JPH11268289A - Ink supply processing module for ink jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To clear up the cause of abnormality and to recover from the abnormality, including replacement of a part, quickly, easily and accurately while simplifying the structure and facilitating the assembling work. SOLUTION: Means 20 for supplying ink from an ink tank 22 to a nozzle head 10 through a supply pump 25 and a supply tube 24, and means 30 for returning ink from the nozzle head 10 to the ink tank 22 through a return pump and a return tube are assembled with a body 1B being mounted removably on an ink jet printer to form an integral structure (module 1).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet printer formed so as to be capable of supplying ink to a nozzle head having a plurality of ink jet nozzles from an ink tank and spraying ink from selected ink jet nozzles to print on a medium. The present invention relates to an ink supply processing module.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A nozzle head for each color, in which an ink cassette is mounted, is reciprocated over the entire length in a row direction, and printing is performed during each forward movement to print one line (or 1 / N line). Compared to a so-called serial type ink jet printer in which a printing medium (plain paper, OHP paper, etc.) is fed one line in the column direction after printing one line (or 1 / N line) and repeating these, the printing speed is greatly increased. The present applicant has proposed an ink jet printer capable of achieving continuous printing operation over a large number of sheets and capable of achieving a significant size reduction as compared with a so-called laser printer of an electrophotographic system (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 8-296959). No.).

That is, the nozzles for each color which are integrated (or integrated with a plurality of nozzle head elements arranged in the row direction) over the entire length in the row direction are rotated while being reciprocated by, for example, the pitch between the ink jet nozzles. Ink can be ejected from the ink jet nozzles for each color onto the print medium to perform row printing, and column printing can be performed while utilizing the rotation of the drum during forward movement of the pitch between the ink jet nozzles. That is, since the row-direction printing and the column-direction printing can proceed at the same time, the printing speed can be significantly increased.

In addition, since the nozzle head for each color and the ink tank for each color can be arranged at separate positions, the nozzle head for each color can be made lighter, and the reciprocating speed in the row direction can be greatly increased. And promote
Since the capacity of the ink tank for each color can be greatly increased, a continuous printing operation of, for example, 500 or more sheets can be performed.

In order to perform continuous printing operation on such a large number of printing media, it is not possible to increase the size due to the reciprocating movement in the line direction as in a conventional serial type ink jet printer, that is, only to consume ink in a small ink cassette. Insufficient ink amount.

Therefore, an ink supply means is provided so that printing is possible while supplying ink from an ink tank to a nozzle head having a plurality of ink jet nozzles.
The ink is supplied to the ink tank from a detachable ink bottle. Therefore, it is not necessary to frequently replace the small ink cassette in the related art, and a continuous printing operation can be performed for a long time.

In addition, the waste ink discharged from the nozzle head during maintenance of the nozzle head is formed so as to be dischargeable to a detachable waste ink bottle at a fixed position by using the ink discharge means, thereby preventing surrounding ink contamination. In addition, the number of replacements of the waste ink bottle is reduced.

[0008]

By the way, as compared with the ink supply means of the conventional serial type printer in which the ink cassette is directly mounted on the nozzle unit, the installation of the ink tank and the arrangement of the piping are complicated, and the assembly is complicated. In addition, the man-hour becomes large. Moreover, in addition to such a manufacturing aspect, it is difficult to find the cause when an abnormality or failure occurs in the ink supply means, and there is an operational problem that disassembly and reassembly for replacing each part is complicated and time-consuming. It is undeniable that is likely to occur. The more ink colors, the more noticeable.

[0009] Thus, in order to more reliably perform high-speed and continuous stable printing operation of a large number of sheets, it is important to eliminate such a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet printer which has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, can quickly and easily and accurately recover the cause of an abnormality or the like, including component replacement, and can reduce the size and cost of the entire printer. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply processing module of a printer.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, ink is supplied from an ink tank to a nozzle head having a plurality of ink jet nozzles, and is formed to be printable on a medium while spraying ink from a selected ink jet nozzle. An ink supply module including an ink tank, a supply pump and a supply pipe for supplying ink from the ink tank to the nozzle head, and an ink supply unit including a supply pipe for supplying ink from the ink tank to the nozzle head. A return pump for returning ink and an ink return means including a return pipe are formed in an integral structure in which the main body is detachable from the ink jet printer, and an ink bottle is detachably formed in the ink tank from outside the main body. Ink supply processing module for an inkjet printer It is.

