JP2005186478A - Liquid vessel and manufacturing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid vessel which is equipped with a check valve for preventing outside air etc. from flowing inside and which can increase the capacity of storing ink deaerated with a high degree of accuracy, and a manufacturing method for the liquid vessel. <P>SOLUTION: An ink pack 17 is equipped with a supply-port forming member 30 and an ink bag part B. In the ink pack 17, the ink bag part B is fixedly attached to an outer peripheral surface 30b of the member 30. The member 30 is provided with a supply pipe 44 which communicates with the inside of the ink bag B. An outer bottom surface 30a of the member 30 of the ink pack 17 is formed of a funnel-shaped slope whose diameter is reduced toward a fitting recess 35 formed in the surface 30a. In the filling of the ink, the ink is supplied into the member 30 from the supply pipe 44 in a state wherein the ink pack 17 is arranged by positioning the member 30 on an upside and positioning the bag part B on a downside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container and a method for manufacturing the liquid container.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet printer is known as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a nozzle of a liquid ejecting head to a target. In this printer, ink is supplied to a recording head from an ink pack built in an ink cartridge as a liquid container, and the supplied ink is ejected from the recording head as ink droplets onto recording paper for recording.

  The ink cartridge generally includes an ink pack that stores ink and a storage case that stores the ink pack. The ink pack includes a lead-out unit for leading the ink in the ink pack to the outside. An ink supply needle provided at one end of the ink supply tube is inserted into the lead-out portion, and ink in the ink pack is supplied from the lead-out portion to the recording head via the ink supply tube. It has become so.

  Some ink packs include a check valve at the outlet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This ink pack includes a first valve device and a second valve device in the outlet portion. More specifically, the first valve device includes a valve body, an annular rubber packing, and a coiled spring member. This valve body is configured to close the opening of the rubber packing by the biasing force of the spring member. When the ink supply needle is not inserted into the lead-out portion, the opening of the rubber packing is closed by the valve body so that the ink from the ink pack does not leak out from the lead-out portion. When the ink supply needle is inserted in the lead-out portion, the valve body is moved by the pressure of the ink supply needle, the opening of the rubber packing is opened, and ink can be supplied from the ink pack to the recording head. .

  The second valve device includes a valve body made of substantially the same material as the specific gravity of the ink and a valve seat. Further, the second valve device is located upstream of the first valve device, and the valve body of the second valve device always closes the flow path of the outlet portion. The valve body opens the valve seat by a pressure difference between the inside and the downstream side of the ink pack. Therefore, by introducing air between the ink pack and the storage case to crush the ink pack, or by positioning the ink pack upward in the direction of gravity, the pressure in the ink pack becomes higher than the downstream side. The valve body of the second valve device is opened.

  Therefore, for example, even if the user forcibly opens the first valve device of the ink pack with a screw driver or the like, the second valve device is in a closed state, and the ink in the ink pack is externally No leakage or outside air or the like flows into the ink pack. As a result, the degree of deaeration and cleanliness of the ink in the ink pack can be improved.

Incidentally, in an ink jet printer, the ink supplied to the recording head is pressurized and ejected from the recording head. For this reason, when ink is stored in the ink pack manufacturing process in a state where air is mixed in the ink pack, bubbles are generated in the ink and the pressure on the ink is reduced. Accordingly, there is a problem that the ink cannot be sufficiently pressurized and ink droplets cannot be accurately ejected from the recording head. In addition, for an ink pack in which a check valve is provided in the lead-out portion, if the ink is tried to be injected through the lead-out portion, the check valve acts to close, so that the ink is injected. Can not be. Therefore, a manufacturing method has been proposed in which air is not mixed into the ink pack in the ink pack manufacturing process (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In this manufacturing method, first, an ink bag having an opening at the bottom portion is made by thermally welding the three sides of the film member so as to sandwich the lead-out portion. Next, the opened bottom of the ink bag is opened upward. In the manufacturing process, after decompressing the decompression chamber, ink is injected into the ink bag from the opened bottom, and after the ink is injected, the opened bottom of the ink bag is temporarily sealed. Next, the air bubbles mixed in the ink are collected on the ink liquid surface in a state where the ink bag is pressed to a certain thickness by the pressing plate. Next, an ink pack in which ink not containing air bubbles is stored can be manufactured by finally sealing the position below the ink liquid surface and cutting the main sealing portion from the ink bag.

