JP2005007855A - Liquid receptacle and printing device using the receptacle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to maintain the consistency of liquid taken out to a value close to the initial consistency even when contents of liquid to be stored such as pigments sediment with an elapse of time, and to enable the maintenance of the predetermined printing consistency by preventing consistency changes of the print material, even when a printing device is to be used over a long period of time. <P>SOLUTION: A tube 107 prolonged into liquid enclosure from a liquid ejection section prepared on the bottom of a liquid enclosure 200 is formed, and liquid indraft orifices 107a-107g which lead to the inside of the liquid enclosure are formed in many positions in vertical direction. Among the many liquid indraft orifices, the indraft resistance of the liquid indraft orifice 107a, which is positioned in a lower layer domain, is made larger than indraft resistance of other liquid indraft orifices. Or, the orifice size of the many liquid indraft orifices is designed so that the liquid indraft amount to the inside of the tube via each indraft orifice is equal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an exchangeable liquid storage container suitable for use in an ink jet recording apparatus and the like, and a recording apparatus using the container. Specifically, the liquid storage container stores a dispersion liquid such as a pigment, And a recording apparatus using the container.

  An ink jet recording system as a liquid discharge type recording apparatus is desired by causing ink droplets to fly through fine discharge ports provided in an ink jet head (recording head) as a recording means and landing the ink droplets on a recording medium. Recording. Liquids mainly using dyes have been used for inks used in ink jet recording. However, recorded matter recorded using a liquid that uses a dye cannot provide the performance required for applications that place importance on light resistance and weather resistance, such as printed matter posted outdoors, in light resistance and weather resistance. Liquids using pigments have been put into practical use. Since the pigment is not a dissolution system but a dispersion system, the ink (liquid) using the pigment causes sedimentation of the pigment particles in the ink tank as the liquid container.

  In the case of an outcarriage tank in which the ink tank is statically fixed (for example, a main tank used in a recording apparatus disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2002/109758), the use frequency of the ink jet recording apparatus It has been found that the pigment sedimentation phenomenon cannot be ignored depending on the use interval, the number of recorded sheets (number of printed sheets), and the like. In particular, in the case of an out-carriage tank, even if the user is frequently used, the ink capacity is often increased in order to reduce the replacement frequency of the ink tank as a liquid storage container. There was a concern that pigment precipitation would not occur.

  For example, when the ink tank is left for a long period of time while attached to the ink jet recording apparatus, the pigment particles gradually settle inside the ink tank. As a result, the concentration gradient of the pigment particles occurs from the bottom to the top inside the ink tank (liquid storage container), the pigment particle concentration is high and an excessively dark layer is formed at the bottom, and the pigment particle concentration at the top. Results in a low and excessively light colored layer. Then, when ink is supplied from an ink tank configured to draw out ink in the ink storage chamber from the bottom of the ink tank, first, ink is supplied from a layer having a high pigment particle concentration, resulting in an excessively dark printed matter, There is an inconvenience (technical problem) that a difference in density that can be visually observed in a recorded matter occurs in the early and late use of the ink tank. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in color printing in which an image is formed by color shading.

In order to solve such a technical problem, as disclosed in, for example, JP-A-2001-270131 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A-2001-293880 (Patent Document 2), ink supply to an ink tank is performed. A tubular pipe with a plurality of holes is provided in the ink tank from the mouth, and when sucking ink, not only from the portion near the ink supply port inside the ink tank, but many in the vertical direction in the ink tank Ink is sucked from the locations of the ink tanks, and the locations where the ink sucked from the numerous locations is temporarily retained, and the ink is supplied from the retained locations, thereby allowing the ink tank to remain in the ink tank for a long period of time. It is possible to reduce density unevenness in the ink in the vertical direction.
JP 2001-270131 A JP 2001-293880 A

  However, in each hole provided in the tubular pipe of the ink tank disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, no consideration is given to the relationship with the sedimentation characteristics of the pigment. The density and amount of ink flowing through each hole provided in the pipe are not controlled, and the ink density in the tubular pipe is different from the original ink density. The inconvenience that the density difference occurs has not been sufficiently solved.

  Further, as a means for eliminating color material sedimentation, there is a method in which a propeller-like stirring means and a driving means for rotating the propeller-like stirring means are provided inside the main tank, and the stirring means is periodically rotated at a predetermined speed. However, the stirring mechanism is very expensive. In addition, when a drive means (motor) is provided near the ink flow path, leaked ink may adhere to the power connector of the drive motor and cause a failure such as a short circuit, which may lead to smoke or fire. Conceivable.

  The present invention was devised to solve such a technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to store a liquid containing a content such as a pigment as a colorant, and the content is increased with time. Even when settling, the concentration of the liquid to be taken out can be maintained at a value close to the initial concentration, and even when used for a long time in a recording device or the like, the concentration of the recorded matter is prevented and the predetermined recording concentration is maintained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid container that can be used, and a recording apparatus that uses the container.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid storage container according to the present invention includes a liquid storage portion for storing a liquid, a connection portion for taking out a liquid provided at the bottom of the liquid storage portion, and the liquid storage portion side of the connection portion. A tube provided in the liquid storage portion so as to cover the opening of the liquid, and the tube is formed with a plurality of liquid inflow holes respectively communicating with the liquid storage portion at a plurality of vertical positions, Among the plurality of liquid inflow holes of the tube, the inflow resistance of the liquid inflow hole located in the lower layer region is larger than the inflow resistance of the other liquid inflow holes.

  In order to achieve the above object, another liquid storage container according to the present invention includes a liquid storage portion for storing a liquid, a connection portion for taking out a liquid provided at the bottom of the liquid storage portion, A tube provided in the liquid storage portion so as to cover the opening on the liquid storage portion side, and the tube has a plurality of liquid inflow holes respectively communicating with the liquid storage portion at a plurality of vertical positions. The diameters of the plurality of liquid inflow holes formed in the pipe are set so that the liquid inflow amounts from the inflow holes into the pipe are substantially equal.

  In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus of the present invention includes a liquid storage portion that stores a liquid, a connection portion for taking out a liquid provided at the bottom of the liquid storage portion, and a liquid storage portion side of the connection portion. A recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium using a liquid, comprising: a liquid storage container including a tube provided in the liquid storage portion so as to cover the opening; and a recording unit that discharges the liquid in the liquid storage container. The tube of the liquid storage container is formed with a plurality of liquid inflow holes respectively communicating with the liquid storage portion at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction, and among the plurality of liquid inflow holes of the tube, the lower layer on the bottom side The inflow resistance of the liquid inflow hole located in the region is larger than the inflow resistance of other liquid inflow holes.

  In order to achieve the above object, another recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid storage portion that stores a liquid, a connection portion for taking out a liquid provided at the bottom of the liquid storage portion, and a liquid in the connection portion. A liquid storage container including a tube provided in the liquid storage section so as to cover the opening on the storage section side, and a recording unit that discharges the liquid in the liquid storage container, and recording on a recording medium using the liquid In the recording apparatus, the pipe of the liquid storage container is formed with a plurality of liquid inflow holes respectively communicating with the liquid storage portion at a plurality of vertical positions, and the diameters of the plurality of liquid inflow holes of the pipe are The liquid inflow amount from each inflow hole to the pipe is set to be substantially equal.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, a liquid containing a content such as a pigment is stored as a colorant, and the concentration of the liquid to be taken out is a value close to the initial concentration even when the content settles over time. Provided are a liquid storage container that can maintain a predetermined recording density by preventing changes in the density of recorded matter even when used for a long period of time in a recording apparatus, etc., and a recording apparatus using the container Is done.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a recording apparatus in which the liquid container of the present invention can be mounted. In FIG. 1, an ink jet recording apparatus that records an image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium S such as recording paper has a recording head 1 serving as recording means for ejecting ink mounted on a carriage 2, and the recording medium S is transported by a transport roller. 3 is carried in the carrying direction A (sub-scanning direction), and the carriage 2 is reciprocated in a direction B (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. The recording medium S is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined pitch by the conveying roller 3, and the carriage 2 is moved in the main scanning direction while ejecting ink from the recording head 1 during every one-pitch conveyance of the recording medium S. One line is recorded. By repeatedly executing such recording for one line, recording on the entire recording medium S is performed.

  On the surface (ejection port surface) facing the recording medium S of the recording head 1, an ejection port array including a plurality of ejection ports arranged in series in the sub-scanning direction is formed. The number of ejection port arrays corresponding to the number of types of ink used is provided. In color recording and gradation recording, a desired image is formed by ejecting different inks for each ejection port array. One set of ink supply system is provided for each color ejection port array. The ink supply system includes a main tank (liquid storage container) 4 that stores ink and an ink supply unit 5 that holds the main tank (liquid storage container) 4. And an ink supply tube 6 that guides ink from the ink supply unit 5 to the recording head 1. The ink supply unit 5 supplies ink from the main tank (liquid storage container) 4 to the ink supply tube 6.

