Ink-jet recording device ink filling method and ink supply method
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorSeiji Mochizuki
Life of this patent
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Abstract
To provide an ink-jet recording device provided with a subtank having a simple structure independent of the degree of flexibility of an ink reservoir. A subtank comprising a flexible ink bag provided with an ink inlet on one side and an ink outlet on the other side is connected on the passage connecting the ink reservoir and a recording head. As a result, equal performance to a case in which ink is supplied to a recording head with a flexible ink bag with small capacity is achieved.
Claims22
An ink-jet recording device comprising:
- a recording head for jetting an ink droplet corresponding to a printing signal mounted on a carriage, wherein ink is supplied from an ink reservoir to said recording head via an ink supply tube;
- a subtank disposed between said reservoir and said recording head;
- and
- a stop valve disposed between said subtank and said reservoir for continuously supplying ink from said subtank to said recording head while said reservoir is replaced, wherein said subtank comprises a flexible ink bag having an ink inlet and an ink outlet connected to a passage connecting said ink reservoir and said recording head.
An ink filling method of an ink-jet recording device in which a recording head for jetting an ink droplet corresponding to a printing signal is mounted on a carriage, a subtank comprising a flexible ink bag provided with an ink inlet and an ink outlet side connected to a passage connecting an ink reservoir and said recording head and a stop valve connected between said subtank and said ink reservoir, comprising the steps of:
- closing said stop valve, applying negative pressure to said recording head and pressing said subtank with atmospheric pressure;
- and
- opening said stop valve so that ink flows into said subtank.
An ink supply method of an ink-jet recording device in which a recording head for jetting an ink droplet corresponding to a printing signal is mounted on a carriage, a subtank comprising a flexible ink bag provided with an ink inlet and an ink outlet connected to a passage connecting an ink reservoir and said recording head and a stop valve connected between said subtank and said ink reservoir, comprising the steps of:
- closing said stop valve and replacing said ink reservoir when a quantity of ink in said ink reservoir decreases below a predetermined level;
- and
- continuing to supply ink from said subtank to said recording head while said ink reservoir is being replaced.
An ink-jet recording device comprising:
- an ink jet recording head for jetting an ink droplets onto a recording medium;
- an ink reservoir for supplying to said ink jet recording head;
- a subtank connected to said reservoir and said ink jet recording head for supplying ink to said ink jet recording head, wherein said subtank comprises a flexible ink bag;
- and
- a stop valve disposed between said subtank and said reservoir for continuously supplying ink from said subtank to said recording head while said reservoir is replaced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.