Ink container

Abstract

An ink container connected to a tank of a recording device for performing recording by a recording head, including: a storage chamber for storing ink; a second identification shape for engaging with a first identification shape of the tank; an opening for the ink to flow-in / out to / from the tank; and suction means for suctioning the ink from the tank to the storage chamber.

Description

Ink container

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink reservoir.

[0002] Inkjet recording devices are known as liquid ejection devices that perform recording by ejecting liquid. Inkjet recording devices eject ink from a recording head, which serves as a liquid ejection unit, to perform recording on a recording medium. Ink is supplied to the recording head from an ink supply container, which serves as a liquid storage container, provided in the inkjet recording device.

[0003] Waste ink generated by the recovery operation of a recording head is generally collected in a waste ink container, but Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the waste ink can be reused by making both the supply ink container and the waste ink container replaceable.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-76099

[0005] However, the configuration of Patent Document 1 does not have a means for transferring the ink in the ink supply container to another inkjet recording device in the event that the inkjet recording device itself breaks down.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to reduce waste ink.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the ink container of the present invention is an ink container connected to a tank of a recording device that records using a recording head, and is characterized by comprising: a storage chamber for storing ink; a second identification shape that engages with a first identification shape of the tank; an opening for allowing ink to flow in and out of the tank; and suction means for sucking ink from the tank into the storage chamber.

[0008] According to the present invention, a technique for reducing waste ink is provided.

[0009] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the appearance of a tank unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the appearance of a tank unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tank according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tank according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing details of a needle according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating an ink injection operation. FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating an ink injection operation. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating features of a needle according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating features of a needle according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a tank and a suction supply device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a tank and a suction supply device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a suction supply device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a suction supply device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a suction supply device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a tank according to a modified example of the first embodiment with a suction supply device according to a modified example of the first embodiment attached to the tank. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a tank according to a modified example of the first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a suction supply device is connected to a tank according to a modified example of the first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a top view of the vicinity of the upper end opening of the tank according to a modified example of the first embodiment; Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the suction supply device according to a modified example of the first embodiment, viewed from the opening side; Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a tank and a suction supply device according to a second embodiment; Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a tank and a suction supply device according to the second embodiment.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. Furthermore, the relative arrangements, shapes, etc. of the components described in the embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those alone.

[0011] "Recording" not only includes the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also the formation of images, designs, patterns, etc. on a recording medium, whether meaningful or insignificant, or the processing of the medium, regardless of whether it is manifested in a way that can be perceived visually by humans. In addition, although paper is assumed as the "original" and "recording medium" in this embodiment, they may also be cloth, plastic film (OHP), metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc.

[0012] Furthermore, "ink" (sometimes called "liquid") should be interpreted broadly in the same way as the definition of "recording" above. Therefore, it refers to a liquid that can be applied to a recording medium to form an image, design, pattern, etc., to process the recording medium, or to process the ink (for example, to solidify or insolubilize the coloring material in the ink applied to the recording medium).

[0013] 1A and 1B are external perspective views showing an inkjet recording apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as recording apparatus 1) according to a first embodiment. The recording apparatus 1 comprises a housing 5, a recording head 3 that performs a recording operation on a recording medium, and a tank 11 as an ink container that stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 3. The tank 11 is disposed on the front of the housing 5 and is fixed to the apparatus main body. Also on the front of the housing 5 is an operation unit 4 that allows a user to perform operations such as inputting commands to the recording apparatus 1. The operation unit 4 also includes a display panel that can display errors in the recording apparatus 1, etc.

[0014] A scanner unit 2 that reads documents is provided on the top of the housing 5 so as to be openable and closable relative to the housing 5. Fig. 1B is an external perspective view of the recording device 1 showing a state in which the scanner unit 2 is open relative to the housing 5. When the scanner unit 2 is opened, a tank cover 12 that can cover the top surface of the tank 11 is exposed. In Fig. 3B, the tank cover 12 is in a closed state. Details of the tank cover 12 will be described later. Note that a main body cover that does not include the scanner unit 2 may be configured to be openable and closable relative to the housing 5.

