Collection device

Abstract

To provide a collection device which facilitates reuse of consumable containers.SOLUTION: A collection device 1 includes: a collection box 2 having a collection unit 19; a reading part 3 for reading identification information stored in a storage element 17 included in a consumable container 15; packaging means 6 capable of executing a packaging process for individually packaging the consumable container 15 having been put into the collection box 2 through the collection unit 19; and a control unit 130. The control unit 130 causes the packaging means 6 to execute the packaging process on condition that the first determination has been made based on the identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recovery device that separates and recovers consumable containers from which liquid has been consumed. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid container recovery device having an inlet formed on the upper front side of the main body case. In the liquid container recovery device, a user inserts a used ink cartridge into the inlet. The used ink cartridge inserted into the inlet is stored in a storage section housed within the main body case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-254604 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a liquid container recovery device, used ink cartridges stored in a storage unit include both reusable ink cartridges and, for example, damaged, unreusable ink cartridges. Therefore, for example, if ink leaks from an ink cartridge stored in the storage unit, the ink may adhere to the surface of the reusable ink cartridge. Furthermore, if toner cartridges are also stored in the storage unit, toner leaking from the toner cartridge may adhere to the surface of the reusable ink cartridge. In this case, when reusing an ink cartridge stored in the storage unit, a recycler must wipe off the ink and toner from the surface of the ink cartridge and clean the surface of the ink cartridge, making it difficult to reuse the ink cartridge.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a recovery device that makes it easy to reuse consumable containers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The present disclosure relates to a collection device including a collection box having a collection port, a reader for reading identification information stored in a memory device provided in a consumable container, packaging means capable of performing a packaging process to individually package consumable containers placed in the collection box through the collection port, and a controller, and the controller causes the packaging means to perform the packaging process on the condition that a first determination is made based on the identification information.

[0007] For example, because reusable consumable containers are individually packaged, even if liquid leaks from one consumable container, it is prevented from adhering to the surfaces of other consumable containers. This reduces the work required for recyclers to wipe off liquid from the surfaces of consumable containers collected in collection boxes and to clean the surfaces of the consumable containers, making it easier to reuse the consumable containers.

[0008] (2) The identification information may include a number of times the consumable container has been reused as a consumable container. After making the first determination, the control unit may cause the packaging means to perform the packaging process on condition that it determines that the number of times the consumable container has been reused is less than a predetermined number of times.

[0009] For example, only reusable consumable containers are more reliably individually packaged.

[0010] (3) After making the first determination, the control unit may drop the consumable container toward the bottom of the collection box without causing the packaging means to perform the packaging process, provided that it determines that the number of reuses is not less than a predetermined number of times.

[0011] Since packaging of non-reusable consumable containers is suppressed, wasteful packaging of consumable containers is suppressed.

[0012] (4) The collection device includes a collection door capable of opening and closing the collection port, and an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the collection door. The identification information may include specific manufacturer information indicating a specific manufacturer or non-specific manufacturer information indicating a manufacturer other than the specific manufacturer. When the reading unit reads the identification information including the specific manufacturer information, it may output a first signal corresponding to the identification information to the control unit. When the reading unit reads the identification information including the non-specific manufacturer information, it may output a second signal different from the first signal to the control unit. The control unit may cause the opening / closing mechanism to execute an opening process to open the collection door, on condition that the first signal corresponding to the identification information including the specific manufacturer information is received from the reading unit. The control unit may cause the opening / closing mechanism to execute a closing process to maintain the collection door in a closed state, on condition that the second signal is received from the reading unit.

[0013] This prevents consumable containers that are not from a specific manufacturer from being mistakenly placed in the collection port.

[0014] (5) The packaging means may have a film welding device that welds the films that encase the consumable containers together.

[0015] Because the consumable container is sealed with the film, liquid is less likely to leak outside the film. Therefore, even if liquid does leak from one consumable container, it is more likely to be prevented from adhering to the surfaces of other consumable containers.

[0016] (6) The packaging means may include a first mounting plate on which the consumable container placed in the collection port is placed, a first support portion that supports a packaging bag made of the film, a first tilting mechanism that can tilt the first mounting plate horizontally, and an opening device that opens the packaging bag supported by the first support portion in the horizontal direction. After the opening device opens the packaging bag, the first tilting mechanism tilts the first mounting plate horizontally to slide the consumable container from the first mounting plate into the packaging bag through the opening of the packaging bag, and then the film welding device seals the opening of the packaging bag by welding the films of the packaging bag together.

[0017] Consumable containers can be easily packaged individually.

[0018] (7) The packaging means may have a vacuum device that sucks air out of the packaging bag that encases the consumable container.

[0019] The volume of the space inside the packaging bag enclosing the consumable containers is reduced, so more consumable containers can be collected in the collection box, and the leakage of residual ink from the consumable containers is suppressed.

[0020] (8) The packaging bag may be made of a shrink film that shrinks when heated. The packaging means may further include an air blower that blows hot air toward the packaging bag that encases the consumable container.

[0021] The volume of the space inside the packaging bag enclosing the consumable containers is reduced, so more consumable containers can be collected in the collection box, and the leakage of residual ink from the consumable containers is suppressed.

[0022] (9) The collection device may include a first storage box located in an interior space of the collection box and storing the consumable containers individually packaged by the packaging means, and a second storage box located in the interior space of the collection box. The control unit may cause the first tilting mechanism to tilt the first placement plate relative to the horizontal direction, causing the consumable container to slide down from the first placement plate into the second storage box, on condition that a second determination different from the first determination is made based on the identification information.

[0023] For example, since the consumable containers to be reused are individually wrapped and stored in the first storage box, and the consumable containers that will not be reused are stored in the second storage box, the work of sorting the consumable containers into the reused and non-reused consumable containers when the consumable containers are reused is reduced, making it easier to reuse the consumable containers.

[0024] (10) The packaging means may have a second support portion located below the collection opening and supporting the packaging bag made of the film with the opening facing upward. After the consumable container placed in the collection opening falls into the packaging bag through the opening, the film welding device may seal the opening of the packaging bag by welding the films of the packaging bag together.

[0025] Consumable containers can be easily packaged individually.

[0026] (11) The packaging bag may have a tubular shape extending in the up-down direction. The packaging bag may be capable of being unwound downward from a state where it is wound around the second support portion.

[0027] When a consumable container falls into the packaging bag, the impact of the falling consumable container causes the packaging bag to be pushed downward, making it easy to individually package multiple consumable containers in one packaging bag.

[0028] (12) The collection device may further include a moving mechanism that moves the second support unit. The control unit may, on condition that a second determination different from the first determination is made based on the identification information, cause the moving mechanism to move the second support unit, thereby causing the consumable container placed in the collection opening to fall toward the bottom of the collection box without causing the packaging means to perform the packaging process.

[0029] Consumable containers can be easily packaged individually.

[0030] (13) The packaging means may include a second mounting plate on which a first film is laid as the film, and the consumable container inserted into the collection port is placed on the first film, and a supply unit that supplies a second film as the film to an upper side of the consumable container placed on the second mounting plate. The film welding device may include an annular abutting unit that is movable in a vertical direction. The abutting unit may abut from above against the second film supplied to the upper side of the consumable container by the supply unit, thereby welding the first film and the second film together around the periphery of the consumable container.

[0031] The consumable product containers are individually packaged at lower cost than when the consumable product containers are individually packaged in packaging bags.

[0032] (14) The collection device may include a first storage box located in an interior space of the collection box and storing the consumable containers individually packaged by the packaging means, a second storage box located in the interior space of the collection box, and a second tilting mechanism capable of tilting the second placement plate relative to a horizontal direction. The control unit may cause the second tilting mechanism to tilt the second placement plate, causing the consumable container to slide off the second placement plate into the second storage box, on condition that a second determination different from the first determination is made based on the identification information.

[0033] Since individually wrapped consumable containers are stored in the first storage box and non-individually wrapped consumable containers are stored in the second storage box, the work of sorting individually wrapped consumable containers from non-individually wrapped consumable containers is reduced when recycling the consumable containers, making it easier to recycle the consumable containers.

[0034] (15) The film may be made of a thermoplastic resin film.

[0035] Films tend to weld together easily.

[0036] (16) The liquid to be placed in the consumables container may be inkjet ink containing at least one of a colorant, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a water-insoluble organic solvent, the water-insoluble organic solvent containing at least a colorant.

[0037] Since inkjet ink is difficult to wipe off from the consumable container, contamination of the surface of the consumable container with inkjet ink is more effectively prevented.

[0038] (17) The colorant may include one or more of pigments and dyes.

[0039] Contamination of the consumable container with the coloring agent is more effectively prevented.

[0040] (18) The pigment may be a resin-dispersed pigment or a self-dispersed pigment.

[0041] Contamination of the consumable container by the resin-dispersed pigment or the self-dispersed pigment is more effectively prevented.

[0042] (19) The amount of the colorant contained in the inkjet ink may be 40% by weight or less.

[0043] Even if ink-jet ink leaks from the consumables container, the surfaces of other consumables containers are prevented from being contaminated by the ink-jet ink.

