BRPI0503489B1 - INK CARTRIDGES, VALVE SYSTEM AND INK JET RECORDING EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

"ink cartridges, valve system and inkjet engraving equipment". An ink cartridge includes an ink chamber, a communication chamber, which is capable of communicating with the ink chamber, and an outer side of the ink cartridge, a valve disposed within the communication chamber, which is capable of moving about. a first position wherein a communication between the ink chamber and the exterior of the ink cartridge is locked to a second position where communication is allowed and an operating member extending from the communication chamber to the outside ink cartridge and is capable of moving the valve from the first position to the second

Description

(54) Title: INK CARTRIDGES, VALVE SYSTEM AND INK JET ENGRAVING EQUIPMENT (51) Int.CI .: B41J 2/175 (30) Unionist Priority: 03/08/2004 JP 2004-063659, 09 / 02/2004 JP 2004-031712, 10/02/2004 JP 2004-032872, 20/02/2004 JP 2004-043978, 24/02/2004 JP 2004-047768, 02/25/2004 JP 2004-049973, 27 / 02/2004 JP 2004-053164 (73) Holder (s): BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA (72) Inventor (s): ATSUHIRO TAKAGI; TOYONORI SASAKI; SHINGO HATTORI; TOMOHIRO KANBE

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Technical Field Description Report

This description relates to an ink cartridge that is capable of being placed on an inkjet recording equipment.

Background Technique

An inkjet recording equipment, structured in such a way that an ink container (called an ink cartridge).

can be attached and detached from a fastener (installation part) is described in Japanese Open Patent Application H9-85963. A projection part that exposes an ink cartridge opening is formed in the installation part and a through hole is provided in the projection part so that ink can flow from an ink cartridge valve. When the ink cartridge is installed in the installation part, the valve is opened by the projection part and the ink in the ink cartridge flows through the opening.

Description of the Invention

However, when the ink cartridge is installed and the opening of the ink cartridge is opened by the projection part, the opening must be placed precisely in relation to the projection part, in order to secure the ink cartridge. In addition, if the shape of the projection part is not precisely manufactured, the ink cartridge may not be installed smoothly and / or the ink may leak or evaporate.

Especially, for the ink cartridge, in Japanese Open Patent Application H9-85963 described above, this is provided with an ink supply opening and an air inlet opening, with the ink supply opening and the flow path being provided. flow on the side of the installation part are hermetically and accurately closed, so that the paint does not leak. In addition, two projection parts must accurately correspond to both the supply

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ink for the air inlet opening. Consequently, it is necessary to manufacture the ink cartridge with high precision.

The present invention is made to solve, among other things, the problems described above and to provide an ink cartridge that is capable of being placed in an inkjet recording equipment, whereby the ink cartridge can be easily installed in the equipment inkjet engraving and manufacturing is made simple.

According to one aspect of the invention, an IO ink cartridge includes an ink chamber, a communication chamber that is capable of communicating with the ink chamber and the exterior of the ink cartridge, a valve disposed within the communication chamber which is able to move from a first position in which communication between the ink chamber and the outside of the ink cartridge is blocked to a second position where communication is allowed, and an operating member extending from the communication chamber to the outside of the ink cartridge and is able to move the valve from the first position to the second position.

According to an aspect of the invention, when the ink cartridge is installed in an installation part of an inkjet recording equipment, the operating member may be able to move the valve from the first position to the second position by contacting the part of installation.

According to one aspect of the invention, the valve and the operating member can be formed as a member of a part.

According to one aspect of the invention, the ink cartridge can further include a valve seat that is adjacent to the valve device and a pressure device that presses the valve towards the valve seat. An opening can be formed at a substantial center of the valve seat in order to expose a lower part of the valve. The valve seat can contact the exterior of the aber3 / 82 valve • · ·

• · • · · «* • · · · · • ······ • * · · · · · · · · · · ♦ · ·. ture. The operating member can protrude from the valve through the opening.

According to one aspect of the invention, the pressure device can extend from the valve seat and surround the valve and the pressure device can be integrally formed with the valve seat to press the valve towards the valve seat over a first side opposite the valve seat.

According to one aspect of the invention, the operating member can be located on a second side of the valve opposite the

I The first side.

According to one aspect of the invention, the ink cartridge can further include a sealing member that surrounds the operating member.

According to one aspect of the invention, an end 15 of the operating member can be between an outer end of the communication chamber and an outer end of the sealing member.

According to one aspect of the invention, the member of *

The seal can extend from a valve seat on an opposite side of the valve and is integrally formed with the valve seat.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the ink cartridge may further include a sealing member surrounding the operating member in which, when the ink cartridge is installed in the installation portion of the inkjet recording equipment, the member sealing contacts the installation part and forms a path from a flow path in the installation part to the ink chamber.

According to an aspect of the invention, the valve seat, the pressure device and the sealing member can be integrally formed of a rubber-like material.

According to one aspect of the invention, an ink cartridge includes an ink chamber, an air communication chamber that

4/82 • is able to communicate with the ink chamber and the outside of the ink cartridge, a first valve system disposed inside the air communication chamber, an air chamber ink communication that is capable of communicating with the ink chamber and the exterior of the ink cartridge and a second valve system disposed within the ink communication chamber. At least one of the first valve system and the second valve system includes a valve seat, a valve that is able to travel relative to the valve seat and an operating member that extends out of at least one of the valve seats. air communication chamber and the ink communication chamber and is able to move the valve from a first position where the valve contacts the valve seat to a second position where the valve is separated from the valve seat.

According to an aspect of the invention, when the ink cartridge is installed in an installation part of an inkjet recording equipment, the operating member may be able to move the valve from the first position to the second position by contacting the part of installation.

According to one aspect of the invention, the valve and the operating member can be formed as a member of a part.

According to an aspect of the invention, the air communication chamber and the ink communication chamber can be formed on one side of the ink cartridge.

According to one aspect of the invention, the first valve system can include the valve seat, the valve and the operating member and the second valve system can include the valve seat and the valve. When the ink cartridge is installed in the installation part of the inkjet recording equipment, the operating member of the first valve system may be able to move the valve of the first valve system from the first position to the second position by doing contact with the installation part and the valve of the second

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The valve system 20 may be able to be moved from the first position to the second position by being pushed by an extraction tube provided in the installation part.

According to one aspect of the invention, a valve system can include a valve, an operating member, a valve seat with an opening in a substantially central part of the valve seat and a pressure device that presses the valve in a first direction, such that the valve contacts the valve seat. The operating member protrudes through the valve seat opening. The valve is between the valve seat and the pressure device. The valve is separated from the valve seat when the operating member presses the valve in a second direction opposite the first direction.

According to one aspect of the invention, the valve system may further include a sealing member that surrounds the opening and the periphery of the operating member.

According to one aspect of the invention, an end of the operating member can be between the valve and an outer end of the sealing member.

According to one aspect of the invention, an inkjet engraving equipment may include an installation part that is capable of receiving one of the ink cartridges described above. The installation part includes a flow path through which air is introduced into the ink cartridge.

According to one aspect of the invention, an inkjet recording equipment 25 may include an inkjet head and an installation part that is capable of receiving one of the ink cartridges described above. The installation part includes an extraction tube through which the ink is supplied to the inkjet head.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is no need to provide a protrusion to open the valve member opening in the inkjet installation part of the team6 / 82

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- 'recording element. Then, there is an effect that it is easy to position the ink cartridge and the installation part when installing the ink cartridge in the installation part.

According to one aspect of the invention, when the ink cartridge 5 is removed from the inkjet recording equipment, the valve member contacts the valve seat by the pressure device and the ink is prevented from escaping or evaporating through the opening . In addition, when the ink cartridge is installed in the inkjet recording equipment, the valve can be opened by uniformly lifting the valve from the operating member and separating the valve from the valve seat.

According to one aspect of the invention, a complex operating procedure for securing the pressure device pressing the valve member in an area where the valve member is positioned is unnecessary. Consequently, there is an effect of reducing the ink cartridge manufacturing cost.

According to one aspect of the invention, the ink is prevented from escaping or evaporating through the opening.

According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the first and second valve systems includes a valve seat and a valve displaceable with respect to the valve seat. The valve has an operating member that protrudes from the outside of the ink cartridge and is structured in such a way that the operating member contacts the installation part, when the ink cartridge is installed in the

5 installation, in order to separate the valve from the valve seat. When providing the installation part with the operating member that betrays in correspondence with the first and the second valve system, it must be hermetically closed to prevent the paint from leaking and is manufactured in order to accurately maintain mutual positional relationships between two members of the protruding operation and the mutual positional relations between the ink communication chamber and the air communication chamber. However, there is an effect that the ink cartridge can be easy • * w «

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7/82 * «· ^A * * •» 4 · tt * · * · 4 «V •» 4 4 4 * * »4 · * 4 4 · · S- 4 • 4 * · 4 installed in the installation part , while being easily manufactured, without requiring high precision in positional relationships.

According to one aspect of the invention, the two valve systems can be opened by simply moving the ink cartridge towards the installation part, providing better operability.

Brief Description of Drawings

Several exemplary modalities of the description will be presented in detail with reference to the following Figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary ink cartridge according to this description and an exemplary inkjet recording equipment, according to this description, on which the ink cartridge is mounted;

Figures 2A and 2B are section diagrams showing the structure of an exemplary ink cartridge according to this description: Figure 2A shows the ink cartridge before the ink cartridge is loaded on an inkjet recording equipment and the Figure 2B shows the ink cartridge after the ink cartridge is loaded into the inkjet recording equipment;

Figures 3A-3E represent an exemplary valve member according to this description: Figure 3A is a plan view, Figure 3B is a side view, Figure 3C is a sectional view taken along line II of Figure 3A, Figure 3D is a sectional view taken along a line II-U of Figure 3A and Figure 3E is a bottom view;

Figures 4A-4C represent an exemplary valve member according to this description: Figure 4A is a plan view, Figure 4B is a side view and Figure 4C is a bottom view;

Figures 5A and 5B represent an exemplary part of the installation according to this description: Figure 5A is a sectional view along a line ΙΙΪ-ΙΠ in Figure 5B and Figure 5B is

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a view from the bottom;

Figures 6A and 6B represent the exemplary installation part of Figure õB; Figure 6A is a sectional view along a line IV-IV of Figure 5B and Figure 6B is a sectional view along a line V-V of Figure 5B;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary check valve, in accordance with this description;

Figures 8A-8C represent an exemplary ink cartridge, in accordance with this description; Figure 8A is a front view, Figure 8B is a side view and Figure 8C is a bottom view;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge of Figures 8A-8C;

Figure 10 is a sectional diagram showing the structure of an exemplary ink cartridge, according to this description, before the ink cartridge is loaded on an inkjet recording equipment;

Figures 11A and 11B are section diagrams of an exemplary ink draw tube and an exemplary valve member 10, according to this description: Figure 11A shows the paint draw tube before the paint draw tube enters in a guide path and contact the valve member and Figure 11B shows the ink draw tube contacting the valve member and pushing the valve member towards an ink chamber;

Figure 12 is an oblique perspective view of an exemplary valve member, in accordance with this description;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of an internal lower part of an exemplary main cartridge body, in accordance with this description;

Figure 14 is a sectional view of section VI of the

Figure 13;

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Figure 15 is a sectional view of section VII of

Figure 13;

Figure 16 is a sectional view of section VIII of

Figure 13;

Figure 17 is a section view of section IX of the

Figure 13;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of an inner bottom part of an exemplary main cartridge body, in accordance with this description;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of an internal lower part of an exemplary main cartridge body, in accordance with this description;

Figures 20A and 20B are section diagrams of the

Figure 19: Figure 20A is a section view of section X and Figure

20B is a sectional view of section XI;

Figure 21 is a sectional diagram showing the structure of an exemplary ink cartridge, according to this description, before the ink cartridge is loaded on an inkjet recording equipment;

Figure 22 is a bottom view of an exemplary main body case, in accordance with this description;

Figures 23A and 23B are section diagrams of an exemplary ink cartridge with a valve member displaced from a part of the seat valve, according to this description: Figure 23A shows the ink cartridge correctly installed in an installation part and Figure 23B shows the ink cartridge incorrectly installed in the installation part;

Figure 24 is a sectional diagram showing the structure of an exemplary ink cartridge, according to this description, before the ink cartridge is loaded on an inkjet recording equipment;

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Figures 25A and 25B represent an enlarged front end part of an exemplary air introducing member, according to this description: Figure 25A is a sectional view and Figure 25B is a top view; and Figures 26A and 26B represent an enlarged front end part of an exemplary air introducing member according to this description: Figure 26A is a sectional view and Figure 26B is a top view.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

One embodiment of this disclosure is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary ink cartridge 1 according to this disclosure and an exemplary ink jet recording equipment according to this description on which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted.

The ink cartridge 1 is formed so as to be detachable with respect to the inkjet recording equipment 2, which is provided with a recording head 7 that discharges ink. The ink cartridge 1 stores the ink to be supplied to the recording head 7.

The ink cartridge 1 is equipped with a hollow box-shaped main body case la and an upper part 1b that seals an upper surface of the main body case la. The ink to be supplied to the recording head 7 is stored in an ink chamber 16 (see Figures 2A and 2B) formed within the main body case there. In addition, in the inkjet recording equipment 2, a plurality of ink cartridges can be installed, which are respectively filled with cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink. In this way, color printing is made possible.

The inkjet recording equipment 2 is provided with an installation part 3 in which the ink cartridge 1 is installed, a tank 5 that stores the ink to be supplied from the ink cartridge 1 via the ink supply tube 4, the recording head 7 that emits the ink stored in the tank 5 onto a recording paper 6, a

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carriage 8 on which the tank 5 and the recording head 7 are mounted and which is movable in two linear directions, a carriage axis 9 which is a guide by which the carriage 8 moves in both linear directions, a transport mechanism 10 , which carries the recording paper 6, and purging device 11.

The installation part 3 is composed of a base part 3a and guide parts 3b, which are configured on both sides of the base part 3a. A hollow protruding ink extraction tube 12 extracts the ink stored in the ink cartridge 1 and an air supply opening 91 that introduces outside air into the ink cartridge 1 is arranged over the base part 3a.

One end of an ink draw tube 12 communicates with an ink flow path 94 and the tank 5 through the ink supply tube 4. A supply air flow path 92 and an ink capture opening air 93 communicates with air supply opening 91 (See Figures 5A and 5B).

The ink cartridge 1 is installed from a direction (direction of the arrow X) perpendicular to the installation part 3. At this time, the ink extraction tube 12 opens a valve system 23, described below, provided inside the cartridge ink 1, and communicates with the interior of the ink chamber 16. In addition, the air supply opening 91 communicates with the interior of the ink chamber 16.

A plurality of nozzle openings are provided in the recording head 7 on a surface opposite the recording paper 6. By directing an actuator composed of piezoelectric elements, the ink stored in the tank 5 is emitted from the nozzle holes for the recording paper 6. For the actual recording operation, the recording is done on the recording paper 6, as the carriage 8, on which the recording head 7 is mounted, moves back and forth.

