JP2007090716A - Liquid container and liquid ejector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid container which can collect unnecessary liquid smoothly, and to provide a liquid ejector. <P>SOLUTION: A collection tank 24 comprises a bottomed rectangular box type container 30 having an opening 30a on the upper side, and a rectangular planar lid 40 for closing the opening 30a of the container 30. In a containing space S formed by the container 30 and the lid 40, a moistening liquid is contained in the initial stage for collecting waste ink in the containing space S. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container and a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  Conventionally, as one of liquid ejecting apparatuses, an ink jet printer that ejects ink from a nozzle toward a recording sheet is known. In this type of printer, an ink solvent volatilizes or diffuses on the recording paper, thereby fixing the color material on the recording paper, and characters and images are recorded on the recording paper.

By the way, since the ink thickens as the solvent evaporates, if the ink remains in the nozzle for a long period of time, the nozzle may be clogged, which may cause ink ejection failure. In order to eliminate or avoid this clogging of the nozzle, in the ink jet printer, in addition to the recording operation, a so-called flushing operation in which ink is ejected from the nozzle in a non-printing region, or a so-called suction pump that sucks ink in the nozzle. A cleaning operation or the like is performed. The waste ink removed by the flushing operation and the cleaning operation is recovered by a recovery mechanism disposed in the non-printing area and stored in a liquid storage container (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-34361 A

  By the way, in recent years, in such printers, pigment ink and high-density ink have been used in order to improve the storability and color of the printed image. In general, the ink components (for example, pigments) easily aggregate and solidify as the ink solvent is volatilized or absorbed. For this reason, when these inks are discharged into the liquid storage container, solidified ink components are deposited in the liquid storage container, particularly in the vicinity of the discharge port for discharging the waste ink. As a result, there is a problem that the recovery of the waste ink is hindered by the solidified ink component and the recovery capability of the liquid container is reduced.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a liquid container and a liquid ejecting apparatus that can smoothly recover a liquid that is no longer needed.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid storage container for storing a liquid recovered by a recovery mechanism from a liquid injection nozzle for injecting a liquid, and a discharge container for discharging the recovered liquid. A storage section having a storage space in which an outlet is disposed, storing the liquid discharged from the discharge port; and a wetting liquid that brings the storage space into a wet state in an initial stage of the recovery of the liquid. This is the summary.

  According to this configuration, the storage space can be moistened at the initial stage of liquid recovery by the wetting liquid stored in the storage unit. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the volatilization amount of the liquid newly accommodated in the accommodating space, and the possibility that the liquid remaining in the discharge port disposed in the accommodating space is increased in viscosity is reduced, and the liquid is recovered smoothly. can do.

The gist of the liquid container described above is that the wetting liquid is stored in the storage portion before the liquid is stored in the storage portion.
According to this configuration, since the wetting liquid is accommodated in the accommodating portion before the liquid is accommodated in the accommodating portion, the accommodating space can be in a wet state at the initial stage of liquid recovery. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the volatilization amount of the liquid stored in the storage space, and the possibility that the liquid remaining in the discharge port disposed in the storage space will increase in viscosity is reduced. Therefore, the liquid can be collected smoothly.

  In the liquid storage container described above, the storage section includes a storage container having an opening, and a lid body that closes the opening of the storage container to form the storage space. A liquid container, wherein the container is accommodated in the container before the opening is closed by a body.

  According to this configuration, since the wetting liquid is stored in the storage container before the opening of the storage container is closed by the lid, the wetting liquid can be easily stored from the opening of the storage container. Moreover, since the dampening liquid is prevented from flowing out to the outside by the lid, the wet state of the accommodation space can be maintained for a long time.

In the liquid storage container described above, the storage section may have a vent hole that allows the storage space to communicate with the outside.
According to this configuration, since the accommodation space communicates with the outside through the vent, the wetting liquid and liquid volatile components filling the accommodation space are released to the outside, and the wetting liquid and liquid are volatilized. Therefore, since the volume of the wetting liquid and the liquid stored in the storage space is reduced, the liquid can be further recovered by the reduced volume, and the period during which the liquid can be recovered can be lengthened. it can.

In the liquid container described above, a configuration in which an opening area changing unit that changes the opening area of the vent can be employed.
According to this configuration, the wet state of the accommodation space can be adjusted by changing the opening area of the vent by the opening area changing means. Thus, for example, when the amount of liquid discharged is small, the opening area can be narrowed to prevent drying of the storage space and prevent thickening and accumulation of the liquid stored in the storage portion, and the liquid can be recovered to some extent. When the amount of the liquid stored in the storage portion increases, the opening area can be widened to promote the drying of the storage space, and the volume of the liquid stored in the storage portion can be reduced. Moreover, since the volatilization amounts of the wetting liquid and the liquid can be reduced, it is possible to maintain the moist state of the accommodation space for a long period of time.

In the liquid storage container described above, a configuration in which a liquid absorbing member that absorbs the liquid is disposed in the storage space may be employed.
According to this structure, since the liquid discharged | emitted from the discharge port is absorbed by the liquid absorption member, it can prevent that a liquid moves through a storage space or is scattered from a storage part.

In the liquid container described above, the liquid absorbing member may be configured to be impregnated with the wetting liquid.
According to this configuration, the liquid absorbing member becomes wet with the wetting liquid in the initial stage of liquid recovery. Therefore, since it becomes possible to prevent volatilization of the liquid absorbed by the liquid absorbing member, the liquid is thickened by the liquid absorbing member, and the possibility that the subsequent liquid is prevented from being absorbed by the thickened liquid is reduced. The subsequent liquid can be absorbed smoothly.

  In the liquid container described above, the liquid absorbing member may employ a configuration in which the wetting liquid is impregnated in a position where the liquid discharged from the discharge port is absorbed by the liquid absorbing member.

  According to this configuration, since the position where the liquid discharged from the discharge port is absorbed by the liquid absorbing member is moistened by the wetting liquid, the liquid is thickened at the position where the liquid is absorbed by the liquid absorbing member. It is prevented from solidifying. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid is accumulated at the position where the liquid is absorbed by the liquid absorbing member, and the absorption of the subsequent liquid is hindered by the accumulated liquid.

  In the liquid storage container described above, the storage section partitions the storage space and a wetting liquid storage space in which the wetting liquid is stored, and a section for preventing the wetting liquid from flowing into the storage space. A configuration having a wall can also be adopted.

  According to this configuration, the dampening liquid is stored in the dampening liquid storage space partitioned from the storage space by the partition wall, and is prevented from flowing into the storage space. Therefore, the area where the wetting liquid comes into contact with the atmosphere is reduced, and excessive volatilization of the wetting liquid can be prevented, so that the inside of the accommodating portion can be appropriately moistened.

The gist of the second aspect of the present invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus including the liquid container described above.
According to this configuration, according to this configuration, the storage space can be moistened at the initial stage of liquid recovery by the wetting liquid stored in the storage unit. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the volatilization amount of the liquid newly accommodated in the accommodating space, and the possibility that the liquid remaining in the discharge port disposed in the accommodating space is increased in viscosity is reduced, and the liquid is recovered smoothly. can do.

Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer 10) as a liquid ejecting apparatus has a rod-shaped guide member 12 installed in the longitudinal direction of a main body case 11 formed in a substantially box shape. Has been. A carriage 13 is inserted into and supported by the guide member 12 so as to be capable of reciprocating along the longitudinal direction of the guide member 12 (hereinafter referred to as the main scanning direction X).

  The carriage 13 is connected to the carriage motor M1 via the timing belt 14. When the carriage motor M1 is driven to rotate, the driving force is transmitted to the carriage 13 via the timing belt. As a result, the carriage 13 that receives the driving force reciprocates in the main scanning direction X along the guide member 12.

  A recording head 15 is mounted below the carriage 13. A plurality of ink cartridges 16 that contain ink as liquid are detachably mounted on the carriage 13 and above the recording head 15. The lower surface 15a of the recording head 15 is a nozzle forming surface 15a on which a large number of liquid ejecting nozzles (hereinafter simply referred to as nozzles) for ejecting liquid are formed, and the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 16 to the recording head 15 Are discharged from these nozzles. In addition, the ink in this embodiment is a pigment ink which has the pigment (dispersion component) which is a non-volatile component, and the solvent (solvent component) which is a volatile component.

  A platen 17 is disposed below the carriage 13. The platen 17 is a support base for supporting the recording paper P as a target, and a paper feed mechanism (not shown) is provided on the upper surface thereof. When the paper feed motor M2 is driven, the paper feed mechanism conveys the recording paper P in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction X (hereinafter referred to as sub-scanning direction Y).

