JP2007144827A - Liquid container, ink supply unit, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid container which can hold an ink bag stably in a cartridge while enhancing operation feeling of the ink cartridge and preventing the ink cartridge from falling, and to provide an ink jet recorder and an image forming apparatus employing it. <P>SOLUTION: In order to hold an ink bag 202 stably in an ink cartridge 26, protrusions 205a-205c are provided on the inner circumferential surface of cases 200 and 201 such that the ink bag 202 can be held stably at a plurality of positions. A handle 207 is formed in the ink cartridge 26 by recessing an end face on the side opposite to an ink supply section 203, and a movable lever 210 is provided at an upper portion of the handle 207 in order to ensure stable holding. Since the handle 207 and the movable lever 210 are arranged to be grasped at the time of operation, the movable lever 210 is moved when it is grasped and since an operator recognizes grasping strongly, sufficient operating force can be obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid storage container, an ink supply device, and an image forming apparatus. For example, in order to send and supply ink to a recording head in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer device, a facsimile device, and a composite machine of these. The present invention relates to a liquid storage container to be used, an ink supply device including the liquid storage container, and an image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various ink supply means have been proposed and put into practical use in ink jet recording apparatuses that perform printing on a recording medium such as paper by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles. In particular, a configuration is used in which ink is sealed in a bag made of a flexible material, an ink needle is inserted into the bag, the ink is led out, fed, and supplied to the recording head. In such a configuration, the ink bag is housed in a resin case to form an ink cartridge and fixed in the recording apparatus, and the ink is supplied to the recording head mounted on the carriage by a flexible tube or the like. There are many examples.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-195962 JP 2001-347687 Japanese Patent No. 3371370 Japanese Patent No. 3381789 Japanese Patent No.3685262 Japanese Patent No. 3352706

  This type of recording device can form small dots with high density, so it is used for many printing including color printing. However, output with higher quality has come to be demanded. Therefore, improvement in print quality has been demanded for both monochrome printing using black ink. In order to meet such a demand, it has been required to stably hold the ink bag inside the cartridge.

  In addition, a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted for color printing. However, if these cartridges are operated only by a stationary handle, the operator is less likely to “operate” and gripping may be insufficient. In addition, there is no means for preventing the cartridge body from dropping after the cartridge is set, and it has been desired to solve these problems.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a liquid storage container that can stably hold an ink bag inside the cartridge, and that improves the operational feeling of the ink cartridge and prevents the ink cartridge from falling off. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus and an image forming apparatus using the same.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid storage container comprising a liquid storage bag having a stored liquid supply port and a case for storing the liquid storage bag, wherein the liquid storage bag is disposed in the case. A holding means is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to the first aspect, the holding means includes a plurality of convex portions.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to the second aspect, the convex portion has a curved outer surface shape.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid storage container according to any one of the first to third aspects, a welded or bonded portion of the liquid storage bag is provided on the holding means side.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid storage container of the fourth aspect, the holding means side of the liquid storage bag is provided with a gusset.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a portion that holds the supply port and faces the one end surface of the case is reinforced inside the case. It is characterized by being formed of ribs.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to the sixth aspect, a protrusion having a curved outer surface shape is provided on the supply port holding portion so that the supply port can be held.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, a holding handle portion is formed on the other end surface opposite to the one end surface of the case. It is characterized by becoming.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in a liquid storage container including a case having a stored liquid supply port, a holding handle portion is formed on an end surface of the case where the supply port is not provided. It is characterized by.

  According to Claim 10, in the liquid storage container according to Claim 8 or 9, the handle is a portion formed in a concave shape from the other end surface of the case to the one end surface side. .

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, in the liquid container according to the tenth aspect of the invention, a concave-convex shape portion is provided on a downward surface located above a portion formed by recessing the handle portion.

  In the liquid container according to any one of claims 7 to 11, a lever that can be gripped together with the handle portion is provided at an upper position of the case corresponding to the handle portion. And

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid storage container including a case having a stored liquid supply port, an operation lever is provided at an upper position of the case.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, the lever is a movable lever.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to the fourteenth aspect, a stopper for a mounting partner is provided on the movable lever.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to any one of the twelfth to fifteenth aspects, the case and the lever are integrally formed.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid storage container according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, the case, the lever, and the stopper are integrally formed.

  According to Claim 18, in the liquid container according to any one of Claims 12 to 17, the lever is provided so as to be centered or substantially centered with respect to the mounting direction of the case. .

  According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to any one of the twelfth to eighteenth aspects, a groove-shaped portion is provided on the entire upper surface or substantially the entire surface of the lever.

  In the liquid container according to any one of claims 12 to 19, the lever according to claim 20 has a shape in which the lever rises from the upper surface of the case and bends along or substantially along the upper surface of the case. The bent portion is thinner than other portions.

  According to the twenty-first aspect of the invention, in the liquid storage container of the twentieth aspect, the lever has a stepped side shape.

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to any of the twelfth to twenty-first aspects, the width of the lever is changed.

  According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to any one of the twelfth to twenty-second aspects, the end portion of the lever is provided at a position that does not protrude from the other end surface of the case. .

  According to Claim 24, in the liquid storage container according to any one of Claims 12 to 23, the case includes two or more case parts, and the one case part has the lever and the other case part. The screw holes and snap fit portions are concentrated.

  According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to any of the twelfth to twenty-fourth aspects, a breakage prevention rib is provided on a side surface of the lever.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to the twenty-fifth aspect, the breakage prevention rib has a shape along or substantially along a side surface shape of the lever.

  According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to any one of the twelfth to twenty-sixth aspects, a stopper or a spacer can be attached to the lever.