In addition, the recording head 7 is positioned above the installation part 3. A negative pressure (back pressure) is thus given to the ink inside the nozzle holes due to the difference in

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head pressure between the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the installation part 3 and the nozzle holes.

The purging device 11 is arranged outside the recording area in order to confront the recording head 7. The purging device 11 is provided with a purging cap 11a that covers the surface of the recording head 7 forming the nozzle holes, a waste ink tube 11b, which communicates with the bleed cap 11a, and a pump 11c, which captures the ink from the nozzle holes to the waste ink tube 11b.

When the purge process is carried out, the carriage 8 is moved to the purge process execution position and the surface of the recording head 7 on which the nozzle holes are formed is covered by the purge cap 11a. The pump 11c is activated in this state and sucks the defective ink containing bubbles accumulated in the recording head 7. The defective ink sucked is stored in a waste ink tank, not shown, through the waste ink tube 11b. The recording operation and the purging process are controlled by a CPU (central processing unit) (not shown) installed in the inkjet recording equipment 2.

Next, the structure of the ink cartridge, in particular A of Figure 1, which is installed in the inkjet recording equipment 2 with reference to the Figures, is explained. 2A and 2B. Figures 2A and 2B are section diagrams, showing the structure of the ink cartridge 1, according to this description: Figure 2A shows the ink cartridge 1 before the ink cartridge 1 is loaded in the jet recording equipment. ink 2 and Figure 2B shows the ink cartridge 1 after the ink cartridge 1 is loaded into the inkjet recording equipment 2.

The ink cartridge 1 includes the main body case therein in the ink chamber 16, the upper part 1b that covers the open upper surface of the main body case 1b and a cover member that covers a bottom and 1 wall of the case. main body there. At the

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cover member lf, two display holes lfa, lfb are formed which expose the valve systems described below 23, 24 on the side of the installation part 3. The ink cartridge 1 is formed with the upper part lb and the limb cap lf being merged with the main body case la. The material for the main body case there, the upper part 1b and the cover member 1f can be a resin material.

On the lower part wall le, an ink supply opening 21 is formed, which is opened externally for external ink supply in the ink chamber 15. The ink supply opening 21 is in direct communication with a communication chamber 30 provided within a cylindrical wall 21a formed integrally and protruding from a first lower surface of the back wall le. In addition, an air inlet opening 26 is formed, opened from the outside, to introduce air into the ink chamber 16 in the lower part wall 1 and 2. The air inlet opening 26 is in direct communication with a communication chamber 50 provided within a cylindrical wall 26a formed integrally and protruding from the lower surface of the lower part wall le. When the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the installation part 3, the ink extraction tube 12 is inserted into the communication chamber 30.

A back pressure valve 60 is positioned and confronts the ink supply opening 21. The back pressure valve 60 is structured to integrally form a part of elastic umbrella film 60b that confronts a lower surface of the ink supply opening 21 and a shaft part 60c, an end of which holds the film part 60b, with a synthetic material. The shaft part 60c is inserted into a shaft hole in the wall of the lower part l and slidably in a top to bottom direction. Normally, a protruding part 60a is in contact with the upper surface of the lower part wall l and in a position where the film part 60b is spaced from the ink supply opening 21 for

14/8 £ • * ·:: ·. · ·. * ·. · * · * · · ·· 'allow ο ink flow from the ink chamber 16 to a valve member 32. When ink flows from the draw tube 12 to the ink chamber 16, flow is prevented by raising the film portion

60b and sealing the ink supply opening 21.

A cylindrical member 25, which surrounds the air inlet opening 26, is provided in the lower part wall 1 and protrudes into the ink chamber 16. The cylindrical member 25 projects in such a way that the supply of Outside air is directed to the upper part of the ink chamber 16 through the flow path inside the cylindrical member 25. The opening at the top of the air inlet opening 26 is positioned higher than the surface of the ink.

The valve systems 23, 24, which are examples of sealing members, are fixed in the communication chamber 30 on the ink supply side and the communication chamber 50 on the air inlet side, respectively.

The valve system 23 is equipped with a support member 46 produced entirely by an elastic rubber member and a valve member 32 structured by a resin material. The support member 46 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape and is integrally structured forming a valve seat part 46a and a pressing part 46b which is closer to the ink chambers 16 in relation to the valve seat part 46a and a outer wall 33 positioned on one side of the valve seat part 46a opposite the pressing part 46b. The valve member 32 is pressed in one direction towards the valve seat part 46a by the pressing part 46b and is accommodated in a space between the valve seat part 46a and the pressing part 46b.

The outer wall 33 has a connecting part 33a that protrudes radially outwards. The communication chamber 30 has a stepped surface 44 which has an outwardly increasing diameter to accommodate the connecting part 33a. Protrusions 43 are

15 ^ 2 • * ♦ formed on a surface of the connecting part 33a, which confronts the stepped surface 44. Pressing the protrusions 43 on the stepped surface 44 and placing the connecting part 33a between the stepped surface 44 and. the cover member If, while protrusions 43 are deformed, the cover member lf is attached to the main body case la. As a result, the ink is prevented from flowing out of the space formed between the outer wall 33 of the valve system 23 and the inner wall of the communication chamber 30.

An opening 41 is formed in the valve seat part. 10 46a through the center of the valve seat part 46a in the axial direction.

In addition, an introduction path 40, into which the ink draw tube 12 is inserted, is formed on the outer wall 33 in such a way that the introduction path 40 communicates with the opening 41.

The inner diameter of the inlet path 40 is smaller than the outer diameter of the ink draw tube 12, so that the outer wall 33 comes in close contact with the ink draw tube 12. The opening 41 is formed larger than that the inner diameter of the inlet path 40 and the outer diameter of the ink-out tube 12. An end of the inlet-path 40, on the side where the ink-out tube 12 is inserted, is formed in a tapered conformation that expands externally.

The pressing part 46b is formed by a side wall part 36 which rises in a cylinder form from the part of the valve seat 46a around the circumference of the opening 37a to the ink chamber 16 and a connected thrust part 37 to the side wall part 36 and projecting internally to contact a side of the valve member 32 opposite the ink chamber 16. The thrust part 37 has an opening 37a in the center of the thrust part 37.

The pressing part 46b presses the valve member 32 by the elastic force of the side wall part 36 and the thrust part 37 in a direction such that the valve member 32 contacts the

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valve seat part 46a and normally secures valve member 32 to valve seat part 46a. In addition, by inserting the ink extraction tube 12 into the feed path 40 to push the valve member 32 towards the ink chamber 16, the side wall part 36 elongates and the thrust part 37 tilts, allowing forming a gap so that ink can flow between valve member 32 and valve seat part 46a.

The figures. 3A-3B show the details of the valve member 32. The valve member 32 is equipped with a lower part.

57 and a valve side wall part 56 that extends vertically from the outer circumference of the bottom part 57. The communication paths 58 are formed continuously through the bottom part 57 and the valve side wall part 56.

The lower part 57 has a protruding member that protrudes towards the valve seat part 46a and is formed in a ring shape on a terminal surface that confronts the valve seat part 46a in an internal position from the communication path 58 and external to the opening 41. The valve sidewall part 56 is intimately contacted and pressed against the thrust part 37 of the pressing part 46b in a state where the valve member 32 is accommodated in the support member 46. Pressing down the protruding member 39, protruding member 39 elastically deforms the valve seat part 46a and tightly contacts the upper surface of the valve seat part

46a.

The valve system 24 on the air inlet side is similar to the valve system 23 and is equipped with a support member 46 produced entirely with an elastic rubber member and a valve member 65 structured with a rib material30.

The support member 46 has a valve seat part 46a and a pressing part 46b and a sealing part 63. A • · • ·

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17 / .32

..

valve seat part 46a and pressing part 46b have the same functions as that of valve system 23.

An opening 41 is formed substantially in the center of the valve seat part 46a. The cylindrical sealing part 63 surrounds the opening 41 and is integrally formed at the bottom of the valve seat part 46a.

The valve member 65, as shown in Figures 4A-4C, has a cylindrical part 66 at the top, an operating member 67 at the bottom and a valve part 68 at one part

Substantially central IO of them. Similar to valve member 32 shown in Figures 3A-3E, valve part 68 is equipped with a bottom part 57, a valve side wall part 56 extending vertically from the outer circumference of the bottom part 57 and a communication path 58 formed continuously through the bottom part 57 and the valve side wall part 56. The functions for these parts are the same as those of the valve member 32. Therefore, their descriptions are omitted.

The cylindrical part 66 has a cylindrical shape raised from the bottom part 57. When the ink cartridge 1 is correctly installed20 in the installation part 3, the cylindrical part 66 is positioned with a space between the upper end of the cylindrical part 66 and the inner surface of the cylindrical member 25 and ensures communication between the ink chamber 16 and the opening 41 of the valve seat part 46a, even though the valve member 65 is pushed upwards from the valve seat part 46a.

Operating member 67 is a protrusion that extends vertically downwardly from the bottom 57 and is formed with a circular outer configuration 67a and concave 67b that extends in a radial and axial direction. The operating member 67 extends downwardly through the opening 41 of the support member 46 and has the lower end positioned slightly above the lower end of the sealing part 63. The straight section area of the air path between • * · ·

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• opening 41 and the hollow 67b can be made large by sinking 67b.

Figures 5A-6B show the details of the installation of part 3. On the air supply side, a 3d indentation is positioned5 on the base part 3a of the installation part 3 in a position that confronts valve system 24. The 3d indentation it has a side for the sealing part 63 to be fixed when the ink cartridge 1 is installed. At the bottom of the indentation 3d, an air supply opening 91 is formed through a wall that structures the base portion 103 in a position within the sealing portion 63 that does not confront the lower end of the operating member 67. A air supply opening 91 can be formed in a slot configuration having a smaller width and a length greater than the outer diameter of the operating member 67 or with a plurality of slots joined 15 in a radial conformation.

A groove shaped air supply flow path 92 is formed on the lower surface of the wall which structures the base part 3a. One end of the supply air flow path 92 is connected to the air supply opening 91, as the area of the straight section thereof increases and the other end is connected to the air capture opening 93 formed through the wall. which structures the base part 3a in the up / down direction. A portion of the supply airflow path 92 is formed with a plurality of curves along the bottom surface of the wall to suppress airflow and prevent evaporation of the composition and moisture in the paint when connected to the air inlet. 26 of the ink cartridge 1.

The air capture opening 93 opens on the top surface of the base part 3a, but it has a space from the bottom surface of the installed ink cartridge 1 through which air is supplied to the ink cartridge 1 through the path air supply flow rate 92 and the air supply port 91. The upper surface of the air supply port

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• · ♦ • · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · air trap 93 can be covered by the porous elastic body described below 3c, in order to allow the ventilation of external air.

On the ink extraction side, the ink extraction tube 12 is integrally and protrudently formed on the upper surface of the wall which structures the base part 3a and an ink flow path 94 is formed on the lower surface. The ends 94a of the ink flow path 94 are connected to a lower end of the ink flow path 94 formed through the ink extraction tube 12 in the up / down direction and ends 94b open on a part of the upper surface where the base part 3a extends out of the guide part 3b and is connected to the ink supply tube 4 on the top surface.

The communication opening 81a for opening the ink flow path 94 outwards is formed at the upper end of the ink extraction tube 12. Through the connection opening 81a, the communication between the ink flow path 94 and the ink chamber ink 16 is secured in such a way that the upper end contacts the valve member 32. The porous elastic body 3c, such as a sponge, is positioned around the ink extraction tube 12 on the upper surface of the base part 3a. The porous elastic body 3c absorbs the paint, which can leak from the valve system 23.

Installation part 3 is provided in a plurality of positions for a multiple number of ink cartridges. Each wall that structures the base part 3a and the guide part 3b extends integrally in the direction of the ink cartridge arrangement. The ink draw tube described above 12, the ink flow path 94, the guide part 3b, the air supply opening 91 and the supply air flow path 92 are provided for each installation position. The end parts 94a, 94b of each of the ink flow paths 94 connected to each respective ink supply tube 4 are positioned laterally on the extension part of the base part 3a, as shown in Figure 5B.

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In addition, the ink flow paths 94 and the supply air flow path 92 described above are formed by covering the open bottom surface of the grooves with a covering member, such as a resin film 95. The film 95 is fixed by melting on the surface of the lower end of the ribs 94c, 92c forming the circumference of the ink flow path 94 and the supply air flow path 92, respectively. The ink flow paths 94 and the supply air flow path 92 from the same position as the installation are covered together by a single film 95.

IO In the following, the installation of the ink cartridge 1 in the installation part 3 of the inkjet recording equipment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 2A and 2B. Figure 2A shows a state in which the ink cartridge 1 was not installed in the installation part 3 of the inkjet recording equipment 2. In this state, both the valve member 32 on the ink supply side and the valve 65 on the air inlet side are pressed against the valve seat part 46a by the elastic force of the pressing part 46b of the support member 46 and, therefore, each valve system 23, 24 has not been opened.

As shown in Figure 2B, when ink cartridge 1 is installed, valve system 23 is opened on the valve supply side by the front end of the ink draw tube 12 by pushing valve member 32 and the side wall part 36 of the support member 46, which extends to separate the valve member 32 from the valve seat part 46a. As a result, the ink flow path 15 extends to the ink draw tube 12 through the ink chamber 16, the ink supply opening 21, the opening 37a of the valve system 23, the communication path 53 and a space between the valve member 32 and the valve seat part 46a. The ink is thus supplied to the recording head 7.

On the other hand, on the air supply side, the front end of the operating member 67 contacts the bottom of the indenta21 / 82 ··· ·

Μ 4, • ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・

* * tion 3d, which causes valve member 65 to be raised. With the elongation of the side wall part 36 of the support member 46, the valve part 68 of the valve member 65 is separated from the valve seat part 46a. Therefore, valve system 24 is opened.

At the same time, the sealing part 63 intimately contacts the indentation 3d, which allows communication between the air inlet opening 26 of the ink cartridge 1 and the air supply opening 91 of the installation part 3 in a state where the communication is blocked from the outside. As a result, the flow path

I Air is formed to the top of the ink chamber 16 through the air capture opening 93, the supply air flow path 92 and the air supply opening 91 of the installation part 3, the opening 41, a space between the valve member 65 and the valve seat part 46a of the valve system 24, the communication path 58, the air inlet opening 26 and the flow path within the cylindrical member 25.

In this mode, the valve position of the system 23 is regulated because the ink extraction tube 12 fits into the path <, of introduction 40. However, unless the air supply opening

91 is blocked, operating member 67 can contact any ‘part of the bottom of the 3d indent. Therefore, the ink cartridge 1 can be manufactured with a moderate dimensional tolerance for the respective positional relationship between the ink supply opening 21 and the air inlet opening 26, valve systems 23, 24, the extraction tube ink 12 from installation part 3 and the air supply opening 91. In addition, the operation is easy for the user to install ink cartridge 1 in the installation part.

As should be noted, several modifications are available. For example, in the embodiment described above, the valve system

24 on the air supply side is provided with an operating member 67 that protrudes from the outside of the ink cartridge and the ink extraction tube 12 to the installation part 3 protrudes on the air extraction side

22/82 • ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ · · · · · · · • · * ink. However, the operating member protruding from the outside of the ink cartridge 1 can be provided for valve system 23 on the ink extraction side.

