Patent ID: 7648230
Filing Date: 2010-01-19
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An ink supply device used in an ink jet recording apparatus, for supplying ink to a recording head that discharges the ink from nozzles to record an image, said ink supply device comprising: an ink container consisting of an ink bag storing the ink and a case for holding said ink bag, said ink container being placed above said recording head; an ink supply amount adjusting device for adjusting the amount of ink supplied to said recording head, said ink supply amount adjusting device being placed on an ink supply path from said ink bag to said recording head; a discharged amount measuring device for measuring the amount of ink discharged from said recording head; and a controller for controlling said ink supply amount adjusting device so as to supply said recording head with the ink by an amount corresponding to the discharged amount of ink as measured by said discharged amount measuring device, and wherein said controller comprises an ink level calculator for calculating an ink level in said ink bag based on the discharged ink amount, and a flow rate calculator for calculating based on the calculated ink level a flow rate per unit time of the ink through said ink supply path, to control said ink supply amount adjusting device based on the flow rate.