  According to the twenty-eighth aspect, in the liquid container according to the twenty-seventh aspect, the stopper or spacer is a separate part from the lever.

  According to the twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to the twenty-eighth aspect, the lever is not attached to the mounting partner unless the spacer is removed.

  According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to any one of the twenty-seventh to twenty-ninth aspects, the spacer is attached to the lever after being removed and can be used as a part of the lever.

  According to the thirty-first aspect, in the liquid container according to the thirty-third aspect, the attaching and detaching directions of the spacers are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the elastic deformation direction of the lever.

  According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to any one of the twenty-seventh to thirty-first aspects, the color of the spacer is made to correspond to the color of the ink stored therein.

  According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to the thirty-second aspect, a guide groove is provided to prevent attachment of a spacer having a color that does not correspond to the color of the ink stored therein.

  According to Claim 34, in the liquid container according to any one of Claims 27 to 33, the removed spacer is attached to and held on a part of the case so that the color can be distinguished by the spacer. It is characterized by.

  According to the 35th aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to any one of the 27th to 34th aspects, at least one of the case and the spacer is formed with a portion that generates a click feeling when the spacer is detached. Features.

  According to the thirty-sixth aspect of the invention, in the liquid container according to any one of the twenty-seventh to thirty-fifth aspects, the spacer also serves as a packaging material for the case.

  According to Claim 37, in the liquid container according to Claim 36, the snap-fit portion is configured such that the back surface of the snap-fit body is made larger than the engagement hole so that the inside cannot be seen.

  According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the liquid container according to the thirty-sixth aspect, the spacer also serves as a part of a packaging box, and the spacer is removed when the packaging box is opened.

  According to Claim 38, in the liquid container according to any one of Claims 1 to 37, the case is composed of two half cracks, and is hooked near the handle as a means for joining the half cracks. The nail is provided with a snap fit portion at the center and a screwing portion on the supply port side.

  According to Claim 39, in the liquid container according to Claim 38, the snap-fit portion is configured such that the back surface of the snap-fit body is made larger than the engagement hole so that the inside is not visible.

  In the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 39, a rib according to the 40th aspect is provided so as to protrude around the opening of the supply port so that it is difficult to contact the supply port from the outside. Features.

  According to Claim 41, in the liquid container according to any one of Claims 1 to 40, the surface of the case facing the supply port is formed to be inclined so that the surface cannot be placed downward. It is characterized by becoming.

  According to Claim 42, in the liquid container according to any one of Claims 1 to 41, the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface of the case is a mountain shape.

  The ink supply apparatus according to claim 43 is characterized in that the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 42 is used.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 44 is characterized in that the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 43 is used.

  The invention according to claim 45 is characterized in that the ink supply device according to claim 43 is used.

  According to the 46th aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus of the 44th or 45th aspect, a mechanism for preventing half-insertion is formed by pressing one end side of the case of the liquid storage container with a cover of the apparatus main body. And

According to the 47th aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the 46th aspect, a half-insertion prevention mechanism is formed by providing a boss made of an elastic body for pushing the case of the liquid container on the cover of the apparatus main body. It is characterized by becoming.

  The liquid storage container of the present invention can stably hold the ink bag inside the cartridge, and can improve the operational feeling of the ink cartridge and prevent it from falling off.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In the following description, only an example in which an image is formed on paper will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and droplets can be discharged onto a recording medium other than paper, for example, an OHP recording medium. Can be formed. In addition, the term “ink” in the present specification refers to all of the above-described various media that can form an image with droplets, and is not limited to “ink” that is generally used in a printer or the like. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus, specifically, an ink jet recording apparatus, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory plan view of an image forming unit and a sub-scanning conveying unit of the apparatus.

  The ink jet recording apparatus includes an image forming unit 2 for forming an image while conveying a sheet, a sub-scanning conveying unit 3 for conveying a sheet, and the like inside the apparatus main body 1. The image forming unit 2 feeds the sheets 5 one by one from the sheet feeding unit 4 including the sheet feeding cassette provided in the image forming unit 2 and conveys the sheet 5 at a position facing the image forming unit 2 by the sub-scanning conveying unit 3. After forming (recording) a desired image by discharging droplets onto the paper 5, the paper 5 is placed on the paper discharge tray 8 formed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1 through the paper discharge conveyance unit 7 in the case of single-sided printing. In the case of paper discharge and double-sided printing, the paper is transported from the middle of the paper discharge transport unit 7 to the double-sided unit 10 provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 1 to perform switchback transport and feed the sub-scan transport unit 3 again. After forming images on both sides, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 8. That.

  An image reading unit (scanner unit) 11 for reading an image as an input system for image data (print data) formed by the image forming unit 2 of the apparatus main body 1 is disposed above the paper discharge tray 8 above the apparatus main body 1. It has. The image reading unit 11 includes a scanning optical system 15 including an illumination light source 13 and a mirror 14 and a scanning optical system 18 including mirrors 16 and 17. The scanned document image is read as an image signal by the image reading element 20 disposed behind the lens 19, and the read image signal is digitized and subjected to image processing, and the image-processed print data is printed. be able to.

  Further, the ink jet recording apparatus uses an information processing apparatus such as an external personal computer, an image reading apparatus such as an image scanner, and an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera as an input system for image data (print data) formed by the image forming unit 2. For example, print data including image data from the host side can be received via a cable or a network, and the received print data can be processed and printed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 2 holds the carriage 23 movably in the main scanning direction with the guide rod 21 and a guide stay (not shown), and the main scanning motor 27 moves between the driving pulley 28A and the driven pulley 28B. A mechanism of a main scanning drive system that moves and scans in the main scanning direction via a bridged timing belt 29 is provided.

  On the carriage 23, a recording head 24 including a droplet discharge head for discharging droplets of each color is mounted, the carriage 23 is moved in the main scanning direction, and the sheet 5 is moved in the sheet conveyance direction by the sub-scanning conveyance unit 3. A shuttle type is used in which droplets are ejected from the recording head 24 while feeding in the (sub-scanning direction) to form an image.

  The recording head 24 has two droplet discharge heads 24k1 and 24k2 that discharge black (Bk) ink, respectively, and one each that discharges cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink. Each of the sub-tanks 25 mounted on the carriage 23 is composed of a total of five liquid droplet ejection heads (hereinafter referred to as “recording head 24” when the colors are not distinguished). Of ink is supplied.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, recording liquid containing black (Bk) ink, cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink in the cartridge mounting portion 30 from the front of the apparatus main body 1. Each color ink cartridge 26 can be detachably mounted as a cartridge, and ink is supplied from each color ink cartridge 26 to each color sub-tank 25. The black ink is supplied from one ink cartridge 26 to the two sub tanks 25.

  The recording head 24 uses a piezoelectric element as a pressure generating means (actuator means) for pressurizing the ink in the ink flow path (pressure generation chamber) to deform the vibration plate that forms the wall surface of the ink flow path. A so-called piezo type that discharges ink liquid by changing the volume in the flow path, or discharges ink waste with pressure by heating the ink in the ink flow path using a heating resistor to generate bubbles. The so-called thermal type, the diaphragm that forms the wall surface of the ink flow path and the electrode are placed opposite to each other, and the diaphragm is deformed by the electrostatic force generated between the vibration plate and the electrode, thereby the ink flow path inner volume It is possible to use an electrostatic type or the like that discharges ink droplets by changing the above.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a maintenance / recovery unit 121 for maintaining and recovering the nozzle state of the recording head 24 is arranged in the non-printing area on one side of the carriage 23 in the scanning direction. The maintenance / recovery unit 121 includes five protective caps 122k2, 122k1, 122c, 122m, 122y for moisturizing and the like for capping the nozzle surfaces of the five recording heads 24 (when colors are not distinguished, A protective cap 122), a single suction cap 123, a wiper blade 124 for wiping the nozzle surface of the recording head 24, and ejection of droplets that do not contribute to recording (image formation) (empty ejection). ) Is provided with an empty discharge receiving member 125 and the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the non-printing area on the other side of the carriage 23 in the scanning direction, droplets that do not contribute to recording (image formation) (empty discharge) are discharged from the five recording heads 24. An empty discharge receiving member 126 is provided. The empty discharge receiving member 126 has five openings 127k2, 127k1, 127c, 127m, and 127y corresponding to the recording head 24 (referred to as “openings 127” when colors are not distinguished).

  The sub-scanning conveyance unit 3 includes a conveyance roller 32 and a tension roller that are driving rollers for conveying the paper 5 fed from below by facing the image forming unit 2 by changing the conveyance direction by approximately 90 degrees. A capless conveyance belt 31 spanned between the driven rollers 33, a charging roller 34 as a charging means to which a high voltage, which is an alternating voltage, is applied from a high voltage power source in order to charge the surface of the conveyance belt 31; A guide member 35 that guides the conveyance belt 31 in a region facing the image forming unit 2, two pressing rollers (pressure rollers) 36 that press the paper 5 against the conveyance belt 31 at a position facing the conveyance roller 32, and an image Two spur rollers 37 for pressing the upper surface side of the paper 5 on which the image is formed by the forming unit 2, and a separation claw 38 for separating the paper 5 on which the image is formed from the conveyance belt 31. There.

  The paper feed unit 4 can be inserted / removed from the front side of the apparatus main body 1. The paper feed cassette 41 that stacks and stores a large number of sheets 5 and the sheets 5 in the sheet feed cassette 41 are separated and sent out one by one. A sheet feeding roller 42 and a friction pad 43 are provided, and a registration roller 44 that registers the fed sheet 5 is provided. The paper feed unit 4 includes a manual feed tray 46 for stacking and storing a large number of sheets 5, a manual feed roller 47 for feeding the sheets 5 from the manual feed tray 46 one by one, and the apparatus main body 1. A conveyance roller 48 for conveying a sheet 5 fed from an optional sheet feeding cassette or a duplex unit IO described later is provided on the lower side. A member for feeding the paper 5 to the sub-scanning conveyance unit 3 such as the paper feed roller 42, the registration roller 44, the manual feed roller 47, and the conveyance roller 48 is a paper feed motor including an HB type stepping motor via an electromagnetic clutch (not shown). 49 is rotated.

  The paper discharge transport unit 7 includes three transport rollers 71a, 71b, and 71c that transport the paper 5 separated by the separation claw 38 of the sub-scan transport unit 3 (referred to as “transport roller 71” when not distinguished). Spurs 72 a, 72 b, 72 c (referred to as “spurs 72”), a lower guide portion 73 and an upper guide portion 74 for guiding the paper 5 conveyed between the paper discharge roller 1 and the spur 72. A pair of reversing rollers 77 for reversing the sheet 5 fed from between the lower guide portion 73 and the upper guide portion 74 through the reversing sheet discharge path 81 which is the first transport path and feeding the sheet 5 to the paper contact tray 8 face down. And a reverse paper discharge roller pair 78. A conveyance path for conveying the paper 5 between the lower guide portion 73 and the upper guide portion 74 is referred to as a conveyance path 70, and the distance of the conveyance path 70 is the image even if the paper 5 on which the image is formed is reversed and discharged. The length is sufficient to secure the time for drying to such an extent that no rubbing occurs.

