JPH09216377A - Manufacture of recording-liquid tank, recording-liquid tank, method for ink injection, and manufacture of ink-jet cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance an efficiency of liquid consumption, and achieve a constant ability of liquid supply by inserting a vacuum generating member in the first chamber part of a vase having a first chamber recess part equipped with an air communication port and a second chamber recess part divided by the first chamber recess part and a partition wall, and firming a communication part between it and the partition wall by attaching a lid member. SOLUTION: An ink cartridge primary body 1 is composed of a vacuum generating member 3 housing part 4 having an opening part 2 to be coupled with an ink jet recording head at a location shifted to a fine communication part 8 side, and an ink accommodation part 3 being adjacent to the vacuum generating member housing part 4 via the partition wall 5 and accommodating only ink being communicated at the bottom part 11 of an ink cartridge. In this construction, air is fed from the opening part 2, so that ink within the ink accommodation part 6 is positively supplied to the opening part 2 side along the bottom part 11 of the ink cartridge only the fine communication art 8. With this supply of ink, air is replaced by ink within the ink accommodation part 6 with the result that refill is carried out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a recording liquid container for an ink jet, which holds a liquid (ink) used for liquid recording, a recording liquid container manufactured by the manufacturing method, and a recording liquid container. More specifically, the present invention relates to an ink injection method, a method for manufacturing a recording liquid container for an ink jet having a configuration in which a chamber that stores a recording liquid and a chamber that stores a negative pressure generating member as a negative pressure generating member are manufactured. The present invention also relates to a recording liquid container, a method for injecting ink into the recording liquid container, and a method for manufacturing an inkjet cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording liquid container (hereinafter, also referred to as an ink cartridge) for accommodating a recording liquid such as ink for ink jet is integrated with an ink jet head, and the ink in the cartridge cannot be discharged. Then, it is often discarded together with the head. The amount of ink remaining in the cartridge at this stage is dominated by the ink holding capacity of the sponge, which is a negative pressure generator housed almost entirely in the cartridge, even with improvement.
It was a relatively large number.

As an ink container (cartridge) of this type, there is JP-A-63-63242. That is, it is a cartridge of one ink jet recording head having a foam material disposed in an ink container and having a plurality of ink ejection orifices. In this ink container, since ink is stored in a porous medium such as polyurethane foam, which is a foam material, a negative pressure is generated by the capillary force of the foam and the ink is retained (prevention of ink leakage from the ink container). However, since the foam is required almost entirely in the ink storage layer, the filling amount of the ink is limited and the amount of the ink that remains unused in the foam is increased, resulting in much higher ink use efficiency. I couldn't. Further, there is a problem that it is difficult to detect the remaining amount of ink, and furthermore, the negative pressure gradually changes during the ink consumption period, and it is difficult to maintain a substantially constant negative pressure.

[0004] In contrast to this configuration, there is a gazette that discloses a cartridge that employs a configuration in which an ink cartridge holds substantially only ink. That is, JP-A-2-522
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-242242 discloses an ink cartridge for an ink jet recording head integrated type in which a slight amount of a porous member is arranged between a primary ink storage portion located above and holding a large amount of ink and an ink jet recording head located below. Is disclosed. According to the invention, the use efficiency of ink can be improved by disposing the porous member only in the ink flow path without being built in the ink storage section. Further, by providing a secondary ink storage section as a space capable of holding ink on the side of the porous member, primary ink storage due to expansion of air in the primary ink storage section due to temperature rise (pressure drop). It is stated that the ink flowing out of the printing section can be collected and the negative pressure on the recording head during recording can be maintained substantially constant.

However, according to the invention of this publication, during non-printing, the porous member is impregnated with ink from the primary ink storage portion which is located above and holds only a large amount of ink, so that the ink is too much. Therefore, generation of negative pressure in the porous member itself is almost eliminated.
Therefore, there is a problem that the ink leaks from the orifice of the ink jet recording head due to a slight impact,
Not practical. In addition, adopting a replaceable ink cartridge type in which an ink container is mounted on an ink recording head in this configuration has a problem that the state of the porous member causes an ink leak and cannot be put to practical use.

[0006] On the other hand, there is known an ink cartridge which is provided with a spring structure for keeping the negative pressure of the bag by enclosing the ink in the bag, but it is not only expensive but also expensive. It has been difficult to achieve mass production while maintaining the performance of the spring configuration.

In any case, no inexpensive ink jet (non-contact recording print type) ink cartridge having a reasonable technical level has been provided in the field of ink jet printing.

[0008]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As an ink container suitable for the technical field of ink jet printing, the present inventors have been able to satisfactorily supply ink in proportion to the amount of ink ejected from a recording head at the time of printing. At the same time, we examined the double-sidedness that there is no inconvenience such as ink leakage from the ejection port. As a result, as a basic configuration, a first storage chamber that houses the negative pressure generating member and has an air communication portion for obtaining communication with the atmosphere and communicates with the first storage chamber, but is substantially sealed. Thus, the configuration having the second storage chamber for directly storing the ink to be supplied to the first storage chamber is an important premise for the characteristics of the ink jet.

On the other hand, the present inventors have studied contact recording technology different from the technical field of the present invention,
We decided to review the technical peculiarities of the inkjet printing field. Generally, a recording instrument pen that makes contact with a recording medium to perform recording supplies ink to a recording core that has ink absorbability and retention, and therefore the recording core itself is exposed to the atmosphere. , The technical content of the inkjet field is fundamentally different.

As a result of investigation, it was found that Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 16385/1982.
No. gazette was found. This publication discloses a recording instrument pen that is premised on the use of a recording core (a porous ink-absorbent core) that makes contact with a recording medium to perform recording. The ink was overflowing only.

This publication discloses a first recording medium that contacts a lower recording core.
A central portion having a liquid absorbing material and a second liquid absorbing material that slightly absorbs ink but is less likely to contain ink than the first liquid absorbing material on the upper air communication port side, and the recording core protrudes downward. This is an invention in which a chamber and a sealed ink storage chamber for supplying ink to both sides of the chamber are essential components. According to this configuration, the air in the closed ink storage chamber expands due to an increase in the ambient temperature, the ink in the closed ink storage chamber reaches the first liquid absorbing material, and the ink that the first liquid absorbing material can no longer hold can be held. Is absorbed by the second liquid absorbing material, thereby preventing the ink from overflowing from the recording core and falling. Further, in this publication, when one of the two closed ink storage chambers becomes air only, a groove having a constant width is formed to allow the expansion of the air to escape to the atmosphere communication port side. It is also disclosed that the partition wall is provided from the lowermost end to the uppermost end of the side surface different from the partition wall.

The present inventors have focused on applying only this tank configuration to an ink jet head of non-contact recording having few technical similarities. A new phenomenon of ink overflow was confirmed.

This novel phenomenon has not been recognized in the field of recorder instrument pens.

Further, since the groove having a constant width in the above publication also has a function of promoting discharge of ink together with air, it further promotes ink overflow from the atmosphere communication port.

Further, the ink consumption from the ink storage chambers on both sides is not equal, and when the ink in one ink storage chamber is exhausted first, the ink jet recording is performed even though a large amount of ink remains in the other ink storage chamber. I couldn't do it. This was a result of wasting the ink in the ink storage chamber, which was fundamentally contrary to the object of the present invention. This was because a large amount of air entered the first liquid absorbing material, and as a result, ink could not be supplied.

