JPH1024613A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] In an ink jet recording apparatus, there is no need to provide a fixed large-capacity waste ink tank, and there is no need to use a replaceable waste ink tank. To provide a good recording device. SOLUTION: For this reason, a small-capacity waste ink absorber 22 is provided.
Is provided in the recording unit 11, a maintenance unit 12 having a large-capacity waste ink absorber 25 outside is prepared, and when both are combined, the first waste ink absorber 22 on the recording unit unit 11 side is crushed, The waste ink is supplied from the recording unit 11 side to the maintenance unit 12
It was configured to move to the side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an ink jet recording apparatus of this type which performs recording by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet, clogging of a nozzle for ejecting ink and ink flow when an ink tank is replaced are known. A head recovery system using a negative pressure pump has been used to remove air bubbles accumulated in the road. During head recovery operation by this head recovery system,
The ink sucked by the pump is discarded, but the waste ink tank storing the waste ink is fixed in the recording apparatus main body so as to store all the waste ink within the life of the recording apparatus, or is fully filled. It is arranged so that it can be detached and replaced from the main body when it becomes.

On the other hand, in recent years, this type of printing apparatus has been downsized, and it is desired that the space allocated to the waste ink tank be as small as possible.

[0004]

However, the fixed waste ink tank in this type of conventional ink jet recording apparatus occupies a large volume in spite of the demand for miniaturization of the recording apparatus.

In the case of a detachable and replaceable waste ink tank, a disposable method is generally adopted for the convenience of the user of the apparatus. It is necessary to prepare a new waste ink tank in advance, and especially in a portable recording device which is portable, it is necessary to prepare a spare waste ink tank, which impairs the original portability. There was a point.

Further, the user has to worry about the replacement time, and the replacement operation itself is relatively troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and does not require an increase in the size of the apparatus and does not require replacement of a waste ink tank.
It aims at providing an ink jet recording apparatus.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink jet head for discharging ink to perform recording, wherein suction for forcibly sucking ink from the ink jet head is provided. Means, first waste ink holding means for holding the sucked ink, second waste ink holding means detachably mounted to the ink jet recording apparatus, and first and second waste ink holding means Means connected to each other,
Having a releasable flow path means, when the second waste ink holding means is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus, the flow path means is connected and the first waste ink holding means is The object is achieved by configuring the waste ink to move to the second waste ink holding means.

More specifically, the above object is effectively achieved by employing any of the following configurations. That is, 1) the first waste ink holding means is configured so that the holding capacity of the waste ink changes as the volume changes.

2) The second waste ink holding means has pressing means for reducing the volume of the first waste ink holding means, and the second waste ink holding means is provided to the ink jet recording apparatus. When combined, the pressing means reduces the volume of the first waste ink holding means.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. That is, in an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink jet head that performs recording by discharging ink, a suction unit that forcibly sucks ink from the ink jet head, a first waste ink holding unit that holds the sucked ink, A second waste ink holding unit configured to be detachable from the inkjet recording apparatus; and the first and second waste ink holding units,
Having a flow path means which can be connected to and separated from each other, and when the second waste ink holding means is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus, the flow path means is connected and stored in the first waste ink holding means By configuring the waste ink that has been transferred to the second waste ink holding means, the inkjet recording apparatus may be provided with a minimum volume of waste ink absorber, so that the apparatus can be downsized.

Further, by mounting the second waste ink holding means to the ink jet recording apparatus, the first waste ink holding means on the side of the ink jet recording apparatus is returned. It is not necessary to replace the waste ink absorber for use.

1) Since the first waste ink holding means is configured so that the holding capacity of the waste ink changes with a change in volume, the first waste ink holding means can reliably transfer the waste ink to the second waste ink holding means. Reliability is increased.

2) Further, the second waste ink holding means has a pressing means for reducing the volume of the first waste ink holding means, and the second waste ink holding means is provided with the ink jet recording apparatus. Since the pressing means reduces the volume of the first waste ink holding means when the first waste ink holding means is coupled to the first waste ink holding means, Since the ink is forcibly discharged, the waste ink is reliably moved, and the reliability is improved.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail based on a plurality of examples.

