Patent Publication Number: US-11034156-B2

Title: Inkjet recording apparatus

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-180515 filed on Sep. 26, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to an inkjet recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording object with ink. 
     In general, in an inkjet recording apparatus (hereinafter may be merely referred to as a recording apparatus), ink is reserved in a reserve portion such as a buffer tank. The ink is supplied from the buffer tank to a recording head. The ink is ejected from the recording head to a sheet. This allows an image to be recorded on the sheet. 
     During a period after the recording apparatus is assembled in the factory and before it is installed on a user side, the ink is not reserved in the buffer tank, and a flow path extending from the buffer tank to the recording head is not filled with the ink. After the recording apparatus is installed on the user side, a main tank storing the ink is attached to the recording apparatus. Thereafter, the recording apparatus executes a setup process so that the recording apparatus can be used on the user side. In the setup process, the ink is moved from the main tank to the buffer tank, and the flow path that is on the downstream of the buffer tank is filled with the ink. 
     SUMMARY 
     An inkjet recording apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a reserve portion, a casing, a first valve element, a second valve element, and a recording head. Ink is reserved in the reserve portion. An inflow port, a valve chamber, a first outflow port, and a second outflow port are formed in the casing. The inflow port communicates with the reserve portion. The ink that has flowed out from the reserve portion flows into the valve chamber through the inflow port. The first outflow port and the second outflow port are capable of flowing out the ink from the valve chamber. The first valve element is preliminarily located at an opening position that is separated from the first outflow port in an inward direction that is directed from the first outflow port toward inside of the valve chamber. The first valve element is displaced from the opening position to the first outflow port so as to close the first outflow port when the valve chamber is filled with the ink. The second valve element is preliminarily located at a closing position closing the second outflow port, and the second valve element opens the second outflow port when the valve chamber is filled with the ink. The recording head becomes ready to record an image on a recording object with the ink that flows out through the second outflow port after the second outflow port is opened by the second valve element. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing ink ejection portions included in an image recording portion. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ink supply system. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an ink supply portion. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a control portion included in the inkjet recording apparatus. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a flow path switching device, and showing a first valve element located at an opening position P 11 . 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of the flow path switching device, and showing the first valve element located at a closing position P 12 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing in enlargement the first valve element located at the opening position P 11 . 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram showing in enlargement the first valve element located at the closing position P 12 . 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram showing in enlargement a second valve element located at a closing position P 21 . 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram showing in enlargement the second valve element located at an opening position P 22 . 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram showing a detailed configuration of a guide portion. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram showing a detailed configuration of a flow path member. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram showing the flow path member inserted in the guide portion. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram showing a flow path portion located at a first angle position θ 1  and a second angle position θ 2   
         FIG. 16  is a schematic diagram showing another configuration example of the first valve member and the second valve member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings for the understanding of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the following embodiment is an example of a specific embodiment of the present disclosure and should not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the arrow X indicates a depth direction which is directed from a front side to a depth side of an inkjet recording apparatus (hereinafter may be referred to as a recording apparatus)  100 . The arrow Y indicates a width direction which is directed from a left side to a right side of the recording apparatus  100 . The arrow Z indicates a height direction which is directed from a bottom side to a top side of the recording apparatus  100 . Hereinafter, the depth direction, the width direction, and the height direction are respectively referred to as a depth direction X, a width direction Y, and a height direction Z. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the recording apparatus  100  is, for example, an inkjet printer. The recording apparatus  100  records an image on a recording object M 1  with ink based on image data. The image data is transmitted from an information processing apparatus (for example, a personal computer) that performs a data communication with the recording apparatus  100 . The recording object M 1  has a shape of a thin rectangular sheet. The recording object M 1  is made of paper, cloth or the like. The recording apparatus  100  discharges the recording object M 1  with the image recorded thereon to outside. 
     The recording apparatus  100  includes a storage portion  1 , a feed portion  2 , a conveyance portion  3 , an image recording portion  4 , an ink supply system  5 , a discharge portion  6 , and a control portion  7  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     The storage portion  1  is, for example, a supply tray. The storage portion  1  is provided at a lower location of the recording apparatus  100 . The storage portion  1  stores a plurality of recording objects M 1 . The plurality of recording objects M 1  are stored in the storage portion  1  such that a pair of opposite sides of each recording object M 1  extend along the depth direction X. Hereinafter, the length of the pair of opposite sides is referred to as the width of the recording object M 1 . 
     The feed portion  2  is provided at a rightward position in the recording apparatus  100 . In the feed portion  2 , a pickup roller  21  picks up a recording object M 1  and feeds it from the storage portion  1 . In addition, in the feed portion  2 , a pair of separation rollers  22  and a pair of conveyance rollers  23  feed the recording objects M 1  one by one to a pair of registration rollers  24 . In the feed portion  2 , the pair of registration rollers  24  are provided at an upper right position in the recording apparatus  100 . The pair of registration rollers  24  feed the recording object M 1  fed from the pair of conveyance rollers  23 , to the conveyance portion  3 . 
     The conveyance portion  3  is provided above the storage portion  1  and on the left side of the pair of registration rollers  24  in the recording apparatus  100 . The conveyance portion  3  includes a plurality of rollers: a tension roller  31 , a drive roller  32 , an auxiliary roller  33 , and a suction roller  35 . The conveyance portion  3  further includes a conveyance belt  34 . 
     Each of the plurality of rollers has a cylindrical shape and is longer than the width of the recording object M 1  in the depth direction X. Each of the plurality of rollers is supported by a frame  36  of the conveyance portion  3  so as to be rotatable around a center axis thereof. 
     The tension roller  31  is disposed on the left of the pair of registration rollers  24 . The drive roller  32  is disposed on the left of the tension roller  31 . The auxiliary roller  33  is disposed between the tension roller  31  and the drive roller  32  in the width direction Y. The auxiliary roller  33  is disposed below the tension roller  31  and the drive roller  32 . 
     The conveyance belt  34  is an endless belt. The conveyance belt  34  is stretched among the tension roller  31 , the drive roller  32 , and the auxiliary roller  33 . The width of the conveyance belt  34  in the depth direction X is larger than the width of the recording object M 1 . 
     The drive roller  32  rotates under the control of the control portion  7 . The conveyance belt  34  rotates following the rotation of the drive roller  32 . A top portion of an outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt  34 , namely a top surface  34 J, runs in a conveyance direction FD 2 . The conveyance direction FD 2  is opposite to the width direction Y. 