The present inventors have examined a more ideal method of manufacturing a recording liquid container for stably applying the ink cartridge having the above-described basic structure to an ink jet recording apparatus.

The present invention has been made as a result of the above-mentioned study, and a recording liquid container capable of reliably forming a supply path having a desired size and a size capable of improving a stable liquid supply performance and an excellent liquid consumption efficiency. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing the same, a recording liquid container obtained by the manufacturing method, and a method for injecting ink into the recording liquid container obtained by the manufacturing method.

[0018]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention for achieving the above object is described in the following (1) to (6).

(1) In a method of manufacturing a recording liquid container having a second chamber connected to a first chamber having a negative pressure generating member via a communication passage, a first method having an atmosphere communication port and a liquid supply port Molding a housing having a chamber recess and a second chamber recess partitioned from the first chamber recess by a partition wall; and inserting a negative pressure generating member into the first chamber recess And a step of mounting and sealing a lid member to form a communication part between the partition wall and the partition wall to form the first chamber and the second chamber. Liquid container manufacturing method.

(2) In a method of manufacturing a recording liquid container having a second chamber connected to a first chamber having a negative pressure generating member via a communication passage, a first method having an atmosphere communication port and a liquid supply port Inserting a negative pressure generating member into the first chamber in a casing molded with a chamber recess and a second chamber recess partitioned from the first chamber recess by a partition wall; A step of attaching and sealing a lid member to form a communication part between the partition wall and the partition wall to form the first chamber and the second chamber. Method.

(3) In a method of manufacturing a recording liquid container having a second chamber connected to a first chamber having a negative pressure generating member via a communication passage, a first liquid communication port and a liquid supply port are provided. Molding a housing having a chamber recess and a second chamber recess partitioned from the first chamber recess by a partition wall; and inserting a negative pressure generating member into the first chamber recess And a step of mounting and sealing a lid member to form a communication portion between the partition wall and the partition wall to form the first chamber and the second chamber. Characteristic recording liquid container.

(4) In the method of manufacturing a recording liquid container having the second chamber connected to the first chamber having the negative pressure generating member through the communication passage, the first method having the atmosphere communication port and the liquid supply port is provided. Inserting a negative pressure generating member into the first chamber in a casing molded with a chamber recess and a second chamber recess partitioned from the first chamber recess by a partition wall; A step of attaching and sealing a lid member to form a communication portion between the partition wall and the partition wall to form the first chamber and the second chamber. Liquid container.

(5) In a method of injecting ink into a recording liquid container, which comprises a first chamber having a negative pressure generating member and a second chamber connected via a communication passage, an atmosphere communication port and a liquid supply port are provided. A negative pressure generating member is inserted into the first chamber with respect to a housing molded with the first chamber recess and the second chamber recess defined by the first chamber and the partition wall. Along with
An inlet provided in the second chamber of the recording liquid container in which the first chamber and the second chamber are configured by attaching a lid member, and the second chamber and the first chamber are communicated only by a communication part. And a step of partially injecting the ink into the negative pressure generating member in the first chamber via the communication portion, and a step of sealing the injection port. Method for injecting ink into the recording liquid container.

(6) A first storage chamber for accommodating the negative pressure generating member and provided with an ink supply opening and an atmosphere communicating portion for establishing communication with the atmosphere, and provided at a position apart from the atmosphere communicating portion. A common partition wall is provided so as to be adjacent to each other and a second storage chamber that communicates with the first storage chamber only through the provided minute communication portion but that directly stores ink in a substantially sealed state. A method for manufacturing an inkjet cartridge for forming the minute communication section, wherein the recess of the first storage chamber and the recess of the second storage chamber, which have the ink supply opening and the atmosphere communication section, are common to each other. The step of providing a main body integrally formed with the partition wall, the step of compressing and loading the negative pressure generating member in the recess of the first storage chamber, and the negative pressure generating member covering both of the two recesses. For storing the inside of the recess of the first storage chamber Step to secure the timber to the body: the manufacturing method of the ink jet cartridge which is formed between the minute communicating portion lid member and the partition wall by the fixing step.

According to the characteristic requirements (recesses for the first chamber, recesses for the second chamber, the communication portion formed by the partition wall and the lid member) common to each claim of the present invention, the partition wall and the lid member are formed. The defined communicating portion can satisfy the desired state and size.

Since the negative pressure generating member is inserted into the recess from the side where the lid member is attached, the relative relationship between the lid member and the negative pressure generating member can be adjusted, and the negative pressure generating member can be operated under stable conditions. Can be stored in a container with.

Further, by filling and injecting ink from the ink storage chamber, it is possible to provide an ink injection method capable of injecting ink without causing unnecessary air to exist in the ink storage chamber. Then, since the ink moves to the negative pressure generating member storage chamber through the communication portion to allow the ink to permeate into the absorber, it is possible to easily form a region where the ink does not exist near the atmospheric opening.

On the other hand, in the ink jet cartridge of the present invention, the operator's finger is touched, but normally, inconvenience is unlikely to occur, but if a strong pressure is applied, the size of the storage chamber for storing only the ink is large. Although it depends, it is easy to deform. Therefore, as a configuration that solves the problem caused by the external pressure, it is preferable to provide a partition plate that opens a gap larger than the partition wall that forms the minute communication portion in the ink-only chamber. From the viewpoint of deformation, when these cartridges are made of resin, the wall thickness Ti of the ink containing chamber is 0.8 mm (point G in FIG. 20) or more,
It is preferable that the wall thickness Ts of the storage chamber that stores the sponge or the like as the negative pressure generating member is 1.3 mm (point J in FIG. 20) or more. Furthermore, it has been found that the wall thickness Ts is more preferably 1.2 times or more and 3 times or less the wall thickness Ti.

As the ink jet printer of the present invention, when the cartridge of the present invention is mounted, ink is discharged from the inside of the cartridge automatically or instructed by suction or discharge by suction means through a head. That is, since the ink state in the negative pressure generating body can be corrected before printing, the original function of the cartridge can be used without being affected by the state of the cartridge left unattended.

In the method for manufacturing the cartridge of the present invention, the lid member for accommodating the negative pressure generating member in the recess of the accommodating chamber is fixed to the main body to form the minute communication portion between the lid member and the partition wall. Since the negative pressure generating member in the vicinity of the minute communication portion can be stabilized, the mass production is excellent and the stability of the performance is ensured.

The height of the minute communication portion to the partition wall is
Larger than the average pore diameter of the negative pressure generating member (preferably the average pore diameter in the vicinity of the minute communicating portion) (practically 0.1 mm or more) 20
mm or less is suitable, and preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5
mm or less is suitable. If more stability is expected, 3 mm or less is preferable. Further, the ratio of the volume of the storage chamber of the negative pressure generating member to the volume of the storage chamber of only ink can be set in the range of 1: 1 or more and 1: 3 or less as the practically optimum range.

The effects and characteristics of other inventions according to the present invention can be understood from the following embodiments.

