Patent ID: 8746861
Filing Date: 2014-06-10
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus to form an image in a plurality of different-typed liquids, comprising: a liquid cartridge, which is configured to have a plurality of integrally-formed liquid tanks to respectively contain the different-typed liquids, the plurality of integrally-formed liquid tanks forming a single liquid cartridge; a cartridge mount, on which the single liquid cartridge is mounted; a plurality of liquid applicators, which are configured to apply the different-typed liquids respectively to form the image on a recording medium; a plurality of communication paths, which are configured to communicably connect the plurality of integrally-formed liquid tanks with the liquid applicators respectively to be in fluid communication with each other; a subsidiary tank, which is arranged in an intermediate position in one of the communication paths to be communicably connected with one of the integrally-formed liquid tanks, to store one of the different-typed liquids conveyed from the communicably connected liquid tank; a first remaining amount detector, which is configured to detect amounts of the different-typed liquids remaining in the integrally-formed liquid tanks; a first liquid conveyer, which is configured to transfer the one of the different-typed liquid from the communicably connected liquid tank to the subsidiary tank; and a first liquid conveyer controller, which is configured to manipulate the first liquid conveyer, wherein, when the first remaining amount detector detects an amount of the one of the different-typed liquids remaining in one of the integrally-formed liquid tanks being smaller than a first predetermined amount, the first liquid conveyer controller manipulates the first liquid conveyer to transfer the other of the different-typed liquids remaining in the other of the integrally-formed liquid tanks, which is communicably connected with the subsidiary tank, to the subsidiary tank; and wherein, when the first remaining amount detector detects the amount of the one of the different-typed liquids remaining in the one of the integrally-formed liquid tanks being greater than or equal to the first predetermined amount, the first liquid conveyer controller manipulates the first liquid conveyer to transfer the one of the different-typed liquids from the communicably connected liquid tank to the subsidiary tank in an amount up to an upper limit level for the subsidiary tank.