JPH04364960A - Head cartridge for ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To miniaturize a recording apparatus while preventing the contamination thereof with waste ink. CONSTITUTION:A head cartridge 1 is equipped with an ink chamber 16 receiving and holding the ink to be supplied into a recording head part 2 and a waste ink chamber 13. The head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage (not shown in a drawing) being the main body of a recording apparatus and the waste ink chamber 13 is allowed to communicate with the discharge port of the pump of a head recovery device (not shown in a drawing) through a waste ink tube 14. The ink in the ink chamber 16 is sent into the recording head 2 to be used in recording. The waste ink generated by the recovery device is guided to the waste ink chamber 13 through the waste ink tube 14.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention relates to a head cartridge for an inkjet recording device, and for example, an inkjet recording device having functions such as a facsimile, a copying machine, a printer, or a word processor, and output of a multifunction device or a workstation equipped with these functions. The present invention relates to a head cartridge for an inkjet recording device used as a device.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Recording apparatuses for recording on recording media such as paper and OHP sheets have been proposed in the form of mounting recording heads using various recording methods. In other words, there are three types of recording heads: wire dot type, thermal type, thermal transfer type, and inkjet type. Among these, recording apparatuses equipped with inkjet type recording heads eject ink onto the recording medium. Because it records data, it has low running costs and is attracting attention as a quiet recording method.

[0003] In an inkjet recording apparatus in which a head cartridge, in which a recording head section and an ink holding section for supplying ink to the recording head section are integrated, is removably attached to the recording apparatus main body, the recording head section is equipped with an ink cartridge. A plurality of fine ejection ports through which the ejection ports are ejected and an ejection port forming surface, which is a surface where the ejection ports are arranged and opened, are formed. If dust or thickened ink adheres to each of the ejection ports, or if air bubbles are mixed into the ink within the recording head, ink ejection failure will occur. If this ink ejection failure occurs, apply pressure to the ink inside the print head with the cap facing the ejection port formation surface to force the ink to eject from each ejection port, or Covering the ejection port formation surface with a cap and applying negative pressure to the inside of the cap to forcefully discharge ink from each ejection port; By ejecting ink from the ejection ports in the same manner as during recording, a head recovery operation is performed to remove causes of ejection failure such as the dust, thickened ink, and air bubbles. Due to this head recovery operation, ink (hereinafter referred to as "
It's called "waste ink." ) passes through the waste ink tube,
The ink is transferred to and stored in a storage member such as a waste ink tank having a larger capacity than the ink holding section.

[0004] When the amount of ink in the ink holding section falls below a specified value as recording progresses or head recovery occurs, the head cartridge is replaced with a new one each time, but the waste ink tank is not replaced. is the principle.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, since the head cartridge does not have the function of a waste ink tank, a head cartridge and a waste ink tank with a larger capacity than the head cartridge are separately provided to prevent waste ink. As a general rule, the ink tank should not be replaced, so if the head recovery operation is performed frequently and a large amount of waste ink is generated, the waste ink may overflow from the waste ink tank and the recording device may become overflowing with waste ink. There is a problem that it gets dirty.

[0006] Furthermore, due to the space occupied by the large capacity waste ink tank, there is a problem in that the printing apparatus becomes larger and, as a result, the cost of the apparatus becomes high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a head cartridge for an inkjet recording device that prevents the recording device from being contaminated with waste ink and allows the recording device to be made smaller. The purpose is to

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording head unit that performs recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium from an ejection port, and a recording head unit that supplies ink to the recording head unit. In a head cartridge for an inkjet recording device, which is integrated with an ink holding portion for storage and is removably attached to the main body of the printing device, the ink holding portion is configured to hold waste ink ejected from the recording head portion by a head recovery operation. The present invention is characterized in that a waste ink chamber is provided, and the waste ink chamber is communicated with the head recovery device via a waste ink tube.

[0009] Furthermore, the inside of the ink holding section is divided into two spaces by a partition plate, and one of the two spaces may constitute a waste ink chamber, or a waste ink bag provided inside the ink holding section may be used. It can be configured as a waste ink chamber.