[0033]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 to 6, in addition to the preconditions of the present invention, for supplying ink to the surface of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion facing the partition wall 5 which forms the minute communicating portion 8 with the bottom surface of the cartridge. It is an example of a configuration in which an opening is provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of the ink container of the first embodiment in a cutaway manner, and FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the ink cartridge main body 1 of this embodiment, the opening portion 2 for connecting with the ink jet recording head has a gap portion 8 as a minute communication portion.
The negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 that has the negative pressure generating member 3 and is adjacent to the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion via the partition wall 5 and communicates with the ink cartridge bottom portion 11. An ink container 6 for storing only ink.

With this structure, the atmosphere is supplied from the opening 2. However, it is important that the ink in the ink containing section 6 is supplied only through the communicating section 8 as compared with the structure of the atmosphere communicating section. That is, the ink is reliably supplied to the opening 2 side along the ink cartridge bottom 11. With the supply of the ink, the atmosphere replaces the ink in the ink storage unit 6 and is replenished.

Here, the state in which the negative pressure generating member in the region near the opening of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 which can be compressed and deformed by the supply pipe is compressed and deformed by the supply pipe will be described. FIG. 3 shows that the joint member 7 as a supply pipe for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head is inserted into the replaceable ink cartridge of the present invention, and the ink jet recording apparatus can be operated by pressing against the negative pressure generating member. It is a schematic sectional view at the time. In some cases, a filter is provided at the end of the joint member to remove dust in the ink cartridge.

When the ink jet recording apparatus is operated, ink is ejected from the orifice of the ink jet recording head and an ink suction force is generated in the replaceable ink cartridge. By this suction force, the ink 9 is separated from the ink container 6 by the gap 8 between the end of the partition wall and the bottom 11 of the ink cartridge.
Through the negative pressure generating member 3 to the ink jet recording head. As a result, the pressure inside the ink container 6 that is closed except for the gap 8 is reduced, and a pressure difference is generated between the ink container 6 and the negative pressure generating member container 4. When the recording is continued, the pressure difference continues to rise, but since the negative pressure generating member is opened to the atmosphere by the gap 12 between the joint member and the joint opening, air passes through the negative pressure generating member. The ink enters the ink container 4 through a gap 8 between the end 8 of the partition wall and the bottom 11 of the ink cartridge. At this point, the ink container 6 and the negative pressure generating member container 4
Is eliminated. This operation is repeated during ink jet recording, and a certain negative pressure is obtained in the ink cartridge. In addition, since almost all of the ink in the ink storage unit can be used except for the ink that adheres to the wall surface in the ink storage unit, the ink use efficiency is improved.

At the time of non-recording, a capillary force of the negative pressure generating member itself (or a meniscus force at the ink-negative pressure generating member interface) is generated, and in particular, when the ink of the ink in the ink containing portion starts to be consumed. The ink holding state in the negative pressure generating member storage portion is substantially constant, and the gas collected in the ink storage portion is in a substantially negative pressure state, so that the pressure balance in the cartridge is extremely stable, and ink jet recording Prevents ink from leaking from the head.

Therefore, if the negative pressure generating member is selected according to the ink jet recording head to be jointed and the ratio between the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion and the ink accommodating portion is designed, the configuration shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 19 (A) and 19 (B), the ink of each color (for example, four colors of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan) is used in order to make the exchangeable ink cartridge of the present invention compatible with a color ink jet recording apparatus. Can be housed in individual replaceable ink cartridges and used. Further, as shown in FIG. 19A, an individual ink cartridge may be integrated into a single unit to form a replaceable ink cartridge, or as shown in FIG. 19B, a replaceable ink cartridge for frequently used black ink. A replaceable ink cartridge may be provided in which the replaceable ink cartridge for one color ink is separated from the replaceable ink cartridge. These combinations are arbitrary according to the ink jet device.

In the exchangeable ink cartridge of the present invention, in order to control the negative pressure in the ink jet recording head, not only the negative pressure generating member 3 is selected, the shape and the dimension, but also the shape, the dimension and the size of the end portion of the partition wall 5, The shape and size of the gap 8 between the partition wall end portion 8 and the ink cartridge bottom portion 11,
The volume ratio of the negative pressure generating member accommodating part 4 and the ink accommodating part 6, the insertion amount of the joint member 7 into the exchangeable ink cartridge, the shape, the size, the shape and size of the filter 12, the roughness of the eyes, the surface tension of the ink, etc. It is more preferable to optimize according to the conditions used.

As the negative pressure generating member used in the present invention, a conventionally known member can be used as long as it has the ability to retain the ink itself against the own weight of liquid (ink) and a slight vibration. For example, a flocculent body in which fibers are meshed into a mesh or a porous body having a communication hole can be used. A sponge such as a polyurethane foam whose ink holding power and negative pressure generation are easily adjusted is preferable. In particular, a foam is preferable because it can be adjusted to a desired porosity during foam production. When the foam is further subjected to a heat compression treatment to further adjust the porous density, a decomposed product is generated by heating, which may change the physical properties of the ink and adversely affect the recording quality. Become. Also, in order to manufacture an exchangeable ink cartridge corresponding to various ink jet recording apparatuses, a foam having a corresponding porous density is required, but a specific number of cells not subjected to thermal compression (the number of holes per inch) It is preferable to cut a foam material having a desired size into a desired size, and compression-insert it into a negative pressure generating member accommodating portion to adjust the porosity and the capillary force.

In the above-mentioned example, the joint member 7 and the joint opening 2 are provided with a gap to take in the air from the outside of the ink cartridge, but the present invention is not limited to this and the joint member and the joint opening portion. Any structure and shape may be used.
When the negative pressure generating member is a porous member such as a sponge, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the insertion of the joint member prevents the porous member from escaping from the bottom of the ink cartridge, and The end of the joint member 7 preferably has an arbitrary angle (taper) with respect to the insertion direction of the joint member in order to maintain and secure the pressure contact surface between the filter portion and the negative pressure generating member. When the insertion amount of the joint member is excessively large, the tapered portion at the tip may cause a crack in the negative pressure generating member. Therefore, a surface structure as shown in FIG.

It is also conceivable that the outer wall of the joint member is provided with irregularities for introducing the atmosphere so as to serve as an intake port for the atmosphere, but the shape of the opening 2 is also a groove (see FIG. 5) as shown in FIG.
(A)) and the like, that is, FIG.
It is possible to select such that FIG. 5 (c) is a triangle. Preferably, the shape of the opening 2 is such that a gap is provided so as not to seal the joint member and the opening, or the opening 2 is located close to the outer periphery of the joint member at the lower part (bottom side of the ink cartridge) and is opened at the upper part of the opening. Shape.

As described above, the exchangeable ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention can serve as both the joint opening and the portion for taking in the atmosphere, and can have a simpler structure. The amount of insertion of the joint member 7 into the replaceable ink cartridge does not cause ink leakage at the time of insertion in consideration of the shape of the joint member, the negative pressure generating member, the shape of the ink cartridge, and the like. It is preferable to set the compression area of the negative pressure generating member so as not to cause the above.

In contrast to the above embodiments, providing a communication hole for communicating with the atmosphere in addition to the joint opening on the side of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion means that the negative pressure generating member region of the present invention which does not hold ink is formed. It is also effective for adopting the configuration provided in the vicinity of the atmosphere communicating portion, and is a suitable means for improving the reliability against environmental changes in the inkjet recording apparatus described later.