  In an ink jet recording apparatus, the ink in the ejection port (inside the nozzle) thickens due to the passage of time or recording operation, or bubbles may be generated in the ink, resulting in ejection failure such as non-ejection. In addition, a foreign matter such as ink droplets or paper dust may adhere to the discharge port surface due to a recording operation or the like, and the ink discharge may be distorted (the discharge direction is disturbed). Therefore, in order to maintain and recover the ink ejection performance to eliminate such inconvenience, the recovery unit 7 is disposed at a predetermined position outside the sheet passing range in the main scanning direction of the recording apparatus. In the configuration of FIG. 1, both the recovery unit 7 and the ink supply unit 2 are arranged at substantially the same position in the moving direction of the recording head 1. The recovery unit 7 includes, for example, a capping mechanism having a cap for covering the discharge port of the recording head 1, and a negative pressure is generated in the cap while the discharge port is sealed with the cap to suck ink from the discharge port. In addition, a suction recovery mechanism for introducing new ink and a wiping mechanism for wiping and cleaning foreign matter adhering to the discharge port surface are provided.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration (a) of the ink supply system when the first embodiment (embodiment 1) of the liquid storage container to which the present invention is applied is used as an ink tank of the ink jet recording apparatus, and the height from the bottom of the tank and the ink. It is a schematic diagram which shows the graph (b) of a relationship with a density | concentration (a pigment density | concentration, a content density | concentration). FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of a liquid storage container to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view for showing a schematic configuration of the liquid storage container of FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a detailed structure of the connection unit of the liquid storage container shown in FIGS. 6 shows the internal state (a) when the liquid level (ink liquid level) is sufficiently high in the liquid container shown in FIG. 2 and the liquid inflow holes of the ink stirring chamber (tube) when the liquid is supplied (ink supply). It is a schematic diagram which shows the ratio of the ink amount which passes by a graph (b).

  7 shows the internal state (a) of the liquid storage container when the ink is consumed from the state of FIG. 6 and the liquid level drops to about 50% from the initial stage, and the ink stirring chamber (pipe) when supplying ink. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the ratio of the amount of ink passing through each liquid inflow hole in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows that the ink level is further consumed from the state of FIG. 7 to about 20% from the initial stage. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a graph (b) showing the internal state (a) of the liquid container when lowered and the ratio of the amount of ink passing through each liquid inflow hole of the ink stirring chamber (tube) when ink is supplied.

  2 to 8, the liquid storage container 1000 to which the present invention is applied is mounted and used in a posture in which the connection ports 150 and 151 of the connection unit 100 are directed downward. Therefore, the connection ports 150 and 151 are used. The connection unit 100 side having the bottom is the bottom of the liquid storage container 1000. That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the liquid storage container 1000 is an ink tank of an ink jet recording apparatus, the mounting portion (FIG. 1) of the ink jet recording apparatus with the connection ports 150 and 151 on the lower side. The ink supply unit 5) is detachably mounted and used to supply ink to an ink jet head (recording head) as recording means of the ink jet recording apparatus.

  3 and 4, a liquid storage container 1000 includes a liquid storage part (ink storage part) 200 that stores liquid (ink), a connection unit 100 for taking out the liquid in the container body 200, and a liquid storage container. An information storage medium unit 300 for extracting various information about 1000 and a cap member 400 are provided. The liquid container 200 is a hollow container formed by blow molding a plastic material. The connection unit 100 has a plurality of connection portions for inserting the liquid supply hollow needle and the air introduction hollow needle. 3 to 5, the connection unit 100 is pressed and held in an airtight state via the seal member 101 with respect to the opening 201 formed in the liquid storage unit 200. The cap member 400 has an external threaded portion on the outer periphery of the opening 201 in order to press and hold the connection unit 100 in an airtight state via the seal member 101 with respect to the opening 201 formed in the liquid container (container main body) 200. Screwed (fastened). The information storage medium unit 300 is positioned and fixed to the side surface of the liquid storage unit 200 by ultrasonic welding or the like.

  Next, the connection unit 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The connection unit 100 includes a plurality of connection portions, a housing 102 having communication holes 153 and 154 formed at positions corresponding to the connection ports 150 and 151 leading to the connection portions, and a communication hole 153 in the housing 102. A pressing member 104 having two elastic members 103 made of a rubber-like elastic body mounted at a position corresponding to 154, communication holes 155 and 156 formed at positions corresponding to the connection ports 150 and 151, and a pressing member; 104, two absorbers 105 disposed on the outer side of the absorber 104, an absorber cover 106 attached to the outside of the absorber 105, and a plurality of holes (liquid inflow holes) 107a, 107b, 107c, 107d, 107e on the side of the cylinder. , 107f, 107g (see FIG. 6) and a tube (ink stirring chamber) 107 provided with a hole 107h in the cylinder ceiling.

  Thus, the liquid storage unit 200 having the opening 201, the connection unit for leading out (removing) the liquid from the liquid storage unit, and the connection unit for introducing air into the liquid storage unit are provided. There is provided a liquid storage container 1000 that includes a connection unit 100 that is held in a state where the member 103 is compressed, and is configured by combining the liquid storage unit 200 and the connection unit 100. The connection ports 150 and 151 are formed in the absorber cover 106. Further, the pressing member 104 is clamped by being fixed to the housing 102 by ultrasonic welding or locking claws (not shown). The elastic member 103 has a dome shape, and the elastic member 103 is compressed and fixed by the pressing member 104. That is, since each elastic member 103 is made of a dome-shaped rubber-like elastic material, the elastic member 103 is attached to each of the two concave portions of the housing 102 and is compressed and fixed by the pressing member 104. A compressive force in the radial direction is generated, and it is configured to be mounted in an airtight sealed state.

  Further, the two absorbers 105 disposed on the pressing member 104 are sandwiched (pinched) by the absorber cover 106. The absorber cover 106 is fixed to the pressing member 104 or the housing 102 by ultrasonic welding or locking claws (not shown). Furthermore, the ink stirring chamber 107 is also fixed to the housing 102 by ultrasonic welding, locking claws (not shown), fitting, or the like. Thus, the connection unit 100 is configured. As shown in FIG. 5, the connection unit 100 is configured such that the cap member 400 having an internal screw is inserted into the opening 201 of the liquid container (container body) 200 with the seal member 101 interposed therebetween. It is fixed in a sealed state by being screwed into the outer peripheral screw.

  When the liquid storage container 1000 is used, as shown in FIG. 5, the liquid (ink) supply needle 528 and the air introduction needle 529 are connected to the connection ports 150 and 151, the absorbers 105 and 105, and the communication holes 155 and 156. , Through the elastic members 103 and 103 and the communication holes 153 and 154 to communicate with the ink stirring chamber 107 and the inside of the container body 200, and the ink supply path and the air introduction path are connected via the connection unit 100, and a predetermined function (ink Supply etc.) is executed. That is, the connection unit 100 includes a plurality of connection portions that communicate with the plurality of connection ports 150 and 151. The liquid supply needle 528 is for leading out the liquid in the liquid container 200, and the air introduction needle 529 is for introducing air into the container body 200.

  In FIG. 5, the top surface of the cap 400 is open as shown in the figure, and therefore the connection ports 150 and 151 formed on the outer end surface (absorber cover 106) of the connection unit 100 are connected to the connection unit 100 by the cap 400. It is exposed even when fixed to. The cap 400 is configured to be screwed (fastened) by screw engagement with the opening 201 of the liquid container (container main body) 200, and the connection unit 100 is interposed between the opening 201 and the cap 400 on the inner diameter portion thereof. The engaging portion 401 is formed so as to be sandwiched between the two.

  The seal member 101 has a predetermined amount between the annular stepped portion 157 formed on the outer periphery of the housing 102 of the connection unit 100 and the opening 201 of the container body (liquid storage portion) 200 by screwing (fastening) the cap 400. And the inside of the ink tank 1000 is configured to be kept airtight from the outside air. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the housing 102 of the connection unit 100 is formed with an engagement surface (stepped portion) 157 that comes into contact with the distal end surface of the opening of the container body 200, and is formed on the outer periphery of the housing 102. The sealing member (annular sealing member) 101 is sandwiched with a predetermined compression force in the annular groove to be assembled in a surely sealed state.

  Next, the information storage medium unit 300 will be described. In FIG. 4, the information storage medium unit 300 includes an information storage medium holder 301, an information storage medium 302 positioned and fixed by a double-sided tape 303 on the inner surface of the recess of the information storage medium holder 301, and an outer surface of the information storage medium holder 301. And a comb-shaped ID portion (mechanical identification portion) composed of a plurality of protrusions 304 protruding from the surface.

  First, the information storage medium 302 will be described. This information storage medium 302 can exchange information with the ink jet recording apparatus in a state where the ink tank (liquid storage container) 1000 is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus. Information exchanged between the information storage medium 302 and the ink jet recording apparatus is, for example, information related to the expiration date of ink, the amount of ink in the ink tank 1000, the color of ink, and the like. By extracting such information from the control unit of the ink jet recording apparatus, it is possible to issue an expiration date or ink out alarm and prompt the user to replace the ink tank. This prevents the recorded image from being affected by discoloration or thickening of the ink, performs a recording operation when the ink is empty, or misinstalls an ink tank that holds ink of a different color. Thus, it is possible to perform processing such as performing a recording operation to prevent the occurrence of a recording failure. By doing so, it is possible to always perform a good recording operation and to obtain a high-quality image output.