[0015] 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the recording device 1. The recording device 1 uses a feeding unit (not shown) to feed recording media loaded in a paper feed cassette 6 provided on the front of the housing 5 or a paper feed tray 7 provided on the rear. The recording media fed by the feeding unit are transported by a transport roller (transport unit) 40 onto a platen 42 located opposite the recording head 3. The platen 42 is a member for guiding and supporting the recording medium to be recorded on by the recording head 3. After recording by the recording head 3 is complete, the recording medium is discharged onto a paper discharge tray (discharge unit) 43 by a discharge roller (discharge unit) 41. The paper discharge tray 43 is located above the paper feed cassette 6.

[0016] The direction in which the recording medium is conveyed by the conveying roller 40 is referred to as the conveying direction. The recording head 3 is mounted on a carriage 31 that moves back and forth in a main scanning direction that intersects with the conveying direction. In this embodiment, the conveying direction and the main scanning direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0017] The print head 3 ejects ink droplets while moving in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 31 to print one band of image onto the print medium (printing operation). After one band of image has been printed, the print medium is transported a predetermined distance in the transport direction by the transport rollers 40 (intermittent transport operation). By repeating this one-band printing operation and intermittent transport operation, an image is printed on the entire print medium based on the image data.

[0018] The recording device 1 is provided with a maintenance unit within the scanning area of ​​the carriage 31, but outside the recording area where recording is performed by the recording head 3. The maintenance unit performs maintenance processing to maintain the ejection performance of the recording head 3, and is disposed in a position that can face the ejection port surface on which the ink ejection ports are arranged. The recording head 3 shown in Figure 2 is located in a position (home position) where maintenance processing by the maintenance unit can be performed. The maintenance unit is equipped with a cap that can cap the ejection port surface, and a suction recovery mechanism that performs a suction operation to forcibly suck ink while the cap is on to remove residual air bubbles and thickened ink from the ejection ports.

[0019] In this embodiment, an example of a serial head in which the recording head 3 is mounted on a carriage 31 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to a line head in which multiple ejection ports are arranged in an area corresponding to the width of the recording medium.

[0020] The recording device 1 is provided with a tank 11 for each color of ink ejected by the recording head 3. In this embodiment, four tanks are provided: a black tank 11K, a cyan tank 11C, a magenta tank 11M, and a yellow tank 11Y, which are collectively referred to as the tanks 11. Note that cyan, magenta, and yellow are merely examples of color inks, and the present invention is not limited to these.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, each tank 11 is connected to the print head 3 by a flexible tube 8 that forms a supply flow path for supplying ink to the print head 3. The printing apparatus 1 is also provided with a black tank cover 12Bk and a color tank cover 12Cl. The black tank cover 12Bk covers the top surface of the black tank 11K. Meanwhile, the color tank cover 12Cl integrally covers the top surfaces of the cyan tank 11C, magenta tank 11M, and yellow tank 11Y. Hereinafter, the black tank cover 12Bk and the color tank cover 12Cl will be collectively referred to as tank covers 12.

[0022] <Ink Injection Operation> Figures 3A to 3D are external perspective views of the tank unit 10, including the tank 11 and its peripheral configuration. Since the basic configuration of the tank unit 10 is the same for each ink color, the black tank unit will be used as an example. Figure 3A shows the tank cover 12 in a closed state, and Figure 3B shows the tank cover 12 in an open state. The user can access the tank cap 13 by opening the tank cover 12 in the S1 direction.

[0023] An inlet 14 for injecting ink is provided on the top surface of the tank 11, and the inlet 14 can be sealed with a tank cap 13. The tank cap 13 is composed of a cap portion 13a for sealing the inlet 14 and a lever portion 13b that supports the cap portion 13a and can be operated by the user, and the lever portion 13b is rotatably supported on the main body of the recording device 1. The user can inject ink by removing the cap portion 13a from the inlet 14 while rotating the lever portion 13b in the S2 direction shown in FIG. 3B (see FIG. 3C). The lever portion 13b may be configured to be rotatably supported on the tank 11 or the tank cover 12.