The shape and size of the gap 8 between the end of the partition wall and the bottom of the ink cartridge are arbitrary, but if it is too narrow, the meniscus force with ink becomes strong, and ink leakage from the joint opening can be suppressed. In addition, a force is required to supply ink to the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion, and ink may run out during use. Also, if it is too wide, the opposite phenomenon may occur, so the height of the minute communication part to the partition wall is larger than the average hole diameter of the negative pressure generating member (preferably the average hole diameter in the vicinity of the minute communication part). (Practically 0.1 mm or more) 20 mm or less is suitable. Further, it is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. If more stability is expected, 3 mm or less is preferable. FIG. 7 shows an example of the shape of the gap 8. Figure 7
(A) is used in the previous embodiment and is the most stable construction shape for the present invention, and is provided at a constant height over the entire width of the cartridge. FIG. 7B shows that the communicating portion is formed by only a part of the entire width of the cartridge.
(C) is a meandering one in addition to the configuration of (b). This configuration is effective when the overall volume of the cartridge is large, but is usually used low in a printer. Figure 7
(D) has a plurality of tunnel-shaped communication portions, the ink easily moves to the inner surface of the cartridge, and the gas introduction for gas-ink exchange can be concentrated. 7 (e) (f)
In addition to the structure shown in FIG. 7A, a partition wall on the ink storage chamber side is formed with a concave portion in the vertical direction.
Therefore, the gas reaching the lower end of the partition wall is relatively effectively introduced into the ink storage chamber in the concave portion, and the gas collection efficiency can be improved.

It is a more preferable condition that the gap 8 is also determined in consideration of the position of the joint opening. 6 (a) and 6 (b), (a)
Is at a position where the end of the partition wall is lower than the lower end of the joint opening, and the ink held in the negative pressure generating member is lower than the lower end of the joint opening, which is advantageous in suppressing ink leakage. On the other hand, in (b), the end of the partition wall is higher than the lower end of the joint opening, and the ink held in the negative pressure generating member is higher than the lower end of the joint opening. The effect is small and not preferable. Therefore, designing the size of the gap 8 such that the position of the end of the partition wall is the same as or lower than the lower end of the joint opening has an advantage that the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. Although it depends on the shape and dimensions of the replacement ink cartridge, it can be put to practical use by selecting the height of the gap 8 from the maximum range of 0.1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 to 5 mm. It is about. Further, the shape of the end of the partition wall may be any shape as long as the position with respect to the above-described joint opening is taken into consideration. ).

Furthermore, the boundary between the end of the partition wall 5 and the negative pressure generating member 3 may have various structural relationships. This is shown in FIG. 9 (a) to 9 (d)
Since the negative pressure generating member is not compressed by the end of the partition wall and the density of the negative pressure generating member is not locally increased, the flow of ink and the flow of air become relatively quick, and high-speed printing and It is preferable for color recording. On the other hand, FIGS. 9E and 9F show that although the negative pressure generating member 3 is compressed by the end of the partition wall and the density of the member is increased, resistance to the flow of ink and the flow of air is generated. Obstacles such as ink leakage can be suppressed against environmental fluctuations.
Therefore, these selections may be designed in consideration of the type of the inkjet recording apparatus and the environmental conditions to be used.

The volume ratio of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 and the ink accommodating portion 6 must be determined in consideration of the type of ink jet recording apparatus and the environmental conditions used. Also,
The relationship with the negative pressure generating member used is also important. In order to improve the use efficiency of the ink, it is preferable to increase the volume of the ink storage section. In this case, a negative pressure generating member having a high negative pressure generating force (a high compression ratio in the case of a sponge) is used. It becomes effective. Therefore, if it is noted that the negative pressure generating force of the negative pressure generating member is increased as the volume ratio of the ink storage section is increased, the volume of the storage chamber of the negative pressure generating member and the volume of the storage chamber of only the ink are reduced. The ratio is preferably in a range of 1: 1 or more and 1: 3 or less as a practically optimum range.

The shape, size, and roughness of the filter 11 can be arbitrarily set according to the type of the ink jet recording apparatus. However, in order to prevent dust from entering from the ink cartridge and not clog the nozzle of the recording head, the orifice of It is preferable to use a filter having an eye smaller than the diameter.

The amount of ink to be filled in the exchangeable ink cartridge of the present invention is arbitrary within the ink cartridge internal volume, and the ink storage portion may be filled up to the volume limit, but immediately after opening the exchangeable ink cartridge. In order to maintain the negative pressure, it is preferable that the ink filling amount in the negative pressure generating member is set to be equal to or less than the limit of the ink holding force of the negative pressure generating member. Here, the ink holding force refers to the ability of the member when the negative pressure generating member is impregnated with ink to be able to hold ink alone.

In an ink cartridge having a closed ink containing portion, the external environment changes (temperature rise or atmospheric pressure drop) when loaded in the ink jet recording apparatus.
However, there is a possibility that ink remaining in the ink storage unit is pushed out of the ink cartridge due to air expansion of the ink storage unit (there is also ink expansion), and ink leakage may occur. However, in the replaceable ink cartridge according to the present invention, the air expansion volume (including a small amount of ink expansion) of the closed system ink storage unit is predicted according to the worst-cased environmental condition, and the ink storage unit is accordingly estimated. It is preferable that the negative pressure generating member accommodating section is provided in advance with the amount of ink movement from the ink. At this time, providing an air communication hole other than the joint opening on the side of the negative pressure generating member housing portion, as shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, generates a negative pressure from the ink chamber due to expansion of air in the ink chamber. This is very effective because the ink moved into the member can be guided to the atmosphere communication side. The installation position of the atmosphere communication hole is
There is no special designation if it is above the joint opening on the negative pressure generating member housing part side, but in order to keep the flow of ink in the negative pressure generating member from the joint opening when the environment changes, move it to a position far from the joint opening. Preferably it is. Further, the number, shape, size, and the like of the air communication holes can be arbitrarily set in consideration of the evaporation of the ink.

In the distribution of the ink cartridge alone, it is preferable to seal the joint opening and / or the air communication hole with a sealing material or the like to prepare for evaporation of ink and air expansion in the ink cartridge. As a sealing material,
In the field of packaging, it is preferable to use a composite of a single layer barrier and several layers of plastic film, which are called a barrier material in the packaging field, and a composite material obtained by combining these with a reinforcing material such as paper or cloth, or aluminum foil. . It is more preferable that the material similar to the material of the ink cartridge body is used as the adhesive layer of the barrier material and the hermeticity is increased by welding with heat or the like.

Further, in order to suppress the evaporation of ink from the ink cartridge or the inflow of air from the outside atmosphere, after the ink cartridge is inserted, the air in the packaging material is degassed and then sealed. It is effective if taken. As the packaging material, it is preferable to select a barrier material as in the above-mentioned sealing material, in consideration of gas permeability and liquid permeability.

By selecting the packaging form as described above, the physical distribution of the ink cartridge alone becomes extremely reliable without ink leakage.