  As the information storage medium 302, any medium such as a flash memory or a write-at-once magnetic medium may be used as long as identification information can be obtained by various information acquisition means such as magnetism, magneto-optical, electricity, and mechanical. May be. In the ink tank 1000 of this embodiment, in addition to holding ink tank identification information and writing information from the recording apparatus main body side, it is possible to add storage information from the recording apparatus main body side, or change or delete storage information. As such a medium, an EEPROM capable of electrical writing / erasing is used. This EEPROM is mounted on a printed circuit board having a contact portion that is electrically connected to an electrical signal connector provided on the recording apparatus main body side, and these constitute an integrated information storage medium 302.

  Next, the aforementioned comb-like protrusion 304 is used as an ID for preventing erroneous mounting of the ink tank. Predetermined parts such as each ink color or each type of recording apparatus are cut out, and protrusions are provided at corresponding positions on the main body side corresponding to the cut out parts of the ink tank, so that the correct ink Only the tank (model, color, etc.) can be installed. In addition to preventing erroneous mounting by the information storage medium described above, erroneous mounting is prevented by a mechanical configuration.

  Next, an example of an ink supply system (recording liquid supply system) of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the liquid storage container (ink tank) 1000 of this embodiment is connected will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2A, the liquid container 1000 is connected to an ink jet head (recording head) 524 as a recording means via the connection unit 100, and recording is performed by ejecting ink from the ink jet head to a recording medium. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of a recording liquid supply system configured as described above. A recording head (inkjet head) 524 serving as a recording unit is an inkjet recording unit that ejects ink using thermal energy, and includes an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy. The recording means (recording head) 524 causes film boiling in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer, and uses the pressure change due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles generated at that time to eject ink from the ejection port. Is discharged and recording is performed.

  In FIG. 2A, the recording head (inkjet head) 524 is fluidly connected to the ink tank 1000 via the ink supply pipe 526. The tip of the ink supply pipe 526 on the ink tank 1000 side is connected to the buffer chamber 530 of the ink supply unit 525. The ink supply unit 525 is provided with a hollow ink supply needle (ink outlet needle) 528 and an air introduction needle 529 that communicate with the buffer chamber 530. The ink supply needle 528 for leading the liquid (ink) from the liquid storage unit (ink storage unit) 200 passes through the elastic member 103 arranged corresponding to the first fluid connection port 150 of the ink tank 1000 and passes through the ink storage unit. It extends into the (container body) 200, and the ink in the liquid container (container body) 200 can be taken out and supplied (derived) through a needle hole opened near the tip. At that time, since the elastic member 103 is compressed and fixed as described above, by pressing the outer periphery of the penetrating ink supply needle 528, the air tightness around the ink supply needle 528 is maintained, and ink leakage occurs. Is preventing.

  The ink supply unit 525 is provided with an air introduction needle 529 communicating with the buffer chamber 530. The air introduction needle 529 is similar to the ink supply needle 528 described above, and the second fluid in the ink tank 1000 is provided. Air (atmospheric pressure) can be introduced into the ink containing part 200 through the needle hole that extends through the elastic member 103 corresponding to the connection port 151 and extends in the vicinity of the tip. It has become. At this time, since the elastic member 103 is compressed and fixed as described above, the air tightness around the air introduction needle 529 is maintained by pressing the outer periphery of the air introduction needle 529 that has penetrated.

  The buffer chamber 530 is provided with a buffer chamber air communication portion 527 that communicates from the upper portion to the outside of the ink supply unit 525. The air introduction needle 529 extends to the middle in the height direction of the buffer chamber 530, and the ink lead-out needle (ink supply needle) 528 extends below the air introduction needle 529. In the steady state, the buffer chamber 530 is filled with ink up to the position of the lower end of the air introduction needle 529, and a buffer space is formed above.

  Next, referring to FIG. 2A showing an ink supply system in the ink jet recording apparatus, ink is used when the liquid storage container 1000 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. The ink lead-out operation (ink supply operation) when taking out will be described. A detailed description of the portion directly related to the ink derivation operation and the characteristic configuration of the present invention will be given later.

  In FIG. 2A, the ink jet head 524 performs recording on a recording medium (such as paper) by discharging ink from the discharge port formed on the surface of the ink discharge port. Then, the ink is supplied from the ink tank 1000 to the inkjet head 524 via the ink supply pipe 526 so as to supplement the discharged ink. An ink supply unit 525 is provided in an ink supply pipe (which may be midway) connecting the connection unit 100 and the recording head 524. When the ink in the ink storage unit 200 decreases as the ink is supplied, the pressure in the ink storage unit 200 decreases. Then, air introduced into the buffer chamber 530 from the buffer chamber air communication portion 527 provided in the ink supply unit 525 is introduced into the ink storage chamber through the air introduction needle 529.

  Here, in the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink supplied to the ink jet head 524 needs to be held in a predetermined negative pressure state. In the case of the ink supply system of the present embodiment, the lower end opening of the air introduction needle 529 for introducing air into the tank main body (container main body) 200 is positioned below the discharge port surface (surface on which the discharge port is formed) of the inkjet head 524. The height difference (water head difference h) between the lower end opening of the air introduction needle 529 and the discharge port surface (water head difference h) always acts on the discharge port of the inkjet head 524 as a negative pressure. That is, a substantially constant negative pressure always acts on the ejection port of the inkjet head 524 regardless of the height of the ink level in the ink tank 1000.

  Next, the case where the air in the liquid container 200 expands and contracts due to environmental changes such as temperature and atmospheric pressure will be described with reference to FIG. When the air in the liquid storage unit 200 expands, the liquid (ink) is pushed out into the buffer chamber 530 through the air introduction pipe (needle) 529. The buffer chamber 530 can be used even if an assumed environmental change occurs. And a sufficient volume so that the ink does not overflow from the buffer chamber. In addition, even if some ink overflows, this ink is absorbed by a waste ink absorber (not shown) provided at the tip of the buffer chamber air communication portion 527, and other portions in the recording apparatus are inked. It won't get dirty. On the other hand, when the air in the liquid container 200 contracts, air (outside air) is introduced into the ink tank 1000 through the hollow air introduction needle 529 and the tube (stirring chamber) 107.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration for introducing air from the air introduction needle 529 has been shown as a configuration for compensating for the pressure drop in the ink container 200 accompanying the supply of ink to the inkjet head 524. A system for supplying liquid under a constant pressure condition is connected to the second connection port (air introduction connection port) 151 of the unit 100 so that ink (liquid) is supplied to compensate for the pressure drop. Also good. In this case, the liquid (ink) may be the same type of liquid as the liquid (ink) stored in the ink storage unit (container body) 200 in particular.

  Therefore, in the liquid storage container 1000 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied, a liquid storage portion 200 that stores a liquid such as ink, and a connection portion (connection for connection) (connection) provided at the bottom of the liquid storage portion And a stirring chamber 107 formed of a tube provided in the liquid storage portion so as to cover the opening on the liquid storage portion side of the connection portion, and the stirring chamber has a vertical direction. A plurality of liquid inflow holes 107a to 107g that respectively communicate with the liquid storage portion are formed at a plurality of positions, and the contents of the liquid in the liquid storage portion as time elapses among the plurality of liquid inflow holes of the stirring chamber When the liquid settles, the inflow resistance of the liquid inflow hole 107a located in the lower layer region on the bottom side where the concentration of the content becomes higher than the initial concentration is larger than the inflow resistance of the other liquid inflow holes 107b to 107g. It is configured.

  2 and 5 to 8, the characteristic configuration of the liquid storage container 1000 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied and the pigment (pigment particles) as the liquid contents are settled. The effect of the case will be described. The ink tank 1000 as a liquid storage container is left for a long period of time while being mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus, and the pigment particles as the liquid contents settle in the ink tank 1000. FIG. 2B shows a pigment particle concentration profile that gradually changes according to the distance in the vertical direction from the bottom surface of the liquid container 200. Ink in which sedimentation occurs, there is ink in which the pigment particle concentration gradually changes according to the distance in the vertical direction from the bottom surface as shown by curve B in FIG. 2B. A considerable effect can be expected even in a profile like curve B.

  However, depending on the particle size of the settled particles in the ink, the distribution of the particle size, and the ink components, the concentration of the pigment particles in the direction from the bottom to the top inside the ink tank as indicated by the curve A in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and FIG. 6, a lower layer 603 having a high pigment particle concentration (hereinafter also referred to as a pigment high concentration layer 603) is formed on the bottom side, as shown in FIGS. Is an upper layer 601 having a low pigment particle concentration (hereinafter also referred to as a pigment low concentration layer 601), and an intermediate layer 602 (hereinafter also referred to as a pigment intermediate concentration layer 602) that maintains the initial pigment particle concentration in the middle. In this embodiment, the maximum effect can be achieved with ink as shown by curve A in FIG. 2B. Therefore, in the following, an ink having a profile as shown by a curve A in FIG.