[0024] The cap portion 13a of the tank cap 13 is made of a rubber-elastic material, and the lever portion 13b is made of plastic or the like. In this embodiment, the lever portions 13b are color-coded to correspond to the colors of the inks contained in the tanks 11. That is, the lever portion 13b for black ink is black or gray, the lever portion 13b for cyan ink is cyan, the lever portion 13b for magenta ink is magenta, and the lever portion 13b for yellow ink is yellow. This prevents the user from filling the tanks 11 with ink of the wrong color. Note that not only the lever portions 13b but also the cap portions 13a may be color-coded.

[0025] 3D shows a state in which the ink is being poured into the bottle 15, which is an ink refill container, by inserting it into the inlet 14 with the tank cap 13 removed. In this embodiment, the ink in the bottle 15 is poured into the tank 11 by gas-liquid exchange with the air in the tank 11.

[0026] <Tank Configuration> Figures 4A and 4B are perspective views of the tank 11. The tank 11 includes an ink storage chamber 16 that stores ink, an ink supply port 17 for supplying ink from the ink storage chamber 16 to the print head 3, an air storage chamber 18 that stores air, and an air communication port 19 that connects the air storage chamber 18 to the atmosphere. The ink storage chamber 16 is disposed in the upper part of the tank 11 and opens to the first side surface. Figure 4A is a perspective view of the tank 11 as seen from the first side surface. One end of the ink supply port 17 is connected to the ink storage chamber 16, and the other end is connected to the tube 8 (see Figure 2). The ink storage chamber 16 is able to store ink by covering the opening on the first side surface with a flexible film (not shown).

[0027] The air chamber 18 is disposed below the ink chamber 16 and opens to a second side surface opposite the first side surface. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the tank 11 as viewed from the second side surface. The second side surface of the air chamber 18 is divided into multiple chambers, and the chambers communicate with each other via communication channels 18a disposed on the first side surface. The second side surface on which the air chamber 18 opens is also covered by a flexible film (not shown). The chambers of the air chamber 18 do not communicate with each other on the second side surface, but communicate with each other via the communication channels 18a disposed on the first side surface.

[0028] The air chamber 18 and the ink chamber 16 are connected by a connection path 20 that extends downward from the bottom surface of the ink chamber 16, and the lower end of the connection path 20 serves as a gas-liquid exchange section between the ink and air. The connection path 20 is arranged on the first side surface side of the tank 11. The gas-liquid exchange section of the connection path 20 has a cross-sectional area large enough to maintain the ink meniscus. An atmosphere communication port 19 that communicates with the atmosphere is provided at the top of the air chamber 18, and the atmosphere communication port 19 and the connection path 20 are arranged at a distance.

[0029] During normal use, ink is supplied from the ink chamber 16 to the recording head 3 as ink is ejected from the recording head 3, and air of the same volume as the supplied ink is supplied from the air chamber 18 to the ink chamber 16 via the air-liquid exchanger. However, if the air in the ink chamber 16 expands due to fluctuations in temperature or air pressure, destroying the meniscus of the air-liquid exchanger, the ink in the ink chamber 16 will fall into the air chamber 18 due to a head difference. For this reason, the air chamber 18 has a volume large enough to contain the ink contained in the ink chamber 16 when it is fully filled. In this way, the air chamber 18 also serves as a buffer chamber that prevents ink from leaking into the device through the atmosphere vent 19.

[0030] Furthermore, even if the recording device 1 is in a position different from that during normal use with ink contained in the air chamber 18, the air communication port 19 and the connection path 20 are positioned apart, thereby preventing ink from leaking from the air communication port 19. Furthermore, the air chamber 18 is partitioned into multiple chambers between the connection path 20 and the air communication port 19, which prevents ink from flowing and further prevents ink leakage. Furthermore, the side on which the partitioned air chamber 18 opens and the side on which the communication flow path 18a is provided are different, which makes it difficult for ink to move between adjacent partitioned chambers, thereby preventing ink from leaking from the air communication port 19.

[0031] <Configuration of the Needle> The tank 11 is further provided with a needle 22 as an injection assisting member that assists the injection of ink. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the details of the needle 22 of this embodiment. The needle 22 is composed of a liquid flow path 24a and an air flow path 24b that is shorter than the liquid flow path 24a, and connects the inside and outside of the tank 11.

