Abstract: Provided is a liquid supply device that includes a liquid storage portion that stores liquid containing sedimenting components which are sedimented in solvent, a liquid supply path that extends from the liquid storage portion to a liquid ejecting portion and through which the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting portion can flow, a liquid flowing portion that is operated to cause the liquid to flow through at least part of the liquid supply path, a temperature detection portion that can detect the temperature of at least part of the liquid in the liquid supply path, and an operation control portion that controls an operation of the liquid flowing portion in correspondence with a detected temperature of the liquid, which is detected by the temperature detection portion, such that a flow condition of the liquid in the liquid supply path changes.

Abstract: Fluid flux correction is disclosed. An example method of fluid flux correction includes displacing a fluid volume in a fluid reservoir with a compliant element. The method also includes absorbing fluid surges caused by variations in fluid flux to reduce distortion of at least one ink nozzle meniscus and maintain consistent fluid ejection.

Abstract: A liquid container and an apparatus in which the liquid container is mountable are provided, the liquid container and the apparatus enabling the presence or absence of remaining liquid to be checked without the need for a power source and even after the liquid container is removed. The pressure in a communication path is maintained while ink in a containing section is not supplied to the exterior. Thus, the displacement state of a detection valve which is displaced depending on the pressure in the communication path can be maintained even after removal of an ink tank.

Abstract: A liquid storage container (12, 112, 312, 412) is configured to store a liquid suspension (14) having a liquid vehicle (18) and suspended particles (16). The liquid storage container (12, 112, 312, 412) includes vertically stacked stories (30) and at least one shaft (32) interconnecting the stories (30).

Abstract: A determiner determines whether a total ink amount in an ink circulation passage calculated by an ink amount calculator is less than an ink circulation necessary amount being an amount necessary for circulation of ink in the ink circulation passage, when a liquid level detector detects that a liquid level of the ink in an ink tank is lower than a liquid level corresponding to an ink circulation standard amount being a standard for ink circulation. A controller performs ink supply amount control to supply the ink from an ink bottle to the ink tank in such an amount that the total ink amount is kept below the ink circulation standard amount, when the determiner determines that the total ink amount is less than the ink circulation necessary amount.

Abstract: An ink jet printer subassembly comprises an ink flow channel that includes an oleophobic membrane configured to contain ink in the ink flow channel while allowing air to vent out of the ink flow channel through the oleophobic membrane.

Abstract: A liquid storage container includes a liquid storage section configured to store a liquid, a liquid injection section configured to inject the liquid into the liquid storage section, a liquid injection port defined as an intersection at which the liquid injection section and the liquid storage section intersect each other, an air chamber communicated with air, an air introduction path communicated to the air chamber and configured to introduce the air to the air chamber, a communicating passage through which the liquid storage section and the air chamber are communicated to each other, a first connecting port, which is a connecting port between the air introduction path and the air chamber, being located below a position that is lowered by a first distance from an upper end of the air chamber and located above a position that is raised by a second distance from a lower end of the air chamber in a posture where a liquid injection port is oriented upward in the intersecting direction, and a second connecting po

Abstract: A liquid storage container includes a liquid storage section configured to store a liquid, a liquid injection section connected to the liquid storage section and configured to inject the liquid into the liquid storage section, a liquid injection port defined as an intersection at which the liquid injection section and the liquid storage section intersect each other, an air chamber communicated with air, an air introduction section communicated to the air chamber and configured to introduce the air to the air chamber, a communicating passage through which the liquid storage section and the air chamber are communicated to each other, and a collection section configured to collect the liquid and provided in a route of the communicating passage, the route being configured to send the air from the air chamber toward the liquid storage section and being a portion through which the air goes downward from above of the route in a posture where the liquid injection port is oriented upward in a direction intersecting wi

Abstract: The present invention enables a suitable ink filling state of an ink tank to be achieved by setting ink filling conditions taking prevention of ink leakage during unsealing of an ink supply port into account. An ink tank includes a first storage chamber formed in the ink tank to store an ink absorber, and a second storage chamber also formed in the ink tank to substantially form a closed space except for a communication section communicating with the first storage chamber. After the pressure in the ink tank is reduced to a target pressure through an atmospheric communicating port, the ink tank is internally filled, through an ink supply port, with a target filling amount of ink associated with the target pressure.