In this invention, the module is mounted on the printer. The supply pipe and the return pipe can be connected to corresponding positions on the nozzle head side. Then, an ink bottle is mounted on the ink tank, and the ink tank is filled with ink.

The ink supply means of the ink supply means is activated to supply the ink to the nozzle head, and the return pump of the ink return means is activated to perform the ink circulation operation for returning the ink from the nozzle head to the ink tank. I can do it. Further, if the return pump is stopped and the supply pump of the ink supply means is started to supply the ink continuously or intermittently, the printing operation and the maintenance of the nozzle head can be performed.

Here, since the tank / pump and the piping / valve for communicating between the tank / pump and the like are integrated into the main body, the module is low in cost and small in size. In addition, when an abnormality or failure occurs in the ink supply processing means, it is easier to investigate the cause compared to the case of individually arranging and piping.
In addition, if the module is replaced, the printing operation can be continuously performed. That is, the structure is simple and easy to assemble, and the cause of an abnormality or the like can be quickly and easily and accurately recovered, including the replacement of parts, and the size and cost of the entire printer can be reduced.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, the supply pipe is formed of an elastic tube, and the supply pump has a valve function capable of selecting the supply pipe between an open state and a closed state. The return pipe is formed from an elastic tube, and the return pump is formed from a tube pump having a valve function capable of selecting between an open state and a closed state. And an ink supply processing module of the ink jet printer.

In this invention, the supply pipe and the return pipe for communicating between the ink tank and the nozzle head are formed of tubes having high elasticity, and the supply pump and the return pump have a valve function for selectively opening and closing the supply pump and the return pump. Since it is formed from a tube-type pump, each open / close switching can be performed quickly.

Therefore, in addition to providing the same effects as those of the first aspect of the present invention, the ink supply and the ink return can be performed accurately, the piping for manufacturing the module is simple, and the cost can be reduced. It is valid.

The invention according to claim 3 is an ink supply processing module of an ink jet printer, wherein the supply pump and the return pump have the same structure.

In this invention, both pumps have the same structure (specifications). Any of them may be incorporated and used as a supply (return) pump. Therefore, Claim 1 and Claim 2
In addition to achieving the same effects as the case of the invention, the work of arranging and attaching to the main body can be speeded up and the assembly is easy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink supply module for an ink jet printer in which an impact purge mechanism including a filter and front and rear valves is interposed in the supply pipe of the ink supply means.

In this invention, an ink purifying filter and an impact purge mechanism for cleaning the nozzle head are integrally incorporated. Therefore, in addition to providing the same functions and effects as in the first to third aspects of the present invention, the present invention is further effective in reducing the size of the printer.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that:
An ink supply processing module of an ink jet printer in which an air vent tube and an air vent valve communicating the filter and the ink tank are incorporated.

In this invention, when the air vent valve is opened, the air in the filter is released to the ink tank through the air vent tube, so that the ink mixed in the air can be prevented from scattering around and can be recovered and used. If necessary, air may be removed while supplying ink by a supply pump.

Therefore, in addition to providing the same functions and effects as in the invention of the fourth aspect, the filter performance can be stabilized while preventing the surrounding ink from being stained.

Further, the invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that:
This is an ink supply processing module of an ink jet printer in which the ink tank, the ink supply means, the ink return means, and the like for a plurality of colors are incorporated.

In this invention, all of the ink supply means and the ink return means for each color of the color ink jet printer can be integrated. Therefore, in addition to providing the same functions and effects as the inventions of the first to fifth aspects, the present invention is further effective for simplifying the structure of the color printer.