[0032] The liquid flow path 24a is defined by an upper end opening 23a that is exposed above the upper end of the filler port 14 and opens toward the outside of the tank 11, and a lower end opening 25a that opens toward the inside of the tank 11 (ink storage chamber 16). The air flow path 24b is defined by an upper end opening 23b that is exposed from the filler port 14 and opens toward the outside of the tank 11, and a lower end opening 25b that opens toward the inside of the tank 11 (ink storage chamber 16).

[0033] The upper end opening 23a of the liquid flow path 24a is formed higher in the direction of gravity so as to protrude upward than the upper end opening 23b of the atmospheric flow path 24b. Furthermore, both the upper end openings 23a, 23b are open at an angle to the direction in which the flow paths extend, forming slopes that are higher toward the center where they meet. Furthermore, the lower end opening 25a is formed lower in the direction of gravity so as to protrude downward than the lower end opening 25b.

[0034] 6A to 6C are schematic diagrams illustrating the ink injection operation utilizing gas-liquid exchange according to this embodiment. FIG. 6A shows the tank 11 in an empty state. Of the liquid flow path 24a and the air flow path 24b that form the needle 22, one functions as an ink flow path and the other functions as an air flow path during the ink injection operation. The opening of the bottle 15 is sealed with a sealing member (not shown), and is configured so that ink does not drip even when the opening is facing downward as shown in FIG. 6A.

[0035] 6B , when the bottle 15 is inserted into the tank 11, the needle 22 opens the sealing member of the bottle 15. Accordingly, ink in the bottle 15 flows into the tank 11 through the liquid flow path 24a, and air in the tank 11 flows into the bottle 15 through the air flow path 24b. In other words, the liquid flow path 24a functions as an ink flow path, and the air flow path 24b functions as an air flow path. In this way, ink is injected into the tank 11 by utilizing the gas-liquid exchange that transfers ink and air between the tank 11 and the bottle 15.

[0036] 6C , when the ink level L reaches the lower end opening 25b of the air flow path 24b, which functions as an air flow path, air cannot flow out from the lower end opening 25b to the bottle 15, and gas-liquid exchange stops. In other words, injection of ink from the bottle 15 to the tank 11 stops based on the position of the lower end opening 25b when the bottle 15 is inserted into the tank 11. This is the principle of ink injection operation that utilizes gas-liquid exchange.

[0037] Next, the needle 22 will be described using Figures 7A to 7C. Figures 7A to 7C are schematic cross-sectional views when a user starts an ink injection operation. Figure 7A shows the state immediately after the bottle 15 is inserted into the injection port 14. When the needle 22 is inserted into the bottle 15, the upper end opening 23a of the liquid flow path 24a protrudes upward compared to the upper end opening 23b of the air flow path 24b, so the liquid flow path 24a comes into contact with the ink contained in the bottle 15 first. This allows the needle 22 to easily determine the liquid flow path 24a as the ink flow path.

[0038] 7B shows the state after ink injection from the bottle 15 into the tank 11 (ink storage chamber 16) has begun. Ink injection using air-liquid exchange is configured so that ink flows from the bottle 15 into the tank 11 in an amount equal to the amount of air that flows from the tank 11 into the bottle 15. Therefore, the more easily air can form bubbles and separate from the needle 22, the smoother the ink will flow in.

[0039] 8A and 8B , a suction supply device 100 as an ink container capable of transferring ink contained in a tank 11 to another tank will be described. For example, if a recording device 1 breaks down but ink still remains in the tank 11, conventionally the remaining ink would be discarded as waste ink along with the broken-down recording device 1. However, by using the suction supply device 100 of the present invention, the ink remaining in the tank 11 can be sucked and recovered, and then supplied to the tank 11 of another recording device 1 so that it can be used for recording operations, thereby reducing the amount of waste ink.