In addition, in the modality, a valve system is used to seal the ink supply opening 21 and the air inlet opening 26. However, the opening on the side that does not use the valve system can be hermetically closed with a rubber and a needle-shaped ink extraction tube may protrude from the installation part.

As shown in Figure 2A, operating member 67 is positioned in such a way that its lower end is positioned slightly above the lower end of a sealing part 63. The valve member 65 contacts the valve seat part 46a closely. Similarly, on the ink supply side, the valve member 32 contacts the valve seat part 46a closely through the pressing part 46b. As shown in Figure 2B on the ink supply side, when the ink cartridge 1 is installed, the front end of the ink draw tube 12 pushes up the valve member 32 to open the valve system 23.

On the air inlet side, the front end of the operating member 67 contacts the bottom of the indentation 3d and the valve seat part 46a of the support member 46 is moved relatively downward to open the valve system 24.

The ink cartridge 1 is packaged under reduced pressure. The ink chamber 16 is also depressurized. When valve system 24 on the air supply side and valve system 23 on the ink supply side open substantially at the same time, ink flows from the ink draw tube 12 to the ink chamber 16. However , an inverse flow of the ink remaining in the flow path between the ink extraction tube 12 and the recording head 7 is prevented by the back pressure valve 60. In addition, the air is capable of

23/82

Hz?

• ♦ »・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・·· • · · • · · * * flow quickly to the top of the ink chamber 16 from the air supply opening 91 through the cylindrical member 25. As a result, even though the ink enters the cylindrical member 25 due to the drop of the ink cartridge 1 in a package during transport, the ink is returned to the ink chamber 16 with the air flow. Assuming that the ink cartridge 1 is rocked during the installation of the ink cartridge 1 in the installation part 3 and that the valve member 32 on the ink supply side opens earlier than the valve member 65 on the ink delivery side. air, the rapid flow of ink described above occurs from the ink draw tube 12 to the ink chamber 16. However, the back pressure valve 60 rises due to the flow to close the ink supply opening 21 from the side of film 60d and, thus, the flow is impeded. Favorably, by properly adjusting the length of the ink draw tube 12 and the operating member 67 of the valve member 65, the valve system 24 on the air inlet side is opened earlier than the valve system 23 on the ink supply side, to prevent the rapid reverse flow of ink from the ink draw tube 12.

Under normal state, the film portion 60b of the back pressure valve 60 falls by its weight in a remote position from the ink supply opening 21. The ink from the ink chamber 16 is supplied to the recording head 7 via the ink supply opening 21, communication path 58 of valve member 32 and ink draw tube 12. According to the flow of ink from the ink chamber 16, air is supplied to the top of the ink chamber 16 from the air supply opening 91 through the cylindrical member 25. At this time, the cylindrical part 66 of the valve member 25 on the air inlet side is positioned a space away from the inside of the cylindrical member 25 to ensure an air flow path.

In addition, during the engraving operation, the ink in the ink supply tube 4 moves inertia with the movement of the

24/82 • ··

cart 8 and the pressure in tube 4 varies. However, as the back pressure valve 60 leaves the ink supply opening 21 open in the normal state as described above, a slight flow of ink between the ink draw tube 12 and the ink chamber 16 can be tolerated due to the change pressure. As a result, pressure changes in the recording head 7 can be reduced, allowing for stable ink discharge.

As should be noted, several modifications are available, for example, in the embodiment described above, the back pressure valve 60 is made in an umbrella shape formed from an umbrella part and an axle part. However, a structure that fixes one side of a rectangular film and allows the other sides to open and close like a back pressure valve can be used.

In addition, the air introduction path of the installation part can project in a hollow cylindrical shape similar to the ink extraction tube 12, while the valve system 24 on the air communication side can have the same structure as the system valve 23 on the ink supply side. In addition, the ink extraction tube 12 can be of a shape that does not protrude from the installation part, while valve system 23 on the ink supply side can have the same structure as valve system 24 on the side air communication.

In addition, instead of the valve systems 23, 24, a rubber plug can be connected to the communication chambers 30, 50 and the needle-shaped hollow ink supply tube and the air introducing tube that Designs of the installation part can be inserted through the rubber plug.

In the following, a back pressure valve 60 explained with reference to Figure 7 is explained. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the back pressure valve 60. Back pressure valve 60 is integrally formed with a resin material that has elasticity and has a piece of film conformed to an umbrella 60b that confronts

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• * * · • · * ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ the ink supply opening 21 and a part axis 60c connected to the film part 60b. A protruding part 60a is formed on the axis part 60c. This shaft part 60c is slidably inserted into a shaft hole formed adjacent the ink supply opening 21. In normal condition, the protruding part 60a falls perpendicularly by attachment to the upper surface of the lower wall l due to the weight of the back pressure valve 60 itself and a condition where the film portion 60b leaves a space with the ink supply opening 21. Therefore, in the normal state, the ink in the ink chamber 1 can flow from the ink supply opening 21 to the communication chamber 30. On the other hand, when the flow from the communication chamber 30 to the ink chamber 16 occurs, the film part 60b is raised with the axis part 60c and the next film part 60b covers tightly the ink supply opening 21 and prevents reverse flow.

In the following, the ink cartridge 1 will be described in detail according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

As shown in Figures 8A-10, the ink cartridge 1 is equipped with a main body case la, a valve system 23, a valve system 24, a shade mechanism 22 that blocks the light emitted from a part light emitting sensor 14 that detects the amount of ink remaining and a cap member lf that covers the lower end part of the main body case there.

The main body case la is formed from a synthetic resin that has permeability. As shown in Figure 10, a wall at the bottom 1 extends horizontally in the case of the main body la and the wall at the bottom 1 partitions the internal space of the case of the main body la in the ink chamber 16 on the upper side and two chambers of communication 30, 50 on the bottom side. The respective ink is filled in the ink chamber 16 and the valve system 23 and valve system 24 are respectively housed in the two

26/82 «·» • ♦ * * * • * ·· • · • · · · · · · · «« * * · »« «·· ·« «· ·« · ··· · * · · «··« ···· * • · · · * *

• * • «• ·«

communication chambers 30, 50. On the bottom surface of the ink chamber 16, four ink supply openings 70a-7 Od (see Figure 13) are provided for supplying the ink in the ink chamber 16 for the recording equipment. inkjet 2 via valve system 23. The internal structure of the ink chamber 16 which directs the ink into these four ink supply openings 70a-70d will be described below.

As shown in Figure 10, a protruding part 34 is formed which protrudes slightly outwardly at a substantially central position of the side wall part of the main body case there in the direction of its height. A light blocking plate 59 of the shadow mechanism 22 described below is positioned in the space within the protruding part 34. In addition, the protruding part 34 is compressed between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the sensor 14 provided in the installation part 3 in a state where the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the installation part 3. In addition, an upper part 1b is melted in the upper extreme part of the main body case la. Therefore, the ink chamber 16 in the main body case is hermetically closed at the top 20 lb.

An injection port 17, for injecting ink into the ink chamber 16 of an empty ink cartridge 1, is formed between the two communication chambers 30, 50. In this injection port 17, a synthetic rubber plug member is adapted. 18 by pressure. In addition, the deep end of the injection port 17 is connected to the ink chamber 16 in the main body case la. An injection needle (not shown) is inserted through the plug member 18 and into the injection port 17 to fill the ink in the ink chamber 16 through the injection needle.

A cylindrical part 38 for communication with the ink chamber 16 and the communication chamber 30 is integrally formed in a part of the lower part wall le. At the bottom end of the part

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4 * · • * 4 · • 44 • 9 · * • 9 · • · ♦ * • · 4 • • • • * f ♦ * * 4 • · * • « • • 4 4 · 4 · φ • • » • 4 4 4

cylindrical 38, a thin film part 42 is provided which closes the communication path formed in the cylindrical part 38. On the other hand, two cylindrical parts 47 and 48 for communication with the ink chamber 16 and the communication chamber 50 are integrally formed on a part of the wall at the bottom le. At the lower end of the cylindrical part 48, a thin film part 49 is provided, which closes a communication path formed in the cylindrical parts 47, 48. In addition, on the upper side of the cylindrical part 47, a cylindrical member 25 is provided which extends to the upper end part of the ink chamber 16.

As shown in Figures 10-1 IB, valve system 23 is equipped with a support member 46 substantially formed in a cylindrical conformation by a synthetic and elastic rubber and a valve member 32 housed in the support member 46. The support member 46 is structured integrally forming a pressing part 46b, a valve seat part 46a and a connecting part 33a, which are positioned in order from the upper side (side of the ink chamber 16) of the support member 46.

The lower surface of the valve member 32 is made to contact the upper surface of the valve seat part 46a (extreme surface on the side of the ink chamber 16) and an opening 41 that extends in the up / down direction is formed in a part of the part valve seat 46a on the center axis side. An introduction path 40 that communicates with the opening 41 and extends downwards is formed in the connecting part 33a and the introduction path 40 is formed in a tapered conformation in which the lower diameter widens. A ring-shaped groove 40a is formed around the introduction path 40. A part of the wall forming the introduction path 40 is made to deform easily and elastically in the direction in which the diameter of the introduction path 40 increases. Therefore, when the ink draw tube 12 is inserted into the feed path 40, the proximity of the feed path 40 and the ink draw tube 12 increases and

28/82 • · • · ·· ··

»· ** · • · · · · · · · # · · · · · · # · · · · · · 9 • ·« · «·« · · · · · * · · · · · · · • · · ink leakage is significantly prevented. Furthermore, even when the ink extraction tube 12 is inserted into the insertion path 40 in an inclined state or in a displaced state, the ink extraction tube 12 is inserted precisely into the insertion path 40, because the wall part it deforms in the direction in which the diameter of the feed path 40 increases.

The pressing part 46b has a cylindrical side wall part 36 raised from the side circumference part of the valve seat part 46a to the side of the ink chamber 16 and a

The thrust part 37 pushes integrally from the upper end of the side wall part 36 in the radially internal direction. The lower surface of the buoyant part 37 contacts the valve member 32. By the elastic force of the side wall part 36 and the buoyant part 37, the valve member 32 is pressed downwards. In addition, an opening 37a is formed within the buoyancy part 37, so that the side wall part 36 and the buoyancy part 37 can be easily and elastically deformed.

As shown in Figures 11A-12, valve member 32 has a bottom part 57 that contacts the valve seat part

46a, a cylindrical valve side wall part 56 extending from the side circumference part of the lower part 57 towards the side of the ink chamber 16 and a rupture part 52 protruding from the central part of the lower part 57 towards the side of the ink chamber 16 in addition to the side wall part of the valve 56.

A protruding member 39 projecting to the side of the valve seat part 46a is formed on the lower surface of the bottom part 57. When the valve member 32 is pressed to the side of the valve seat part 46a by the pressing part 46b and when the protruding member 39 contacts the upper surface of the valve seat part 46a closely, the opening 41 of the valve seat part 46a is closed by the valve member 32 and the ink supply flow path is closed. In addition, in equidistant positions in the

29 ^ 82 • ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・

··· · • · · · · · · · · · · · · · • · circumferential direction in a part of the lower part 57 outside the circumference of the protruding member 39 and within the circumference of the side valve wall part 56, there is a plurality of communication paths 53 connecting the spaces above and below the valve member 32.

As shown in Figures 11A-12, the rupture part 52 is structured from four plate members 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d joined in a cross shape in the plan view and provided upwardly in the substantially central part of the bottom 57 In addition, grooves 54 are formed which extend in the up / down direction between the four members of plate 52a-52d. In addition, the rupture part 52 projects upwardly through the opening 37a into the valve seat part 46b. As shown in Figure 10, the front end of the rupture part 52 is positioned slightly below the thin film part 49.

When the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the installation part 3, the ink extraction tube 12 is inserted in the introduction path 40. Then, the valve member 32 is raised against the pressing force by the pressing part 46b, by the front end of the ink supply extraction 12. The valve member 32 moves upwardly while deforming the pressing part 46b and the protruding member 39 of the valve member 32 is separated from the valve seat part 46a. At this time, since the thin film part 42 is disconnected by the front end of the rupture part 52 of the valve member 32 which has moved upwardly, the ink in the ink chamber 16 flows into the communication chamber 30, as shown in Figures 10 and 11B, and the ink is supplied to the side of the inkjet recording head 2 from the ink extraction tube 12 through the communication path 53 of the valve member 32.

The valve system 24 is equipped with a support member 46 and a valve member 32 housed in the support member

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and has the same structure as the valve system 23. That is, the valve member 32 is pressed downward by the pressing part 46b which is intimately attached to the valve seat part 46b of the support member 46 in order to close the opening 41. In addition, when the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the installation part 3, an air introduction tube 13 is inserted into the introduction path 40 formed in the support member 46 and, similarly to the valve system 23, the valve member 32 moves upwards, causing the thin film part 49 of the cylindrical part 48 to be broken by the rupture part 52. Then, the external air flows into the communication chamber 50 of the tube of air introduction 13 through the communication path 53 of the valve member 32 and air is introduced in the upper part of the ink chamber 16 through the internal path of the introduction path 40, the opening 41 and the cylindrical member 25.

As shown in Figure 10, the shade mechanism 22 is provided in the space at the bottom of the ink chamber 16. The shade mechanism 22 is equipped with a light blocking plate 59 that does not transmit light, a hollow float 61, a connecting member 62 that connects the light blocking plate 59 and the float 61 and a support table 64, which is provided on the upper side of the lower wall 1 and that hinges connecting connection member 62. The blocking plate of light 59 and float 61 are respectively provided at the ends of the connecting member 62. The connecting member 62 is hinged in the vertical plane perpendicular to the lower wall 1 and around the pivot point of the support table 64.

The light blocking plate 59 is a thin plate member parallel to the vertical plane and with a predetermined area. When the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the installation part 3, the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the sensor 14 provided in the installation part 3 are positioned at the same height as the protruding part 34 formed in the part of side wall of the main body case there. The light blocking plate 59 is made to obstruct the trans31 / 8¾ light.

dl

the light-emitting part of the sensor 14 through the wall part of the main body case la and the ink in the ink chamber 16, when the light block plate 59 is positioned in a space within the protruding part 34. The float 61 is a cylindrical member filled with air within it. The specific mass of the entire float is made less than the specific gravity of the ink in the ink chamber 16.

Therefore, when the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber 16 is large and when the entire float 61 provided at one end of the connecting member 62 is positioned in the ink, the float 61 floats through the float and the light blocking plate 59 provided in the the other end blocks the light from the light emitting part (position indicated by a solid line in Figure 10). However, when the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber 16 becomes low and a part of the float 61 is exposed from the ink surface, the float applied to the float 61 decreases and the float 61 is lowered. Then, the light blocking plate 59 moves above the protruding part 34 and to a position where the light blocking plate 59 does not block the light from the light emitting part (position indicated by a broken line in the Figure 10). Therefore, the light from the light emitting part is transmitted through the protruding part 34 along a linear optical path and is received by the light receiving part. As a result, a state is detected by the sensor 14 in which the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber 16 is low.