[0044] (20) The viscosity of the inkjet ink may be 1 mPa·s or more and 8 mPa·s or less.

[0045] This prevents inkjet ink from leaking from the consumables container.

[0046] (21) The surface tension of the inkjet ink may be 20 mN / m or more and 45 mN / m or less.

[0047] This prevents inkjet ink from leaking from the consumables container.

[0048] (22) The inkjet ink may be a dye ink. The dye may be a direct dye, an acid dye, a basic dye, or a reactive dye.

[0049] Even if the dye ink adheres to the surface of the consumable container, the dye ink can be easily wiped off from the surface of the consumable container, so contamination of the surface of the consumable container with the dye ink is more effectively prevented. [Effects of the Invention]

[0050] According to the present invention, the consumable container can be easily reused. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0051] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of the recovery device 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the recovery device 1 of FIG. 1 as viewed from above. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the recovery device 1 of FIG. 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction and including the recovery port 19. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the recovery device 1 of FIG. 1 cut along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view of the bag support portion 32 as viewed from above. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the state in which the consumables container 15 slides down the upper surface of the placing plate 31 and enters the packaging bag 55 through the opening. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the control unit 130. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing data stored in the EEPROM 134. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the packaging process of the control unit 130. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the modified recovery device 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the recovery device 1 of the modified example taken along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction and including the recovery port 19. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing how the consumables container 15 slides down the upper surface of the mounting plate 31 in the collection device 1 of the modified example and enters the packaging bag 101 through the opening. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the recovery device 1 of another modified example taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a control unit 130 according to another modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the recovery device 1 of another modified example taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the recovery device 1 of another modified example taken along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction and including the recovery port 19. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a control unit 130 according to another modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing data of the modified example stored in the EEPROM 134.

[0052] Hereinafter, a recovery device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment can be appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention.

[0053] As shown in Figure 1, the collection device 1 is installed in a storefront such as a retail store or supermarket that sells cartridges. The collection device 1 individually packages and collects consumable containers 15 to be reused from among consumable containers 15 such as used ink cartridges, ink bottles, toner cartridges, and tape cassettes. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between ink cartridges, ink bottles, toner cartridges, and tape cassettes, they will be collectively referred to as consumable containers 15. Furthermore, the up-down direction is defined based on the state in which the collection device 1 is installed, the front-rear direction is defined with the side where the collection port 19 of the collection device 1 is provided as the front side, and the left-right direction is defined when looking at the collection device 1 from the front side.

[0054] The consumable container 15 is made of resin. The consumable container 15 has a memory element 17 on its outer surface that stores identification information for identifying the product. Examples of the identification information include a product number and the number of reuses. The product number is a number that identifies each individual consumable container 15. The product number also indicates the manufacturer of the consumable container 15, the type of consumable container 15, the color of ink contained in the consumable container 15, etc. The number of reuses indicates the number of times the consumable container 15 has been reused. Reuse refers to reusing the consumable container 15 as a consumable container 15. In this embodiment, the ink cartridge 15a and the ink bottle are reused. The toner cartridge and the tape cassette are not reused. Therefore, the number of reuses is stored in the memory element 17 of the ink cartridge 15a and the ink bottle. The number of reuses is not stored in the memory element 17 of the toner cartridge and the tape cassette.

[0055] An ink cartridge is a container that holds ink. Ink cartridges are installed in inkjet printers when used. An ink bottle is a bottle that holds ink. An ink bottle has a bottle shape. An ink bottle is connected to an ink tank provided in an inkjet printer when refilling the ink into the ink tank. A toner cartridge is a container that holds toner. A toner cartridge is installed in a laser printer when used. A tape cassette has a wound tape. A tape cassette prints characters and the like on the tape by thermal transfer while feeding out the wound tape.

[0056] The inkjet ink contained in the ink cartridge and ink bottle is not particularly limited and may be any type, but it at least contains a colorant. The inkjet ink contains a colorant and one or more of water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a non-water-soluble organic solvent. For example, the inkjet ink may be an aqueous ink containing a colorant, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent, or an oil-based ink containing a colorant and a non-water-soluble organic solvent. The inkjet ink may also be a pigment ink or a dye ink. The non-water-soluble organic solvent is not particularly limited as long as it is non-water-soluble.

[0057] The colorant contains one or more pigments and dyes. Examples of pigments include carbon black, inorganic pigments, and organic pigments. Examples of carbon black include furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, and channel black. Examples of inorganic pigments include titanium oxide, iron oxide-based inorganic pigments, and carbon black-based inorganic pigments. Examples of organic pigments include azo pigments such as azo lake pigments, insoluble azo pigments, condensed azo pigments, and chelate azo pigments; polycyclic pigments such as phthalocyanine pigments, perylene and perinone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxazine pigments, thioindigo pigments, isoindolinone pigments, and quinophthalone pigments; dye lake pigments such as basic dye lake pigments and acid dye lake pigments; nitro pigments; nitroso pigments; and aniline black daylight fluorescent pigments. Examples of pigments that are suitable for use include resin-dispersed pigments that can be dispersed in water using a pigment-dispersing resin.

[0058] As the pigment, a self-dispersing pigment may be used. Self-dispersing pigments are pigments that can be dispersed in water without the use of a dispersant, for example, by introducing hydrophilic functional groups such as carbonyl groups, hydroxyl groups, carboxylic acid groups, sulfonic acid groups, and phosphate groups, and at least one salt thereof, into pigment particles via chemical bonding, either directly or via another group. Examples of self-dispersing pigments that can be used include pigments treated by methods described in JP-A-8-3498, JP-T-2000-513396, JP-T-2008-524400, and JP-T-2009-515007. Both inorganic and organic pigments can be used as raw materials for self-dispersing pigments.

[0059] Examples of dyes include direct dyes, acid dyes, basic dyes, and reactive dyes. The water-soluble ink may contain one or more pigments and dyes. Specific examples of the dyes include CI Direct Black, CI Direct Blue, CI Direct Red, CI Direct Yellow, CI Direct Orange, CI Direct Violet, CI Direct Brown, CI Direct Green, CI Acid Black, CI Acid Blue, CI Acid Red, CI Acid Yellow, CI Acid Orange, CI Acid Violet, CI Basic Black, CI Basic Blue, CI Basic Red, CI Basic Violet, and CI Food Black.

[0060] Examples of the CI Direct Black include CI Direct Black 17, 19, 32, 51, 71, 108, 146, 154, and 168. Examples of the CI Direct Blue include CI Direct Blue 6, 22, 25, 71, 86, 90, 106, and 199. Examples of the CI Direct Red include CI Direct Red 1, 4, 17, 28, 83, and 227. Examples of the CI Direct Yellow include CI Direct Yellow 12, 24, 26, 86, 98, 132, 142, and 173. Examples of the CI Direct Orange include CI Direct Orange 34, 39, 44, 46, and 60. Examples of the CI Direct Violet include CI Direct Violet 47 and 48. Examples of the CI Direct Brown include CI Direct Brown 109. Examples of the CI Direct Green include CI Direct Green 59. Examples of the CI Acid Black include CI Acid Black 2, 7, 24, 26, 31, 52, 63, 112, and 118. Examples of the CI Acid Blue include CI Acid Blue 9, 22, 40, 59, 90, 93, 102, 104, 117, 120, 167, 229, and 234. Examples of the CI Acid Red include CI Acid Red 1, 6, 32, 37, 51, 52, 80, 85, 87, 92, 94, 115, 180, 256, 289, 315, and 317. Examples of the CI Acid Yellow include CI Acid Yellow 11, 17, 23, 25, 29, 42, 61, and 71. Examples of the CI Acid Orange include CI Acid Orange 7 and 19. Examples of the CI Acid Violet include CI Acid Violet 49. Examples of the CI Basic Black include CI Basic Black 2.Examples of the CI Basic Blue include CI Basic Blue 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 24, 25, 26, 28, and 29. Examples of the CI Basic Red include CI Basic Red 1, 2, 9, 12, 13, 14, and 37. Examples of the CI Basic Violet include CI Basic Violet 7, 14, and 27. Examples of the CI Food Black include CI Food Black 1 and 2.

[0061] Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent include a wetting agent that prevents the aqueous ink from drying at the nozzle tip of the inkjet head, and a penetrant that adjusts the drying speed on the recording medium.

[0062] The wetting agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include lower alcohols such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, and tert-butyl alcohol; amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; ketones such as acetone; ketoalcohols such as diacetone alcohol; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; polyhydric alcohols such as polyalkylene glycols, alkylene glycols, glycerin, and trimethylolpropane; 2-pyrrolidone; N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone. Examples of the polyalkylene glycol include polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol. Examples of the alkylene glycol include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, thiodiglycol, and hexylene glycol. These wetting agents may be used alone or in combination. Among these, polyhydric alcohols such as alkylene glycols and glycerin are preferred.

