Cap device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cap device (30) that is provided to a printer device (10) and is able to seal an ink discharge port (21a). The cap device (30) has: a case main body (40) that has a case bottom part (41) and a case wall part (43) and an open top surface; a cap unit (60) that is integrally supported by the case main body (40) and includes a cap support body (61) and a cap body (62) that can cover the ink discharge port (21a); and an engagement part that enables the attachment and detachment of the case main body (40) and the cap unit (60) to and from a cap device attachment part (90).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap device used for a printer and capable of closing an ink ejection port.

Background Art

[0002] Many printers are equipped with a cap device capable of closing an ink ejection port. By covering the ink ejection port when not in the printing mode for printing on media, it is possible to prevent the ink adhering to the ink ejection port from drying out and clogging. As such a cap device, for example, the technique described in Patent Document 1 below is known.

[0003] The cap device known from this Patent Document 1 includes a cap body that covers the ink ejection port from below, a case body to which this cap body is detachably attached, and a biasing member that biases this case body toward the ejection port.

[0004] A hole through which ink can pass is formed in the cap body, and by generating a negative pressure using a pump or the like, the ink adhering to the ink ejection port can be sucked.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] A part of the ink adhering to the ejection port adheres to the cap body. When the adhered ink hardens, it may become impossible to close the nozzle surface, or the suction holes formed in the cap body may be blocked, causing problems with suction. Therefore, the cap body needs to be replaced regularly.

[0007] It should be noted that there seems to be a misnumbering in the original text where line ID=41 is skipped and then resumes as ID=4A. This has been left as is in the translation. If this is an error in the original, it may need to be corrected for a more accurate translation context.The cap is detachable from the case body. The case body is supported from below by a spring and can move vertically and horizontally. Therefore, the movement of the case body vertically and horizontally when replacing the cap makes the cap replacement process difficult. There is room for improvement in terms of ease of replacement.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a capping device that allows for easy replacement of the cap body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to this disclosure, a cap device is provided that is displaceable relative to an ink ejection unit capable of ejecting ink from an ink ejection port, and is capable of blocking the ink ejection port, A case body having a case bottom and case walls rising from this case bottom, with an open top, This case body is integrally supported, and the cap unit includes a cap support and a cap body supported by the cap support that can cover the ink outlet, A cap device is provided having an engaging portion that allows the case body to be attached to and detached from the cap device mounting portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a capping device that allows for easy replacement of the cap body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A is a perspective view of a printer device according to an embodiment, and 1B is a plan view of the carriage of the printer device shown in 1A. [Figure 2] Figure 1A is a perspective view of the capping device mounted on the printer device shown. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4]Figure 4A illustrates the process of preparing the tube member, Figure 4B illustrates the process of twisting the tube member circumferentially around the axis, Figure 4C illustrates the process of twisting the circumferentially twisted tube member axially to form a loop, and Figure 4D illustrates the process of connecting the tube member to the case body and the cap unit while applying a biasing force in the circumferential direction and maintaining the loop. [Figure 5] Figure 5A illustrates the operation of the capping mechanism when it is raised, and figure 5B illustrates the operation of the capping mechanism when the ink outlet is blocked (capped state). [Figure 6] This is a disassembled perspective view of the printer device according to the first modification example. [Figure 7] This is a disassembled cross-sectional view of the printer device according to the second modification example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In this description, left and right refer to the left and right relative to the state facing the printer device, and front and back refer to the front and back relative to the paper feeding direction by the printer. Also, in the drawings, Fr indicates front, Rr indicates back, Le indicates left, Ri indicates right, Up indicates up, and Dn indicates down.

[0013] <Examples> (Regarding printer device 10) Refer to Figure 1A. The printer device 10 has left and right legs 11, 11 on which casters are attached, and a printing unit 12 that is supported by these legs 11, 11 and capable of printing.

[0014] Furthermore, the printer device 10 does not necessarily have to have casters on its legs 11, 11, and may consist only of the printing unit 12.