The material of the ink cartridge body may be any material conventionally used for molded articles, but it should be selected from materials that do not affect the ink jet ink or members that have been treated so as not to affect the ink jet ink. is there. It is also necessary to consider the productivity of the ink cartridge. For example, the ink cartridge body is divided into an ink cartridge bottom portion 11 and an upper portion thereof, each of which is integrally formed of a resin material. After a negative pressure generating member is inserted, the ink cartridge bottom portion 11 and an upper portion thereof are welded. Thus, the ink cartridge body can be manufactured. If a transparent or translucent resin material is selected, the ink in the ink container can be visually recognized from the outside of the ink cartridge, so that the time to replace the ink cartridge can be visually determined. Further, it is preferable to provide a convex portion in order to facilitate the welding of the sealing material and the like. Furthermore, it is also preferable in terms of design that the outer surface of the ink cartridge body is subjected to processing such as embossing.

Both the pressure method and the pressure reduction method can be used for filling the ink. It is preferable to provide an ink filling port in any one of the tank main bodies for filling the ink, because it does not contaminate the other ink cartridge openings. The ink filling port after ink filling is preferably plugged with a plastic or metal material.

The configuration and shape of the exchangeable ink cartridge can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As described above, the replaceable ink cartridge of the present invention maintains high reliability even in the case of a single physical distribution, has a simple structure, and is capable of detecting the remaining amount of ink and has a high ink use efficiency. It becomes a cartridge.

In addition, an appropriate negative pressure is maintained from the beginning of use to the end of use during printing and during non-printing to support high-speed printing. It becomes an ink cartridge.

Further, the replaceable ink cartridge has good handleability, does not leak ink even when it is attached to or detached from the ink jet recording apparatus, and does not malfunction when mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus.

FIG. 11 shows a method of manufacturing an ink tank as a cartridge according to the present invention. The cartridge main body is provided with a partition plate 61, which will be described later, and a wall portion which forms two recesses for storage chambers via a partition wall 5. After the absorber 3 as the negative pressure generating member is inserted into the recessed portion on the side of the opening 2 with respect to the (diagonal line in cross section: a diagonally downward left diagonal part is referred to as the housing), the bottom member 11 as the lid member is inserted. It shows a configuration integrated processing in. FIG. 11 is a partially broken schematic view showing a state where the recording head HD is mounted on the ink tank 1. The ink tank is configured by covering a container divided into two rooms by a partition wall 5 with a flat bottom member 11 constituting the bottom of the ink tank. In this way, the micro communication passage 8 can be formed between the tip of the partition wall 5 of the container and the simple structure of covering the lid.

Further, by covering the bottom of the container with the bottom member 11, the absorber facing the bottom can be pushed into the container, and the absorber can exist at the bottom of the container without any variation. It is possible to easily form a structure in which the ink path to the supply port is stable.

In addition, the absorber existing at the bottom of the cartridge thus manufactured is in a state of being pressed by the bottom member 11 and has a high capillary force.
It is possible to easily form a structure in which the continuity of the ink is improved in the path of the ink from the ink to the supply port. In addition, the atmosphere communication part 10 is located at the upper part on the same surface as the surface on which the opening 2 is provided.

On the other hand, the head is mounted by inserting the joint portion 7 as a supply pipe into the opening of the ink tank, and the joint portion 7 has an oblique structure in which the upper portion in the drawing is forward from the lower portion. . Further, the ink flow path inside the joint has a horn structure that opens upward. With such a structure, ink from the absorber can be favorably introduced to the head side.

The ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a heating element 72 as a means for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink from the ejection port 71 of the nozzle 73, and the state change of the ink is caused by the thermal energy. In the recording apparatus having the recording head HD of the type that causes
Further, especially for color printing, higher recording density and higher definition can be achieved.

As described above, the replaceable ink cartridge of the present invention maintains high reliability even in the case of a single physical distribution, and is a replaceable ink cartridge having a simple structure and capable of detecting the remaining amount of ink and having high ink use efficiency. Becomes

In addition, an exchangeable type that maintains a suitable negative pressure during recording and non-recording from the beginning of use to the end of use for high-speed recording and does not leak ink even under the operating environment conditions of the inkjet recording apparatus. It becomes an ink cartridge.

Furthermore, the replaceable ink cartridge is easy to handle, does not leak when attached to or detached from the ink jet recording apparatus, and does not cause a mounting error operation in the ink jet recording apparatus.

Supplementally, a method of manufacturing the ink cartridge will be described. It has a negative pressure generating member storage chamber containing the above-described absorber and a communication portion 8 as a minute communication portion.
In the structure in which the ink storage chamber having a substantially closed structure in the sense that the ink is first discharged by exchanging the gas and the liquid is integrally formed, the opening 13 of the lid member 11 on the ink storage chamber side.
Fill ink from. The ink filling the ink storage chamber moves to the negative pressure generating chamber via the communication section. Thus, when the ink is filled in the ink storage chamber, the negative pressure generating member 4 itself is also supplied with ink from the minute communication portion, and the ink is supplied to a considerable area.

By thus filling and injecting the ink from the ink storage chamber, it is possible to inject the ink without causing unnecessary air to exist in the ink storage chamber. Then, since the ink moves to the negative pressure generating member storage chamber through the communication portion to allow the ink to permeate into the absorber, it is possible to easily form a region where the ink does not exist near the atmospheric opening.

Here, the negative pressure generating member near the atmosphere communicating portion is made to exist as a region where ink is not applied and ink is not retained. Thereafter, the opening 13 is sealed with the ball 14 and the opening 2 and the atmosphere communication portion are in the same sealing member S.
(May be different) and sealed.

A pre-use ink jet cartridge in this state is shown in FIG. In this figure, it is assumed that ink is filled in the ink storage chamber 6.

FIG. 12 shows the ink jet cartridge 1 in the hermetically sealed state and also shows a schematic view of a printer using the ink jet cartridge 1. In the ink jet cartridge 1, a negative pressure generator region 3A located near the atmosphere communication portion 10 is provided at an upper corner of the cartridge as a region not holding ink. The negative pressure generator region 3B located below the region 3A is a compressible region that is compressed and deformed by inserting an ink supply pipe (not shown). Negative pressure generators other than these areas 3A and 3B hold the filled ink without any other external influence. Of course, the region 3B is a region facing the ink supply tube mounting opening 2 provided on the same surface below the air communication portion 10. In addition, the opening 2 is located above the minute communication portion 8 and has all of the above-described features of the present invention.

The cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 12 can be used by removing the seal member S described above. However, since the area 3A does not retain ink, there is vibration or pressure change when the seal is removed. However, it does not leak ink.

In this embodiment, regardless of the storage state or the use state of the ink cartridge, as a technical point of view that the conventional state of the art is to be wiped out, a region near the atmosphere communicating portion of the negative pressure generating member is a region not holding ink. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the ink in the ink cartridge from leaking from the atmosphere communicating portion in response to changes in environmental conditions. In particular, when the seal member seals the air communication portion, the seal member has an effect of preventing the seal member from peeling off. Also, when in use,
In this area, the atmosphere can efficiently supply a required amount of air into the cartridge, and there is also an effect of suppressing a change in negative pressure in the ink jet cartridge. The region near the air communication portion is preferably free from ink wetting because the permeation speed of the ink itself can be further reduced, but may be a region where the ink is removed after being wetted in advance by the ink. .