[0063] Examples of the penetrating agent include glycol ethers. Examples of the glycol ethers include ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol-n-propyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol-n-propyl ether, diethylene glycol-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol-n-hexyl ether, triethylene glycol methyl ether, triethylene glycol ethyl ether, triethylene glycol-n-propyl ether, triethylene glycol-n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol-n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol ethyl ether, dipropylene glycol-n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol-n-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol ethyl ether, tripropylene glycol-n-propyl ether, and tripropylene glycol-n-butyl ether. One type of penetrating agent may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

[0064] The aqueous ink may further contain conventionally known additives as needed. Examples of the additives include surfactants, pH adjusters, viscosity adjusters, surface tension adjusters, and antifungal agents. Examples of the viscosity adjusters include polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, and water-soluble resins.

[0065] The aqueous ink can be prepared, for example, by uniformly mixing a colorant, water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and, if necessary, other additives, using a conventionally known method, and removing insoluble matter using a filter or the like.

[0066] The amount of colorant contained in the inkjet ink is preferably 40% by weight or less. The viscosity of the inkjet ink is preferably in the range of 1 mPa·s to 8 mPa·s. The surface tension of the inkjet ink is preferably in the range of 20 mN / m to 45 mN / m. Inkjet ink is an example of a liquid.

[0067] The viscosity of the water-soluble ink is preferably in the range of 1 mPa·s to 8 mPa·s. The surface tension of the water-soluble ink is preferably in the range of 20 mN / m to 45 mN / m. The amount of colorant contained in the water-soluble ink is preferably 40% by weight or less.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the collection device 1 includes a collection box 2, a reading unit 3, a reuse collection box 4, a recycle collection box 5, packaging means 6, and a control unit 130.

[0069] The collection box 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is longer left-to-right than up-to-down. A door 18 is provided on the rear wall of the collection box 2. The door 18 is opened and closed when carrying out the consumable containers 15 collected in the reuse collection box 4 and the recycle collection box 5. A collection opening 19 is provided on the top of the front wall of the collection box 2. The collection opening 19 is located in the center of the collection box 2 in the left-to-right direction. The collection opening 19 is large enough to allow the consumable containers 15 to pass through from the outside to the inside of the collection box 2.

[0070] A collection door 20 is provided that can open and close the collection port 19. The collection door 20 is rotatable around a first rotation shaft 20a that extends in the left-right direction. The first rotation shaft 20a is located at a lower part of the collection door 20. The first rotation shaft 20a is rotatably attached to the collection box 2. The collection door 20 is rotatable between a closed position that closes the collection port 19 and an open position that is rotated forward from the closed position. In the open position, the collection door 20 has its inner surface facing upward. In other words, in the open position, the collection door 20 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the closed position around the first rotation shaft 20a. The collection door 20 is rotated between the closed position and the open position by a collection door opening / closing mechanism 21. The collection door opening / closing mechanism 21 has a collection door opening / closing motor 21a and a plurality of gears that transmit the driving force of the collection door opening / closing motor 21a to the first rotation shaft 20a. The driving force of the collection door opening / closing motor 21a may be directly transmitted to the first rotation shaft 20a. As shown in Fig. 7, the collection door opening / closing motor 21a is electrically connected to the control unit 130. The collection door opening / closing mechanism 21 is an example of an opening / closing mechanism.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 3, reading unit 3 is provided on collection door 20. Reading unit 3 reads the product number stored in memory element 17 provided in consumable container 15 in a non-contact manner. When a user brings consumable container 15 close to collection door 20, reading unit 3 can read the product number and the number of reuses stored in memory element 17. If the product number includes specific manufacturer information indicating a specific manufacturer, reading unit 3 outputs a first signal corresponding to the product number and a number signal corresponding to the number of reuses to control unit 130. Note that if consumable container 15 is a tape cassette or a toner cartridge, the number signal is not output to control unit 130. On the other hand, if the product number includes non-specific manufacturer information indicating a manufacturer other than the specific manufacturer, reading unit 3 outputs a second signal different from the first signal to control unit 130.

[0072] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the reuse collection box 4 is placed on the bottom surface of the collection box 2 in the internal space of the collection box 2. The reuse collection box 4 is located to the left of the center in the left-right direction of the collection box 2. The reuse collection box 4 is box-shaped and open upward. The reuse collection box 4 collects consumable containers 15 to be reused. In this embodiment, the consumable containers 15 to be reused are ink cartridges and ink bottles. The reuse collection box 4 collects ink cartridges and ink bottles that have been individually packaged by packaging means 6. Reuse refers to reusing the consumable containers 15 as consumable containers 15. The reuse collection box 4 is an example of a first storage box.

[0073] The recycling collection box 5 is placed on the bottom of the collection box 2 in the internal space of the collection box 2. The recycling collection box 5 is located to the right of the center in the left-right direction of the collection box 2. The recycling collection box 5 is box-shaped and open upward. The recycling collection box 5 collects consumable containers 15 to be recycled. In this embodiment, toner cartridges and tape cassettes are collected in the recycling collection box 5. Furthermore, ink cartridges and ink bottles that have not been reused less than a predetermined number of times are collected in the recycling collection box 5. Recycling refers to breaking down the consumable containers 15 into pellets and reusing them for a purpose other than the consumable container 15. The recycling collection box 5 is an example of a second storage box.

[0074] The packaging means 6 individually packages the consumable containers 15 placed in the collection box 2 through the collection port 19. Specifically, the packaging means 6 has a mounting plate 31, a bag support portion 32, an opening device 33, a vacuum device 34, and a film welding device 35.

[0075] The loading plate 31 is located behind the collection port 19. The loading plate 31 is located in the center of the collection box 2 in the left-right direction. The loading plate 31 is located slightly below the collection port 19. The loading plate 31 is a flat plate that extends in the left-right and front-to-back directions. The front end of the loading plate 31 is close to the inner surface of the front wall of the collection box 2. A consumable container 15 placed into the internal space of the collection box 2 through the collection port 19 is placed on the top surface of the loading plate 31.

[0076] The loading plate 31 is rotatable around a second rotation shaft 31a extending in the front-to-rear direction. The second rotation shaft 31a is located at the center of the loading plate 31 in the left-to-right direction. The second rotation shaft 31a is rotatably supported on the front and rear walls of the collection box 2. The loading plate 31 is rotatable between a horizontal position, a left-inclined position, and a right-inclined position. The horizontal position is a position where the top surface of the loading plate 31 is horizontal. The left-inclined position is a position where the top surface of the loading plate 31 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so as to extend downward as it faces left. A consumable container 15 placed on the loading plate 31 in the left-inclined position slides down the top surface of the loading plate 31 to the left due to gravity. The right-inclined position is a position where the top surface of the loading plate 31 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so as to extend downward as it faces right. The consumables container 15 placed on the placing plate 31 in the right inclined position slides down the top surface of the placing plate 31 to the right due to gravity.

[0077] The platen 31 is rotated to a horizontal position, a left-tilted position, and a right-tilted position by a platen tilting mechanism 51. The platen tilting mechanism 51 has a platen motor 51a and a plurality of gears that transmit the driving force of the platen motor 51a to the second rotating shaft 31a. The driving force of the platen motor 51a may be transmitted directly to the second rotating shaft 31a. As shown in FIG. 7, the platen motor 51a is electrically connected to the control unit 130. The platen 31 is an example of a first platen. The platen tilting mechanism 51 is an example of a first tilting mechanism.

[0078] The bag support portion 32 is located to the left of the placement plate 31. The bag support portion 32 is located below the placement plate 31. The bag support portion 32 is flat and extends in the left-right and front-rear directions. The front end of the bag support portion 32 is close to the inner surface of the front wall of the collection box 2. The bag support portion 32 has a bag support wall 32a that protrudes slightly upward from the upper surface of the bag support portion 32. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the bag support wall 32a is located at the outer edge of the upper surface of the bag support portion 32. The bag support wall 32a is continuous over the front edge, left edge, and rear edge of the upper surface of the bag support portion 32. In other words, the bag support wall 32a has a U-shape when the upper surface of the bag support portion 32 is viewed from above. A plurality of packaging bags 55 are supported on the upper surface of the bag support portion 32. A plurality of packaging bags 55 are placed on the upper surface of the bag support portion 32 in a vertically stacked state with the openings positioned on the right side.

[0079] Each packaging bag 55 is made of a thermoplastic resin film. Examples of the thermoplastic resin that can be used to make the thermoplastic resin film include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and acrylic resin.

[0080] The bag support portion 32 is rotatable around a third pivot shaft 32b extending in the front-to-rear direction. The third pivot shaft 32b is located at the center of the bag support portion 32 in the left-to-right direction. The third pivot shaft 32b is rotatably supported on the front and rear walls of the collection box 2. The bag support portion 32 is rotatable between a horizontal position and a left-inclined position. In the horizontal position, the upper surface of the bag support portion 32 is horizontal. In the horizontal position, the bag support portion 32 receives a consumable container 15 that has slid leftward off the upper surface of the loading plate 31 in the left-inclined position. In the left-inclined position, the upper surface of the bag support portion 32 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane so that it extends downward as it faces leftward. In the left-inclined position, a consumable container 15 placed on the bag support portion 32 slides leftward off the upper surface of the bag support portion 32 due to gravity. The consumables container 15 slides down the upper surface of the bag support portion 32, climbs over the bag support wall 32a, and falls into the reuse collection box 4. The bag support portion 32 is an example of a first support portion.