[0015] Refer to FIG. 1B together. The printing unit 12 includes a table unit 13 provided in the center for placing a printing object Me such as paper, a rail 14 extending in the left - right direction above the table unit 13, an ink ejection unit 20 that is movably provided on the rail 14 (refer to arrow S1) and can eject ink, and lid parts 16, 17 provided at the left and right ends and swingable in the vertical direction.

[0016] The rail 14 extends to a portion covered by the lid parts 16, 17, and the ink ejection unit 20 is also movable from above the table unit 13 to a portion covered by the lid parts 16, 17.

[0017] Refer to FIGS. 1B and 2. The ink ejection unit 20 is also referred to as a carriage. For example, the ink ejection unit 20 is equipped with a discharge part 21 that discharges ultraviolet - curable ink and a lamp 22 that irradiates the discharged ink with ultraviolet light.

[0018] For example, when the printing object Me is paper, the paper is fed from the rear to the front (refer to arrow S2 in FIG. 1A) on the upper surface of the table unit 13. The ink ejection unit 20 moves in the left - right direction (refer to arrow S1) and ejects ultraviolet - curable ink toward the paper. The discharged ink is irradiated with ultraviolet light by the ultraviolet lamp 22 and the ink is cured. Thereby, a predetermined pattern or the like can be printed on the paper.

[0019] Note that the printing object Me may be other than paper, and inks other than ultraviolet - curable inks can also be adopted.

[0020] Refer to FIG. 2. The ink ejection unit 20 has an ink ejection port 21a through which the discharge part 21 can eject ink. Also, a cap device attachment part 19 is provided movably in the vertical direction at a portion covered by the lid part 16 (refer to FIG. 1). A cap - shaped attachment main body part 19a that constitutes the cap device attachment part 19 is provided with a cap device 30 that can block the ink ejection port 21a.

[0021] (Regarding the capping device 30) The cap devices 30, 30 are provided, for example, in pairs on the cap device mounting section 19. Each cap device 30, 30 is detachably mounted on the cap device mounting section 19. Both cap devices 30, 30 are displaced vertically by moving the cap device mounting section 19 up and down. Since the configurations of the cap devices 30, 30 are the same, the left cap device 30 will be used as an example in the following explanation.

[0022] The capping devices 30, 30 may be provided in three or more units, or in one unit, depending on the number and shape of the ink ejection ports 21a.

[0023] Refer to Figure 3. Figure 3 shows the capping device 30 in a standby position, separated from the ink ejection unit 20.

[0024] The cap device 30 includes a case body 40 formed in the shape of a cup with an open top, a cylindrical part 32 rising from the case bottom 41 which is the bottom of the case body 40 and having a cylindrical shape, a biasing member 33 housed in the cylindrical part 32 and composed of a coil spring, a cap unit 60 that can be biased toward the ink ejection unit 20 by the biasing member 33 and is capable of covering the ink ejection port 21a, a cover member 70 supported on the upper part of the case body 40 and restricting the cap unit 60 from popping out of the case body 40, a tubular member 36 connected from the cap unit 60 to the case body 40, and an ink absorber 37 placed on the case bottom 41 and capable of absorbing ink.

[0025] (Regarding the case itself, part 40) The case body 40 has a case bottom 41 which is a roughly rectangular base plate, case walls 43 which rise from each edge of the case bottom 41, and case legs 44 which extend downward from the case bottom 41. The top surface of the case body 40 is open.

[0026] The lower end of the tube member 36 is connected to the bottom 41 of the case, forming a bottom ink discharge section 45 which includes a hole for discharging ink to the outside. A pump 51 for sucking up ink is connected to the bottom ink discharge section 45.

[0027] The case wall portion 43 includes a first wall portion 43a rising from the case bottom portion 41, an enlarged portion 43b extending outward from the upper end of the first wall portion 43a, a second wall portion 43c rising from the outer end of the enlarged portion 43b, and a cover locking hole portion 43d made in the second wall portion 43c, into which the cover member 70 is locked.

[0028] The second wall portion 43c has an engaging portion 43d that engages with the mounting claw portion 19b formed on the mounting body portion 19a. The portion of the engaging portion 43d that contacts the second wall portion 43c is formed in a concave shape. The mounting claw portion 19b can be bent outward.

