Patent Abstract:
A recording apparatus comprises a printer body having a case. An ink nozzle is in the interior of the printer body. An opening and closing member is movably affixed to an upper side of the printer body and is configured to open and close. An external tank is located exterior to the printer body. A tube, a portion of which is exterior to the printer body, provides a liquid from the external tank to the ink nozzle. One or both of the printer body and the opening and closing member are configured to define a tube insertion part, which has a cutout portion or a finger engage portion. The tube extends into the printer body through the cutout portion or the finger engage portion.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 on, application Ser. No. 13/668,390, filed Nov. 5, 2012, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 12/933,697, filed Sep. 21, 2010, now abandoned, which is a U.S. national phase application of PCT/JP2009/001323, filed Mar. 25, 2009, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 on Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-078159, filed on Mar. 25, 2008. Each of the above-identified priority applications is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a liquid supply flow path device that connects a liquid ejecting apparatus body such as a printer to an external tank, and a liquid ejecting or recording apparatus using the same. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    In the existing art, an ink jet type printer (hereinafter, referred to as “printer”) is widely known as a liquid ejecting or recording apparatus that ejects a liquid to a target. The printer has a recording head on a carriage that reciprocates, and printing is performed on a recording medium as a target by ejecting an ink (liquid) supplied from an ink cartridge (liquid receiver) to the recording head, from a nozzle formed in the recording head. As such printers, in the existing art, for example, there are known: printers of a type in which an ink cartridge is mounted on a carriage (so-called on-carriage type) as described in Patent Document 1; and printers of a type in which an ink cartridge is mounted at a fixing position on the printer which is different from a carriage (so called off-carriage type) as described in Patent Document 2. 
         [0006]    Patent Document 1: JP-A-2004-262092 
         [0007]    Patent Document 2: JP-A-2003-320680 
       DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
       [0008]    Here, particularly in a printer of on-carriage type, the ink capacity of an ink cartridge is small because of a mounting space on a carriage. Thus, when a relatively large amount of printing is to be performed, it is necessary to frequently replace the ink cartridge. Therefore, when such a large amount of printing is performed, in addition to requiring a hand for replacement of the ink cartridge, there is a problem that the running cost increases. Even in off-carriage type, when a large amount of printing is to be performed, it is necessary to replace an ink cartridge, although less frequently than in on-carriage type. Particularly, in home-use ones among off-carriage type, the capacity of an ink cartridge is small, and hence the frequency of replacement becomes high. 
         [0009]    For that reason, in the existing art, an external tank having a large capacity may be connected to a printer to modify the printer. When such a modification is made, in order to supply an ink from the external tank to the inside of the printer, an ink supply tube is led from the outside of the printer to the inside thereof. 
         [0010]    However, the printer is covered with a casing cover for the purposes of sound insulation and design, and the ink supply tube only has to be forced to pass through a gap in the casing cover. When the ink supply tube is forcefully bent or the diameter of the ink supply tube is larger than the gap, the ink supply tube is folded or flattened, so that the ink supply tube is blocked and an ink cannot be supplied. 
         [0011]    Further, in the case where the ink supply tube is passed through the gap in the casing cover that is openable and closable, when opening or closing the cover, a situation may occur where the ink supply tube is pinched and flattened so that the ink cannot be supplied from the external tank. 
         [0012]    If the reason why the ink cannot be supplied is noticed quickly, correction can be made. However, if printing is continued without notice, blank ejection occurs at the ink nozzle, causing a breakdown of the printer body. After all, the printer manufacturer will deal with the breakdown of the printer and hence cannot leave such a situation as it is. 
         [0013]    From such circumstances, embodiments of the invention arise. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0014]    A recording apparatus according to embodiments of the invention comprises a printer body having a case, and in the interior of printer body is an ink nozzle; an opening and closing member movably affixed to an upper side of the printer body, the opening and closing member being configured to open and close; and an external tank located exterior to the printer body. The recording apparatus further comprises a tube, a portion of which is exterior to the printer body, which provides a liquid from the external tank to the ink nozzle. One or both of the printer body and the opening and closing member are configured to define a tube insertion part, which has a cutout portion or a finger engage portion. The tube extends into the printer body through the cutout portion or the finger engage portion. 