Abstract: An adaptor includes an adaptor main body capable of being mounted with respect to a liquid accommodation body mounting portion of a printer to which an ink cartridge configured to accommodate ink is mounted in an attachable or detachable manner; a memory cell MC that is updated by a control portion of the printer, and maintains information about whether or not the printing operation is possible in the printer; an electrical terminal that is used in communication between the memory cell and the printer; and an operation button that outputs an update signal that updates information about whether or not the printing operation is possible to information permitting the printing operation of the printer with respect to the memory cell, when the information about whether or not the printing operation is possible maintained in the memory cell does not permit the printing operation of the printer.

Abstract: A printer driver that controls operations of an ink jet printer which is capable of being refilled with ink from the outside, causes a computer to execute an acquiring function of acquiring attribute information on a destination country or region where the ink jet printer is to be used, an input function of allowing an ink ID number which is assigned to the ink that is to be refilled to be entered, an ink determining function of determining whether the ink is genuine or not by analyzing the ink ID number which has been entered, a selection/execution function of selecting one of a plurality of processes for a non-genuine ink on the basis of the attribute information, if the ink is determined to be not genuine and executing the selected process.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a socket portion provided at one end of an ink storage container and configured to be fitted to and detached from a joint portion of a printing machine, an ink supply port provided in the socket portion, and an inner plug configured to seal an ink passage to the ink supply port in response to biasing force applied from a side of the ink storage container. An insertion shaft, provided in the joint portion, pressing the inner plug against the biasing force upon a fitting of the socket portion to the joint portion enables the ink passage to communicate with the ink supply port. An ink holding portion of the inner plug with the insertion shaft pulled out from the ink holding portion after inserted holds the ink near the ink supply port.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising a liquid ejection head unit having nozzles for ejecting a liquid onto a medium; a liquid storage unit to store the liquid; a first supply passage that communicates with the liquid ejection head unit and the liquid storage unit; a second supply passage that communicates with the liquid ejection head unit, the liquid storage unit, and the first supply passage in the liquid ejection head unit; a valve in the first supply passage; and a liquid driving unit in the second supply passage that moves the liquid in the liquid ejection head unit and the supply passages when driven. The liquid is moved toward the liquid ejection head unit in the second supply passage by the liquid driving unit in a state in which the valve restricts the flow of the liquid such that the liquid is discharged from the nozzles.

Abstract: According to embodiments, an inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink tank which contains ink, a printing head which is connected to the ink tank through an ink channel and ejects the ink from a nozzle surface, and a channel member which is provided in the ink channel and has a clearance gap that connects the ink channel to the outside. The channel member is provided in a part of the ink channel, which has a positive pressure with respect to the atmospheric pressure at least during a period in which the printing head is capable of printing.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording head includes a recording head and pressure damper assembly module including a recording head part at a lower position having nozzle holes on an under surface and an ink passage communicating with the nozzle holes, and a pressure damper part higher than the recording head part having an ink containing chamber inside. The ink-jet recording head further includes first flexible tube supplying ink in the ink containing chamber to the ink passage and connecting an ink discharge part communicating with the ink containing chamber and an ink supply part at one end side in the recording head part communicating with one end of the ink passage; and a second flexible tube connected with another end side in the recording head part and communicating with another end of the ink passage. At least the inside of the first flexible tube is filled with the ink.

Abstract: An ink supply device for an inkjet recording apparatus including a back pressure tank 21, a distribution tank 12, a plurality of ink opening/closing electromagnetic valves 13, and a plurality of recording heads 14, in which the distribution tank 12 is connected to the back pressure tank 21 via an ink supply path 24, the plurality of ink opening/closing electromagnetic valves 13 is directly attached to the distribution tank 12 while being connected to the plurality of recording heads 14 via a distribution supply pipe 15 and the distribution tank 12 contains a humidification heater 71 for humidifying ink and a temperature sensor 72.

