(19)
(11) EP 1 386 742 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
17.03.2004 Bulletin 2004/12

(43) Date of publication A2:
04.02.2004 Bulletin 2004/06

(21) Application number: 03025755.4

(22) Date of filing: 21.11.1997
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B41J 2/165, B41J 2/175
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB IT

(30) Priority: 22.11.1996 JP 32783896
08.09.1997 JP 25935097
08.09.1997 JP 25935197
08.09.1997 JP 25935297
08.09.1997 JP 25935397

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
97120507.5 / 0844094

(71) Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Kobayasshi, Atsushi, Seiko Epson Cor.
    Suawa-shi Nagano (JP)
  • Mochizuki Seiji, Seiko Epson Corp.
    Suwa-shi Nagano (JP)
  • Kawakami, Kawakami, Seiko Epson Corp.
    Suwa-shi Nagano (JP)
  • Fukasawa, Shigenori, Seiko Epson Corp.
    Suwa-shi Nagano (JP)
  • Isono, Masahiro, Seiko Epson Corp.
    Suwa-shi Nagano (JP)
  • Nakamura, Masahiro, Seiko Epson Corp.
    Suwa-shi Nagano (JP)
  • Otsuka, Nobutoshi, Seiko Epson Corp.
    Suwa-shi Nagano (JP)
  • Takahashi, Nobuhito, Seiko Epson Corp.
    Suwa-shi Nagano (JP)
  • Hayakawa, Hitoshi, Seiko Epson Corp.
    Suwa-shi Nagano (JP)
  • Maruyama, Norihiro, Seiko Epson Corp.
    Suwa-shi Nagano (JP)

(74) Representative: Diehl, Hermann, Dr. Dipl.-Phys. et al
DIEHL, GLÄSER, HILTL & PARTNER Patentanwälte Augustenstrasse 46
80333 München
80333 München (DE)

   


(54) Ink-jet recording device


(57) The invention provides an ink jet recording device comprising ink jet print heads (17, 18) for ejecting ink in the form of ink drops; ink cartridges (7, 8) for supplying ink to said print heads (17, 18); a carriage (11) on which said print heads (17, 18) and said ink cartridges (7, 8) are mounted; at least one cap (20, 21) for sealing said print heads (17, 18); a pump (23) for applying a suction pressure to said cap (20, 21); an external switch (31, 32) that outputs a signal to start an ink cartridge replacing process; means (45) for storing data indicating whether or not the ink cartridges (7, 8) are being replaced, whether the ink cartridges (7, 8) are attached or detached, and whether a post-process for replacement of the ink cartridges (7, 8) is complete or incomplete; and means (39, 45) for controlling said carriage (11) and said pump (23) to execute said ink cartridge replacing process in response to said signal output from said external switch (31, 32).






Search report