[0029] The cap device 30 can be removed from the cap device mounting portion 19 by lifting the cap device 30 while the mounting claw portion 19b is bent outward. When the cap device 30 is pushed into the mounting body portion 19a, the engaging portion 43d comes into contact with the mounting claw portion 19d. If the cap device 30 is pushed further while in contact, the mounting claw portion 19d bends, allowing the cap device 30 to be pushed in further. When the cap device 30 is in the predetermined position, the mounting claw portion 19d returns to above the engaging portion 43d, preventing the cap device 30 from coming off.

[0030] The cover locking holes 43d only need to be formed in two opposing second wall portions 43c out of the four second wall portions 43c. In other words, they do not need to be formed in all of the second wall portions 43c.

[0031] (Regarding the cylindrical portion 32) The cylindrical portion 32 is a cylindrical part integrally formed with the case bottom 41, and its lower end is closed by the case bottom 41. The biasing member 33 is positioned by the cylindrical portion 32. A relief portion 32a is formed at a part of the upper end (open end) of the cylindrical portion 32, which is formed in a way that allows the biasing member 33 to be displaced radially.

[0032] (Regarding the biasing member 33) The biasing member 33 is housed in the cylindrical portion 32 and biases the cap unit 60 upward. In other words, the biasing member 33 is housed in the case body 40 and can transmit biasing force from the bottom 41 of the case to the top surface. For example, four biasing members 33 are provided.

[0033] (Regarding cap unit 60) The cap unit 60 is provided on the case body 40 in a manner that allows it to be displaced in the vertical and horizontal directions. The cap unit 60 includes a cap support 61 that is biased upward by a biasing member 33, a cap body 62 that is supported by the cap support 61 and can cover the ink discharge port 21a, a biasing member guide portion 63 that extends downward from the lower surface of the cap support 61 and protrudes into the upper end of the biasing member 33, a guide projection 64 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the cap support 61 and can contact the ink discharge unit 20, a projection 65 that protrudes upward from the corner of the upper surface of the cap support 61 and is formed in a substantially L-shape along the corner, and a ceiling ink discharge portion 66 provided on the cap support 61 to which the upper end of the tube member 36 is connected.

[0034] The cap support 61 includes a cap body storage portion 61a formed in a cup shape with an open top surface that houses the cap body 62, and a cap extension portion 61b extending from the cap body storage portion 61a toward the second wall portion 43c.

[0035] See also Figure 2. The cap body 62 is a rubber member that is substantially rectangular in plan view, and the parts corresponding to each corner are biased by biasing members 33. The cap body 62 is provided with an absorbent that allows ink to pass through when sucking up ink adhering to the ink discharge port 21a. The absorbent is fixed inside the cap body 62 by a plurality of absorbent fixing parts 62a.

[0036] Refer only to Figure 3. The biasing member guide portion 63 has a roughly pentagonal shape, gradually narrowing in width downwards when viewed from the biasing direction of the biasing member 33, and an X-shape when viewed from the bottom. In other words, the biasing member guide portion 63 is made up of two roughly pentagonal plates that narrow downwards and intersect in a roughly X-shape. Because the width of the tip is narrowed, the biasing member 33 is allowed to be displaced radially.

[0037] The biasing member guide portion 63 may be cylindrical in shape, or it may be any other shape.

[0038] Two guide protrusions 64 are formed at both the left and right ends (see also Figure 2). Each guide protrusion 64 has a guide surface 64a that is inclined relative to the cap body 62. The guide surface 64a is a surface that can come into contact with the ink ejection unit 20 when the cap body 62 and the ink ejection unit 20 are in close proximity.

[0039] As the capping device 30 rises, the guide surface 64a first comes into contact with the ink ejection unit 20. As the capping device 30 rises further, the cap unit 60 is displaced to the right in the drawing due to the contact between the guide surface 64a and the ink ejection unit 20. Therefore, it can be said that the guide surface 64a is inclined with respect to the direction in which the cap unit 60 slides.

[0040] The guide projection 64 can also be described as being located in front of the cap body 62, with reference to the horizontal movement direction of the cap unit 60 when the cap device 30 is raised, and having a guide surface portion 64a formed with a downward slope toward the cap body 62.