[0081] Bag support unit 32 is rotated to a horizontal position and a left-tilted position by bag support unit tilting mechanism 52. Bag support unit tilting mechanism 52 has bag support unit motor 52a and multiple gears that transmit the driving force of bag support unit motor 52a to third rotation shaft 32b. The driving force of bag support unit motor 52a may also be transmitted directly to third rotation shaft 32b. As shown in FIG. 7, bag support unit motor 52a is electrically connected to control unit 130.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 5, the opening device 33 is located at the right end of the upper surface of the bag support unit 32. The opening device 33 has an opening motor 33a electrically connected to the control unit 130. The opening device 33 blows air to the left by the driving force of the opening motor 33a. As a result, the uppermost packaging bag 55 among the multiple packaging bags 55 placed on the upper surface of the bag support unit 32 opens to the right. As shown in FIG. 6, the consumable container 15, which has slid leftward down the upper surface of the loading plate 31 in the left-inclined position, enters the packaging bag 55 that opens to the right.

[0083] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the vacuum device 34 has a vacuum pump 34a and a vacuum tube 34b. The vacuum pump 34a is fixed to the inner surface of the front wall of the collection box 2. The vacuum pump 34a has a vacuum pump motor 34c electrically connected to the control unit 130. The vacuum tube 34b is connected to the vacuum pump 34a. The vacuum tube 34b is supported on the upper surface of the bag support unit 32 so as to be movable in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the bag support unit 32. The vacuum tube 34b is positioned in the front-rear direction. The vacuum tube 34b is movable in the left-right direction between an entry position and a retracted position. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 5, the entry position is a position where the vacuum tube 34b enters the packaging bag 55 opened by the air blown by the opening device 33. The retracted position is a position where the vacuum tube 34b withdraws from the packaging bag 55.

[0084] The vacuum tube 34b is moved in the left-right direction by a tube movement mechanism. The tube movement mechanism includes a rack-and-pinion mechanism and a tube movement motor 56. The rack is fixed to the outer surface of the vacuum tube 34b. The rack's teeth are aligned in the left-right direction. The pinion is rotatable about a first rotation shaft extending in the up-down direction. The first rotation shaft is rotatably supported on the upper surface of the bag support unit 32. The pinion meshes with the rack. The tube movement motor 56 is fixed to the upper surface of the bag support unit 32. The driving force of the tube movement motor 56 is transmitted to the first rotation shaft of the pinion via multiple gears. As shown in FIG. 7, the tube movement motor 56 is electrically connected to the control unit 130. Note that the tube movement mechanism is not particularly limited as long as it can move the vacuum tube 34b in the left-right direction.

[0085] The vacuum device 34 sucks the air out of the packaging bag 55 by driving the vacuum pump 34a with the vacuum tube 34b inserted into the packaging bag 55.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 4, the film welding device 35 is located above the bag support section 32. The film welding device 35 seals the opening of the packaging bag 55 by welding the film of the packaging bag 55, which encases the consumable container 15 and from which air has been sucked. Specifically, the film welding device 35 has a housing 35a fixed to the inner surface of the front wall of the collection box 2, and a contact portion 35b supported on the housing 35a so as to be movable in the up-down direction. The contact portion 35b has a rod shape extending in the front-to-rear direction. The contact portion 35b is movable in the up-down direction between a contact position and a non-contact position. The contact position is a position where the contact portion 35b contacts from above the outer surface of the packaging bag 55 placed on the upper surface of the bag support section 32. The non-contact position is a position spaced upward from the contact position. The welding method used is heat welding, in which heated contact portion 35b contacts the outer surface of packaging bag 55 from above to weld the films of packaging bag 55 together. The welding method is not particularly limited as long as it can weld the films of packaging bag 55 together. For example, ultrasonic welding may be used as the welding method, in which ultrasonic vibrations are applied to packaging bag 55 from contact portion 35b contacting the outer surface of packaging bag 55 to weld the films of packaging bag 55 together.

[0087] The film welding device 35 has a contact portion movement motor 35c that generates a driving force to move the contact portion 35b up and down, and a heating means 35d that heats the contact portion 35b. As shown in Fig. 7, the contact portion movement motor 35c and the heating means 35d are electrically connected to the control unit 130.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 3 , a container sensor 26 that detects a consumable container 15 placed on the placement plate 31 is provided in the internal space of the collection box 2. The container sensor 26 is fixed to the inner surface of the upper wall of the collection box 2. The container sensor 26 is an optical sensor. When a consumable container 15 is placed on the placement plate 31, the container sensor 26 receives light that is emitted from the container sensor 26 and reflected by the consumable container 15, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 130. On the other hand, when a consumable container 15 is not placed on the placement plate 31, the container sensor 26 does not receive the light emitted from the container sensor 26. In this case, the container sensor 26 outputs a non-detection signal to the control unit 130. Note that the container sensor 26 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect a consumable container 15 placed on the placement plate 31. For example, the container sensor 26 may be a pressure sensor installed on the placement plate 31.

[0089] 7, the control unit 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, and an ASIC 135, which are connected by an internal bus 137. The ROM 132 stores programs and the like used by the CPU 131 to control various operations. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, and the like used when the CPU 131 executes the programs, or as a working area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings, flags, and the like that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 8, EEPROM 134 stores a product number, a type of consumable container, and a collection number in association with each other. The product number is the same as the product number stored in memory element 17 of consumable container 15. Only product numbers from a specific manufacturer are stored in EEPROM 134. The collection numbers are numbers 1 to 2 associated with the reuse collection box 4 and the recycle collection box 5 into which consumable container 15 is collected. Specifically, collection number [1] indicates that ink cartridges and ink bottles that are reused among consumable containers 15 are to be collected in reuse collection box 4. Collection number [2] indicates that toner cartridges and tape cassettes that are not reused among consumable containers 15 are to be collected in recycle collection box 5.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 7 , the ASIC 135 is electrically connected to the collection door opening / closing motor 21a, the loading plate motor 51a, the bag support motor 52a, the opening motor 33a, the vacuum pump motor 34c, the tube movement motor 56, the contact portion movement motor 35c, and the heating means 35d. Upon receiving a first signal from the reading unit 3, the ASIC 135 controls the collection door opening / closing motor 21a to execute an opening process, rotating the collection door 20 from the closed position to the open position. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the collection door 20 rotated to the open position, the ASIC 135 controls the collection door opening / closing motor 21a to execute a closing process, rotating the collection door 20 from the open position to the closed position. The predetermined time is set to a time sufficient for a user to insert a consumable container 15 into the collection opening 19. For example, the predetermined time is 10 seconds. The ASIC 135 causes the CPU 131 to measure the elapsed time since the collection door 20 was opened. The CPU 131 outputs a timing signal corresponding to the elapsed time since the collection door 20 was opened to the ASIC 135. The ASIC 135 executes a blocking process to keep the collection door 20 in the closed position, on the condition that a second signal different from the first signal is received from the reading unit 3.

[0092] Based on the product number corresponding to the first signal, ASIC 135 makes either a first determination that the collection box in which the consumable container should be collected is a reuse collection box 4, or a second determination that the collection box in which the consumable container should be collected is a recycle collection box 5. Specifically, on the condition that the first signal has been received from reading unit 3, ASIC 135 refers to EEPROM 134 to search for the product number corresponding to the first signal, and extracts the collection number associated with the searched product number into RAM 133. Then, ASIC 135 determines that the reuse collection box 4 or the recycle collection box 5 associated with the extracted collection number is the collection box in which the consumable container 15 should be collected.

[0093] After making the first determination, the ASIC 135 causes the packaging means 6 to execute a recycling transport process to transport the consumable container 15 to the recycle collection box 5 without individually packaging it, on the condition that it determines that the number of reuses corresponding to the number of reuses signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. Specifically, the ASIC 135 controls the loading plate motor 51a to rotate the loading plate 31 from a horizontal position to a right-inclined position. As a result, the consumable container 15 placed on the upper surface of the loading plate 31 slides down the upper surface of the loading plate 31 to the right due to gravity, and falls into the recycle collection box 5. The predetermined number is set to the number of times that the consumable container 15 is expected to become unreusable due to damage, etc. For example, the predetermined number is set to five times.

[0094] After making the first judgment, the ASIC 135 causes the packaging means 6 to execute a packaging and transporting process to individually package the consumable containers 15 placed on the loading plate 31 and transport them to the reuse collection box 4, provided that it determines that the number of reuses corresponding to the number of times signal is less than a predetermined number.

