Abstract:
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a replenishment container and an inkjet recording device that are capable of reducing staining by ink or a solvent during ink or solvent replenishing. The replenishment container comprises a storage member having an opening formed therein and having a storage chamber that stores ink or solvent, a stopper member that seals the opening of the storage member, and a lid member that covers the stopper member. The replenishment container is characterized by: comprising a seal member that has a throughhole between the stopper member and the lid member; the lid member having a throughhole that is opened concentrically with the throughhole of the seal member; and the inner diameter of part or all of the throughhole in the seal member being smaller than the inner diameter of the throughhole in the lid member.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/914,805, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, the priority of which is claimed, which, on Feb. 26, 2016, entered the U.S. national phase of international application PCT/JP2013/082120, filed Nov. 29, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by reference, the priority of which is also claimed. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a replenishment container and an inkjet recording device provided with the same. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    A background art in the present technical field is Patent Literature 1 (JP-A-9-156120). This publication describes “an engaging member 31 engages with an upper opening 30 of an ink container 11. An ink replenishment port 36 of an ink replenishment container 35 includes a screw 37 on an outer circumferential portion thereof and a spring plug is press-fitted into an opening thereof. The spring plug is constructed of a body 38, a plug 41 and a spring 42, the body 38 is provided with an ink outlet 39 at the center thereof and a ring-shaped protrusion 40 is formed therearound. The spring 42 is built into the body 38 in a compressed state, urging the plug 41 toward the protrusion 40. The plug 41 includes a plurality of grooves 43 forming passages of air and ink when pushed up. The engaging member 31 includes a screw groove 32 that receives the screw 37 of the ink replenishment port 36 formed on the inner surface, four ink inlets 34 on the base plate and is provided at the center with a butting portion 33 against which the spring plug 41 butts.” (See Abstract.) 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0004]    PATENT LITERATURE 1: JP-A-9-156120 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0005]    Patent Literature 1 describes that the above-described configuration is adopted for the purpose of providing an inkjet recording device that prevents ink from scattering or spilling out when an ink container is replenished with the ink from an ink replenishment container. 
         [0006]    However, in the present configuration, ink adheres to the spring plug of the ink replenishment container during ink replenishment and the spring plug is exposed to outside the ink replenishment container when the ink replenishment container is removed, and therefore the ink remaining in the spring plug may drop and cause staining by ink. 
         [0007]    In consideration of the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a replenishment container capable of reducing staining by ink or a solvent during replenishment of the ink or solvent. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0008]    In order to solve the above-described problems, for example, the configuration described in the scope of claims is adopted. 
         [0009]    The present application includes a plurality of means for solving the above-described problems, and one such example is a replenishment container including a storage member including a storage chamber that stores ink or a solvent and including an opening formed therein, a stopper member that seals the opening of the storage member and a lid member that covers the seal member, the replenishment container including a seal member that has a through hole between the stopper member and the lid member, the lid member including a through hole formed concentrically with the through hole of the seal member and an inner diameter of part or a whole of the through hole of the seal member being smaller than an inner diameter of the through hole of the lid member. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0010]    According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a replenishment container and an inkjet recording device provided with the same capable of reducing staining by ink or a solvent during replenishment of the ink or solvent. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall structure of an ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a detailed structure of a container connection section of the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a general view illustrating an inkjet recording device mounted with the replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of actual use of the inkjet recording device mounted with the replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of the inkjet recording device mounted with the replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a system diagram of an ink circulation system of the inkjet recording device mounted with the replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an example of a liquid level control flow of an ink sub container in the inkjet recording device mounted with the replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an outline view of an ink circulation area of the inkjet recording device mounted with the replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8A  is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape of the stopper member of the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8B  is a diagram illustrating another example of the shape of the stopper member of the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9A  is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape of the lid member of the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9B  is a diagram illustrating another example of the shape of the lid member of the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape of the seal member of the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11A  is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape of an absorbing member of the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11B  is a diagram illustrating another example of the shape of the absorbing member of the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an ink sub container of the inkjet recording device mounted with the replenishment container according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13A  is a cross-sectional view of overall appearance illustrating the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 1 connected with the ink sub container. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating details of the area of connection between the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 1 and the ink sub container. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a state in the middle of connection between the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 1 and the ink sub container. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15A  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 2. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 2 connected with an ink sub container. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a port of an ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 3. 
           [0033]      FIG. 17A  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 4. 
           [0034]      FIG. 17B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 4 connected with an ink sub container. 
           [0035]      FIG. 18A  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 5. 
           [0036]      FIG. 18B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the ink replenishment container according to Embodiment 5 connected with an ink sub container. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. 
       Embodiment 1 
       [0038]      FIG. 2  is an overall diagram illustrating an inkjet recording device  100  related to a replenishment container according to the present embodiment. The inkjet recording device  100  is provided with a body  1  including an operation display section  3  provided outside thereof and an ink discharge head  2 , and the body  1  and the ink discharge head  2  are connected together via a conduit  4 . The body  1  is provided with a state display lamp  5  which can display an operation state of the inkjet recording device  100 , for example, a power conduction state, printability state, alarm state or abnormal state by means of lighting up. The inkjet recording device  100  is provided with a maintenance door  6  and the user can perform maintenance such as ink replenishment by opening the maintenance door  6 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example of actual use of the inkjet recording device  100 . The inkjet recording device  100  is installed, for example, on a production line in a factory where food, beverage or the like is produced, the body  1  is installed at a position where the user can operate it, and the ink discharge head  2  is installed at a position where it can approach a printing target  13  being conveyed on the production line such as a belt conveyor  15 . 