  When an image signal created based on the image data is input, the printer 10 drives the paper feed motor M2 to convey the recording paper P along the sub-scanning direction Y, and rotationally drives the carriage motor M1. The carriage 13 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction X. The printer 10 then prints on the recording paper P by ejecting ink droplets from the recording head 15 that reciprocates at a predetermined timing.

  Further, one side portion (right side in FIG. 2) of the main body case 11 is a non-printing area (home position), and a cleaning mechanism 20 is provided in the non-printing area. The cleaning mechanism 20 is housed in a case 20a that is open at the top, and includes a cap 21, a pair of discharge tubes 22, and a suction pump 23 as a recovery mechanism that recovers the liquid from the liquid ejection nozzle. The cleaning mechanism 20 includes a recovery tank 24 as a liquid storage container that stores the liquid recovered by the recovery mechanisms 21 to 23.

  The cap 21 is disposed in the opening of the case 20a, and can be reciprocated in a direction Z (hereinafter referred to as an up-down direction Z) perpendicular to the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y by an elevator mechanism (not shown). It has become. The cap 21 is formed in a box shape having an upper surface opened, and a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 21 a made of a flexible member is formed on the upper surface of the cap 21. The outer frame 21a of the cap 21 is formed in a size that can cover the lower surface 15a of the recording head 15, that is, the nozzle forming surface 15a, in a sealed state. The recording head 15 moves to the non-printing area and the cap 21 is moved upward. When moved, the outer frame 21a of the cap 21 contacts the recording head 15, and the nozzle forming surface 15a is sealed. As a result, a space for sealing the nozzle forming surface 15a, that is, a space in the cap, is formed in the cap 21. A suction hole 21 b to which both the discharge tubes 22 are connected is formed through the bottom surface of the cap 21 along the vertical direction Z. Both the discharge tubes 22 are made of a flexible material, and extend to a recovery tank 24 provided on the bottom surface of the main body case 11 and below the platen 17. Therefore, the collection tank 24 is a rectangular parallelepiped container, and the inside of the container is communicated with the space in the cap via both discharge tubes 22.

  The suction pump 23 is connected in the middle of the discharge tube 22. The suction pump 23 is a pump that is operated by a pump motor (not shown), and forms a negative pressure corresponding to the suction capability in the cap inner space. When negative pressure is formed in the cap inner space by operating the suction pump 23, the ink in the recording head 15 is ejected from the nozzle toward the cap inner space, and the recording head 15 is cleaned. At this time, the ink discharged into the cap inner space is sucked by the suction pump 23 and discharged downstream of the discharge tube 22, that is, into the collection tank 24.

  Next, the collection tank 24 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the collection tank 24 is a storage container having a bottomed rectangular box shape that opens upward as a storage unit that stores ink (hereinafter referred to as waste ink) collected by the collection mechanisms 21 to 23. 30 and a lid 40 that has a rectangular plate shape and closes the opening 30 a of the storage container 30.

  The storage container 30 includes a tongue piece portion 32 that protrudes horizontally from a part of the upper edge of the side wall 31 toward the outside. In addition, an annular storage groove 33 is formed in the upper edge (in this case, the upper end surface) of the storage container 30 so as to surround the opening 30 a of the storage container 30 over the entire upper edge of the storage container 30. . The receiving groove 33 is recessed so as to form a bent shape that protrudes outward along the outer peripheral edge of the tongue piece portion 32 at a location where the tongue piece portion 32 protrudes.

  A seal member 34 made of a flexible material is housed in the housing groove 33. The seal member 34 is disposed along the upper edge of the storage container 30 so as to surround the opening 30a of the storage container 30, and both end portions 34a and 34b thereof are joined to each other. A plurality (ten in this embodiment) of ribs 35 project from the inner surface of the storage container 30 toward the inside. A screw groove 35 a is formed on the upper surface of each rib 35.

  The lid 40 is formed to have substantially the same size as the container bottom surface 30b of the storage container 30 in plan view. Insertion holes 40 a are formed at positions corresponding to the ribs 35 (screw threads 35 a) of the storage container 30 on the peripheral edge of the lid 40. The lid 40 is attached to the storage container 30 so as to cover the entire opening 30a by screwing a plurality of screws (not shown) into the screw grooves 35a through the insertion holes 40a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, a space S is formed by the storage container 30 and the lid 40, and the space S becomes a storage space S in which a discharge port for discharging waste ink as liquid is disposed. When the opening 30 a of the storage container 30 is closed by the lid body 40, the above-described seal member 34 is interposed between the storage container 30 and the lid body 40. The sealing member 34 enhances the hermeticity of the storage space S, and volatilization and leakage of the wetting liquid and waste ink stored in the storage space S from between the lid 40 and the storage container 30 is suppressed.