[0041] Two projections 65 are formed at both the left and right ends (see also Figure 2). The projections 65 are positioned behind the cap body 62, with reference to the horizontal movement direction of the cap unit 60 when the cap device 30 is raised.

[0042] The top ink discharge section 66 includes a hole opened for drawing ink through the cap body 62.

[0043] (Regarding the cover component 70) The cover member 70 has a cover body 71 that extends inward from the tip of the second wall portion 43c so as to cover a part of the top surface of the case body 40, and a dam wall portion 72 that extends from the inner end of the cover body 71 to a position higher than the cap body 62. The cap unit 60 can protrude from the area enclosed by the dam wall portion 72.

[0044] The cover body 71 overlaps the cap extension 61b in the vertical direction, at least in part. Even if the cap unit 60 is displaced upward, the cap extension 61b remains in contact with the cover body 71, thus preventing the cap unit 60 from popping out of the case body 40.

[0045] Furthermore, the dam wall portion 72 only needs to be raised to a position higher than the upper end of the cap body 62 when the cap body 62 is in close contact with the ink discharge port 21a. More preferably, it is raised to a position higher than the upper end of the cap body 62 when the cap body 62 is separated from the ink discharge port 21a. The reason will be explained later.

[0046] (Regarding tube member 36) The tube member 36 is, for example, a rubber tube used to discharge the ink sucked in from the ink outlet 21a to the outside of the case body 40.

[0047] Referring to Figure 4, the method for attaching the tube member 36 will be explained. First, the tube member 36 is prepared as shown in 4A (preparation step). Next, as shown in 4B, the tube member 36 is twisted in the circumferential direction around its axis CL (circumferential twisting step). Next, as shown in 4C, the tube member 36 is twisted in the axial direction while still twisted in the circumferential direction to form an annular loop portion 36a (loop portion formation step). Next, as shown in 4D, the tube member 36 is connected to the case body 40 and the cap unit 60 while a biasing force is applied in the circumferential direction and the loop portion 36a is held (connecting step).

[0048] As described above, the tube member 36, when attached to the case body 40 and the cap unit 60, is subjected to a biasing force in the circumferential direction and includes a loop portion 36a that is bent into a loop shape.

[0049] (Regarding ink absorber 37) Refer to Figure 3. The ink absorber 37 is composed of, for example, a sponge provided inside the case body 40 to absorb ink that has spilled into the case body 40.

[0050] (Regarding the operation of the capping device 30) Refer to Figure 5. 5A shows the cap device 30 in the standby position when the ink ejection unit 20 is in print mode. 5B shows the cap device 30 in the cap position that is blocking the ink ejection port 21a.

[0051] See 5A. For example, when printing is finished, the ink ejection unit 20 moves above the capping device 30. More precisely, it stops at a position slightly offset from the cap body 62.

[0052] When the ink ejection unit 20 stops, the cap device 30 rises as indicated by arrow 81. As the cap device 30 rises, the guide surface 64a comes into contact with the ink ejection unit 20. As the cap device 30 rises further, the cap unit 60 is pushed by the ink ejection unit 20 and displaced horizontally as indicated by arrow 82. The cap device 30 rises until the cap body 62 blocks the ink ejection port 21a.

[0053] Refer to 5B. When the capping device 30 is in the capping position, the capping unit 60 is biased by the biasing member 33 to return to the standby position, as indicated by arrow 83. The capping unit 60 is also biased by the biasing member 33 toward the ink ejection unit 20.

[0054] By ensuring that the cap body 62 is in close contact with the ink discharge port 21a, it is possible to prevent the ink filled in the discharge section 21 from drying out. Furthermore, by operating the pump 51 (see Figure 2) while the cap body 62 is in close contact with the ink discharge port 21a, the ink adhering to the ink discharge port 21a and other parts can be discharged to the outside of the case body 40.

[0055] Let's summarize the capping device 30 described above.

[0056] Refer to Figures 3 and 5. The capping device 30 is provided so as to be displaceable relative to the ink ejection unit 20 which is capable of ejecting ink from the ink ejection port 21a, and is capable of blocking the ink ejection port 21a.