Abstract: An ink cartridge adopts a construction in which an air seal and an ink seal are arranged on the cartridge side and in which sealing between the ink cartridge and the recording apparatus is performed with a radial seal.

Abstract: A first-tank mount section is configured so that a first tank storing liquid is mounted thereon. Liquid is supplied to a second tank from the first tank mounted on the first-tank mount section. Liquid stored in the second tank is supplied to a liquid ejecting head having an ejection surface. A supporting section is disposed in confrontation with the ejection surface and supports a recording medium. A first casing holds the liquid ejecting head and the second tank. A second casing holds the first-tank mount section and the supporting section. The first casing is coupled to the second casing such that the first casing is movable relative to the second casing. The first casing takes a first position at which the ejection surface confronts the supporting section and a second position at which the ejection surface is farther spaced away from the supporting section than at the first position.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection head capable of suppressing the capture of bubbles into the liquid ejection head including ejection ports having different opening areas so as to satisfactorily fill a liquid channel and the ejection ports with liquid. In order to achieve the object, the liquid ejection head according to the present invention includes a liquid supply port communicating with a plurality of kinds of ejection ports, and further, a defoaming opening communicating with another ejection port except an ejection port having a large opening area out of the plurality of kinds of ejection ports via a defoaming channel.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a printer body having a case. An ink nozzle is in the interior of the printer body. An opening and closing member is movably affixed to an upper side of the printer body and is configured to open and close. An external tank is located exterior to the printer body. A tube, a portion of which is exterior to the printer body, provides a liquid from the external tank to the ink nozzle. One or both of the printer body and the opening and closing member are configured to define a tube insertion part, which has a cutout portion or a finger engage portion. The tube extends into the printer body through the cutout portion or the finger engage portion.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejection device including a head for ejecting a liquid, a liquid containing unit, a liquid filler, and a pressure adjusting unit, in which the liquid containing unit includes a sealed housing and a flexible member provided in the housing, the housing includes a first containing space communicating with the head and a second containing space partitioned from the first containing space through use of the flexible member, the first containing space contains the liquid, and the liquid filler is filled into the second containing space, the pressure adjusting unit communicates with the second containing space, and adjusts the pressure of the liquid filler filled into the second containing space so as to maintain a negative pressure with respect to the head.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a recording element substrate provided with elements formed on one surface of the substrate for generating energy for ejecting liquid as well as first and second supply ports each piercing between both surfaces of the substrate for supplying the liquid to the elements; and a support member provided with first and second liquid storage portions, first and second communication paths that respectively allow the first and the second supply ports to communicate with the first and second liquid storage portions, the support member supporting the other surface of the substrate. The length of the first communication path is longer than that of the second communication path. The horizontal cross-sectional area of the first communication path in a direction perpendicular to the liquid supply direction is larger than that of the second communication path.

Abstract: An ink supplying and collecting apparatus includes a case, ink cartridges detachably attached to the case, and a collecting container detachably attached to the case. The ink cartridges supply ink to a recording head of a printer via ink supply tubes. The collecting container collects ink drained from the recording head via an ink drain tube. The case is located outside of and is separate from the printer. Thus, the sizes and shapes of the ink cartridges and the collecting container can be freely designed.

Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid storing portion that stores liquid therein, a liquid path that is in fluid communication with the liquid storing portion, a sensor, and a memory. The sensor outputs a particular data corresponding to a particular value indicating that the liquid storing portion is in fluid communication with an exterior of the liquid cartridge, and a further data corresponding to a further value indicating that the liquid storing portion is not in fluid communication with the exterior of the liquid cartridge. The memory includes a first data corresponding to a first value and a second data corresponding to a second value. The first value and the second value are defined such that when the particular data and the further data are outputted, one half of a sum of the first value and the second value is between the particular value and the further value.

Abstract: There is provided an ink cartridge which is formed from an ink-filled ink pack and a hermetic outer shell case for housing the ink pack and which supplies ink to a recording head by means of application of air pressure to a space between the outer shell case and the ink pack. The outer shell case is formed by coupling an upper case and a lower case together. The ink-filled ink pack is housed in the lower case, and the upper case is laid on the lower case from above. The upper and lower cases are hermetically sealed by vibratory welding or heat welding, thus constituting the ink cartridge.