[0027] Still further, according to the invention of claim 7, the main body is formed detachably to the ink jet printer, and one end of each of the supply pipe and the return pipe can be connected to the nozzle head by a mounting operation and detached. 4 is an ink supply processing module of an ink jet printer formed so as to be separable from the above.

In this invention, the supply pipe and the return pipe can be connected to and separated from the nozzle head simply by attaching and detaching the module to and from the printer. Therefore, in addition to providing the same functions and effects as in the case of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, the handling is further facilitated.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the ink supply processing module 1 of the inkjet printer includes an ink supply unit 20 that supplies ink from the ink tank 22 to the nozzle head 10 and an ink that returns ink from the nozzle head 10 to the ink tank 22. The return means 30 is formed in an integral structure (module 1) in which the main body 1B is detachable from the ink jet printer.

In FIG. 1, an ink jet printer is provided with an ink tank 22 as in the case of the above-mentioned prior proposal.
The ink is supplied to a nozzle head 10 having a plurality of ink jet nozzles 12 from above, and the ink is ejected from the selected ink jet nozzles 12 so that printing is possible on a medium (paper or the like).

In this embodiment, the nozzle head 10
It has four colors (cyan, yellow, magenta, and black) and is capable of color printing on A4 paper at a high speed of 20 PPM, for example. Note that the present invention is also applied to the case of one color (for example, black). FIG. 1 shows one color.

First, the ink supply means 20 includes an ink tank 22, a supply pipe 24, a supply pump 25, and the like, and supplies ink from the ink tank 22 to the ink chamber 11 of the nozzle head 10. The ink tank 22 is replenished with ink from the ink bottle 21 so that the ink level can be adjusted to be constant. 23 is an air intake.

The ink return means 30 includes a return pipe 31 and a return pump 32, and can return the ink from the ink chamber 11 to the ink tank 22. That is, the ink is used alone in cooperation with the ink supply means 20 at the time of the initial warm-up and when the ink in the ink chamber 11 is drained.

The ink supply means 20 and the ink return means 30 have an integral structure, that is, a module 1 incorporated in a main body 1B detachable from an ink jet printer, as shown in FIGS. Is formed. That is, since a plurality (4) of ink colors (cyan, yellow, magenta, and black) are integrated, it is more effective for simplifying the structure of the printer.

When the module 1 (main body 1B) is mounted on the printer (nozzle head 10), one ends of the supply pipe 24 and the return pipe 31 communicate with the ink chamber 11 via an automatic opening / closing cap structure (not shown). It is formed to be possible.

That is, since one end of the supply pipe 24 and one end of the return pipe 31 can be connected to the nozzle head 10 and separated by the detachment operation by the mounting operation of the main body 1B to the ink jet printer, the replacement can be performed more quickly and accurately. Handling is easier.

The supply pipe 24 and the return pipe 31 are formed of tubes having high elasticity.
The return pump 32 is formed of a tube type pump having a valve function capable of selecting one of an open state and a closed state of each of the pipes (24, 31).

For example, the rotary roller has a plurality of pressing rollers, and the ink can be sent out in a closed state by pressing the tube with each pressing roller and in an open state by rotating while pressing. Therefore, each switching can be quickly performed, the ink supply and the ink return can be accurately performed, the piping for manufacturing the module is simple, and the cost can be effectively reduced.

In addition, the supply pump 25 and the return pump 32
Since the two pumps have the same structure, either of them may be used as the supply pump 25 (return pump 32) at the time of installation. Accordingly, the work of arranging and mounting the main body 1B can be speeded up and the assembling is easy. In this embodiment, the specifications are the same.

Thus, when the module 1 (main body 1B) is mounted on the printer (nozzle head 10), the supply pipe 24
The return pipe 31 is connected to a corresponding position on the nozzle head 10 (11) side. Then, the ink bottle 21 is mounted on the ink tank 22, and the ink tank 22 is filled with ink.

If the supply pump 25 is activated to supply ink to the nozzle head 10 and the return pump 32 is activated to perform an ink circulation operation for returning ink from the nozzle head 10 to the ink tank 22, warming or the like can be performed.

