Image-forming apparatus including recording head connectable to liquid container through joint, a plurality of liquid channels, and a plurality of tubes

1 . An image-forming apparatus to which a liquid container is connectable, the liquid container including a first storage chamber configured to store a single color liquid therein, the image-forming apparatus comprising:

a tank including:

a second storage chamber configured to store the single color liquid supplied from the liquid container; and

a plurality of outlet ports, wherein the single color liquid in the second storage chamber is allowed to flow out through each of the plurality of outlet ports;

a plurality of tubes each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of outlet ports; and

a recording head comprising a plurality of nozzle arrays, each nozzle array being an array of nozzles and being connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of tubes, the recording head being configured to eject the single color liquid through each nozzle array.

2 . The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the tank includes a prescribed number of inlet ports through which the single color liquid in the liquid container is allowed to flow into the second storage chamber, the prescribed number being at least one and being smaller than the number of the tubes.

3 . The image-forming apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein the prescribed number is one.

4 . The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein each of the plurality of tubes is arranged to extend in a left-right direction, and

wherein the plurality of tubes is arrayed with one another in a front-rear direction.

5 . The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the liquid container has a first air communication port to allow the first storage chamber to communicate with ambient air,

wherein the tank has a second air communication port to allow the second storage chamber to communicate with ambient air, and

wherein the second storage chamber has a portion that is positioned below the first storage chamber of the liquid container connected to the image-forming apparatus.

6 . The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a joint to which a supply opening of the liquid container is connectable, the joint being in fluid communication with the second storage chamber,

wherein the second storage chamber is configured to store the single color liquid supplied from the liquid container through the joint in a state where the liquid container is connected to the joint.

7 . The image-forming apparatus according to claim 6 ,

wherein the liquid container is a cartridge, and

wherein the joint is connectable to and removable from the supply opening of the cartridge.

8 . The image-forming apparatus according to claim 6 ,

wherein the tank includes the joint, the joint defining therein two channels through each of which the second storage chamber is in communication with an outside of the tank, and

wherein the two channels are inserted in the supply opening of the liquid container upon connection of the liquid container to the joint.

9 . The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a detector configured to detect a level of the single color liquid stored in the second storage chamber.

10 . The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the recording head is configured to eject the single color liquid through the nozzle arrays while moving in a scanning direction.

11 . An image-forming apparatus comprising:

a liquid container having:

a first storage chamber configured to store a single color liquid therein; and

a plurality of supply openings, wherein the single color liquid stored in the first storage chamber is allowed to flow out through each of the plurality of supply openings;

a plurality of joints each connectable to a corresponding one of the plurality of supply openings of the liquid container;

a plurality of second storage chambers each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of joints, each of the plurality of second storage chambers configured to store the single color liquid received from the first storage chamber;

a plurality of liquid channels each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of second storage chambers;

a plurality of tubes each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of liquid channels; and

a recording head comprising a plurality of nozzle arrays, each nozzle array being an array of nozzles and being connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of tubes, the recording head being configured to eject the single color liquid through each nozzle array.

12 . An image-forming apparatus comprising:

a liquid container having:

a first storage chamber configured to store liquid therein; and

a supply opening through which the liquid in the first storage chamber is allowed to flow out;

a joint connectable to the supply opening of the liquid container;

a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the tube being connected to the joint;

a branching portion connected to the second end of the tube, the branching portion being branched into a plurality of liquid channels; and

a recording head comprising a plurality of nozzle arrays, each nozzle array being an array of nozzles and being connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of liquid channels, the recording head being configured to eject the liquid through each nozzle array.

13 . The image-forming apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the branching portion is disposed on the recording head.

14 . The image-forming apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising a tank connected to the joint,

wherein the first end of the tube is connected to the joint via the tank.