By the way, since the ink is consumed, the ink cartridge needs to be replaced. Here, it is desired to increase the accommodation volume in order to improve the maintainability. However, the ink cartridge increases in size as the ink storage volume increases. Therefore, in order to increase the efficiency of the capacity of the ink pack, it is conceivable to provide a gusset portion or the like in the ink pack.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-192739 JP-A-10-193635

  However, in the manufacturing method of the ink pack provided with the check valve, it is necessary to seal the opening into which the ink is injected. For this reason, if a gusset is formed in the opening after the ink is injected and an attempt is made to seal it, it is inevitable that bubbles and air remain in the ink in the ink pack. In addition, if a gusset portion is formed below the ink liquid level so that no bubbles remain in the ink in the ink pack, the ink leaks from the opening. Therefore, in order to collect ink leaking from the opening, it is necessary to dispose a tank or the like, which complicates and enlarges the entire apparatus.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to deaerate the liquid container including a check valve for preventing inflow of outside air or the like with high accuracy. Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container and a method for manufacturing the liquid container that can increase the volume of the ink that has been discharged.

  In the liquid container of the present invention, a bag portion capable of containing liquid is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the supply port forming member, and the liquid filled in the supply port forming member through communication between the inside and the outside of the bag portion is externally provided. In the liquid container in which the first liquid supply path for supplying to the liquid is formed and the check valve is disposed in the flow path, the supply port forming member is filled with liquid in the bag portion separately from the flow path. A second liquid supply path is formed, and a guide part that guides air toward the first liquid supply path is formed on the outer bottom surface of the supply port forming member facing the bag part.

  According to the present invention, since the check valve is disposed in the first liquid supply path, it is not possible to inject liquid into the bag portion through the first liquid supply path. The bag portion can be filled with liquid from the second liquid supply path provided in the. And the air which stops in the bag part when filling with a liquid is discharged | emitted outside after being guided to the 1st liquid supply path along the guide part of an outer bottom face. For this reason, it is not necessary to fill the liquid with the bottom side of the bag part opened, and it is not necessary to seal the bottom side opening part of the bag part after filling the liquid. Accordingly, a gusset portion can be formed on the bottom side of the bag portion.

In this liquid container, the guide portion is a funnel-shaped slope that decreases in diameter toward the first liquid supply path formed in the supply port forming member.
According to the present invention, the air staying in the bag portion when filling the liquid is guided to the first liquid supply path along the slope whose diameter is reduced upward, and then discharged to the outside.

  In the method for producing a liquid container according to the present invention, a bag portion capable of containing a liquid is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of a supply port forming member, and the supply port forming member is filled with the inside and the outside of the bag portion in communication. In the method of manufacturing a liquid container in which a first liquid supply path for supplying the liquid to the outside is formed, and a check valve is disposed in the flow path, the supply port forming member is provided in the bag portion separately from the flow path. Forming a second liquid supply path for filling the liquid with a guide portion for guiding air toward the first liquid supply path on the outer bottom surface facing the bag portion of the supply port forming member; The bag portion is filled with liquid from the supply port forming member side via the second liquid supply path.

  According to the present invention, since the liquid is filled into the bag portion from the second liquid supply path provided in the supply port forming member, it is not necessary to fill the liquid with the bottom side of the bag portion opened. Moreover, it is not necessary to seal the opening on the bottom side of the bag portion after filling with the liquid. In addition, air is not retained in the bag portion when filling. Accordingly, the filling operation is facilitated.

In this method of manufacturing a liquid container, the guide portion is a funnel-shaped slope that decreases in diameter toward the first liquid supply path formed in the supply port forming member.
According to the present invention, the air staying in the bag portion when filling the liquid is guided to the first liquid supply path along the slope whose diameter is reduced upward, and then discharged to the outside.