When the return pump 32 is stopped and the supply pump 25 is started to supply the ink continuously or intermittently, the printing operation and the maintenance of the nozzle head 10 can be performed.

As described above, each tank, piping, etc.
The structure of the module 1 is integrated into the ink jet printer, so that the cost and size of the module can be reduced and the size of the ink jet printer can be reduced and the structure can be simplified. To
Compared to the case of individual layout and piping,
It is easy to find the cause, and continuous operation can be performed if the module is replaced. In other words, the structure is simple and easy to assemble, and the cause of the abnormality and the like can be quickly and easily and accurately recovered, including the replacement of parts, and the size and cost of the printer can be reduced.

Also, the ink supply means 20 is provided in the main body 1B.
And an impact purging mechanism 27 for cleaning the nozzle head 10 (inkjet nozzle 12) including the ink cleaning filter 26 and the front and rear valves 28 and 29, which are interposed in the middle of the supply pipe 24. . Therefore, it is effective for further miniaturization of the entire printer.

In order to perform the maintenance of the filter 26 smoothly and promptly or after the maintenance,
An air bleeding means 70 for bleeding air from the inside 6 is incorporated in the main body 1B.

The air release means 70 includes an air release pipe 71 and an air release valve 72 shown in FIG. 1, and is formed so that the ink discharged from the filter 26 when the air in the filter 26 is released can be collected in the ink tank 22. I have.

That is, when the air vent valve 72 is opened with the front valve 28 closed, the air in the filter 26 is released to the ink tank 22 through the air vent tube 71, so that the filter performance can be stabilized. In addition, it is possible to prevent the ink mixed in the air from scattering around, and to collect and utilize the ink.

If necessary, the supply pump 25 can be selected so as to remove the air while forcibly supplying the ink.

In this embodiment, the ink discharging means 40 is also formed in a module 2 structure.

In FIG. 1, an ink discharge means 40 receives ink discharged from the ink jet nozzle 12 by an ink receiver 41, and discharges the waste ink temporarily stored in a receiving tank 42 which is communicated with the ink receiver 41 by a waste ink. Bottle 5
This is a means for discharging to the zero side, and is basically formed of first discharging means (first discharging pipe 44, first discharging valve 45). The waste ink is discharged to the waste ink bottle 50 through the total discharge pipe 49.

An overflow tank 62 capable of retaining waste ink overflowing from the ink tank 22 is provided.
And second discharging means (second discharging pipe 63, second discharging valve 64) are provided, and the waste ink temporarily held in the overflow tank 62 is also transferred to the waste ink bottle 50 through the total discharging pipe 49. It is formed so that it can be discharged.

That is, the second discharge means is provided for overflowing from the ink tank 22 and for controlling the overflow pipe 6
1 and overflow tank 6
The waste ink that has been temporarily held in 2 is replaced with a waste ink bottle 50.
Discharge to When the second discharge valve 64 is closed, the waste ink cannot be forcibly discharged and the second discharge pipe 63
, The natural flow of the waste ink can be prevented.

Thus, the first discharging means (4
5) is operated to discharge the waste ink in the receiving tank 42 to the waste ink bottle 50. A second discharging means (64);
To discharge the waste ink in the overflow tank 62 to the waste ink bottle 50. That is, since each waste ink can be collected in the closed waste ink bottle 50, ink contamination can be completely prevented and the waste ink bottle 50 can be replaced even during the printing operation.

Further, the waste ink containing air in the receiving tank 42 is supplied to the waste ink bottle 50 by the ink discharging means 40.
A third discharge means (a third discharge pipe 47, a third discharge valve 48) having a pump function capable of forcibly discharging the water is provided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the vapor-like (fog-like) ink from being scattered to the surroundings, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent ink contamination.

The connecting pipe 43, the first discharge pipe 44, the second discharge pipe 63, the third discharge pipe 47, and the total discharge pipe 49.
Are formed of a tube rich in elasticity, and are provided with a first discharge valve (first discharge pump) 45, a second discharge valve (second discharge pump) 64, and a third discharge valve (third discharge pump). The pump (48) is connected to each of the pipes (44, 63, 4).
7) is formed of a tube type pump similar to the pumps 25 and 32 having a valve function capable of selecting either the open state or the closed state.