  Note that, on the exit side of the conveyance path 70, a first discharge light path 81 for reverse discharge to the discharge tray 8, a second discharge path 82 for discharge to the straight sheet-contact tray 181, and a duplex unit. A branching mechanism 60 for switching to any one of the paper discharge paths (double-side paper contact path) to be sent to 10 is provided.

  A vertical double-sided conveyance path 83 is provided on the side surface of the apparatus main body 1 to convey the paper 5 branched by the branch mechanism 60 downward in order to send the paper 5 to the duplex unit 10. The vertical double-sided conveyance path 83 includes an entrance roller pair 91 and an exit roller pair 92 that convey the fed paper 5 downward. Further, a guide plate 84 is provided on the side of the apparatus main body 1 in order to form the vertical double-sided conveyance path 83.

  The duplex unit 10 has a horizontal take-in conveyance path 90a and a switchback conveyance path 90b for conveying the paper 5 fed from the vertical duplex conveyance path 83 in the horizontal direction. The horizontal take-up conveyance path 90a is provided with five double-sided conveyance roller pairs 93, and the switchback conveyance path 90b is a double-sided exit roller comprising a reverse roller for reversing and refeeding the paper 5 sent from the take-in conveyance path 90a. 94 and three double-sided conveyance roller pairs 95 are provided.

  Further, the branch plate 96 for switching between the conveyance path of the sheet 5 from the take-in conveyance path 90a to the switchback conveyance path 90b and the conveyance path for refeeding from the switchback conveyance path 90b to the conveyance roller pair 48 can be swung. Provided. The branch plate 96 can swing between a switchback side position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 and a refeeding side position shown by a broken line.

  The sheet 5 sent out from the duplex unit 10 is sent into the above-described transport roller 48 and sent to the registration roller 44. When the sheet 5 fed from the sheet feeding cassette 41, the manual sheet feeding tray 46, and the duplex unit 10 described above is conveyed by the registration roller 44, the conveyance roller 32 of the sub-scanning conveyance unit 3 and As shown in FIG. 1, the opening / closing guide plate 110 can be swung to form a loop (slack) on the paper 5 between the presser rollers 36 and the registration roller 44 to prevent back tension on the paper 5. Provided.

  When the sheet 5 is sent from the registration roller 44 to the sub-scanning conveyance unit 3, the open / close guide plate 110 swings in the direction indicated by the arrow to guide the sheet 5. At the timing reached, the state returns to the state shown in FIG.

  Further, in this ink jet recording apparatus, in order to perform manual sheet feeding, a single sheet feeding tray 141 is provided on one side of the apparatus body 1 with respect to the apparatus body 1 as shown in FIG. In order to manually feed one sheet, the one-sheet manual feed tray 141 is folded to the position shown in the phantom line. The manually fed paper 5 from the single manual paper feed tray 141 is guided by the upper surface of the open / close guide plate 110 and linearly between the transport roller 32 and the pressing roller 36 of the sub-scanning transport unit 3 as it is. Can be plugged in.

  On the other hand, a straight paper discharge tray 181 is provided on the other side of the apparatus main body 1 so as to be openable and closable (can be opened and lowered) so that the paper 5 on which image formation has been performed is contacted straight-up face-up. By opening the straight paper discharge tray 181 <(opening), the paper 5 fed from the lower guide portion 73 and the upper guide portion 74 of the paper contact conveyance portion 7 is linearly discharged to the straight paper discharge tray 181. A straight paper discharge path 82 as the second paper discharge path is formed.

  As a result, for example, when using paper that is difficult to convey in a curved line, such as OHP or thick paper, one sheet can be manually fed from the single sheet feed tray 141 and the sheet 5 can be conveyed linearly to the straight discharge tray 181. become able to. Of course, even ordinary paper such as plain paper can be fed from the single manual paper feed tray 141 and discharged linearly to the straight paper discharge tray 181.

  The image forming operation in this ink jet recording apparatus will be briefly described. By applying a high voltage of positive and negative rectangular waves, which is an alternating voltage, to the charging roller 34 from an AC bias supply unit (not shown), the charging roller 34 is moved to the transport belt 31. In this case, positive and negative charges are alternately applied to the surface layer of the transport belt 31 in a strip shape in the transport direction of the transport belt 31, and a predetermined amount is applied on the transport belt 31. Charging is performed with the charging width, and an unequal electric field is generated.

  Therefore, the sheet 5 is fed from the sheet feeding unit 4, the manual sheet feeding unit 46, the duplex unit 10, the one-sheet manual sheet feeding tray 141, and the positive and negative charges between the transport roller 32 and the pressing roller 36 are generated. When the sheet 5 is fed onto the conveyor belt 31 where an unequal electric field is generated, the sheet 5 is instantly polarized according to the direction of the electric field, and is attracted onto the conveyor belt 31 by electrostatic adsorption force. It is transported as the transport belt 31 moves.

  Then, while the paper 5 is deceptively conveyed by the conveying belt 31, an image is formed (printed) by ejecting recording liquid droplets from the recording head 24 on the paper 5 according to the print data. The front end side of the sheet 5 on which the paper is performed is separated from the transport belt 31 by the separation claw 38 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 8 and the straight paper discharge tray 181 as appropriate by the discharge edge transport unit 7 or to the duplex unit 10. The paper is then fed to form an image on the other side and then discharged.

  3 is a left side view (A) and a right side view (B) showing an example of an ink cartridge 26 which is a liquid storage container according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a front view (A), a rear view (B), and FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view (A) and a bottom view (B), and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which no ink bag is stored. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the ink bag, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the ink cartridge 26 containing the ink bag.