  2 (a) and 6 (a) show the height of each pigment sedimentation layer 601, 602, 603 in the ink tank and the tube (ink stirring) when the amount of ink in the ink tank 1000 is almost full. The relationship between the height of each of the plurality of liquid inflow holes 107a, 107b, 107c, 107d, 107e, 107f, and 107g provided in the chamber 107 is shown. Of the plurality of liquid inflow holes 107a to 107g, the pigment high concentration layer 603 is provided with a liquid inflow hole 107a. Further, liquid inflow holes 107b, 107c, 107d, 107e, and 107f are provided in the pigment medium concentration layer 602, and the liquid inflow holes 107g are provided in the pigment low concentration layer 601.

  FIG. 6B shows the ratio of the amount of ink passing through each of the plurality of holes 107a to 107g of the ink stirring chamber 107 when ink is supplied to the inkjet head 524 in the state of FIG. ing. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), ink is supplied to the outside through the ink supply pipe 526 (to the inkjet head 524, etc.) by printing, suction by a pump, etc. with the pigment settling, and at the same time the pigment height Ink from each layer (not the ink of a specific layer) of the density layer 603, the pigment low density layer 601, and the pigment medium density layer 602 is introduced into the stirring chamber 107 through the respective liquid inflow holes 107a to 107g. Temporary residence and mixing occurs in the chamber 107.

  In this embodiment, the inflow amount of liquid (ink) is increased by increasing the inflow resistance (flow resistance) value only in the liquid inflow hole 107a located in the lower layer region where the pigment concentration (content concentration) is higher than the initial concentration. In order to suppress this, the diameter of the liquid inflow hole 107a is made smaller than the diameters of the other liquid inflow holes 107b to 107g. For example, the liquid inflow hole 107a is formed as a semicircular hole with R = 0.75 mm, and the liquid inflow holes 107b to 107g are formed as circular holes with a diameter of 2 mm. Here, FIG. 6 shows the amount of ink flowing into the ink stirring chamber (tube) 107 from each of the holes 107a to 107g when the ink is supplied to the printer main body.

  The inflow amount is as shown in FIG. 6B, and since ink is sucked from the ink supply needle 528, the inflow amount from the hole away from the ink supply needle 528 is reduced. Further, since the flow resistance (inflow resistance) of the hole 107a closest to the ink supply needle 528 is increased as described above, the amount of inflow from the hole 107a is small. Therefore, when ink is supplied, most of the total inflow amount into the ink stirring chamber 107 (90% in this embodiment) is supplied from the pigment concentration layer 602, and the pigment high concentration layer 603 and the pigment low concentration are supplied. Since the amount of inflow from the layer 601 is substantially equal, the ink with the initial pigment particle concentration can be supplied.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the ink is consumed from the state of FIG. 6 and the liquid level is lowered to the intermediate position. FIG. 7A shows the relationship between the heights of the pigment sedimentation layers 601, 602, and 603 in the ink tank and the heights of the holes 107 a to 107 g provided in the ink stirring chamber 107. The pigment high concentration layer 603 is provided with only the hole 107a among the plurality of holes 107a to 107g. Further, the holes 107b to 107c are located in the pigment medium concentration layer 602, and only the holes 107d are located in the pigment low concentration layer 601.

  FIG. 7B shows the ratio of the amount of ink that passes through each of the holes 107a to 107g when ink is supplied to the inkjet head 524 in the state of FIG. In this case, since the liquid level is below the hole 107e, ink is not supplied from the holes 107e to 107g. As described above, when the ink is consumed and the liquid level is reduced to 107 g or less, the amount of inflow from the pigment high-concentration layer 603 and the pigment low-concentration layer 601 increases compared to the state of FIG. However, since most of the ink that still flows (in this embodiment, 70% to 80%) flows from the pigment medium concentration layer 602 and the balance of the inflow from the pigment high concentration layer 603 and the pigment low concentration layer 601 does not change, It becomes possible to supply ink having an initial pigment particle concentration.

  FIG. 8 shows a state where the ink is further consumed from the state of FIG. 7 and the liquid level is lowered to 20% from the initial stage. FIG. 8A shows the relationship between the height of each pigment sedimentation layer in the ink tank and the height of each of the plurality of holes 107 a to 107 g provided in the ink stirring chamber (tube) 107. Among the plurality of holes 107a to 107g, the hole 107a is located in the pigment high-concentration layer 603, and the medium concentration layer 602 in the pigment is almost consumed so that it does not exist as a hole. Is in a state where the hole 107b is located. 8B shows the ratio of the amount of ink that passes through the holes 107a to 107g when ink is supplied in the state of FIG. 8A. In this case, since the liquid level is below the hole 107c, ink is not supplied from the higher holes 107d to 107g. When the liquid level is about 20% or less of the ink tank container as shown in FIG. 8, the ink in the pigment concentration layer 602 is almost used up by the process described in FIGS. By stirring the high pigment concentration layer 603 and the low pigment concentration layer 601 in the ink stirring chamber 107, it is possible to supply ink having an initial pigment concentration.

  Focusing on the fact that the pigment (liquid content) is separated into three sedimentation layers 601, 602, and 603 as in the embodiment described above, first, the ink that maintains the conventional pigment concentration (the pigment intermediate concentration layer 602). ), And finally, the layer 601 having a low pigment concentration and the layer 603 having a low pigment concentration are stirred and mixed, thereby preventing the occurrence of a concentration difference that can be visually observed on a recorded matter even when used for a long period of time. In addition, a liquid storage container 1000 that can supply ink of an initial pigment concentration to the printer body, that is, an ink tank that uses a pigment as a colorant and can prevent a change in density during recording is provided. It becomes possible to provide.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a second embodiment of the liquid storage container to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view for showing a schematic configuration of the liquid storage container of FIG. With reference to FIG.9 and FIG.10, another Example (2nd Example) of the liquid storage container to which this invention is applied is described. 9 and 10, the second embodiment of the liquid storage container 1000 to which the present invention is applied is also used with the connection ports 150 and 151 of the connection unit 100 facing downward, and is therefore used. The connection unit 100 side having the connection ports 150 and 151 is the bottom of the liquid storage container 1000. That is, when the liquid storage container 1000 is an ink tank of an ink jet recording apparatus, the liquid storage container 1000 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion of the ink jet recording apparatus with the connection ports 150 and 151 facing down, and the recording of the ink jet recording apparatus is performed. Used to supply ink to an inkjet head as a means.

  9 and 10, a liquid storage container 1000 includes a liquid storage unit (ink storage unit) 200 that stores liquid (ink), a connection unit 100 for taking out the liquid in the liquid storage unit 200, and a liquid storage container. An information storage medium unit 300 for extracting various information about 1000 and a guard member 420 are provided. In the present embodiment, the liquid container 200 is constituted by a flat hollow container formed by blow molding a plastic material. This is because, when a plurality of liquid storage containers (ink tanks) are mounted in a device such as a recording apparatus, the space of the device is reduced (downsized).

  The connection unit 100 includes a plurality of connection portions, a housing 102 having communication holes formed at positions corresponding to the connection ports 150 and 151 leading to the connection portions, and corresponding to the communication holes in the housing 102. Two elastic members 103 made of rubber-like elastic bodies mounted at positions, a pressing member 104 having a communication hole formed at a position corresponding to these elastic members 103, and two arranged on the pressing member 104 The absorber 105 and the absorber cover 106 attached to the outside of the absorber 105 are configured integrally. Also in the present embodiment, the connection ports 150 and 151 are formed in the absorber cover 106. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a tube (ink stirring chamber) 107 disposed inside the liquid storage unit 200 is provided so as to cover the opening inside the liquid storage unit 200 of the connection unit 100. .

  As in the case of the first embodiment, the ink stirring chamber 107 has a cylindrical shape and has a plurality of holes 107a, 107b, 107c, 107d, 107e, 107f, 107g and a hole 107h in the cylinder ceiling. The connection unit 100 is integrated with the connection unit 100. Thus, in the present embodiment, substantially the same as in the case of the liquid storage container 1000 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 200 having a connection part for leading out the liquid from 200 and a connection part for introducing air into the liquid storage part 200, the connection part 100 holding the elastic member 103 in a compressed state, An ink stirring chamber 107 that covers the opening inside the liquid storage unit 200 of the connection unit 100 is provided, and a liquid storage container 1000 configured by combining these is provided.

  Further, in the second embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, the pressing member 104 and the ink stirring chamber 107 are clamped by being fixed to the housing 102 by ultrasonic welding or locking claws (not shown). Yes. The elastic member 103 has a dome shape and is compressed and fixed in the housing 102 by the pressing member 104. Further, the two absorbers 105 disposed on the pressing member 104 are sandwiched (pinched) by the absorber cover 106. The absorber cover 106 is fixed to the pressing member 104 or the housing 102 by ultrasonic welding or locking claws (not shown). Thus, the integrated connection unit 100 is configured. The connection unit 100 is fixed to the liquid container 200 by ultrasonic welding the housing 102 to the joint surface of the opening 201.

  Furthermore, in the liquid storage container 1000 according to the second embodiment, after the connection unit 100 (including the ink stirring chamber 107) is fixed to the liquid storage unit 200, the guard member 420 is moved from above the connection unit 100 to the liquid storage unit. The bottom surface of 200 is latched by a resiliently deformable protruding hook portion and an engagement hole locked to the hook portion (so-called patching stop). Configured to protect. The guard member 420 is intended to protect the welded connection unit 100 and to protect and hold the information storage medium unit 300. In addition, at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the guard member 420, a mechanical ID is provided by a comb-like projection for preventing erroneous mounting of the liquid storage container 1000 for the same purpose as in the first embodiment. It has been.

  The liquid container 1000 according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. That is, the main points of the second embodiment that are different from the first embodiment are as follows. First, the liquid storage unit 200 is formed of a flat container as shown in the figure, and when a plurality of liquid storage containers (ink tanks) are attached to a device such as a recording apparatus, the space saving (miniaturization) of the device is achieved. ) Is possible. Second, the integrated connection unit 100 is fixed to the liquid container 200 by ultrasonic welding or the like, and members corresponding to the seal member 101 and the cap member 400 in the first embodiment described above may be omitted. It is possible to further simplify the structure and reduce the number of parts.

  Thirdly, in the second embodiment, the guard member 420 is latched to the bottom surface of the liquid storage unit 200 by an elastically deformable protruding hook portion and an engagement hole that is locked to the hook portion. This guard member 420 protects and holds the welded connection unit 100 and the information storage medium unit 300, and uses a comb-like protrusion for preventing erroneous mounting of the liquid storage container 1000. The mechanism ID is formed. Therefore, the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 can achieve the same effect as that of the first embodiment (first embodiment).

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the number of connection portions provided in the connection unit 100 is two has been described as an example, but the present invention provides three or more connection portions in the connection unit. The present invention can be similarly applied to the case, and similar effects can be obtained, and these are also within the scope of the present invention. Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a connection port in which the number of connection portions is one and ink supply and air introduction are alternately performed, and similar effects can be obtained, and these are also within the scope of the present invention. Belongs to. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the tube (ink stirring chamber) 107 is circular has been described as an example. However, the cross-sectional shape of the tube 107 may be oval, triangular, or other polygonal shape. Any shape can be adopted as necessary.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing an ink supply system of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing an experimental apparatus for confirming the effect of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a graph showing changes in ink density based on experimental results. First, the ink used in this embodiment will be described. As an ink suitable for the present embodiment, an aqueous ink in which a color material insoluble or hardly soluble in water is dispersed in an aqueous medium can be exemplified. The color material is a substance having a property of imparting color to an object, and a disperse dye, a metal salt dye, a pigment, or the like is used.

  Examples of the compound that disperses the coloring material in the aqueous medium include a dispersant, a surfactant, and a resin dispersant. Examples of the dispersant and the surfactant include anionic and nonionic types. Examples of the resin dispersant include styrene and derivatives, vinyl naphthalene and derivatives thereof, acrylic acid and derivatives thereof, and the like. These resin dispersants are alkali-soluble resins that are soluble in an aqueous solution in which a base is dissolved. It is desirable. Examples of the pigment include inorganic pigments such as ultramarine, titanium oxide, and tenal blue, and organic pigments such as diazo yellow, disazo orange, permanent carmine FB, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, and thioindigo violet. However, the present invention is not limited to these pigments.

  Next, the liquid discharge recording apparatus and the liquid storage container of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 11, the recording head 1 has a liquid connector insertion port 1a to which an ink supply tube 6 is airtightly connected and a sub tank 1b for storing a certain amount of ink. The ink supplied from the liquid connector insertion port 1a is sub tank 1b. Retained. The ink in the sub tank 1b is supplied to the discharge nozzle (discharge port) 1g through the filter 1c and the liquid chamber 1f in this order. A pressure adjustment chamber 1h is provided on the upper surface of the sub tank 1b, and the sub tank 1b and the pressure adjustment chamber 1h communicate with each other through an upper surface opening hole (hole) 1y. The flow path from the liquid connector insertion port 1a to the discharge nozzle 1g is kept airtight with respect to the atmosphere.

  The discharge nozzle 1g is a fine cylindrical hole having a nozzle hole diameter (inner diameter) of about 20 μm, and a heater (not shown) that selectively generates heat in response to a command from the CPU is provided inside the cylinder. When this heater is heated, the dissolved air of the ink in contact with the heater expands and foams, pushes out the ink in the discharge nozzle 1g, and the ink is discharged. After ejection, the ejection nozzle 1g is filled with ink by the capillary force of the ejection nozzle 1g. Usually, the ink ejection cycle is repeated at a high speed of 20 KHz or more, and fine image formation is performed at a high speed. Although the inside of the discharge nozzle 1g is maintained at a negative pressure, when the negative pressure is reduced to about atmospheric pressure, if dirt or ink droplets adhere to the tip of the discharge nozzle 1g, the ink meniscus in the discharge nozzle 1g collapses and the ink is lost. May leak.

  On the other hand, if the negative pressure is too strong, the force for pulling ink back into the ejection nozzle 1g becomes stronger than the ejection pressure, resulting in ejection failure. Therefore, the negative pressure in the discharge nozzle 1g is slightly lower than the atmospheric pressure and needs to be kept within a certain range. The range of the negative pressure varies depending on the discharge nozzle type, that is, the discharge nozzle shape, the heater performance, and the like. The range. In the experiment, the specific gravity of the ink was approximately equal to the specific gravity of water. The filter 1c is provided for the purpose of removing foreign matter that clogs the discharge nozzle 1g, and collects the foreign matter with a metal mesh of 10 μm or less smaller than the nozzle diameter of the discharge nozzle 1g.

  The area of the filter 1c is set sufficiently large so that the pressure loss of the ink is less than the allowable value. The pressure loss increases as the mesh of the filter 1c becomes finer and the ink flow rate increases, and conversely, it is inversely proportional to the area of the filter. The recent increase in speed, increase in the number of nozzles, and dot miniaturization in an ink jet recording apparatus tend to increase the pressure loss, and the size of the filter 1c increases to about 10 × 20 mm. The sub tank 1b is provided upstream and downstream of the filter 1c. A space for the liquid chamber 1f is required. Regarding ink permeation, the area where the filter 1c is immersed in the ink upstream of the filter 1c is the effective area of the filter. Therefore, in order to obtain a sufficiently large effective area, the filter 1c is disposed horizontally at the bottom of the sub tank 1b.

  When the ink penetrates the filter 1c, a fine meniscus is attached to each mesh, allowing the ink to pass through while preventing the air flow. The finer the mesh, the higher the meniscus strength and the more difficult it is to pass air. In the filter 1c of the present embodiment, air does not pass through the meniscus unless the pressure difference between before and after becomes about 0.1 atm (experimental value). As a result, when air is present in the liquid chamber 1f downstream of the filter 1c, the air cannot rise up to the sub tank 1b and remains in the liquid chamber 1f at a pressure of about the buoyancy of the air itself. Therefore, intrusion of air in the upstream direction is prevented. If air or bubbles in the ink enter the discharge nozzle 1g, ink is not replenished to the discharge nozzle 1g, resulting in discharge failure. Therefore, the discharge nozzle 1g is disposed downward at the bottom of the liquid chamber 1f that stores a certain amount or more of ink, and the upper surface of the discharge nozzle 1g is always immersed in the ink so that it is not exposed to the air.

  The pressure adjusting chamber 1h is a chamber whose volume is reduced as the negative pressure increases, and is constituted by an elastic member such as a rubber material. When a large amount of ink is ejected per unit time (hereinafter referred to as high duty), such as ejecting ink from 1 g of all ejection nozzles (all ejection ports), the ink passes through the ink supply unit 5 and the ink supply tube 6 from the main tank 4. In doing so, pressure loss occurs in the ink, and the pressure in the sub tank 1b decreases. As a result, the ink supply amount becomes insufficient with respect to the required amount of ink discharge, the negative pressure in the sub tank 1b rises, and the discharge is discharged when the negative pressure of the discharge nozzle 1g exceeds the limit value of −200 mmAq (about −0.020 atm). Becomes unstable.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in a printer that mounts the recording head 1 on the carriage 2 and performs reciprocal printing in the main scanning direction B, the carriage 2 is reversed after high duty printing, and therefore there is an ejection pause state. The pressure adjusting chamber 1h functions as a capacitor that reduces the negative pressure increase in the sub tank 1b by reducing the volume and restores the negative pressure to a normal value when the carriage 2 is reversed.

  Next, the ink supply unit 5 and the main tank 4 will be described. The main tank 4 as a liquid storage container includes a case 4 a as a rigid liquid storage portion provided with two rubber plugs 4 b and 4 c at the lower portion, and is detachable from the ink supply unit 5. The main tank 4 is a sealed container as a single unit, and contains the ink 9 as a liquid. The ink supply unit 5 is provided with a supply needle 5a and an atmosphere introduction needle 5b. When the main tank 4 is mounted, the supply needle 5a and the atmosphere introduction needle 5b penetrate the rubber plugs 4b and 4c to supply the inside of the main tank 4. The flow path of the needle 5a and the air introduction needle 5b is communicated. Inside the main tank 4, a supply needle 5a is inserted in the lower part, and a pipe 4d extending upward from the rubber stopper 4b is provided. A plurality of through holes 4e1 to 4e7 are formed around the pipe 4d, and the upper end of the pipe 4d is open. The pipe 4d will be described later.

  The ink supply unit 5 is provided with a flow path 5d communicating with the ink supply tube 6, a shutoff valve 10 for shutting off ink supply to the flow path 5d, and a flow path 5c from the supply needle 5a to the shutoff valve 10. 10 can be selectively opened and closed. The atmosphere introduction needle 5b communicates with the atmosphere via the flow path 5e, the atmosphere communication chamber 5f, and the atmosphere communication port 5g. Both the supply needle 5a and the air introduction needle 5b have a large inner diameter of φ1.6 mm in order to suppress ink flow resistance. The shut-off valve 10 opens and closes the flow path by moving the rubber diaphragm 10a up and down. The center portion of the diaphragm 10a is pressed from above via the spring holder 10b by the spring 10c, and the opening of the flow path 5d can be closed by the lower surface of the diaphragm 10a. As a result, the flow path is cut off.

  A flange 10f is provided on the upper portion of the spring holder 10b, and an operating point of a rotatable lever 10d is engaged with the flange 10f. The lever 10d abuts against the link 7b connected to the recovery unit 7, and when pressed by the link 7b, lifts the diaphragm 10a against the urging force of the spring 10c, and the flow path 5c and the flow path 5d Is in a communication state. The shut-off valve 10 is open when the recording head is ejecting ink, and is closed when the recording head is in standby and resting. The shut-off valve 10 opens and closes in synchronization with the recovery unit 7 when ink is filled, which will be described later.

  The configuration of the ink supply unit 5 and the main tank 4 described above is provided for each color ink of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and includes a supply needle 5a, an air introduction needle 5b, flow paths 5c, 5d, and 5e, and a shut-off valve. 10. The atmosphere communication chamber 5f is integrally provided in the ink supply unit 5, but one lever 10d of the shutoff valve 10 is provided for all inks. The flange 10f of the spring holder 10b in the shutoff valve 10 is engaged, and the shutoff valves for the respective colors are opened and closed simultaneously. When the recording head 1 consumes ink, the negative pressure causes ink to be sent from the main tank 4 to the recording head 1 at any time. At that time, the same amount of air as ink is introduced into the main tank 4 from the atmosphere introduction port 5g through the atmosphere introduction needle 5b.

  The atmosphere communication chamber 5 f temporarily stores the ink pushed out by the expansion of the air in the main tank 4. When the ambient environmental temperature rises while the ink jet recording apparatus is waiting or paused, and the air in the main tank 4 expands, the ink 9 in the main tank 4 is communicated with the atmosphere from the atmosphere communicating needle 5b through the flow path 5e. It flows out into the chamber 5f. Conversely, when the environmental temperature decreases, the air in the main tank 4 contracts, and the ink that has flowed into the atmosphere communication chamber 5f returns to the main tank 4. When printing is performed with ink in the atmosphere communication chamber 5f, the ink in the atmosphere communication chamber 5f first returns to the main tank 4, and when the ink in the atmosphere communication chamber 5f runs out, the main tank is restored as usual. 4 is introduced with air. If the volume of the atmosphere communication chamber 5f is insufficient, ink leaks from the atmosphere communication port. Therefore, ink leakage can be prevented by securing the volume of the atmosphere communication chamber 5f in consideration of the maximum ink outflow amount in the range of the operating environment temperature of the apparatus.

  The maximum expansion volume of air in the main tank 4 is an expansion volume that is equal to the tank volume at the maximum temperature, and the volume obtained by subtracting the volume of air in the main tank 4 at the minimum temperature from the volume at the maximum expansion, This is the volume required for the atmosphere communication chamber 5f. A reverse U-shaped portion 5k is provided in the flow path from the atmospheric communication chamber 5f to the atmospheric communication port 5g, and the reverse U-shaped portion 5k is disposed at a position higher than the upper end opening of the supply needle 5a. When such an inverted U-shaped portion 5k is not provided, if the main tank 4 containing the ink 9 is attached without attaching the recording head 1 and the shut-off valve 10 is opened by mistake, the main needle 4a is connected to the main tank 4a. Air is introduced into the tank 4. Then, the tip of the supply needle 5a becomes atmospheric pressure, the ink flows downward, and leaks from the atmosphere communication port (atmosphere introduction port) 5g. That is, the reverse U-shaped portion 5k can prevent ink leakage even when an erroneous operation occurs in the main tank 4 that causes atmospheric pressure.

  A detection circuit 5 h that measures the electrical resistance of the ink 9 is connected to the supply needle 5 a and the atmosphere communication needle 5 b of the ink supply unit 5 to detect the presence or absence of ink in the main tank 4. When ink is present in the main tank 4, the supply needle 5a and the atmosphere communication needle 5b are electrically connected (closed), and are electrically shut off (opened) when there is no ink or no tank is mounted. The The detection circuit 5h sends a predetermined signal to a control device (not shown) when the open circuit is detected. Since the detection current is very small, insulation between the supply needle 5a and the atmosphere communication needle 5b is important. In this embodiment, the flow path from the supply needle 5a to the recording head 1 and the atmosphere communication needle 5b to the atmosphere port are important. It is possible to measure the electrical resistance of only the ink in the main tank 4 by making the flow path reaching 5 g completely independent. When the main tank 4 is removed, the supply needle 5a and the atmosphere communication needle 5b are opened as in the case of no ink. At this time, it is determined that there is no ink, and a signal indicating that printing is impossible is sent to the control device.

  Next, the configuration inside the main tank 4 will be described. Through holes 4e1 to 4e7 as liquid (ink) inflow holes are formed at a plurality of locations in the height direction of the pipe 4d formed of a tube. The through-holes 4e1 to 4e7 of the pipe (tube) 4d are arranged in the opposite direction and staggered at a predetermined pitch (L1 to L6) along the axial direction in the pipe 4d, and the pitches L1 to L6 are equal pitch or not. Equal pitch is set. The cross-sectional shape of the pipe 4d is, for example, a circular shape, but various shapes such as an ellipse, a polygon, and an irregular shape can be adopted as long as it has a predetermined cross-sectional area (described later). The diameter of the through hole 4e as the liquid inflow hole is set so that the flow rate of each through hole 4e is equal in consideration of pipe internal pipe friction, expansion / contraction pipe pressure loss, through hole height (water head), and the like. ing.

  The cross-sectional shape of each through-hole 4e is, for example, circular, but in order to reduce flow resistance, a through-hole shape having a tapered surface on the outer opening end of the through-hole (pipe outer peripheral opening end) can also be adopted. As long as the holes have the same flow rate, they may be polygonal or irregularly shaped. The height of the upper end opening of the pipe 4d is above the ink liquid level 9a when the main tank 4 is filled with the maximum amount of ink, and the position of the uppermost through hole 4e7 is slightly lower than the liquid level 9a. Position. The position of the lowermost through hole 4e1 is the same height as the bottom surface of the main tank. With such a configuration, the residual ink in the main tank 4 can be reduced as much as possible, and the ink can be used up without waste. As the arrangement of the through holes 4e as the liquid (ink) inflow holes, various arrangements such as arrangement on one side of the pipe 4d and a spiral arrangement along the circumference of the pipe 4d can be adopted. However, in any arrangement, the number of through holes and the through hole pitch L are preferably set according to the sedimentation degree of the ink 9 (the volume ratio of the dark ink when it settles).

  When the ink level drops below the second through-hole 4e2 from the bottom, ink is supplied only from the bottom through-hole 4e1, so the through-hole diameter φd1 of the through-hole 4e1 is a bubble due to insufficient supply. It is necessary to have a size that does not hinder the occurrence of such problems. According to experiments, the through hole diameter φd1 is required to be φ1 mm or more, and in this embodiment, the through hole diameters of the through holes 4e1 to 4e7 are set to φ1 mm to φ3 mm. The inner diameter φD of the pipe (tube) 4d needs to be large enough to prevent air bubbles from bridging (bubble clogging) in the pipe, and the bridge characteristics depend on the surface tension and viscosity of the ink 9. For example, when the user shakes the main tank 4 and attaches it to the ink supply unit 5, bubbles are trapped in the pipe and the ink supply is delayed.

According to experiments, in order to prevent bridging, the pipe cross-sectional area needs to be 20 mm ² or more, and in this embodiment, φD = φ8 mm in consideration of a margin such as variation in ink viscosity. Note that gradually increasing the cross-sectional area of the pipe from the lowermost part toward the upper end opening is not only desirable in that it can be easily peeled off from the mold during pipe molding, but also reduces the pipe length channel resistance. It is possible to widen the setting allowable range of each through hole diameter. In addition, since the hole diameter φd1 of the lowermost through hole 4e1 can be particularly increased, the generation of bubbles due to insufficient supply, which will be described later, can be reduced, so that the ink from each through hole is contained in the pipe. It is also effective when stirring and making the concentration uniform. The taper angle is preferably about 1 to 5 degrees.