Further, in this embodiment, an ink supply opening or an ink supply opening is provided on the side facing the partition wall forming the minute communication portion.
By providing a structure in which the negative pressure generator is compressed (or compressible) by the supply pipe, the ink in the second storage chamber can secure a stable substantial ink supply path in the negative pressure generator. As a configuration for further stabilization, the ink supply opening may be positioned above the microcommunication portion with respect to the lower surface of the ink cartridge. The effect of this arrangement relation is that the ink movement direction can be substantially constant, all the ink in the second storage chamber can be consumed, and after this consumption, the air in the second storage chamber moves to the opposite opening side. By intervening, as a result, the ink inside the negative pressure generator can be consumed and the remaining ink can be reduced.

In particular, a region which is not compressed by the supply pipe of the negative pressure generator and a region which is compressed by the supply pipe of the negative pressure generator are provided from the partition wall forming the minute communication portion toward the side facing the wall. In this order, the above-mentioned one-direction ink supply path can be formed in the non-compressed region, and the same effect can be obtained, and the remaining ink amount can be further reduced by the ink securing capacity of the compressed region.

The ink jet printer of the present embodiment automatically or manually discharges ink from the inside of the cartridge by suction or ejection by the suction means via the head in response to mounting of the cartridge 1. It has a head recovery means HR. As a result, the ink state in the negative pressure generator can be corrected before printing, so that the original function of the cartridge can be used without being affected by the state of leaving the cartridge.

In FIG. 12, the tank 1 mounted on the ink jet head HB held by the scanning type carriage CR is the same as the cartridge 1 shown in FIG. In the tank 1 mounted on the carriage, the ink supply pipe of the head passes through the opening 2 to compress and deform the compressible area 3B of the negative pressure generating member 3. In this example, the negative pressure generating member 3 is deformed toward the minute communication portion 8. At this time, the mounting signal LP is output from the printer control unit CC by tank attachment / detachment detection unit (not shown because it is substituted by a known mechanical or electric detection unit).
Is input to In response to this, before the start of recording, the head recovery means HR operates to discharge the ink in the tank 1 and improve the state of the ink in the tank.

In FIG. 13A, the inner surface of the ink storage chamber of the ink jet cartridge of FIG. 12 is changed so that the space shape 22 is convex upward by the capacity thereof. The inner surface 20 is a curved surface that rises as the distance from the minute communication port 8 increases. The structure of the inner surface 20 supplies minute residual droplets due to the surface tension of the ink to the negative pressure generating member 3 side, and the upwardly protruding portion 21 serves as a holding portion for the operator, thereby preventing deformation of the tank during operation. I do. FIG.
3 (B) shows an oblique arrangement of the partition wall 51 for reducing the size of the negative pressure generating unit 3 storage chamber side while the ink storage chamber is large and the equivalent capacity tank is large.

FIG. 13C shows the above manufacturing method.
This is an example in which a lid member 11 forming a gap 8 with respect to a partition wall 5 is inserted and fixed between the side plates 101 and 100 of the cartridge main body. SE indicates an end of the lid member 11. In the case of FIG. 13 (C), if the adhesion and fixing vary, the distance SP of the gap 8 is not fixed. for that reason,
As shown in FIG. 13 (D), it is also preferable to position the spacers 110 in contact with the end SE of the partition wall on both sides. The spacer 110 is preferably provided on the lid member 11. Further, by providing the convex portion 30 located within the distance SP of the gap 8 on the lid member, the recoverability of the air into the ink storage portion may be enhanced.

14 (A) and 14 (B) respectively show the possible state inclination range of the print or ink supply state of the embodiment of the present invention, and 40 in the figure shows the horizontal plane. A more preferable state for the present invention is that the microcommunication portion is located on the lower side, and ideally, it is good to be parallel to the horizontal surface 40 on the lower surface of the cartridge. However, practically, in the case of a two-chamber configuration as in this example, (A),
There is no inconvenience in using the angle θ as shown in FIG. When it is mounted on the scanning type carriage and moved, the range of 0 ≦ θ ≦ 5 degrees is preferable.

The negative pressure generating member of the above-described embodiment of the present invention may be composed of a plurality of members. However, if an interface (inter-member interface) between the members is generated, the atmosphere is moved there, which is likely to cause inconvenience. In some cases, the negative pressure generating member is more preferably a single porous chamber body.

The ink containing chamber may be included substantially as a chamber for containing ink as long as the ink containing chamber contains a larger amount of ink than the negative pressure generating member containing chamber.

Here, the partition plate 61 in the ink containing chamber disclosed in the previous embodiment will be described.
The outer wall surface of the cartridge is deformed due to the load when the user grips it with the hand or the environmental conditions during distribution, causing ink to leak from the orifice of the ink jet recording head or the pressure inside the cartridge provided in a part of the cartridge. A description will be given of an embodiment capable of solving the problem that the ink leaks from the air communication port which makes the air the same as the air.

The following examples were made in order to solve the technical problems in the above various ink tank forms, and ink leakage due to external force during handling and transportation, and environmental changes such as temperature and atmospheric pressure are not likely to occur. It is an ink cartridge for ink jet recording which does not have a high ink use efficiency.

FIG. 15 (A) is a perspective sectional view of an embodiment in which the side wall surface is omitted, FIG. 5 (B) is a lateral sectional view of the same embodiment, and FIG. 16 is an ink supply operation of the same embodiment. Explanatory drawing, Figure 1
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the distortion of the side wall when a load is applied to the side wall of the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the ink cartridge body 1 has an opening 2 for connecting with an ink jet recording head, and an atmosphere communicating portion 10 provided above the opening 2 for taking in the atmosphere. And a negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 accommodating the negative pressure generating member 3 that absorbs and holds the recording ink, and an ink accommodating portion that adjoins the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 via the rib 5 and accommodates the ink. It consists of 6. The ink container 6 and the negative pressure generating member container 4 communicate with each other through a gap 8 provided between the rib 5 and the bottom surface. The side walls are connected to both sides while leaving.

In FIG. 16A, the joint member 7 for supplying the ink to the ink jet recording head is inserted into the opening 2 of the ink cartridge body 1 of the embodiment and pressed against the negative pressure generating member 3, and the ink jet recording apparatus is operated. It is a schematic cross section which shows the state which became operational. In addition, a filter may be provided at an end opening of the joint member 7 in order to remove dust in the ink cartridge.

When the ink jet recording apparatus operates, ink is ejected from the orifice of the ink jet recording head, and ink suction force is generated in the ink tank. Ink 9
The suction force causes the ink from the ink container 6 to pass through the gap 8 between the end of the rib 5 and the bottom 11 of the ink cartridge to the negative pressure generating member housing 4 and through the negative pressure generating member 3 into the joint member 7. It is drawn and supplied to the ink jet recording head. As a result, the pressure inside the ink container 6 that is closed except for the gap 8 is reduced, and the ink container 6 is closed.
And a negative pressure generating member housing 4 causes a pressure difference. When the recording is continued, the pressure difference continues to rise, but since the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 is open to the atmosphere through the air communication hole 10, air is released from the negative pressure generating member as shown in FIG. 3, the ink enters the ink container 6 through the gap 8 between the rib 5 and the bottom 11 of the ink cartridge. At this point, the pressure difference between the ink storage section 6 and the negative pressure generating member storage section 4 is eliminated. This operation is repeated during ink jet recording, and a certain negative pressure is obtained in the ink cartridge. In addition, since almost all of the ink in the ink container 6 can be used except for the ink adhering to the wall surface in the ink container 6, the ink use efficiency is improved (FIG. 16C).

