IP Library Granted Patent US 12679102
Granted Patent B2
US 12679102 · App. 18/737,410 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid ejecting system

Inventors: Yohei Onuma (Shiojiri, JP); Shoma Kudo (Shiojiri, JP)
Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
B41J2/17523B41J2/17553B41J2/17596B41J29/13
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12679102
App. No.
18/737,410
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes an ejection head, a plurality of liquid containers, a casing, and a fixing portion that fixes the plurality of liquid containers to the casing. The liquid container has a liquid storage portion, a liquid supply portion, and a liquid discharge portion. The liquid supply portion is directly or indirectly coupled to one end portion of a supply passage supplying liquid to the ejection head. The liquid discharge portion discharges liquid stored in the liquid storage portion to the outside. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a separating mechanism that, in a state where fixing of the liquid container to the casing by the fixing portion is released, separates the liquid container individually from the casing in a first direction which is a direction of separating the liquid supply portion from the one end portion of the supply passage.

Claims (63)

1 . A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:

an ejection head configured to eject liquid;

a plurality of liquid containers configured to store liquid supplied to the ejection head;

a casing accommodating the ejection head and the plurality of liquid containers; and

a fixing portion fixing the plurality of liquid containers to the casing, wherein

each of the plurality of liquid containers includes

a liquid storage portion configured to store liquid,

a liquid supply portion that is a part to which one end portion of a supply passage configured to supply liquid to the ejection head is directly or indirectly coupled, and

a liquid discharge portion configured to discharge liquid stored in the liquid storage portion to the outside;

the liquid ejecting apparatus further comprises a separating mechanism configured to, in a state where fixing by the fixing portion of the liquid container to the casing is released, separate the liquid container individually from the casing in a first direction which is a direction of separating the liquid supply portion from the one end portion of the supply passage;

the casing includes a storage portion configured to accommodate the plurality of liquid containers;

the storage portion includes a door body having a window portion through which a remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container is viewed; and

the door body is configured to move between a shielding position covering the first direction side of the plurality of liquid containers and an open position not covering the first direction side with respect to the casing.

2 . The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the separating mechanism includes

a holder holding the plurality of liquid storage portions side by side in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and

a guide portion guiding the plurality of liquid containers so as to be movable in the first direction with respect to the holder; and

the liquid supply portion of the liquid container is coupled to the one end portion of the supply passage indirectly via the holder.

3 . A liquid ejecting system comprising:

the liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2 and

a liquid collection container, wherein

the liquid collection container includes

a collection coupling portion configured to be coupled to the liquid discharge portion of the liquid container,

a collection container portion storing liquid collected through coupling between the liquid discharge portion and the collection coupling portion from the liquid container, and

an atmospheric connection portion connecting the inside of the collection container portion to the atmosphere; and

the liquid discharge portion of at least one liquid container separated from the one end portion of the supply passage among the plurality of liquid containers is coupled to the collection coupling portion, whereby the liquid in the liquid container is collected into the liquid collection container by hydraulic head pressure.

4 . The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the liquid discharge portion is arranged in a bottom surface or a lower portion of a side surface of the liquid storage portion.

5 . The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the liquid container includes a valve opening and closing a passage of the liquid supply portion, and

the valve opens when the liquid supply portion is coupled to the one end portion of the supply passage and closes when the liquid supply portion is separated from the one end portion of the supply passage.

6 . The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

when the door body is in the open position, the liquid container is pulled out of the storage portion by the separating mechanism to be separated from the one end portion of the supply passage.

7 . A liquid ejecting system comprising:

the liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 and

a liquid collection container, wherein

the liquid collection container includes

a collection coupling portion configured to be coupled to the liquid discharge portion of the liquid container,

a collection container portion storing liquid collected through coupling between the liquid discharge portion and the collection coupling portion from the liquid container, and

an atmospheric connection portion connecting the inside of the collection container portion to the atmosphere; and

the liquid discharge portion of at least one liquid container separated from the one end portion of the supply passage among the plurality of liquid containers is coupled to the collection coupling portion, whereby the liquid in the liquid container is collected into the liquid collection container by hydraulic head pressure.

8 . A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:

an ejection head configured to eject liquid;

a plurality of liquid containers configured to store liquid supplied to the ejection head;

a casing accommodating the ejection head and the plurality of liquid containers; and

a fixing portion fixing the plurality of liquid containers to the casing, wherein

each of the plurality of liquid containers includes

a liquid storage portion configured to store liquid,

a liquid supply portion that is a part to which one end portion of a supply passage configured to supply liquid to the ejection head is directly or indirectly coupled, and

a liquid discharge portion configured to discharge liquid stored in the liquid storage portion to the outside; and

the liquid ejecting apparatus further comprises a separating mechanism configured to, in a state where fixing by the fixing portion is released, separate the plurality of liquid containers collectively from the casing in a first direction which is a direction of separating the liquid supply portion from the one end portion of the supply passage,

the separating mechanism includes

a holder holding the plurality of liquid storage portions side by side in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and

a moving mechanism configured to move the holder in the first direction; and

the liquid supply portion of the liquid container is coupled to the one end portion of the supply passage indirectly via the holder.

9 . A liquid ejecting system comprising:

the liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 8 and

a liquid collection container, wherein

the liquid collection container includes

a collection coupling portion configured to be coupled to the liquid discharge portion of the liquid container,

a collection container portion storing liquid collected through coupling between the liquid discharge portion and the collection coupling portion from the liquid container, and

an atmospheric connection portion connecting the inside of the collection container portion to the atmosphere; and

the liquid discharge portion of at least one liquid container separated from the one end portion of the supply passage among the plurality of liquid containers is coupled to the collection coupling portion, whereby the liquid in the liquid container is collected into the liquid collection container by hydraulic head pressure.