(57) A tube pump for use in an ink-jet recording device comprises: a rotor plate (104)
mounted for rotation about a first axis, a flexible tube (103) adapted to be inserted
in an ink path of said recording device, a tube guide (106A) having an arcuate shape
concentric to said first axis, part of said tube being mounted on the tube guide,
a lever (107) pivotally mounted on said rotor plate (104) about a pivot axis parallel
to said first axis, a roller (105) mounted on the lever for rotation about a second
axis parallel to but radially displaced from said first axis, and urging means (108)
urging the lever toward the circumference of said rotor plate. The roller (105) is
shiftable relative to the lever between a first position and a second position wherein,
in the second position, the second axis is closer to the first axis than in said first
position. When the rotor plate is rotated in one direction and the roller is turned
to a location inside the angular range of said arcuate tube guide (106A), it is moved
to its first position and elastically pressed against said tube (103) backed by said
tube guide so as to close the tube. When the rotor plate is rotated in the opposite
direction the roller is moved to the second position and the pressure on the tube
is relieved.
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