[0040] 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams of the tank 11 and the suction supply device 100. Fig. 8A is a schematic diagram of the separated state and the attached state when the mechanical ID of the tank 11 matches the mechanical ID of the suction supply device 100. Fig. 8B is a schematic diagram of the separated state and the attached state when the mechanical ID of the tank 11 does not match the mechanical ID of the suction supply device 100. The tank 11 is provided with an identification shape 301 that serves as a mechanical ID, the shape of which varies depending on the type of ink contained therein.

[0041] The suction supply device 100 is configured to be connectable to the tank 11, and uses a suction means 101 (e.g., a pump) to suck ink into the interior and store the ink in a storage chamber 104 that stores the ink. The suction supply device 100 is provided with an identification shape 205 as a mechanical ID, the shape of which varies depending on the type of ink stored therein. The suction supply device 100 also includes an opening 207 for allowing ink to flow in and out of the storage chamber 104, and a valve unit 208 for closing the opening 207. The valve unit 208 prevents ink from flowing out of the storage chamber 104 of the suction supply device 100. The identification shape 205 is provided near the opening 207.

[0042] The suction supply device 100 is configured so that the upper opening 23a and the opening 207 can be connected only when the identification feature 205 is engaged with the identification feature 301 of the tank 11 (see FIG. 8A). The valve 208 is opened when the upper opening 23a is inserted into the opening 207. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the identification feature 205 is not engaged with the identification feature 301, the upper opening 23a and the opening 207 cannot be connected because they interfere with each other. This prevents inks of different colors from mixing with each other.

[0043] When sucking ink contained in the tank 11, the suction supply device 100 is connected to the tank 11, and the suction means 101 is driven with the upper end opening 23a and the opening 207 connected, thereby sucking ink into the storage chamber 104 of the suction supply device 100. The suction supply device 100 can also supply ink contained in the storage chamber 104 to the corresponding tank 11 of another recording device.

[0044] When supplying ink from the storage chamber 104, as in the case of suction, the suction supply device 100 is connected to the corresponding tank 11, and the upper end opening 23a is connected to the opening 207, opening the valve portion 208, and ink is supplied from the storage chamber 104 to the tank 11 according to gravity.

[0045] The identification shape 301 and the identification shape 205 have different shapes depending on the color and type of ink. For example, the tank 11 in FIG. 8A contains cyan ink and has an identification shape 301C for cyan ink. Therefore, the identification shape 301C can engage with an identification shape 205C for cyan ink of the suction supply device 100 that contains cyan ink. On the other hand, the suction supply device 100 in FIG. 8B is for containing magenta ink and has an identification shape 205M for magenta ink. Therefore, the identification shape 301C of the tank 11 that contains cyan ink and the identification shape 205M are not configured to engage with each other.

[0046] Furthermore, when the suction supply device 100 sucks ink from the tank 11, a configuration is required in which an amount of air equal to the amount of ink being sucked flows into the tank 11. In this embodiment, the configuration is such that, while ink is sucked through the liquid flow path 24a, outside air (air) flows into the tank 11 through the atmospheric air flow path 24b.

[0047] 9A and 9B are perspective views of a modified suction supply device 100, and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the modified suction supply device 100. In this modified example, the identification shape 205 is shaped to surround the periphery of the opening 207 (not shown in Figs. 9A, 9B, and 10).

[0048] The suction means 101 of the suction supply device 100 is not limited to a pump having a drive source, but may be a syringe type. In a modified example, the suction means 101 is provided with a suction operation unit 102. Fig. 9A shows a state in which the suction operation unit 102 is housed in the suction means 101, and Fig. 9B shows a state in which the suction operation unit 102 is pulled out from the suction means 101.

[0049] The user pulls the suction operation unit 102 away from the suction means 101 to change from the state shown in Figure 9A to the state shown in Figure 9B. This causes the pressure inside the storage chamber 104 to be negative compared to the outside (inside the tank 11), allowing ink from the outside (tank 11) to flow into the storage chamber 104.

[0050] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the modified suction supply device 100 attached to the tank 11. At this time, the opening 207 and the upper opening 23 are in tight contact with each other with no gap between them. When the user pulls the suction operation part 102 upward, the pressure inside the suction supply device 100 becomes negative compared to the pressure inside the tank 11. This pressure difference causes the ink in the tank 11 to flow into the storage chamber 104.