At the time of non-recording, the capillary force of the negative pressure generating member 3 itself (or the meniscus force at the ink-negative pressure generating member interface) or the like is exerted to prevent ink from leaking from the ink jet recording head.

From the above function, the cross section of FIG. 18 is shown as another embodiment according to the selection of the negative pressure generating member 3 according to the ink jet recording head to be jointed and the volume ratio of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 and the ink accommodating portion 6. As shown in the drawing, the ink containing portion 6 may be provided with a plurality of partition plates 61.

A structure effective as a measure for improving the strength of the side wall will be described below.

It is important for the ink cartridge to have a structure that withstands external force during hand-linking, changes in the environment during distribution, and has improved ink use efficiency.

In the embodiment, the side walls 12a, 12b, 12c of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 and the ink accommodating portion 6 are configured to have the same displacement amount with respect to the external force.

For example, although the cartridge material is usually a plastic mold, as shown in FIGS. 15B and 17, the thickness of the side wall surface 12a of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 is set to the side wall surface of the ink accommodating portion 6. The partition plates (ribs) 61 are arranged between the inner surfaces of both side walls at positions such that they are thicker than the thicknesses of 12b and 12c, and the volume of the ink containing portion 6 is equally divided. The amount of wall surface deformation Δt6 for an equivalent load per area is reduced, and
Of the side wall surfaces 12b and 12c on both sides of the same. In addition, by making the deformation amount Δt4 of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 substantially equal, the object of preventing ink leakage due to deformation on the wall surface is achieved.

In the ink cartridge of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15B and 17, the material is polypropylene (P
P), outer diameter is 48m / m length x 35m height x 1 thickness
In the case of 1 m / m, the heat of the side wall surface 12a of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 is 1.5 mm and the heat of the side wall surfaces 12b and 12c of the ink accommodating portion 6 is 1 mm at approximately the center of the length of 48 m / m.
By arranging the rib 61 of the ink containing portion 6 at a position of about 10 mm from each wall surface, the load during handling (about 2
It was possible to obtain a structure in which a margin more than twice the Kg) was secured. At the same time, sufficient strength can be obtained even with respect to changes in atmospheric pressure and changes in temperature during distribution.

In the above-described embodiment, the number of the ribs 61 of the ink containing portion 6 is one due to the size of the tank, but the number of ribs 61 is not limited to one, and it is adjusted to the size of the ink cartridge as shown in FIG. It is possible to deal with this by changing the number and position of the ribs and the thickness of the wall surface, for example, by providing the ribs 61 at two locations.

FIG. 20 shows the relationship between the wall thickness of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4, the thickness of each wall surface investigated to determine the wall thickness of the ink accommodating portion 6, and the ink leakage in the handling and physical distribution environment. Is data indicating.

Increasing the thickness of each wall increases the strength against ink leakage, but in order to achieve the objective of downsizing and high ink use efficiency, the wall should be thinned as much as possible. It is necessary to increase the internal volume, and based on the data shown in FIG. 20, the side wall thickness of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 is 1.5 mm and the side wall thickness of the ink accommodating portion 6 is 1.0 mm.

According to the size of the ink cartridge, the above dimensions can be determined with reference to FIG. 20, and the outer wall thickness of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 is 1.2 to 3 times the outer wall thickness of the ink accommodating portion 6. It is preferable to configure within the range.

As described above, the present invention has been able to provide a reasonable and effective cartridge as an ink jet ink cartridge in the field of ink jet printing from the idea of reversal which has not been heretofore known. Of course, the advantage of enabling miniaturization of the color printer itself, which requires a plurality of color inks, is remarkable. Further, the replacement period of the ink cartridge can be lengthened, and the operability is excellent.

[0107]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention can provide a recording liquid container in which the communication portion can be easily formed with a simple structure in which the container is closed by the lid member, and a manufacturing method thereof.

Further, adjustment can be made by covering the bottom of the container with the bottom member 11, for example, the absorber can be pushed into the container, and spheres can exist without variation at the bottom of the container, and the communication passage 8 can supply the sphere. It is possible to surely form the ink path reaching the above as a stable ink transfer path.

In addition, when the absorber existing at the bottom of the cartridge manufactured as described above is in a state of being pressed by the bottom member 11, the capillary force is in a high state and the communicating port 8 through the supply port It is possible to easily form a configuration in which the continuity of the ink is improved in the ink path leading to.

Furthermore, by filling and injecting ink from the ink storage chamber, it is possible to provide an ink injection method capable of injecting ink without causing unnecessary air to exist in the ink storage chamber. Then, since the ink moves to the negative pressure generating member storage chamber through the communication portion and the ink permeates into the absorber, an ink injection method capable of easily forming a region where there is no ink near the atmospheric opening is provided. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of an ink container according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is cut away.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIGS. 3 (a), (b), and (c) are explanatory views of examples of coupling between a cartridge and a supply pipe according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example for explaining more preferable conditions of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are explanatory diagrams of an ink supply unit of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a positional relationship between an ink supply unit and a minute communication unit.

FIGS. 7 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e)
(F), each is an explanatory view of a configuration of a minute communication portion.

FIGS. 8A to 8H are explanatory diagrams of the shapes of the ends of the partition walls on the side of the minute communication portion.

FIGS. 9A to 9F are explanatory views of the state of the end of the absorber near the partition wall, respectively.

FIGS. 10 (a), (b), (c) and (d) are explanatory diagrams of states inside the absorber with respect to environmental changes.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the manufacturing method of the present invention and an ink jet head.

FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory view of the ink jet cartridge of the present invention and an ink jet printer using the same.

13 (A), (B), (C) and (D) are views for explaining a modification of the main part of the present invention.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are cross-sectional views for explaining a tiltable range in a use state of the ink cartridge of the present invention.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams of a shape of an optimal embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C are explanatory diagrams sequentially showing changes in the printing state of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a pressure state on the outer wall of the cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a modified example of the cartridge of the present invention.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are perspective views showing a color tank configuration of a cartridge embodying the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a graph showing a correlation between wall thickness and ink leakage due to external pressure deformation according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Inkjet Cartridge 2 Opening Part 3 Negative Pressure Generating Member 4 First Storage Room 6 Second Storage Room 8 Micro Communication Section 10 Atmosphere Communication Section

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Naoto Asai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Riki Abe 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Incorporated (72) Inventor Seiichiro Karita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (32)

