JP2008049552A - Waste ink absorbing tank and recorder equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waste ink absorbing tank wherein the dispersibility of waste ink can be enhanced at a low cost, and the good liquid-absorbing capability can be maintained, and to provide a recorder equipped with the same. <P>SOLUTION: In the waste ink absorbing tank 85, the waste ink collected from nozzles of an inkjet head is sent in, and absorbed and held in an absorbent material arranged inside of a container comprised of a case 86 and a cover. An introducing channel 122 which guides to make the sent waste ink dispersed and absorbed in the absorbent material 104 is formed in an absorbent material sheet 105b of the second layer from the upside which constitutes the absorbent material 104. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a waste ink absorption tank that absorbs waste ink and a recording apparatus including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus including a recording head that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles onto a recording medium has been widely used.
The recording apparatus includes a carriage and a recording head mounted on the carriage, and ejects ink from nozzles provided on the recording head while moving the carriage with respect to the recording medium. Print.
This type of recording apparatus is known to include a tank that holds waste ink collected from the nozzles of the recording head (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2001-130029 A JP 2000-289232 A

By the way, as a tank for holding waste ink, an absorbent material is disposed inside the container, and the collected waste ink is guided to, for example, a central portion of the absorbent material by a tube, so that the waste ink is dispersed well in the absorbent material. However, in the tank in which the tube is drawn in this way, there is a possibility that the waste ink evaporates and solidifies in the tube and clogs.
For this reason, it is necessary to use an expensive tube having a high gas barrier property or to improve the airtightness of the entire container by packing, which increases the number of parts and increases the cost.
Further, when the airtightness of the entire container is increased, the waste ink absorbed by the absorbent material cannot be evaporated, and it is difficult to maintain the good liquid absorption capacity of the absorbent material.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, a waste ink absorption tank capable of improving the dispersibility of waste ink at a low cost and maintaining a good liquid absorption capacity, and a An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the waste ink absorption tank of the present invention is a waste ink collected from a nozzle of a recording head, and waste ink is absorbed and held in an absorbent material disposed inside the container. An ink absorption tank, wherein an introduction flow path for guiding the waste ink to be fed and dispersing and absorbing the ink is formed in the absorbent material.

According to the waste ink absorption tank of this configuration, since the introduction flow path for flowing the waste ink to be sent is formed in the absorbent material, the waste ink flows into the introduction flow path and from the periphery of the introduction flow path to the absorption material. Can be absorbed evenly.
As a result, even if a large amount of waste ink is sent in, such as when the choke cleaning function is activated or when the ink is initially filled, the waste ink can be quickly absorbed into the absorbent material while flowing into the introduction channel, Problems such as overflow of waste ink can be prevented.
In addition, since the introduction flow path is provided in the absorbent material, for example, the cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the introduction flow path is provided by drawing a resin tube or the like, and it is caused by using the tube. Problems such as clogging due to ink coagulation in the easy flow path can be prevented.

  The waste ink absorption tank of the present invention is a waste ink absorption tank in which the waste ink collected from the nozzles of the recording head is fed and the waste ink is absorbed and held by an absorbent material disposed inside the container. A groove portion is formed on the bottom surface of the container, and the groove portion serves as an introduction flow path for guiding the waste ink to be fed and dispersing and absorbing the ink.

According to the waste ink absorption tank of this configuration, the introduction channel is formed by a groove portion formed on the bottom surface of the container, and the waste ink to be fed is supplied. The absorbent material can be absorbed evenly from the upper part or the tip part of the introduction channel.
As a result, even if a large amount of waste ink is sent in, such as when the choke cleaning function is activated or when the ink is initially filled, the waste ink can be quickly absorbed into the absorbent material while flowing into the introduction channel, Problems such as overflow of waste ink can be prevented.
In addition, since the introduction channel is formed by forming a groove on the bottom surface of the container, for example, the cost can be reduced as compared to the case where the introduction channel is provided by drawing a resin tube or the like. It is possible to prevent problems such as clogging due to ink coagulation in the flow path, which are likely to occur due to the use of.