  With this configuration, even when sedimentation as described above occurs due to leaving the tank, ink of substantially the same flow rate flows into the pipe 4d from each through hole 4e from the entire upper layer portion, middle layer portion, and lower layer portion of the main tank, While being stirred in the pipe 4d, they are supplied from the supply needle 5a in a state where the concentration is uniform. In order to cause sufficient agitation in the pipe 4d when the ink flow rate is low, the inner diameter φD of the pipe 4d should be as small as possible. In FIG. 12, an experiment for confirming the effect of concentration uniformity by the pipe 4d was performed under the following conditions. That is, the inner diameter φD of the pipe 4d = φ8 mm, the inner diameters φd1 to φd7 of the through holes 4e1 to 4e7 were set to φ1 mm to φ3 mm, and the pitches L1 to L6 were set to 15 mm to 20 mm.

  For both the main tank 4 provided with the pipe 4d and the main tank 4 not provided with the pipe 4d, the experiment according to the procedures (1) to (4) was performed twice. (1) The main tank 4 is filled with 250 cc of pure water W, and 10 cc of raw ink 20 (black ink) is slowly injected from the atmosphere communication needle 5b side with the syringe 400 or the like. (2) In order to accelerate the sedimentation of the raw ink 20, pure water (hereinafter referred to as a mixed liquid) containing the raw ink 20 is sucked from the ink supply needle 5a by the suction pump 21. The flow rate from the ink supply needle 5a at this time is set equal to the actual ink flow rate of the ink jet recording apparatus. (3) The liquid mixture sucked by the suction pump 21 is sampled at a predetermined timing. (4) An appropriate amount of the sampled mixed liquid is dropped on the test paper 22, and after standing to dry, the OD value (concentration) of the colored surface 23 is measured.

  FIG. 13 is a graph in which time is plotted on the horizontal axis and OD value is plotted on the vertical axis. The experimental results for the main tank 4 provided with the pipe 4d are shown as graphs A1 (black triangle plot), A2 (x plot), and pipe 4d. The experimental results for the main tank 4 not provided are shown by graphs A3 (black circle plot) and A4 (black square plot). The graphs A1 and A2 have a uniform concentration, whereas the graphs A3 and A4 have a sharp decrease in concentration. Thereby, the concentration equalizing effect of the pipe 4d is clear.

  In FIG. 11 again, the recovery unit 7 has a suction cap 7a that can rise toward the discharge nozzle 1g at a position facing the discharge nozzle (discharge port) 1g, and the suction cap 7a is driven up and down by a cam 7b. The suction cap 7a is made of a rubber material, and covers the nozzle surface (discharge port surface) on which the discharge nozzle 1g is formed when it is lifted and can be moved to a position where it is retracted (separated) from the recording head 1 when it is lowered. It is. The cam 7b is driven by a cam control motor 7g. A suction pump 7c is connected to the suction cap 7a, and ink and air are sucked from the suction cap 7a by driving a pump motor 7d. The suction pump 7c is a tube pump system having a plurality of rollers, can perform continuous suction, and can adjust the suction amount by the rotational speed of the pump motor 7d. The maximum suction pressure of the suction pump 7c is set to 0.4 atm, for example.

  A cam 7f that drives the link 7e is connected to the cam control motor 7g, and the lever 10d is rotated by being driven by the link 7e in conjunction with the vertical movement of the suction cap 7a. As a result, the shutoff valve 10 is opened and closed in conjunction with the suction cap 7a. The cam control motor 7g is coaxial and rotationally drives the cams 7b and 7f in the direction of the arrow Cd. The cams 7b and 7f set the suction cap 7a and the shutoff valve 10 at predetermined positions at positions a, b and c in FIG. . At position a, both the suction cap 7a and the shut-off valve 10 are in an open state, at position b, both the suction cap 7a and the shut-off valve 10 are in a closed state, and at position c, the suction cap 7a is in a closed state and the shut-off valve 10 is in an open state. Become. In the image recording operation, the cams 7b and 7f are set to the position a, the suction cap 7a and the shutoff valve 10 are opened, and ink discharge and ink supply are enabled.

  During the apparatus stop standby, the cams 7b and 7f are set to the position b, and the suction cap 7a covers the nozzle surface (discharge port surface) of the recording head 1 to prevent the discharge nozzle (discharge port) 1g from drying. At this time, the shut-off valve 10 is closed to prevent ink outflow due to apparatus movement, apparatus inclination, and the like. In the state of the positions b of the cams 7b and 7f, ink is filled by the recovery unit 7. In the ink filling operation, the carriage 2 is moved in the main scanning direction, and the recording head 1 is moved to a position facing the suction cap 7a. Next, the cam control motor 7g of the recovery unit 7 is driven to rotate the cam 7b and the cam 7f to the position b. Then, the suction cap 7a covers and seals the nozzle surface of the recording head 1, and the shutoff valve 10 closes the ink flow path.

  Next, when the pump motor 7d is driven and the suction operation of the suction pump 7c is performed, ink and air remaining in the recording head 1 are sucked out through the discharge nozzle 1g, and the inside of the recording head 1 is decompressed. The suction operation of the suction pump 7c is continued until a predetermined pressure (predetermined suction amount) obtained from calculation or experiment is reached. When the suction pump 7c is stopped, the cam control motor 7g is driven, the cam 7b and the cam 7f are rotated to the position c, and the shutoff valve 10 is opened. Then, ink flows into the recording head 1 that has been decompressed, and ink is filled in each of the sub tank 1b and the liquid chamber 1f. The amount of ink to be filled is a volume required when the pressure of each chamber whose pressure is reduced returns to almost atmospheric pressure, and is determined by the volume and pressure of each chamber. Ink filling is completed in about 1 second after the shut-off valve 10 is opened.

  When ink filling is completed, the cam control motor 7g is driven, the cam 7b and the cam 7f are rotated to the position a, the suction cap 7a is opened, and the ink remaining in the suction cap 7a is discharged by the suction pump 7c. At this time, since the shut-off valve 10 is in an open state, image recording is possible. However, if there is no image recording command, the cam control motor 7g is driven again, the cam 7b and the cam 7f are rotated to the position b, and standby is performed. State.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a main tank (liquid storage container) of an ink supply system of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Note that this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the above-described third embodiment unless otherwise specified. In FIG. 14, as in the third embodiment, the main tank 30 includes a rigid case (liquid storage portion) 30 a provided with two rubber plugs 30 b and 30 c at the lower portion, and is detachable from the ink supply unit 31. It is. The main tank 30 is a sealed container as a single unit, and stores the ink 32 as a liquid. The main tank 30 is attached to the ink supply unit 31 by sliding in the arrow Td direction (horizontal direction) in FIG.

  The ink supply unit 31 has an air communication port 31a formed in an upper portion thereof, and a hollow air introduction needle 31c is connected to the air communication port 31a. A supply needle 31 b is provided below the ink supply unit 31, and the supply needle 31 b communicates with the recording head 1 via an ink supply tube 33. When the main tank 30 is mounted, the supply needle 31b and the air introduction needle 31c penetrate the rubber plugs 30b and 30c, and the flow path of the main tank 30 and the supply needle 30b and the air introduction needle 30c communicate with each other. Inside the main tank 4, a pipe (tube) 30d extending obliquely upward from the rubber plug 30b is provided, and the supply needle 30b is opened toward the inside of the pipe 30d at the lower part of the pipe 30d.

  The pipe 30d has a plurality of through-holes (liquid inflow holes) 30e1 to 30e7 formed in the opposite direction around the pipe 30d, and an upper end thereof is open. Similar to the third embodiment, the diameter of each through hole 30e is set so that the respective flow rates thereof are equal. As in the third embodiment, the height of the upper end opening of the pipe 30d is above the ink liquid level 32a when the main tank 30 is filled with the maximum amount of ink, and the position of the uppermost through hole 30e6 is The position is slightly lower than the liquid level 32a. The position of the lowermost through hole 30e1 is the same height as the bottom surface of the main tank. The bottom of the main tank 30 is an inclined surface having a predetermined angle toward the rubber plug 30b. With such a configuration, the remaining amount of ink in the main tank 30 can be reduced as much as possible, and ink can be used up without waste.

  Similar to the third embodiment, the through hole diameter φd1 of the lowermost through hole 30e1 needs to be large enough not to interfere with the supply when the remaining amount of ink decreases, and the inner diameter of the pipe 30d is within the pipe. It is necessary to have a size that prevents air bubbles from bridging. In the fourth embodiment, similar to the third embodiment, even when sedimentation as described above occurs due to leaving the tank, the substantially same flow rate is obtained from each through hole 30e from the entire upper layer portion, middle layer portion, and lower layer portion of the main tank. The ink flows into the pipe 30d, and is supplied from the supply needle 30b in a state where the density is made uniform while being stirred in the pipe 30d. In recent years, there has been a demand for a large capacity main tank in view of high-speed printing, large recording paper size, continuous operability, and the like. Such a large-capacity main tank may have reduced operability due to its increased weight. However, if the main tank 30 is slid and mounted as in the fourth embodiment, the operation capacity is reduced. It can be attached and its operability is high.