[0016]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an entire ink jet recording apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Here, reference numeral 11 denotes a recording unit for performing recording on the recording paper 3, and reference numeral 12 denotes a maintenance unit having therein a waste ink holding unit and a power supply unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a state where the recording unit 11 and the maintenance unit 12 are separated from each other. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the recording unit 11 and the maintenance unit 12 are combined. FIG.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an engaging portion 14 of the recording unit 11.
, And a claw for detachably holding the recording unit 11 and the maintenance unit 12, a discharge outlet 15 for the recording paper 3 on which recording has been completed, a power cord 16, and a power supply 17. A connector for supplying to the recording unit 11 and charging a rechargeable battery (not shown) in the recording unit 11.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a recording unit 11 for discharging waste ink sent from a pump 20 described later through an outlet 26.
The first waste ink absorber 18 for holding the waste ink inside is a connector for guiding the waste ink inside the first waste ink absorber 22 to the second waste ink absorber 25. Reference numeral 23 denotes a connector for electrically connecting to the connector 17 to receive power, and reference numeral 24 denotes a power supply unit.

FIG. 2 shows a recording unit 11 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a recording unit that fits in (FIG. 1). In the recording operation using this ink jet recording apparatus, the transition of the nozzle portion of the recording head 200 for ejecting the ink, that is, preventing the ink from sticking due to the drying and deteriorating the printing quality, and the ink tank 201 After the ink tank is replaced with a new ink tank when the ink tank becomes empty, bubbles may accumulate in the ink flow path and the ink may not flow, but it is necessary to remove the bubbles.

In order to perform these operations, the printing apparatus presses the cap 21 against the surface of the print head 200 and then generates a negative pressure in the cap 21 to forcibly suck ink from the nozzles. Pump 20 is provided. The recording ink sucked by the pump 20 is affected by dust and the like, and is difficult to reuse. The ink discarded from the pump 20 is referred to as “waste ink”
Call.

This waste ink is supplied to the first waste ink absorber 2
2, the flow of the waste ink when the recording unit 11 is used alone will be described below with reference to FIGS. The waste ink discharged from the pump 20 is pressed against the discharge port 26 and is formed of, for example, a porous material having good fluidity of the ink and formed of a material which is not affected by the ink, such as a melamine foam made of a melamine resin. Is temporarily stored in the waste ink absorber 22. The details of the entire recording unit in FIG. 2 will be described later.

Next, the flow of waste ink when the recording unit 11 and the maintenance unit 12 are combined will be described with reference to FIG. When the recording unit 11 and the maintenance unit 12 are connected, the connector 18 compresses the first waste ink absorber 22, and the first waste ink absorber 22 compresses the first waste ink absorber 22.
Squeeze out the waste ink held inside. The connecting body 18 is made of a fibrous material that has good fluidity of the ink, is not affected by the ink, and has good fluidity in the axial direction compared to the radial direction. As a result, the waste ink squeezed out from the first waste ink absorber 22 is connected to the connection body 18.
To the second waste ink absorber 25 after passing through the connector 18. The second waste ink absorber 25 is preferably made of a material having a large absorbing power, such as laminated paper, and a high waste ink holding ability.

As described above, the first waste ink absorber 22
Since the waste ink in the inside can move to the second waste ink absorber 25, the recording unit 11 and the maintenance unit 12 are cut off next, and when the recording unit 11 is used, the first waste ink absorbing member 25 is used. Since a space for accommodating the waste ink is secured in the body 22, it is possible to use the recording unit 11 and hold the waste ink generated thereby.

When the recording unit 11 and the maintenance unit 12 are connected to each other as shown in FIG. 4, the connector 17 and the connector 23 are also electrically connected to each other. The battery is charged.

In the case of this embodiment, the recording unit 11
Is driven by a built-in rechargeable battery. For example, if the rechargeable battery has a capacity of 50 recordings per charge,
If the capacity of the first waste ink absorber 22 is set to a volume capable of holding the waste ink expected during the printing of 50 sheets, the capacity of the rechargeable battery before the waste ink overflows from the first waste ink absorber 22 is determined. Disappears, and the operation of the recording unit 11 is stopped. Therefore, there is no fear that the waste ink overflows from the first waste ink absorber 22.

If the recording unit 11 and the maintenance unit 12 are connected to perform charging from that state, the waste ink in the first waste ink absorber 22 is discharged simultaneously with charging. Therefore, the recording unit 11 can be used again at the end of charging.

Further, the capacity of the second waste ink absorber 25 is set to the life of the apparatus, for example, equivalent to 10,000 sheets.