         [0015]    The cutout portion or finger engage portion may be formed at a concave portion in the printer body. 
         [0016]    The opening and closing member may comprise a scanner. 
         [0017]    Other aspects of the invention together with a fuller understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1(A)  is an overall view of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;  FIG. 1(B)  is a side view showing a state where a scanner cover of a printer body shown in  FIG. 1(A)  is opened; and  FIG. 1(C)  is a side view showing a state where an upper casing cover of the printer body shown in  FIG. 1(A)  is opened. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one mounting form of a liquid supply flow path device located between lower and upper casing covers. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another mounting form of the liquid supply flow path device located between the lower and upper casing covers. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid supply flow path device according to a first embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the liquid supply flow path device according to the first embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the liquid supply flow path device according to the first embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a liquid supply flow path device according to a second embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a schematic explanatory view showing a state where the liquid supply flow path device according to the second embodiment is bent in the mounting form of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a schematic explanatory view showing a state where the liquid supply flow path device according to the second embodiment is bent in the mounting form of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0027]      FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B)  are schematic perspective views of a liquid supply flow path device according to a third embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B)  are schematic explanatory views of a liquid supply flow path device according to a fourth embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 12(A) and 12(B)  are schematic explanatory views of a holding case into which a flexible tube used in the fourth embodiment is inserted. 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a schematic explanatory view showing one example of a mounting state of a liquid supply flow path device within a liquid ejecting apparatus body. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           10  liquid ejecting apparatus body 
           11  lower casing cover (outer wall cover) 
           11 A cutout portion 
           11 B inner wall cover 
           11 C step portion 
           12  upper casing cover 
           20  external tank 
           30 ,  30 A to  30 D liquid supply flow path device 
           31  first flow path 
           32  second flow path 
           33  third flow path 
           34  upstream flow path 
           35  downstream flow path 
           40  flow path defining member 
           41  first plate-like member 
           41 A through hole 
           42  second plate-like member 
           42 A recess portion 
           43  third plate-like member 
           43 A through hole 
           44  upstream member 
           44 A recess portion 
           45  downstream member 
           45 A recess portion 
           50  thin plate-like member 
           60  first thin plate-like member 
           61  second thin plate-like member 
           62 ,  63  partition member 
           70 A,  70 B metal pipe 
           80  flexible tube 
           82 ,  84  holding case 
           90 A,  90 B ink reservoir 
           100 A,  100 B liquid delivery member 
           110  inner flow path 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0065]    Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the invention defined in the claims, and not all structures described in the embodiments are necessarily essential for means of the invention for solving the problems. 
         [0066]    (Outline of Liquid Ejecting Apparatus) 
         [0067]      FIGS. 1(A) to 1(C)  show an ink jet printer that is one embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the invention.  FIG. 1(A)  is a front view showing an overall configuration of the ink jet printer. The printer includes: a printer body  10 ; an external tank  20  that is located outside the printer body  10 ; and an ink supply flow path device (liquid supply flow path device)  30  that supplies an ink, which is a liquid, from the external tank  20  to the inside of the printer body  10 . The external tank  20  is capable of sending the ink therein under pressure by water head difference or by external application of pressure. Alternatively, the ink within the external tank  20  may be sucked by a mechanism within the printer body  10 . 
         [0068]    The printer body  10  includes, in its inside surrounded by a lower casing cover (first casing cover)  11  and an upper casing cover (second casing cover)  12 , a platen that supports paper, a carriage that reciprocates along a guide shaft parallel to the platen, a recording head (liquid ejecting head) that is mounted to the carriage, an ink cartridge that supplies an ink to the recording head, and the like. A scanner cover  13  is located on the upper casing cover  12 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 1(B)  is a side view showing a state where the scanner cover  13  is opened. While the scanner cover  13  is opened, a document is placed on a document base. When the scanner cover  13  is closed and a start button is pressed, scanning of the document is started, and printing is performed at the printer body  10 . The printer body  10  is a complex machine, and printing at the printer body  10  is not limited to a document read by a scanner and, for example, printing of information transmitted from a personal computer is also possible. 