  In this method of manufacturing a liquid container, a depressurization step of depressurizing the bag portion via the first liquid supply path, and filling for filling the interior of the bag portion via the second liquid supply path And a sealing step of sealing the second liquid supply path so as not to communicate with the bag portion.

  According to this invention, the inside of the bag portion is depressurized via the first liquid supply path. Then, the bag is filled with liquid via the second liquid supply path. Thereafter, the second liquid supply path is sealed.

  Hereinafter, an ink jet printer that embodies the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the ink jet printer according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) 11 as a liquid ejecting apparatus has a substantially rectangular box shape. The printer 11 is provided with a carriage 12 that reciprocates in the X direction. A recording head 13 having a plurality of nozzles is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 12. On one side of the front surface 11a of the printer 11, a cartridge mounting portion 14 is provided at a position below the nozzle. The cartridge mounting portion 14 has a substantially rectangular insertion port 14a. Locking portions 14b are formed on both side surfaces in the cartridge mounting portion 14 so as to protrude from the rear surface 11b side of the printer 11 toward the front surface 11a side. The cartridge mounting portion 14 receives the ink cartridge 15 from the insertion port 14a.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the ink cartridge 15. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink cartridge 15 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box. The ink cartridge 15 has locking grooves 15b that engage with locking portions 14b formed in the cartridge mounting portion 14 on both side surfaces 15a. For this reason, when the ink cartridge 15 is received from the insertion port 14 a, the locking groove 15 b of the ink cartridge 15 is engaged with the locking portion 14 b of the cartridge mounting portion 14. As a result, the ink cartridge 15 is detachably accommodated in the cartridge mounting portion 14.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a connection state when the ink cartridge 15 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 14. A plurality of supply needles 16 (see FIG. 1) are arranged on the cartridge mounting portion 14 of the printer 11 so as to face the ink cartridge 15. As shown in FIG. 3, each supply needle 16 has a first liquid supply path as a first liquid supply path of the ink pack 17 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the ink cartridge 15 when the ink cartridge 15 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 14. Each of the pipes 18 is disposed at a position where it can be inserted. Accordingly, when the ink cartridge 15 is inserted into the insertion port 14 a and is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 14, the supply needle 16 of the cartridge mounting portion 14 is inserted into each first conduit 18 of the ink cartridge 15. Then, the valve mechanism in the first pipe line 18 is opened. Therefore, the ink of the ink cartridge 15 (each ink pack 17) is supplied to the recording head 13 of the carriage 12 via the corresponding supply needle 16 and supply tube 19 respectively. Then, printing is performed by ejecting ink from the nozzles of the recording head 13 toward the paper P (see FIG. 1).

  FIG. 4 shows an entire exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge 15, and FIG. 5 shows a front view of the ink cartridge 15. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ink cartridge 15 is an ink pack having a storage case 21 that can be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 14, a packing 22, and a plurality (five in this embodiment) of ink packs 17. The assembly 23 and a plurality (six in this embodiment) of connecting members 24 are provided.

  The housing case 21 is made of synthetic resin, forms a substantially rectangular box, and is a box with one side opened. Locking grooves 21 c are formed in the upper surface 21 a and the lower surface 21 b on the opening side of the housing case 21. In addition, five partition plates 25 and 26 are formed inside the storage case 21, and the partition plates 25 and 26 form five storage spaces S1 and one air introduction space S2. In the present embodiment, in FIG. 4, the five accommodation spaces S <b> 1 have the same rectangular opening area, and the leftmost air introduction space S <b> 2 has an opening area larger than the opening area of the accommodation space S <b> 1. It is formed small. In addition, except for the partition plate 26 provided on the leftmost side in FIG. 4, the partition plate 25 is formed so that the opening end thereof is at a position deeper than the front surface 21 e (opening surface) of the housing case 21. And the opening edge of the partition plate 26 provided on the leftmost side is formed at a position deeper than the opening ends of the other partition plates 25.