  In the storage space S, water as a wetting liquid is stored in advance before the waste ink is stored in the storage space S. Then, the storage space S is wet with this water (hereinafter referred to as “wetting liquid”) immediately after the waste ink starts to be collected until the waste ink is collected to some extent in the storage space S. It has become. Further, in the storage space S, the first, second, and third ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70 as liquid absorbing members are stored in a state of being stacked in order from the container bottom surface 30b side of the storage container 30. . As shown in FIG. 3, each of these ink absorbers 50, 60, 70 is a porous member having a rectangular plate shape formed in the same size, and is substantially the same size as the container bottom surface 30b in plan view. Is formed. Cutout recesses 50a, 60a, and 70a having shapes corresponding to the ribs 35 are formed at positions corresponding to the ribs 35 at the peripheral edges of the ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70, respectively. And each notch recessed part 50a, 60a, 70a is engaged with each rib 35, and positioning of each ink absorber 50, 60, 70 in the accommodation space S is made | formed.

  Each of the ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70 is divided into two along the short direction at the center in the longitudinal direction. That is, the first ink absorber 50 is divided into a first divided piece 51 and a second divided piece 52, the second ink absorber 60 is divided into a third divided piece 61 and a fourth divided piece 62, The third ink absorber 70 is divided into a fifth divided piece 71 and a sixth divided piece 72.

  The first ink absorber 50 (the first divided piece 51 and the second divided piece 52) is impregnated with the wetting liquid stored in the storage space S, and the first ink absorber 50 stores the waste ink in the storage space S. It is in a wet state at the initial stage of recovery. The wetting liquid is formed by the storage container 30 and the lid 40 before the waste ink is stored in the storage space S when the first ink absorber 50 impregnated with the wetting liquid is stored in the storage container 30. Is accommodated in the accommodation space S.

  Cutout portions 61a and 62a are formed at the center of the divided surface of the third divided piece 61 and the fourth divided piece 62 constituting the second ink absorber 60 so as to face each other. In addition, notches 71 a and 72 a are formed at the center of the dividing surface of the fifth divided piece 71 and the sixth divided piece 72 constituting the third ink absorber 70 so as to face each other. The notches 61a and 62a and the notches 71a and 72a are formed so as to have a positional relationship corresponding to each other in the vertical direction. The ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70 are stacked in the accommodation space S, so that the space surrounded by the upper surface 50b of the first ink absorber 50 and the notches 61a, 62a, 71a, 72a, that is, An introduction chamber S1 is formed at the center of the storage container 30 (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface of the sixth divided piece 72 that constitutes the third ink absorber 70 together with the fifth divided piece 71 is linear between the introduction chamber S <b> 1 and the tongue piece portion 32 of the storage container 30. A concave groove 72b having a rectangular cross-section connected to is formed. The concave groove 72b has a portion and a surface whose bottom surface 72c is on the inner side of the upper surface 32a of the tongue piece portion 32, that is, on the upper edge (upper end surface) of the side wall 31 of the storage container 30, which is bent. It is formed to become one.

  Further, the lid body 40 is provided with a projecting piece portion 41 having a shape corresponding to the tongue piece portion 32 of the storage container 30 in plan view. A vent hole 41 a is formed through the base end side of the projecting piece 41. Further, a sheet-like seal 42 is attached to the projecting piece 41 as an opening area changing means for changing the opening area of the vent hole 41 a, and the vent hole 41 a is closed by the seal 42. When the lid 40 covers the entire opening 30 a of the storage container 30, the projecting piece 41 interposes a space between the tongue piece 32 and the upper surface 32 a of the tongue piece 32, so that the tongue piece 32 is viewed from above. It comes to cover.

  In addition, a pair of tube connecting portions 43 having a cylindrical shape are arranged in parallel on the distal end side of the projecting piece portion 41 that is outside the vent hole 41a. Both tube connecting portions 43 are formed so as to extend in the up-down direction Z. The upper projecting portion 43a projecting upward from the upper surface of the projecting piece portion 41 and the lower surface of the projecting piece portion 41 downward. And a lower protrusion 43b (see FIG. 2) that protrudes toward the front. The upper and lower protrusions 43a and 43b communicate with each other to form a pair of tube connection parts 43.