         [0070]    Further,  FIG. 1(C)  shows a state where the upper casing cover  12  is opened during maintenance. The ink supply flow path device  30  is introduced from the outside of the printer body  10  to the inside thereof through a gap between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12 . In the embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1(B) and 1(C) , a cutout portion  11 A is formed in a side of the lower casing cover  11  and an upper edge thereof is partially removed. The cutout portion  11 A is provided originally for securing a gap with the upper casing cover  12  such that a finger can engage the upper casing cover  12  when opening or closing the upper casing cover  12 . 
         [0071]    In the embodiment, the ink supply flow path device  30  is introduced from the outside of the printer body  10  to the inside thereof through the largest gap between the lower and upper casing covers  11  and  12 , which is secured at the cutout portion  11 A. In this manner, by utilizing the gap previously formed in the printer body  10 , the ink supply flow path device  30  can be mounted to the printer body  10  without impairing the operability, the performance, and the appearance of the printer body  10 . 
         [0072]    (Liquid Supply Flow Path Device) 
         [0073]    Next, the ink supply flow path device (liquid supply flow path device)  30  will be described.  FIGS. 2 and 3  show examples of an A-A cross section of  FIG. 1(A) .  FIG. 2  shows an example in which the ink supply flow path device  30  is located, for example, along the lower casing cover  11  through a gap between edge surfaces at which an upper edge of the lower casing cover  11  faces a lower edge of the upper casing cover  12 . In  FIG. 3 , an inner wall cover  11 B that faces an inner side of the upper casing cover  12 , and a step portion  11 C that connects inner and outer wall covers, are provided at the upper edge of the lower casing cover (outer wall cover)  11 . In this case as well, the ink supply flow path device  30  is located, for example, along the lower casing cover (outer wall cover)  11 , the step portion  11 C, and the inner wall cover  11 B, through a gap between: the lower casing cover (outer wall cover)  11 , the step portion  11 C, and the inner wall cover  11 B; and the upper casing cover  12 . 
         [0074]    In the case of  FIG. 2 , for example, a channel-shaped (substantially U-shaped) flow path is essential for the ink supply flow path device  30  to be held by being located along the lower casing cover  11  and to extend beyond the lower casing cover  11 . On the other hand, in the case of  FIG. 3 , a crank-shaped flow path is essential for the ink supply flow path device  30  to extend beyond the lower casing cover (outer wall cover)  11 , the step portion  11 C, and the inner wall cover  11 B along the lower casing cover (outer wall cover)  11 , the step portion  11 C, and the inner wall cover  11 B. 
         [0075]    In either cases of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the ink supply flow path device  30  defines at least one flow path (a plurality of flow paths is possible) including: a first flow path  31 ; a second flow path  32  that communicates with one end of the first flow path  31  and extends along a direction intersecting the first flow path  31 , for example, perpendicular to the first flow path  31 ; and a third flow path  33  that communicates with another end of the second flow path  32  and extends in a direction intersecting the second flow path  32 , for example, perpendicular to the second flow path  32 . In either cases of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the ink supply flow path device  30  having such a shape is located along the lower casing cover  11  or the upper casing cover  12  through the gap between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12 , thereby supplying the ink from the outside of the printer body  10  to the inside thereof. 
         [0076]    Particularly, when the second flow path  32  is located substantially horizontally, bubbles having a low specific gravity can be discharged to a space above the ink in the second flow path  32  to implement removal of the bubbles, and only the ink can be supplied due to the bubble trapping. 
