Ink storing device

Claim 1

An ink storage device for supplying a plurality of types of ink to a recording system, the ink storage device comprising first and second ink storing means that are individually removable from said ink storage device wherein: said first storage means includes a first case having interiorly thereof a storage space having therein a first flexible ink tank holding one color of ink; said second ink storing means includes a second case separate from said first case and having substantially the same size and shape as said first case, the interior of said second case being divided by at least one partition into a plurality of storage spaces having therein a plurality of additional flexible ink tanks holding a plurality of colors of ink different from the color of the ink in the first flexible ink tank; said first case includes detachable-connection means for enabling an ink outlet tube to be detachably connected to said first case in fluid communication with the first flexible ink tank; and said second case includes a plurality of detachable-connection means for enabling a plurality of ink outlet tubes to be detachably connected to said second case in fluid communication with respective flexible ink tanks in said second case, wherein said plural detachable-connection means included in said second case are disposed at spaced apart positions so that adjacent ones of said plural detachable connection means are not proximate to each other.