     The suction roller  35  is disposed above the tension roller  31 . The suction roller  35  abuts on the top surface  34 J of the conveyance belt  34  from above the conveyance belt  34 . The suction roller  35  and the tension roller  31  hold the conveyance belt  34  in between. 
     The pair of registration rollers  24  feed a recording object M 1  between the suction roller  35  and the conveyance belt  34 . The suction roller  35 , while rotating, causes the recording object M 1  to be in close contact with the top surface  34 J. The recording object M 1  is conveyed by the conveyance belt  34  in the conveyance direction FD 2  while in close contact with the top surface  34 J. 
     The image recording portion  4  includes four recording heads  41 . The four recording heads  41  correspond to yellow, black, cyan, and magenta. It is noted that the image recording portion  4  only needs to include one or more recording heads  41 . 
     The recording heads  41  are disposed directly above the top surface  34 J in the recording apparatus  100 . The four recording heads  41  are aligned at intervals in the width direction Y. The length of the recording heads  41  in the width direction Y is longer than the width of the recording object M 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the recording heads  41  includes a lot of ink ejection portions  41 J that are aligned in the depth direction X. It is noted that in  FIG. 2 , the reference sign “ 41 J” is placed at one ink ejection portion per recording head  41 . It is noted that the ink ejection portions  41 J may be arranged zigzag instead of linearly in the depth direction X in a plan view viewed from above. 
     Ink supply portions  52  (see  FIG. 3 ) respectively supply ink of corresponding colors to the ink ejection portions  41 J of the corresponding recording heads  41 . The ink ejection portions  41 J eject the ink to a recording object M 1  when the recording object M 1  is conveyed directly below the ink ejection portions  41 J. This allows an image represented by the image data to be recorded on the recording object M 1  with the ink of the four colors. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the discharge portion  6  is a discharge tray provided outside the recording apparatus  100 . Recording objects M 1  with images recorded thereon are discharged to the discharge portion  6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the ink supply system  5  includes four main tanks  51 . The four main tanks  51  respectively correspond to the four recording heads  41 . Ink of a corresponding color is reserved in each main tank  51 . The main tanks  51  are attached to the recording apparatus  100  in a detachable manner. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the ink supply system  5  further includes four ink supply portions  52 . The four ink supply portions  52  respectively correspond to the four main tanks  51  and the four recording heads  41 . The ink supply portions  52  supply ink of corresponding colors reserved in the corresponding main tanks  51 , to the corresponding recording heads  41 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , each of the ink supply portions  52  includes flow path members  61 A to  61 E, a buffer tank  63 , a feed portion  64 , and a flow path switching device  65 . 
     The flow path members  61 A to  61 E are each tubular. An ink flow path is formed in each of the flow path members  61 A to  61 E. It is noted that the flow path member  61 D is connected to a first outflow side connection portion  72 A. The operator can change the orientation of the first outflow side connection portion  72 A (see  FIG. 15 ). The flow path member  61 D is made of a flexible material so that it can cope with the change of the orientation. On the other hand, the flow path members  61 A to  61 C and  61 E may be made of the flexible material or may be made of a material other than the flexible material. 
     The buffer tank  63  is an example of a reserve portion of the present disclosure. The ink is reserved in the buffer tank  63 . Specifically, the buffer tank  63  is disposed below the main tank  51 . The ink reserved in the main tank  51  is supplied to, and reserved in, the buffer tank  63  via the flow path member  61 A. 
     The feed portion  64  communicates with the buffer tank  63  via the flow path member  61 B. The feed portion  64  communicates with the flow path switching device  65  via the flow path member  61 C. The feed portion  64  feeds the ink from the buffer tank  63  to the flow path member  61 B. In addition, the feed portion  64  receives the ink from the flow path member  61 B and feeds it to the flow path member  61 C. Specifically, the feed portion  64  is a syringe pump or a pump having a blade-like rotor. In this case, the feed portion  64  pressurizes the ink in the buffer tank  63  for the ink to be fed to the flow path member  61 B. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the flow path switching device  65  is a three-way valve. The flow path switching device  65  includes a inflow side connection portion  71 , the first outflow side connection portion  72 A, and a second outflow side connection portion  72 B. A valve chamber  73 J (see  FIG. 6 ) is formed in the flow path switching device  65 . A flow path communicating with the valve chamber  73 J is formed in each of the inflow side connection portion  71 , the first outflow side connection portion  72 A, and the second outflow side connection portion  72 B. 
     Specifically, a flow path FP 11  (see  FIG. 6 ) is formed in the inflow side connection portion  71 , wherein the flow path FP 11  communicates with the feed portion  64  via the flow path member  61 C. The ink that flows through the flow path member  61 C is fed into the valve chamber  73 J through the flow path FP 11 . A flow path FP 12 A (see  FIG. 6 ) is formed in the first outflow side connection portion  72 A, wherein the flow path FP 12 A communicates with the buffer tank  63  via the flow path member  61 D. A flow path FP 12 B (see  FIG. 6 ) is formed in the second outflow side connection portion  72 B, wherein the flow path FP 12 B communicates with the recording head  41  via the flow path member  61 E. 
     When the flow path switching device  65  opens the flow path FP 12 A and closes the flow path FP 12 B, the ink fed into the valve chamber  73 J through the flow path FP 11  flows out from the valve chamber  73 J through the flow path FP 12 A. In this case, in the ink supply portion  52 , the ink fed out from the buffer tank  63  returns to the buffer tank  63  through a circulation flow path FP 1  that is indicated by a two-dot chain line CL 1  in  FIG. 4 . The circulation flow path FP 1  includes the flow path member  61 B, the feed portion  64 , the flow path member  61 C, the flow path switching device  65 , and the flow path member  61 D. The circulation flow path FP 1  is used in a setup process that is described below. 
     When the flow path switching device  65  opens the flow path FP 12 B and closes the flow path FP 12 A, the ink fed into the valve chamber  73 J flows out from the valve chamber  73 J through the flow path FP 12 B. In this case, the ink fed out from the buffer tank  63  is supplied to the recording head  41  through a main flow path FP 2  that is indicated by a two-dot chain line CL 2  in  FIG. 4 . The main flow path FP 2  includes the flow path member  61 B, the feed portion  64 , the flow path member  61 C, the flow path switching device  65 , and the flow path member  61 E. The main flow path FP 2  is used after the setup process is executed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the control portion  7  includes a processor and various types of memory devices. Specifically, the processor is a CPU, a microcomputer or the like. In addition, the various types of memory devices include a ROM, a RAM, and a nonvolatile memory. The processor executes, by using the RAM, a program that is preliminarily stored in the ROM or the like. This allows the control portion  7  to control the recording apparatus  100  comprehensively. 