         [0077]    Preferably, the ink supply flow path device  30  includes a flow path formation member that has shape retention for a bent flow path that is bent in a channel shape or in a crank shape with a flow path (the second flow path  32  in the example of  FIG. 2 ) located in the gap between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12  being a flat flow path in which a maximum flow path height is smaller than a flow path width. The flat flow path having a small flow path height is needed in order to be located in the gap between the lower and upper casing covers  11  and  12  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and the flow path width is made larger than the flow path height in order to increase the cross-sectional area of the flow path. The shape retention is a character to maintain a shape. Due to the shape retention, even when the upper casing cover  12  is opened or closed as in  FIG. 1(C) , the flow path formation member can be prevented from being pinched between the lower and upper casing covers  11  and  12 . Note that it is only necessary for the channel-shaped flow path or crank-shaped flow path shown in  FIG. 2  or  3  to at least have these characteristics. A flow path on the upstream side of the first flow path  31  (a flow path outside the printer body  10 ) and a flow path on the downstream side of the third flow path  33  (a flow path inside the printer body  10 ) are not located between the lower and upper casing covers  11  and  12 , and thus, besides the shape of the bent flat flow path described above, various shapes and characters can be used therefor. 
         [0078]    Note that, in the case where contamination of bubbles and the like in a liquid to be supplied should be avoided as in the ink, the flow path formation member for forming the ink supply flow path device  30  preferably has a low permeability coefficient for oxygen and hydrogen. For the oxygen·hydrogen permeability coefficient, although depending on the shape of the flow path, in normal temperature environment, an oxygen permeability coefficient is 200 [cc·mm/m 2 ·day·atm] or less and more desirably 100 or less, and a water vapor permeability coefficient is 0.2 [g·mm/m 2 ·day] or less and more desirably 0.1 or less. 
       First Embodiment of Ink Supply Flow Path Device 
       [0079]    Hereinafter, specific examples of the ink supply flow path device  30  having the channel-shaped flow path shown in  FIG. 2  will be described.  FIGS. 4 to 6  show an ink supply flow path device  30 A according to a first embodiment. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the ink supply flow path device  30 A includes, as a flow path formation member, a flow path defining member  40  and thin plate-like members  50 . The flow path defining member  40  is formed from a material having shape retention, such as a resin, a metal, an elastomer, a rubber, or the like. The thin plate-like members  50  can be formed from a resin film, an elastomer sheet, or the like. In order to weld the thin plate-like members  50  to the flow path defining member  40 , the flow path defining member  40  and the thin plate-like members  50  can be formed from the same type of resins or elastomers. 
         [0080]    In order to form the channel-shaped flow path shown in  FIG. 2 , the flow path defining member  40  includes first, second, and third plate-like members  41 ,  42 , and  43  that are connected to each other. At both edges of the second plate-like member  42 , the first and third plate-like members  41  and  43  are connected to the second plate-like member so as to intersect the second plate-like member, for example, so as to be perpendicular to the second plate-like member. 
         [0081]    The second flow path  32  is defined by a recess portion  42 A formed in the second plate-like member  42  and the thin plate-like member  50  that seals the opening of the recess portion  42 A. Note that, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an example is shown in which, for example, four second flow paths  31  are formed in the flow path defining member  40 , but the number can be set as appropriate depending on a type of the ink to be supplied and it is sufficient if at least one is formed. 
         [0082]    The first flow path  31  is formed as a through hole  41 A that extends through the first plate-like member  41  to communicate with the recess portion  42 A of the second plate-like member  42 . Similarly, the third flow path  33  is formed as a through hole  43 A that extends through the third plate-like member  43  to communicate with the recess portion  42 A of the second plate-like member  42 . 
         [0083]    The through holes  41 A and  43 A have rectangular cross sections in  FIG. 5 , which are the same in shape as that of the second flow path  32 , but may have circular cross sections in view of processability. If so, the first and third flow paths  31  and  33  formed as the through holes  41 A and  43 A are not flat flow paths unlike the second flow path  32 . However, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the first and third flow paths  31  and  33  are not located in the gap between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12 , and hence are not necessarily needed to be made to be flat flow paths. 