[0057] The cap device 30 includes a case body 40 having a case bottom 41 and a case wall portion 43 rising from the case bottom 41, with an open top; a cap unit 60 integrally supported by the case body 40, including a cap support 61 and a cap body 62 supported by the cap support 61 and capable of covering the ink discharge port 21a; and an engagement portion 46 that allows the case body 40 to be attached to and detached from the cap device mounting portion 19.

[0058] The cap device 30 has a cap unit 60 integrally supported by the case body 40. The case body 40 is detachable from the cap device mounting part 19 via an engaging part 46. By unitizing the case body 40 and the cap unit 60, when it becomes necessary to replace the cap body 62, the entire cap device 30 can be removed from the printer device 10 (see Figure 2) and replaced with a new cap device 30. This allows for stable attachment and detachment to the printer body, rather than using an unstable case body that moves up, down, left, and right when replacing the cap body 62. This provides a cap device 30 that allows for easy replacement of the cap body 62.

[0059] Furthermore, the case body 40 houses a biasing member 33 capable of transmitting biasing force to the cap unit 60 from the bottom 41 of the case towards the top. This biasing member 33 allows the cap unit 60 to be biased towards the ink ejection unit 20. The cap device can be easily replaced in a stable state even when biasing force is applied to the cap body 62.

[0060] The cap body 62 has a roughly polygonal shape when viewed from above (see also Figure 2), and the biasing members 33 are provided at the parts corresponding to each corner of the cap body 62. This allows the entire cap body 62 to be biased more uniformly toward the ink ejection unit 20, and the ink ejection port 21a to be closed more reliably. Furthermore, because the entire body can be biased uniformly, the cap body 62 can be tightly sealed against the ink ejection port 21a with minimal load. This reduces the load applied to the ink ejection port 21a, etc., which is preferable.

[0061] The cap unit 60 is provided so as to be slidable in a substantially horizontal direction from a standby position when it is separated from the ink ejection unit 20 (Figure 5A) to a cap position when it is blocking the ink ejection port 21a (Figure 5B), and is biased in the direction of the standby position when it is in the cap position. By biasing the cap body 62 in the horizontal direction as well as the vertical direction, the ink ejection port 21a can be blocked at a more precise position.

[0062] The cap unit 60 further has a guide projection 64 that protrudes from the cap support 61 so as to be able to contact the ink ejection unit 20. This guide projection 64 includes a guide surface 64a that is a surface that can contact the ink ejection unit 20 when the cap body 62 and the ink ejection unit 20 are in close proximity, and is inclined with respect to the direction in which the cap unit 60 slides. When this guide surface 64a is in contact with the ink ejection unit 20, as the cap body 62 and the ink ejection unit 20 move closer together, the guide surface 64a is pushed by the ink ejection unit 20 and becomes able to slide in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0063] The ink outlet 21a and the cap body 62 are offset in advance, and the cap body 62 is moved closer to the ink outlet 21a while also being displaced horizontally. The positions of the cap body 62 and the ink outlet 21a will inevitably differ slightly from device to device due to dimensional errors and other factors. By enabling displacement not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction, it becomes possible to guide the cap body 62 to a more accurate position, and the airtightness between the cap body 62 and the ink outlet 21a is improved.

[0064] A cylindrical portion 32, formed in a roughly cylindrical shape, rises from the bottom 41 of the case, and a biasing member 33, composed of a coil spring, is housed in this cylindrical portion 32. By simply inserting it into the cylindrical portion 32, the biasing member 33 can be easily positioned in the correct location, and the tilting of the biasing member 33 can be prevented. As a result, the cap body 62 can be more reliably biased towards the ink discharge port 21a. In addition, by surrounding the outer circumference of the biasing member 33 with the cylindrical portion 32, it is possible to suppress the biasing member 33 from pinching other nearby components (such as the tube component 36).

[0065] The capping device 30 further includes a tubular tube member 36 connected from the cap unit 60 to the case body 40 to discharge the ink sucked in from the ink discharge port 21a to the outside of the case body 40. This tubular tube member 36 is subjected to a biasing force in the circumferential direction and includes a loop portion 36a that is bent into a loop shape.