Moreover, it is preferable that the said absorber is comprised by laminating | stacking a some absorber sheet, and the said introduction flow path is provided in the upper 2 layers or less of the said absorber sheet.
According to this configuration, since the introduction flow path is provided in the upper two layers or less of the absorbent sheet, a large amount of waste ink is sent when the choke cleaning function is activated or when the ink is initially filled. Even if the apparatus is tilted inside, it is possible to prevent a problem that waste ink leaks out.

The recording apparatus of the present invention is a recording apparatus that prints on a recording medium by discharging ink from a nozzle, and includes the waste ink absorption tank that holds the waste ink collected from the nozzle. To do.
According to the recording apparatus having this configuration, the dispersibility of the waste ink can be enhanced at a low cost, and a good liquid absorption capability can be maintained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a waste ink absorption tank and a recording apparatus including the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In this embodiment, a case where the recording apparatus is applied to a publisher that is a media processing apparatus will be described as an example.
1 is an external perspective view of the publisher (media processing apparatus), FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the publisher with the case removed, and FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the publisher with the case removed. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a recording device portion installed in the publisher, and FIG. 5 is an internal schematic configuration diagram of the publisher.

  The publisher 1 is a media processing apparatus that writes data on a disk-shaped medium such as a CD or DVD and prints on the label surface of the medium, and includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case 2. Opening and closing doors 3 and 4 that can be opened and closed to the left and right are attached to the front surface of the case 2. An operation surface 5 on which display lamps, operation buttons, and the like are arranged is provided at the upper right end portion of the case 2, and a media discharge port 6 is provided at the lower end of the case 2.

  The open / close door 3 on the right side when viewed from the front is locked in a closed state, and a reading unit for biometric authentication (not shown) such as a fingerprint sensor is arranged on the operation surface 5 and registered in advance. Only can be opened and closed. The open / close door 3 can also be opened and closed by a command from a later-described upper device 97 side (see FIG. 5) that is communicably connected to the publisher 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing door 4 on the left side when viewed from the front is for opening / closing the ink cartridge 12 of the label printer (recording apparatus) 11. When the opening / closing door 4 is opened, the opening / closing door 4 is arranged in the vertical direction. The cartridge mounting portion 14 having the plurality of cartridge holders 13 is exposed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the case 2 of the publisher 1, a blank media storage unit 21 capable of stacking a plurality of unused blank media MA that has not been subjected to data writing processing, and a created media MB Are stored vertically in a coaxial state. In addition, when the used media MC is disposed of, the used media MC is set in the created storage unit 22.

  The blank media storage unit 21 includes a slide plate 23 that can be pulled out horizontally forward, and a pair of left and right arc-shaped frame plates 24 and 25 arranged vertically on the slide plate 23. Thus, a stacker that can receive the blank medium MA from the upper side and can be stored in a coaxially stacked state is configured. The operation of storing or replenishing the blank media MA in the blank media storage unit 21 can be easily performed by opening the door 3 and pulling the slide plate 23 forward.

  The lower created media storage unit 22 has the same structure, and includes a slide plate 26 that can be pulled out horizontally forward and a pair of left and right arc-shaped frame plates 27 and 28 that are arranged vertically on the upper surface. Thus, a stacker that can receive the created media MB or the used media MC from above and store them in a coaxially stacked state is configured.

  When disposing of the used media MC, it is possible to open the door 3 and set the used media MC in the created media storage unit 22 to perform the disposing operation. Further, the created media MB (that is, the medium on which data writing and label surface printing have been completed) can be taken out from the open / close door 3.

  A media transport mechanism 31 is disposed behind the blank media storage unit 21 and the created media storage unit 22. The media transport mechanism 31 includes a chassis 32 that is vertically attached to the case 2, a vertical guide shaft 35 that is vertically stretched between upper and lower horizontal support plate portions 33 and 34 of the chassis 32, and the vertical And a media carrier 36 attached to the guide shaft 35. The media carrier 36 can be moved up and down along the vertical guide shaft 35 by a drive motor 37 and can be swung left and right about the vertical guide shaft 35. The media transported to the media discharge port 6 by the media transport mechanism 31 can be taken out from the media discharge port 6.

Two media drives 41 that are stacked one above the other are disposed at the side portions of the upper and lower storage units 21 and 22 and the media transport mechanism 31, and a carriage 62 (described later) of the label printer 11 is disposed below these media drives 41. (See FIG. 4) is movably arranged.
The media drive 41 has media trays 41a that can move between a data writing position on the media and a media delivery position for receiving and delivering media.