     It is noted that the control portion  7  may include an electronic circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), instead of the CPU or the microcomputer. 
     During a period from when the recording apparatus  100  is assembled in the factory until it is installed on a user side, (1) the main tanks  51  (see  FIG. 4 ) for the respective colors are not attached to the recording apparatus  100 , (2) the ink is not reserved in the buffer tanks  63 , and (3) the circulation flow paths FP 1  and the main flow paths FP 2  are not filled with the ink. It is noted that a part of the valve chambers  73 J, the flow path members  61 E, and the recording heads  41  are filled with a predetermined preservation solution. The preservation solution contains water and a water-soluble organic solvent that has surface activity and lower volatility than the water. 
     After the recording apparatus  100  is installed on the user side, the main tanks  51  are attached to the recording apparatus  100 . In the recording apparatus  100 , if air bubbles are contained in the ink ejected from the recording heads  41 , the quality of the image may be degraded. For this reason, after the main tanks  51  are attached, the setup process is performed in the recording apparatus  100  to fill the flow paths on the downstream side of the buffer tanks  63  with the ink. The setup process is required to restrict air bubbles from remaining in the flow paths. In the present embodiment, the flow path switching devices  65  restrict the air bubbles from remaining in the flow paths that are on the downstream side of the buffer tanks  63 , more specifically restrict the air bubbles from remaining in the flow path switching devices  65  included in the main flow paths FP 2 . 
     In the recording apparatus  100 , for the purpose of restricting the air bubbles from remaining after the setup process, (1) the control portion  7  includes a setup processing portion  7 J as shown in  FIG. 5 , and (2) each of the flow path switching devices  65  has a configuration which is shown in detail in  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the control portion  7  functions as the setup processing portion  7 J by executing the program. After the main tanks  51  (see  FIG. 4 ) for the respective colors are attached to the recording apparatus  100  by the user side, the operator operates the recording apparatus  100  to execute the setup process. 
     The setup processing portion  7 J starts the setup process in response to an operation performed by the operator. The setup processing portion  7 J starts driving the feed portions  64  for the respective colors. This allows the ink to flow out from the main tanks  51  (see  FIG. 4 ) and start being reserved in the buffer tanks  63  via the flow path members  61 A. After a predetermined amount of ink is reserved in each of the buffer tanks  63 , the ink starts to flow out from the buffer tanks  63 . It is set such that at the start of the setup process, in each of the ink supply portions  52 , the ink that has flowed out from the buffer tank  63  flows through the circulation flow path FP 1 . As a result, the circulation flow path FP 1  is gradually filled with the ink. 
     After a specific time period elapses from the start of driving of the feed portions  64 , the setup processing portion  7 J notifies the operator that the circulation flow path FP 1  has been filled with the ink (hereinafter the state is referred to as an “end of filling”), via an output portion  66  included in the recording apparatus  100 . The specific time period is preliminarily determined through an experiment, a simulation or the like at the design developing stage of the recording apparatus  100 . Specifically, the specific time period is determined based on the flow rate of the feed portion  64 , the capacity of the circulation flow path FP 1  or the like. The output portion  66  is a speaker or the like. In this case, the output portion  66  notifies the operator of the end of filling by means of a sound. It is noted that the output portion  66  may be a display. In this case, the output portion  66  notifies the operator of the end of filling by means of an image. By notifying the end of filling, the setup processing portion  7 J urges the operator to switch the flow path in each ink supply portion  52  from the circulation flow path FP 1  to the main flow path FP 2 . After notifying the end of filling, the setup processing portion  7 J waits for the operator to switch the flow path to the main flow path FP 2 . 
     More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , each flow path switching device  65  includes a casing  73 , a first valve element  74 A, a first seal member  75 A, a second valve element  74 B, a second seal member  75 B, a guide portion  76 , a flow path portion  77 , a biasing member  78 , a storage portion  79 , a biasing member  80 , and a link member  81 . 
     The casing  73  is made of a hard material. The hard material is a hard resin, a metal or the like. The outer appearance of the casing  73  is approximately cylindrical. The valve chamber  73 J is formed inside the casing  73 . As shown in the frame F 1  of  FIG. 6 , the valve chamber  73 J is a space surrounded by an inner peripheral surface  73 K, an inner upper surface  73 L, and an inner lower surface  73 M of the casing  73 . An inflow port  73 N, a first outflow port  73 A, and a second outflow port  73 B are further formed in the casing  73 . It is noted that the casing  73 , the guide portion  76 , and the storage portion  79  are shown in the frame F 1 . 
     The inner peripheral surface  73 K is a cylindrical surface having a core axis CA 1  The core axis CA 1  is parallel to the height direction Z. The radius of the inner peripheral surface  73 K, namely a distance from the core axis CA 1  to the inner peripheral surface  73 K in a centrifugal direction CD 1 , is R 1 . The centrifugal direction CD 1  is orthogonal to the height direction Z and is directed away from the core axis CA 1 . It is noted that in  FIG. 6  or the like, only one example of the centrifugal direction CD 1  is shown. 
     The inflow port  73 N communicates with the buffer tank  63 . Specifically, the inflow port  73 N is formed in the inner peripheral surface  73 K at a position close to a center of the inner peripheral surface  73 K in the height direction Z. The inflow port  73 N is opened toward the valve chamber  73 J. The inflow side connection portion  71  projects from a portion of an outer surface  73 P of the casing  73  that is separated from the inflow port  73 N in the centrifugal direction CD 1 . The flow path member  61 C is connected to the inflow side connection portion  71 . In addition, in the inflow side connection portion  71 , the flow path FP 11  extends from the inflow port  73 N in the centrifugal direction CD 1  and passes through the inflow side connection portion  71 . Ink that has flowed out from the buffer tank  63  and flowed through the flow path member  61 C flows into the flow path FP 11 . Subsequently, the ink flows into the valve chamber  73 J through the inflow port  73 N. That is, the flow path member  61 C, as an example of a first flow path member of the present disclosure, guides the ink reserved in the buffer tank  63  to the inflow port  73 N. 
     The inner upper surface  73 L is an example of a peripheral edge portion of the present disclosure. That is, the inner upper surface  73 L includes a peripheral edge portion that, as a portion of the casing  73 , surrounds the first outflow port  73 A. Here, a direction directed from the first outflow port  73 A toward the inside of the valve chamber  73 J is referred to as an inward direction CD 3 . Specifically, the inward direction CD 3  is orthogonal to the first outflow port  73 A of a circular shape, and more specifically is a downward direction. The inner upper surface  73 L is an annular surface that is inclined with respect to the inward direction CD 3 . More specifically, as a position on the core axis CA 1  goes from the first outflow port  73 A in the inward direction CD 3 , a distance between the core axis CA 1  and the inner upper surface  73 L in the centrifugal direction CD 1  increases. That is, the diameter of the inner upper surface  73 L increases as it goes from the first outflow port  73 A in the inward direction CD 3 . 
     As shown in the frame F 1  of  FIG. 6 , the inner upper surface  73 L, more specifically, is a plane that is formed when a line segment LS 2  makes a full rotation around the core axis CA 1 . The line segment LS 2  extends diagonally upward with respect to a centripetal direction CD 2  from an arbitrary position on an upper end EK 1  of the inner peripheral surface  73 K. An upper end ES 2  of the line segment LS 2  is separated from the core axis CA 1  in the centrifugal direction CD 1  by a distance D 1  that is shorter than the radius R 1 . The centripetal direction CD 2  is orthogonal to the height direction Z, and is directed toward the core axis CAL 
     The first outflow port  73 A is a circular space surrounded by an upper end EL 1  of the inner upper surface  73 L. A radius R 2  of the first outflow port  73 A is equal to the distance D 1 . The ink in the valve chamber  73 J can flow out from the first outflow port  73 A. 
     The inner upper surface  73 L has a radius that increases as the inner upper surface  73 L goes from the first outflow port  73 A in the inward direction CD 3 . Thus, compared with a case where the inner upper surface  73 L is a flat surface that is parallel to the centripetal direction CD 2 , it is more difficult for air bubbles to be adhered to the inner upper surface  73 L. That is, air bubbles hardly remain in the valve chamber  73 J. It is noted that the inner upper surface  73 L may be a flat surface that is parallel to the centripetal direction CD 2 . 
     The inner lower surface  73 M has a shape inverted from the inner upper surface  73 L in the inward direction CD 3 . An upper end EM 1  of the inner lower surface  73 M connects to a lower end EL 2  of the inner peripheral surface  73 K. The second outflow port  73 B is a circular space surrounded by a lower end EM 2  of the inner lower surface  73 M. As with the first outflow port  73 A, the radius of the second outflow port  73 B is R 2 . It is noted that the inner lower surface  73 M may not have a shape inverted from the inner upper surface  73 L in the inward direction CD 3 . The ink in the valve chamber  73 J can flow out from the second outflow port  73 B, too. 
     The first valve element  74 A and the second valve element  74 B are stored in the valve chamber  73 J. The first valve element  74 A and the second valve element  74 B have the same outer appearance. Thus, in the following, only the outer appearance of the first valve element  74 A is described. 
     As shown in the frame F 2  of  FIG. 6 , the first valve element  74 A includes a main body portion  74 J, a small diameter regulating portion  74 K, a large diameter regulating portion  74 L, and a regulating portion  74 M. The main body portion  74 J includes an outer peripheral surface  74 N that is a cylindrical surface. The outer peripheral surface  74 N is stored in the valve chamber  73 J such that the core axis of the outer peripheral surface  74 N matches the core axis CA 1 . The radius of the outer peripheral surface  74 N, namely a distance from the core axis CA 1  to the outer peripheral surface  74 N in the centrifugal direction CD 1 , is R 3 . 
     Each of the small diameter regulating portion  74 K, the large diameter regulating portion  74 L, and the regulating portion  74 M has an annular shape. The small diameter regulating portion  74 K, the large diameter regulating portion  74 L, and the regulating portion  74 M project in the centrifugal direction CD 1  from respective positions on the outer peripheral surface  74 N that are different from each other in the inward direction CD 3 , each forming a flange-like shape. Specifically, the small diameter regulating portion  74 K is provided close to a top surface EA 1  that is one of two opposite surfaces of the outer peripheral surface  74 N. The regulating portion  74 M is provided close to a bottom surface EA 2  that is the other of the two opposite surfaces of the outer peripheral surface  74 N. 
     The small diameter regulating portion  74 K includes an outer peripheral surface  74 P. The large diameter regulating portion  74 L includes an outer peripheral surface  74 Q. The regulating portion  74 M includes an outer peripheral surface  74 R. Each of the outer peripheral surfaces  74 P,  74 Q, and  74 R is a cylindrical surface having the core axis CA 1 . 
     The small diameter regulating portion  74 K and the large diameter regulating portion  74 L regulate the position, in the inward direction CD 3 , of the first seal member  75 A attached to the first valve element  74 A. 
     In the small diameter regulating portion  74 K, the radius of the outer peripheral surface  74 P is the same as the radius R 2  of the first outflow port  73 A. 
     The outer peripheral surface  74 Q of the large diameter regulating portion  74 L is separated from the outer peripheral surface  74 P in the inward direction CD 3 , and has a radius R 4 . The radius R 4  is longer than the radius R 2  of the outer peripheral surface  74 P, and is shorter than the radius R 1  of the inner peripheral surface  73 K. 
     The link member  81  is attached to the first valve element  74 A at a position close to the bottom surface EA 2 . The regulating portion  74 M regulates the upper end position of the link member  81  in the height direction Z. It is noted that the link member  81  is described in detail below. 
     The outer peripheral surface  74 R of the regulating portion  74 M is located close to a lower end of the outer peripheral surface  74 N, and is separated from the outer peripheral surfaces  74 P and  74 Q in the inward direction CD 3 . The radius of the outer peripheral surface  74 R is longer than the radius R 3  and shorter than the radius R 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the first valve element  74 A is stored in the valve chamber  73 J at a position higher than the second valve element  74 B in the height direction Z. In addition, as shown in the frame F 3  of  FIG. 7 , the first valve element  74 A is stored such that the small diameter regulating portion  74 K is closer to the first outflow port  73 A than the large diameter regulating portion  74 L. This allows the small diameter regulating portion  74 K of the first valve element  74 A to enter and close the first outflow port  73 A. The ink flows between the first valve element  74 A and the inner peripheral surface  73 K. It is noted that for the sake of convenience, in the frame F 3 , only the first valve element  74 A and the second valve element  74 B are shown in the valve chamber  73 J. 
     The second valve element  74 B is stored such that the small diameter regulating portion  74 K is closer to the second outflow port  73 B than the large diameter regulating portion  74 L. This allows the small diameter regulating portion  74 K to enter and close the second outflow port  73 B. The ink flows between the second valve element  74 B and the inner peripheral surface  73 K. 