[0095] Specifically, the ASIC 135 first controls the opening motor 33a to cause the opening device 33 to blow air to the left. As a result, the uppermost packaging bag 55 of the multiple packaging bags 55 placed on the upper surface of the bag support portion 32 opens to the right. Next, the ASIC 135 controls the mounting plate motor 51a to rotate the mounting plate 31 from the horizontal position to the left-inclined position. As a result, the consumable container 15 placed on the upper surface of the mounting plate 31 slides leftward along the upper surface of the mounting plate 31 due to gravity, and enters the packaging bag 55 through the opening. The ASIC 135 causes the CPU 131 to measure the elapsed time since the mounting plate 31 rotated to the left-inclined position. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the mounting plate 31 rotated to the left-inclined position, the CPU 131 outputs a timing signal corresponding to the elapsed time to the ASIC 135. The predetermined time is the time required for consumable container 15 placed on the upper surface of loading plate 31 to slide leftward down the upper surface of loading plate 31 and enter packaging bag 55. For example, the predetermined time is 5 seconds.

[0096] Next, upon receiving a timing signal from the CPU 131, the ASIC 135 controls the tube movement motor 56 to move the vacuum tube 34b from the retracted position to the advanced position. After the vacuum tube 34b has moved to the advanced position, the ASIC 135 stops the opening motor 33a and drives the vacuum pump motor 34c for a certain period of time. This causes the air inside the packaging bag 55 enclosing the consumable container 15 to be sucked into the vacuum tube 34b. The certain period of time is the time required for the vacuum device 34 to suck the air inside the packaging bag 55. For example, the certain period of time is three seconds. After the certain period of time has elapsed since driving the vacuum pump motor 34c, the ASIC 135 controls the tube movement motor 56 to move the vacuum tube 34b from the advanced position to the retracted position. After the vacuum tube 34b has moved to the retracted position, the ASIC 135 drives the heating means 35d to heat the contact portion 35b. At the same time, ASIC 135 controls contact portion movement motor 35c to move contact portion 35b from the non-contact position to the contact position. As a result, the films of packaging bag 55 are welded together by the heat of contact portion 35b, sealing the opening of packaging bag 55. As a result, consumable containers 15 are individually packaged in packaging bag 55. Thereafter, ASIC 135 controls contact portion movement motor 35c to move contact portion 35b from the contact position to the non-contact position.

[0097] Finally, the ASIC 135 controls the bag support motor 52a to rotate the bag support unit 32 from the horizontal position to the left-inclined position. As a result, the consumable container 15 placed on the upper surface of the bag support unit 32 slides down the upper surface of the bag support unit 32 to the left due to gravity. The consumable container 15 that slides down the upper surface of the bag support unit 32 climbs over the bag support wall 32a and falls into the reuse collection box 4. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the bag support unit 32 was rotated to the left-inclined position, the ASIC 135 controls the bag support motor 52a to rotate the bag support unit 32 from the left-inclined position to the horizontal position. The predetermined time is the time required for the consumable container 15 placed on the upper surface of the bag support unit 32 to slide down the upper surface of the bag support unit 32 to the left and fall into the reuse collection box 4. For example, the predetermined time is 5 seconds. The packaging and conveying process is an example of a packaging process.

[0098] [Packaging process] Next, the processing of the ASIC 135 when a user inserts a used consumable container 15 into the collection port 19 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. In the initial state, the collection door 20 is in the closed position. The loading plate 31 and the bag support portion 32 are in the horizontal position. The vacuum tube 34b is in the retracted position. The contact portion 35b is in the non-contact position.

[0099] First, the ASIC 135 determines whether or not a first signal has been received from the reading unit 3 (step S1). If the ASIC 135 determines that the first signal has not been received from the reading unit 3, the ASIC 135 determines whether or not a second signal has been received from the reading unit 3 (step S2). If the ASIC 135 determines that the second signal has not been received from the reading unit 3 (step S2: No), the ASIC 135 returns the process to step S1. If the ASIC 135 determines that the second signal has been received from the reading unit 3 (step S2: Yes), the ASIC 135 executes a blocking process to maintain the collection door 20 in the closed position, and returns the process to step S1 (step S3).

[0100] When the ASIC 135 determines that it has received the first signal from the reading unit 3 (Step S1: Yes), it controls the collection door open / close motor 21a to execute an opening process to open the collection door 20 for a certain period of time (Step S4). The ASIC 135 determines whether it has received a detection signal from the container sensor 26 (Step S5). When the ASIC 135 determines that it has not received a detection signal from the container sensor 26 (Step S5: No), it determines whether it has received a non-detection signal from the container sensor 26 (Step S6). When the ASIC 135 determines that it has not received a non-detection signal from the container sensor 26 (Step S7: No), it waits until it receives a non-detection signal from the container sensor 26. Based on the timing signal received from the CPU 131, the ASIC 135 determines whether a certain period of time has elapsed since the collection door 20 was opened (Step S7). When the ASIC 135 determines that the certain period of time has not elapsed since the collection door 20 was opened (Step S7: No), it returns the process to Step S5. When ASIC 135 determines that a certain time has passed since the collection door 20 was opened (step S7: Yes), it controls the collection door opening / closing motor 21a to execute a closing process to close the collection door 20 (step S8), and returns the process to step S1.

[0101] When ASIC 135 determines that it has received a detection signal from container sensor 26 (step S5: Yes), it refers to EEPROM 134 to search for the product number corresponding to the first signal, and extracts the collection number associated with the searched product number into RAM 133 (step S9). ASIC 135 determines whether the collection number extracted into RAM 133 is [2] (step S10). When ASIC 135 determines that the collection number is [2] (step S10: Yes), it causes packaging means 6 to execute the above-mentioned recycling transport process to transport consumable container 15 placed on the upper surface of loading plate 31 to recycling collection box 5 (step S11). The determination by ASIC 135 in step S10 that the collection number is [2] is an example of a second determination.

[0102] If the ASIC 135 determines that the collection number is not [2] (step S10: No), it determines whether the number of reuses corresponding to the number of times signal is less than a predetermined number (step S12). In step S12, the ASIC 135 determines that the collection number is not [2], which is an example of a first determination. If the ASIC 135 determines that the number of reuses is not less than the predetermined number (step S12: No), it executes the process of step S11.

[0103] When the ASIC 135 determines that the number of reuses corresponding to the number of times signal is less than the predetermined number of times (step S12: Yes), it causes the packaging means 6 to execute the above-mentioned packaging and transporting process, in which the consumable containers 15 placed on the upper surface of the loading plate 31 are individually packaged and transported to the reuse collection box 4 (step S13).

[0104] Finally, the ASIC 135 wirelessly adds one to the number of reuses stored in the memory element 17 of the consumable container 15 transported to the reuse collection box 4, and ends the process (step S14). Note that the number of reuses stored in the memory element 17 may be updated when the recycler reuses the consumable container 15.

[0105] [Effects of this embodiment] In the collection device 1, if the ASIC 135 determines that the collection number is not [2] and then determines that the number of reuses is less than a predetermined number, it causes the packaging means 6 to execute a packaging and transport process in which the consumable containers 15 placed on the mounting plate 31 are individually packaged in packaging bags 55 and transported to the reuse collection box 4. As a result, even if inkjet ink leaks from a consumable container 15 collected in the reuse collection box 4, the leaked ink is less likely to leak out of the packaging bag 55. This prevents inkjet ink from adhering to the surfaces of other consumable containers 15. This reduces the work required of a recycler to wipe off inkjet ink from the surfaces of consumable containers 15 collected in the reuse collection box 4 and to clean the surfaces of the consumable containers 15, making it easier to reuse the consumable containers 15.

[0106] In the collection device 1, if the ASIC 135 determines that the collection number is not [2] and then determines that the number of reuses is less than a predetermined number of times, it causes the packaging means 6 to execute a packaging and conveying process. Therefore, only reusable consumable containers 15 are likely to be individually packaged as consumable containers 15.

[0107] In the collection device 1, after determining that the collection number is not [2], if the ASIC 135 determines that the number of reuses is not less than a predetermined number of times, it causes the packaging means 6 to execute a recycling transport process in which the consumable container 15 is transported to the recycling collection box 5 without being individually packaged. This prevents non-reusable consumable containers 15 from being packaged, thereby reducing wasteful packaging of consumable containers 15.

[0108] In the collection device 1, the control unit 130 executes an opening process to open the collection door 20 by controlling the collection door open / close motor 21a on the condition that a first signal corresponding to identification information including specific manufacturer information is received from the reading unit 3. On the other hand, the control unit 130 executes a closing process to keep the collection door 20 in a closed position on the condition that a second signal different from the first signal is received from the reading unit 3. This prevents consumable containers 15 not made by a specific manufacturer from being erroneously inserted into the collection port 19. In other words, only consumable containers 15 made by a specific manufacturer are collected by the collection device 1.

[0109] In the recovery device 1, the opening of the packaging bag 55 is sealed by welding the films of the packaging bag 55 enclosing the consumable containers 15 together using the film welding device 35, so that the inkjet ink is less likely to leak out of the packaging bag 55. Therefore, even if inkjet ink leaks from one consumable container 15, the inkjet ink is less likely to adhere to the surface of other consumable containers 15.