  Further, on the lower surface of the lid body 40, a guide plate disposed in the concave groove 72 b of the third ink absorber 70 when the lid body 40 is attached to the storage container 30 so as to cover the entire opening 30 a of the storage container 30. 44 extends from the projecting piece 41 toward the center of the lid 40. The guide plate 44 forms two guide paths 45 that are parallel to each other in the length direction, and both guide paths 45 are configured such that their end portions are located in the center of the lid body 40, that is, in the introduction chamber S1. (See FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of discharge tubes 22 extending from the suction pump 23 is connected to both upper side protrusions 43 a on the upper surface of the protrusion 41 in the lid 40. In addition, the base end portions of two flexible discharge tubes 46 different from both the discharge tubes 22 are connected to the lower projecting portions 43 b on the lower surface of the projecting piece portion 41 of the lid 40. The two discharge tubes 46 are horizontally extended along the two guide paths 45 of the guide plate 44 on the lower surface side of the lid body 40, and both the discharge tubes 46 at the tip of the guide path 45, that is, at the center of the lid body 40. The tip of 46 is bent obliquely downward. Both the discharge tubes 46 are supported on the lower surface of the lid 40 by fastening their bent tip portions into the guide paths 45 of the guide plate 44 by means of a substantially U-shaped support member 47 ( (See FIG. 4). Then, both discharge ports 46 a provided at the distal end portions of both discharge tubes 46 are disposed in the accommodation space S.

  Now, when the suction pump 23 is operated and cleaning is started, a liquid discharged from the suction pump 23 (hereinafter referred to as waste ink) is introduced into the introduction chamber S1 through the discharge tubes 22 and 46. At that time, the introduction chamber S1, that is, the storage space S is wet by the volatile component of the wetting liquid stored in the storage space S before the waste ink is stored from the discharge port 46a. Therefore, the storage space S can be in a wet state at the initial stage of collecting the waste ink. In addition, when waste ink is accommodated to some extent in the accommodation space S, it is considered that the accommodation space S becomes wet due to the volatile components of the waste ink. That is, the storage space S is always wet from the initial stage of collecting the waste ink.

  The waste ink introduced into the introduction chamber S1 is received by the upper surface 50b of the first ink absorber 50 that forms the bottom surface of the introduction chamber S1, and is absorbed by the first ink absorber 50 (see FIG. 2). . That is, the wetting liquid is impregnated in the first ink absorber 50 that first absorbs the waste ink in the ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70.

  Further, since the lid 40 covering the opening 30a of the storage container 30 is formed with the vent 41a, when the waste ink is accommodated in the accommodating space S to some extent and the accommodating space S becomes saturated, the vent 41a is opened. By removing the blocking seal 42, the volatile components of the waste ink and the wetting liquid can be released to the outside. That is, the wet state of the accommodation space S can be adjusted by the seal 42.

In addition, since the ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70 are disposed in the storage container 30, the waste ink discharged from the discharge port 46a is absorbed by the ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70.
Further, since the wetting liquid is impregnated in the first ink absorber 50 in the accommodating space S, the wetting liquid accommodated in the accommodating portion (the accommodating container 30 and the lid body 40) moves or accommodates in the accommodating space S. It is possible to prevent scattering from the portion (the storage container 30 and the lid body 40) or leakage from the gap between the storage container 30 and the lid body 40.

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the dampening liquid is stored in the storage unit (the storage container 30 and the lid 40) before the waste ink is stored, the storage space S at the initial stage of the collection of the waste ink by the wet liquid. Can be in a wet state. When the waste ink is recovered to some extent in the storage space S, the storage space S becomes wet due to the volatile components of the recovered waste ink, and the volatilization amount of the solvent of the waste ink is reduced. However, since the amount of waste ink stored in the storage space S is small at the initial stage of collecting waste ink, the amount of volatilization of the solvent of the waste ink stored in the storage space S at the initial stage of recovery is a certain amount of waste ink. It becomes larger than the volatilization amount of the solvent of the waste ink accommodated in the accommodating part (accommodating container 30 and lid 40) accommodated. As described above, since the wetting liquid is stored in the storage space S at the initial stage of collecting the waste ink, the storage space S is moist even at the initial stage of recovering the waste ink, so that it is stored in the storage space S. The amount of volatilization of the waste ink solvent can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the thickening of the waste ink remaining in the discharge tube 22, and the waste ink remaining in the discharge tube 22 and thickened prevents the flow of the waste ink in the discharge tube 22. This reduces the risk that the waste ink will be collected.