[Claims] 1. A method of manufacturing a recording liquid container having a second chamber connected to a first chamber having a negative pressure generating member via a communication passage, the first chamber having an atmosphere communication port and a liquid supply port. Forming a housing having a first recess and a second chamber recess separated from the first chamber by a partition wall; and inserting a negative pressure generating member into the first chamber recess. And a step of forming a first member and a second chamber by attaching and sealing a lid member to form a communication portion between the partition wall and the partition wall. Container manufacturing method. 2. A method of manufacturing a recording liquid container having a second chamber connected to a first chamber having a negative pressure generating member via a communication passage, the first chamber having an atmosphere communication port and a liquid supply port. For inserting a negative pressure generating member into the first chamber in a casing molded with the first chamber recess and the second chamber recess partitioned by the partition wall. A lid member is attached and sealed to form a portion between the partition wall and the partition wall, and the first chamber and the second chamber are configured. . 3. The recording liquid container according to claim 1, further comprising a step of filling a liquid into the second chamber and the first chamber to substantially seal the second chamber. Manufacturing method. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of injecting ink from the second chamber and partially injecting the ink into the first chamber via the communicating portion. A method of manufacturing a recording liquid container according to any one of 1. 5. The opening for injecting the ink is provided in the cover member, and is sealed by a seal member after the ink is injected.
The method for producing a recording liquid container according to item 1. 6. The method of manufacturing a recording liquid container according to claim 4, wherein the sealing member is a ball-shaped member and is embedded in the opening for injecting the ink. 7. The recording liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the partition forming the communication part and the cover member is between 0.1 mm and 20 mm. Manufacturing method. 8. The distance between the partition forming the communication part and the cover member is more preferably 0.5 mm to 5 m.
7. The method for manufacturing a recording liquid container according to claim 6, wherein the recording liquid container has a thickness of m. 9. The volume ratio of the first chamber and the second chamber is
3. The method for manufacturing a recording liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the range is 1: 1 to 1: 3. 10. The thickness of the side wall forming the first chamber is
1.2 times the thickness of the side wall forming the second chamber
3. The method for manufacturing a recording liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the recording liquid container has a thickness three times as large as that of the recording liquid container. 11. The inserting step of the negative pressure generating member and the sealing step of the cover member are performed so that the compressed state of the negative pressure generating member in the communicating portion is reduced. The method for manufacturing a recording liquid container according to claim 2. 12. The atmosphere communication port and the liquid supply port are sealed by the same seal member.
Alternatively, the method for manufacturing the recording liquid container according to claim 2. 13. The negative pressure generating member can be any of a cotton-like body, a porous body that has been previously heat-compressed, and a porous body that has not been heat-compressed. The method for manufacturing a recording liquid container according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 10. 14. A method of manufacturing a recording liquid container having a second chamber connected to a first chamber having a negative pressure generating member via a communication passage, the first chamber having an atmosphere communication port and a liquid supply port. Forming a housing having a first recess and a second chamber recess separated from the first chamber by a partition wall; and inserting a negative pressure generating member into the first chamber recess. A step of attaching and sealing a lid member to form a communication part between the partition wall and the partition wall, and forming the first chamber and the second chamber;
A recording liquid container characterized in that it is manufactured with. 15. A method of manufacturing a recording liquid container having a second chamber connected to a first chamber having a negative pressure generating member via a communication passage, the first chamber having an atmosphere communication port and a liquid supply port. For inserting a negative pressure generating member into the first chamber in a casing molded with the first chamber recess and the second chamber recess partitioned by the partition wall. And a partition member are attached and sealed to form a part between the partition wall and the partition wall to form the first chamber and the second chamber. container. 16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of injecting ink from the second chamber and partially injecting the ink into the first chamber via the communicating portion. Alternatively, the recording liquid container according to claim 15. 17. The opening for injecting the ink is provided in the cover member, and is configured by being sealed by a seal member after the ink is injected. Item 16. The recording liquid container according to any one of Item 15. 18. The recording liquid container according to claim 17, wherein the seal member is a ball-shaped member and is embedded in the opening for injecting the ink. 19. The space between the partition wall and the lid member forming the communication part is set to be 0.1 mm or more and 20 mm or less.
The recording liquid container according to any one of 5 above. 20. The recording liquid according to claim 18, wherein the distance between the partition wall and the lid member forming the communicating portion is more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. container. 21. The volume ratio of the first chamber and the second chamber is
The recording liquid container according to any one of claims 14 and 15, wherein the recording liquid container has a range of 1: 1 to 1: 3. 22. The thickness of the side wall forming the first chamber is
1.2 times to 3 times the thickness of the side wall forming the second chamber
The recording liquid container according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the recording liquid container has a double thickness. 23. The step of inserting the negative pressure generating member and the step of sealing the lid member are configured such that the compressed state of the negative pressure generating member in the communicating portion is reduced. Item 16. The recording liquid container according to any one of items 14 and 15. 24. The recording liquid container according to claim 14, wherein the atmosphere communication port and the liquid supply port are sealed by the same seal member. 25. The negative pressure generating member is any one of a porous body that has been previously subjected to heat compression and a porous body that has not been subjected to heat compression. Item 24. The recording liquid container according to any one of Items 23. 26. A method for injecting ink into a recording liquid container, comprising: a first chamber having a negative pressure generating member and a second chamber connected via a communication passage, wherein an atmosphere communication port and a liquid supply port are provided. A negative pressure generating member is inserted into the first chamber with respect to a casing molded with the first chamber recess and the second chamber recess partitioned by the partition wall. With
An inlet provided in the second chamber of the recording liquid container in which the first chamber and the second chamber are configured by attaching a lid member, and the second chamber and the first chamber are communicated only by a communication part. And a step of partially injecting the ink into the negative pressure generating member in the first chamber via the communication portion, and a step of sealing the injection port. Method for injecting ink into the recording liquid container. 27. The recording liquid according to claim 26, wherein the injection port is provided in the lid member, and the sealing is performed by embedding a ball-shaped member in the injection port. How to fill the container with ink. 28. The method of injecting ink into a recording liquid container according to claim 26, wherein the atmosphere communication port and the liquid supply port are sealed by the same seal member. 29. A first storage chamber that accommodates the negative pressure generating member and that has an ink supply opening and an atmosphere communication section for establishing communication between the atmosphere and the first storage chamber, and is provided at a position distant from the atmosphere communication section. And a second storage chamber, which communicates with the first storage chamber only through the minute communication portion but directly stores ink in a substantially sealed state, has a common partition wall so as to be adjacent to each other. A method for manufacturing an inkjet cartridge for forming a minute communication portion, wherein the recess of the first storage chamber and the recess of the second storage chamber, which have the ink supply opening and the atmosphere communication portion, are common to each other. A step of providing a main body integrally formed with the partition wall; a step of compressing and loading the negative pressure generating member in the concave portion of the first storage chamber; and a step of covering both of the two concave portions and forming a negative pressure generating member. A lid member to be stored in the recess of the first storage chamber To fix the main body to the main body: a method for manufacturing an ink jet cartridge in which the minute communication portion is formed between the lid member and the partition wall in the fixing step. 30. The ink jet printer according to claim 29, wherein the ink supply opening is provided on a surface facing the partition wall, is located close to the lid member, and the atmosphere communicating portion is also provided on the facing surface. Manufacturing method for car cartridge. 31. The method for manufacturing an ink jet cartridge according to claim 29 or 30, wherein after the fixing step, the negative pressure generating member of the first storage chamber is provided in a region other than a region near the atmosphere communicating portion. A method for manufacturing an ink jet cartridge, comprising the steps of filling ink and filling the second storage chamber with ink. 32. The method for manufacturing an inkjet cartridge according to claim 31, further comprising the step of sealing the atmosphere communicating portion and the ink supply opening after filling the ink.