As shown in Figures 8A-10, the cover member If is attached to the main body case la by ultrasonic adhesion or the like on a material that covers the lower end of the main body case la. In positions at the bottom of the cap member lf corresponding to valve system 23 and valve system 24 respectively, two sealing parts 63 are protruding downwardly. The sealing portions 63 make the ink around the inlet of the ink draw tube 12 or the air inlet tube 13 difficult to stick to a table surface when

32/82 • · * ·· • · the ink cartridge 1 is placed on the table.

In the following, an internal structure of the ink chamber 16 for directing the ink in the ink chamber 10 to the ink supply openings 70a-70d is described.

As shown in Figure 13, a deep part 72a, which is slightly lower than the surrounding one, is formed on the upper surface of the lower part wall l and which forms the lower surface of the ink chamber 16. In addition, a member is provided plate 71 substantially in the central position of the deep part 7.2a in the

IO view from the plane. Four ink supply openings 70a-70d are formed in the plate member 71 for supplying ink in the ink chamber 16 for the inkjet recording device 2 via valve system 23. Of these four ink supply openings 70a- 70d, the ink supply opening 70a is circular in the plan view and is positioned substantially in the central part of the plate member. 71 and the three ink supply openings 70b, 70c and 70d with an oblong shape in the plan view are positioned side by side in the circumferential direction around the circular ink supply opening 70a. The ink chamber 16 and the communication camera 30 are communicated by these four ink supply openings 70a-70d, to allow ink discharged from the ink supply openings 70a-70d to be supplied to the recording device of inkjet 2 via valve system 23.

Because of the four ink supply openings

70a-70d are formed in the plate member 71 provided in the deep part 72a, the four ink supply openings 70a-70d are positioned in a slightly higher position than the deep part 72a. Therefore, although dust and similar materials generated when forming the main body case there remain in the ink chamber 16, that powder and similar materials remain in the deep part 72a and it is difficult for them to flow out of the ink supply openings 70a. 70d positioned higher than the deep part 72a.

33 / 8¾ • · · • · ·

As a result, a filter is omitted to filter the ink discharged from the ink supply openings 70a-70d.

On the lower surface of the ink chamber 16, three projections 75 (ink conduction part) are formed that protrude from a surface of the lower portion 72 and extend from the three side surfaces 73, 74 of the ink chamber 16 to the vicinity of the ink supply openings 70a-70d, respectively. The projections 75 are provided so that they are directed towards the ink supply openings 70a-70d in three directions around the ink supply openings 70a-70d. Therefore, even if the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber 16 becomes low, the ink near the side surfaces 73, 74 of the ink chamber 16 is guided to the ink supply openings 70a-70d by the three projections 75. In addition , the ends of the projections 75 opposite the ink supply openings 70a-70d are connected to the side surfaces 73, 74. As a result, the ink can be accurately driven into the ink supply openings 70a-70d even from the ends 77 between the bottom surface 72 and the side surfaces 73, 74, where the ink easily remains, when there is substantially no ink in the ink chamber 16.

Figure 14 is a straight section view of a straight section VI in Figure 13. Figure 15 is a straight section view of a cross section VII in Figure 13. Figure 16 is a straight section view of a straight section VIII in Figure 13. The Figure. 17 is a straight section view of a straight section IV in Figure 13. As shown in Figures 14-16, a radius of curvature r1, r2 of the ends 76 between each projection 75 and the bottom surface 72 is smaller than the radius of curvature R1 of the end 77 between the side surfaces 73, 74 and the bottom surface 72. In other words, the curvature is large at the end 76 near the ink supply openings 70a-70d, which makes the end sharp in shape . In addition, as shown in Figures 14 and 16, at the end 76 between the projection 75 and the bottom surface 72, the radius

34/82 • ·· * • · “· · • · · · · · · · · · · · · · • * <5S of curvature r2 at a position 76b close to the ink supply openings 70a-70d (position of the straight section VIII) is less than the radius of curvature rl at position 76a away from the ink supply openings 70a-70d (position of straight section VI). That is, the curvature of the end 76 between the projection 75 and the bottom surface 72 is greater in the vicinity of the ink supply openings 70a-70d, which makes the end to be sharp. Therefore, the capillary force applied from the end close to the ink supply openings 70a-70d for the ink is greater than the capillary force from the end in a position away from the ink supply openings 70a-70d. Therefore, the ink on the bottom surface 72 is accurately directed to the ink supply openings 70a-70d, when the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber 16 becomes low. As a result, the ink is prevented from being attracted to the position away from the ink supply openings 70a-70d, which causes the ink to separate and remain in that position.

In addition, as shown in Figures 15 and 17, the radius of curvature R1 of the end 77 that extends horizontally between the side surfaces 73, 74 and the bottom surface 72 is made smaller than the radius of curvature R2 of the end 78 which extends up and down between the two side surfaces 73, 74. Thus, the curvature of the end 77 near the ink supply openings 70a-70d is greater than the curvature of the end 78 away from the ink supply openings. 70a-70d ink. In addition, the end 78 which extends upwards and downwards, the end 77 which extends horizontally and the end 76 between the bottom surface 72 and each projection 75 are connected and the radii of curvature of these three ends 76-78 they get smaller (the curves become larger) in the vicinity of the ink supply openings 70a-70d (rl <Rl <R2). Therefore, when the surface of the ink chamber 16 is lowered according to the ink consumption, the ink is guided precisely to the ink supply openings 70a-70d of the

35/82 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・

* · ·· • «· * * · position higher than the ink supply openings 70a-70d by the ends 76-78 that change the curvature. Therefore, the ink close to the side surfaces 73, 74 of the ink chamber 16 is guided precisely to the ink supply openings 70a-70d.

The ends between the two surfaces forming the ink chamber 16, (the end 77 between the side surfaces 73, 74 and the bottom surface 72 and the end 78 between the two side surfaces 73, 74 are made so as not to vary the inner curvature of an end 77, 78. The curvatures thus change for each

I The combination of two surfaces. By changing the curvature of one end between two surfaces for each combination of the two surfaces, the structure in which the curvature of the ends is greatest in the vicinity of the ink supply openings 70a-70d can be easily perceived. In addition, as shown in Figures 15 and 17, the tangent planes 77A, 77B and 78A, 78B at the connecting portion of two surfaces at the ends 77, 78 between the two surfaces are made parallel to the two surfaces, respectively. Therefore, ends 77, 78 with a predetermined curvature can be easily formed between the two surfaces.

According to the ink cartridge explained above, the curvatures of the ends 76-78 being parts that form the ink chamber 16 are made larger when in the vicinity of the ink supply openings 70a-70d. In this way, the shape of the ends has a moderate curvature to a sharp curvature, when in the vicinity of the ink supply openings 70a70d, and the capillary force applied to the ink increases at the end close to the ink supply openings 70a-70d. Consequently, the ink is prevented from being attracted and separated into the ink supply openings 70a-70d.

In the following, modifications will be explained, incorporating several changes in the modality described above. However, for elements having the same structure as those in the above modality

36/8 ?.

described, the same reference numbers will be used to omit their description.

1) The shape of the projections of the ink conduction part is not limited to that of the modality described above, but it can be appropriately changed. For example, as shown in Figure 18, the projections 85 extending from the side surfaces 83, 84 of the ink chamber 81 to the ink supply opening 80 can extend to the ink supply opening 80. In this case, the ink on the bottom surface 82 of the ink chamber 81 is guided precisely to the ink supply opening 80 via projections 85. In addition, the number of the projections and the shape of the ink chamber can also be appropriately changed.

2) The ink conduction part that conducts the ink to the ink supply openings is not limited to protrusion in the mode described above. For example, as shown in Figure 25 19, the ink conduction part can be structured by a groove 89 formed in the bottom surface 88 of the ink chamber 87. Here, Figure 20A is a cross-sectional view of the cross section X in Figure 19 and Figure 20B is a straight sectional view of Figure XI in Figure 18. The end 90 between the bottom surface 89a and the side surfaces 89b of the groove 89 is made in such a way that the curvature in position 90b (Figure. 20B) close to the ink supply opening 90 is made greater than the curvature in position 90a (Figure 20A) away from the ink supply opening 86 and, thus, the end 90 is made in a sharp shape. Therefore, the ink on the bottom surface 88 is guided more accurately to the ink supply openings 86 through the slot 89.

3) The ends that make up the internal shape of the ink chamber in addition to the end between the surfaces that form the ink chamber and ends between the ink conduction part, such as the projections, and the bottom surface, can be structured such that the curvature becomes greater, as it approaches the

37/82.

<5Ύ · · • «• * ink supply openings. For example, an end can be formed by providing other projections or grooves to increase the curvature of the end that is closest to the ink supply opening.

In the following, the structure of an ink cartridge 1 according to another embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail. Figure 21 is a section diagram of the ink cartridge 1 and Figure 22 is a bottom view of a main body case there.

The ink cartridge 1 has an ink chamber 16 in it that

IO forms a space to reserve the ink. The ink cartridge 1 is structured from the main body case therefrom which has a lower part wall le and side walls lc that form the ink chamber 16, an upper part 1b which covers the open upper surface of the case of the main body there is a cover member lf that covers the bottom wall l and of the main body case there. Two display holes lfa, lfb are formed which expose the valve systems described below 23, 24 for the installation part 3 in the cover member lf. The ink cartridge 1 is formed by adhering the upper part 1b and the cap member 1f to the main body case la. The upper part 1b, the main body case la and the cover member lf are structured in a resin material.

At one end of the cap member lf (right side on

Figure 21), a protrusion part of a cap shaped into a plate protrudes towards the side of the main body case la and an insertion part lg is formed, in which the protrusion part of the cap Id is inserted in the case main body there. Therefore, as this structure provides an orientation for the assembly of the main body case la and the cover member lf, incorrect assembly can be prevented and a generation of defective products can be reduced.

A plurality of ink supply openings 21 are formed in the bottom wall 1 and. The plurality of ink supply openings 21 are in direct communication with a communication camera38 / 82 • · · • · «· · ύ1>

• · · · · · «· * ·« «·· * · • · · · ······· cation 30 for supplying ink to the ink chamber 16. The communication chamber 30 is formed inside a cylindrical wall 30a formed integrally and protruding from the bottom surface of the bottom wall 1 (one side of the ink chamber 16). In addition, an air inlet opening 26 is formed in the bottom wall 1 and 2. The air inlet opening 26 is in direct communication with a communication chamber 50 for introducing air into the ink chamber 16. The communication chamber 50 is formed within a cylindrical wall 50a formed integrally and protruding from the bottom surface of the back wall le (one side of the ink chamber 16). When the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the installation part 3, the ink extraction tube 12 and the air inlet tube 13 are inserted in the communication chamber 30 and the communication chamber 50, respectively.

In the communication chamber 30, a valve system 23 is provided for obstructing the communication between the inside and the outside side of the ink cartridge 1. In the communication chamber 50, a valve system 24 is provided for obstructing the communication. between the inside and the outside of the ink cartridge 1. Details of valve systems 23, 24 will be described below.

The plurality of ink supply openings 21 allows communication between the communication chamber 30 and the ink chamber 16. The plurality of ink supply openings 21 is formed by three oblong figures, each of which is arranged so as to substantially form a triangle (see Figure 22). In addition, an axis hole ln is formed in a central position of the ink supply opening 21. A back pressure valve 60 formed substantially in an umbrella shape is inserted through the axis hole ln. Back pressure valve 60 is structured from an elastic resin material with elasticity.

As shown in Figure 21, the back pressure valve confronts the bottom surface of the ink supply openings

39/82 and is structured from a part of film shaped like an elastic umbrella 60b and a part of film 60c that extends substantially from the central position of the part of film 60b into the ink chamber 16 through the axis hole ln. The shaft portion 61c has a substantially spherical protruding portion 60a with a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the shaft hole ln and is supported by the shaft hole ln in a sliding direction in the up / down direction between the film portion 60b and the protruding part 60a.

On the bottom wall le, a hollow cylindrical member 10 25 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape integrally with the bottom wall le and extends in one direction towards the open upper surface of the main body case la (hereinafter referred to as “first direction ”) Of the back wall le. The opening of the upper end 25a of the hollow cylindrical member 25 is open above the surface of the ink in the ink chamber 16. The hollow cylindrical member 25 is formed in a tapered conformation in which both the external shape and the internal diameter of an internal flow path 25b are gradually narrowed to the upper side (away from a locking member 100 described later). A connecting part 25c of the hollow cylindrical part 25 that connects with the bottom wall 1 and 1 is formed in a configuration that extends towards the bottom wall 1 and of the hollow cylindrical member 25. In addition, the cylindrical wall 50a of the communication chamber 50 it is formed in a cylindrical configuration integrally with the hollow cylindrical member 25 from the lower end of the connecting part

25c and through the back wall le. As a result, the communication chamber 50 and the internal flow path 25b of the hollow cylindrical member 25 are smoothly connected via the air inlet opening 26 and the tapered inner surface of the connecting part 25c. That is, one end of the hollow cylindrical member 25 communicates with the air inlet 26 and the other end communicates with the ink chamber 16. Therefore, the internal flow path 25b forms a flow path to introduce the air.

40/8 ?.

• · • · * · r · «

・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ♦ ・ ・ ♦

··

Aperture 25a slopes with respect to the first direction and slopes in a direction from the central axis of the ink cartridge 1 towards the side wall 1 and towards the bottom wall and side. Therefore, opening 25a has a substantially flat surface in an oval shape and has a larger area than the straight section area of the internal flow path 25b perpendicular to the first direction.

The valve systems 23, 24 provided in the communication chambers 30, 50 are explained.

The valve system 23 is equipped with an IO support member 46 produced integrally with an elastic rubber member and a valve member 32 made of a material resin and structured in contact mode and separately with the valve seat part 46a. The support member 46 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape and is structured integrally forming the valve seat part in the substantially intermediate part towards the central axis thereof, a pressing part 46b closer to the side of the ink chamber 16 than the valve seat part 46a, a cylindrical part 45 extending from the valve seat part 46a to the side opposite the pressing part 46b and a circumferential part 45a extending in parallel with the circumference of the cylindrical part 45 with a space between them. The valve member 32 is pressed by the pressing part 46b in one direction so as to contact the valve seat part 46a and the valve member 32 is housed in the pressing part 46b.

The circumferential part 45a has a connecting part 33a projecting radially. The communication chamber 30 has a stepped surface 44 in which the diameter increases externally to accommodate the connecting part 33a. In addition, a protrusion 43 is formed which protrudes and is annular onto the surface of the connecting part 33a which contacts the stepped surface 44. The main body case la and the cover member lf are adhered in a state in which the part connector 33a is compressed and securely pressed between the surface • * * · • · * «» · · • *

• · · · • »• ·

41/8 ?.

«·· • * • · • · ♦ · *

»· • · •« • · «

in steps 44 and the cap member lf, thereby preventing the ink from leaking between the main body case la and the valve system 23.