Next, the entire recording unit will be described with reference to FIG. 2; in FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a chassis constituting the recording unit, 3 denotes a recording sheet, and 4 denotes a conveyance for conveying the recording sheet 3. The rollers 5 are a transport roller 4 and a pump 20 described later.
, A spur motor disposed to face the transport roller 4, a spur roller 7 for discharging the recording paper 3 out of the apparatus, and a spur motor 8 for the transport roller 4. A pinch roller 20 opposed to the pump 20 is a pump for generating a negative pressure and sucking ink, and a cap 21 is a cap that contacts a recording head 200, which will be described later, and covers a nozzle portion.

Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording head for ejecting ink droplets, 201 denotes a replaceable ink tank which holds recording ink, and 202 denotes a head in which the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 are integrated. Cartridge, 2
Reference numeral 03 denotes a carrier on which the head cartridge 202 is mounted and which performs reciprocating scanning in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording paper 3;
Reference numeral 11 denotes a flexible cable having one end fixed to the carrier 203 and a signal for transmitting an electric signal to the recording head 200. Reference numeral 213 denotes a timing for fixing the one end to the carrier 203 and transmitting the rotational force of the carrier motor 255. The belt 255 is a carrier motor for driving the carrier 203.

Next, the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described. In FIG. 2, when the recording paper 3 is detected by the paper sensor (not shown) to enter the recording apparatus.
The paper feed motor 5 starts rotating at a predetermined timing, and a driving force is transmitted to the transport roller 4 by a gear train, and the transport roller 4 rotates. The recording paper 3 is sandwiched between the transport roller 4 and the pinch roller 8 and is transported into the recording apparatus as the transport roller 4 rotates.

When the recording sheet 3 is conveyed to a predetermined position in the recording apparatus, the operation proceeds to a recording operation. The driving force of the carrier motor 255 is transmitted to the carrier 203 on which the head cartridge 202 is mounted via the timing belt 213. The carrier 203 is guided by a guide shaft and a guide rail provided on the chassis 1 to perform a so-called “serial scan” in which the carrier 203 is scanned in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the recording paper 3. The position of the carrier 203 with respect to the recording sheet 3 is detected by a carrier position sensor (not shown), and when the carrier 203 reaches a predetermined position, the recording head is driven by an electric signal transmitted from the host via the flexible cable 211. 200 is driven.

The recording head 200 generates a fine liquid discharge port (orifice), a flow path, an energy action section provided in a part of the flow path, and generates droplet forming energy to act on the liquid ink in the action section. Energy generating means.

As an energy generating means for generating such energy, a recording method using an electro-mechanical converter such as a piezo element or the like, an electromagnetic wave such as a laser is irradiated to generate heat, and a droplet is generated by the action of the generated heat. There are a recording method using an energy generating means for discharging and a recording method using an energy generating means for discharging the liquid by heating the liquid by an electro-thermal converter such as a heating element having a heating resistor.

Among them, a recording head used in an ink jet recording method for discharging a liquid (ink) by thermal energy has a high density liquid discharge port for discharging a recording liquid ink to form a discharge droplet. , It is possible to record at a high resolution. In particular, a recording head using an electrothermal transducer as an energy generating means can easily be made compact, and has the advantages of IC technology and micromachining technology, which have made remarkable progress in recent semiconductor technology and improved reliability. This is extremely advantageous because it can be used for two reasons, high-density mounting is easy, and the manufacturing cost is relatively low.

When one line of recording is performed by the travel of the head cartridge 202, the recording paper 3 is conveyed by one line by the conveying means, and the next line is recorded. As described above, when the recording for the required number of lines is completed, the power is transmitted from the transport roller 4 and the recording medium is nipped by the discharge roller 7 driven in synchronization with the spur 6 disposed opposite to the discharge roller 7. The recording paper 3 is discharged out of the apparatus by the rotation of the discharge roller 7.

When the recording operation is not performed, the recording head 2
The carrier 203 returns to the home position and protects the
Move so as to contact the recording head 200.

When the liquid discharge port of the recording head 200 is clogged for some reason, or when the ink tank 201 is replaced, bubbles are generated in the ink supply path from the ink tank 201 to the recording head 200. If it does, a head recovery operation is performed to resolve this. This head recovery operation is performed by the paper feed motor 5
Uses a pump 20 whose power is transmitted by a gear train.

The pump 20 includes a cylinder and a piston. The piston moves relative to the cylinder to generate a negative pressure inside, and the inside of the cap 21 connected by a tube is negatively pressured. To When the cap 21 is in contact with the liquid ejection port of the recording head 200, a negative pressure is also transmitted to the liquid ejection port, and the negative pressure causes the ink to flow in the ink flow path from the ink tank 201 to the recording head 200, and The ink inside the ink tank 201 is sucked. The sucked ink passes through the inside of the pump 20 and is discharged from the discharge port 26 of the pump 20. The transmission of the discharged waste ink is as described above.