         [0084]    The ink supply flow path device  30 A shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6  can have an upstream plate-like member  44  on the upstream side of the first plate-like member  41 , and can further have a downstream plate-like member  45  on the downstream side of the second plate-like member  43 . The upstream plate-like member  44  has a recess portion  44 A that communicates with the through hole  41 A, and the downstream plate-like member  45  has a recess portion  45 A that communicates with the through hole  43 . Similarly to the recess portion  42 A, these recess portions  44 A and  45 A are also sealed by the thin plate-like members  50  to form an upstream flow path  34  and a downstream flow path  35 . However, the upstream plate-like member  44  and the downstream plate-like member  45  are not essential, and ink supply tubes connected to the first and third plate-like members  41  and  43  may be substituted therefor. This is because the upstream plate-like member  44  and the downstream plate-like member  45  are not located in the gap between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12 , so that there is no possibility that the upstream plate-like member  44  and the downstream plate-like member  45  will be pinched between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12 . Thus, in the case of using the substitutive tubes, the cross-sectional area of the flow path may be larger than that of the flat flow path of the ink supply flow path device  30 A. This is intended to reduce the flow path resistance for securing smooth ink supply. The above can similarly apply to later-described second to fourth embodiments. 
         [0085]    The ink supply flow path device  30 A according to the first embodiment is located in the gap between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12  as in  FIG. 2 . Moreover, the ink supply flow path device  30 A is held by the upper edge of the lower casing cover  11  being inserted into the recess portion of the channel-shaped ink supply flow path device  30 A. 
         [0086]    In the ink supply flow path device  30 A, particularly, the second flow path  32  located in the gap between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12  is a flat flow path defined by the thin plate-like member  50  and has shape retention. Thus, even when the upper casing cover  12  is opened or closed as in  FIG. 1(C) , the ink supply flow path device  30 A can stably supply the ink without the bent flat flow path being pinched between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12 . Therefore, blank ejection at the recording head is prevented and breakdowns of the printer body  10  can be reduced. In addition, bubble trapping can be achieved at the second flow path  32 . 
       Second Embodiment of Ink Supply Flow Path Device 
       [0087]      FIGS. 7 and 8  shows an ink supply flow path device  30 B according to a second embodiment of the invention. The ink supply flow path device  30 B includes, as a flow path formation member, for example, first and second thin plate-like members  60  and  61  that are formed so as to be bent along the first, second, and third flow paths  31 ,  32 , and  3  shown in  FIG. 2  and are located so as to be spaced apart from and face each other for securing each flow path height of the first, second, and third flow paths  31 ,  32 , and  33 ; and at least two partition members  62  and  63  that are formed so as to be bent along the first, second, and third flow paths  31 ,  32 , and  33 , are located between the facing first and second thin plate-like members  60  and  61 , and are located so as to be spaced apart from and face each other for securing each flow path height of the first, second, and third flow paths  31 ,  32 , and  33 . Note that, in order to form N (N is an integer equal to or more than 2) flow paths, it is only necessary to provide (N+1) partition members. 
         [0088]    Here, various combinations of materials are considered for the first and second thin plate-like members  60  and  61  and the partition members  62  and  63 . The combinations of materials are divided roughly into two types. A first type has shape retention to maintain the bent shapes of the first and second thin plate-like members  60  and  61 , and a second type does not have the shape retention. 
         [0089]    In the case of the first type, the first and second thin plate-like members  60  and  61  secure shape retention by being formed from a metal or a hard resin. For the materials of the partition members  62  and  63  in the first type, it is acceptable if they are materials that can provide a partitioning function when being sandwiched between the first and second thin plate-like members  60  and  61 , and examples thereof can include resins, metals, elastomers, rubbers, and the like. 
         [0090]    In the case of the second type, the materials of the first and second thin plate-like members  60  and  61  can include materials that do not have shape retention themselves and have flexibility, e.g., resin films, elastomer sheets, rubber sheets, and the like. In this case, the first and second thin plate-like members  60  and  61  are located so as to be deformed and bent along the surfaces of the partition members  62  and  63  having shape retention. As the materials of the partition members  62  and  63  in the second type, for example, resins, metals, elastomers, rubbers, and the like can be also used. 
         [0091]    The ink supply flow path device  30 B according to the second embodiment is also located in the gap between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12  as in  FIG. 2 . Moreover, the ink supply flow path device  30  is held by the upper edge of the lower casing cover  11  being inserted into the recess portion of the channel-shaped ink supply flow path device  30 B. 
