Abstract: A service tank includes a container having an internal space, the container being provided with an inlet through which ink is introduced into the internal space and a plurality of supply ports through which the ink is supplied, a divider configured to divide the internal space into a plurality of compartments, and a detector configured to detect that the liquid surface of the ink is at an upper limit or a lower limit. The divider is attached between the inlet and a supply port located closest to the inlet. The divider includes a plate that prevents flow of the ink and air between adjacent compartments, an ink opening through which the ink flows between the adjacent compartments, and an air opening through which the air flows between the adjacent compartments. The plate, the ink opening, and the air opening are located in, below, and above the proper area, respectively.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer including a printing part that is provided with a plurality of printing heads and a distribution tank, a buffer tank, a heat exchanger, a manifold, a main flow pipe that successively connects the buffer tank, the heat exchanger and the manifold to one another, a sub-flow pipe that connects the manifold and the buffer tank with each other, a supply flow pipe for connecting the manifold and the printing part with each other, a collection flow pipe for connecting the printing part and the buffer tank with each other, and pumps respectively installed on the sub-flow pipe, the supply flow pipe and the collection flow pipe. The main flow pipe and the sub-flow pipe constitute a first circulation flow passage for circulating ink, and the main flow pipe, the supply flow pipe and the collection flow pipe constitute a second circulation flow passage for circulating the ink.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer 100, 101, 102 including a printing part 1 that is provided with a plurality of printing heads 10 and a distribution tank 11, a buffer tank 2, a heat exchanger 3, a manifold 4, a main flow pipe that successively connects the buffer tank 2, the heat exchanger 3 and the manifold 4 to one another, a sub-flow pipe that connects the manifold 4 and the buffer tank 2 with each other, a supply flow pipe for connecting the manifold 4 and the printing part 1 with each other, a collection flow pipe for connecting the printing part 1 and the buffer tank with each other, and pumps P respectively installed on the sub-flow pipe, the supply flow pipe and the collection flow pipe, wherein the main flow pipe and the sub-flow pipe constitute a first circulation flow passage for circulating ink, and the main flow pipe, the supply flow pipe and the collection flow pipe constitute a second circulation flow passage for circulating the ink.