     The first valve element  74 A is located at an opening position P 11  at the time of shipment from the factory. Thus the first valve element  74 A is located at the opening position P 11  at the start of the setup process, as shown in  FIG. 8 . That is, the first valve element  74 A is preliminarily located at the opening position P 11 . Specifically, the top surface EA 1  of the first valve element  74 A is located at the opening position P 11  is. The opening position P 11  is an example of an opening position of the present disclosure. The opening position P 11  is separated from the first outflow port  73 A in the inward direction CD 3 , and when the first valve element  74 A is located at the opening position P 11 , the first outflow port  73 A is opened. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 9 , after the setup process is completed, the top surface EA 1  of the first valve element  74 A is located at a closing position P 12 . When the first valve element  74 A is located at the closing position P 12 , the first outflow port  73 A is closed. When the first valve element  74 A is located at the closing position P 12 , the small diameter regulating portion  74 K enters the first outflow port  73 A, and closes the first outflow port  73 A. 
     In addition, the second valve element  74 B is located at a closing position P 21  at the start of the setup process, as shown in  FIG. 10 . Specifically, a bottom surface EB 1  of the second valve element  74 B is located at the closing position P 21  is. The closing position P 21  is an example of a closing position of the present disclosure. When the second valve element  74 B is located at the closing position P 21 , the second outflow port  73 B is closed. When the second valve element  74 B is located at the closing position P 21 , the small diameter regulating portion  74 K of the second valve element  74 B enters and closes the second outflow port  73 B. When the first valve element  74 A is located at the opening position P 11  (see  FIG. 8 ), the second valve element  74 B is located at the closing position P 21 . 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 11 , after the setup process is completed, the bottom surface EB 1  of the second valve element  74 B is located at a predetermined opening position P 22 . When the second valve element  74 B is located at the opening position P 22 , the second outflow port  73 B is opened. The opening position P 22  is separated from the second outflow port  73 B in an outward direction opposite to the inward direction CD 3 , namely separated in the height direction Z, and when the second valve element  74 B is located at the opening position P 22 , the second outflow port  73 B is opened. When the first valve element  74 A is located at the closing position P 12  (see  FIG. 9 ), the second valve element  74 B is located at the opening position P 22 . 
     The first seal member  75 A and the second seal member  75 B are circular rings made of rubber or the like, and are elastically deformed upon receiving a pressure. The first seal member  75 A and the second seal member  75 B may have the same specifications. Specifically, as shown in the frame F 2  of  FIG. 6 , in a no-pressure state where no pressure is applied, the first seal member  75 A and the second seal member  75 B each have an inner diameter φ 1  that is equal to or smaller than 2×R 3 . In addition, in the no-pressure state, the first seal member  75 A and the second seal member  75 B each have an outer diameter φ 2  that is equal to or larger than 2×R 2  and smaller than 2×R 1 . 
     The first seal member  75 A is an example of a seal member of the present disclosure. The first seal member  75 A is inserted around the first valve element  74 A at a position close to the upper end. Specifically, the first seal member  75 A is fitted in a groove  74 S (see the frame F 3  of  FIG. 7 ) formed on the first valve element  74 A. The groove  74 S of the first valve element  74 A is a concave surrounded by the main body portion  74 J, the small diameter regulating portion  74 K, and the large diameter regulating portion  74 L of the first valve element  74 A. The second seal member  75 B is inserted around the second valve element  74 B at a position close to the lower end. The groove  74 S of the second valve element  74 B is a concave surrounded by the main body portion  74 J, the small diameter regulating portion  74 K, and the large diameter regulating portion  74 L of the second valve element  74 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , when the first valve element  74 A is located at the closing position P 12 , the small diameter regulating portion  74 K of the first valve element  74 A enters the first outflow port  73 A. In addition, at this time, the first valve element  74 A is biased in the height direction Z by the link member  81  or the like. As a result, as shown in the frame F 4  of  FIG. 9 , the first seal member  75 A comes in close contact with the inner upper surface  73 L, namely with the peripheral edge portion, and hermetically seals the first outflow port  73 A so that the ink in the valve chamber  73 J does not leak therefrom. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , when the second valve element  74 B is located at the closing position P 21 , the small diameter regulating portion  74 K of the second valve element  74 B enters the second outflow port  73 B. At this time, the second valve element  74 B is biased in the inward direction CD 3  by the link member  81  or the like, and the second seal member  75 B comes in close contact with the inner lower surface  73 M, and hermetically seals the second outflow port  73 B so that the ink in the valve chamber  73 J does not leak therefrom. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the guide portion  76  has a shape of a bottomless cylinder. Specifically, the guide portion  76  extends from a portion of a top surface  73 Q of the casing  73  that is separated from the valve chamber  73 J in the height direction Z. The guide portion  76  extends between the top surface  73 Q and a position that is separated from the top surface  73 Q in the height direction Z by a distance D 2 . 
     A guide path  76 J is formed in the guide portion  76 . The guide path  76 J is a space defined by an inner peripheral surface  76 K of the guide portion  76 . The guide path  76 J guides, in the up-down direction, the flow path portion  77  that is movably inserted in the guide path  76 J. The inner peripheral surface  76 K is a cylindrical surface whose core axis is the same as the core axis CA 1  of the valve chamber  73 J. The diameter of the inner peripheral surface  76 K, namely the diameter of the guide path  76 J, is 2×R 2 . The guide path  76 J extends in the height direction Z from the first outflow port  73 A. An extension end  76 L, namely an end portion of the guide path  76 J in the height direction Z, is an opening  76 M opened in the height direction Z. It is noted that for convenience of the explanation, the flow path portion  77  and the first valve element  74 A are not shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the flow path portion  77  is made of the hard material. The flow path portion  77  includes a tubular portion  77 J and an operation portion  77 K. 
     The tubular portion  77 J is disposed on the upper side of the first valve element  74 A in the height direction Z. The tubular portion  77 J has a shape of a tube that extends in the height direction Z. Specifically, a lower end EJ 1  of the tubular portion  77 J is fixed to the top surface EA 1  of the first valve element  74 A. The tubular portion  77 J extends in the height direction Z from the lower end EJ 1 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the tubular portion  77 J is inserted from the first outflow port  73 A into the guide path  76 J. An outer peripheral surface  77 L of the tubular portion  77 J is a cylindrical surface whose core axis is the same as the core axis CA 1 . The diameter of the outer peripheral surface  77 L is 2×R 2 . The tubular portion  77 J passes through the guide path  76 J and projects out in the height direction Z from the opening  76 M of the guide path  76 J. Specifically, when the first valve element  74 A is located at the closing position P 12 , an upper end EJ 2  of the tubular portion  77 J is separated from the opening  76 M by a distance D 3 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the tubular portion  77 J has two holes  77 M and an upstream side flow path  77 N. The holes  77 M are through holes formed in the tubular portion  77 J at positions close to the lower end EJ 1 . It is noted that the frame F 5  of  FIG. 13  schematically shows the holes  77 M of the tubular portion  77 J and their peripherals viewed from diagonally upward. It is noted that the number of the holes  77 M may be at least one. The upstream side flow path  77 N is an example of a flow path of the present disclosure. The upstream side flow path  77 N communicates with the two holes  77 M, and thereby communicates with the valve chamber  73 J. The upstream side flow path  77 N extends in the height direction Z from the lower end EJ 1  of the tubular portion  77 J and reaches the upper end EJ 2 . An upstream end  77 Q of the upstream side flow path  77 N, namely a lower end, is closed by the top surface EA 1  of the first valve element  74 A. In addition, a downstream end  77 R of the upstream side flow path  77 N, namely an upper end, communicates with an upstream end  77 T of a downstream side flow path  77 S provided in the operation portion  77 K. 