         [0092]    In the ink supply flow path device  30 B, particularly, the second flow path  32  located in the gap between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12  is a flat flow path defined by the first and second thin plate-like members  60  and  61 , and the first and second thin plate-like members  60  and  61  and/or the partition members  62  and  63  have shape retention. Thus, even when the upper casing cover  12  is opened or closed as in  FIG. 1(C) , the ink supply flow path device  30 B can stably supply the ink without the bent flat flow path being pinched between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12 . Therefore, blank ejection at the recording head is prevented and breakdowns of the printer body  10  can be reduced. In addition, bubble trapping can be achieved at the second flow path  32 . 
         [0093]    Further, unlike the first embodiment, the ink supply flow path device  30 B according to the second embodiment does not have limitations on the bending direction. Thus, for example, when a crank-shaped flow path as shown in  FIG. 3  is formed, the ink supply flow path device  30 B can deal with this case by being bent as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       Third Embodiment of Ink Supply Flow Path Device 
       [0094]      FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B)  show an ink supply flow path device  30 C according to a third embodiment. The ink supply flow path device  30 C is formed, as a flow path formation member, of a plurality of metal pipes  70 A or  70 B which are formed so as to be bent along the first, second, and third flow paths  31 ,  32 , and  33  shown in  FIG. 2  and define a plurality of flow paths, and the plurality of metal pipes are arranged in parallel. The metal pipes  70 A shown in  FIG. 10(A)  have circular flow paths, but the metal pipes  70 B shown in  FIG. 10(B)  may be used which have flat, elliptical flow paths in which flow path heights are smaller than flow path widths. 
         [0095]    The ink supply flow path device  30 C according to the third embodiment is also located in the gap between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12  as in  FIG. 2 . Moreover, the ink supply flow path device  30  is held by the upper edge of the lower casing cover  11  being inserted into the recess portion of the channel-shaped ink supply flow path device  30 C. 
         [0096]    In the ink supply flow path device  30 C, particularly, in the case of  FIG. 10(B) , the second flow path  32  located in the gap between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12  is a flat flow path and has shape retention. Thus, even when the upper casing cover  12  is opened or closed as in  FIG. 1(C) , the ink supply flow path device  30 C can stably supply the ink without the bent flat flow path being pinched between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12 . Therefore, blank ejection at the recording head is prevented and breakdowns of the printer body  10  can be reduced. In addition, bubble trapping can be achieved at the second flow path  32 . 
         [0097]    Further, in the ink supply flow path device  30 C according to the third embodiment as well, the metal pipes  70 A or  70 B can be optionally bent. Thus, for example, when a crank-shaped flow path as shown in  FIG. 3  is formed, the ink supply flow path device  30 C can deal with this case. 
       Fourth Embodiment of Ink Supply Flow Path Device 
       [0098]      FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B)  show an ink supply flow path device  30 D according to a fourth embodiment. The ink supply flow path device  30 D includes, as a flow path formation member, at least one, for example, four flexible tubes  80 . The flexible tubes  80  are shrunk in a state before ink supply as shown in  FIG. 11(A) . However, the flexible tubes  80  are deformed so as to expand as shown in  FIG. 11(B)  when the ink is supplied by application of pressure or by suction passes therethrough, thereby securing necessary flow path cross-sectional areas. 
         [0099]    The flexible tubes  80  can be formed by partially sticking two facing films, elastomer sheets, rubber sheets, or the like together by means of welding or adhesion. 
         [0100]    The ink supply flow path device  30 D can be optionally deformed into a channel shape as shown in  FIG. 2 , a crank shape as shown in  FIG. 3 , or the like. However, the flexible tubes  80  do not have shape retention themselves. Thus, for example, the flexible tubes  80  are inserted into a channel-shaped holding case  82  or a crank-shaped holding case  84  shown in  FIG. 12(A)  or  12 (B) to hold shape retention by these holding cases  82  and  84 , and can be located between the lower and upper casing covers  11  and  12 . 