  (2) Since the storage space S of the collection tank 24 is formed by the storage container 30 that opens and the lid body 40 that closes the opening 30a of the storage container 30, the wetting liquid is stored from the opening 30a of the storage container 30. It can be easily accommodated in the space S. Further, since the volatile component of the wetting liquid is prevented from flowing out by the lid body 40, the wet state of the housing portion (the housing container 30 and the lid body 40), that is, the housing space S can be maintained for a long time. . Further, since the wetting liquid can be accommodated from the opening 30a of the storage container 30, a configuration for accommodating the wetting liquid in the accommodating portion is unnecessary, and the number of members constituting the recovery tank and the number of assembly steps of the recovery tank are increased. Can be disturbed.

  (3) The housing space S communicates with the outside through the vent 41a formed in the lid 40, and the volatile components of the wetting liquid and the waste ink are released to the outside through the vent 41a. Therefore, since the volume of the wetting liquid and the waste ink stored in the storage space S is reduced by the amount of the discharge, the waste ink can be further collected in the storage space S by the reduced volume. Further, since the dampening liquid stored in the storage space S evaporates as time passes, the total amount of waste ink that can be finally recovered by the recovery tank 24 is not stored in the storage space S. The same amount as the case.

  (4) Since the vent hole 41a is closed by the seal 42, the amount of the wetting liquid released from the accommodation space S to the outside can be reduced. Further, since the accommodation space S communicates with the outside by removing the seal 42, the humor liquid and the waste ink volatile components filled in the accommodation space S can be discharged to the outside. That is, the wet state of the accommodation space S can be adjusted. Accordingly, when the waste ink is accommodated in the storage space S to some extent and the amount of waste ink stored in the storage space S increases, the storage space S is urged to dry and is contained in the storage portion (the storage container 30 and the lid body 40). Since the volume of the liquid can be reduced, the period during which the waste ink can be collected can be lengthened. Moreover, since the volatilization amount of the wetting liquid can be reduced, the moist state of the accommodation space S can be maintained for a long time.

  (5) Since the ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70 are disposed in the storage container 30, the waste ink discharged from the discharge port 46a is absorbed by the ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70. Therefore, the waste ink stored in the storage unit (the storage container 30 and the lid body 40) moves in the storage space S, scatters from the storage unit (the storage container 30 and the lid body 40), or the storage container 30 and the lid body. It is possible to prevent leakage from the gap with 40.

  (6) Since the first ink absorber 50 is impregnated with the wetting liquid, the first ink absorber 50 is in a wet state at the initial stage of collecting the waste ink. Accordingly, the first ink absorber 50 prevents the waste ink from thickening and accumulating, and allows the subsequent waste ink to smoothly permeate the corners of the first to third ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70. be able to.

  (7) Since the wetting liquid is impregnated in the first ink absorber 50 and disposed at a position where the waste ink discharged from the discharge port 46a is absorbed, it is discarded on the surface of the first ink absorber 50. The ink can be prevented from solidifying. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the waste ink discharged from the discharge port 46a is solidified on the surface of the first ink absorber 50 and the absorption of the subsequent waste ink is hindered by the solidified waste ink.

  (8) Water has a lower volatility than the liquid used as a solvent for the ink, and thus can exist in a liquid state for a long period of time. Therefore, by using water as the wetting liquid, the storage space S and the ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70 can be appropriately moistened for a longer period than the liquid used as the ink solvent.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the wetting liquid is accommodated in the accommodating space S by accommodating the first ink absorber 50 impregnated with the wetting liquid in the accommodating container 30, but is not limited to such an aspect. . For example, the wetting liquid may be stored in the storage space S formed by the storage container 30 and the lid 40 by being stored in the storage container 30 in advance before the ink absorbers 50, 60, 70 are stored. Good. In addition, the wetting liquid is stored in the storage container 30 after the ink absorbers 50, 60, 70 are stored in the storage container 30, so that the storage liquid S is formed in the storage space S formed by the storage container 30 and the lid body 40. It may be accommodated.