Thus, the overflow tank 62 is
As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, it is disposed below the position of the waste ink bottle 50. This is because the waste ink can be forcibly discharged to the upper waste ink bottle 50 by the pump function.

As a result, the height difference between the ink tank 22 provided at the upper position and the overflow tank 62 provided at the lower position can be increased, so that the overflow from the ink tank 22 can be made smoother and more stable. Can be In addition, the degree of freedom in layout with respect to the vertical relationship between the receiving tank 42, the overflow tank 62, and the waste ink bottle 50 can be greatly increased, and further downsizing and cost reduction can be achieved.

Further, the first discharge valve 45 and the second discharge valve 64 allow the waste ink in the receiving tank 42 and the waste ink in the overflow tank 62 to pass through the waste ink bottle 50.
One discharge valve (discharge pump) that can forcibly discharge water to
The first discharge valve (first discharge pump) 45 is also formed. Therefore, effective use can be made during the printing operation stop and during the printing operation, so that the cost can be reduced and the layout congestion can be further alleviated.

Here, the receiving tank 42, the overflow tank 62, the waste ink bottle 50, the receiving tank 4
A first discharging means (44, 45) for discharging the waste ink in the waste ink bottle 2 to the waste ink bottle 50;
The second discharging means (63, 64 = 45) for discharging the waste ink in the waste ink bottle to the waste ink bottle 50 is integrated with the main body 2B detachable from the ink jet printer as in the case of the ink supply processing module 1 described above. It is formed into a module 2 structure which is incorporated in a practical manner.

Therefore, each tank, piping, etc.
Since the module 2 structure is integrated into the ink jet printer, it is low-cost and small in size, so that the size and the structure of the ink jet printer can be reduced. In comparison with the case of a layout in which the components are individually arranged and piped, it is easier to investigate the cause and continuous operation can be performed by replacing the module. That is, the structure is simple and easy to assemble, and the cause of the abnormality or the like and the recovery including the replacement of parts can be quickly, easily and accurately performed, and the size and cost of the entire printer can be reduced.

The waste ink bottle 50 is detachably formed at a predetermined position of the main body 2B (or the waste ink bottle case), and it is possible to detect whether the waste ink bottle 50 is mounted at a predetermined position of the main body 1B. A fixed position detecting means (bottle sensor 54) is provided, and when the waste ink bottle 50 is not mounted at a predetermined position of the main body 2B using the detection signal, each pump 45 (= 6) forming each ink discharging means is provided.
4) The open state of 48 is forcibly prevented. Therefore, even if the user forgets to attach the waste ink bottle 50, it is possible to reliably prevent the surroundings from being stained with ink.

Further, similarly to the case of the ink supply processing module 1, the waste ink discharge processing module 2 also has a receiving tank 42 and an overflow tank 62 for a plurality (4) of ink colors (cyan, yellow, magenta and black). , The waste ink bottle 50, the first discharging means and the second discharging means, etc. are integrated, so that the congestion of the piping and the like can be further prevented in cooperation with the ink supply processing module 1 and the structure of the color printer can be simplified. And further downsizing and cost reduction can be further promoted.