Abstract: A printer includes an ejection portion, a liquid supply portion, a support member, a discharge portion, a first flow path portion, and an engagement portion. The ejection portion includes an ejection surface including a plurality of ejection ports. The liquid supply portion is configured to supply the ejection portion with liquid supplied from a storage portion. The liquid supply portion extends in parallel with the ejection surface. The support member is substantially box-shaped and includes a bottom wall portion and a side wall portion. The discharge portion is provided on the support member and is connected to an outside of the support member without going through the ejection portion. The first flow path portion includes a hollow portion and connects the liquid supply portion and the discharge portion. The engagement portion includes a recessed portion and is configured to fix the first flow path portion to the support member.

Abstract: An active energy ray curing type composition contains (meth)acrylic acid ester; and polyether-modified polysiloxane, wherein (meth)acrylic acid ester comprises diethylene glycol dimethacrylate and alkoxy-modified (meth)acrylic acid ester.

Abstract: An ink ejection device includes a head section having a plurality of nozzles and ejecting a plurality of types of inks through the nozzles, and an ink supply section supplying the plurality of types of inks to the head section. The head section has a plurality of supply ports which are arranged in a scanning direction and to which the plurality of types of inks are supplied. The ink supply section includes a plurality of ink chambers which respectively contain the plurality of types of inks and are disposed to overlap one another in the up-down direction, a plurality of connection passages connecting the plurality of supply ports to the plurality of ink chambers containing the inks to be supplied to the supply ports, and a plurality of air discharge passages respectively connected to the plurality of ink chambers.

Abstract: An ink outlet is arranged to interconnect with a corresponding ink inlet device. A vent hole is formed next to the ink outlet. A vent hole barrier is arranged to be pushed open by the ink inlet device during interconnection.

Abstract: This invention is a manufacturing method of a liquid discharge head that includes a substrate having a plurality of discharge energy generating elements that generate energy that is utilized for discharging a liquid, and a discharge port forming member that constitutes a discharge port group including a plurality of discharge ports that discharge the liquid and flow paths that communicate with the discharge port group. The manufacturing method includes (1) disposing a photosensitive resin as material of the discharge port forming member on or above the substrate, and (2) forming an exposure pattern of the discharge port group using ultraviolet light in the photosensitive resin. In the aforementioned (2), the discharge port group is divided in a longitudinal direction and exposed, and the exposures are respectively performed so that regions in which there is a high degree of telecentricity face each other.

Abstract: A printer includes: a fluid ejecting head provided with multiple nozzles that eject ink; an ink supply tube that supplies the ink to the fluid ejecting head; and a pressure application mechanism that pressurizes the ink to swell from the nozzles by pressurizing the ink within the ink supply tube and then depressurizes the interior of the ink supply tube while the ink is swelling from the nozzles.

Abstract: A pressurizing/depressurizing method of a liquid ejecting apparatus which includes a print head which ejects liquid, and a supply unit which supplies the liquid to the print head, the method including depressurizing/pressure accumulating in which a depressurization buffer tank is depressurized, and a pressure is accumulated; pressurizing/pressure accumulating in which a pressurization buffer tank is pressurized, and a pressure is accumulated; depressurizing in which the liquid is depressurized so that a pressure is lower than an atmospheric pressure in the supply unit using the depressurization buffer tank; and pressurizing in which the liquid is pressurized so that the pressure is higher than the atmospheric pressure in the supply unit using the pressurization buffer tank.