  The ink pack assembly 23 having the five ink packs 17 has a frame portion 27 that closes the opening of the containing case 21. The frame portion 27 is made of a synthetic resin and has a substantially flat plate shape. When the opening of the housing case 21 is closed, the frame portion 27 has first support portions 27a formed at positions corresponding to the housing space S1 defined in the housing case 21, and corresponds to the air introduction space S2. The second support portion 27b is formed at the position where

As shown in FIG. 6B, each first support portion 27 a is provided with a supply port forming member 30 so as to bulge toward the housing case 21. The cross-sectional shape of the recessed supply port forming member 30 is a spindle shape. An annular stepped portion 30b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the supply port forming member 30, and the mouth portion a of the ink bag portion B for containing ink is thermally welded to the annular stepped portion 30b. The ink bag portion B is composed of a single film member in which a plurality of layers are laminated. The outer side of the ink bag portion B is composed of a gas barrier layer in which a plurality of layers such as nylon or aluminum are laminated, and the inner side is constituted by a resin layer in which a plurality of thermoplastic resin layers such as polypropylene or polyethylene are laminated. This resin layer is made of a material that can be thermally welded to the supply port forming member 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the ink bag portion B includes a sealing portion b formed by bending the film member into a tubular shape with the gas barrier layer on the outside and heat-welding the inside at the end portions on both sides. It has become. Further, a gusset portion c is formed at the bottom portion of the ink bag portion B.

  A cylindrical body 32 protrudes from the center of the inner bottom surface 31 a of the recess 31 of the supply port forming member 30. The cylindrical body 32 is provided with a first receiving recess 33 and a second receiving recess 34 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the first receiving recess 33. Further, a fitting recess 35 that constitutes the guide portion is provided in the outer bottom surface 30a that constitutes the guide portion of the supply port forming member 30 that faces the cylindrical body 32. A communication hole 36 that communicates between 35 and the second housing recess 34 is formed. The outer bottom surface 30 a of the supply port forming member 30 is formed with a funnel-shaped inclined surface that is reduced in diameter toward the fitting recess 35. Therefore, when air is mixed in the ink bag portion B filled with ink with the supply port forming member 30 facing upward, the mixed air is not retained on the outer bottom surface 30a of the supply port forming member 30. It can guide toward the fitting recess 35.

  A valve body 37 is disposed in the second housing recess 34 of the cylindrical body 32, and the valve body 37 is elastically pressed toward the first housing recess 33 by a coil spring 38 disposed in the second housing recess 34. It has become so. A rubber packing 29 is fitted into the first housing recess 33, and the valve body 37 is pressed against the rubber packing 29. Therefore, when the rubber packing 29 and the valve body 37 are pressed against each other, the communication between the first storage recess 33 and the second storage recess 34 is blocked, and the outflow of ink from the ink bag B is blocked.

  Further, the base end portion 39 a of the posture holding bar 39 is fitted into the fitting recess 35. The base end portion 39a of the posture holding bar 39 is formed with a through hole 40 constituting a guide portion penetrating with the outside at the distal end surface. A plate-like valve body 41 capable of closing the through hole 40 is formed at the distal end portion of the base end portion 39 a fitted in the fitting recess 35. In this embodiment, the plate-like valve body 41 is slightly larger than or equal to the specific gravity of the ink, and is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel or a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene or polyethylene.

  In addition, a ring 42 is disposed at a portion where the communication hole 36 is formed in the fitting recess 35. The ring 42 is made of synthetic resin, has an annular shape, and is bent at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction. The outer diameter of the ring 42 is formed larger than the inner diameter of the communication hole 36. A portion of the ring 42 that is formed larger than the inner diameter of the communication hole 36 is fixed to the fitting recess 35 of the communication hole 36.

  Further, the inner diameter of the ring 42 is smaller than the inner diameter of the communication hole 36 and smaller than the outer diameter of the valve body 41. For this reason, even if the valve body 41 is in contact with the ring 42, the communication hole 36 and the fitting recess 35 are in communication. More specifically, when the valve body 41 is separated from the base end portion 39 a of the posture holding bar 39, the through hole 40 communicates with the communication hole 36 through the fitting recess 35. That is, the ink in the ink bag portion B is supplied to the second storage recess 34. On the contrary, when the valve body 41 closes the through hole 40, the communication between the fitting recess 35 and the communication hole 36 is blocked, and the outflow of ink from the ink bag portion B is blocked.