The above is the outline of the recording operation and the recovery operation of the recording head 200 by the ink jet recording apparatus.

In the present embodiment, the second waste ink absorber 25 is formed integrally with the power supply for charging. However, the second waste ink absorber 25 depends on the capacity of the rechargeable battery. Since it is possible to prevent the overflow of the waste ink from the ink tank, it is not necessary to detect the full state of the first waste ink absorber 22, and the configuration of the apparatus is simplified.

However, the present invention is, of course, not limited to this configuration. Even if the maintenance unit 12 is composed of only the connecting member 18 and the second waste ink absorber 25, the object of the present invention is impaired. Never. In this case, the recording unit 11 sets the capacity of the first waste ink absorber 22 to a value required for the product, manages the amount of waste ink such as counting the number of times of electric suction, and sets the full ink level. Sometimes the maintenance unit 12
It is desirable to encourage the connection to.

Similarly, the maintenance unit 12 may be combined with an automatic paper feeder. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing another embodiment.

As described above, in this configuration, the recording unit 11 is provided with a minimum necessary waste ink absorber,
By connecting to the maintenance unit 12,
Since the waste ink on the side of the recording unit 11 can be moved to the large-capacity waste ink absorber on the side of the maintenance unit 12, it is possible to reduce the size of the recording unit 11 that is normally used for portable use.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 6 to 9 are schematic sectional views showing the vicinity of the waste ink absorber for explaining the movement of the waste ink according to the second embodiment, and FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view from above the recording unit 11 side.

In FIG. 6 to FIG. 10, reference numeral 27 denotes a first waste ink container (holding means) of the present embodiment. In a bag shape. The first waste ink container 27 is connected to the pump 20 on the one hand, and the waste ink flows through the check valve 32. The other is connected to the discharge channel 31. Reference numeral 29 denotes a piston serving as a valve capable of opening and closing the discharge flow path 31, and is supported by a piston spring 30. Reference numeral 28 denotes a waste ink joint connected to the maintenance unit 12 when discharging the waste ink.

On the maintenance unit 12 side, a joint pipe 33 for connecting to the waste ink joint 28 is provided.
A cutout 34 is partially provided for the flow path of the waste ink. 35 is the recording unit 11 and maintenance
A pusher as a pressing means for applying pressure to the first waste ink container 27 when connected to the unit 12, and is pressed upward by a spring 36.

A description will now be given of the movement of waste ink according to the second embodiment having the above-described structure; FIG. 6 shows a state where waste ink is not contained in the first waste ink container 27 and the first waste ink is stored. The ink container 27 is in a crushed state. When the recording unit 11 is used, waste ink is generated, and the waste ink is stored in the first waste ink container 27 from the pump 20. FIG. 7 shows this state, and the first waste ink container 27 is swelled with waste ink contained therein.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the waste ink is being discharged from the pump 20, so that the check valve 32 is opened by the pressure of the waste ink, and the first waste ink container 27 is discharged from the pump 20. Ink is flowing. Also, the discharge channel 31
Is closed by the piston 29, so that the waste ink does not overflow from the waste ink joint 28.

FIG. 8 shows a state immediately after the recording unit 11 and the maintenance unit 12 have been combined from the state of FIG. The joint pipe 33 is engaged with the waste ink joint 28, and
Since the tip of 3 pushes up the piston 29, the ink in the first waste ink container 27 passes through the discharge channel 31, the notch 34, and the joint pipe 33 to the second waste ink absorber 25. A waste ink channel for absorption is formed.

The pusher 35 is pushed in by the swollen first waste ink container 27, and applies a pressure in a direction in which the first waste ink container 27 is crushed by a spring 36. Therefore, the waste ink in the first waste ink container 27 passes through the discharge flow path 31, the notch 34, and the joint pipe 33 as described above because the pump 20 side is closed by the check valve 32. 2 waste ink absorber 25
Begins to be absorbed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 8 after a further lapse of time from FIG. 8, and the pusher 35 has completely pushed the first waste ink container 27. In this state, the first
Since the waste ink in the waste ink container 27 is absorbed in the second waste ink absorber 25, the recording unit 1
When the unit 1 and the maintenance unit 12 are separated, the state of FIG. 6 is restored, so that the use of the recording unit 11 can be started.