Abstract: In a liquid containing vessel that is inserted in a ?Y axis direction with regard to a mounting section, a substrate support member includes a first engaging section configured to engage with the liquid containing vessel, and a second engaging section configured to engage with a supply side adhering section. The first engaging section includes a position determining section that determines position of the substrate support member with regard to the liquid containing vessel in Z axis directions due to contacting with regard to the liquid containing vessel from a +Z axis direction. The position determining section is configured to regulate movement of the liquid supply member in a ?Z axis direction through the supply side adhering section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an ink jet head, having a pressure chamber, a flow path and a nozzle, which ejects ink in the pressure chamber through the nozzle, a first tank connected to the flow path, a supply unit which supplies ink in the first tank to the pressure chamber through the flow path, a second tank connected to the flow path, a discharge unit which moves ink in the pressure chamber to the second tank through the flow path, and a control section which activates the supply unit and the discharge unit so that ink in the pressure chamber is discharged to the second tank by the discharge unit, ink in the first tank is charged to the pressure chamber by the supply unit and the liquid surface of ink supplied to the pressure chamber is projected from the nozzle.

Abstract: A method of refilling ink in an ink cartridge includes refilling the ink in the ink cartridge from a position at which a translucent part is provided in the ink cartridge, with the translucent part being used to optically detect an amount of the ink held in the ink cartridge.

Abstract: The invention provides provide an ink jet ink exhibiting such an excellent ejection property that when an ink containing a polymer capable of improving the scratch resistance of a recorded article is used, the deviation of the ink-droplet impact point on a recording medium is prevented. The ink jet ink contains a polymer and a surfactant, wherein the acid value of the polymer is from 100 mg KOH/g or more to 220 mg KOH/g or less, the weight-average molecular weight of the polymer is from 3,000 or more to 10,000 or less, and the surfactant has a structure represented by the following formula (1) wherein n is a numerical value of from 3 or more to 27 or less, and m is a numerical value of from 16 or more to 31 or less.

Abstract: A printer includes a recording unit and a scanner unit configured to open and close the top portion of the recording unit. The recording unit includes a flexible ink tube through which ink from an ink tank is supplied to the head unit, and a control unit that controls the head unit, according to a state of a press-down switch provided on the top portion of the recording unit, so as to perform recording on a medium when a pressed state of the switch is detected and not to perform the recording when an unpressed state of the switch is detected. The switch enters the pressed state when a gap that allows the ink tube to pass therethrough is formed between the recording unit and the scanner unit, the gap having a size that at least prevents an ink flow path in the ink tube from being blocked.

Abstract: A liquid supply device includes diaphragms, pressing members, a movement unit, a rotating shaft, and cams. In the liquid supply device, when the rotating shaft is rotated in a first direction, the cams are moved to arrange adjoining ones of the cams to have a phase difference around the rotating shaft, in which one of the cams selectively causes a corresponding one of the pressing members to regulate an increase in a volume of a corresponding one of the diaphragms. When the rotating shaft is rotated in a second direction, the cams are moved to arrange the cams in phase with one another when viewed from an axial direction of the rotating shaft, in which the cams simultaneously cause all the pressing members to regulate the increase in the volume of each of the diaphragms.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for an inkjet printer includes a bottom face and a front face; interfaces on the front face of the ink cartridge for connection to a cartridge receiving structure, the interfaces including an ink interface; a guide interface in the bottom face for guiding the cartridge along a straight line for connecting the interfaces; and a latch stop and a latch track disposed in the bottom face of the ink cartridge to guide and retain, respectively, a latch of the cartridge receiving structure. The latch track includes a locking track and an unlocking track to accommodate movement of the latch with respect to the latch stop, the locking track being at least partly separate from the unlocking track, the movement of the latch being along the locking track into a locked engagement position at insertion, and along the unlocking track into an unlocked position at ejection.

Abstract: A liquid circulation device includes a supply unit that forms a flow path supplying a liquid from a reservoir unit; a collection unit that forms a flow path collecting the liquid to the reservoir unit; and N number of the connection units provided respectively corresponding to N number of ejection units ejecting the liquid forming a flow path connecting the supply unit and the collection unit via the ejection units, wherein with regard to each of N number of the connection units, a connection order of the connection units with respect to the supply unit, which is counted from upstream in a flow direction of the liquid in the supply unit coincides with a connection order of the connection units with respect to the collection unit, which is counted from upstream in the flow direction of the liquid in the collection unit.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes an ink tank configured and arranged to retain sedimentary ink, a head configured and arranged to discharge the sedimentary ink, an ink tube configured and arranged to supply the sedimentary ink from the ink tank to the head, and a circulation pump configured and arranged to circulate the sedimentary ink in the ink tube. A connection section between the ink tube and a pipe of the circulation pump is provided at one of a horizontal section of the ink tube and an upper portion of a vertical section of the ink tube.