[0066] The cap device 30 is biased by the biasing member 33, causing the cap unit 60 to be displaced. When the cap unit 60 is displaced, the tube member 36 also expands and contracts or otherwise displaces. By applying a circumferential biasing force to the tube member 36 and bending it into a loop shape, it is possible to prevent the tube member 36 from breaking during displacement and to smoothly follow the displacement of the cap unit 60.

[0067] The cap body 62 is surrounded by a dam wall portion 72 that rises to a position higher than the upper end of the cap body 62, based on the state in which it is in close contact with the ink discharge port 21a. Even if ink overflows onto the upper surface of the cap body 62 during ink suction, the dam wall portion 72 can prevent ink from splashing outside the cap device 30. Furthermore, if the dam wall portion 72 is formed to a position higher than the cap body 62 based on the standby state, even if the cap body 62 separates from the ink discharge port 21a while ink is overflowing around the cap body 62, ink splashing can be prevented.

[0068] The case body 40 supports a cover member 70 that covers a portion of the top surface and restricts the cap unit 60 from protruding from the case body 40. Furthermore, the dam wall portion 72 is formed in the cover member 70. This design is preferable because it suppresses ink splatter without increasing the number of parts.

[0069] An ink absorber 37 capable of absorbing ink is provided inside the case body 40. This prevents ink from leaking outside the cap device 30.

[0070] The cap device 30 can also be described as follows. Refer to Figures 3 and 5. The cap device 30 comprises a case body 40 having a case bottom 41 and a case wall 43 rising from the case bottom 41, with an open top; a biasing member 33 housed in the case body 40 and capable of transmitting a biasing force from the case bottom 41 toward the top; a cap unit 60 that can be biased toward the ink ejection unit 20 by the biasing member 33, and includes a cap support 61 and a cap body 62 supported by the cap support 61 and capable of covering the ink ejection port 21a; and a cover member 70 supported by the case body 40 and covering a part of the top surface, which restricts the cap unit 60 from protruding from the case body 40.

[0071] The cap device 30 houses a biasing member 33 within the case body 40, and a cover member 70 supported by the case body 40 prevents the cap unit 60 from popping out of the case body 40. By unitizing the case body 40, biasing member 33, cap unit 60, and cover member 70, when it becomes necessary to replace the cap body 62, the entire cap device 30 can be removed from the printer device 10 (see Figure 2) and replaced with a new cap device 30. This allows the cap body 62 to be attached to and detached from the printer body in a stable state, rather than in an unstable state where it moves up, down, left, and right when replaced. A cap device 30 that allows for easy replacement of the cap body 62 can be provided.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described using a printer device that uses ultraviolet-curing ink as an example, the printer device equipped with the capping device is not limited to a printer device that uses ultraviolet-curing ink.

[0073] Refer to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 shows the capping device 30A according to the first modified example. Figure 7 shows the capping device 30B according to the second modified example. The modified capping devices 30A and 30B have the same basic configuration as the capping device 30 according to the embodiment (see Figure 3), and the same components as the capping device 30 according to the embodiment are used with the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.

[0074] In particular, as shown in Figure 6, the engaging portion 46A that engages with the mounting claw portion 19b may be formed in a claw shape. Also, as particularly shown in Figure 7, the claw-shaped engaging portion 46B may be engaged with the mounting engagement portion 19Bb which constitutes a part of the cap device mounting portion 19B. The engaging portion 46B is engaged with the mounting engagement portion 19Bb from the outside.

[0075] In other words, as long as the engagement part is detachably engaged with the cap mounting part, the engagement part can be a claw or a projection. Furthermore, the shape of the claw or projection can be any shape. [Industrial applicability]

[0076] The capping device of the present invention is suitable for printer devices that use ultraviolet-curable ink. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 19...Cap device mounting section 20…Ink ejection unit 21a... Ink ejection port 30…Capping device 32...Cylindrical part 33… Biasing member 36... Tube component 37…Ink absorber 40…Case body 41…Bottom of the case 43...Case wall 46...Engaging part 60... Cap Unit 61...Cap support 62...Cap body 64...Guide projection, 64a...Guide surface 70... Cover component 72... Dam wall

Claims

1. A cap device provided so as to be displaceable relative to an ink ejection unit capable of ejecting ink from an ink ejection port, and capable of blocking the ink ejection port, The case body has a case bottom and case walls rising from this case bottom, and the top surface is open. This case body is integrally supported, and the cap unit includes a cap support and a cap body supported by the cap support that can cover the ink outlet, The case body has an engaging portion that allows it to be attached to and detached from the cap device mounting portion, A cap device in which the cap support is displaceably supported on the case body.