Furthermore, the recording head section that performs recording by discharging ink from the discharge ports onto the recording medium and the ink holding section for supplying ink to the recording head section are integrated, and can be attached to and detached from the main body of the recording apparatus. In the flexible head cartridge for an inkjet recording device, the ink holding portion is formed with an injection port into which the outlet end of the waste ink tube can be inserted, and the ink cartridge is detachably attached to the injection port to close the injection port. When the outlet end of the waste ink tube is inserted into the inlet in a state where the ink holding part is equipped with a closing member that is fitted and no ink is stored in the ink holding part, the ink holding part causes the ink to be ejected from the recording head part by a head recovery operation. It is characterized in that it also serves as a waste ink tank for holding waste ink.

[0011]The recording head section may be a full-line type in which ejection ports are formed over the entire width of the recording area of the recording medium, or may be a type that ejects ink using thermal energy. It may include an electrothermal converter for generating energy.

0012

In the invention as set forth above, the head cartridge is mounted on the main body of the recording apparatus, and the waste ink chamber and the head recovery device are communicated via the waste ink tube. The ink in the ink holding section is sent into the recording head section and used for recording. Waste ink generated by the head recovery operation by the head recovery device is guided to the waste ink chamber in the ink holding section through the waste ink tube. When the amount of ink in the ink holding unit falls below the specified value as recording progresses and head recovery operations occur, the head cartridge is replaced with a new one, and at this time, the waste ink chamber is also replaced at the same time. .

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a new head cartridge in which ink is stored in the ink holding portion and the inlet is closed by the closing member is installed in the main body of the recording apparatus. On the other hand, remove the closing member from the ink holding part of another used head cartridge that does not contain ink, insert the outlet end of the waste ink tube into its injection port,
This used head cartridge is used as a waste ink tank (waste ink chamber).

The ink in the ink holding section of the head cartridge installed in the main body of the recording apparatus is sent into the recording head section and used for recording, and the waste ink generated during the head recovery operation passes through the waste ink tube and into the waste ink tank. as a separate head into the cartridge. When the amount of ink in the head cartridge installed in the recording apparatus body falls below the specified value as recording progresses and head recovery operations occur, the head cartridge is removed from the recording apparatus body, and the waste ink tank ( (waste ink chamber), while a new head cartridge is installed in the recording apparatus main body. The above-described operations are repeated as recording progresses.

[0015]

Embodiments Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) First, the overall configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

In the serial type inkjet recording apparatus according to this embodiment, a carriage 3, which is a main body of the recording apparatus in which a head cartridge 1, which will be described later, is mounted, is connected to a part of a drive belt 4 that transmits the driving force of a drive motor 5. Two guide shafts 6a connected and arranged parallel to each other
, 6b. Due to the driving force of the drive motor 5, the head cartridge 1 is placed on the platen 7, which is disposed opposite to the ejection port formation surface, on a recording paper (recording medium) fed from a medium feeding device (not shown). ) to record on the recording paper.

Further, the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is arranged so that the head cartridge 1 is moved to a position outside the range of the reciprocating motion in the recording operation of the head cartridge 1 during the head recovery operation (described later) (the guide shaft in the figure). The left end of the head cartridge 1 (hereinafter referred to as the recovery position) is opposed to the ejection port forming surface of the head cartridge 1, and is driven by the driving force of the cleaning motor 10 via the transmission mechanism 11, and the ejection position of the head cartridge 1 is A head recovery device 8 is provided which includes a cap member 8a for capping the exit forming surface.

During the head recovery operation, this head recovery device 8 performs ink suction using an appropriate suction means such as a pump, or ink suction by a suitable suction means such as a pump, in connection with the capping of the ejection port forming surface of the head cartridge 1 by the cap member 8a. The ink is force-fed by an appropriate pressurizing means provided in the ink supply path to the head, and the ink is forcibly discharged from the ejection port to perform a head recovery operation such as removing thickened ink within the ejection port.

This head recovery operation will be explained in detail as follows.
After the cap member 8a contacts and seals the discharge port forming surface of the head cartridge 1 located at the home position, the pump is driven and the inside of the cap member 8a becomes negative pressure due to the suction force of the pump, and the head cartridge 1
Waste ink is forcibly discharged from all ejection ports. Also,
The cap member 8 is located away from the discharge port forming surface of the head cartridge 1 located at the home position.
This is also performed by ejecting ink toward the direction a from all ejection ports of the head cartridge 1 in the same manner as during recording (referred to as "preliminary ejection"). These waste inks discharged into the cap member 8a reach the pump via the waste ink transfer path due to the suction force of the pump, and the waste ink that has reached the pump is transferred to the waste ink tube by the discharge force of the pump, as will be described later. (not shown) and is transferred into the head cartridge 1.