[0051] 12 is a cross-sectional view of a modified tank 11a. The liquid flow path 24a and the air flow path 24b of the tank 11a are molded integrally with the tank 11a. The liquid flow path 24a and the air flow path 24b of the tank 11a are bent toward their respective lower end openings 25a and 25b. Even with a bent liquid flow path 24a, ink can still be sucked into the storage chamber 104 by suction using the suction means 101.

[0052] 13 is a perspective view of the modified tank 11a with the suction supply device 100 connected. Here, as an example, the state in which the suction supply device 100C for cyan is connected to the cyan tank 11aC is shown. When connecting the suction supply device 100, the user first opens the tank cap 13 to expose the filler port 14, and then inserts the liquid flow path 24a inside the filler port 14 into the opening 207.

[0053] FIG. 14 is a top view of the vicinity of the upper end opening 23a of the tank 11a of the modified example, and FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the suction supply device 100 of the modified example, viewed from the opening 207 side. The identification feature 200 of the tank 11a is engageable with the identification feature 300 of the corresponding suction supply device 100. FIG. 15 shows details of the identification feature 300C of the suction supply device 100C for cyan. The identification feature 300C has recesses 300Ca to 300Cd, which are engageable with the protrusions 200Ca to 200Cd provided on the cyan tank 11C shown in FIG. 14.

[0054] 14, by providing the identification feature 200 in a different position for each type of ink, it is possible to prevent the suction supply device 100 from being connected to the tank 11 of the wrong color. For example, if an attempt is made to connect the suction supply device 100 for cyan to the magenta tank 11M, the protrusions 200Ma-200Mf will interfere with the identification feature 300C, preventing the top opening 23a from fitting tightly to the opening 207. This prevents the suction of an ink that is incompatible with the suction supply device 100 and the supply of an ink that is incompatible with the tank 11.

[0055] 16A and 16B are schematic diagrams of a tank 11 and a suction supply device 100 according to a second embodiment. Fig. 16A shows a state in which the tank 11 and the suction supply device 100 are separated, and Fig. 16B shows a state in which the tank 11 and the suction supply device 100 are connected.

[0056] The suction supply device 100 of this embodiment includes suction means 101 that is operated by electrical power. The suction means 101 is equipped with a chip that is electrically connected to an identification shape (sensor 205a) provided on the suction supply device 100 and can issue electrical commands. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 16B, only when the corresponding suction supply device 100 and tank 11 are connected is the valve unit 208 opened and the suction means 101 activated.

[0057] That is, while the first embodiment was configured to physically prevent the suction of the wrong color using the identification shapes 205 and 300, this embodiment uses electrical control to control whether or not ink is suctioned and supplied. This allows the suction and supply device 100 to suction and supply only when the ink types corresponding to the tank 11 and the suction and supply device 100 are the same, thereby preventing erroneous operation by the user.

[0058] In this embodiment, the identification shape of the tank 11 is a barcode 301a, and the identification shape of the suction supply device 100 is a sensor 205a. That is, the suction supply device 100 is brought close to the tank 11, and the barcode 301a is read by the sensor 205a. When the suction supply device 100 is unused, the type of ink sucked from the read barcode 301a is stored. Then, when supplying ink to another tank 11, the barcode 301a is read again, and if the ink types are the same, supply is permitted, but if the ink types are different, supply is not permitted. Note that the identification shape of the tank 11 is not limited to a barcode, and any identifier such as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code may be used.

[0059] With this configuration, it is no longer necessary to configure the identification shape of the suction supply device 100 to be different for each type of ink, as in the first embodiment. In other words, the suction supply device 100 can be used with the same shape regardless of the type of ink.

[0060] Furthermore, the configuration of this embodiment may be such that cleaning the inside of the suction supply device 100 makes it possible to store a different type of ink than the ink previously stored. In this case, by using a highly water-repellent material for the inner wall of the storage chamber 104, it becomes possible to reuse the suction supply device 100 after cleaning. In other words, it becomes possible to use one suction supply device 100 for various types of ink.