         [0101]    Further, in the ink supply flow path device  30 D, for example, the second flow path  32  located in the gap between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12  shown in  FIG. 2  is secured as a flat flow path as shown in  FIG. 11(B) . Thus, the ink supply flow path device  30 D can stably supply the ink without being pinched between the lower casing cover  11  and the upper casing cover  12 . Therefore, blank ejection at the recording head is prevented and breakdowns of the printer body  10  can be reduced. Even when being bent in a crank shape as shown in  FIG. 3 , the first to third flow paths  31  to  33  can be secured as flat flow paths. In addition, bubble trapping can be achieved at the second flow path  32 . 
         [0102]    (Mounting to Inside of Liquid Ejecting Apparatus) 
         [0103]      FIG. 13  shows the inside of the printer body  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . The printer body  10  has lower and upper casing covers  11  and  12  of the type of  FIG. 3 . The ink supply flow path device  30  is inserted into the inside of the printer body  10  through the cutout portion  11 A of the lower casing cover  11 , and the first to third flow paths  31  to  33  are formed so as to be bent in a crank shape along the gap between the lower and upper casing covers  11  and  12 . 
         [0104]    A flow path  35  on the downstream side of the third flow path  33  is connected to ink reservoirs  90 A,  90 B, . . . each of which is provided for each ink color. The mounting location of the ink reservoirs  90 A and  90 B is where an ink cartridge of off-carriage type is originally located. The ink cartridge does not have a structure in which an ink can be supplied from the outside thereto, and thus the ink reservoirs  90 A and  90 B are provided as a substitute therefor. 
         [0105]    The ink reservoirs  90 A and  90 B are formed in a sac-like shape from a flexible film or the like, such as a resin film and/or an aluminum thin film, and have a damper ability. The ink reservoirs  90 A and  90 B can introduce the ink within the external tank  20  into the recording head by being connected to the recording head through: ink delivery members (liquid delivery members)  100 A and  100 B provided on the printer body  10  side; and an inner flow path  110  branched for each ink. Even in the printer body  10  of on-carriage type, the ink reservoirs  90 A and  90 B similarly may be provided. Alternatively, in both types, as a substitute for the ink reservoirs  90   a  and  90   b,  the ink supply flow path device  30  may be connected to an adapter that has a structure to be connected to an inner tube within the printer body  10 . 
         [0106]    Note that, although each embodiment has been described in detail, it should be readily understood by a person skilled in the art that many modifications that do not substantially depart from the new matter and the effects of the invention are possible. Therefore, all of such modified examples are included within the scope of the invention. For example, any term described at least once together with a broader or synonymous different term in the specification or the drawing, may be replaced by the different term at any places in the specification or the drawing. 
         [0107]    Further, application of the liquid supply flow path device of the invention is not limited to the ink jet recoding apparatus. The liquid supply flow path device of the invention is applicable to various liquid ejecting apparatuses having: a liquid ejecting head that ejecting a very small amount of a droplet; and the like. Note that the droplet means a state of a liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus, and is intended to include a granule state, an a tear-like state, and a tailing filiform state. 
         [0108]    Specific examples of the liquid ejecting apparatus include, for example, apparatuses having a color material ejecting head and used for manufacturing color filters for liquid crystal displays and the like; apparatuses having an electrode material (conductive paste) ejecting head and used for forming electrodes for organic EL displays, field emission displays (FEDs), and the like; apparatuses having a bioorganic substance ejecting head and used for manufacturing biochips; apparatuses having a sample ejecting head as a precise pipette; textile printing apparatuses; and microdispensers. 
         [0109]    Further, in the invention, the liquid may be any material as long as it can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. A typical example of the liquid is the ink as described in the above embodiments. Here, the ink is intended to include various liquid compositions such as common water-based and oil-based inks, gel inks, and hot-melt inks. The liquid may be a material, such as liquid crystal, other than materials used for printing characters and images. In addition, in the invention, the liquid may be, in addition to a liquid as one state of a material, a liquid that is mixed with a solid material such as pigments and metal particles.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8