Further, on the side surface of the head recovery device 8, a blade 9 as a wiping member made of silicone rubber is held in the form of a cantilever by a blade holding member 9a. Similar to the head recovery device 8, this blade 9 includes a cleaning motor 10 and a transmission mechanism 1.
1, it is possible to engage with the ejection port forming surface of the head cartridge 1. As a result, after the head recovery operation by the head recovery device 8, the blade 9 is projected into the moving path of the head cartridge 1, and as the head cartridge 1 moves, dew condensation and wetting occur on the discharge port forming surface of the head cartridge 1. Or wipe off dust etc.

The recording head portion of the head cartridge will now be explained.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head section 2 of the head cartridge receives thermal energy supplied with an applied voltage in order to discharge recording liquid from a plurality of discharge ports 2b provided in a row. An electrothermal converter 2a for generating electricity is arranged for each liquid path. By applying a drive signal, the electrothermal converter 2a generates thermal energy to cause film boiling and form bubbles in the ink liquid path. The growth of this bubble causes ink droplets to be ejected from the ejection port 2b.

Next, the detailed structure of the head cartridge, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be explained.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the head cartridge before assembly, with one side cut away to explain the inside. As shown in this figure, the recording head section 2 described above and the ink holding section 12 for supplying ink to the printing head section 2 are integrated as described later, and the inside of the ink holding section 12 is separated by a partition plate 15. It is divided into two spaces. Part 2
One of the two spaces serves as an ink chamber 16 that accommodates and holds ink to be supplied to the recording head section 2 through the small hole 12a, and the other space serves as a waste ink chamber 13. This waste ink chamber 13 is communicated with the discharge port of the pump of the head recovery device 8 (see FIG. 1) via a waste ink tube 14. The volume of the waste ink chamber 13 is smaller than the volume of the ink chamber 16, and the waste ink chamber 13 and the ink chamber 16 include ink absorbers 17a,
17b are provided respectively. Note that the connection between the waste ink tube 14 and the ink holding portion 12 is closed with a sealing material (not shown), so that ink leakage does not occur.

As shown in FIG. 4, a small hole 20 serving as an ink passage is formed on one side of the recording head section 2, and two guide members 19a and 19b are integrally protruded. . These two guide members 19a and 19b are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
2a and 22b, respectively, and engage the engaging member 21 of the ink retaining section 12 with the engaging groove 18 of the recording head section 2, the recording head section 2 is fixed to the ink retaining section 12 and becomes integral with each other ( state in Figure 3).

In this embodiment having the above-described configuration, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a new head cartridge 1 with ink absorbed in the ink absorber 17b is installed in the carriage 3 (see FIG. 1), which is the recording apparatus main body, and its waste ink chamber 13 and head recovery device 8 ( (see FIG. 1) through a waste ink tube 14. The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 17b flows through the small holes 12a,
20 (see FIG. 4), and is sent into the recording head unit 2 and used for recording. The waste ink generated during the head recovery operation by the head recovery device 8 is guided into the waste ink chamber 13 through the waste ink tube 14 and then transferred to the ink absorber 17.
absorbed into a. When the amount of ink in the ink chamber 16 falls below the specified value as recording progresses and head recovery operations occur, the head cartridge 1 is replaced with a new one.
At this time, the waste ink chamber 13 will also be replaced at the same time. (Second Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 6, a waste ink bag 27 serving as a waste ink chamber is provided in the ink holding portion 25 of the head cartridge 24. The head recovery device (not shown) is connected to the outlet end of the head recovery device (not shown) through a sealing member (not shown), and is connected to the discharge port of a pump of a head recovery device (not shown) through a waste ink tube 28. The sealing member prevents ink from leaking from the connection between the waste ink bag 27 and the waste ink tube 28. Further, an ink absorber 29 in which a space 29a having the same shape as the waste ink bag 27 is formed is provided in the ink holding portion 25, and in the provided state, the waste ink bag 27 is It is located within the empty space 29a. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a new head cartridge 24 with ink absorbed in the ink absorber 29 is installed in a carriage (not shown) that is the main body of the recording apparatus, and the waste ink is removed. The bag 27 is connected to the outlet end of the waste ink tube 28 to communicate with the outlet of a pump of a head recovery device (not shown). The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 29 passes through the small hole 25a and reaches the recording head section 26.
It is sent internally and used for recording. Waste ink generated by the head recovery operation by the head recovery device passes through the waste ink tube 28 and is guided into the waste ink bag 27 in the ink holding section 25. When the amount of ink in the ink absorber 29 in the ink holding section 25 falls below the specified value as recording progresses and head recovery operations occur, the head cartridge 24 is replaced with a new one, and at this time, the waste ink is removed. The bag 27 will also be replaced at the same time. (Third Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 7, a rectangular ink absorber 35 is provided within the ink holding section 31 of the head cartridge 30. In addition, the ink holding section 31 includes
A hole 34 is formed as an inlet into which the outlet end of the waste ink tube 33 is inserted, and a closing member 36 is removably fitted into the hole 34 so that the ink is absorbed by the ink absorber 35. Ink does not leak out of the ink holding part 31 from the hole 34.