With the above-described structure, the structure becomes more complicated to some extent than in the first embodiment. However, since the waste ink is stored in a sealed bag, it is more reliable and compact. An apparatus can be provided.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10 of a third embodiment according to the present invention, in which the same parts as in FIG. 10 are viewed from the same direction. In contrast to the first waste ink container 27, the waste ink container (holding means) 37 has a diaphragm-like shape formed by blow molding polyethylene or the like, and has a thickness depending on the amount of waste ink inside. Things that change. The pump 20 and the waste ink joint 28 are connected by tubes 38 and 39, respectively.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. That is,
In an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink jet head that performs recording by discharging ink, suction means for forcibly sucking ink from the ink jet head,
A first waste ink holding unit that holds the sucked ink, a second waste ink holding unit that is configured to be detachable from the inkjet recording apparatus, and the first and second waste ink holding units. Having a flow path means that can be connected to and separated from each other, and when the second waste ink holding means is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus, the flow path means is connected and the first waste ink holding means is connected to the first waste ink holding means. By configuring the stored waste ink to move to the second waste ink holding means, the inkjet recording apparatus may be provided with a minimum volume of waste ink absorber, so that the apparatus can be downsized.

Further, by mounting the second waste ink holding member to the ink jet recording apparatus, the first waste ink holding means on the ink jet recording apparatus side is returned. It is not necessary to replace the waste ink absorber for use. Further, 1) the first waste ink holding means is configured so that the holding capacity of the waste ink changes as the volume changes.
Since the waste ink can be reliably transferred to the second waste ink holding means, the reliability of the apparatus is improved.

2) The second waste ink holding means is provided with the first waste ink holding means.
Has a pressing means for reducing the volume of the waste ink holding means, and when the second waste ink holding means is coupled to the ink jet recording apparatus, the pressing means serves as the first waste ink holding means. Since the volume is reduced, the waste ink in the first waste ink holding means can be forcibly discharged by attaching the second waste ink holding member. The performance is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a recording unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a separated state of a recording unit and a maintenance unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment in a coupled state.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing the vicinity of a waste ink absorber in a state where waste ink of the second embodiment is not contained.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing the vicinity of a waste ink absorber in a state where waste ink of the second embodiment is contained.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a waste ink absorber in a state immediately after coupling according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a state diagram of FIG. 8 after a further elapse of time.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view from above of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view from above of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chassis 3 Recording paper 4 Conveyance roller 5 Paper feed motor 6 Spur 7 Ejection roller 8 Pinch roller 10 Inkjet recording device 11 Recording unit 12 Maintenance unit 13 Claw 14 Engagement unit 15 Discharge port 16 Power cord 17 Connector 18 Connector Reference Signs List 20 pump 21 cap 22 first waste ink absorber (holding unit) 23 connector 24 power supply unit 25 second waste ink absorber (holding unit) 26 outlet 27 first waste ink container (holding unit) 28 waste Ink joint 29 Piston 30 Piston spring 31 Discharge flow path 32 Check valve 33 Joint pipe 34 Notch 35 Pusher (pressing means) 36 Spring 37 Waste ink container (holding means) 38, 39 Tube 200 Recording head 201 Ink tank 202 Head cartridge 203 Carrier 211 Flexible cable 255 Carrier motor

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus having an ink jet head for performing recording by discharging ink, a suction means for forcibly sucking ink from the ink jet head, and a first waste ink holding for holding the sucked ink. Means, a second waste ink holding means configured to be detachable from the ink jet recording apparatus, and the first and second waste ink holding means have a flow path means which can be connected to and separated from each other, When the second waste ink holding means is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus, the flow path means is connected, and the waste ink accumulated in the first waste ink holding means is filled with the second waste ink holding means. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first waste ink holding means changes a capacity of holding the waste ink by changing a volume. 3. The second waste ink holding means has a pressing means for reducing the volume of the first waste ink holding means, and the second waste ink holding means is provided to the ink jet recording apparatus. 3. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said pressing means is configured to reduce the volume of said first waste ink holding means when combined. 4. The flow path means forms a flow path when the second waste ink holding means is coupled to the ink jet recording apparatus, and shuts off when the second waste ink holding means is separated from the ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is driven by a built-in rechargeable battery. 6. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said second waste ink holding means is integrally formed with a charger for charging said rechargeable battery. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second waste ink holding means is integrally formed with an automatic paper feeder for automatically feeding recording paper to said ink jet recording apparatus. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5. 8. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first waste ink holding means is made of a porous material. 9. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first waste ink holding means has a bag-like configuration made of a flexible sheet member.