  A supply pipe 44 as a second liquid supply path communicating with the outer bottom surface 30a of the supply port forming member 30 is formed in the recess 31 of the supply port forming member 30 in which the cylindrical body 32 is formed. The supply pipe 44 is used as a supply port when the ink bag portion B is filled with ink. The front end opening portion of the supply pipe 44 is formed in an expanded manner, and a sealing sphere 45 is fitted to the expanded portion so that the supply pipe 44 is sealed. That is, the ink filled in the ink bag portion B is prevented from leaking from the supply pipe 44.

As described above, ink is filled into the ink bag portions B welded to the supply port forming members 30 of the five first support portions 27 a formed on the frame portion 27, thereby forming the ink composed of the five ink packs 17. A pack assembly 23 is formed. When the frame portion 27 of the ink pack assembly 23 is closed by the opening of the storage case 21, each ink pack 17 is stored in the storage space S <b> 1 of the corresponding storage case 21.

  The second support portion 27 b formed in the frame portion 27 is formed at the left end portion of the frame portion 27 in FIG. 4, and a pair of upper and lower air introduction ports 47 penetrating the frame portion 27 is formed. The pair of upper and lower air introduction ports 47 are arranged to face the air introduction space S <b> 2 formed in the housing case 21 when the frame portion 27 closes the opening of the housing case 21. The pair of upper and lower air introduction ports 47 are connected to an air supply tube (not shown) connected to an air pressurization pump provided in the printer 11, and the pressurized air from the air pressurization pump is introduced into the air introduction space S2.

  Accordingly, since the opening end of the partition plate 25 is formed so as to be located behind the front surface 21e of the housing case 21, even if the opening portion of the housing case 21 is closed by the frame portion 27, each space S1, S2 Are in communication with each other, the pressurized air introduced into the air introduction space S2 is supplied to each accommodation space S1. As a result, the ink bag portions B of the ink packs 17 stored in the respective storage spaces S1 are pressurized.

  The packing 22 is interposed between the storage case 21 and the frame portion 27 of the ink pack assembly 23. When the storage case 21 is closed by the frame portion 27, the pressurized air introduced into the air introduction space S2 is exposed to the outside. Seal to prevent leakage.

  The connecting member 24 connects the storage case 21 and the ink pack assembly 23. The connecting member 24 has a U shape and has claw portions 24a at both upper and lower ends thereof. Then, the claw portions 24a at both the upper and lower ends are latched by the locking grooves 21c formed in the storage case 21 in a state where the storage case 21 is closed by the ink pack assembly 23 with the packing 22 interposed therebetween. 21 is connected to the ink pack assembly 23.

  When the thus configured ink cartridge 15 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 14, the supply needle 16 corresponding to the cylindrical body 32 of each ink pack 17 is inserted, and the valve body 37 is elasticized by the coil spring 38. Press the ink bag B against the force. As a result, the valve body 37 is opened, and the ink in the ink bag portion B is supplied to the recording head 13 of the carriage 12 via the supply tube 19.

  At this time, the air introduction port 47 of the ink cartridge 15 is connected to an air pressure pump provided in the printer 11, and pressurized air from the air pressure pump is introduced into the ink cartridge 15 through the air supply tube. Is done. As a result, the ink bag portion B accommodated in each accommodation space S1 is pressurized from the outside so as to push out the filled ink to the supply tube 19 side.

Next, an ink injection device 71 for filling ink in the ink pack 17 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The ink injection device 71 includes an ink tank 72, a gas-liquid separation unit 73, a measuring tube 74, a waste tank 75, and the like. The ink tank 72 stores ink. The gas-liquid separation unit 73 includes a vacuum pump 77 and a hollow fiber bundle (not shown), and degass the ink. The ink tank 72 and the gas-liquid separation unit 73 are connected via a first flow path 78, and an ink pressure feed pump 79 is provided on the first flow path 78. The measuring tube 74 includes a cylinder 80 and a piston 81. The measuring tube 74 and the gas-liquid separation unit 73 are connected via a second flow path 82. A first stop valve 83 is provided in the middle of the second flow path 82. Further, from the second flow path 82, the cylinder 80 is more than the first stop valve 83.
The third flow path 84 is provided so as to diverge at a position closer to it. A connection portion 89 connected to the supply pipe 44 of the ink pack 17 is provided at the end portion of the third flow path 84. A second stop valve 85 is provided in the middle of the third flow path 84.