         [0040]    An encoder  16  that outputs a signal corresponding to a conveying speed to the inkjet recording device  100  to perform printing with the same width irrespective of the conveying speed on the production line such as the belt conveyor  15  and a printing sensor  17  that outputs a signal for detecting the printing target  13  and instructing the inkjet recording device  100  to print it are set, and are respectively connected to a control section  200 , which is not shown, in the body  1 . 
         [0041]    The control section  200  controls the amount of charging and timing of charging with respect to ink particles  10  which are discharged from a nozzle  8  according to signals from the encoder  16  and the printing sensor  17 , and causes the ink particles  10  charged and deflected while the printing target  13  is passing through the vicinity of the ink discharge head  2  to adhere to the printing target  13  to perform printing. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  illustrates a control configuration of the inkjet recording device  100 . The control configuration includes a ROM  102  that stores a program and data necessary for an MPU  101  that has a calculation function and control the whole inkjet recording device to operate via a bus  120 , a RAM  103  that temporarily stores data necessary during execution of the program, an input device  104  that inputs printing contents, set values or the like and a display device  105  that displays the contents inputted by the input device  104  and a state or the like. 
         [0043]    The control configuration also includes connections to an excitation voltage generation circuit  111  that generates an excitation voltage to be given to an excitation element  152  attached to a nozzle  151  inside the ink discharge head  2 , a charging voltage generation circuit  112  that generates a charging voltage to be given to a charging electrode  153  to give charge to ink particles  161  discharged from the nozzle  151 , a deflection voltage generation circuit  113  that generates a deflection voltage to be given to a deflection electrode  154 , an electromagnetic valve control circuit  114  that controls an electromagnetic valve that opens/closes a flow of ink or a solvent, a pump control circuit  115  that controls a pump that gives pressure to the ink, and a liquid level detection circuit  116  that detects liquid levels of an ink container  201 , an ink sub container  202  and a solvent sub container  203 . 
         [0044]    The ink container, the ink sub container and the solvent sub container will be described later. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  illustrates a system diagram of an ink circulation system of the inkjet recording device  100 . The body  1  is internally provided with the ink container  201  that stores ink to be supplied to the nozzle  151  or recollects and re-stores the ink supplied to the nozzle but not used for printing, the ink sub container  202  that stores ink to be replenished to the ink container  201 , the solvent sub container  203  that stores a solvent used to dilute ink or clean the path, pumps  211  to  214  to provide pressure to the ink or solvent, electromagnetic valves  221  to  228  that open/close the path of the ink or solvent, a filter  231  that collects dirt in the ink, a decompression valve  232  that reduces the pressure of the ink increased by the pump  211  and adjusts it to a necessary pressure, a pressure gauge  233  that measures the pressure of the ink, and a viscosity meter  234  that measures viscosity of the ink. The ink discharge head  2  is provided with the nozzle  151 , a three-way electromagnetic valve  229  that closes or opens either of the two paths on an IN side to communicate with the path on an OUT side and a gutter  241  that collects the ink discharged from the nozzle but not used for printing. 
         [0046]    An ink replenishment container  301  and a solvent replenishment container  302  are connected to the ink sub container  202  and the solvent sub container  203  respectively. Inks in the ink sub container  202  and the solvent sub container  203  are suctioned and press-fed by the pump  211  and the pump  214  respectively, and replenished to the ink container  201  through the paths of the ink and solvent. Though not shown, it is also possible to link to the ink sub container  202 , the path connected to the pump  212 , the pump  213  and the viscosity meter  234  which are connected to the ink container  201 , discard the path from the ink container  201  to the electromagnetic valve  222  and the outside of the body  1 , and integrate the ink container  201  and the ink sub container  202 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  illustrates an outline of an ink circulation area  251  of the inkjet recording device  100 . The ink circulation area  251  becomes accessible by opening the maintenance door  6 . The ink circulation area  251  is provided with an ink circulation unit  261  in which the pumps  211  to  214  and the electromagnetic valves  221  to  228  are unitized, the ink sub container  202  and the solvent sub container  203 , and although these components are not shown, they are fixed by screws or the like. 
         [0048]    As described above, the ink replenishment container  301  and the solvent replenishment container  302  are connected to the ink sub container  202  and the solvent sub container  203  respectively, and the ink replenishment container  301  and the solvent replenishment container  302  can be attached/detached or replaced by the user. 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  illustrates a structure of the ink replenishment container  301  which is the present embodiment. Note that since the ink replenishment container and the solvent replenishment container have similar structures, only the ink replenishment container will be described below, and description of the solvent replenishment container will be omitted. 
         [0050]      FIG. 1( a )  shows an overall structure and  FIG. 1( b )  shows an enlarged view of the distal end portion of the ink replenishment container  301 . As shown in  FIG. 1( a ) , the ink replenishment container  301  is provided with a storage member  311 , a stopper member  312 , a first lid member  313 , a seal member  314 , a liquid absorbing member  315  and a second lid member  316 . 
         [0051]    As examples of the material of the ink replenishment container  301 , high density polyethylene resin (HDPE), low density polyethylene resin (LDPE) or polypropylene resin (PP) is used for the storage member  311 , the first lid member  313  and the second lid member  316 , and low density polyethylene resin (LDPE) or linear low density polyethylene resin (LLDPE) is used for the stopper member  312 . 
         [0052]    In addition, isobutylene-isoprene rubber or ethylene-propylene rubber which is an elastic body is used for the seal member  314 , and polyolefin-based foamed body with continuous bubbles or polyolefin non-woven fabric cloth is used for the liquid absorbing member  315 . Note that the above-described materials are suitable for use in the present embodiment, but other materials may also be used. 
         [0053]    Describing a detailed structure of the ink replenishment container  301 , the storage member  311  has a storage chamber  321  of a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a distal end portion  322  of a wall surface that extends from one end portion of the storage chamber  321  has a cylindrical shape and has an open end face. 
         [0054]    Furthermore, the outer circumferential rim of the distal end portion  322  is threaded and the wall surface that connects the distal end portion  322  and the storage chamber  321  is tilted toward the inside of the storage member  311 . 
         [0055]    The stopper member  312  is attached to the opening of this distal end portion  322  so as to be inserted into the storage member  311 . The stopper member  312  is provided with a cylindrical portion  331 , a flange portion  332  and a base portion  333 , the flange portion  332  being formed at an end portion of the cylindrical portion  331 , and the stopper member  312  being attached, with this flange portion  332  locked at the opening end portion of the distal end portion  322  of the storage member  311 . 
         [0056]    With this configuration, an outside surface of the cylindrical portion  331  is continuously in tight contact with an inside surface of the distal end portion  322  of the storage member along the circumference, secures sealability and the flange portion  332  is continuously in tight contact with an end face of the distal end portion  322  of the storage member along the circumference, secures sealability, and provides a double sealing structure, which is a structure that prevents leakage of the liquid. 
         [0057]    The base portion  333  of the stopper member  312  includes a ring-shaped thin wall portion  341  which has a smaller thickness than the surrounding area. In the present embodiment, when the ink replenishment container  301  is connected to the ink sub container  202  on the main unit side, part of the base portion  333  of the stopper member  312  of the ink replenishment container  301  is configured to be broken through by a protrusion of the connection portion provided in the ink sub container  202 . This thin wall portion  341  is intended to be broken through by a small operation force when ink is replenished and the thickness of the thin wall portion is preferably on the order of 0.2 to 0.5 mm.  FIG. 8  shows an example of the shape of the stopper member  312 ,  FIG. 8( a )  illustrating the thin wall portion  341  which is formed into a continuous ring shape and  FIG. 8( b )  illustrating the thin wall portion  341  which is intermittently formed. 
         [0058]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 1( b ) , the first lid member  313  includes a cylindrical portion  351  and a base portion  352 , the inside surface of the cylindrical portion  351  is threaded to engage with and to be fixed to the thread formed at the distal end portion  322  of the storage member  311 . 
         [0059]    The end face portion  352  of the first lid member includes a through hole  353  and the through hole  353  of the lid member is disposed concentrically with the ring-shaped thin wall portion  341  of the stopper member  312 .  FIG. 9  shows an example of the shape of the lid member  313 ,  FIG. 9( a )  illustrating the through hole  353  formed into a circular shape and  FIG. 9( b )  illustrating the through hole  353  formed of portions  355  along a circle  354  and concave portions  356  peripheral thereto. 
         [0060]    Furthermore, the base portion  333  of the stopper member  312  is provided with the seal member  314  along the peripheral rim of the base portion  333 . The seal member  314  is cylindrical and includes a through hole  361 , the through hole  361  of the seal member  314  being provided with two ring-shaped protrusions  362  and  363  on the inside surface thereof, and the ring-shaped protrusions  362  and  363  being formed concentrically with the through hole  361  and disposed concentrically with the through hole  353  of the first lid member  313 . 
         [0061]    When, for example, the cylindrical member that moves in an axial direction concentrically with the ring-shaped protrusions in tight contact with the protrusions concerned moves while compressing the seal member  314 , the ring-shaped protrusions on the inside surface of the seal member  314  have an effect of securing sealability by a surface pressure of the seal member  314  that locally increases at the ring-shaped protrusions, preventing an unnecessarily high surface pressure from being generated except in the ring-shaped protrusions and reducing a frictional force generated. Note that the number of ring-shaped protrusions is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more, or may not be provided with any protrusions if only sealability is secured. 
         [0062]    Two ring-shaped protrusions  364  and  365  are formed on the outside surface of the seal member  314 , and the ring-shaped protrusions  364  and  365  are continuously in tight contact with the inside surface of the cylindrical portion  331  of the stopper member and along the inner circumference and thereby secure sealability. 
         [0063]    Here, the number of the ring-shaped protrusions on the outside surface is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more, or without any protrusion, the outside surface of the seal member may be continuously in contact with the inside surface of the stopper member and along the circumference. Furthermore, when the ink replenishment container  301  is not connected to an adapter to be connected to the ink replenishment container  301 , sealability between the ring-shaped protrusions  364  and  365  on the outside surface of the seal member and the inside surface of the cylindrical portion  331  of the stopper member is unnecessary, these portions may not be in tight contact with each other or the seal member  314  may be deformed so as to be in tight contact with each other when the ink replenishment container  301  is connected to the adapter. 
         [0064]    Inner diameters  372  and  373  of the ring-shaped protrusions  362  and  363  of the inside surface of the seal member  314  are smaller than an inner diameter  371  of the through hole  353  of the lid member. When cylindrical member as a cartridge connection portion of the ink sub container on the body side having an outer diameter which is smaller than but substantially equal to the inner diameter of the through hole  353  of the lid member is inserted concentrically through the through hole  353  of the lid member, this causes the ring-shaped protrusions  362  and  363  on the inside surface of the seal member  314  to be continuously in tight contact with the outside surface of the cylindrical member on the circumference, making it possible to secure sealability at the portions concerned. 