  An injection hole for injecting the wetting liquid into the storage container is formed, and after the storage space S is formed by the storage container 30 and the lid 40, the wetting liquid is stored by injecting the wetting liquid from the injection hole. It is good also as a structure accommodated in a part (the storage container 30 and the cover body 40).

  In the above embodiment, water is used as the wetting liquid. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and can be appropriately changed as long as the liquid does not remain after evaporation, such as a liquid used as an ink solvent. In addition, if what has affinity with the pigment etc. which are contained in an ink as a wetting liquid is used, it can prevent that an ink thickens more suitably.

  In the above embodiment, the wetting liquid is impregnated in the first ink absorber 50 disposed at a position where the liquid discharged from the discharge port 46a is absorbed. Even if the second and third ink absorbers 60 and 70 are impregnated, the accommodation space S can be in a wet state.

  The storage unit may be configured to partition the storage space and the wetting liquid storage space in which the wetting liquid is stored, and to have a partition wall for preventing the wetting liquid from flowing into the storage space. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the collection tank 80 has a bottomed rectangular box-shaped storage container 81 that opens upward and a long rectangular plate shape as an accommodating portion, and closes the opening 81 a of the storage container 81. And a lid 82. The storage container 81 is integrally formed with a partition wall 83 projecting substantially vertically from the bottom surface 81b. The partition wall 83 extends from a side wall (not shown) on one side of the storage container 81 to a side wall (not shown) on the other side along the short direction of the storage container 81 (the depth direction in FIG. 5). In the storage container 81, a space S2 on one side (right side in FIG. 5) of the partition wall 83 is a storage space S2 in which the discharge port 84 is disposed, and a space S3 on the other side (left side in FIG. 5). Is a wetting liquid accommodation space S3 in which wetting liquid is accommodated. A communication hole 85 penetrating the partition wall 83 in the thickness direction is formed on the upper end side of the partition wall 83, and the storage space S2 and the wetting liquid storage space S3 communicate with each other via the communication hole 85. . The volatile component of the wetting liquid stored in the wetting liquid storage space S3 fills the storage space S2 through the communication hole 85. Therefore, the interior of the storage space S2 can be kept moist even in the initial stage of liquid recovery with a small amount of liquid discharged into the storage space S2. In addition, with such a configuration, the partition wall 83 prevents the wetting liquid from flowing into the accommodation space S2, so that the area of the wetting liquid that comes into contact with the air is reduced. Therefore, excessive volatilization of the wetting liquid can be prevented, and the inside of the accommodation space S2 can be appropriately moistened. Further, a wetting liquid impregnating member that impregnates the wetting liquid may be disposed in the wetting liquid accommodation space S3. With such a configuration, there is a risk that the wetting liquid stored in the wetting liquid storage space is adsorbed by the wetting liquid adsorbing member, and the wetting liquid is scattered or leaks from between the storage container 81 and the lid 82. Can be reduced.

  The above-described effects (1), (2), and (5) to (8) can be achieved even if the vent hole 41a that connects the accommodation space S and the outside is not formed. Even if the vent 41a is not provided, the wet liquid stored in the storage space S evaporates from the side wall of the recovery tank 24 as time elapses, so that the total amount of liquid that can be finally recovered by the recovery tank 24 Is considered to be the same amount as when the wetting liquid is not stored in the storage space S.

  In the above embodiment, the vent 41a is formed in the projecting piece 41 of the lid 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode, and the position where the vent 41a is formed can be changed as appropriate. Further, the opening area changing means for closing the vent hole 41a is not limited to the above-described seal 42, and may be a lid made of rubber or plastic, for example. Further, the opening area changing means may be formed integrally with the lid. For example, a recess formed by recessing the lid in the thickness direction is formed in the lid. The bottom of the recess is thinner than the plate thickness of the lid, and can be easily removed. By removing the bottom of the recess, the housing portion communicates with the outside. Therefore, when the liquid is accommodated to some extent in the accommodating part and the inside of the accommodating part becomes excessively wet, the wet liquid filled in the accommodating part and the volatile component of the liquid can be released to the outside by removing the bottom of the concave part. It becomes possible, and the liquid can be further accommodated by the discharge amount. Further, if the size of the vent hole 41a can be changed stepwise by the opening area changing means, the type of waste ink absorbed by each ink absorber 50, 60, 70 and the storage space S are stored. The amount of wetting liquid and waste ink released to the outside can be adjusted according to the amount of waste ink used and the frequency of use.