The valve seat part 46a has an opening 41 in the center thereof and formed through the direction of the central axis. The cylindrical part 45 has an insertion path 40 in which the ink extraction tube 12 is inserted, when the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the installation part 3 and is integrally connected from the valve seat part 46a of a such that the introduction path 40 is communicated with the opening 41. The internal diameter of the introduction path 40 is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the ink extraction tube 12 so as to intimately connect the circumferential wall 45 with the tube inserted ink drawer 12. The opening 41 is formed larger than the inner diameter of the draw path 40 and the outside diameter of the draw ink tube 12. The end of the draw path 40 where the paint draw tube 12 is inserted and formed in a tapered configuration expanding outwardly.

An annular groove 69 separates the cylindrical part 45 and the circumferential part 45a and makes the cylindrical part 45 deformable with respect to the circumferential part 45a in a plane where the cylindrical part 45 is orthogonal to the direction of the central axis of the introduction path 40. As As a result, it is easy to expand the diameter of the cylindrical part 45 according to the insertion of the ink extraction tube 12 in the introduction path 40 and the proximity of the introduction path 40 and the ink extraction tube 12 are increased, resulting in preventing ink leakage. Furthermore, even though the ink extraction tube 12 is inserted with a slope or deviation towards the insertion path 40, it is possible to insert the ink extraction tube 12 into the insertion path 40 by deformation of the cylindrical part 45.

The pressing part 46b is formed from a side wall part 36 vertically in a cylindrical shape of the circumference of the valve seat part 46a on the side of the ink chamber 16, a part

42 / & - Í.

• ·

· «· • · · · ♦ • · • · · · · ♦ · • · * · *

• · • ·· 'thrust 37 which connects to the side wall part and which pushes inwards so as to contact valve member 32 on the side of the ink chamber 16 and an opening 37a in the center of the thrust part 37. The pressing part 46b presses the valve member 32 by the elastic force of the side wall part 36 and the thrust part 37 in the direction so as to contact the valve member 32 against the valve seat part 46a. In the normal state, valve member 32 and valve seat part 46a are connected. In addition, as the ink draw tube 12 is inserted into the feed path 40 and pushes the valve member 32 upwards, then the side wall part 36 extends and tilts the push part 37 to form a space between valve member 32 and valve seat part 46a for ink flow.

The valve member 32 is equipped with a bottom part

57, which contacts the valve seat part 46a of the support member

46, and a side valve wall part 51, which extends in a cylinder shape closer to the ink chamber 16 than the circumference of the bottom part 57. The bottom part 57 has a protruding member 39 formed in a protruding manner and annul to the side of the valve seat part 46a further inward than the communication path 58 described later and further outward than the opening 41. The side valve wall part 51 is pressed by the bottom surface of the thrust 37 of the pressing part 46b in a state where the valve member 32 is housed in the support member 46 and the protruding member 39 is tightly attached to the upper surface of the valve seat part 46a by elastic deformation of the valve seat part 46a due to pressure. Therefore, leakage of ink through opening 41 and introduction path 40 is prevented, while valve member 32 is housed in the support member.

46.

From a position outside the protruding member 39 of the bottom part 57 to the side valve wall part 51, is formed

43 ^ 82

6-3

a plurality of communication paths 58 that allow communication between the side of the ink chamber 16 and the side of the valve seat part 46a of the valve member 32, with intervals in the circumferential direction.

The valve system 24 has a structure similar to that of the valve system 23. Therefore, the same symbols are used for the same parts and, therefore, their descriptions are omitted. In valve system 24, valve member 79 is equipped with a bottom part 96, a side valve wall part 97 ^ a

I The protrusion of valve member 98 and communication paths 99, which are of the same shape as those of valve member 32. In addition, a locking member 100 that protrudes more towards the side of the ink chamber 16 than the part side valve wall 97 is further equipped in the substantially central part of the upper surface of the bottom part 96. The locking member 100 has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the opening 37a of the pressing part 37 and passes through the opening 37a with a space between them. In addition, for the locking member 100, the outer diameter D1 is formed at an upper end 100a opposite the lower part 96 of the valve member 79 slightly smaller than the inner diameter D2 on the lower end side of the internal flow path 25b of the hollow cylindrical part 25 and larger than the inner diameter D3 on the upper side of the internal flow path 25b (see Figure 23A). The internal flow path 25b is formed so that it tapers slightly from the inner diameter D2 at the lower end to the inner diameter D3 at the top. Therefore, when the upper end 100a of the blocking member 100 is connected, the upper end 100a is frictionally connected to the inner side of the internal flow path 41 and remains in a "bite" state. This state is not released by the elastic force of the pressing part 46b which presses on the valve member 79. The upper end 100a of the locking member 94 closes substantially the internal flow path 25b substantially and

44XS2 • · éM

blocks the flow of air. The upper end 100a of the locking member 100 is shaped in a tapered arrangement in which the outside diameter is decreased in one direction of the internal flow path 25b.

When the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the installation part 3, the ink extraction tube 12 and the air inlet tube 13 are inserted in the respective introduction paths 40, while expanding the diameter of the cylindrical parts 45 and contacting the respective valve members 32, 79 in the bottom parts 57, 96. Thereafter, when the ink cartridge 1 is pushed further, each of the

The valve members 32, 79 are pressed towards the ink chamber 16 and are separated from the valve seat part 46a. As a result, an inlet path is formed to introduce air into the ink cartridge, as well as a supply path to supply the ink out of the ink cartridge 1. Since the ink cartridge 1 is under reduced pressure when packaged, it is flow is created from both the ink draw tube 12 and the inlet tube 13 towards the ink chamber 16. However, a reverse flow of the remaining ink in the flow path between the ink draw tube 12 and the recording head 7 by the back pressure valve 60, and therefore the air is quickly flowed into the upper part of the ink chamber 16 from the air inlet tube 13 through the hollow cylindrical member 25. Thus, even if the ink enters the hollow cylindrical member 25 or the communication chamber 50, because the ink cartridge 1 falls during transport, the ink is returned to the ink chamber 16.

At this point, as the communication chamber 50 is smoothly connected to the internal flow path 25b of the hollow cylindrical member 25 via the internal surface of the connection part 25c, the ink flows quickly.

Assuming that the valve member 32 on the ink supply side opens earlier than the valve member 79 on the air supply side due to the inclination of the ink cartridge 1, when installing the ink cartridge 1 in the installation part 3, a rapid inverted flow of ink occurs from the ink draw tube 12 to the chamber

45 / £ 2 · ♦ · φ

φ φ

φ of ink 16. However, the back pressure valve 60 closes the ink supply opening 21 by this flow and, in this way, flow is prevented. Preferably, by properly adjusting the length of the ink draw tube 12 and the air inlet tube 13, the valve system 24 on the air supply side can be opened accurately earlier than the valve system 23 on the side of ink supply and, therefore, the rapid reverse flow of ink from the ink extraction tube 12 is prevented.

Under normal circumstances, the film portion 60b of the, back pressure 60 falls by its own weight to a position away from the ink supply opening 21. According to the ink flow from the ink chamber 16, air is supplied from the air inlet tube 14 to the top of the ink chamber 16.

The operation of the valve system 79 is explained with reference to Figures 23A and 23B. Figure 23A is a diagram showing a state in which the ink cartridge 1 is installed correctly in the installation part 3. The valve member 79 is pushed upward by the air inlet tube 13 and, as described above, is formed the introduction path to introduce air. At this time, the distance that the valve member 79 is separated from the valve seat part 46a (amount of movement) is substantially permanent. In addition, the valve member 79 is positioned in such a way that there is a predetermined space between the front end 100a of the blocking member 100 and the internal flow path 25b, in order to ensure an air path.

Figure 23B shows a case in which the valve member 79 is accidentally pushed by a rod member A and travels more than the distance the valve member 79 travels when the ink cartridge 1 is correctly installed (state shown in Figure 23A). In this state, the front end 100a of the blocking member 100 of the valve member 79 enters the internal flow path 25b and closes the flow path of the interflow path

46 /, 82 • 4

4

4

4

4

44 4

4

4 4

4 4 4

4 4

4

4 • 4 <4 in 25b and the locking member 100 is secured in the internal flow path 25b under the friction connection described above.

As explained above, in the ink cartridge 1 described above, the blocking member 100 closes the internal flow path 25b, when the valve member 79 accidentally travels more than the distance that travels, when the ink cartridge 1 is correctly installed. Therefore, even if the communication chamber 50 opens, the air pressure does not act on the ink and the probability of ink leaks from the communication chamber 50 is suppressed to a minimum.

In addition, if the valve member 79 is pushed beyond the predetermined distance as described above, the amount of extension of the pressing part 46b of the support member 46 is greater compared to when the ink cartridge 1 is correctly installed ( see Figure 23B). Therefore, the pressing part 46b can be damaged or the valve member 79 can be ejected from inside the pressing part 46b. However, since the amount of movement by the locking member 100 is limited by the internal flow path 25b, damage to the pressing part 46b can be prevented precisely or having the valve member 79 ejected from the inside of the pressing part 46b.

In addition, the internal flow path 25b is formed in a tapered configuration where the internal diameter thereof is narrower towards the upper side of the ink cartridge. The front end 100a of the locking member 100 is also formed in a tapered configuration in which the outer diameter thereof is narrower in the direction of the internal flow path 25b. Therefore, even if there is an inclination in the direction in which the valve member 79 is pushed, the locking member 100 is precisely inserted into the internal flow path 25b.

In the following, the structure of an ink cartridge 1 according to another embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail. Figu47 ^ 82

6γ

ra 24 is a section diagram of the ink cartridge 1. The same symbols are used for the same parts as those described in previous modalities and, therefore, explanations are omitted.

Unlike the embodiment of Figure 21, the support member 46 is not equipped with an annular groove between the cylindrical part 45 and the circumferential part 45a. However, each of the other parts has similar functions to the embodiment of Figure 21 together with the valve member 32 and the ink draw tube 12. Therefore, its detailed explanations are omitted.

In this embodiment, a sealing part 101 is annularly formed around the opening 40 in a position closer to the side of the installation part 3 than the circumferential wall 45a. The valve member 79 is furthermore equipped with an operating member 102 in a substantial form of shaft extending to the installation part 3 through the opening 40 formed in the bottom part 96.

Installation part 3, similar to the modality in Figure

2A, is structured from the base part 3a and the guide parts 3b vertically from both sides of the base part 3a and is provided with the ink extraction tube 12 protruding from it. An in-depth part

103 is formed in a part of the base part 3a that connects to the ink extraction tube 12. In the deepened part 103, a porous member 104 is provided which is able to absorb the ink and have flexibility. The size of the porous member 104 is made larger than the size of an Ifa exposure hole of the cap member lf. In addition, an air introduction path 105 that communicates with the atmosphere is formed, instead of the air introduction tube 13. In the circumferential part of it, a deepened part 106 is made larger than the size of an air orifice. lfb exposure of the cover member lf.

In the same way as in Figure 2A, when the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the installation part 3, the ink extraction tube 12 enters the insertion path 40, while expanding the cylindrical part 45 and pushing up the member valve

• · of. valve system 23 for the ink chamber 16, so as to form the ink supply path. When the installation of the ink cartridge 1 in the installation part 3 is completed, the protruding parts around the exposure hole lf contact the porous member

104. As a result, even if the ink leaks from the valve system 23 or the ink adhered to the ink extraction tube 12 drips, when the connection and separation of the ink cartridge 1 is repeated, for example, the ink can be absorbed by the porous member 104. Therefore, the probability of ink staining can be kept to a minimum.

IO In addition, on the air intake side, the sealing part

101 tightly contacts the deep portion 106 of the base portion 3a as it is contacted and elastically deformed. As a result, the inside of the sealing part 101 is sealed from the outside. At this time, the operating member 102 contacts the lower part of the deepened part 106 in a position shift of the air introduction path 105. When the installation of the ink cartridge 1 progresses further, the valve member 79 is pushed into the chamber ink 16 to form the air introduction path in a manner similar to the embodiment of Figure 2A.

In the ink cartridge 1 according to this embodiment, the structure of the locking member 100 is the same as that of the ink cartridge 1 in the embodiment of Figure 21, effects similar to those in the first embodiment can be provided.

As should be noted, several modifications are available.

For example, in the embodiments described above, the locking member 100 and the valve member 79 are integrally made, respectively. However, the valve member and the locking member may be a separate body or may have a structure that connects or connects them to their operations.

In addition, the hollow cylindrical member 25 rises in the first direction from the bottom wall le and is integrally formed with the bottom wall le. The opening of the upper end 25a of the limb

49AS2 • · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

• · • · • · ♦ · «

hollow cylindrical 25 opens above the ink-surface in the ink chamber 16 and the opposite end of the internal flow path 25b is connected to the communication chamber 50.

The contact part 25c between the hollow cylindrical member 25 and the bottom wall 1 is formed in a configuration that extends towards the bottom wall l and the hollow cylindrical member 25. The contact part between the hollow cylindrical member 25 and the communication chamber 50 is smoothly formed without any stepped surfaces.

The upper extreme opening 25a slopes with respect to. I The first direction and tilts in a direction from the central axis of the ink cartridge 1 towards the side wall 1c and the back wall le. Therefore, since the upper end opening 25a has a substantially oval flat surface, the area of the upper end opening 25a is larger than the straight section area of the internal flow path 25b in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

A circumferential wall 27 of the cylindrical hollow member 25, a higher end surface 25d is a substantially flat surface substantially parallel to the bottom wall 1e. The extreme surface of the circumferential wall 27, except the highest end surface 25d, is formed at an inclination along the circumference of the upper end opening 25a.

The diameter of the opening of the upper end 25a in the direction of inclination, which is the main axis, is approximately 1 mm and, preferably, 2 mm or greater. This is because, as the surface tension of the paint used in this modality is 30 mN / m - 45 mN / m at 25 ° C, the meniscus is hard to generate even though the paint adheres to the opening of the upper end 25a and, even though formed, it easily breaks according to the introduction of air.

The internal diameter of the internal flow path 25b is preferably approximately 0.8 mm or greater. This is because the meniscus can be formed by the ink in the direction to close the internal flow path 25b, if the internal diameter of the flow path

50 / .82. *

..

internal 25b is less than 0.8 mm. If the internal diameter of the internal flow path 25b is approximately 0.8 mm or greater, the meniscus is difficult to form and, although formed, it easily breaks with the introduction of air. In addition, although the ink adheres along the internal surface of the internal flow path 25b, a flow path is ensured having a sufficiently straight section area without significantly increasing the resistance to the introduction of air.

Because the hollow cylindrical member 25 described above is formed integrally with the main body case la, whose upper surface is open, the main body case la can be easily produced by tooling, resulting in reduced production costs . In addition, assembly procedures can be omitted and this increases the effectiveness of the operation. In addition, adverse effects can be prevented if air is not introduced correctly due to the flow of ink in the internal flow path 25b from connection part 25c.