         [0065]    The cylindrical member has a shape provided for an adapter to be connected to the ink replenishment container  301  and the adapter will be described later.  FIG. 10  shows an example of the seal member  314 , and the seal member may be ring-shaped or O-ring-shaped. 
         [0066]    Next, the absorbing member  315  will be described. As an example of the material of the absorbing member  315 , a polyolefin foamed body with continuous bubbles or a polyolefin non-woven fabric cloth is used as described above. Whatever is the material, the absorbing member  315  includes a gap which is continuous from the outer surface of the absorbing member  315  to the inside and a liquid can be absorbed into the gap. 
         [0067]    The absorbing member  315  also includes a through hole  381  and the through hole  381  of the absorbing member is disposed concentrically with the through hole  353  of the lid member. As a method of fixing the absorbing member  315 , for example, the absorbing member  315  and the seal member  314  are adhered and fixed to each other using a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive. 
         [0068]      FIG. 11  shows an example of the shape of the absorbing member  315 ,  FIG. 11( a )  illustrating the through hole  381  formed in a circular shape and  FIG. 11( b )  illustrating the through hole  381  formed of the portion  383  along a circle  382  and concave portions  384  peripheral thereto. 
         [0069]    Next, the second lid member  316  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the second lid member  316  has a shape including a cylindrical portion  391  and a base portion  392  as an example, and is disposed so as to cover the through hole  353  of the lid member  313 , thus preventing the stopper member  312 , the seal member  314  or the absorbing member  315  from being damaged by mistake or preventing dirt from entering from outside and adhering when the ink replenishment container  301  is handled or stored. 
         [0070]    The inside surface of the peripheral rim of the opening of the cylindrical portion  391  of the second lid member is provided with a ring-shaped protrusion  393 , which engages with and is fixed to the lid member  313 . This engagement is disengaged when the user manually pulls the second lid member in a direction of disengagement, and the ink replenishment container  301  is connected to the adapter with the second lid member  316  removed. 
         [0071]    The second lid member  316  can be manually engaged with the lid member  313  and the second lid member  316  can be engaged with a used ink replenishment container. Provision of the second lid member  316  prevents a small amount of ink remaining in the used ink replenishment container from scattering outside due to impact or the like during handling or prevents smell of the ink inside from leaking outside. 
         [0072]    Another example of the second lid member is a label, which is not shown, and may be pasted to the lid member  313  by covering the through hole  353 . Note that the structure shown in  FIG. 1  and the aforementioned contents regarding  FIG. 1  are applicable to the solvent replenishment container  302  as well. 
         [0073]    As described above, according to the ink or solvent replenishment container of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a replenishment container capable of reducing staining by ink or a solvent during replenishment of the ink or solvent. 
         [0074]    Next, the structure of the ink sub container  202  of the inkjet recording device  100  to which the ink replenishment container of the present embodiment is connected will be described using  FIG. 12 . A storage member  501  of the ink sub container includes a storage portion  511 , a replenishment port  512  and a sensor port  513 , and an adapter  502  is fixed to the replenishment port  512  using a screw  503 . A seal member  504  is provided between the replenishment port  512  and the adapter  502  to secure sealability of the portions concerned. 
         [0075]    A block  508  to which a liquid level sensor  505 , a suction pipe  506  and an atmosphere opening pipe  507  are attached is fixed to the sensor port  513  of the storage member  501  through screw engagement of the lid  509 . 
         [0076]    The liquid level sensor  505  is made up of two metal rods, the two rods are electrically continuous at a position at which the liquid level of conductive ink is in contact with the two metal rods, whereas the two rods are not electrically continuous at a position at which the liquid level of the conductive ink is not in contact with the two metal rods, and based on this principle, it is possible to detect whether or not the liquid level has reached a detection level  521  at a certain one point. 
         [0077]    A terminal or the like with which a conductor engages is fixed at the top of the two metal rods, and the conductor is connected to the liquid level detection circuit  116 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a liquid level control flow of the ink sub container  202  in the inkjet recording device  100 . In step  401 , it is confirmed, based on the detection level  521 , whether or not the liquid level sensor  505  provided in the ink sub container  202  has detected the liquid level. 
         [0079]    When the liquid level is not detected, this means that the ink in the ink sub container is running short and an alarm is displayed in step  402 . The ink replenishment container connected to the ink sub container at this time discharges substantially all the ink stored therein into the ink sub container, and so the ink replenishment container is substantially empty. 
         [0080]    In  FIG. 12 , the drawing of the ink replenishment container is omitted. An example of a state of connection between the ink replenishment container and the ink sub container will be described later. As an example of alarm display in step  402 , an alarm lamp of the state display lamp  5  is turned on, and an alarm mark and a message displaying contents that the ink replenishment container needs to be replaced by a new one within a prescribed time T are shown on the operation display section  3 . 
         [0081]    The alarm lamp and the alarm mark are normally displayed all the time until the alarm is canceled and the message can be erased by the user&#39;s operation. Even when the alarm is displayed, the inkjet recording device  100  can perform printing or operation as usual. 
         [0082]    When the liquid level is detected in step  401 , the amount of ink remaining in the ink sub container is sufficient, and so no alarm is displayed. 
         [0083]    It is confirmed in step  403  whether or not the prescribed time T has passed since the liquid level was determined to be undetected. When the prescribed time T has passed, it is assumed that substantially no ink remains in the ink sub container depending on the operating environment or printing frequency and if printing is continued thereafter, there is a risk that air may be absorbed into the ink path instead of ink, causing printing disturbance, and therefore an abnormal state is displayed in step  406  and operation of the inkjet recording device  100  is stopped. 
         [0084]    If the prescribed time T has not passed, it is confirmed in step  404  whether the liquid level has not been detected yet. If the liquid level has not been detected in step  404 , the flow returns to step  403 . 
         [0085]    When the ink replenishment container is replaced by a new one, the ink in the ink replenishment container is discharged into the ink sub container, the liquid level in the ink sub container increases, the liquid level sensor detects the liquid level based on the detection level  521  and the flow proceeds to step  405 . 
         [0086]    In step  405 , the alarm displayed in step  402  is canceled. The liquid level control flow shown in  FIG. 6  is similar to that of the solvent sub container, and as an example of the alarm display in step  402  when the liquid level sensor of the solvent sub container does not detect the liquid level, a message with contents showing that the solvent replenishment container needs to be replaced by a new one within the prescribed time T is displayed. 
         [0087]    The detection level  521  is provided at a position above the suction port  522  of the suction pipe  506  at a predetermined distance therefrom. This increases by a certain amount the time period after the amount of ink in the ink sub container  202  decreases due to printing during operation of the inkjet recording device  100 , the liquid level falls below the detection level  521  and an alarm is issued until it is no longer possible to suction the ink, thus providing a time extension after the user recognizes the occurrence of the alarm until replacing the ink replenishment container  301 . 
         [0088]    A fluororesin tube is connected to an upper portion of the suction pipe  506  through engagement, connected to the ink circulation unit  261 , and the path thereof is linked with the pump  211  via the electromagnetic valve  221 . A fluororesin tube is connected to an upper portion of the atmosphere opening pipe  507  through engagement, and the path thereof is linked with an atmosphere outside the inkjet recording device  100 , and when the ink in the ink sub container is suctioned by the suction pipe  506 , air from the atmosphere opening pipe flows into the ink sub container. Since the solvent stored in the solvent sub container  203  has no conductivity under normal circumstances, the solvent sub container  203  uses a different type of liquid level sensor from the ink sub container, but follows the same liquid level control flow shown in  FIG. 6  and adopts the same structure shown in  FIG. 12  except the liquid level sensor. A float sensor or the like is used as the liquid level sensor of the solvent sub container. A structural diagram of the solvent sub container is omitted. 
         [0089]    The adapter  502  is intended to be connected to the ink replenishment container  301  and a connection state thereof will be described later. The adapter  502  is provided with a cylindrical portion  531 , an upper part of which forms an acute angle shape  532  and an outer wall portion  533 . Polypropylene resin, polybutylene terephthalate resin or the like is used as the material of the adapter  502 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of connection between the ink replenishment container  301  and the ink sub container  202 .  FIG. 13( a )  is an overall diagram and  FIG. 13( b )  is a detailed diagram of the connection portion. The ink replenishment container  301  is inserted into and connected to the ink sub container  202  with the distal end portion  322  of the storage member  311  placed face down. 
         [0091]    The connection is made through engagement between the ring-shaped protrusions  362  and  363  of the inside surface of the through hole of the seal member  314  of the ink replenishment container  301  and the outside surface of the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter  502  of the ink sub container, and the thin wall portion  341  of the stopper member  312  is broken through in a ring shape by the acute angle shape  532  above the cylindrical portion of the adapter during the connection leaving part of a connection portion  541 . 
         [0092]    At this time, a portion  542  inside the thin wall portion of the stopper member and broken through in a ring shape is pushed up by the cylindrical portion  531  which is the portion projecting above the base portion  333  of the stopper member and maintains a state in which the inside of the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter which becomes a channel is not blocked. 
         [0093]    The connection operation is the operation that the user removes the second lid member  316  from the ink replenishment container  301 , then inserts the cylindrical portion  351  of the lid member  313  of the ink replenishment container  301  so as to be accommodated in the outer wall portion  533  of the adapter of the ink sub container  202 , and then pushes the ink replenishment container  301  downward. 
         [0094]    At this time, the outer wall portion  533  of the adapter of the ink sub container  202  has an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion  351  of the lid member  313  of the ink replenishment container  301 , but a difference therebetween is as small as on the order of 0.1 to 0.6 mm, and on the other hand, an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter is smaller than an inner diameter of the through hole  353  of the lid member  313 , but a difference therebetween is as small as on the order of 0.1 to 0.6 mm and the respective portions play the role of guidance when inserting the ink replenishment container  301  into the adapter. 
         [0095]    When the ink replenishment container  301  is pushed in, a certain degree of push-in force is necessary due to a frictional force between the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter of the ink sub container  202  and the seal member  314  of the ink replenishment container  301  and a force required for the acute angle portion  531  of the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter to break through the stopper member  312 , but the ink replenishment container  301  can also be pushed in by the above-described operation. 
         [0096]    Although the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter  502  is smaller than but substantially equal to the inner diameter of the through hole  353  of the lid member  313  of the ink replenishment container, and the inner diameter of the ring-shaped protrusions  362  and  363  on the inside surface of the seal member  314  is smaller than the outer diameter of the through hole  353  of the lid member and the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter, whereby sealability of the portions concerned is secured as described above. 
         [0097]    That is, this means that when the ink replenishment container  301  is connected to the ink sub container  202  and ink is replenished thereto, the ink is sealed by a portion of the ring-shaped protrusion  362  or  363  inside the ink replenishment container and stays there, and the outer surface of the ink replenishment container, for example, the outer surface  545  of the base portion  352  of the lid member  313  in particular is not stained by the ink, which allows the user to operate without the ink staining the user&#39;s hand even when the user&#39;s hand touches a given outer surface of the ink replenishment container when handling the used ink replenishment container. 
