Patent ID: 6460983
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink supply device of an ink-jet type image formation apparatus having a carriage reciprocating in a prescribed direction and forming an image by ejection of ink on a recording medium, comprising a printing head having a nozzle mounted on the carriage, an ink tank for storing the ink to be supplied to the printing head, and an ink supply tube for supplying ink from the ink tank to the printing head,which comprises a joint member which is attached to a tip end of the ink supply tube and connects the ink supply tube detachably and hermetically to the printing head; the joint member having a first connection orifice for connection with the tip portion of the ink supply tube, a second connection orifice for connection of the printing head, a third connection orifice different from the first and second orifices, and an ink sucking device to be connected to the third connection orifice for sucking the ink, wherein said joint member and ink sucking device are such that when said ink sucking device is connected to the third connection orifice, suction of said ink sucking device is blocked from sucking said second connection orifice.