  The ink cartridge 26 according to the present embodiment includes a pair of cases (covers) 200 and 201 and an ink bag 202 housed therein. The ink bag 202 will be described first. As shown in a plan view in FIG. 7, the ink bag 202 is formed into a flexible, flat, rectangular shape by laminating a polyethylene film on the inside with an aluminum film as a base material, and laminating a nylon film, a polyethylene film, or the like on the outside. It is formed and easily crushed, and its volume is reduced according to the remaining amount of liquid such as ink inside. An ink supply unit 203 and an ink filling port 204 are provided on one of the shorter edges, and the ink is sealed by welding or bonding except for a portion where they communicate with each other. Of course, the ink filling port 204 is also closed by welding or the like after ink filling. However, the ink filling port 204 can be used as an air introduction unit without closing.

  When the ink cartridge 26 containing the ink bag 202 is attached to the cartridge attachment unit 30, the supply needle faces the supply needle (not shown) provided on the cartridge attachment unit 30 side, and the supply needle is in the ink supply unit 203. A seal mechanism (not shown) is broken, and the ink outflow path in the ink supply unit 203 is communicated with the ink supply tube on the cartridge mounting unit 30 side. As the supply needle and other mechanisms on the cartridge mounting portion 30 side, known mechanisms may be used, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  Returning to the description of the ink cartridge 26, in order to stably hold the ink bag 202 inside the cartridge, the inner peripheral surfaces of the cases 200, 201 are arranged as convex portions as means for holding the ink bag 202 at the top and bottom. A pair of protrusions 205 are provided so as to protrude toward the inside of the cases 200 and 201. Specifically, a protrusion is provided for each of the cases 200 and 201, and the protrusion 205 extending over the entire width of the space inside the ink cartridge 26 is formed by matching as shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in the figure, three pairs of protrusions 205 as holding means are provided, but in the present invention, the number is not limited to this, and a larger number, one pair or two pairs may be used. In the case of a pair (see FIG. 9A), it is desirable to provide a protrusion near the center in the longitudinal direction of the inner peripheral surfaces of the cases 200 and 201. In the case of two pairs, the cases 200 and 201 are sandwiched between the central portions. It is desirable to provide at a symmetrical position in the longitudinal direction of the inner peripheral surface (see FIG. 9B). In any case, the ink bag 202 can be held more stably when held at a plurality of locations. Moreover, not a protrusion shape but a protrusion shape may be sufficient.

  In addition, the ink bag 202 needs to be considered not only for stable holding but also for preventing broken bags and damage. This is because when it is new, it is filled with ink and swells, and may be damaged by vibration during transportation. For this reason, in the illustrated embodiment, the three pairs of protrusions 205 are formed so as to have a curved outer surface. Specifically, it has a substantially semicircular cross-sectional shape. Of course, by using a curved shape as compared with a shape having corners, the ink bag 202 is not damaged even when the ink bag 202 is strongly pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the case 200, 201, for example, when dropped. .

  The ink bag 202 has a welded portion 202a that is welded or bonded (hereinafter also referred to as “welded”) as shown in FIG. 10, as shown in FIG. The side edge and the left and right edges are welded, as shown in FIG. 12, the bottom part is folded during transportation, etc., and a gusset 202b is provided with two gussets 202b, and the like. However, it is preferable that the portion that may come into contact with the ridge 205 is the welded portion 202a as described above. The lower side during transportation or the like is likely to be subjected to a large force due to the movement of the stored ink. Therefore, it is particularly desirable that the lower side be received by the protrusion 205 as the holding means as shown in FIG. If it is the welded portion 202a that touches the ridge 205, the ridge 205 or the like is difficult to directly touch the liquid storage portion of the ink bag 202, so that the ink bag 202 is less likely to be damaged or broken.

  The same applies to the case of using a gusset bag. In the case of a gusset bag shape, it touches at two locations with the protrusion 205 on one edge side of the ink bag 202, so that the liquid storage portion of the ink bag 202 is more difficult to touch directly. Moreover, the storage capacity of the liquid can be increased by attaching the bag to the gusset 202b.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, a part of the ink bag 202 that houses the member provided with the ink supply part 203 and the ink filling port 204 is formed by a part of the reinforcing rib 206 in the cases 200 and 201. Yes (reinforcing ribs 206 are well shown in FIG. 6). In this structure, the ink supply unit 203 and the ink filling port 204 of the ink bag 202 may fall out of the cases 200 and 201 when the cases 200 and 201 are inclined at the time of assembly. As shown in FIG. 8C, the reinforcing rib 206 may be provided with a holding portion 206a, a protrusion, and the like similar to the protrusion 205. Since it is difficult for the ink supply unit 203 and the ink filling port 204 to come off, the cartridge can be easily assembled.

  In addition, the ink cartridge 26 of this embodiment is formed with a handle 207 by denting the end surface of the ink bag 202 to be stored on the side opposite to the ink supply unit 203 in order to stably hold the handle. It also serves as a holding means. That is, the shape of the cases 200 and 201 is efficiently used by using the substantially flat top portion of the portion recessed to the inside of the handle 207 portion as the holding portion of the ink bag 202. A small unevenness 208 is formed on the upper surface of the outer side of the recessed portion as the handle 207 so as not to slip when held by hand.

  Furthermore, in the ink cartridge 26 of the present embodiment, if the cartridge is operated only with the stationary handle 207, the operator feels that the operator is “operating” and the grip may be insufficient. A movable lever 210 is provided at a position corresponding to the handle 207 above the handle 207. That is, the movable lever 210 is provided in a portion that is paired with the handle 207, and the handle 207 and the movable lever 210 are configured to be gripped and operated. The person has a strong recognition of gripping, and thus can obtain a sufficient operating force.