[0063]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the ink tank, the ink supply means, and the ink return means are formed in an integral structure in which the ink tank is detachably mounted on the ink jet printer. Since the ink supply processing module of the ink jet printer has an ink bottle detachably formed in the tank, the ink supply processing unit can be reduced in cost and size, and thus the ink jet printer can be reduced in size and simplified in structure. When an abnormality or a failure occurs, it is easier to investigate the cause than in the case of a layout in which individual arrangement and piping are performed, and the printing operation can be continuously performed by replacing the module. Therefore, the structure is simple and easy to assemble, the cause of abnormalities can be investigated and recovery including parts replacement can be performed quickly, easily and accurately.
Cost reduction can be achieved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the supply pipe and the return pipe are formed of elastic tubes, and the supply pump and the return pump open and close the respective tubes.
Since it is formed of a tube type pump having a valve function capable of selecting one of the closed states, the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1 can be obtained.
Further, ink supply and ink return can be performed accurately, and piping for module production is simple, which is effective for cost reduction.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the supply pump and the return pump have the same structure, the same effects as in the first and second aspects of the invention can be obtained. In addition, the work of arranging and attaching to the main body can be speeded up and the assembling is easy.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the impact purge mechanism including the filter and the front and rear valves is interposed in the supply pipe of the ink supply means, the invention according to the first to third aspects is provided. In addition to providing the same effect as in the case (1), the present invention is also effective in reducing the size of the printer.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the ink supply processing module of the ink jet printer in which the air vent pipe and the air vent valve communicating the filter and the ink tank are incorporated in the main body, In addition to providing the same effect as the invention, the filter performance can be stabilized while preventing the surrounding ink from being stained.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, since the ink tank, the ink supply means, the ink return means and the like for a plurality of colors are incorporated in the main body, the invention according to claims 1 to 5 is applicable. In addition to the same effects as described above, the present invention is more effective for simplifying the structure of the color printer.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, the main body is formed detachably to the ink jet printer, and one end of the supply pipe and one end of the return pipe can be connected to the nozzle head by the mounting operation and can be detached by the mounting operation. Although it is formed so as to be separable, in addition to having the same effects as those of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, handling is further facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall system diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the module as viewed from the filter side.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the module viewed from the mounted ink bottle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink supply processing module 1B main body 2 Waste ink discharge processing module 2B main body 10 Nozzle head 11 Ink chamber 12 Ink jet nozzle 20 Ink supply means 21 Ink bottle 22 Ink tank 23 Air intake 24 Supply pipe 25 Supply valve 26 Filter 27 Impact purge mechanism 28 Pre-valve 29 Post-valve 30 Ink return means 31 Return pipe 32 Return valve 40 Ink discharge means 41 Ink receiver 42 Reception tank 49 Total discharge pipe 50 Waste ink bottle 54 Bottle sensor 60 Overflow discharge means 61 Overflow pipe 62 Overflow tank 70 Air release means 71 Air release pipe 72 Air release valve

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An ink supply processing module for an ink jet printer formed so as to supply ink from an ink tank to a nozzle head having a plurality of ink jet nozzles and to print on a medium while spraying ink from a selected ink jet nozzle. An ink supply means including a supply pump and a supply pipe for supplying ink from the ink tank to the nozzle head; and an ink including a return pump and a return pipe for returning ink from the nozzle head to the ink tank. An ink supply processing module for an ink jet printer, wherein the ink supply processing module is formed in an integral structure in which a return unit is incorporated in a main body detachable from the ink jet printer, and an ink bottle is detachably mounted on an ink tank from outside the main body. 2. The supply pipe is formed of an elastic tube, and the supply pump is formed of a tube pump having a valve function capable of selecting one of an open state and a closed state of the supply pipe. The return pipe is formed of an elastic tube, and the return pump is formed of a tubular pump having a valve function capable of selecting the return pipe between an open state and a closed state. Ink supply processing module for inkjet printer. 3. The ink supply processing module for an ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein said supply pump and said return pump have the same structure. 4. An ink jet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an impact purge mechanism including a filter and front and rear valves is interposed in the supply pipe of said ink supply means. Printer ink supply processing module. 5. The ink supply processing module for an ink jet printer according to claim 4, wherein an air vent tube and an air vent valve communicating the filter and the ink tank are incorporated in the main body. 6. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the ink tank, the ink supply unit, the ink return unit, and the like for a plurality of colors are incorporated in the main body. Printer ink supply processing module. 7. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the main body is detachably attached to the ink jet printer, and one end of each of the supply pipe and the return pipe is connectable to the nozzle head by a mounting operation and is separable by a detachment operation. An ink supply processing module for an ink jet printer according to claim 1.