2. A cap device provided so as to be displaceable relative to an ink ejection unit capable of ejecting ink from an ink ejection port, and capable of blocking the ink ejection port, A case body having a case bottom and case walls rising from this case bottom, with an open top, This case body is integrally supported, and the cap unit includes a cap support and a cap body supported by the cap support that can cover the ink outlet, The case body has an engaging portion that allows it to be attached to and detached from the cap device mounting portion, The case body has a biasing member that is housed within the case and capable of transmitting a biasing force to the cap unit from the bottom of the case toward the top surface, A capping device in which the capping unit can be biased toward the ink ejection unit by this biasing member.

3. The aforementioned cap body has a substantially polygonal shape when viewed from above. The cap device according to claim 2, wherein the biasing member is provided at a portion corresponding to each corner of the cap body.

4. The cap device according to claim 2, wherein the cap unit is provided so as to be slidable substantially horizontally from a standby position when it is separated from the ink ejection unit to a cap position when it is blocking the ink ejection port, and is biased toward the standby position when it is in the cap position.

5. The cap unit further has a guide projection that protrudes from the cap support so as to be able to contact the ink ejection unit, The guide projection includes a guide surface that can contact the ink ejection unit when the cap body and the ink ejection unit are in close proximity, and is inclined with respect to the direction in which the cap unit slides. The cap device according to claim 4, wherein, when the guide surface is in contact with the ink ejection unit, the cap body and the ink ejection unit come into further proximity, causing the guide surface to be pushed by the ink ejection unit and slide substantially horizontally.

6. The cap device according to claim 2, wherein a cylindrical portion formed in a substantially cylindrical shape is raised from the bottom of the case, and the biasing member, which is composed of a coil spring, is housed in this cylindrical portion.

7. A cap device provided so as to be displaceable relative to an ink ejection unit capable of ejecting ink from an ink ejection port, and capable of blocking the ink ejection port, A case body having a case bottom and case walls rising from this case bottom, with an open top, This case body is integrally supported, and the cap unit includes a cap support and a cap body supported by the cap support that can cover the ink outlet, The case body has an engaging portion that allows it to be attached to and detached from the cap device mounting portion, The case further includes a tubular member connected from the cap unit to the case body to discharge the ink sucked in from the ink outlet to the outside of the case body, The aforementioned tube member is subjected to a circumferential biasing force and includes a loop portion that is bent into a loop shape, comprising a cap device.

8. A cap device provided so as to be displaceable relative to an ink ejection unit capable of ejecting ink from an ink ejection port, and capable of blocking the ink ejection port, A case body having a case bottom and case walls rising from this case bottom, with an open top, This case body is integrally supported, and the cap unit includes a cap support and a cap body supported by the cap support that can cover the ink outlet, The case body has an engaging portion that allows it to be attached to and detached from the cap device mounting portion, A capping device in which the outer circumference of the cap body is surrounded by a dam wall portion that rises to a position higher than the upper end of the cap body, based on the state in which the cap body is in close contact with the ink discharge port.

9. The case body is supported by a cover member that covers a portion of the top surface and restricts the cap unit from protruding from the case body. The cap device according to claim 8, wherein the dam wall portion is formed in the cover member.

10. A cap device provided so as to be displaceable relative to an ink ejection unit capable of ejecting ink from an ink ejection port, and capable of blocking the ink ejection port, A case body having a case bottom and case walls rising from this case bottom, with an open top, This case body is integrally supported, and the cap unit includes a cap support and a cap body supported by the cap support that can cover the ink outlet, The case body has an engaging portion that allows it to be attached to and detached from the cap device mounting portion, A cap device in which an ink absorber capable of absorbing the ink is provided inside the case body.

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