  As a means for preventing the ink cartridge set 26 from being detached from the cartridge mounting portion 30 after it is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 30, a stopper 211 protruding in a substantially triangular shape is provided on the upper surface of the movable lever 210. Although not shown, by providing a concave shape that fits with the stopper 211 on the cartridge mounting portion 30 side, when the ink cartridge 26 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 30, the movable lever 210 is inserted in a bent state. When the stopper 211 reaches the recessed portion, the bending of the shape of the movable lever 210 is restored by entering the recessed portion, and the stopper 211 is securely locked to the cartridge mounting portion 30.

  If the cases 200 and 201 of the ink cartridge 26 and the movable lever are formed separately, the number of parts increases and the cost increases. Therefore, the case 200 and the movable lever 210 are integrally formed to reduce the number of parts. Cost reduction is planned. Similarly, the stopper 211 is formed integrally with the movable lever 210.

  Further, since it is difficult to operate the movable lever 210 when it is located closer to one side on the upper surface of the ink cartridge 26, the movable lever 210 is generally arranged with respect to the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 26 as can be seen from FIGS. It is set up to be a center. In FIG. 4, 222 is a sealing material for indicating the ink color, and 223 is an electrode portion.

  On the other hand, if the strength and rigidity of the movable lever 210 are too high, it may be difficult to operate the lever. However, as can be seen from FIGS. The operability is improved by forming a plurality of protrusions 212 and grooves 213 between them to lower the rigidity of the movable lever 210 to an appropriate strength. If the bending portion of the movable lever 210 is too rigid, whitening may occur when it is bent, but whitening can be prevented by making the thickness of the bent portion thinner than the straight portion. Further, no protrusions or grooves may be provided in the bent portion. These structures can be properly used according to the material of the movable lever 210.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the side surface shape of the movable lever 210 is considered in consideration of the fact that the stopper 211 may not be removed from the cartridge mounting portion 30 if the stroke amount at the stopper 211 provided on the movable lever 210 is insufficient. Is formed so that the free end side of the movable lever 210 is higher than the fixed end side to the case 200. On the contrary, the cases 200 and 201 have the end portions as shown in FIG. The corner portion is inclined obliquely downward so that the amount of lowering of the movable lever 210 can be increased. As a result, the stroke amount of the stopper 211 is increased, and it is possible to prevent the stopper 211 from becoming difficult to come off. It should be noted that the stroke amount of the stopper portion can be similarly increased by providing notches or dents in portions corresponding to the inclined surfaces instead of providing the cases 200 and 201 with inclined surfaces. In any case, the stroke amount can be considerably increased by combining the stepped structure of the movable lever 210 with the inclined surface, the notch, the recess, or the like.

  Further, since the operation portion of the movable lever 210 is small, it is difficult to operate. In this embodiment, the width of the end portion of the movable lever 210 is widened to facilitate the operation. On the upper surface of the widened portion, as in the case of the handle 207, a small unevenness 214a and a thick finger hook portion 214b are formed so as not to slip when held by hand.

  Furthermore, if the movable lever 210 protrudes further to the rear side than the back surface of the ink cartridge 26, it will be caught on something and the movable lever 210 will be broken or difficult to operate. In this embodiment, FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the end of the movable lever 210 is on the near side (ink supply unit 203 side) with respect to the back end of the ink cartridge 26.

  By the way, the ink cartridge 26 as described above has not only the movable lever 210 but also a screw-fastening hole for combining the cases 200 and 201 and a portion with limited durability such as a snap fit portion (easy to wear out). It exists and cannot be reused as a case. Therefore, in the present embodiment, not only the movable lever 210 but also the screw holes 215 for combining the cases 200 and 201 and the snap fit portion 216 are concentrated on one of the cases 200 and 201 (the case 200 in the illustrated example). The structure of the other case 201 is easy to reuse.

  In this embodiment, ribs 217 and 218 for preventing damage are provided on the side of the movable lever 210 in order to prevent the movable lever 210 from being damaged. The rib 217 is provided in the same case 200 as the movable lever 210, and the other rib 218 is provided in the other case 201. With such a configuration, when a force is applied to the ink cartridge 26 in the vicinity of the movable lever 210, the movable lever 210 itself is less likely to be damaged by first receiving the force by the ribs 217 and 218. The ribs 217 and 218 have a slope shape substantially along the side surface shape of the movable lever 210 so that the protection of the movable lever 210 becomes more reliable.

  Further, as a technical problem, the movable lever 210 is deformed by being pushed during transportation. In this embodiment, a spacer 220 as shown in FIG. 13 can be attached to and detached from the free end of the movable lever 210 for this purpose. Of course, when the ink cartridge 26 is attached to the cartridge mounting portion 30, the volume of the spacer becomes an obstacle, so the spacer 220 is formed as a separate part from the cases 200 and 201, and can be removed when attached to the cartridge mounting portion 30. It is like that. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a space (a dead space) for storing the spacer 220 on the cartridge mounting unit 30 or the apparatus main body 1 side.

  Although illustration is omitted, since the movable lever 210 is fixed when the spacer 220 is attached to the movable lever 210, the spacer 220 cannot be attached to the cartridge mounting portion 30 as it is. Remove. However, if the displacement direction of the movable lever 210 is the same as or close to that when the spacer 220 is removed, it is considered that the spacer 220 is difficult to remove due to the deformation of the movable lever 210. Therefore, in this embodiment, the attaching and detaching directions of the spacers 220 are substantially perpendicular to the elastic direction of the movable lever 210. In FIG. 13B, it is the direction perpendicular to the paper surface. With this configuration, the spacer 220 is very easy to attach and remove.

