| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent image quality from deteriorating at the time of using water-based ink produced by atomizing a color raw material, dispersing it into water and then emulsifying and conditioning it, because aggregation and sedimentation of color material takes place in the ink as the time elapses, and print density changes due to supply of thin ink as the ink is consumed thus causing occurrence of unevenness or a streak or deterioration in color reproducibility. SOLUTION: A hollow tube connected with a first liquid connector is provided in an ink tank and a plurality of holes are arranged in the hollow tube at a predetermined interval along the axial direction thereof. Opening of the hollow tube is located higher than the ink full position such that each hole receives the same quantity of ink, and a plug having a specific gravity lower than that of the ink is incorporated. Even when sedimentation takes place in the ink, the ink flows in from each hole over the entire region including the upper layer part, intermediate layer part and lower layer part of the ink tank. The ink is scrambled in the pipe and can be supplied under a state of uniform concentration and even when the residual quantity thereof is low, the ink can be filled surely. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI |
