Waste ink tank and inkjet printer

Abstract

The case 22 of a waste ink tank 13 has ribs 51, 52 that partition the space between a waste ink inlet 36 and an air vent 33. Air passages 65, 66 that connect the waste ink storage spaces S1, S2, S3 partitioned by the ribs are formed at the top ends of the ribs 51, 52. Waste ink permeates all of a sponge 21 through the space between the ribs 51, 52 and the bottom wall 24. Because a path for air to flow to the air vent 33 is constantly maintained inside the case 22 by the air passages 65, 66, air is discharged from the air vent 33 as waste ink is introduced to the case 22. The strength of the case can therefore be increased without interfering with introducing waste ink to the case and absorption of introduced waste ink by the sponge.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.