     The operator operates the operation portion  77 K to switch the flow path in each ink supply portion  52  from the circulation flow path FP 1  (see  FIG. 4 ) to the main flow path FP 2 . The operation portion  77 K is fixed to the upper end EJ 2  of the tubular portion  77 J. In addition, the operation portion  77 K extends from the upper end EJ 2  in the centrifugal direction CD 1  and reaches an extension end EK 2 . The size of the operation portion  77 K in the centrifugal direction CD 1  is larger than 2×R 1  (see  FIG. 12 ). The downstream side flow path  77 S is formed in the operation portion  77 K. The downstream side flow path  77 S includes the upstream end  77 T and a downstream end  77 U, and extends in the centrifugal direction CD 1  between the upstream end  77 T and the downstream end  77 U. The upstream end  77 T communicates with the downstream end  77 R of the tubular portion  77 J. The downstream end  77 U communicates with the flow path FP 12 A of the first outflow side connection portion  72 A, at a position corresponding to the extension end EK 2 . 
     The first outflow side connection portion  72 A projects in the centrifugal direction CD 1  from the extension end EK 2  of the operation portion  77 K. The flow path FP 12 A is formed in the first outflow side connection portion  72 A. The flow path FP 12 A extends from the downstream end  77 U in the centrifugal direction CD 1  and passes through the first outflow side connection portion  72 A. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , when the first valve element  74 A is located at the opening position P 11 , the ink in the valve chamber  73 J flows through the two holes  77 M into the upstream side flow path  77 N, passes through the first outflow port  73 A, and flows to outside the valve chamber  73 J. Here, since the upstream side flow path  77 N extends in the height direction Z, the air bubbles in the valve chamber  73 J easily flow to outside the valve chamber  73 J. Subsequently, the ink flows through the upstream side flow path  77 N, the downstream side flow path  77 S, and the flow path FP 12 A (see  FIG. 13 ), and flows out to the flow path member  61 D. The flow path member  61 D is an example of a second flow path member of the present disclosure, and guides the ink that has flowed out from the first outflow port  73 A, to the buffer tank  63 . It is noted that when the first valve element  74 A is located at the closing position P 12  (see  FIG. 9 ), the ink in the valve chamber  73 J does not flow in to the upstream side flow path  77 N. 
     The flow path portion  77  is configured to rotate around the core axis CA 1  that extends in the inward direction CD 3 , between a first angle position θ 1  and a second angle position θ 2  that is different from the first angle position θ 1 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 15 , at the start of the setup process, the flow path portion  77  is positioned to extend toward the first angle position θ 1 . Specifically, what extends toward the first angle position θ 1  is the downstream side flow path  77 S of the operation portion  77 K. The first angle position θ 1  is a position rotated around the core axis CA 1  by a predetermined angle in a predetermined rotation direction RD 1  with respect to the depth direction X. As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the flow path portion  77  is positioned to extend toward the first angle position θ 1 , the flow path portion  77  is positioned at a predetermined first position P 31  in the inward direction CD 3  (the height direction Z) by a stopper member  76 A. Specifically, what is positioned at the first position P 31  is a top surface  77 V of the operation portion  77 K. The stopper member  76 A regulates the position of the top surface  77 V so that the operation portion  77 K does not move in the height direction Z. The first position P 31  corresponds to the opening position P 11  of the first valve element  74 A and the closing position P 21  of the second valve element  74 B. Specifically, the first position P 31  is a position of the top surface  77 V in the inward direction CD 3  when the first valve element  74 A is located at the opening position P 11 , and the second valve element  74 B is located at the closing position P 21 . 
     The biasing member  78  is an example of a biasing member of the present disclosure. The biasing member  78  is a torsion spring or the like, and is, in a state of being inserted in the outer peripheral surface  77 L of the flow path portion  77 , provided between the operation portion  77 K and the guide portion  76 . In a no-load state where no load is applied, the biasing member  78  is longer than the distance D 3  (see  FIG. 14 ). The biasing member  78  biases the flow path portion  77 , more specifically the operation portion  77 K, in the height direction Z. 
     The flow path portion  77  is supported by the guide portion  76  so as to be rotatable around the core axis CA 1  in the predetermined rotation direction RD 1  (see  FIG. 15 ). After the setup processing portion  7 J (see  FIG. 4 ) notifies the end of filling, the operator rotates the flow path portion  77  from the first angle position θ 1  to the second angle position θ 2  or beyond the second angle position θ 2  in the rotation direction RD 1  (see  FIG. 15 ). When the flow path portion  77  rotates from the first angle position θ 1  to the second angle position θ 2 , the biasing member  78  displaces the flow path portion  77  from the first position P 31  (see  FIG. 6 ) to a second position P 32  (see  FIG. 7 ). At this time, the flow path portion  77  is displaced along the guide path  76 J to the predetermined second position P 32  (see  FIG. 7 ). In other words, the guide portion  76  guides the flow path portion  77  so that the flow path portion  77  is displaced along the guide path  76 J from the first position P 31  to the second position P 32 . The second position P 32  corresponds to the closing position P 12  of the first valve element  74 A and the opening position P 22  of the second valve element  74 B. Specifically, the second position P 32  is a position of the top surface  77 V in the inward direction CD 3  when the first valve element  74 A is located at the closing position P 12 , and the second valve element  74 B is located at the opening position P 22 . 
     As described above, the flow path portion  77  is displaced both in the rotation direction RD 1  and in the height direction Z by the operation of the operator. This makes it possible for the operator to visually recognize the flow path portion  77  to recognize whether the first valve element  74 A is located at the opening position P 11  or the closing position P 12 . 