[0061] Furthermore, the suction supply device 100 of this embodiment may be configured to have a warning unit 110 that warns the user when an incompatible tank 11 is connected. If an incorrect connection is made by the user, the warning unit can notify the user of the incorrect operation by turning on a light or vibrating. Note that the notification is not limited to the warning unit 110, and may be notified to the user via the operation unit 4 of the recording device 1 or by voice.

[0062] Although the barcode 301a and the sensor 205a are each described as having an identification shape, for example, an electrically conductive terminal may be used as the identification shape, and the presence or absence of conductivity in the identification shape 205 that comes into contact with the identification shape 301 may be used to control whether or not ink is suctioned.

[0063] Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the basic configuration of the present invention is not limited to those described above.

[0064] For example, the identification shape in the first embodiment may be a shape other than a recess or a protrusion. Also, as a modified example of the second embodiment, for a tank 11 that the sensor 205a has determined to be unable to suck or supply ink, the storage chamber 104 may be connected to the atmosphere, thereby making it impossible to suck ink even if the suction unit 101 is activated.

[0065] The disclosure of the above-described embodiment includes the following configurations.

[0066] (Configuration 1) An ink container connected to a tank of a recording device that records using a recording head, comprising: a storage chamber for storing ink; a second identification shape that engages with a first identification shape of the tank; an opening for allowing ink to flow in and out of the tank; and suction means for sucking ink from the tank into the storage chamber.

[0067] (Configuration 2) The ink container according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the first identification shape and the second identification shape engage when the ink container is capable of containing the same type of ink as the ink contained in the tank, and the first identification shape and the second identification shape do not engage when the ink container is capable of containing a type of ink different from the ink contained in the tank.

[0068] (Configuration 3) The ink container according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein when the first identification shape and the second identification shape are engaged with each other, the suction means can suck ink through the opening.

[0069] (Configuration 4) An ink container described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the tank has a liquid flow path that is inserted into the opening, and when the first identification shape and the second identification shape are engaged, the liquid flow path is inserted into the opening.

[0070] (Configuration 5) An ink container connected to a tank of a recording device that records using a recording head, comprising: a storage chamber for storing ink; a sensor capable of reading an identifier of the tank; an opening for allowing ink to flow in and out of the tank; and suction means for sucking ink from the tank into the storage chamber.

[0071] (Configuration 6) The ink container according to Configuration 5, wherein when the sensor determines that the ink container can contain the same type of ink as the ink contained in the tank, the suction means is permitted to suck the ink.

[0072] (Configuration 7) The ink container according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the suction means is a syringe type having a suction operation portion.

[0073] (Configuration 8) The ink container according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the suction means is a pump.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention.

[0075] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-103973, filed on June 27, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0076] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Recording device 3 Recording head 11 Tank 100 Suction supply device 101 Suction means 205 Identification shape 207 Opening

Claims

1. An ink container connected to a tank of a recording device that records using a recording head, comprising: a storage chamber for storing ink; a second identification shape that engages with a first identification shape of the tank; an opening for allowing ink to flow in and out of the tank; and suction means for sucking ink from the tank into the storage chamber.

2. An ink container as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first identification shape and the second identification shape engage when the container is capable of containing the same type of ink as the ink contained in the tank, and the first identification shape and the second identification shape do not engage when the container is capable of containing a type of ink different from the ink contained in the tank.

3. The ink container according to claim 2, wherein when the first identification pattern and the second identification pattern are engaged, the suction means can suck ink through the opening.

4. An ink container as described in claim 2, characterized in that the tank has a liquid flow path that is inserted into the opening, and when the first identification shape and the second identification shape are engaged, the liquid flow path is inserted into the opening.

5. An ink container connected to a tank of a recording device that records using a recording head, comprising: a storage chamber for storing ink; a sensor that can read an identifier of the tank; an opening for allowing ink to flow in and out of the tank; and suction means for sucking ink from the tank into the storage chamber.

6. An ink container according to claim 5, wherein when the sensor detects that the same type of ink as that contained in the tank can be contained, the suction means is permitted to suck ink.

7. An ink container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the suction means is a syringe type having a suction operating portion.

8. An ink container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the suction means is a pump.

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