Abstract: A fluid storage container enables the easy removal of recovered fluid and reuse of the container without incurring the added costs of disassembly and replacing an absorbent material. In one exemplary embodiment, an ink cartridge 17 can have an ink storage unit 45 that stores waste ink, an ink inlet/outlet 55 disposed in a frame part 52 that can be the outside wall of the ink storage unit 45, an ink path 53 of which one end 53a communicates with the ink inlet/outlet 55 and the other end 53b is disposed opening into the ink storage unit, wall parts 54 that divide the ink storage unit 45 into an upper air chamber 61 and a lower fluid chamber 62 that communicate with each other through a communication path 58, and an outside air channel 87, of which one end 87a communicates with the air chamber 61 and the other end 87b enables communication with the outside at a position further from the air chamber 61 than the fluid chamber 62. Other embodiments of fluid storage containers are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a protective cap configured to be installed into a liquid cartridge installation section having a liquid supply tube in fluid connection with a recording head for jetting a liquid via a flexible tube. The protective cap includes: an chamber defined by a case in a liquid-tight manner; a liquid absorbing member filled in the chamber; a connecting portion having a connecting channel in communication with the chamber and configured to be connected with the liquid supply tube; and an atmosphere communication portion via which the chamber communicates an outside of the case.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a fluid ejection device includes a fluidic channel having first and second ends and a drop generator disposed within the channel. A fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the first and second ends of the channel, and an alternating-current electro-osmotic (ACEO) pump is disposed within the channel to generate net fluid flow from the reservoir at the first end, through the channel, and back to the reservoir at the second end.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a case and an ink nozzle in the interior of the case. An opening and closing member is movably affixed to an upper side of the case. The opening and closing member is configured to open and close. An external tank is located exterior to the case. A tube provides a liquid from the external tank to the ink nozzle. A portion of the tube extends into the case through a gap between the case and the opening and closing member in the closed position.

Abstract: A liquid circulation unit adapted to be provided in a liquid circulation apparatus to circulate a liquid, including, a first liquid storage unit to store the liquid, a sensor to detect a fluid level of the liquid stored in the first liquid storage unit, a liquid sending pump to send the liquid to an outside from the first liquid storage unit based on a detection result of the sensor, a pipe arrangement for deaeration to remove a dissolved gas in the liquid sent from the liquid sending pump, a filter to remove an impurity in the liquid sent from the liquid sending pump, a diaphragm valve which opens when the liquid is sent to the outside from the first liquid storage unit, and a cock valve which opens when the liquid is sent to the first liquid storage unit from the outside, wherein the liquid circulation unit is adapted to be provided so as to be detachable to or from the liquid circulation apparatus.

Abstract: An attachment is mountable on a carriage in place of a liquid container that contains liquid and that is mounted on the carriage having a liquid jet head for jetting liquid, so that the attachment can supply liquid introduced from outside to the liquid jet head. The attachment has a pressure control means provided in a flow passage which is formed in an attachment body and through which the liquid introduced from the outside is supplied to the liquid jet head.

Abstract: A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite (RD) from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.

Abstract: This invention provides a liquid container capable of reducing a residual liquid inside a refill container coupled thereto in liquid-refilling events and an inkjet recording apparatus having the liquid container. This liquid container is coupled with the refill liquid container for refilling it with a liquid. The liquid container has a coupling part for engagement with the refill container. The coupling part has a pipe unit, which is inserted into the refill container for allowing the liquid to flow into the pipe unit. A slit is provided at a leading end of the pipe unit.

Abstract: When ink remains in a space that communicates with an ink storage chamber so as to be set under reduced pressure together with the ink storage chamber, the pressure in the ink storage chamber can still be efficiently reduced to a target pressure level. A liquid spray device sprays liquid toward a pipe extended between a negative-pressure generation member storage chamber and a valve in order to cool down ink that is present inside the pipe.