Importance

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Abstract

An ink jet recording apparatus has a recording head for discharging ink and effecting recording, a recording flow path communicating the recording head with one end of a first ink tank, a pump side flow path communicating the first ink tank with the recording head through a pump and, together with the recording flow path, constituting an ink circulation path through the head and the first ink tank, and a secnd ink tank for supplying ink to the first ink tank. Normally open electrical opening-closing means (FIG. 11) are provided in the recording flow path and in a tube for opening the first ink tank to atmosphere. Another normally open electrical opening-closing means and a check valve permitting the passage of ink from the pump only to the recording head, this latter opening-closing means and the check valve being interposed in series in the pump side flow path between the pump and the recording head. The apparatus also may include an overflow sensor (FIGS. 9 and 10) for detecting the amount of ink that has overflowed from the first ink tank and a water hammer damper (FIG. 14) that absorbs fluid shocks in the pump side flow path. The second ink tank may have excised portions (FIGS. 15, 16 and 18) to ensure that color ink tanks are properly mounted to the apparatus.

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First Claim