         [0098]    Here, the outside surface of the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter and the hole formed by the stopper member  312  being broken through are engaged with each other, but they are not always in tight contact with each other over the whole circumference, and sealability of the portions concerned cannot be stably secured. During the connection, the inside of the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter becomes a channel which allows the ink to flow from the ink replenishment container to the ink sub container by its own weight, and at the same time allows the air to flow from the ink sub container to the ink replenishment container, thereby compensating for the volume that reduces by the outflow of ink in the ink replenishment container. In that case, if the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter is small, the ink may not drop off due to the action of surface tension or the like, and so the inner diameter of the adapter is preferably approximately 8 mm or more. 
         [0099]    Moreover, in the present embodiment, the storage member  311  of the ink replenishment container  301  has a certain degree of rigidity and the volume of the ink replenishment container  301  substantially does not change, and as another example, the storage member  311  of the ink replenishment container may have small rigidity, and may be easily deformed and reduced in volume by a negative pressure generated when the ink therein flows by its own weight and an external force by which the storage member  311  is pressured and compressed. 
         [0100]    The ink replenishment container  301  is connected to the ink sub container  202 , raised by the user after causing most of the ink therein to flow out, and replaced with a new ink replenishment container. When the ink replenishment container is raised, there is a risk that a small amount of ink remaining in, for example, an upper space  544  of the stopper member  312  or an upper space  545  of the ring-shaped protrusion  362  of the seal member  314  may run along the inner surface of the through hole of the seal member  314  and flow out of the outer surface of the ink replenishment container, but to cope with such a possibility, arranging the absorbing member between the seal member  314  and the lid member  313  prevents the outflow of the remaining ink. 
         [0101]      FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of a state midway through the connection between the ink replenishment container  301  and the ink sub container  202 . The acute angle shape  532  of the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter is not in contact with the base portion  333  of the stopper member  312  and the outside surface of the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter is continuously in contact with the ring-shaped protrusion  363  of the seal member  314  along the circumference. Thus, sealability of the portions concerned is secured even midway through the connection between the ink replenishment container  301  and the ink sub container  202 . 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0102]      FIG. 15  illustrates a configuration of an ink replenishment container  301  according to Embodiment 2,  FIG. 15( a )  illustrating a structure of the port of the ink replenishment container  301  and  FIG. 15( b )  illustrating an example of a state of connection between the ink replenishment container  301  and the ink sub container  202 . 
         [0103]    The ink replenishment container  301  is provided with a storage member  311 , a stopper member  312 , a lid member  313 , a seal member  551 , an absorbing member  552  and a second lid member  316 . The present embodiment has contents similar to those described above regarding  FIG. 1 , and in this case, the seal member  314  corresponds to the seal member  551 , and the absorbing member  315  corresponds to the absorbing member  552 . In the present embodiment, parts of the shapes of the seal member  314  and the absorbing member  315  are changed and the changed portions will be described. 
         [0104]    An inner diameter of a through hole  361  of the absorbing member  552  is smaller than an inner diameter of a through hole  353  of the lid member  313 , and when the cylindrical portion  531  of the adapter is inserted into the portion concerned through the connection between the ink replenishment container  301  and the ink sub container  202 , there is a relationship that the outside surface of the cylindrical portion of the adapter is in contact with the inside surface of the through hole of the absorbing member. 
         [0105]    Thus, in the process in which the ink replenishment container  301  is raised from the ink sub container  202 , even when engagement having sealability between the seal member  551  and the adapter cylindrical portion is disengaged and the aforementioned small amount of ink remaining in the ink replenishment container flows out onto the outer surface of the ink replenishment container, it is possible to reliably catch the ink through the absorbing member  552  and wipe away the ink adhered to the outside surface above the cylindrical portion of the adapter by the absorbing member  315  moving above the cylindrical portion while in contact with the cylindrical portion of the adapter. The seal member  551  has a circular concave portion  561  which is concentric with the through hole  361  thereof and the circular concave portion  561  is disposed opposite to the absorbing member  552 . An inner diameter of the circular concave portion  561  is greater than an inner diameter of the through hole  353  of the lid member  313 , and thus when the ink replenishment container  301  is connected to the ink sub container  202 , the adapter cylindrical portion thereby comes into contact with the inner surface of the through hole of the absorbing member as described above, a flipped portion  571  is thereby generated in the absorbing member  552 , but the flipped portion  571  is accommodated in the circular concave portion  561  of the seal member, preventing the flipped portion  571  from being involved in the contacting portion between the adapter cylindrical portion and the seal member. Regarding the method of fixing the absorbing member  552 , for example, the absorbing member  552  is pushed in by the protrusion portion  562  provided in the seal member  551 , a wedge-shaped engagement is formed and fixed. Note that the structure shown in  FIG. 15  and the aforementioned contents regarding  FIG. 15  are applicable to the solvent replenishment container  302  as well. 
         [0106]    As described above, the invention according to the present embodiment can provide a replenishment container capable of reducing staining by ink or a solvent during replenishment of the ink or solvent. 
       Embodiment 3 
       [0107]      FIG. 16  illustrates a configuration of an ink replenishment container  301  according to Embodiment 3 and illustrates a structure of the distal end portion in particular. The present embodiment has a configuration and features similar to those of the ink replenishment container  301  shown in  FIG. 1  except the difference in the stopper member  312  and the seal member  314 , and the ink replenishment container  301  in the present embodiment is provided with a storage member  311 , an elastic stopper member  601 , a lid member  313 , an absorbing member  315 , and a second lid member  316 . In  FIG. 16 , the second lid member is omitted. 