In this embodiment, a new head cartridge 30 is used, in which the ink is absorbed into the ink absorber 35 in the ink holding section 31 and the hole 34 is closed with the closing member 36.
is attached to a carriage (not shown) which is the main body of the recording apparatus. On the other hand, after removing the closing member (not shown) from another used head cartridge (not shown) that does not contain ink, install this head cartridge at an appropriate location in the recording device, and use it as an inlet. The other end (outlet end) of the waste ink tube 33, one end of which is connected to the discharge port of a pump (not shown), is inserted into the hole, and the mutual connection portions are closed with a sealing material (not shown). Thereby, this head cartridge communicates with the waste ink tube 33 and can be used as a waste ink tank (waste ink chamber).

The ink in the ink absorber 35 of the head cartridge 30 mounted on the carriage is sent into the recording head section 32 through the small hole 31a and used for recording. The waste ink generated during the head recovery operation is guided into another head cartridge as the waste ink tank through the waste ink tube 33, and is absorbed by the ink absorber therein. Then, as the recording progresses and the head recovers,
When the amount of ink in the ink absorber 35 in the head cartridge 30 attached to the carriage becomes less than the specified value, remove the head cartridge 30 from the carriage and use it as a waste ink tank (waste ink chamber). Meanwhile, a new head cartridge is installed in the carriage. The above-described operations are repeated as recording progresses.

The present invention brings about excellent effects particularly in a bubble jet type recording head and recording apparatus, which is proposed by Canon Inc. among ink jet recording types.

For its typical configuration and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
Preferably, it is carried out using the basic principles disclosed in the '796 specification. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but
In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, the electrothermal transducer placed corresponding to the sheet holding the liquid (ink) or the liquid path is required to respond to the recorded information and rapidly exceed nucleate boiling. By applying at least one drive signal that causes a temperature increase, the electrothermal transducer generates thermal energy that causes a film boiling on the thermally active surface of the recording head, resulting in a liquid in one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. This is effective because it can form air bubbles within the (ink). The growth and contraction of the bubble causes liquid (ink) to be ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one drop. It is more preferable to use this drive signal in a pulse form, since the growth and contraction of bubbles can be carried out immediately and appropriately, so that ejection of liquid (ink) with particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved. This pulse-shaped drive signal is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 434.
5262 is suitable. Furthermore, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 concerning the invention regarding the temperature increase rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, even more excellent recording can be performed.

[0032] In addition to the configuration of the recording head that combines ejection ports, liquid paths, and electrothermal converters (straight liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4 disclose a configuration in which a heat acting part is arranged in a bending region.
The configuration using the specification of No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 123670 of 1982 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge part for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a hole that absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy is disclosed. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461 of 1981, which discloses a configuration in which a discharge portion corresponds to a discharge portion.

Furthermore, a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus can be produced by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. Either a configuration that satisfies the length or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exhibit the above-mentioned effects.

In addition, a replaceable chip-type recording head that is attached to the apparatus main body enables electrical connection with the apparatus main body and ink supply from the apparatus main body, or a print head that is integrated into the print head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means, preliminary auxiliary means, etc. for the recording head, which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, these are:
It is also effective to provide a pressurizing means for the recording head, a preheating means using an electrothermal transducer, a separate heating element, or a combination thereof for stable recording.