  One end of a fourth flow path 86 is connected to the waste tank 75. In the middle of the flow path of the fourth flow path 86, a suction pump 87 and a third stop valve 88 are provided in this order from the waste tank 75 side. A hollow needle (see FIG. 8) 90 is provided at the other end of the fourth flow path 86.

  The hollow needle 90 is the same as the supply needle 16 provided in the supply tube 19. The hollow needle 90 is inserted into the first accommodating recess 33 formed in the cylindrical body 32 of the ink pack 17 and presses the valve body 37 against the ink bag portion B side against the elastic force of the coil spring 38. Then, the hollow needle 90 opens the valve body 37 and allows the ink bag portion B and the hollow needle 90 to communicate with each other. Accordingly, when the suction pump 87 is driven, ink discharged from the ink pack 17 or ink containing bubbles is stored.

  Next, a method of filling the ink pack 17 with ink using the ink injection device 71 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 8A, an ink cartridge 15 in which the ink pack 17 is fixed to the housing case 21 is prepared. The supply port forming member 30 of the ink pack 17 is disposed so as to face upward.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the hollow needle 90 provided at the other end of the fourth flow path 86 is inserted into the first receiving recess 33 formed in the cylindrical body 32 of the ink pack 17. Then, the valve body 37 is opened. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8C, the connection part 89 provided at the terminal part of the third flow path 84 is connected to the supply pipe 44 of the ink pack 17.

  Then, the pressure reduction stage is entered, and as shown in FIG. 7, the first stop valve 83 of the ink injection device 71 is closed, and the second stop valve 85 and the third stop valve 88 are opened. And the suction pump 87 is driven. Thereby, the insides of the fourth flow path 86, the ink pack 17, the third flow path 84, the second flow path 82, and the measuring tube 74 are sequentially decompressed. Since the fourth flow path 86 and the ink bag portion B of the ink pack 17 communicate with each other, the inside of the ink bag portion B is depressurized as the fourth flow path 86 is depressurized.

  Subsequently, the third flow path 84 and the second flow path 82 are depressurized. Then, when the pressure is reduced to a predetermined pressure, the second stop valve 85 and the third stop valve 88 are closed, and then the first stop valve 83 is opened. When the ink pressure pump 79 is driven, the ink stored in the ink tank 72 is supplied to the gas-liquid separation unit 73 via the first flow path 78 and deaerated. Then, the deaerated ink is supplied to the measuring tube 74 via the second flow path 82.

  Subsequently, the filling stage is entered. In the filling stage, the first stop valve 83 is closed, the second and third stop valves 88 are opened, and the suction pump 87 is driven. When the piston 81 of the measuring tube 74 is pressed, the ink supplied to the measuring tube 74 passes through the second flow channel 82, the third flow channel 84, the connection portion 89, and the supply tube 44 in FIG. ) And as shown in FIG. 8E, the ink is introduced into the ink bag portion B.

  As shown in FIGS. 8D and 8E, when ink is injected into the ink bag portion B, the space formed by the outer bottom surface 30a of the supply port forming member 30 and the liquid level of the ink is formed. The air and ink bubbles are collected. At this time, since the valve body 37 is opened, air and bubbles are smoothly discharged.

  Eventually, from the state of FIG. 8 (e), as shown in FIG. 8 (f), when ink is filled until the ink bag portion B is full, a pressure reduction stage is entered, and the ink bag portion B stays in the ink bag portion B. The air and the bubbles in the ink are transferred to the waste tank 75 via the fourth flow path 86. At this time, since the outer bottom surface 30 a of the supply port forming member 30 is formed with a funnel-shaped slope that decreases in diameter toward the fitting recess 35, the air is retained at the outer bottom surface 30 a of the supply port forming member 30. Without being guided toward the fitting recess 35. As a result, the air remaining in the ink bag B and the air bubbles in the ink are completely discharged from the ink pack 17.