  In the above-described embodiment, the introduction chamber S1 and the discharge port 46a are arranged in the approximate center of the accommodation space S. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a corner of the accommodation space S. The position of the outlet 46a can be appropriately changed as long as it is a position where waste ink is introduced into the accommodation space S.

  In the above embodiment, the bottom surface of the introduction chamber S1 is formed by the upper surface 50b of the first ink absorber 50 impregnated with the wetting liquid, and the wetting liquid is disposed at a position for receiving the waste ink discharged from the discharge port 46a. However, it is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the first ink absorber 50 may be provided with notches 61 a and 62 a similarly to the second ink absorber 60, and the waste ink may be received by the container bottom surface 30 b of the storage container 30. That is, the wetting liquid may not be disposed at a position that absorbs the liquid. Even with such a configuration, the storage space S can be in a wet state in the initial stage of liquid recovery.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid absorbing member is embodied by the three first, second, and third ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number may be one or two. Furthermore, you may comprise by 4 or more sheets. In the above-described embodiment, the effects (1) to (4) described above can be achieved even in the configuration in which the ink absorbers 50, 60, and 70 are not disposed in the storage space S and only the wetting liquid is stored. Can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the seal member 34 and the accommodation groove 33 may be omitted. In this case, it is preferable that the lid 40 is firmly fixed to the upper edge of the storage container 30.
In the above embodiment, the vent 41a and the outlet 46a are not necessarily separated from each other, and may be disposed at positions close to each other. Two or more vent holes 41a may be provided.

  In each of the above embodiments, the liquid ejecting apparatus is embodied as an ink jet printer. However, for example, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display or pixel formation such as an organic EL display. Good.

The discharge tube 46 having the discharge port 46a may not be fixed to the lid body 40.
In the above embodiment, the collection tank 24 is configured by the storage container 30 and the lid body 40, and the storage space is formed by closing the opening 30a of the storage container 30 by the lid body 40. For example, the collection tank may be formed in a bag shape having an accommodation space.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of an ink jet printer. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a part of an ink jet printer. The exploded perspective view of a recovery tank. The expansion perspective view of a part of collection tank. The fragmentary sectional view which shows another example.

Explanation of symbols

  S, S2 ... Accommodating space, S3 ... Wetting liquid accommodating space, 10 ... Inkjet printer as liquid ejecting device, 15 ... Recording head having liquid ejecting nozzles, 21 ... Cap as collecting mechanism, 22 ... Discharging as collecting mechanism Tube, 23 ... Suction pump as recovery mechanism, 24 ... Recovery tank as liquid storage container, 30a, 81a ... Opening, 30, 81 ... Storage container as storage part forming storage space, 40, 82 ... Storage space Lid as a housing part to be formed, 41a ... vent, 42 ... seal as opening area changing means, 83 ... partition wall, 46a, 84 ... discharge port, 50, 60, 70 ... ink absorber as liquid absorbing member .

Claims (10)

A liquid storage container for storing a liquid recovered by a recovery mechanism from a liquid injection nozzle for injecting liquid,
A storage section in which a discharge port for discharging the collected liquid is disposed, and a storage portion for storing the liquid discharged from the discharge port;
A liquid storage container, comprising: a wetting liquid that makes the storage space wet in the initial stage of the liquid recovery.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the wetting liquid is stored in the storage unit before the liquid is stored in the storage unit. The storage portion includes a storage container having an opening, and a lid that closes the opening of the storage container to form the storage space,
The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the wetting liquid is stored in the storage container before the opening is closed by the lid.   The liquid storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage portion has a vent hole that allows the storage space to communicate with the outside.   The liquid container according to claim 4, further comprising an opening area changing unit that changes an opening area of the vent.   The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein a liquid absorbing member that absorbs the liquid is disposed in the storage space.   The liquid container according to claim 6, wherein the liquid absorbing member is impregnated with the wetting liquid.   The liquid container according to claim 7, wherein the liquid absorbing member is impregnated with the wetting liquid at a position where the liquid discharged from the discharge port is absorbed by the liquid absorbing member.   The storage section partitions the storage space and a wetting liquid storage space in which the wetting liquid is stored, and has a partition wall for preventing the wetting liquid from flowing into the storage space. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the liquid container according to claim 1.

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