     While the flow path portion  77  is displaced from the first position P 31  to the second position P 32  after the valve chamber  73 J is filled with ink, the first valve element  74 A that is fixed to the operation portion  77 K via the tubular portion  77 J, is displaced from the opening position P 11  toward the first outflow port  73 A. In addition, upon reaching the closing position P 12 , the first valve element  74 A closes the first outflow port  73 A (see  FIG. 7 ). In addition, since the length of the biasing member  78  in the no-load state is longer than the distance D 3 , the biasing member  78  continues to bias the flow path portion  77  even after the first valve element  74 A is displaced to the closing position P 12 . As a result, the first seal member  75 A is in close contact with the inner upper surface  73 L that is the peripheral edge portion, and hermetically seals the first outflow port  73 A so that the ink in the valve chamber  73 J does not leak therefrom (see the frame F 4  of  FIG. 9 ). 
     Here, while the ink is supplied to the valve chamber  73 J during the setup process, the air bubbles in the circulation flow path FP 1  move to the buffer tank  63  as the ink flows. In particular, the air bubbles in the valve chamber  73 J flow out through the holes  77 M formed in the tubular portion  77 J. However, part of the air bubbles may be adhered to the inner upper surface  73 L of the flow path switching device  65  and remain in the valve chamber  73 J. However, during the process where after the notification of the end of filling, the first valve element  74 A is displaced from the opening position P 11  to the closing position P 12 , the first seal member  75 A applies a force to the air bubbles adhered to the inner upper surface  73 L. This allows the air bubbles to move along the inner upper surface  73 L toward the first outflow port  73 A. In addition, since the two holes  77 M formed in the tubular portion  77 J pass the side of the upper end EL 1  of the inner upper surface  73 L, the air bubbles moving toward the first outflow port  73 A are discharged from any of the holes  77 M to the upstream side flow path  77 N, namely to outside the valve chamber  73 J. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the storage portion  79  has a cylindrical shape. Specifically, the storage portion  79  extends, by a predetermined distance, from a portion of a bottom surface  73 R of the casing  73  that is separated from the valve chamber  73 J in the inward direction CD 3 . A storage space  79 J is formed in the storage portion  79 . The storage space  79 J is defined by an inner peripheral surface  79 K of the storage portion  79 . The inner peripheral surface  79 K is a cylindrical surface whose core axis is the same as the core axis CA 1  of the valve chamber  73 J. The diameter of the inner peripheral surface  79 K, namely the diameter of the storage space  79 J, is 2×R 2 . The storage space  79 J extends from the second outflow port  73 B in the inward direction CD 3  by a distance D 4 . An extension end  79 L that is a lower end of the storage space  79 J, communicates with the flow path FP 12 B of the second outflow side connection portion  72 B. 
     The second outflow side connection portion  72 B projects from a bottom surface  79 M of the storage portion  79  in the inward direction CD 3 . In the second outflow side connection portion  72 B, the flow path FP 12 B extends from the extension end  79 L in the inward direction CD 3  and passes through the second outflow side connection portion  72 B. 
     The biasing member  80  is a torsion spring or the like, and the core axis thereof is the same as the core axis CA 1  of the valve chamber  73 J. The biasing member  80  is stored in the storage space  79 J. In the no-load state, the biasing member  80  has a specific length. The specific length is equal to or longer than a distance between the extension end  79 L of the storage space  79 J and the opening position P 22 . In addition, the specific length is longer than the distance D 4 . The biasing member  80  in the state of being stored in the storage space  79 J abuts on and is fixed to the bottom surface EB 1  of the second valve element  74 B. The biasing member  80  biases the second valve element  74 B in the height direction Z. It is noted that the biasing member  80  is not fixed to the storage portion  79  so that the flow path portion  77  can rotate in the rotation direction RD 1 . 
     The link member  81  is interposed between the first valve element  74 A and the second valve element  74 B in the valve chamber  73 J, and links the first valve element  74 A and the second valve element  74 B. Specifically, the link member  81  is a torsion spring or the like, and the core axis thereof is the same as the core axis CA 1  of the valve chamber  73 J. The inner diameter of the link member  81  is the same as the radius R 3  of the main body portion  74 J. In the no-load state, the length of the link member  81  is equal to or larger than a distance in the inward direction CD 3  between the regulating portion  74 M of the first valve element  74 A located at the opening position P 11  and the regulating portion  74 M of the second valve element  74 B located at the closing position P 21 . An upper end portion of the link member  81  is inserted in and fixed to a portion of the main body portion  74 J of the first valve element  74 A that is close to the bottom surface EA 2 . A lower end portion of the link member  81  is inserted in and fixed to a portion of the main body portion  74 J of the second valve element  74 B that is close to a top surface EB 2 . The upper end of the link member  81  abuts on the regulating portion  74 M of the first valve element  74 A, and the lower end of the link member  81  abuts on the regulating portion  74 M of the second valve element  74 B. 
     When the first valve element  74 A is displaced from the opening position P 11  toward the first outflow port  73 A in the valve chamber  73 J, the second valve element  74 B connected to the first valve element  74 A by the link member  81  separates from the second outflow port  73 B and opens the second outflow port  73 B. It is noted that the link member  81  is not limited to a torsion spring, but may be, for example, a bar-like member connecting the first valve element  74 A and the second valve element  74 B as far as it can displace the second valve element  74 B in response to a displacement of the first valve element  74 A. 
     When the first valve element  74 A is located at the opening position P 11  (see  FIG. 8 ), the second valve element  74 B is biased in the inward direction CD 3  by the link member  81 , and the second valve element  74 B is located at the closing position P 21 . At this time, the link member  81  applies a force F 11  in the inward direction CD 3  to the second valve element  74 B, and the biasing member  80  applies a force F 12  in the height direction Z to the second valve element  74 B. Specifications or the like of the biasing member  80  and the link member  81  are determined in advance so that when the second valve element  74 B is located at the closing position P 21 , the force F 11  is larger than the force F 12 , and the second valve element  74 B can close the second outflow port  73 B. 
     It is noted that when the first valve element  74 A is located at the closing position P 12 , the link member  81  may bias the first valve element  74 A in the height direction Z. In this case, not only a force in the height direction Z that is applied by the biasing member  78  to the operation portion  77 K, acts on the first valve element  74 A, but also an upward force is applied to the first valve element  74 A by the link member  81 . This further enhances the contact of the first seal member  75 A with the inner upper surface  73 L. 