         [0108]    The stopper member  601  is provided with a cylindrical portion  611 , a flange portion  612 , and a base portion  613 , and an outside surface of the cylindrical portion  611  is continuously in tight contact with an inside surface of the distal end portion  322  of the storage member  311  along the circumference to secure sealability and the flange portion  612  is continuously in tight contact with an end face of the distal end portion  322  of the storage member  311  along the circumference to secure sealability. 
         [0109]    As the material of the stopper member  601 , an elastic body such as isobutylene-isoprene rubber or ethylene-propylene rubber is used. The shape of the base portion  613  may be a flat shape or concavo-convex shape. An inside surface of the cylindrical portion  611  of the stopper member  601  is provided with two ring-shaped protrusions  621  and  622 , which are formed concentrically with the cylindrical portion  611 . The ring-shaped protrusions  621  and  622  are disposed concentrically with the through hole  353  of the lid member  313 . 
         [0110]    Here, the number of ring-shaped protrusions on the inside surface is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more, or there may be no protrusions. Inner diameters of the ring-shaped protrusions  621  and  622  on the inside surface of the elastic stopper member are smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole  353  of the lid member, and effects thereof are the same as the aforementioned contents regarding the seal member  314 . The state of connection with the ink sub container  202  is similar to the structure shown in  FIG. 13 . The structure shown in  FIG. 16  and the aforementioned contents regarding  FIG. 16  are applicable to the solvent replenishment container  302  as well. 
         [0111]    As describe above, the invention according to the present embodiment can provide a replenishment container capable of reducing staining by ink or a solvent during replenishment of the ink or solvent. 
       Embodiment 4 
       [0112]      FIG. 17  illustrates a configuration of an ink replenishment container  301  according to Embodiment 4,  FIG. 17( a )  illustrating a structure of a distal end portion of the ink replenishment container  301  and  FIG. 17( b )  illustrating an example of a state of connection between the ink replenishment container  301  and the ink sub container  202 . 
         [0113]    The present embodiment has a configuration and features similar to those of the ink replenishment container  301  shown in  FIG. 1  except the difference in the stopper member  312  and the seal member  314 , and the ink replenishment container  301  in the present embodiment is provided with a storage member  311 , a stopper member  651 , a seal member  652 , a lid member  313 , an absorbing member  315 , and a second lid member  316 . In  FIG. 17 , the second lid member is omitted. 
         [0114]    The stopper member  651  is, for example, disk-shaped and fixed to the distal end portion  322  of the storage member  311  of the ink replenishment container  301  through engagement. Examples of the material used for the stopper member include low density polyethylene resin and linear low density polyethylene resin. 
         [0115]    The outside surface of the stopper member  651  is continuously in contact with the inside surface of the distal end portion  322  of the storage member  311  of the ink replenishment container  301  along the circumference to thereby secure sealability. Furthermore, engagement between the stopper member  651  and the storage member  311  can be disengaged by adding an external force to the stopper member  651  in an axial direction. A seal member  652  is provided between the stopper member  651  and the lid member  313 . 
         [0116]    The seal member  652  has a cylindrical shape including a through hole, an inside surface of which is provided with ring-shaped protrusions  621  and  622 , and the ring-shaped protrusions  621  and  622  are formed concentrically with the cylindrical shape of the seal member. The ring-shaped protrusions  621  and  622  are arranged concentrically with the through hole  353  of the lid member  313 . Ring-shaped protrusions are formed on an outside surface of the seal member and the ring-shaped protrusions are continuously in tight contact with an inside surface of the distal end portion  322  of the storage member  311  along the circumference to thereby secure sealability. 
         [0117]    The state of connection between the ink replenishment container  301  and the ink sub container  202  shown in  FIG. 17( b )  is a state in which the stopper member  651  is pushed up by a cylindrical shape  681  provided in the adapter  671  of the ink sub container  202 , whereby engagement between the stopper member  651  and the storage member  311  of the ink replenishment container is disengaged and the interior of the ink replenishment container communicates with the interior of the ink sub container. 
         [0118]    At this time, the stopper member  651  is not fixed and does not depend on the position shown in  FIG. 17( b ) . Here, even if the stopper member  651  remains at the position shown in  FIG. 17( b ) , the cylindrical shape  681  of the adapter is provided with a slit  682 , providing a structure whereby the stopper member  651  that comes off does not block the channel. Other contents of the present embodiment are similar to the aforementioned contents regarding  FIG. 13  and will be omitted. The structure shown in  FIG. 17  and the aforementioned contents regarding  FIG. 17  are applicable to the solvent replenishment container  302  as well. 
         [0119]    As described above, the invention according to the present embodiment can provide a replenishment container capable of reducing staining by ink or a solvent during replenishment of the ink or solvent. 
       Embodiment 5 
       [0120]      FIG. 18  illustrates a configuration of an ink replenishment container  301  according to Embodiment 5,  FIG. 18( a )  illustrating a structure of a distal end portion of the ink replenishment container  301  and  FIG. 18( b )  illustrating an example of a state of connection between the ink replenishment container  301  and the ink sub container  202 . 
         [0121]    The present embodiment has a configuration and features similar to those of the ink replenishment container  301  shown in  FIG. 1  except the difference in the stopper member  312  and the seal member  314 , and the ink replenishment container  301  in the present embodiment is provided with a storage member  311 , a first stopper member  701 , a second stopper member  702 , a compression coil spring  703 , a seal member  704 , a lid member  313 , an absorbing member  315 , and a second lid member  316 . In  FIG. 18 , the second lid member is omitted. 
         [0122]    Low density polyethylene resin or linear low density polyethylene resin is used as an example of the material of the first stopper member  701 , polypropylene resin, high density polyethylene resin or polybutylene terephthalate resin is used for the second stopper member  702 , and stainless steel is used for the compression coil spring  703 . 
         [0123]    The first stopper member  701  is provided with a cylindrical portion  711  and a flange portion  712 , securing sealability with the distal end portion  322  of the storage member as in the case of the aforementioned contents regarding  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, the first stopper member  701  is provided with a guidance portion  713  and an opening  714 . 
         [0124]    The second stopper member  702  is provided with a shaft portion  721  and a valve portion  722 , the shaft portion  721  engages with the guidance portion  713  of the stopper member  701  in a manner freely movable in the axial direction, the valve portion  722  receives a force of the compression coil spring  703 , is pressed against the seal member  704  placed inside the cylindrical portion  711  of the stopper member  701  and the portion concerned is continuously in tight contact along the circumference to secure sealability. 
         [0125]    In the state of connection between the ink replenishment container  301  and the ink sub container  202  shown in  FIG. 18( b ) , the second stopper member  702  is pushed up by the adapter  731  of the ink sub container  202 , the distance between the second stopper member  702  and the seal member  704  is increased and the interior of the ink replenishment container and the interior of the ink sub container communicate with each other. 
         [0126]    At this time, the valve portion  722  of the second stopper member  702  is in close contact with the end face of the cylindrical portion  681  of the adapter, but the cylindrical shape  681  of the adapter is provided with a slit  682 , providing a structure that does not block the channel. 
         [0127]    Other contents of the present embodiment are similar to the aforementioned contents regarding  FIG. 13 , and are therefore omitted. Moreover, the structure shown in  FIG. 18  and the aforementioned contents regarding  FIG. 18  are applicable to the solvent replenishment container  302  as well. 
         [0128]    As described above, the invention according to the present embodiment can provide a replenishment container capable of reducing staining by ink or a solvent during replenishment of the ink or solvent. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0129]      1  . . . body,  2  . . . ink discharge head,  3  . . . operation display section,  4  . . . conduit,  5  . . . state display lamp,  6  . . . maintenance door,  13  . . . printing target,  15  . . . belt conveyor,  16  . . . encoder,  17  . . . printing sensor,  100  . . . inkjet recording device,  101  . . . MPU,  102  . . . ROM,  103  . . . RAM,  104  . . . input device,  105  . . . display device,  111  . . . excitation voltage generation circuit,  112  . . . charging voltage generation circuit,  113  . . . deflection voltage generation circuit,  114  . . . electromagnetic valve control circuit,  115  . . . pump control circuit,  116  . . . liquid level control circuit,  151  . . . nozzle,  152  . . . excitation element,  153  . . . charging electrode,  154  . . . deflection electrode,  161  . . . ink particles,  201  . . . ink container,  202  . . . ink sub container,  203  . . . solvent sub container,  211 ,  212 ,  213 ,  214  . . . pump,  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224 ,  225 ,  226 ,  227 ,  228  . . . electromagnetic valve,  229  . . . three-way electromagnetic valve,  231  . . . filter,  232  . . . decompression valve,  233  . . . pressure gauge,  234  . . . viscosity meter,  241  . . . gutter,  251  . . . ink circulation area,  261  . . . ink circulation unit,  301  . . . ink replenishment container,  302  . . . solvent replenishment container,  311  . . . storage member,  312  . . . stopper member,  313  . . . lid member,  314  . . . seal member,  315  . . . absorbing member,  316  . . . second lid member,  321  . . . storage chamber,  322  . . . port,  331  . . . cylindrical portion,  332  . . . flange portion,  333  . . . base portion,  341  . . . thin wall portion,  351  . . . cylindrical portion,  352  . . . base portion,  353  . . . through hole,  354  . . . circle,  355  . . . portion along circle,  356  . . . concaved portion,  361  . . . through hole,  362 ,  363  . . . ring-shaped protrusion,  364 ,  365  . . . ring-shaped protrusion,  371  . . . inner diameter of through hole,  372 ,  373  . . . inner diameter of ring-shaped protrusion,  381  . . . through hole,  382  . . . circle,  383  . . . concaved portion,  391  . . . cylindrical portion,  392  . . . base portion,  393  . . . ring-shaped protrusion,  501  . . . storage member,  502  . . . adapter,  503  . . . screw,  504  . . . seal member,  505  . . . liquid level sensor,  506  . . . suction pipe,  507  . . . atmosphere opening pipe,  508  . . . block,  509  . . . lid,  511  . . . storage portion,  512  . . . replenishment port,  513  . . . sensor port,  521  . . . detection level,  522  . . . suction port,  531  . . . cylindrical portion,  532  . . . acute angle shape,  533  . . . outer wall portion,  541  . . . connection portion,  543  . . . broken portion,  544  . . . upper space of stopper member,  545  . . . upper space of ring-shaped protrusion,  551  . . . seal member,  552  . . . absorbing member,  561  . . . circular concave portion,  571  . . . flipped portion,  601  . . . elastic stopper member,  611  . . . cylindrical portion,  612  . . . flange portion,  613  . . . base portion,  621 ,  622  . . . ring-shaped protrusion,  651  . . . stopper member,  652  . . . seal member,  671  . . . adapter,  681  . . . cylindrical shape,  682  . . . slit,  701  . . . stopper member,  702  . . . second stopper member,  703  . . . compression coil spring,  704  . . . seal member,  711  . . . cylindrical portion,  712  . . . flange portion,  713  . . . guidance portion,  714  . . . opening,  721  . . . shaft portion,  722  . . . valve portion