Patent ID: 6276784
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink container storing liquid and supplying the liquid for a liquid discharge recording head apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises:a liquid supply path having a liquid discharge recording head for discharging liquid;a sub-tank for temporarily containing the liquid and for supplying the liquid through said liquid supply path to said liquid discharge recording head by introducing atmospheric air into said sub-tank;closing means for making said sub-tank into a space closed from atmospheric air, said closing means including a valve for opening and closing said liquid supply path between said sub-tank and said liquid discharge recording head, and further including an openable/closable atmosphere opening valve provided in said sub-tank; andnegative pressure generating means provided in a path different from said liquid supply path to refill the liquid from said ink container into said sub-tank by reducing pressure in said sub-tank,said ink container comprising a connector for removably attaching said ink container to said liquid discharge recording head apparatus, and wherein said ink container contains liquid to be supplied through said connector to said sub-tank and is capable of containing more liquid than said sub-tank.