     In addition, as described with reference to  FIG. 13 , the flow path portion  77  is fixed to the first valve element  74 A. However, not limited to this, the flow path portion  77  may not be fixed to the first valve element  74 A. In a case where the flow path portion  77  is not fixed to the first valve element  74 A, the link member  81  applies a force in the height direction Z to the first valve element  74 A so that the first valve element  74 A is displaced from the opening position P 11  to the first outflow port  73 A while the flow path portion  77  is displaced from the first position P 31  to the second position P 32 . 
     When the second valve element  74 B is located at the closing position P 21 , the second valve element  74 B closes the second outflow port  73 B, and the second seal member  75 B comes in close contact with the inner lower surface  73 M. That is, the second valve element  74 B and the second seal member  75 B hermetically seal the second outflow port  73 B so that the ink in the valve chamber  73 J does not leak from the second outflow port  73 B (see  FIG. 10 ). 
     The first valve element  74 A is displaced from the opening position P 11  (see  FIG. 6 ) to the closing position P 12  (see  FIG. 7 ). When the link member  81  is expanded in correspondence with a displacement amount of the first valve element  74 A, the force applied to the second valve element  74 B by the link member  81  reduces. The biasing member  80  is expanded such that the forces applied to the second valve element  74 B by the biasing member  80  and the link member  81  are balanced. This allows the second valve element  74 B to be separated from the closing position P 21  in the height direction Z and start opening the second outflow port  73 B. Subsequently, the second valve element  74 B reaches the opening position P 22 . That is, when the valve chamber  73 J is filled with the ink, the second valve element  74 B opens the second outflow port  73 B. This allows the flow path in the ink supply portion  52  to be switched from the circulation flow path FP 1  to the main flow path FP 2 . 
     The feed portion  64  continues to be driven even after the second valve element  74 B is displaced to the opening position P 22 , and the ink in the valve chamber  73 J is fed to the recording head  41  through the second outflow port  73 B, the flow path FP 12 B, and the flow path member  61 E. In each recording head  41 , the preservation solution is discharged, together with the ink, from the ink ejection portions  41 J. When a specific time period elapses after the flow path is switched to the main flow path FP 2 , the setup processing portion  7 J determines that the ink and the preservation solution have been discharged completely from the recording heads  41  and stops driving the feed portion  64 . The setup process ends with this, and the recording apparatus  100  becomes ready to record the image. That is, when the specific time period elapses after the second valve element  74 B opens the second outflow port  73 B, the recording heads  41  become ready to record the image on the recording object M 1  with the ink that flows out from the second outflow port  73 B. 
     It is noted that as described above with reference to  FIG. 13 , the flow path portion  77  is fixed to the first valve element  74 A. However, not limited to this, the flow path portion  77  may not be fixed to the first valve element  74 A. Specifically, the lower end EJ 1  of the tubular portion  77 J may not be fixed to the top surface EA 1  of the first valve element  74 A. In this case, it becomes easy for the first valve element  74 A or the second valve element  74 B (see  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 ) to be shifted in the centrifugal direction CD 1  in the valve chamber  73 J, and this makes it difficult for the first valve element  74 A to close the first outflow port  73 A, or the second valve element  74 B to close the second outflow port  73 B. As a result, at least one of the first valve element  74 A and the second valve element  74 B further includes an abutting portion  74 T, as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     The abutting portion  74 T projects in the centrifugal direction CD 1  to form a flange-like shape from a position on the outer peripheral surface  74 N that is different from positions of the small diameter regulating portion  74 K, the large diameter regulating portion  74 L, and the regulating portion  74 M in the inward direction CD 3 . Specifically, the abutting portion  74 T projects from a position on the outer peripheral surface  74 N that is between the large diameter regulating portion  74 L and the regulating portion  74 M. 
     The abutting portion  74 T includes an outer peripheral surface  74 U. The outer peripheral surface  74 U is a cylindrical surface having the core axis CA 1  The radius of the outer peripheral surface  74 U is the same as the radius R 1  of the valve chamber  73 J. With this configuration, when the first valve element  74 A or the second valve element  74 B including the abutting portion  74 T is displaced in the inward direction CD 3  in the valve chamber  73 J, the abutting portion  74 T is displaced while abutting on the inner peripheral surface  73 K. This prevents the first valve element  74 A or the second valve element  74 B including the abutting portion  74 T from shifting in the centrifugal direction CD 1  in the valve chamber  73 J. It is noted that for convenience&#39;s sake, only a part of the first valve element  74 A, the second valve element  74 B, and the inner peripheral surface  73 K is shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     The abutting portion  74 T has a plurality of through holes  74 V piercing through the abutting portion  74 T in the inward direction CD 3 . It is noted that in  FIG. 16 , the reference sign “ 74 V” is placed at only one through hole. With the plurality of through holes  74 V formed in the abutting portion  74 T, it is possible to circulate the ink that has flowed through the inflow port  73 N (see  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 ) to the valve chamber  73 J, to the first outflow port  73 A or the second outflow port  73 B. 
     It is noted that the first valve element  74 A or the second valve element  74 B may not include the abutting portion  74 T, and the large diameter regulating portion  74 L or the regulating portion  74 M may have the shape of the abutting portion  74 T. However, as shown in  FIG. 9 , when the first seal member  75 A is in close contact with the inner upper surface  73 L, the large diameter regulating portion  74 L is pressed by the first seal member  75 A. In addition, the regulating portion  74 M is biased by the link member  81 . That is, an external force that is larger than a pressure given by the ink is applied to the large diameter regulating portion  74 L and the regulating portion  74 M. As a result, the large diameter regulating portion  74 L and the regulating portion  74 M need to have resistance against the external force, namely need to have high rigidity. Accordingly, it is preferable that the through holes are not formed in the large diameter regulating portion  74 L and the regulating portion  74 M. As a result, it is preferable that the first valve element  74 A or the second valve element  74 B includes the abutting portion  74 T as well as the large diameter regulating portion  74 L and the regulating portion  74 M. 
     The abutting portion  74 T may not project from the outer peripheral surface  74 N in the centrifugal direction CD 1  to form a flange-like shape. Instead, the abutting portion  74 T may have a plurality of portions projecting in a fin shape from the outer peripheral surface  74 N in a plurality of centrifugal directions CD 1  that are different from each other. 
     As described above with reference to  FIG. 6 , the first outflow port  73 A is formed at the upper end of the valve chamber  73 J in the height direction Z. In addition, as described above with reference to  FIG. 13 , the upstream side flow path  77 N extends in the height direction Z. However, not limited to this, the first outflow port  73 A may be formed at a position that is the same as or higher than the position of the inflow port  73 N in the height direction Z. In addition, the upstream side flow path  77 N may extend in the centrifugal direction CD 1 . 
     It is to be understood that the embodiments herein are illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.