  Further, the label printer 11 has a media tray 51 that can move between a label printing position on the label surface of the media and a media delivery position for receiving and delivering the media.

  2 and 3, the media tray 41a of the upper media drive 41 is pulled out to the front and is in the media delivery position, and the media tray 51 of the lower label printer 11 is in the back label printable position. It is shown. The label printer 11 is an ink jet printer, and ink cartridges 12 of various colors (black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta in this embodiment) are used as the ink supply mechanism 71, and these ink cartridges are used. 12 is mounted on each cartridge holder 13 of the cartridge mounting section 14 from the front.

  Here, the media carrier 36 of the media transport mechanism 31 moves up and down between the pair of left and right frame plates 24 and 25 of the blank media storage unit 21 and between the pair of left and right frame plates 27 and 28 of the created media storage unit 22. Possible gaps are formed. Further, between the upper and lower blank media storage units 21 and the created media storage unit 22, the media carrier 36 of the media transport mechanism 31 can be rotated horizontally and positioned directly above the created media storage unit 22. So that the gap is open. Further, when the media tray 41a is pushed into the media drive 41, the media carrier 36 of the media transport mechanism 31 is lowered to access the media tray 51 at the media delivery position. Therefore, the media can be conveyed to each part by the combined operation of raising and lowering the media carrier 36 and turning left and right.

  Below the media delivery position of the media tray 51, a disposal stacker 52 for storing the disposal media MD is arranged. For example, about 30 disposal media MD are stored in the disposal stacker 52. It is possible. With the media tray 51 retracted from the media delivery position above the disposal stacker 52 to the data writing position, the disposal media MD can be supplied to the disposal stacker 52 by the media carrier 36 of the media transport mechanism 31. .

  In summary, a medium composed of a CD or a DVD has a media transport mechanism between the blank media storage unit 21, the created media storage unit 22, the disposal stacker 52, the media tray 41a of the media drive 41, and the media tray 51 of the label printer 11. It is conveyed by 31 media carriers 36.

  A media disposal mechanism 92 (see FIG. 5) is attached to the front side of the label printer 11. This media disposal mechanism 92 makes the projections come into contact with the media mounted on the media tray 51 moving to the rear side or the front side by projecting the projections by a driving mechanism such as a plunger, and the recording surface of the media is mechanically moved. In this state, writing and reading are disabled.

Next, the configuration of the label printer 11 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the label printer 11 includes a carriage 62 having an ink jet head 61, and this carriage 62 is supported along a carriage guide shaft 63 so as to be reciprocally movable in the horizontal direction. Yes. The carriage 62 includes a timing belt 64 that extends horizontally along the carriage guide shaft 63 and a carriage motor 65 for driving the timing belt 64.

  The inkjet head 61 mounted on the carriage 62 has a nozzle surface facing downward, and the media tray 51 can reciprocate horizontally in the front-rear direction at the lower position of the inkjet head 61. The media tray 51 has a right end supported by a guide shaft 66 extending horizontally in the front-rear direction, and a left end supported by a guide rail 67 extending horizontally in the front-rear direction in a slidable state. . The drive mechanism for the media tray 51 is also provided with a timing belt (not shown) that extends horizontally in the front-rear direction and a tray motor for driving the timing belt.

  The label printer 11 includes an ink supply mechanism 71 having a cartridge mounting portion 14 to which the ink cartridge 12 is mounted. The ink supply mechanism 71 has a vertical structure and is erected on the base 72 of the publisher 1 and arranged in the vertical direction. One end of a flexible ink supply tube 73 is connected to the ink supply mechanism 71, and the other end of the ink supply tube 73 is connected to the carriage 62.

The ink in the ink cartridge 12 of the ink supply mechanism 71 is supplied to the carriage 62 through the ink supply tube 73 and supplied to the inkjet head 61 through a damper unit and a back pressure adjustment unit (not shown) provided on the carriage 62. Is done.
The ink supply mechanism 71 is provided with a pressurizing mechanism 74 at the top thereof. The pressurizing mechanism 74 pressurizes the ink cartridge 12 and stores it in the ink pack in the ink cartridge 12. Send out ink.

