(19)
(11) EP 1 386 744 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: 03025754.7

(22) Date of filing: 21.11.1997
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B41J 2/175, B41J 2/165
(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:
  • Kobayashi, Seiji, Seiko Epson Corp.
    Suwa-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 an ink jet print head (17, 18) for ejecting ink in the form of ink drops; two or more ink cartridges (7, 8) for supplying ink to said print head (17, 18); a carriage (11) on which said print head (17, 18) and said ink cartridges (7, 8) are mounted; a cap (20, 21) for sealing said print head (17, 18), said cap (20, 21) being located outside a printing section of said print head (17, 18); a suction device (23) for applying a negative pressure to said cap (20, 21); a window (6) through which said ink cartridges (7, 8) are replaced; an external instruction switch (31, 32); means (41) for detecting an amount of ink left in each ink cartridge (7, 8); and means (36), responsive to an operation of said switch (31, 32) and a signal output from said means (41) for detecting when the amount of ink left in the ink cartridges (7, 8) is less than a reference value, for moving said carriage (11) so that the ink cartridges (7, 8) are disposed at a position confronting the window (6).






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