  Subsequently, the third stop valve 88 is closed, and the hollow needle 90 is removed from the ink pack 17 as shown in FIG. When this state is stopped and for a while, the valve body 41 moves downward under its own weight. At this time, the valve body 41 changes from the open state to the closed state.

  Next, the sealing stage is started and, as shown in FIG. 9 (h), the first stop valve 83 and the second stop valve 85 are closed, and then the connecting portion 89 is removed from the supply pipe 44. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9 (h), the supply pipe 44 is sealed with a sealing ball 45. Finally, as shown in FIG. 9 (i), the filling of the ink into the ink bag portion B is completed.

Next, the characteristics of the ink cartridge 15 configured as described above will be described below.
(1) In the present embodiment, the supply port 44 that communicates with the ink bag portion B is provided in the supply port forming member 30 of the ink pack 17 to which the ink bag portion B is fixed. Ink is supplied from the supply pipe 44 to the supply port forming member 30 in a state where the ink pack 17 is arranged with the supply port forming member 30 on the upper side and the ink bag portion B on the lower side.

  Therefore, since the bottom side of the ink bag portion B is opened as in the prior art, there is no need to thermally seal the ink bag portion B by filling the opened bottom portion after filling from the opening portion. It will be easy. Moreover, conventionally, in order to prevent the retention of the air in the ink bag portion B, since the main heat welding is performed after the temporary heat welding, not only the working time is shortened, but also the ink bag portion B is configured. Material is not wasted.

  (2) In the present embodiment, the outer bottom surface 30a of the supply port forming member 30 of the ink pack 17 is formed as a funnel-shaped inclined surface whose diameter decreases toward the fitting recess 35 formed in the outer bottom surface 30a. The air that remains in the ink bag portion B during the ink filling operation enters the fitting recess 35 through the through hole 40 of the posture holding bar 39 along the outer bottom surface 30a inclined upward. After being guided, it can be discharged to the outside.

In addition, you may change embodiment of this invention as follows.
In the above embodiment, in the sealing stage, a spherical sealing sphere 45 is pressed and fitted to the tip of the supply pipe 44 in order to seal the supply pipe 44. The means for sealing the supply pipe 44 is not limited to this. For example, the supply pipe 44 may be sealed by thermocompression bonding or the like, and the supply pipe 44 can be easily sealed. Similarly, when the ink pack 17 is formed, it may be sealed with an adhesive instead of heat welding.

  In the above embodiment, in order to open and close the valve body 41 located on the upstream side, the ink in the ink bag portion B is pressurized by crushing the ink bag portion B with a pressure pump. The valve element 41 moves due to a pressure difference between the ink in the ink bag portion B and the ink in the second storage recess 34. The pressure for moving the valve body 41 is not limited to the pressurized ink. For example, without providing a pressurizing pump, a suction pump 87 is provided on the downstream side of the second housing recess 34, and the suction pump 87 is driven. As a result, the pressure of the ink stored in the second storage recess 34 is lower than that of the ink in the ink pack 17, so that the valve body 41 is moved and opened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the supply port forming member 30 is formed on the outer bottom surface 30 a with a funnel-shaped slope that decreases in diameter toward the first pipe line 18. Instead, the outer bottom surface 30 a of the supply port forming member 30 may be a hemisphere or a slope that curves toward the first pipe line 18. Further, the supply pipe 44 may extend downward, and the first pipe line 18 is configured such that, at the injection and discharge stages, the lower end of the first pipe line 18 is positioned upward in the direction of gravity, and the outer bottom surface 30a and the ink are discharged. It is sufficient that the air and ink bubbles are not blocked from moving in the space formed on the liquid surface.