  An ink suction mechanism 81 is provided on the lower side of the carriage 62 at the home position (position shown in FIG. 4). The ink suction mechanism 81 includes a cap 82 that covers the nozzles of the inkjet head 61 exposed on the lower surface of the carriage 62 disposed at the home position, and waste discharged to the cap 82 by the head cleaning operation and ink filling operation of the inkjet head 62. A waste ink suction pump 83 for sucking ink;

Then, the waste ink sucked by the waste ink suction pump 83 of the ink suction mechanism 81 is sent to the waste ink absorption tank 85 through the tube 84.
The waste ink absorption tank 85 is provided with a later-described absorber 104 disposed in a case 86, and the upper surface thereof is covered with a cover 88 having a plurality of air holes 87.
A waste ink receiving portion 89 which is a part of the waste ink absorption tank 85 is provided below the waste ink suction mechanism 81 so that the waste ink dropped from the waste ink suction mechanism 81 is received and absorbed by the absorbent material. It has become.

  The media tray 51 is provided with a circular shallow recess 51a for placing media on the upper surface of a rectangular plate. In addition, three vertical claws (not shown) arranged at 120 degree intervals on a concentric circle are provided at the center of the concave portion 51a. Of these, the two vertical claws can move together in the radial direction, and the remaining one of the vertical claws is arranged at a fixed position. Two vertical claws are moved by a driving mechanism (not shown) such as an electromagnetic solenoid.

  When the medium is dropped into the recess 51a with the label surface on which the label or the like is printed facing upward, three vertical claws are inserted into the center hole of the medium. Thereafter, when the two vertical claws are slightly moved outward in the radial direction, the three vertical claws are pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the center hole of the media from the inside. As a result, the media is held on the media tray 51. In this state, a tray motor (not shown) can be driven to move the media tray 51 to the rear side along the guide shaft 66 to move into the print area of the inkjet head 61. Thereafter, predetermined printing can be performed on the label surface of the medium by the ink jet head 61.

Next, the internal configuration of the publisher 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the publisher 1 includes a control unit 91 that controls each unit, and serves as a central control unit that performs operation control between the units in the publisher 1. Specifically, the operations of the media drive 41, the label printer 11, the media transport mechanism 31, and the like are controlled.

  In addition to the function for creating the media, the publisher 1 adds this media disposal mechanism to the media disposal mechanism 92 for disposing the used media MC that has become unnecessary after the creation in a state in which data cannot be written or read. For example, an image sensor 93 composed of a line sensor having a CCD or the like for reading a printed image on the label surface of the used medium MC to be disposed of by the medium 92; A storage unit 94 for storing the disposal history 94a is provided.

As described above, the media disposal mechanism 92 uses the movement of the media tray 51 in the label printer 11 to mechanically scratch the recording surface of the used media MC, and discards data that cannot be read or written. Media MD.
The image sensor 93 for reading the printed image on the label surface is mounted on the media transport mechanism 31, for example. The used media MC gripped by the media transport mechanism 31 is rotated, and the image sensor 93 disposed along the media radial direction in a state where the light receiving surface faces the label surface of the media MC, the label surface The entire printed image is read. Instead, the image sensor 93 arranged in the radial direction is rotated along the label surface of the used media MC held by the media transport mechanism 31 so as to read the entire printed image on the label surface. May be.

  Further, an operation unit 95 is connected to the control unit 91. The operation unit 95 includes a group of alphanumeric keys such as a numeric keypad for inputting an authentication password, various function keys, a status display lamp, and the like. The display group is arranged. The control unit 91 is connected to the host device 97 via a communication interface 96 through a dedicated communication line or a general communication line. Normally, based on a media creation command, a media disposal command, etc. supplied from the host device 97 side to the control unit 91, a media creation operation (data writing operation, label surface printing operation), a media disposal history creating operation (label surface print image) Reading operation), media disposal operation, etc. are activated.

Next, a specific structure of the waste ink absorption tank 85 provided in the label printer 11 in the publisher 1 will be described.
6 is a perspective view from the rear side of the waste ink absorption tank, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the waste ink absorption tank, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the state where the first absorbent sheet is removed.
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the waste ink absorption tank 85 has an absorbent material 104 disposed in a case 86, and the upper surface thereof is covered with a cover 88. The case 86 and the cover 88 are integrally molded products made of synthetic resin. As described above, the cover 88 is formed with a plurality of rectangular air holes 87 having corners formed in arcuate shapes. Is communicated with the outside to ensure air permeability. Note that the size of the vent holes 87 is such that a finger cannot enter.