The ink can adhere to the open end of the hollow cylindrical member 25 or the ink can enter it, since the ink cartridge 1 is tilted or dropped before the user installs the ink cartridge 1 in the inkjet recording equipment 2 afterwards of production. Most of the ink in the hollow cylindrical member 25 returns to the ink chamber 16 due to the air that rapidly flows into the ink cartridge 1 under reduced pressure, as described above. However, if the ink remains in the hollow cylindrical member 25 at this time or if the user removes the ink cartridge 1 from the installation part 3 thereafter and tilts or lowers the ink cartridge 1, the internal flow path of the hollow cylindrical member 25 can be blocked. However, the uppermost opening 25a of the hollow cylindrical member 25 is formed with an inclination with respect to the first direction and has a larger area than the straight section area in a direction orthogonal to the first direction of the internal flow path 25b. Therefore, the likelihood that the meniscus is formed by the ink at the opening can be reduced

51 / Sfi • ·

• · «·> 1 extreme upper 25a. In addition, even if the meniscus is formed, it can easily break according to the introduction of air. In addition, the internal diameter of the internal flow path 25b has a size in which the meniscus is not formed in the direction of blocking of the internal flow path 25b. Therefore, the introduction of air is carried out correctly without causing fluctuation and the supply of ink to the recording head 7 can be carried out smoothly, allowing the discharge of the ink to be maintained uniformly.

In the following, modified examples of the upper end opening 10a 25a of the hollow cylindrical member 25 with reference to the

Figures 25A-26B.

As shown in Figures 25A and 25B, the upper end portion of the hollow cylindrical member 25 can be formed in a stepped configuration. The upper extreme opening 25a can be structured from semicircular planes 25aa, 25ac, which are substantially parallel to the bottom wall and at a different height, and a rectangular plane 25ab, which is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 1 and has a circumference not Circular.

As shown in Figures 26A and 26B, the opening of the upper end 25a of the air introducing member 25 can be formed with an inclination with respect to the first direction and a protruding part 244a can protrude in the first direction from one side of the extreme opening front 25a. Therefore, the front end opening 25a is substantially formed in an oval conformation and the circumference is structured from a plane 245a, which is the upper end of the protruding part 244a, a plane 245b, which includes most of the front end opening 25a, and a vertical plane 241a connecting planes 245a, 245b.

The internal diameter for the internal flow path 25b of the air introducing member 25 in the modified examples described above is made of 0.8 mm or greater. The air introducing member 25 is formed in such a way that not only the area of the opening 25a is larger than the

V2 / & · · · · · · · · · · · • »

• · · · · · · · · · · · · ·· straight section area of the internal flow paths in the direction perpendicular to the first direction, but also that the surfaces that form the circumference of the opening are made up of three mutually different planes . Therefore, the formation of the meniscus by the ink in the extreme upper opening 25a can be reduced and, thus, effects similar to those in the embodiment described above can be provided.

As should be noted, several modalities are available. For example, the opening of the hollow cylindrical member 25 in the embodiment described above can be formed by two planes that intersect diagonally at a different angle with respect to the first direction or can be formed in a non-circular configuration, such as a circle that is partially cut .

In addition, a hollow cylindrical member 25, which is integrally formed with the bottom wall 1 and rises from the bottom wall 1 and in the first direction to the open upper surface of the main body case 1 1 is formed in the bottom wall 1 and 2. The front end opening 25a of the air introduction member opens above the ink surface in the ink chamber 16. The outer shape and internal flow path 25b of the hollow cylindrical member 25 is formed in a tapered configuration in which the diameter is narrow gradually to the upper side.

The connecting part of the hollow cylindrical member 25 with the bottom wall le is formed in a configuration so as to expand from the top of the hollow cylindrical member 25 to the bottom wall le. In addition, a cylindrical wall 50a of the communication chamber 50 is integrally formed in a cylindrical shape in sequence with the hollow cylindrical member 25 of the lower end of the connecting part 25c through the bottom wall le. As a result, the communication chamber 50 and the internal flow path 25b of the hollow cylindrical member 25 are smoothly formed in continuity via the tapered internal surface of the connecting part 25c. In addition, through the connection part 25c, the resistance of the connection point of the hollow cylindrical member 25 to the bottom wall le is increased and deformation of the • · • · ·· «can be prevented

»· * ·»

53 / ^ 2 • · *

»« · • · * · • «*

• * *

• * «« «9

9

9 «

• «•» ««

fc • · <· fc * • · hollow cylindrical member 25 when molding or due to the effects of environmental changes.

As described above, the main body case therein of the ink cartridge 1 described above has a shape in which the upper surface is opened. The hollow cylindrical member 25 is integrally formed with the bottom wall le and in a configuration that expands from the extreme front opening 25a to the bottom wall le. Therefore, the main body case la can be easily manufactured by tooling and thus the production cost can be reduced. In addition, as the hollow cylindrical member 25 and the main body case are integrally formed, assembly processes can be omitted and operating efficiency can be increased. In addition, adverse effects can be prevented by the air not being introduced correctly, because the ink enters the internal flow path 25b of the hollow cylindrical member 25 of the connecting part 25c between the hollow cylindrical member 25 and the main body case la.

According to an exemplary aspect of the description, there is no need to provide a protrusion for opening the valve member at the installation part of the inkjet recording equipment. Therefore, there is an effect that it is easy to position the ink cartridge and the installation part when installing the ink cartridge in the installation part.

According to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, when the ink cartridge is removed from the inkjet recording equipment, the valve member contacts the valve seat part through the pressing part and the ink is prevented from escaping or evaporating through opening. In addition, when the ink cartridge is installed in the inkjet recording equipment, the valve can be opened by evenly raising the valve member across the operating member and separating the valve member from the valve seat part.

According to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a complex operating procedure for

54 / § £> 6

secure the pressing device that presses the valve member in an area where the valve member is positioned. Consequently, there is an effect to reduce the ink cartridge production cost.

According to an exemplary aspect of the development, the ink is prevented from leaving or evaporating through the opening.

According to an exemplary aspect of the description, the ink supply opening and the air inlet opening can be opened when the ink cartridge is installed in the installation part and, thus, they can introduce air into the cartridge at the same time. time the ink is supplied to the recording equipment. In addition, at least one of the first and second valve systems comprises a valve seat part and a movable valve member with respect to the valve seat part. The valve member has an operating member that protrudes to the outside of the ink cartridge and is structured in such a way that the operating member contacts the installation part, when the ink cartridge is installed in the installation part to separate the valve member of the valve seat part. When providing the installation part with the operating member that protrudes in correspondence with the first and the second valve systems, it must be hermetically closed to prevent the paint from leaking and manufactured to accurately maintain the mutual positional relationships between the two members protrudent operating modes and the mutual positional relationships between the ink supply opening and the air inlet opening. However, there is an effect that the ink cartridge can be easily installed in the installation part, while it is easily manufactured without requiring high precision in positional relationships.

According to an exemplary aspect of the development, the two valve systems can be opened by simply moving the ink cartridge towards the installation part, providing better operability.

• · ·

S5 / S2

According to an exemplary aspect of the description, when installing the ink cartridge in the installation part, it is necessary to precisely position the second valve system in a position of the hollow member provided in the installation part. However, the position of the first valve system does not have to be accurately located, so there is an effect that the ink cartridge can be easily manufactured and it is easy to install the ink cartridge in the installation part.

According to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a complex operating procedure for securing the pressing device which presses the valve member in an area where the valve member is positioned is unnecessary. Consequently, there is an effect to reduce the ink cartridge production cost.

According to an exemplary aspect of the description, there is an effect that, when operating the operating member, the valve is uniformly raised and the valve is opened separating the valve part from the valve seat part.

According to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, there is an effect to prevent the fluid flowing into the valve system from leaking out or evaporating.

According to an exemplary aspect of the description, there is an effect that the ink cartridge can be easily manufactured without requiring high precision in the mutual positional relationship between the ink supply opening and the ink cartridge opening or the air inlet opening. mutual positional relationship between the extraction part and the air supply part of. installation part and, thus, the installation of the ink cartridge in the installation part can be carried out with ease.

In an inkjet recording equipment, in the Order for

Japanese Open Patent H9-85963, which is structured to allow connection and separation of an ink container (hereinafter called cartu..56 / g2 ink choke), two spaces are provided for the user to hold the ink cartridge. Each space is filled with a porous material and projection parts are formed that extend upwardly from the upper end. One end of one of the porous materials is connected to an air inlet opening and the bottom surface of the other porous material is connected to an ink supply opening.

The ink cartridge is provided with a hole that allows the insertion of each of the projection parts at the bottom. A film valve that can open a valve extends from the projection parts. Installing the ink cartridge in the holder, the two spaces and the inside of the ink cartridge are in communication.

However, the interior of the cartridge is generally under negative pressure in the package. When installing the ink cartridge, if a valve for opening the ink supply opens before a valve for opening the air inlet, the accumulated ink on the side of the recording equipment flows into the ink cartridge. The ink in the ink cartridge is maintained in a deaerated state and the state cannot be maintained if the ink that has been discharged is returned. In addition, the ink meniscus formed inside the nozzles of a recording head is destroyed, as if the ink were pulled into the ink cartridge. As a result, it was a problem that excellent ink could not be discharged.

Modalities of the disclosure of this invention, in consideration of the problem described above, provide an ink cartridge that can prevent the reverse flow of ink to the ink cartridge, when installing the ink cartridge and maintaining the ink in normal condition, as well as maintains excellent ink discharge to the recording head.

An ink cartridge in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the development has an ink chamber for accumulating ink and is installed on and off in a main body of equipment.

57 / 8β *

• · • · ·

£ 7>

• · • · · «* · recording and is in a reduced pressure state prior to installation. The ink cartridge comprises an air introduction opening formed in communication with the ink chamber and being opened to introduce air into the ink chamber, a first sealing means that seals the air introduction opening before the ink cartridge is installed in the main body of the recording equipment, an ink supply opening formed in communication with the ink chamber and being opened to supply ink to the outside of the ink chamber, a second sealing means that seals the ink supply opening before the ink cartridge is installed in the main body of the recording equipment and a back pressure valve provided between the second sealing means and the ink chamber, blocking the back pressure valve from an ink flow from outside the supply opening ink into the ink chamber.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, the air inlet opening and the ink supply opening are formed side by side on one side of the ink chamber and the first and second sealing means are opened according to installing the ink cartridge in the main body of the recording equipment.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, the back pressure valve leaves the ink supply open in a normal state and only when there is a flow from the outside of the ink supply opening to the ink chamber, it blocks the flow in one their direction.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the description, the air inlet opening is formed inside a first cylindrical wall formed externally on one side of the ink chamber. The ink supply opening is formed within a second cylindrical wall formed externally from one side of the ink chamber. The first sealing means is provided within the first cylindrical wall to cover the air introduction opening and the second sealing means is provided within the second cylindrical wall to cover the ink supply opening.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, the back pressure valve is structured from a shaft part and a film umbrella part. The umbrella part is positioned to confront the ink supply opening and a space is formed between the ink supply opening and the umbrella part to allow the ink to flow from the ink supply opening. ink. When there is a flow from the outside of the ink supply opening to the ink chamber, the umbrella contacts closely and obstructs the ink supply opening.

In an ink cartridge in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, the first sealing means and the second sealing means are a valve means comprising a valve seat part and a movable valve member with respect to the valve seat part valve. The valve member moves from the valve seat part according to the installation of the ink cartridge in the main body of the recording equipment, to open a valve.

According to the ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development, a back pressure valve is provided which prevents the ink from flowing from the outside of the ink supply opening into the ink chamber between a sealing means in the side for ink supply and the ink chamber. Therefore, when the sealing means on the side that introduces air and the sealing means on the side for supplying the ink open, while installing the ink cartridge in the main body of the recording equipment, the ink is prevented from flowing in the opposite direction to from the ink supply opening to the ink chamber, which is in a state of reduced pressure. In addition, the deaeration status of the ink is prevented from deteriorating, due to the mixing of the ink on the recording equipment side into the deaerated ink in the ink cartridge. In addition, the ink meniscus inside the nozzles of the recording head is prevented from being damaged «* • ·

59/82 • · • * · • · ·

and in this way, defective ink discharge from the recording head is reduced. As such, there is an effect that excellent recording quality is maintained.

According to the ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, the air inlet opening and the ink supply opening are formed side by side on one side of the ink chamber and the first and second sealing means are opened, according to the installation of the ink cartridge in the main body of the recording equipment. Therefore, as the two sealing means can be opened by installing the ink cartridge from one direction, it is easy to install the ink cartridge in the main body of the recording equipment. In addition, there is an effect that the ink is prevented from flowing in the opposite direction as described above, even though any sealing means is opened first due to the inclination of the ink cartridge at that time during installation and the like.

According to the ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the description, the back pressure valve leaves the ink supply opening in a normal state and only when there is a flow from the outside of the ink supply opening to the ink chamber does it block the flow towards them. Therefore, there are effects that a small amount of the flow is tolerated otherwise, and thus the pressure on the recording head side is prevented from changing significantly. That is, with a structure to close the valve in the normal state and open only when supplying the paint, when the pressure on the registration side changes and increases due to movement by the carriage and the like, there is nowhere for the paint to escape and the pressure on the recording side increases, which prevents normal ink discharge. Therefore, by opening the valve in the normal state, a small reverse flow into the ink chamber is tolerated and, in this way, this phenomenon is prevented.

According to the ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development, the air inlet opening is formed inside

• · ·

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of a first cylindrical wall formed externally from one side of the ink chamber. The ink supply opening is formed within a second cylindrical wall formed externally on one side of the ink chamber. The first sealing means is provided within the first cylindrical wall to cover the air introduction opening and the second sealing means is provided within the second cylindrical wall to cover the ink supply opening. Therefore, the air to be introduced and the ink to be supplied are completely separated and, thus, there is an effect that the air is not mixed in the ink, to be supplied.

According to the ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development, the back pressure valve is structured from a shaft part and a film umbrella part. The umbrella part is positioned to face the ink supply opening and a space is formed between the ink supply opening and the umbrella part to allow the ink to flow from the ink supply opening. ink. When there is a flow from the outside of the ink supply opening to the ink chamber, the umbrella contacts closely and obstructs the ink supply opening. Therefore, there are effects that the back pressure valve can be formed simply and at low cost, that the pressure on the side of the recording head is prevented from floating as described above and that the reverse flow can be prevented accurately, when it happens .

According to the ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the description, the first sealing means and the second sealing means are a valve device comprising a valve seat part and a movable valve member with respect to the seat part valve and the valve member moves from the valve seat part, according to the installation of the ink cartridge in the main body of the recording equipment, to open a valve. Therefore, there are effects that the sealing means can be formed with a

61 ^ 8¾

• ·· simple structure that makes it easy to install the ink cartridge in the main body of the recording equipment.

An ink cartridge has an ink chamber that is filled with ink. When the ink cartridge is installed in a recording equipment, such as an inkjet printer, ink is supplied from the ink chamber to the recording equipment. Depending on a condition, such as an internal ink chamber formation and ink viscosity, the ink remains partially within the ink chamber. Therefore, as an ink cartridge that manages to prevent this permanence of the ink, an ink cartridge provided with slots to discharge the ink around a prism to detect the amount of ink remaining, for example, was proposed in Japanese Patent Application Em Open 2000-71471. In that ink cartridge, by progressing the discharge of the ink around the prism using the grooves to make the ink difficult to remain on the surface of the prism, incorrect detection of the can be prevented. ink when there is only a small amount of ink in the chamber.