[0110] In the collection device 1, the air inside the packaging bag 55 enclosing the consumable container 15 is sucked out by the vacuum device 34, and then the opening of the packaging bag 55 is sealed, so the volume of the space inside the packaging bag 55 enclosing the consumable container 15 is small. This makes it possible to collect many consumable containers 15 into the reuse collection box 4. Furthermore, leakage of residual ink from ink cartridges and ink bottles is suppressed.

[0111] In the collection device 1, ink cartridges and ink bottles to be reused are individually packaged and collected in a reuse collection box 4, and tape cassettes and toner cartridges to be recycled are collected in a recycle collection box 5. This reduces the work of sorting consumable containers 15 to be reused from consumable containers 15 that will not be reused when the consumable containers 15 are reused, making it easy to reuse the consumable containers.

[0112] In the recovery device 1, the film that constitutes the packaging bag 55 is a thermoplastic resin film, and therefore the films are easily welded together.

[0113] In the recovery device 1, the inkjet ink placed in the ink cartridges and ink bottles is made of one or more of a colorant, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a water-insoluble organic solvent, the latter containing at least a colorant, and is therefore difficult to wipe off from the surface of the consumable container. In the recovery device 1, the ink cartridges and ink bottles to be reused are individually packaged, so even if inkjet ink leaks from an ink cartridge or ink bottle, contamination of the surfaces of other ink cartridges and ink bottles to be reused is effectively prevented.

[0114] In the recovery device 1, the pigment contained in the inkjet ink is a resin-dispersed pigment or a self-dispersed pigment, so even if the inkjet ink leaks from the ink cartridges and ink bottles, the surfaces of other reused ink cartridges and ink bottles are effectively prevented from being contaminated by the inkjet ink.

[0115] In the recovery device 1, the amount of the above colorant contained in the inkjet ink is 40% by weight or less, so even if the inkjet ink leaks from the ink cartridges and ink bottles, contamination of the surfaces of other reused ink cartridges and ink bottles by the inkjet ink is effectively prevented.

[0116] In the recovery device 1, the viscosity of the inkjet ink is 1 mPa·s or more and 8 mPa·s or less, so that leakage of the inkjet ink from the ink cartridges and ink bottles is suppressed.

[0117] In the recovery device 1, the surface tension of the inkjet ink is 20 mN / m or more and 45 mN / m or less, so that leakage of the inkjet ink from the ink cartridges and ink bottles is suppressed.

[0118] In the recovery device 1, when dye ink is used as the inkjet ink to be put into the ink cartridges and ink bottles, the dye contained in the dye ink is a direct dye, an acid dye, a basic dye, or a reactive dye. This dye ink is easy to wipe off from the surfaces of the ink cartridges and ink bottles, so the surfaces of the ink cartridges and ink bottles are less likely to be contaminated by the dye ink.

[0119] [Variations] Although the collection device 1 is provided with the reuse collection box 4 and the recycle collection box 5, at least one of the reuse collection box 4 and the recycle collection box 5 may be omitted.

[0120] In the collection device 1, when it is determined that the number of times of reuse of an ink bottle is less than a predetermined number, the ink bottle is collected in the reuse collection box 4, but all of the ink bottles may be collected in the recycle collection box 5. In this case, the collection number stored in the EEPROM 134 in association with the product number of the ink bottle is assigned [2].

[0121] In the collection device 1, the ASIC 135 determines that the collection number is not [2] and then causes the packaging means 6 to execute a packaging and transport process in which the consumable containers 15 placed on the loading plate 31 are individually packaged and transported to the reuse collection box 4 on the condition that the number of reuses is less than the predetermined number. However, the packaging means 6 may execute the packaging and transport process only on the condition that the collection number is not [2]. In this case, the recycling and transport process, which is executed on the condition that the ASIC 135 determines that the collection number is not [2] and then determines that the number of reuses is not less than the predetermined number, is omitted. In this way, all ink cartridges and ink bottles placed in the collection box 2 through the collection port 19 are individually packaged and collected in the reuse collection box 4.

[0122] In collection device 1, reader 3 outputs a second signal different from the first signal to control unit 130 when non-specific manufacturer information is included in the product number, but may also output the first signal corresponding to the product number to control unit 130. In this case, the product numbers, collection numbers, and reuse counts of manufacturers other than the specific manufacturer are stored in EEPROM 134. Consumable containers 15 from manufacturers other than the specific manufacturer may be individually wrapped and collected in reuse collection box 4, or may be collected in recycle collection box 5 without being individually wrapped.

[0123] In the collection device 1, the reuse count is stored in the memory element 17 of the consumable container 15. However, as shown in FIG. 18, the reuse count may be stored in the EEPROM 134 in association with the product number. Note that, since tape cassettes and toner cartridges are not reused, the reuse count is not stored in the EEPROM 134. In this case, when the ASIC 135 determines that it has received a detection signal from the container sensor 26 (step S5: Yes), it refers to the EEPROM 134 to search for the product number corresponding to the first signal, and extracts the collection number and reuse count associated with the searched product number into the RAM 133 (step S9). The ASIC 135 determines whether the reuse count extracted into the RAM 133 is less than a predetermined number (step S12). The ASIC 135 causes the CPU 131 to update the reuse count stored in the EEPROM 134 (step S14).

[0124] In the collection device 1, a plurality of packaging bags 55 are placed on the upper surface of the bag support section 32 in a vertically stacked state, but the packaging bags 55 may be supplied one by one to the upper surface of the bag support section 32. In this case, for example, a bag storage box for storing a plurality of packaging bags 55 may be provided in the internal space of the collection box 2, and when the consumable containers 15 are individually packaged, or after the consumable containers 15 packaged in the packaging bags 55 have been collected into the reuse collection box 4, the packaging bags 55 in the bag storage box may be conveyed to the upper surface of the bag support section 32 by a conveying roller.

[0125] In the recovery device 1, the air inside the packaging bag 55 enclosing the consumable container 15 is sucked out by the vacuum device 34, and then the opening of the packaging bag 55 is sealed by the film welding device 35, but the air inside the packaging bag 55 enclosing the consumable container 15 does not have to be sucked out.

[0126] Alternatively, instead of suction by the vacuum device 34, hot air may be blown from an air blower toward the packaging bag 55 encasing the consumable container 15, causing the entire packaging bag 55 to shrink, and then the opening of the packaging bag 55 may be sealed by the film welding device 35. In this case, the packaging bag 55 is made of a shrink film that shrinks when heated. The material of the shrink film is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin film that can be thermally shrunk. For example, the shrink film may be made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, or polyethylene terephthalate. Alternatively, only the annular portion of the packaging bag 55 that forms the opening may be made of shrink film.

[0127] In the collection device 1, the opening device 33 opens the packaging bags 55 by blowing air, but there is no particular limitation as long as it can open the packaging bags 55. For example, the opening device 33 may open the packaging bags 55 by pulling up the suction cups in a state where the suction cups are attached to the outer surface of the uppermost packaging bag 55.

[0128] In the recovery device 1, the consumable containers 15 to be reused are individually packaged by being placed in a packaging bag 55 through an opening that opens to the right, but as shown in Figures 10 and 11, they may also be individually packaged by being placed in a packaging bag 101 that opens upward.

[0129] Specifically, the packaging means 6 includes a mounting plate 31, a bag support unit 62 that supports the packaging bag 101 with its opening facing upward, and a film welding device 35. The bag support unit 62 is located to the left of the mounting plate 31. The bag support unit 62 is located below the mounting plate 31. The bag support unit 62 includes an annular frame 62a that supports the open end of the packaging bag 101 and a support frame 62b that extends outward from the annular frame 62a and is supported on the inner surface of the front wall of the collection box 2. The packaging bag 101 has a vertically elongated cylindrical shape. The annular frame 62a faces the reuse collection box 4 in the vertical direction. The right end of the annular frame 62a abuts against the left end of the mounting plate 31 in the left-tilted position. As a result, the consumable container 15 placed on the upper surface of the mounting plate 31 in the left-tilted position falls from above into the packaging bag 101. The annular frame 62a supports the packaging bag 101 so that it can be unwound downward from a wound state. As shown in Fig. 12, the packaging bag 101 is unwound downward due to the impact of the consumables container 15 dropping from above into the packaging bag 101. The bag support portion 62 is an example of a second support portion.

[0130] The film welding device 35 is located below the bag support section 62. The film welding device 35 has a pair of contact portions 35b spaced apart in the left-right direction. The packaging bag 101 supported by the bag support section 62 is located between the pair of contact portions 35b in the left-right direction. The pair of contact portions 35b have a rod shape extending in the front-rear direction. The length of the pair of contact portions 35b in the front-rear direction is longer than the length of the packaging bag 101 supported by the bag support section 62 in the front-rear direction. The pair of contact portions 35b are movable in the left-right direction between an contact position and a non-contact position. The contact position is a position where the pair of contact portions 35b abut in the left-right direction. The non-contact position is a position where the pair of contact portions 35b are separated in the left-right direction and are located outward of the packaging bag 101 in the left-right direction. The pair of abutting portions 35b located at the abutting position seals the opening of the packaging bag 101 by welding a portion slightly below the open end of the packaging bag 101 into which the consumable container 15 has fallen, and at the same time cuts the welded portion. As a result, the consumable containers 15 individually packaged in the packaging bag 101 fall into the reuse collection box 4. Note that the opening of the packaging bag 101 may be sealed after the air inside the packaging bag 101 into which the consumable container 15 has fallen has been sucked out.