  The absorbent material 104 is formed by laminating absorbent material sheets 105a, 105b, 105c, 105d, 105e, and 105f having substantially the same thickness. The absorbent material sheets 105b, 105c, 105d, 105e, and 105f constituting the absorbent material 104 are made of felt having excellent liquid absorption.

The cover 88 is provided with a waste ink introducing portion 111. As shown in FIG. 9, the waste ink introducing portion 111 is formed with tubular joint portions 112 protruding upward, and a tube 84 from the waste ink suction pump 83 is connected to the joint portions 112. ing. The tube 84 is clamped to the joint 112 by a clamp 116 as shown in FIG.
In the waste ink introducing portion 111, an outflow prevention wall 113 surrounding the joint portion 112 is provided upright above the cover 88. A plurality of openings 114 communicating with the front and back sides are formed around the joint portion 112 inside the outflow prevention wall 113.

In addition, an introduction pipe portion 115 communicating with the joint portion 112 protrudes downward from the back surface of the cover 88 in the waste ink introduction portion 111. The introduction pipe portion 115 has an inner diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the joint portion 112, and the tip extends to the second-layer absorbent material sheet 105b.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the second-layer absorbent material sheet 105 b has a long cut portion 121 having an arcuate middle portion formed in a substantially central portion in plan view. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, an introduction flow path 122 communicating with the introduction pipe portion 115 is formed in the absorbent material 104.

Next, the operation of the label printer 11 configured as described above will be described.
(Normal printing)
During normal printing, the inside of the ink cartridge 12 is pressurized by the pressure device 74, the ink is sent out from the ink cartridge 12, and sent to the inkjet head 61 of the carriage 62 through the ink supply tube 73.
Thereby, ink is ejected from the nozzles of the inkjet head 61, and a predetermined image is printed on the label surface of the medium based on the print command.

(Chalk cleaning)
When the user starts the choke cleaning operation, the carriage 62 moves to the home position, and the nozzles of the inkjet head 61 are covered with the cap 82 of the ink suction mechanism 81.
Next, in a stopped state of the pressurizing device 74, the ink is sucked from the nozzles by the waste ink suction pump 83, and the flow path on the downstream side of the choke valve (not shown) is set to a negative pressure. The device 74 is driven.

Then, ink flows from the ink cartridges 12 into the flow path at once, and ink with an increased flow rate is instantaneously flowed.
As a result, bubbles and impurities remaining in the ink flow path from the ink cartridge 12 to the nozzle of the inkjet head 61 are discharged from the nozzle.
The waste ink discharged from the nozzles is sent to the waste ink absorption tank 85 through a tube 84 connected to the waste ink suction pump 83.

The waste ink sent through the tube 84 is sent from the joint portion 112 through the introduction pipe portion 115 to the introduction flow path 122 of the absorbent material 104.
Thereafter, the waste ink sent into the introduction channel 122 is uniformly absorbed by the absorbent material 104 while flowing through the introduction channel 122.

  If the waste ink leaks from the connection portion between the tube 84 and the joint portion 112, the leaked waste ink remains in the outflow prevention wall 113 surrounding the joint portion 112 and flows out to the outside. Without being absorbed by the absorbent material 104 from the opening 114.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the introduction flow path 122 for flowing the waste ink to be sent is formed in the absorbent material 104, the introduction flow path 122 while flowing the waste ink into the introduction flow path 122 is formed. Can be absorbed evenly into the absorbent material 104 from the periphery.
As a result, even when a large amount of waste ink is sent through the tube 84 as in the case of the operation of the choke cleaning function or when the ink is initially filled, the absorbent material 104 is quickly supplied while flowing the waste ink into the introduction flow path 122. And can prevent problems such as overflow of waste ink.

  Further, since the introduction flow path 122 is formed in the second absorbent sheet 105b of the absorbent sheets 105a to 105f, a large amount of waste is generated when the choke cleaning function is activated or when the ink is initially filled. Even if the apparatus is tilted while ink is being fed, it is possible to prevent a problem that waste ink leaks from the waste ink absorption tank 85. In addition, since the introduction flow path 122 is provided by forming the notch 121 in the absorbent sheet 105b, for example, compared with the case where the introduction flow path is provided by drawing a resin tube or the like into the case 86, In addition to cost reduction, it is possible to prevent problems such as clogging due to ink coagulation in the flow path, which are likely to occur by using a tube.

Even if the waste ink leaks from the connection portion between the tube 84 and the joint portion 112, the leaked waste ink is retained in the outflow prevention wall 113 and reliably sent into the case 86 from the opening 114. It can be absorbed and held by the absorbent material 104 composed of the absorbent material sheets 105a to 105f, and leakage of waste ink can be prevented.
The volume in the outflow prevention wall 113 is larger than the maximum amount of waste ink that is sent at a time, so that a large amount of waste ink is connected when the choke cleaning function is activated or when the ink is initially filled. Even if it leaks out of the ink, it is possible to prevent leakage of waste ink to the outside.

In addition, since the introduction pipe portion 115 that communicates with the joint portion 112 protrudes into the interior and extends from the upper side to the second-layer absorbent material sheet 105b, the waste ink fed through the tube 84 is introduced into the introduction pipe. The portion 115 can be guided to the upper absorbent sheet 105b on the upper side, and the waste ink can be reliably absorbed and held from the inner side of the absorbent 104.
Further, since the introduction pipe portion 115 has a larger inner diameter than the joint portion 112, clogging due to solidification of waste ink in the introduction pipe portion 115 can be suppressed.

Further, since the corners of the plurality of rectangular air holes 87 formed in the cover 88 are formed in an arc shape, it is possible to prevent the waste ink absorbed by the absorbent material 104 from rising due to capillary action. Thereby, even if the operator touches the waste ink absorption tank 85 when the media jam is recovered in the label printer 11, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the operator's hand is stained by the waste ink.
The vent hole 87 is not limited to a square shape but may be a circular shape. In this case as well, it is possible to prevent an increase in waste ink due to a capillary phenomenon.

In addition, as the first absorbent sheet 105a constituting the absorbent 104, the part other than the part facing the waste ink introduction part 111 has a breathable open-cell type urethane sponge (density: 25 to 35 ± 2 kg / m ³ ).

In this way, if the first absorbent sheet 105a on the upper side of the absorbent 104 is formed of a continuous foam type urethane sponge having air permeability, the device should be tilted or tilted during transportation. However, the waste ink absorbed by the absorbent material 104 is controlled to flow out to the outside by the first absorbent material sheet 105a made of a dull urethane sponge having a low liquid absorption property, thereby preventing the waste ink from leaking more reliably. Can do.
Further, since the absorbent sheet 105a made of open-cell type urethane sponge has air permeability, the waste ink absorbed by the absorbent 104 can be reliably evaporated through the plurality of vent holes 87 of the cover 88. The absorbing ability of the waste ink in the absorbent material 104 can be recovered and sustained.

  In addition to the portion of the first absorbent sheet 105a that faces the waste ink introduction portion 111 except for the portion of the foamed urethane sponge having air permeability, the edge of the first absorbent sheet 105a. However, it is possible to prevent leakage of waste ink when the apparatus is tilted or laid down.

Next, another structure of the waste ink absorption tank will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached to a common part with said example, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the waste ink absorption tank, FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the waste ink absorption tank, and FIG. 13 is a plan view of the state where 1 to 5 layers of absorbent sheet are removed.
As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, in this waste ink absorption tank 85, a second layer absorbent material sheet 105 b constituting the absorbent material 104 is used in which the cut portion 121 is not formed. The absorbent sheets 105b, 105c, 105d, and 105e of the layers are formed with introduction holes 141 that communicate with the introduction pipe portion 115 of the cover 88 and communicate with each other. The case 86 has an introduction channel 142 formed on the bottom surface thereof.

  The introduction flow path 142 has a wall portion 143 erected on the bottom surface of the case 86, so that the wall portion 143 and the protruding portion 86 a that protrudes upward at the bottom portion of the case 86. The introduction flow path 142 has an introduction hole 141 opened at a base end portion of the introduction flow path 142, and is branched halfway from the base end portion to extend to a substantially center in a plan view of the case 86. And open at the tip.

