US 12,391,049 B2
Liquid consuming device including air tank and liquid tank each communicable with atmosphere when connected to liquid container
Masahiro Hayashi, Nishio (JP); Naoya Okazaki, Hashima (JP); Yuma Tanabe, Nagoya (JP); Satoru Oki, Nagoya (JP); Nanami Abe, Niigata (JP); and Yuji Fukuta, Nagoya (JP)
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Feb. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/167,990.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-054896 (JP), filed on Mar. 30, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0311532 A1, Oct. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. B41J 2/175 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 2/17556 (2013.01) [B41J 2/17503 (2013.01); B41J 2/17509 (2013.01); B41J 2/17523 (2013.01); B41J 2/175 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A liquid consuming device comprising:
a liquid container comprising a first storage chamber configured to store liquid therein;
an air tank to which the liquid container is connectable, the air tank comprising:
an air flow path configured to communicate with the first storage chamber of the liquid container that is connected to the air tank;
an air chamber connected to the air flow path and configured to communicate with the first storage chamber through the air flow path to provide airflow between the first storage chamber and the air chamber; and
a first air communicating portion configured to allow the air chamber to communicate with an atmosphere;
a liquid tank to which the liquid container is connectable, the liquid tank comprising:
a liquid flow path configured to communicate with the first storage chamber of the liquid container that is connected to the liquid tank;
a second storage chamber connected to the liquid flow path and configured to communicate with the first storage chamber through the liquid flow path to allow the liquid stored in the first storage chamber to flow into the second storage chamber;
a liquid outlet port through which the liquid stored in the second storage chamber is configured to flow out therefrom; and
a second air communicating portion configured to allow the second storage chamber to communicate with the atmosphere; and
an ejection head configured to eject the liquid supplied from the second storage chamber through the liquid outlet port,
wherein the air flow path is configured to provide communication between the first storage chamber and the air chamber in a state where the liquid container is connected to the air tank and the liquid tank.