  In this embodiment, the spacer 220 is used only for preventing the deformation of the movable lever 210. For example, the spacer 220 is attached to the upper portion of the movable lever 210 after removing the spacer (not shown). It can be used as a part of the movable lever 210, and the spacer 220 has two functions of preventing the deformation during transportation and the movable lever at the time of installation and use, thereby reducing waste and improving operability. I can plan.

  In addition, in this type of ink cartridge 26, there is a demand for easily distinguishing the color of the stored ink. Therefore, if the color of the spacer 220 is set to a color corresponding to the ink color of the cartridge, the color of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 26 can be easily distinguished. Further, since it is not necessary to attach a color identification decal to the ink cartridge 26, cost reduction can be expected.

  In such a case, other color spacers may be attached by mistake, and therefore it is preferable to provide a guide groove on the ink cartridge 26 side so that other color spacers cannot be attached. Although the illustration of the location where the guide groove is provided is omitted, an inclined surface provided at the ends of the cases 200 and 201 is preferable in the illustrated example.

  Of course, when the spacer 220 capable of color identification is adopted, the color identification is performed even after the spacer 220 is removed, so the illustration is omitted, but the removed spacer is attached to a part of the ink cartridge 26, It is also possible to distinguish colors.

  In addition, since this type of spacer 220 often does not have a feeling of attachment / detachment, there is a problem that it is difficult to know whether or not the attachment / removal has been securely performed. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13B, the protrusion 220a is provided inside the mounting gap so that there is a click between the mounting and removal of the spacer 220. It is easy to understand.

  By the way, a packaging material 26b for cushioning or the like is required for the individual packaging box 26a of this kind of ink cartridge 26. Accordingly, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the spacer 220b also serves as a packaging material, thereby reducing the number of parts and reducing the cost.

  Further, when the spacer is an individual product or part of the packaging, it takes time to remove the spacer. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the spacer 220c is formed as a part of the individual packaging box 26a of the ink cartridge 26. When the box is opened, the spacer 220c is configured to be detached from the ink cartridge 26, so that the labor for removing the spacer can be reduced.

  As can be seen from FIG. 6, the ink cartridge 26 of the present embodiment reduces the number of screws, temporarily holds it until screwing, and prevents gaps due to warping of the cases 200 and 201. As coupling means, a hooking claw 221 is provided near the handle 207, a snap fit portion 216 is provided in the center, and a screw hole 215 is provided on the ink supply portion 203 side.

  Since the inside can be seen from the engagement hole 216a of the snap fit portion 216, the inside of the snap fit portion 216 is made larger than the engagement hole 216a so that the inside is not visible, and the appearance is improved. is there.

  Further, after the ink cartridge 26 is set in the cartridge mounting unit 30, there is a case where the ink supply unit 203 has ink, which may be touched by a hand or the like and become dirty. Therefore, in this embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 6, ribs 224 are provided around the hole of the ink supply unit 203 in an annular or substantially annular shape, and it is difficult to contact the hole of the ink supply unit 203. It is.

  As a countermeasure against ink contamination similar to the above, for example, the surface on which the ink supply unit 203 is provided is formed to be inclined so that the surface cannot be placed on a table or the like.

  Although not shown in detail, the ink cartridge 26 of the present embodiment has a shape of the outer peripheral surface that serves as an alignment portion of the cases 200 and 201 as an alignment guide means at the time of setting to the cartridge mounting portion 30. Using the draft from the mold, it is shaped like a mountain, and the part where both cases 200 and 201 are joined is the top. Although not shown in the drawings, the ink cartridge 26 can be easily positioned and set by making the mounting portion side of the ink cartridge 26 on the cartridge mounting portion 30 side into a valley shape.

  In addition, the ink cartridge 26 as in the present embodiment may be difficult to set on the cartridge mounting portion 30 due to a problem of frictional force and the like. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, a boss 225 that pushes the ink cartridge 26 to prevent half-insertion can be provided on the open / close cover 1a located outside the cartridge mounting portion 30 on the apparatus main body 1 side. However, if the force for closing the open / close cover 1a is too strong and the force applied to the ink cartridge 26 by the boss 225 is too large, the ink supply portion may be damaged due to excessive pressing. Therefore, it is desirable to use an elastic body for the boss 225 to prevent excessive push-in and damage. Although it is not necessary to form the entire boss 225 with an elastic body, it is preferable that at least the tip is made of rubber or sponge having appropriate elasticity.

Schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus Plane explanatory diagram of the image forming unit and sub-scanning conveying unit of the apparatus Left side view (A) and right side view (B) showing an example of an ink cartridge which is a liquid container according to the present invention. Similarly, front view (A) and rear view (B) Similarly, a plan view (A) and a bottom view (B Similarly, an exploded perspective view of a state in which no ink bag is stored Top view of ink bag Sectional drawing which shows the ink cartridge which accommodated the ink bag The figure which shows various setting forms of a holding means Figure (A) showing the welding and bonding form of the edge of the ink bag and its central sectional view (B) Figure (A) and other cross-sectional views (B) showing other types of welding and bonding Furthermore, the figure (A) which shows other welding and adhesion forms, and its center sectional view (B) Perspective view of spacer (A) and side view of usage (B) Cross section of an example that also serves as a spacer in packaging material Sectional view of an example that also serves as a spacer in an individual packaging box Diagram showing mechanism to prevent half insertion

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 1a Opening / closing cover 26 Ink cartridge 26a Ink cartridge individual packaging 26b Packing material for buffer etc. 30 Cartridge mounting part 200, 201 Case (cover)
202 Ink bag 202a Welded portion 202b Machi 203 Ink supply part 204 Ink filling port 205 Protrusion 206 Reinforcing rib 206a Holding part 207 Handle 208 Unevenness 210 Movable lever 211 Stopper 212 Protrusion 213 Groove 214a Unevenness 214b Finger hook 215 Snap hole 216 Snap Fitting portion 216a Snap fitting portion engagement hole 217, 218 Rib 220, 220b, 220c Spacer 220a Protruding portion 221 Hook 222 Sealing material 223 Electrode portion 224 Rib 225 Boss