  According to the embodiment described above, even when the liquid containing the content such as pigment is stored as the colorant and the content settles with time, the concentration of the liquid to be taken out is a value close to the initial concentration. There are provided a liquid storage container and a recording apparatus using the container that can maintain a predetermined recording density by preventing a density change of a recorded matter even when used for a long time in a recording apparatus or the like. The

  In the above-described embodiments, a serial recording type inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording while moving a recording head as a recording unit relative to a recording medium (recording material) such as recording paper has been described as an example. However, the present invention is similarly applied to an ink jet recording apparatus of a line recording system that records only by sub-scanning using a line type recording head having a length that covers the entire width or part of the recording material. And can achieve the same effect. The present invention also provides a gradation using a recording apparatus using one recording head, a color recording apparatus using a plurality of recording heads that record with different color inks, or a plurality of recording heads that record with the same color and different densities. The present invention can be similarly applied to a recording apparatus and further to a recording apparatus that combines these, and the same effect can be achieved.

  Furthermore, the present invention relates to a recording head including a configuration using a replaceable ink cartridge in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrated, a configuration in which the recording head and the ink tank are separated, and a connection between them using an ink supply tube or the like. The present invention can be similarly applied to any arrangement of the ink tank, and the same effect can be obtained. The present invention can also be applied to the case where the ink jet recording apparatus uses a recording means that uses an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. In particular, the ink is ejected using thermal energy. In the ink jet recording apparatus using the recording means of the above system, an excellent effect is brought about. This is because such a system can achieve higher recording density and higher definition.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing a liquid discharge recording apparatus to which the present invention is applicable. Schematic configuration (a) of an ink supply system when the first embodiment (Embodiment 1) of the liquid container to which the present invention is applied is used as an ink tank of an ink jet recording apparatus, and the height from the bottom of the tank and the ink concentration (pigment) It is a schematic diagram which shows the graph (b) of a relationship with a density | concentration and a content density | concentration. It is a typical perspective view which shows 1st Example of the liquid storage container to which this invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view for illustrating a schematic configuration of the liquid storage container of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a detailed structure of a connection unit of the liquid storage container shown in FIGS. The internal state (a) when the liquid level (ink liquid level) is sufficiently high in the liquid storage container of FIG. 2 and the ink that passes through each liquid inflow hole of the ink stirring chamber (tube) when supplying liquid (ink supply) It is a schematic diagram which shows the ratio of quantity with a graph (b). The internal state (a) of the liquid container when the ink is consumed and the liquid level is lowered to an intermediate height from the state of FIG. 6, and the amount of ink passing through each liquid inflow hole of the ink stirring chamber (tube) when supplying ink It is a schematic diagram which shows the ratio of (b) with a graph. Each state of the ink agitating chamber (tube) when the ink is further supplied from the state of FIG. 7 and the liquid level is lowered to about 20% from the initial stage (a) and when the ink is supplied. It is a schematic diagram which shows the ratio of the ink amount which passes a liquid inflow hole with a graph (b). It is a typical perspective view which shows 2nd Example of the liquid storage container to which this invention is applied. FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view for illustrating a schematic configuration of the liquid storage container of FIG. 9. It is a typical longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the ink supply system of the inkjet recording device which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention. It is a typical longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the experimental apparatus for confirming the effect of this invention. It is a graph which shows the density | concentration change of the ink based on an experimental result. It is a typical longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the main tank (liquid storage container) of the ink supply system of the inkjet recording device which concerns on 4th Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Recording means (recording head)
1b Sub tank 1c Filter 1f Liquid chamber 1h Pressure adjustment chamber 1g Discharge nozzle (discharge port)
2 Carriage 3 Transport roller 4 Liquid container (main tank)
4a Liquid container (case)
4d tube (pipe, stirring chamber)
4e1-4e7 Liquid inflow hole (through hole)
5 Ink supply unit 5a Supply needle 5b Air introduction needle 5c, 5d Flow path 5f Air communication chamber 5g Air introduction port 6 Ink supply tube 7 Recovery unit 7a Cap 7b Cam 7c Suction pump 7d Pump motor 7e Link 7f Cam 7g Cam control motor 9 Ink 10 Shut-off valve 10a Diaphragm 10c Spring 10d Lever 30 Liquid storage container (main tank)
30d pipe (pipe, stirring chamber)
30e1-30e6 Liquid inflow hole (through hole)
32 Ink 100 Connection unit 101 Sealing material 102 Housing 103 Elastic member 104 Pressing member 105 Absorber 106 Absorber cover 107 Tube (stirring chamber)
107a to 107g Liquid inflow holes 150, 151 Connection ports 153, 154, 155, 156 Communication holes 200 Liquid storage portion 201 Opening portion 300 Information storage medium unit 400 Cap member 420 Guard member 524 Recording means (inkjet recording head)
525 Liquid supply unit (ink supply unit)
526 Liquid supply pipe (ink supply pipe)
527 Buffer chamber air communication portion 528 Liquid supply needle (liquid outlet needle)
529 Air introduction needle 530 Buffer chamber 601 Pigment low concentration layer 602 Pigment medium concentration layer 603 Pigment high concentration layer (lower layer)
1000 Liquid storage container (ink tank)

Claims (12)

A liquid storage part for storing liquid, a connection part for taking out liquid provided at the bottom of the liquid storage part, and a tube provided in the liquid storage part so as to cover the opening of the connection part on the liquid storage part side And comprising
The pipe is formed with a plurality of liquid inflow holes respectively communicating with the liquid storage portion at a plurality of vertical positions, and out of the plurality of liquid inflow holes of the pipe, the inflow of the liquid inflow holes located in the lower layer region A liquid container, wherein the resistance is greater than the inflow resistance of other liquid inflow holes.   2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a concentration of the content of the lower layer region is higher than an initial concentration when the content of the liquid in the liquid storage unit settles with time. A liquid storage part for storing liquid, a connection part for taking out liquid provided at the bottom of the liquid storage part, and a tube provided in the liquid storage part so as to cover the opening of the connection part on the liquid storage part side And comprising
The pipe is formed with a plurality of liquid inflow holes respectively communicating with the liquid storage portion at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction, and the diameters of the plurality of liquid inflow holes of the pipe are from the inflow holes to the pipe. A liquid storage container, wherein the liquid inflow amounts are set to be substantially equal.   The opening area of the liquid inflow hole provided in the lowest vertical direction among the plurality of liquid inflow holes is smaller than the opening area of the other liquid inflow holes. The liquid container according to item.   The tube extends from the bottom of the liquid storage portion in a vertical direction to a height substantially equal to the height in the liquid storage portion, and the plurality of liquid inflow holes extend in the vertical direction in a posture in which the liquid storage container is mounted on the recording apparatus. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liquid container is disposed sequentially from the bottom of the tube or the vicinity thereof upward. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an inner cross-sectional area of the tube is 20 mm ² or more.   The liquid storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an inner cross-sectional area of the lowermost portion in the vertical direction of the pipe is smaller than an inner cross-sectional area of the uppermost portion in the vertical direction.   The liquid container according to claim 7, wherein an inner cross-sectional area of the lowermost portion in the vertical direction of the pipe increases along an upper portion in the vertical direction. A liquid storage part for storing liquid, a connection part for taking out liquid provided at the bottom of the liquid storage part, and a tube provided in the liquid storage part so as to cover the opening of the connection part on the liquid storage part side A recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium using a liquid, and a recording means for discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container.
The tube of the liquid storage container is formed with a plurality of liquid inflow holes respectively communicating with the liquid storage portion at a plurality of vertical positions, and among the plurality of liquid inflow holes of the tube, a lower layer region on the bottom side The inflow resistance of the liquid inflow hole located in the recording apparatus is larger than the inflow resistance of other liquid inflow holes. A liquid storage part for storing liquid, a connection part for taking out liquid provided at the bottom of the liquid storage part, and a tube provided in the liquid storage part so as to cover the opening of the connection part on the liquid storage part side A recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium using a liquid, and a recording means for discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container.
The pipe of the liquid storage container is formed with a plurality of liquid inflow holes that respectively communicate with the liquid storage portion at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction. The recording apparatus is characterized in that the amount of liquid flowing into the pipe is set to be substantially equal. A liquid storage part for storing liquid, a connection part for taking out liquid provided at the bottom of the liquid storage part, and a tube provided in the liquid storage part so as to cover the opening of the connection part on the liquid storage part side A recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium using a liquid, and a recording means for discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container.
The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the liquid storage container is the liquid storage container according to claim 4.   12. The lower layer region according to claim 9, wherein the concentration of the content in the lower layer region is higher than the initial concentration when the content of the liquid in the liquid storage portion settles with time. The recording device described.

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