handle portion 733 is disposed toward the other end (right end) side opposite to the one end (left end) at which the hinge portion 731 is disposed, in the left-right lateral direction Dx of the cover member 73.

[0050] According to the above configuration, a user can easily open and close the cover member 73 by hooking his or her fingers on the handle portion 733. This improves the workability when replacing the ink container 100. In addition, since the handle portion 733 is provided on the inclined portion 732, it is difficult to see from above. Therefore, the appearance of the container holding device 7 can be improved.

[0051] In addition, the cover member 73 has a joint support portion 734. Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view of the container accommodating device 7 in Fig. 5, showing a state in which the cover member 73 is opened. Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the container accommodating device 7 in Fig. 7. Figs. 7 and 8 show a state in which the connection between the joint portion 725 and the cap portion 102 is released.

[0052] The joint support portion 734 is formed on an upper surface portion 73u of the cover member 73. The upper surface portion 73u of the cover member 73 extends in the left-right lateral direction Dx and the front-rear direction Dy. The joint support portion 734 is configured as a groove portion extending a predetermined length from an edge portion on the rear side of the upper surface portion 73u of the cover member 73 to the front side (forward).

[0053] With the cover member 73 open and the joint part 725 and the cap part 102 disconnected, the user can insert the joint part 725 into the joint support part 734. The joint part 725 is inserted into the joint support part 734 so that the ink inlet faces upward.

[0054] The joint support portion 734 has a groove shape smaller than the flange portion 725f of the inserted joint portion 725, and supports the flange portion 725f from below. The joint portion 725 supported by the joint support portion 734 does not fall off the upper surface portion 73u of the cover member 73. In this manner, the joint support portion 734 supports the joint portion 725 that has been released from the connection with the cap portion 102.

[0055] According to the above configuration, the joint part 725 can be supported by the joint support part 734 before being connected to the cap part 102 of the ink container 100 or after being released from the connection. Since the ink inlet of the joint part 725 supported by the joint support part 734 faces upward, it is possible to prevent the ink in the ink pipe 724 from spilling out. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the contamination of the container holding device 7 by ink when replacing the ink container 100.

[0056] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] The present invention can be used in a container storage device and an inkjet recording device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 Inkjet recording device 3. Recording section 7 Container storage device 71 Device body 72 Container storage area 73 Cover material 100 Ink Container 101 Container body 102 Cap part 721 Aperture 722 Tray 723 Slide Rail 724 Ink piping 725 Joint 732 Slope 733 Toride 734 Joint support part

Claims

1. A device body, a plurality of container accommodating sections each having an opening arranged adjacent to one another in the vertical direction on a side surface of the device body, the container accommodating sections accommodating ink containers filled with ink; a plurality of cover members attached to the device body so as to be capable of opening and closing the opening; Equipped with A container storage device characterized in that the cover member has an inclined portion that slopes from the outside to the inside of the container storage portion as it moves from the top to the bottom end.

2. The container housing section includes: a tray on which the ink containers are loaded; a slide rail that holds the tray slidably in an insertion direction and a withdrawal direction; a joint portion provided at an end of an ink pipe extending from inside the device body and connected to the cap portion which is an ink outlet of the ink container; Equipped with The container storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the joint portion is disposed inside the cover member and adjacent to the cover member.

3. The container storage device according to claim 2 , wherein the cover member has a joint support portion that supports the joint portion that is disconnected from the cap portion.

4. 2. The container storage device according to claim 1, wherein the inclined portion has a handle portion formed in a concave shape extending from an outer surface toward an inside.

5. An inkjet recording apparatus comprising the container storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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