Claims (47)

A liquid storage container comprising a liquid storage bag having a liquid supply port stored therein and a case for storing the liquid storage bag, the liquid storage comprising a means for holding the liquid storage bag in the case container. 2. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the holding means includes a plurality of convex portions. 3. The liquid container according to claim 2, wherein the convex portion has a curved outer surface shape. 4. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein a welded or bonded portion of the liquid storage bag is provided on the holding means side. 5. The liquid storage container according to claim 4, wherein the holding means side of the liquid storage bag is provided with a gusset. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a portion that holds the supply port and faces the outside of one end surface of the case is formed by a reinforcing rib inside the case. Liquid container. The liquid storage container according to claim 6, wherein a protrusion having a curved outer surface shape is provided on the supply port holding portion to hold the supply port. 8. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein a holding handle is formed on the other end surface opposite to the one end surface of the case. . A liquid storage container comprising a case having a liquid supply port stored therein, wherein a holding handle is formed on an end surface of the case where the supply port is not provided. 10. The liquid storage container according to claim 8, wherein the handle is a portion formed in a concave shape from the other end surface of the case toward the one end surface. The liquid storage container according to claim 10, wherein a concave-convex shape portion is provided on a downward surface located on an upper side of the concave portion of the handle portion. 12. The liquid storage container according to claim 7, wherein a lever that can be gripped together with the handle portion is provided at an upper position of the case corresponding to the handle portion. A liquid storage container comprising a case having a stored liquid supply port, wherein an operation lever is provided at an upper position of the case. 14. The liquid container according to claim 12, wherein the lever is a movable lever. 15. The liquid storage container according to claim 14, wherein a stopper for a mounting partner is provided on the movable lever. 16. The liquid container according to claim 12, wherein the case and the lever are integrally formed. The liquid storage container according to claim 15, wherein the case, the lever, and the stopper are integrally formed. 18. The liquid storage container according to claim 12, wherein the lever is provided so as to be centered or substantially centered with respect to the mounting direction of the case. 19. The liquid storage container according to claim 12, wherein a groove-shaped portion is provided on the entire upper surface or substantially the entire upper surface of the lever. 20. The liquid container according to claim 12, wherein the lever rises from the upper surface of the case, bends, has a shape along or substantially along the upper surface of the case, and the bent portion is thicker than other portions. A liquid container characterized by being thin. 21. The liquid storage container according to claim 20, wherein the lever has a stepped side shape. The liquid container according to any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein a width of the lever is changed. 23. The liquid storage container according to claim 12, wherein an end of the lever is provided at a position that does not protrude from the other end surface of the case. 24. The liquid container according to claim 12, wherein the case is composed of two or more case parts, and the lever, the screw holes for the other case parts, and the snap fit portion are concentrated on one case part. A liquid container characterized by having been made. 25. The liquid storage container according to claim 12, wherein a damage prevention rib is provided on a side surface of the lever. 26. The liquid storage container according to claim 25, wherein the breakage prevention rib has a shape along or substantially along a side surface shape of the lever. 27. The liquid container according to claim 12, wherein a stopper or a spacer can be attached to the lever. 28. The liquid storage container according to claim 27, wherein the stopper or spacer is a separate part from the lever. 29. The liquid container according to claim 28, wherein the spacer is not attached to the mounting partner unless the spacer is removed. 30. The liquid container according to claim 27, wherein the spacer is attached to the lever after the spacer is removed and can be used as a part of the lever. 31. The liquid storage container according to claim 30, wherein the spacer is attached and detached in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the elastic deformation direction of the lever. 32. The liquid storage container according to claim 27, wherein the color of the spacer corresponds to the color of ink stored therein. 33. The liquid container according to claim 32, wherein a guide groove is provided to prevent attachment of a spacer having a color that does not correspond to the color of ink stored therein. 34. The liquid container according to claim 27, wherein the removed spacer is attached and held on a part of the case so that the color can be distinguished by the spacer. 35. The liquid container according to any one of claims 27 to 34, wherein at least one of the case and the spacer is formed with a portion that causes a click feeling when the spacer is detached. 36. The liquid storage container according to claim 27, wherein the spacer also serves as a packaging material for the case. 37. The liquid container according to claim 36, wherein the spacer also serves as a part of a packaging box, and the spacer is detached when the packaging box is opened. The liquid storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 37, wherein the case is formed of two half-cracks, and a hooking claw is provided near the handle portion and a snap-fit portion is provided at the center as a joining means of the half-cracks. A liquid container having a screwing portion provided on the supply port side. 39. The liquid container according to claim 38, wherein the snap-fit portion is made larger by making the back surface of the snap-fit body larger than the engagement hole so that the inside cannot be seen. 40. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a rib is provided around the opening of the supply port so that the supply port is difficult to contact from the outside. 41. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the case facing the supply port is inclined and cannot be placed with the surface facing down. . 42. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral surface of the case is a mountain shape. An ink supply apparatus using the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 42. 45. An image forming apparatus using the liquid container according to claim 1. 45. An image forming apparatus using the ink supply device according to claim 43. 46. The image forming apparatus according to claim 44, wherein a mechanism for preventing half-insertion is formed by pressing one end side of the case of the liquid container with a cover of the apparatus main body. 47. The image forming apparatus according to claim 46, wherein a boss made of an elastic body for pressing the case of the liquid container is provided on the cover of the apparatus main body to form a half-insertion preventing mechanism. .