[0131] In the modified recovery device 1 shown in Figure 10, when a consumable container 15 falls into a packaging bag 101, the impact of the falling consumable container 15 causes the packaging bag 101 to be pulled downward, making it easy to individually package multiple consumable containers 15 in a single packaging bag 101.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 13 , the packaging means 6 may include only the bag support portion 62 and the film welding device 35. The placement plate 31, the reuse collection box 4, and the recycle collection box 5 are omitted. In this case, the bag support portion 62 is located in the center of the collection box 2 in the left-right direction, slightly below the collection opening 19. The bag support portion 62 is supported on the inner surface of the front wall of the collection box 2 so as to be movable left-right between a packaging position and a non-packaging position. The packaging position is a position overlapping with the collection opening 19 in the left-right direction. In other words, the packaging position is a position where a consumable container 15 placed in the collection box 2 through the collection opening 19 falls from above into the packaging bag 101. The non-packaging position is a position where the bag support portion 62 has moved left-right from the packaging position. In other words, it is a position where a consumable container 15 placed in the collection box 2 through the collection opening 19 does not fall into the packaging bag 101. Before the consumable container 15 is placed in the collection port 19, the bag support portion 62 is located at the packaging position. Furthermore, since the consumable container 15 placed in the collection box 2 through the collection port 19 is dropped downward by the user, the container sensor 26 is omitted. Therefore, the processing of steps S5 to S8 by the ASIC 135 is omitted. Alternatively, a slope may be provided on which the consumable container 15 placed in the collection box 2 through the collection port 19 can be placed and slide down, and the consumable container 15 sliding down the slope may fall from above into the packaging bag 101.

[0133] The bag support unit 62 is moved laterally between a wrapping position and a non-wrapping position by a belt moving mechanism 57. The belt moving mechanism has a moving belt that moves the bag support unit 62 and a belt motor 57a that drives a pulley that supports the moving belt. The moving belt is fixed to a support frame 62b. As shown in FIG. 14, the belt motor 57a is electrically connected to the control unit 130. The belt moving mechanism 57 is an example of a moving mechanism.

[0134] When the ASIC 135 determines that the collection number extracted in the RAM 133 is [2] (step S10: Yes), it controls the belt motor 57a to cause the belt movement mechanism 57 to execute a movement process to move the bag support part 62 from the wrapping position to the non-wrapping position (step S11). As a result, the consumable container 15 placed in the collection box 2 through the collection port 19 falls to the bottom of the collection box 2 without being wrapped. When the ASIC 135 determines that the number of reuses extracted in the RAM 133 is not less than the predetermined number of times (step S12: No), it causes the belt movement mechanism 57 to execute the movement process (step S11).

[0135] On the other hand, when the ASIC 135 determines that the number of reuses extracted by the RAM 133 is less than the predetermined number of times (step S12: Yes), it maintains the bag support part 62 in the packaging position, thereby causing the consumable container 15 placed in the collection box 2 through the collection opening 19 to fall into the packaging bag 101. The ASIC 135 seals the opening of the packaging bag 101 by welding a portion slightly below the open edge of the packaging bag 101 into which the consumable container 15 has fallen, and simultaneously causes the film welding device 35 to perform a packaging process in which the welded portion is cut off (step S13). As a result, the consumable container 15 placed in the collection box 2 through the collection opening 19 is individually wrapped and falls toward the bottom of the collection box 2.

[0136] In the collection device 1, the consumable containers 15 placed in the collection box 2 through the collection port 19 are placed on the placement plate 31, but as shown in Figures 15 and 16, they may be placed on the bag support unit 32. In this case, the packaging means 6 has the bag support unit 32, the supply unit 71, and the film welding device 35. The placement plate 31 is omitted.

[0137] The bag support portion 32 is located slightly below the collection port 19. The bag support portion 32 is located in the center of the collection box 2 in the left-right direction. The front end of the bag support portion 32 is close to the inner surface of the front wall of the collection box 2. The bag support wall 32a is annular when viewed from above. In other words, the bag support wall 32a surrounds the upper surface of the bag support portion 32. A plurality of lower films 201 are laid on the upper surface of the bag support portion 32, stacked vertically. Each lower film 201 is made of a thermoplastic resin film. Each lower film 201 is an example of a first film. The bag support portion 32 shown in Figures 15 and 16 is an example of a second loading plate.

[0138] The supply unit 71 includes a bag storage box 72, a supply roller 73, a support plate 74, and a pair of conveying rollers 75. The bag storage box 72 is located at the rear of the interior space of the collection box 2. The bag storage box 72 stores multiple upper films 202 stacked vertically. Each upper film 202 is made of a thermoplastic resin film. The supply roller 73 is rotatable about a second rotation shaft extending in the left-right direction. The supply roller 73 is biased downward. The supply roller 73 abuts the uppermost upper film 202 from above. The supply roller 73 rotates when the driving force of the supply motor 81 is transmitted to the second rotation shaft. As the supply roller 73 rotates, it feeds the uppermost upper film 202 out of the multiple upper films 202 forward. As shown in FIG. 17, the supply motor 81 is electrically connected to the control unit 130.

[0139] Support plate 74 is located in front of supply roller 73. Support plate 74 is a flat plate that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. Support plate 74 supports upper film 202 that has been sent forward by supply motor 81.

[0140] The conveying roller pair 75 is located between the support plate 74 and the bag support portion 32 in the front-rear direction. The conveying roller pair 75 is located above the bag support portion 32. The conveying roller pair 75 includes a conveying roller 75a and a driven roller 75b. The conveying roller 75a is rotatable about a third rotation shaft extending along the left-right direction. The conveying roller 75a rotates when the driving force of the conveying motor 82 is transmitted to the third rotation shaft. The driven roller 75b is located below the conveying roller 75a. The driven roller 75b is rotatable about a fourth rotation shaft extending along the left-right direction. The driven roller 75b abuts against the conveying roller 75a from below. As a result, the conveying roller pair 75 conveys the upper film 202 forward as the conveying roller 75a rotates while sandwiching the upper film 202, which is supported by the support plate 74, between the conveying roller 75a and the driven roller 75b. As a result, the upper film 202 is supplied to the upper side of the consumable container 15 placed on the upper surface of the lower film 201 laid on the upper surface of the bag support portion 32. Each upper film 202 is an example of the second film.

[0141] The film welding device 35 is located above the bag support section 32. The contact section 35b of the film welding device 35 is movable in the vertical direction between a contact position and a non-contact position. The contact section 35b is annular. The contact section 35b is rectangular frame-shaped when viewed from the vertical direction. The film welding device 35 contacts the contact section 35b from above the upper film 202 supplied to the upper side of the consumable container 15. As a result, the upper film 202 and the lower film 201 are welded around the periphery of the consumable container 15, thereby individually packaging the consumable container 15. The container sensor 26 is fixed to the inner surface of the front wall of the collection box 2 at a position above the bag support section 32.

[0142] When ASIC 135 determines that the collection number extracted in RAM 133 is [2] (step S10: Yes), it controls bag support motor 52a to execute a recycling transport process in which bag support unit 32 is rotated from a horizontal position to a right-inclined position (step S11). As a result, consumable container 15 placed on the upper surface of bottom film 201 laid on the upper surface of bag support unit 32 climbs over bag support wall 32a and falls into recycling collection box 5 without being wrapped. When ASIC 135 determines that the number of reuses extracted in RAM 133 is not less than a predetermined number of times (step S12: No), it executes the recycling transport process (step S11).

[0143] On the other hand, when the ASIC 135 determines that the number of reuses extracted in the RAM 133 is less than the predetermined number (step S12: Yes), it executes a packaging and transport process to individually package the consumable containers 15 placed on the upper surface of the lower film 201 laid on the upper surface of the bag support portion 32 and transport them to the reuse collection box 4 (step S13).

[0144] Specifically, the ASIC 135 first controls the supply motor 81 and the conveying motor 82 to supply the film stored in the bag storage box 72 onto the consumable container 15 placed on the top surface of the bag support unit. Next, the ASIC 135 drives the heating means 35d to heat the contact portion 35b. At the same time, the ASIC 135 controls the contact portion movement motor 35c to move the contact portion 35b from the non-contact position to the contact position. As a result, the upper film 202 and the lower film 201 are welded together around the consumable container 15 by the heat of the contact portion 35b, thereby individually packaging the consumable container 15. Next, the ASIC 135 controls the contact portion movement motor 35c to move the contact portion 35b from the contact position to the non-contact position. Finally, the ASIC 135 controls the bag support unit motor 52a to rotate the bag support unit 32 from the horizontal position to the left-inclined position. As a result, the individually wrapped consumable containers 15 climb over the bag support wall 32a and fall into the reuse collection box 4. The bag support tilting mechanism 52 (bag support motor 52a) in FIG. 17 is an example of a second tilting mechanism.