  In the above embodiment, the supply port forming member 30 of the ink pack 17 is formed so as to extend from the first support portion 27a, and the plurality of first support portions 27a are supported by the frame portion 27. Yes. In the assembly procedure of the ink cartridge 15, ink was injected after the ink pack 17 was stored in the storage case 21. The assembly procedure of the ink pack 17 and the storage case 21 and the assembly parts for fixing the ink pack 17 to the storage case 21 are not limited thereto. For example, ink may be injected into the ink pack 17 and then stored in the storage case 21. An assembly part for fixing the ink pack 17 to the storage case 21 may be formed by dividing the frame portion 27 into the first support portions 27a. In addition, the housing case 21 has an opening on the front surface 21e, and the frame portion 27 is accommodated so as to cover the front surface 21e. Instead, the upper surface 21a of the housing case 21 is opened, and the ink pack 17 is placed on the front surface 21e. A rib member or the like for supporting may be formed, and the lid may cover the upper surface 21a.

  In the above embodiment, as the liquid container and the liquid container forming member, the ink pack 17 and the ink pack forming member provided in the printer 11 (including a printing device such as a fax machine and a copier) that eject ink are used. Explained. This may be embodied in a liquid container and a liquid container forming member provided in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects another liquid. For example, as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects another liquid, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL display, and a surface emitting display, or a living body used for biochip manufacturing It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects organic matter or a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette. Of course, liquids other than ink may be used.

1 is an overall perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. 1 is an overall perspective view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a mounting state of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an entire exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an overall plan view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment. (A) is an expanded sectional view of the ink cartridge of this embodiment in AA arrow view, (b) is an expanded sectional view of the ink cartridge of this embodiment in BB arrow view. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an ink injection device in the present embodiment. (A)-(f) is a conceptual diagram in the ink pack at the time of ink filling. (G)-(i) is a conceptual diagram in the ink pack at the time of ink filling.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Ink cartridge as a liquid container, 18 ... 1st pipe line as a 1st liquid supply path, 30 ... Supply port formation member, 30a ... Outer bottom face which comprises a guide part, 30b ... Outer peripheral surface, 35 ... Guide Fitting concave part constituting part, 39a ... base end part constituting check valve, 40 ... through hole constituting guide part, 41 ... valve body constituting check valve, 42 ... ring constituting check valve 44 ... Supply pipe as second liquid supply path, S1 ... Space, B ... Ink bag part as bag part, c ... Machi part.

Claims (5)

A first liquid supply path for fixing a bag portion capable of containing liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the supply port forming member and supplying the liquid filled with the supply port forming member through communication between the inside and the outside of the bag portion In a liquid container in which a check valve is arranged in the flow path,
In addition to the flow path, the supply port forming member is provided with a second liquid supply path for filling the bag portion with liquid, and the outer surface of the supply port forming member facing the bag portion has the second liquid supply path. 1. A liquid container comprising a guide portion for guiding air toward a liquid supply path. The liquid container according to claim 1,
The guide part is
A liquid container, which is a funnel-shaped inclined surface having a diameter reduced toward a first liquid supply path formed in the supply port forming member. A first liquid supply path for fixing a bag portion capable of containing liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the supply port forming member, and supplying the filled liquid by communicating the inside and the outside of the bag portion with the supply port forming member; In the manufacturing method of the liquid container in which the check valve is disposed in the flow path,
In addition to the flow path, the supply port forming member is provided with a second liquid supply path for filling the bag portion with liquid, and the outer surface of the supply port forming member facing the bag portion has the second liquid supply path. 1 forming a guide for guiding air toward the liquid supply path;
A method for manufacturing a liquid container, comprising filling a bag portion with a liquid from the supply port forming member side via a second liquid supply path. In the manufacturing method of the liquid container according to claim 3,
The guide part is
A method for producing a liquid container, wherein the liquid container is a funnel-shaped inclined surface having a diameter reduced toward a first liquid supply path formed in the supply port forming member. In the manufacturing method of the liquid container according to claim 3 or 4,
A depressurization step of depressurizing the bag portion via the first liquid supply path;
A filling step of filling the interior of the bag portion with liquid via the second liquid supply path;
A method for manufacturing a liquid container, comprising: a sealing step of sealing the second liquid supply path to bring the bag portion into a non-communication state.

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