Further, the bottom surface portion of the groove portion constituting the introduction flow path 142 is gradually inclined downward from the proximal end side toward the distal end side.
The lowermost absorbent sheet 105f is formed with a notch 144 at a portion corresponding to the introduction flow path 142 in plan view, whereby the absorbent sheet 105f is disposed at the bottom of the case 86. At this time, the introduction flow path 142 is arranged in the notch 144.

  In the waste ink absorption tank 85 having the above structure, the waste ink sent through the tube 84 flows from the joint portion 112 through the introduction pipe portion 115 into the introduction hole 141 of the absorbent material 104 and enters the bottom portion of the case 86. It is sent to the formed introduction flow path 142. Thereafter, the waste ink sent into the introduction channel 142 flows through the introduction channel 142 toward the tip side, and is uniformly absorbed by the absorbent material 104 at the tip portion and the periphery thereof.

Thus, also in the case of the waste ink absorption tank 85 having the above-described structure, since the introduction flow path 142 for flowing the waste ink to be sent is provided, the waste ink is provided in the introduction flow path 142. The absorbent material 104 can be evenly absorbed from the upper side and the tip of the introduction channel 142.
As a result, even when a large amount of waste ink is sent through the tube 84, such as when the choke cleaning function is activated or when the ink is initially filled, the absorbent material 104 is quickly supplied while flowing the waste ink into the introduction flow path 142. And can prevent problems such as overflow of waste ink.

Further, since the introduction flow path 142 is formed by a groove formed on the bottom surface of the case 86, the apparatus is tilted while a large amount of waste ink is being fed, such as when the choke cleaning function is activated or when the ink is initially filled. Even if it is done, it is possible to prevent a problem that the waste ink leaks from the waste ink absorption tank 85.
In addition, since the bottom surface of the introduction flow path 142 is inclined downward toward the front end, the waste ink sent to the introduction flow path 142 can be smoothly guided toward the front end side.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the recording apparatus is applied to the publisher 1 that processes media as a label printer 11 that prints the label surface of a disk-shaped medium such as a CD or DVD has been described as an example. The invention is not limited to the one applied to the label printer 11 of the publisher 1, and can also be applied to, for example, an ink jet recording apparatus that performs printing on a sheet-like recording medium such as paper.

It is an external appearance perspective view of a publisher (media processing apparatus). It is a perspective view of the front side of the state which removed the case of the publisher. It is a perspective view of the back side of the state which removed the case of the publisher. It is a perspective view of the recording device part installed in the publisher. It is an internal schematic block diagram of a publisher. It is a perspective view from the back side of a waste ink absorption tank. It is AA sectional drawing in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of a waste ink absorption tank. It is sectional drawing in a waste ink introduction part. It is a top view of the state which removed the 1st layer absorber sheet. It is sectional drawing of a waste ink absorption tank. It is a disassembled perspective view of a waste ink absorption tank. It is a top view of the state which removed the 1-5 layer absorber sheet.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Label printer (recording apparatus) 61 ... Inkjet head (recording head), 85 ... Waste ink absorption tank, 86 ... Case (container), 88 ... Cover (container), 104 ... Absorbing material, 105a, 105b, 105c, 105d, 105e, 105f ... absorbent sheet, 122, 142 ... introduction flow path.

Claims (4)

A waste ink absorption tank in which waste ink collected from the nozzles of the recording head is sent and the waste material is absorbed and held in an absorbent material disposed inside the container,
A waste ink absorption tank, wherein an introduction flow path for guiding the waste ink to be fed and dispersing and absorbing the ink into the absorbent material is formed in the absorbent material. A waste ink absorption tank in which waste ink collected from the nozzles of the recording head is sent and the waste material is absorbed and held in an absorbent material disposed inside the container,
A waste ink absorption tank, wherein a groove portion is formed on a bottom surface of the container, and the groove portion serves as an introduction flow path for guiding the waste ink to be fed and dispersing and absorbing the ink. The waste ink absorption tank according to claim 1 or 2,
The waste ink absorption tank, wherein the absorbent material is configured by laminating a plurality of absorbent material sheets, and the introduction flow path is provided in the upper two layers or less of the absorbent material sheet. A recording apparatus that prints on a recording medium by discharging ink from a nozzle,
A recording apparatus comprising the waste ink absorption tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which retains the waste ink collected from the nozzles.

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