Furthermore, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode for only mainstream colors such as black, but may also include a recording head that is configured integrally or a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or multiple colors of different colors or The present invention is also extremely effective for devices equipped with at least one of the following: , full color by color mixing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is explained as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, and is softened or liquid at room temperature, or in the above-mentioned inkjet, the ink itself is Generally, the temperature is adjusted within the range of ℃ to 70℃ to keep the viscosity of the ink within the stable ejection range, so if the ink is in a liquid state when the recording signal is applied, good. In addition, the temperature rise caused by thermal energy can be actively prevented by using the energy to change the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or an ink that solidifies when left standing is used to prevent ink evaporation. In any case, the ink may be liquefied by application of thermal energy in accordance with the recording signal and ejected as liquid ink, or the ink may have already begun to solidify by the time it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to the use of ink that is liquefied for the first time. In such a case, the ink used is JP-A-54-5684
7 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-71260, a form in which the porous sheet is held as a liquid or solid in the recesses or through holes and faces the electrothermal converter. You can also use it as In the present invention,
The most effective method for each of the above-mentioned inks is one that implements the above-mentioned film boiling method.

Regarding the type and number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, in addition to one type that corresponds to a single color ink, there are also types and number of recording heads installed to correspond to a plurality of inks of different recording colors and densities. A plurality of them may be provided.

In addition, the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention can be used as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader, etc., and a facsimile apparatus having a sending/receiving function. It may take the form of

[0040]

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it produces the following effects.

The head cartridge also has the function of a waste ink chamber (waste ink tank), and when the head cartridge is replaced, the waste ink chamber is not completely filled with waste ink.
Since the waste ink chamber can be replaced at the same time as the head cartridge, waste ink does not overflow from the waste ink chamber and the recording device is not contaminated with waste ink. Furthermore, since the waste ink chamber only needs to have a small capacity, the recording apparatus can be made smaller, and as a result, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the overall configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of main parts of the head cartridge shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the head cartridge for an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention before assembly, with one side cut away for internal explanation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the recording head section of the head cartridge shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the ink holding section of the head cartridge shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the head cartridge for an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention before assembly, with one side cut away for internal explanation.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the head cartridge for an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention before assembly, with one side cut away for internal explanation.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 24, 30 head cartridge 2, 26,
32 Recording head section 2a Electrothermal converter 2b Discharge port 3 Carriage 4 Drive belt 5 Drive motors 6a, 6b Guide shaft 7 Platen 8 Head recovery device 8a Cap member 9 Blade 9a Blade holding member 10 Cleaning motor 11 Transmission mechanism 12, 25 , 31 ink holding section 12a, 20,
25a, 31a Small hole 13 Waste ink chamber 14, 28, 33 Waste ink tube 15
Partition plate 16 Ink chambers 17a, 17b, 29, 35 Ink absorber 18
Engagement grooves 19a, 19b Guide member 21 Engagement members 22a, 22b Guide groove 27 Waste ink bag 29a Vacant space 34 Hole (inlet) 36 Closure member

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A recording head unit that performs recording by discharging ink from an ejection port onto a recording medium and an ink holding unit for supplying ink to the recording head unit are integrated and can be attached to and detached from the main body of the recording apparatus. In a flexible head cartridge for an inkjet recording device, a waste ink chamber for holding waste ink ejected from the recording head section by a head recovery operation is provided in the ink holding section, and the waste ink chamber has a waste ink tube. A head cartridge for an inkjet recording device, characterized in that the head cartridge is connected to a head recovery device through the head cartridge. 2. The head cartridge for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inside of the ink holding section is partitioned into two spaces by a partition plate, and one of the two spaces constitutes a waste ink chamber. 3. The head cartridge for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a waste ink bag provided in the ink holding section constitutes a waste ink chamber. 4. A recording head unit that performs recording by discharging ink from an ejection port onto a recording medium and an ink holding unit for supplying ink to the recording head unit are integrated, and are detachable from the main body of the recording apparatus. In the flexible head cartridge for an inkjet recording device, the ink holding portion is formed with an injection port into which the outlet end of the waste ink tube can be inserted, and the ink cartridge is detachably attached to the injection port to close the injection port. When the outlet end of the waste ink tube is inserted into the inlet in a state where the ink holding part is equipped with a closing member that is fitted and no ink is stored in the ink holding part, the ink holding part causes the ink to be ejected from the recording head part by a head recovery operation. A head cartridge for an inkjet recording device, which also serves as a waste ink tank for holding waste ink. 5. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head section is of a full line type in which ejection ports are formed over the entire width of the recording area of the recording medium. head cartridge. 6. The recording head section discharges ink using thermal energy, and includes an electrothermal converter for generating the thermal energy. The head cartridge for an inkjet recording device as described in 2.