However, in the ink cartridge described above, if the curvature of the grooves formed in the ink chamber to discharge the ink is constant, the magnitude of the capillary force applied to the ink from the grooves becomes substantially the same in the position close to a part of ink supply for the ink supply to the recording equipment and the distant position of the ink supply part. Consequently, when the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber becomes low, the ink separates by being pulled away from the ink supply part, causing the ink to remain in the ink chamber. As such, the ink in the ink chamber cannot be used completely. Arrangements for the disclosure of this invention provide an ink cartridge that can more accurately prevent the ink from remaining in the ink chamber.

An ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the description is an ink cartridge that includes an ink chamber and • S2 / 8Í! . ·. : ··. ·. · ;: j. ·>

· · · * * * T · 1 · · · · · * · *: · ♦ · * · · ^·:.. · · · Ink supply openings to supply the ink in the ink chamber to a recording equipment , wherein the curvature of at least a part of a plurality of ends forming an internal shape of the ink chamber is increased the closer to the ink supply openings.

In this cartridge, the ink in the ink chamber is supplied to the recording equipment from the ink supply openings. The curvature of at least part of a plurality of ends that constitute an internal ink chamber shape (e.g.,

I The one end between surfaces that form the ink chamber and the ends in a part formed in projection or in deep shapes in the ink chamber) gets larger as it gets closer to the ink supply openings. That is, the shape of the ends becomes from a moderate to an acute shape, as they get closer to the ink supply openings. Therefore, in a position close to the ink supply openings, the capillary force applied to the ink from the ends is increased. Consequently, the ink is guided into the ink supply openings by a portion of the ends whose curvature changes. As a result, how can an occasion be prevented when the ink remains away from the ink supply openings, where the capillary force applied to the ink from the ends is relatively small, due to being drawn into position and separated, the ink in the ink chamber can be used completely.

An ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development is that at least part of the plurality of ends remains from one end in a higher position than the ink supply openings to one end in the ink supply openings. Therefore, even when the ink surface is lowered according to the consumption of the ink, the ink is accurately guided to the ink supply openings by the ends that continue to the ink supply openings from • · »

63 / ^ 2 • · ♦ ί <»* · · ::

• · ·· ·:

• · · *: ·. · * · * • · · ·

• 44

4

4 higher position than the ink supply openings and which have the greatest curvature as they are located closest to the ink supply openings. Therefore, the ink is prevented from remaining in the vicinity of the side surfaces of the ink chamber that are away from the ink supply openings.

An ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the disclosure is that at least part of the plurality of ends is formed between two predetermined surfaces of the surfaces that form the ink chamber and the curvature of the end is different at each conjunction of the two predetermined surfaces. With the structure that the curvature of the end between two surfaces that form the ink chamber is different at each conjunction of the two surfaces, the structure in which the curvature of the end is greater the closer to the ink supply openings can be easily perceived15 gives.

An ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the disclosure is that tangent surfaces in a connecting part of the two predetermined surfaces at the end are respectively parallel to the two predetermined surfaces. Therefore, ends can be easily formed having predetermined curvatures between the two surfaces.

An ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development includes a main cartridge body that forms an ink chamber; ink supply openings formed on a bottom surface of the ink chamber and for supplying ink to recording equipment; and ink conduction parts provided on the bottom surface of the ink chamber and extending from side surfaces of the ink chamber to the ink supply openings. The curvature of one end between the ink conduction part and the bottom surface is greater than the curvature of one end between the side surfaces and the bottom surface of the ink chamber.

In this ink cartridge, the ink in the ink chamber formed «» »• ·

«♦ · • · • * • *»

• · • «• *» «·« «

«· ♦ • * •» · <

• ·

Λ * • · «♦

* * • ·· ·· on the main cartridge body is provided for recording equipment from the ink supply opening via ink conduction parts extending from the side surfaces of the ink chamber to the ink supply openings . The curvature of the end between the ink conduction part and the bottom surface of the ink chamber is made greater than the curvature of the end between the side surfaces and the wall surface of the ink chamber. That is, the capillary force applied to the ink at the end between the ink conduction part near the ink supply openings and the bottom surface of the ink chamber is greater than the capillary force at the position close to the side surfaces of the ink chamber. ink that is away from the ink supply openings. Consequently, how can an occasion be prevented when the ink remains in a position away from the ink supply openings, where the capillary force applied to the ink from the ends is relatively small, due to being drawn into position and separated, the ink in the ink chamber can be used completely.

An ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development is that the curvature of the end between the conductive part of the ink and the bottom surface is greater as it gets closer to the ink supply openings. Therefore, the capillary force applied to the ink becomes greater as it gets closer to the ink supply openings up to the ends between the ink conduction part and the bottom surface of the ink chamber. In this way, the ink is accurately prevented from remaining in a position away from the ink supply openings.

An ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the description is that the ink conduction part extends to the ink supply openings. Therefore, the ink on the bottom surface of the ink chamber is accurately fed into the ink conduction openings.

The ink conduction part can be a projection that

6§ / 8 £ • · * · ·.

•:. ·:. ^and • · »· · ♦ · ·« ί :: ·· ·· extends from the bottom surface (the eighth invention) or a groove formed on the bottom surface (the ninth invention).

An ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development is that a plurality of the ink conduction parts are provided to join the ink supply openings from the vicinity of the ink supply openings. As a plurality of ink-conducting parts are provided to join from their vicinity, the ink on the bottom surface of the ink chamber is still accurately guided to the ink supply openings.

An ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development is that one end of the ink conduction part opposite the ink supply part continues to the side surfaces of the ink chamber. Therefore, the ink near the side surfaces of the ink chamber can be accurately conveyed to the ink supply openings via the ink conduction parts.

There is, in Japanese Open Patent Application H09-85963, an ink container (hereinafter “an ink cartridge”) that accumulates the ink inside it and is provided with an opening in a bottom part. An elastic film valve is provided at the opening of the ink cartridge. This ink cartridge is freely structured and can be connected and detachable from a fastener. For the fastener, a protruding part is formed to open the valve in a position that confronts the opening. An orifice is provided for the ink to flow in the ink cartridge to the outside in the protruding part. When the ink cartridge is correctly installed in the holder, the valve is pushed and opened in the upper direction by the protruding part of the holder and the ink in the ink cartridge flows out through the orifice and the opening.

However, the ink cartridge described above has a structure in which communication between the inside and the outside of the ink cartridge is normally blocked by the valve and the protruding part is allowed to push the valve upwards when the ink cartridge

correctly installed in the fastener. However, there is a problem as the ink leaks through the opening if the valve is accidentally pushed upwards before the ink cartridge is installed in the holder.

Modalities for the disclosure of this invention, in consideration of the problem described above, provide an ink cartridge that suppresses ink leakage to a minimum, even if poorly operated before the ink cartridge is installed in the fastener.

An ink cartridge in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the development is installed in a manner capable of being connected and detached in a main body of the recording equipment and equipped with a reservoir chamber that accumulates the ink. The ink cartridge includes a communication opening that forms in a cylindrical wall formed on one side of the reservoir chamber and communicates with the outside of the ink cartridge, a flow path, an end of which communicates with the communication opening and another end of which communicates with the reservoir chamber, a valve device having a valve seat part provided in the communication opening and a connectable and detachable valve member with respect to the valve seat part, sealing the valve device the communication between the inside and outside of the reservoir chamber, when the valve member contacts the valve seat part and allowing communication between the inside and outside of the reservoir chamber, when the valve member is separated from the valve member at a predetermined interval, after the correct installation of the ink cartridge in the main body of the recording equipment and a member of b block that blocks communication between the inside and outside of the reservoir chamber by closing the flow path when the valve member moves more than the predetermined distance.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the description, the flow path is formed within a member • · · · · · ·

·· hollow cylindrical formed from the bottom wall vertically towards the top of the ink cartridge. The locking member is formed by projection towards the side of the flow path and projecting in a substantially cylindrical shape having an outer diameter substantially equal to an inner diameter of the low path. At least one front end of the blocking member adapts by tight contact within the flow path, when the valve member travels more than the predetermined distance.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary appearance.

captive to the disclosure, the locking device is secure under tight contact and the adjustment state.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, the flow path is an air introduction path for introducing air into the ink cartridge.

An ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development is installed in a pluggable and detachable manner in the main body of the recording equipment and equipped with a reservoir chamber that accumulates ink. The ink cartridge includes a communication opening formed on one side of the ink cartridge to open to the outside, a flow path that communicates with the communication opening to the reservoir chamber, a locking member movably arranged in one direction in order to address the flow path, according to the correct installation of the ink cartridge in the recording equipment, positioning the locking member to a space of the flow path, when correctly installed, and closing the flow path, when moved more than one amount of movement for correct installation.

An ink cartridge in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure further includes a sealing means positioned in the communication opening and more externally than the locking member, in which the sealing means is open, when properly installed.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplif68 aspect; »2

• · ♦ * • · captive of the description, the sealing means is formed of a valve seat part and a contactable and separable valve member with respect to the valve seat part and the locking member is connected to the valve member .

An ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development further includes an ink supply opening which is formed on one side of the ink cartridge and opened on the outside and supplies the ink in the reservoir chamber to the main body recording equipment. The communication opening is an air intake opening for introducing air into the reservoir chamber.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, the front end of the locking member is structured so that the outside diameter is smaller in the direction of the flow path.

In the ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, the flow path is structured in such a way that the inside diameter of it is smaller from an end surface with the side of the blocking member in a direction that departs from the block.

According to the ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, the valve member is separated from the predetermined distance from the valve seat part, when the ink cartridge is correctly installed in the main body of the recording equipment, so that the chamber of the ink reservoir can be communicated with the outside. In addition, the blocking member closes the flow path when the valve member is accidentally moved more than the predetermined distance. Therefore, the likelihood that the ink will leak is suppressed to a minimum.

According to the second ink cartridge with an exemplary aspect of the development, the flow path is formed within a • * · • · ·

69 ^ 2 hollow cylindrical member formed from the bottom wall vertically towards the top of the ink cartridge. The locking member is formed by projections towards the side of the flow path and is projected in a substantially cylindrical shape having an outer diameter substantially equal to an inner diameter of the low path. At least one front end of the blocking member adapts by tight contact within the flow path, when the valve member travels more than the predetermined distance. Therefore, there is an effect that the ink leak is suppressed accurately.

IO According to the ink cartridge as an exemplary aspect of the development, the locking device is secure under tight contact and the state of adjustment. Therefore, there is an effect that the ink is prevented from leaking continuously.

According to the ink cartridge depending on an exemplary aspect of the development, as the valve member and the blocking member are formed entirely with a resin material, there is an effect to reduce the number of parts and thus reduce the cost of production.

According to the ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, the flow path is an air introduction path for introducing air into the ink cartridge. Therefore, the air introduction path is blocked by the blocking member, when the valve member travels more than the predetermined distance and, even though the ink supply opening opens at this time, the air pressure is not applied to the cartridge. Therefore, there is an ink leak suppression effect.

According to the ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, the communication opening is formed on one side of the ink cartridge to open outwards and communicates with the reservoir chamber through the flow path. The blocking member is arranged in the communication opening, movable in one direction to address the flow path, according to the correct installation of the ink cartridge

70 ^ 82

• · * * «· ·· on the recording equipment. The blocking member is positioned with a space with the flow path, when the ink cartridge is correctly installed in the main body of the recording equipment, and closes the flow path, when accidentally displaced more than the predetermined quantity. Therefore, the likelihood that the ink will leak is reduced to a minimum.

The ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure further includes a sealing means positioned in the communication opening and more externally than the locking member. The sealing means is opened when properly installed. Therefore, the communication between the inside and the outside of the ink cartridge is tightly closed with precision by the sealing means, when the ink cartridge is not installed in the main body of the recording equipment. In addition, the flow path to the outside is precisely formed when the ink cartridge is correctly installed in the main body of the recording equipment.

According to the ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, the sealing means is formed of a valve seat part and a contactable and separable valve member with respect to the valve seat part and the locking member is connected to the valve member. Therefore, compared to the case where the locking member and the valve member are separate units, it becomes unnecessary to form a complicated structure in the ink cartridge for arranging the locking member and the valve member. Therefore, there is an effect that the structure of the ink cartridge can be simplified.

According to the ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, the ink cartridge also includes an ink supply opening which is formed on one side of the ink cartridge and opened to the outside and supplies the ink in the chamber reservoir for the main body of the recording equipment. The communication opening is an air introduction opening for introducing air

71 / β2 «· e» 4 »F» «* ·« * * * · 4 «·« V t í »4? * *

V * »t 4 · · β 4 in the reservoir chamber. Therefore, the flow path through which air is introduced is blocked, when the blocking member travels more than the predetermined amount of movement and the air pressure is not applied to the ink cartridge, even though the supply opening of ink is opened at this point. Therefore, there is an effect that ink leakage is suppressed.

According to the ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, as the front end of the locking member is structured so that the outside diameter becomes smaller

In the direction of the flow path, the front end of the locking member can be easily inserted into the flow path. Therefore, there is an effect for a precise locking operation.

According to the ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, as the flow path is structured in such a way that its internal diameter becomes smaller from an extreme surface with the side of the blocking member in a direction that part of the blocking member, the blocking member can be more easily inserted into the flow path. Therefore, there is an effect for a precise locking operation.

There is, in Japanese Open Patent Application H06

64182, an ink cartridge that is equipped with an air tube (hereinafter referred to as an “air introducing member”) to introduce air into an ink cartridge main case, a thin film blocking member adhering to the upper end of the air introducing member and a cooperating member provided inside the air introducing member. For the introduction of air into the ink cartridge, an air introducing needle is inserted through a rubber member provided in a back wall the ink cartridge. The film-breaking member is broken by pushing the cooperating member to form an introduction path into the air that passes through a narrow orifice made by the cooperating member. The narrow hole of the cooperation member extends in a substantially per72 / 82 direction • · • ♦ • ·

2Η • · · ·· · · · • · · ♦ · · · ♦ • · · pendular to the bottom wall of the ink cartridge and is formed in a substantially linear shape from an extreme front opening for the rubber member.

The air-inlet member of the ink cartridge introduces air into the ink cartridge of an amount that corresponds to the amount of ink delivered from the ink cartridge to a recording head, to maintain pressure for ink to be delivered to the head recording steadily. Therefore, it is preferable that the air introducing member is not closed, for example, by the ink that has entered it. However, it is inevitable that the ink cartridge will tip or fall before the user installs the ink cartridge in a main body of the recording equipment after production or after the user once removes the ink cartridge from the main body of the recording equipment. . Therefore, there is a likelihood that the ink will stick to the open end of the air introduction member or that the ink will enter the air introduction member.