[0145] 15 and 16, supply unit 71 has bag storage box 72, supply roller 73, support plate 74, and conveying roller pair 75, but is not particularly limited as long as it can supply upper film 202 to the upper side of consumables container 15. For example, supply unit 71 may have a frame that can be raised and lowered to support upper film 202, and this frame may be lowered from above to cause upper film 202 to cover the upper side of consumables container 15.

[0146] 15 and 16, multiple bottom films 201 are stacked vertically and laid on the top surface of the bag support section 32, but the bottom films 201 may be supplied one by one to the top surface of the bag support section 32. For example, a bag storage box for storing multiple bottom films 201 may be provided in the internal space of the collection box 2, and the bags may be transported to the top surface of the bag support section 32 by a transport roller when the consumable containers 15 are individually wrapped or after the individually wrapped consumable containers 15 are collected in the reuse collection box 4.

[0147] In the above-described collection device 1, if the ASIC 135 determines that the collection number is not [2] and then determines that the number of reuses corresponding to the number-of-uses signal is less than a predetermined number, it causes the packaging means 6 to perform a packaging and transport process in which the consumable container 15 is individually packaged and transported to the reuse collection box 4. However, the packaging means 6 may also perform the packaging and transport process based on the amount of ink remaining in the consumable container 15. In this case, the memory element 17 of the consumable container 15 stores, for example, the amount of ink remaining measured by soft counting as identification information. When the reading unit 3 reads the identification information including the amount of ink remaining, it outputs a remaining amount signal corresponding to the remaining ink amount to the control unit 130. The ASIC 135 causes the packaging means 6 to perform the packaging and transport process on the condition that it determines that the amount of ink remaining corresponding to the remaining amount signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. The ASIC 135 determining that the amount of ink remaining corresponding to the remaining amount signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount is an example of a first determination. On the other hand, the ASIC 135 causes the packaging means 6 to execute the recycling transport process on the condition that it determines that the remaining amount of ink corresponding to the remaining amount signal is less than a predetermined amount. The ASIC 135 determining that the remaining amount of ink corresponding to the remaining amount signal is less than a predetermined amount is an example of a second determination.

[0148] In this way, only the consumables containers 15 that are likely to leak ink are packaged, which makes it easy to reuse the consumables containers 15 while efficiently preventing ink from adhering to the surfaces of the unpackaged consumables containers 15. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 1. Recovery device 2. Collection box 3. Reading unit 4. Reusable collection box (example of the first collection box) 5. Recycling collection box (example of a second collection box) 6...Packaging means 15...consumables container 17. Memory element 19. Collection port 20. Recovery door 21. Collection door opening / closing mechanism (an example of an opening / closing mechanism) 31. Mounting plate 32 Bag support portion (an example of a first support portion) 33...opening device 34...Vacuum equipment 35 Film welding device 51: Placement plate tilting mechanism (an example of a first tilting mechanism) 62 Bag support portion (an example of a second support portion) 101...Packaging bag 201 Lower film (example of the first film) 202···Top film (example of second film) 130 Control unit

Claims

1. a collection box having a collection opening; a reading unit that reads the identification information stored in a memory element provided in the consumable container; a packaging means capable of carrying out a packaging process for individually packaging the consumable containers placed in the collection box through the collection opening; a control unit; and The control unit causes the packaging means to perform the packaging process on condition that a first determination is made based on the identification information.

2. the identification information includes the number of times the consumable container has been reused as a consumable container; 2. The recovery device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, after making the first determination, causes the packaging means to carry out the packaging process on condition that it is determined that the number of reuses is less than a predetermined number of times.

3. The recovery device described in claim 2, wherein the control unit, after making the first judgment, drops the consumable container toward the bottom of the recovery box without causing the packaging means to perform the packaging process, provided that it determines that the number of reuses is not less than a predetermined number of times.

4. a collection door that can open and close the collection port; an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the collection door, the identification information includes specific manufacturer information indicating a specific manufacturer or non-specific manufacturer information indicating a manufacturer other than the specific manufacturer, When the reading unit reads the identification information including the specific manufacturer information, it outputs a first signal corresponding to the identification information to the control unit, and when the reading unit reads the identification information including the non-specific manufacturer information, it outputs a second signal different from the first signal to the control unit; The control unit causing the opening / closing mechanism to execute an opening process for opening the collection door on condition that a first signal corresponding to the identification information including the specific manufacturer information is received from the reading unit; 4. The collection device according to claim 3, wherein, on condition that the second signal is received from the reading unit, the opening / closing mechanism is caused to execute a closing process for maintaining the collection door in a closed state.

5. 5. The recovery device according to claim 1, wherein the packaging means includes a film welding device for welding together the films that encase the consumable containers.

6. The packaging means is a first placement plate on which the consumable container placed in the collection port is placed; a first support portion that supports a packaging bag made of the film; a first tilting mechanism that can tilt the first placement plate relative to a horizontal direction; an opening device that opens the packaging bag supported by the first support portion in a horizontal direction, The recovery device described in claim 5, wherein after the opening device opens the packaging bag, the first tilting mechanism tilts the first loading plate horizontally, causing the consumable container to slide from the first loading plate into the packaging bag through the opening of the packaging bag, and then the film welding device seals the opening of the packaging bag by welding the films of the packaging bag together.

7. 7. The recovery device according to claim 6, wherein the packaging means has a vacuum device for sucking air out of the packaging bag enclosing the consumable container.

8. The packaging bag is made of a shrink film that shrinks when heated, 7. The recovery device according to claim 6, wherein the packaging means further comprises an air blower that blows hot air toward the packaging bag enclosing the consumable container.

9. a first storage box located in the interior space of the collection box and storing the consumable containers individually packaged by the packaging means; a second storage box located in the interior space of the recovery box, The recovery device described in claim 6, wherein the control unit, on the condition that a second judgment different from the first judgment is made based on the identification information, causes the first tilting mechanism to tilt the first loading plate relative to the horizontal direction, thereby causing the consumable container to slide off the first loading plate and into the second storage box.

10. The packaging means is a second support portion located below the collection port and supporting the packaging bag made of the film in an upwardly open state; A recovery device as described in claim 5, wherein after the consumable container placed in the recovery port falls into the packaging bag through the opening of the packaging bag, the film welding device seals the opening of the packaging bag by welding the films of the packaging bag together.

11. The recovery device according to claim 10, wherein the packaging bag has a tubular shape that extends in the vertical direction and is capable of being unwound downward from a state in which the packaging bag is wound around the second support portion.

12. The device further includes a moving mechanism that moves the second support portion, The recovery device described in claim 10, wherein the control unit, on the condition that a second judgment different from the first judgment is made based on the identification information, causes the moving mechanism to move the second support unit, thereby causing the consumable container placed in the recovery port to fall toward the bottom of the recovery box without causing the packaging means to perform the packaging process.

13. The packaging means is a second mounting plate on which a first film is laid as the film, and the consumable container inserted into the collection port is placed on the first film; a supply unit that supplies a second film as the film to an upper side of the consumables container placed on the second placement plate, The film welding device has an annular contact part that is movable in the up and down direction, The recovery device described in claim 5, wherein the abutment portion abuts from above against the second film supplied to the upper side of the consumable container by the supply portion, thereby welding the first film and the second film together around the periphery of the consumable container.

14. a first storage box located in the interior space of the collection box and storing the consumable containers individually packaged by the packaging means; a second storage box located in the interior space of the recovery box; a second tilting mechanism that can tilt the second placement plate relative to the horizontal direction, The recovery device described in claim 13, wherein the control unit, on the condition that a second judgment different from the first judgment is made based on the identification information, causes the second tilting mechanism to tilt the second loading plate, thereby causing the consumable container to slide from the second loading plate into the second storage box.

15. 6. The recovery device according to claim 5, wherein the film is made of a thermoplastic resin film.

16. 2. The recovery device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid to be put into the consumables container is inkjet ink containing at least one of a colorant, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a water-insoluble organic solvent, and the liquid contains at least a colorant.

17. The recovery device according to claim 16, wherein the colorant includes one or more of a pigment and a dye.

18. 18. The recovery device according to claim 17, wherein the pigment is a resin-dispersed pigment or a self-dispersed pigment.

19. 17. The recovery device according to claim 16, wherein the amount of the colorant contained in the ink-jet ink is 40% by weight or less.

20. 17. The recovery device according to claim 16, wherein the viscosity of the ink-jet ink is 1 mPa·s or more and 8 mPa·s or less.

21. 17. The recovery device according to claim 16, wherein the ink-jet ink has a surface tension of 20 mN / m or more and 45 mN / m or less.

22. The inkjet ink is a dye ink, 18. The recovery device of claim 17, wherein the dye is a direct dye, an acid dye, a basic dye, or a reactive dye.

Images