The ink often closes the air introducing member by forming a meniscus at the open end of the air introducing member on one side of the reservoir chamber or forming the meniscus within an introduction path in the air introducing member, when the introduction path is narrow. If the ink is supplied under this circumstance, it is repeated that the pressure in the reservoir chamber closed tightly by the meniscus is reduced; the air breaks the meniscus and flows into the reservoir chamber; the pressure is reduced by the meniscus formed with the remaining ink; and the air breaks through the meniscus and flows into the reservoir chamber. That is, the ink supply pressure to the recording head fluctuates and the ink is discharged unevenly from the recording head. Therefore, there is a problem that the qualities of the recording may be diminished.

The modalities of the disclosure of this invention are made taking into account the problems described above and provide an ink cartridge that prevents the ink supply pressure fluctuating to the • * • · · · • «· · ·· • · ♦ • ··

73 / «fi« · * · * ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・recording head by correctly introducing air into the ink cartridge and maintaining uniform ink discharge from the recording head.

An ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development is equipped with a reservoir chamber that accumulates ink and includes an air inlet opening formed in a bottom wall with a lower part of the reservoir chamber being the air inlet opening introducing air into the reservoir chamber, an ink supply opening that supplies the ink to the reservoir chamber to the outside and an air introducing member in a hollow cylindrical shape raised from the bottom wall to an upper part of the chamber reservoir, a lower end of an internal flow path of the air introduction member that communicates with the air introduction opening, the upper end of the air introduction member being open at the top of the reservoir chamber. The air introducing member is structured in such a way that at least part of the upper extreme opening is formed diagonally with respect to the first direction, and thus an area of the upper end is larger than an area of straight section of the internal flow in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

An ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development is equipped with a reservoir chamber that accumulates ink and includes an air inlet opening formed in a bottom wall with a lower part of the reservoir chamber being the air inlet opening introducing air into the reservoir chamber, an ink supply opening that supplies the ink to the reservoir chamber and an air introducing member in a hollow cylindrical shape raised from the bottom wall towards an upper part of the reservoir chamber, a lower end of an internal flow path of the air introducing member that communicates with the air introducing opening, the upper end of the air introducing member being open at the top of the reservoir chamber.

74 / .S2

··

An opening in the upper end of the air introducing member is formed on two or more mutually different planes.

An ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development is equipped with a reservoir chamber that accumulates ink and includes an air inlet opening formed in a bottom wall with a lower part of the reservoir chamber being the inlet opening. of air introducing air into the reservoir chamber, an ink supply opening that supplies the ink into the reservoir chamber outwardly and an air introducing member in a hollow cylindrical shape raised from the bottom wall towards an upper part of the reservoir chamber, a lower end of an internal flow path of the air introducing member that communicates with the air introduction opening, the upper end of the air introducing member being open at the top of the reservoir chamber. The uppermost opening of the air inlet member is shaped in a non-circular configuration.

An ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development is equipped with a reservoir chamber that accumulates ink and includes an air inlet opening formed in a bottom wall with a lower part of the reservoir chamber being the air inlet opening introducing air into the reservoir chamber, an ink supply opening that supplies the ink into the reservoir chamber outwardly and an air introducing member in a hollow cylindrical shape raised from the bottom wall to an upper part of the reservoir chamber, one end bottom of an internal flow path of the air introducing member that communicates with the air introducing opening, the upper end of the air introducing member being open at the top of the reservoir chamber. The internal diameter of an internal flow path of the air introducing member is formed in a size by which a meniscus is not formed in one direction so that the ink obstructs the internal flow path.

75 / Ô2 • · * ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, the internal diameter of the internal flow path of the air introducing member is equal to or greater than approximately 0.8 mm.

An ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure further includes a side wall that extends from a circumference of the bottom wall in the first direction and being a periphery of the reservoir chamber, a main case structure by bottom wall and side walls, an upper surface of the main case being opened and a cover member covering the open upper surface of the main body case. The air introducing member is integrally formed with the bottom wall.

According to the ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development, an opening for introducing air into a bottom wall is formed being a lower part of the reservoir chamber and introducing air into the reservoir chamber. A lower end of an internal flow path of the air inlet member communicates with the air inlet opening. The air inlet member rises from the bottom wall towards the upper part of the reservoir chamber and has an opening made in the upper part of the reservoir chamber. The air introducing member is structured in such a way that at least a part of the upper end opening is diagonally formed with respect to the first direction and thus an area of the upper end opening is larger than an area of straight section of the internal flow in an orthogonal direction with the first direction. The uppermost opening can also be formed by two or more planes that are mutually different from each other. The uppermost opening can also be formed in a non-circular configuration. Therefore, the meniscus is difficult to form, even though the ink adheres to the opening and, even if the meniscus is formed, it easily breaks according to the introduction of air. Therefore, how can the fluctuation of the introduction of air that occurs when the meniscus is formed at the opening be suppressed,

76/82 • * • · * · · · * * * * · · • * * · * * · · * · · # · · »·« * There are effects that the fluctuation in the ink supply to the recording head is reduced and the discharge of ink from the recording head can be maintained uniformly.

According to the ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development, an opening for introducing air into a bottom wall is formed being a lower part of the reservoir chamber and introducing air into the reservoir chamber. A lower end of an internal flow path of the air inlet member communicates with the air inlet opening. The air inlet member rises from the bottom wall to the upper part of the reservoir chamber and has an opening made in the upper part of the reservoir chamber. As the inner diameter of an internal flow path of the air introducing member is formed in a size by which a meniscus is not formed in one direction so that the ink obstructs the internal flow path, the internal flow path is not blocked by a ink film, that is, meniscus, even though the ink remains in the internal flow path. In addition, air is correctly introduced into the reservoir chamber. As a result, there is an effect that the uniform discharge of ink from the recording head is maintained as described above

According to the ink cartridge an exemplary aspect of the development, the effect can be easily achieved by setting the internal diameter of the internal flow path of the air introducing member equal to or greater than approximately 0.8 mm.

According to the ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development, the main case is structured by an upper surface made open by the back wall and side walls. In addition, the air introducing member is integrally formed with the bottom wall. Therefore, as the main body case to which the air introducing member is integrally provided can be easily formed by tool modeling, the cost of production can be reduced and the flow of paint from the doors can be prevented.

77 / & 2 • · • «« · «« · ♦ «

• · • · «· * · ·» · *

• * • · • »•» • · • · *

··· «

«·« • · * • · • · «

connection of the air introducing member and the bottom wall for the internal flow path. Consequently, there is an effect that air is correctly introduced into the reservoir chamber.

There is, in the Patent Application In Aerto 6-64182, an ink cartridge that is equipped with an air tube (hereinafter referred to as “air introducing member”) to introduce air into a main cartridge case. ink. The ink cartridge has a rubber member in a bottom part through which an ink supply needle and an air introduction needle are inserted. Above

IO of the rubber member, the air introduction member, the air introduction member is assembled by adhering to the main case. In addition, the upper end of the air introducing member is formed with a flat surface part having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the air introducing member, to adhere to a film blocking member, in order to prevent the flow inlet. A cooperating member that breaks the film blocking member is disposed within the air introducing member. To introduce air into the ink cartridge, the air introducing needle is inserted through the rubber member and pushes the cooperating member upwards, such that the cooperating member breaks the thin film locking member to allow air is introduced into the ink cartridge.

However, as the main body case and the air introduction member are structured as separate bodies in the ink cartridge described above, a process is required to join the air introduction member with the main body case and efficiency of the operation is decreased, resulting in increased production costs. In addition, there is a likelihood that air will enter the internal flow path of the air introducing member from the connection point between the ink cartridge and the air introducing member. Therefore, there is a problem that air is not introduced correctly.

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In addition, for the production of an ink cartridge in which the main body case and the air inlet member are integral to improve operating efficiency, because the upper end of the air inlet member is formed with a flat surface having a larger diameter than the outside diameter of the air introducing member, there are also problems that production with tool modeling becomes complicated and, thus, the production cost is increased.

Modalities of the disclosure of this invention, in consideration of the above problems, provide an ink cartridge that manages to reduce the production cost of the ink cartridge, as well as also allowing air to be correctly introduced into the ink cartridge.

An ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development has an ink-accumulating reservoir and includes a main body case having a bottom wall and side walls that form the reservoir chamber, the upper surface of the main body case remaining open, an air inlet opening formed in the back wall of the main body case to introduce air into the reservoir chamber, an ink supply opening formed in the main body case to supply the ink in the reservoir chamber outward, and an hollow cylindrical air introduction member from which an internal flow path communicates with the air introduction opening, the hollow cylindrical air introduction member formed integrally and rising from the bottom wall of the main body case towards the surface open in the first direction, with an upper end of the air inlet member open above a surface of the ink in the reservoir.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a connecting part of the air introducing member to the back wall is formed in a shape that expands from the air introducing member to the back wall.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary appearance

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captive to the development, the air inlet opening is formed in a first protrudent cylindrical wall and formed integrally from a bottom surface of the bottom wall. The ink supply opening is formed on a second protrudent cylindrical wall and formed integrally from the bottom surface of the bottom wall and the air inlet opening and the ink supply opening are hermetically sealed by sealing means provided on the first cylinder wall. and the second cylindrical wall.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, the first cylindrical wall and the air introducing member are integrally formed in a continuously cylindrical configuration through the bottom wall.

In an ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, the sealing means is a valve device equipped with a valve seat part and a movable valve member with respect to the valve seat part and the valve device it moves in a direction that the valve member leaves away from the valve seat part according to the installation of the ink cartridge in the inkjet recording equipment.

According to the ink cartridge according to an exemplary aspect of the development, the ink cartridge has a reservoir that accumulates ink and is structured from a main body case having a back wall and side walls that form the reservoir chamber, remaining open the upper surface of the main body case and a cover member covering the open upper surface of the main case. An air inlet opening is formed in the bottom wall of the main body case to introduce air into the reservoir chamber. In addition, a hollow cylindrical air introduction member from which an internal flow path communicates with the air introduction opening, the hollow cylindrical air introduction member being integrally formed and rising from the bottom wall of the case main body to the upper open surface in the • * · • · * ·· • ·

80 £ β2 first direction, with an upper end of the air introducing member open above an ink surface in the reservoir chamber. The internal flow path of the air inlet member communicates with the air inlet and air can be introduced into the reservoir chamber through the air inlet and the air inlet. In this way, as the upper surface of the main body is open and as the air inlet member is formed integrally rising from the bottom wall towards the open surface, the main body and the air inlet member can be easily molded into resin by machining or similar. Therefore, as the number of parts is reduced and as the assembly of the main body case and the air introducing member is unnecessary, the efficiency of the operation is improved and the production cost is reduced.

In addition, as the main body case and the air introduction member are integrally formed, the ink is prevented from flowing in the internal flow path of the air introduction member of the connection part between the main body case and the member air introduction. Therefore, there is an effect that air is correctly introduced into the reservoir chamber.

According to the ink cartridge an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, as the connecting part of the air introducing member on the back wall is formed in a configuration that expands from the air introducing member towards the back wall, there are effects that the resistance at the connection point increases and that the deformation of the air introducing member can be prevented at the time of molding or due to the effects of environmental changes following.

According to the ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development, the air inlet opening is formed in a first protrudent cylindrical wall and formed integrally from a bottom surface of the back wall, the ink supply opening is formed in a second protrudent cylindrical wall and • · • · ·

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• · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · * · ·· Integrally formed from the bottom surface of the bottom wall and the air intake opening and the ink supply opening are hermetically closed by sealing means provided on the first cylindrical wall and the second cylindrical wall. Therefore, the interior of the ink cartridge can be in a hermetically closed state by having the sealing means on the first cylindrical wall and the second cylindrical wall, if the first cylindrical wall and the second cylindrical wall are integrally molded in the main body case by machining or similar. Consequently, there is an effect that the

I The operating efficiency for the assembly can be further improved.

According to the ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the development, the first cylindrical wall and the air introducing member are integrally formed in a continuously cylindrical configuration through the bottom wall. Therefore, even though ink flows in the internal flow path of the air introducing member during transport of the ink cartridge, the ink in the internal flow path can flow smoothly into the reservoir chamber when the air inlet opening is opened by installing the ink cartridge. Consequently, since the ink in the internal flow path of the air introducing member is prevented from blocking the introduction of air, there is an effect that the air is introduced correctly.

According to the ink cartridge of an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, the sealing means is a valve device equipped with a valve seat part and a movable valve member with respect to the valve seat part and the valve device it moves in a direction in which the valve member moves away from the valve seat part, according to the installation of the ink cartridge in the inkjet recording equipment. There are effects that prevent the leakage of ink when the ink cartridge is not installed in the inkjet recording equipment, and the air introduction path and the ink supply path are precisely formed by the member valve valve • * • · · · * · · • · ·· • * *

so as to move in a direction away from the valve seat part, when the ink cartridge is installed in the inkjet recording equipment.

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Although this disclosure has been described in conjunction with the exemplary modalities and examples outlined above, several substantial alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and / or equivalents, whether known or may be presently unforeseen, may become evident to those with ordinary skill in the technique. Consequently, it is intended that the exemplary modalities of the disclosure, as described above, are illustrative, not limiting. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the revelation. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and / or substantial equivalents known or developed below.

Industrial applicability

The ink cartridges of the present invention are widely used for home and office purposes.

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Claims (12)

1. Ink Cartridge, (1), configured to be removably installed in an installation part (3) of an inkjet recording equipment (2), characterized in that it comprises: a case (1a); an ink chamber (16); an air communication chamber (50), provided inside the case (1a) and which is capable of communicating with the ink chamber (16) and an exterior of the case (1a); a first valve system (24), disposed within the air communication chamber (50); an ink communication chamber (30), provided inside the case (1a) and which is capable of communicating with the ink chamber (16) and an exterior of the case (1a); and a second valve system (23), disposed within the ink communication chamber (30), wherein the first valve system (24) comprises a first valve seat (46a), a first valve (65) which is able to move with respect to the first valve seat (46a) and an operating member (67) extending from the first valve (65) to the outside of the case (1a); the operating member (67) is able to move the first valve (65) from a first position where the first valve (65) contacts the first valve seat (46a) to a second position where the first valve (65) is separated the first valve seat (46a); Petition 870170097198, of 12/12/2017, p. 4/15 2/5 the second valve system (23) comprises a second valve seat (46a) and a second valve (32); when the ink cartridge (1) is installed in the installation part (3) of the inkjet recording equipment (2), the operating member (67) is able to move the first valve (65) from the first position to the second position when the operating member (67) contacts the installation part (3) and the second valve (32) is capable of being moved from a third position where the second valve (32) contacts the second valve seat (46a ) to a fourth position where the second valve (32) is separated from the second valve seat (46a) when an extraction tube (12) provided in the installation part (3) enters the case (1a) and the second valve (32 ) is pushed by the extraction tube (12). 2. Ink cartridge (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first valve (65) and the operating member (67) are formed as a part member. An ink cartridge (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air communication chamber (50) and the ink communication chamber (30) are formed on one side of the case (1a). An ink cartridge (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises a cap member (1f) covering one side of the case (1a). 5. Ink cartridge, (1), according to Claim 1, characterized in that: the first valve (65) has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, Petition 870170097198, of 12/12/2017, p. 5/15 3/5 an opening (41) is formed substantially in the center of the first valve seat (46a) to expose the second surface of the first valve (65), the first valve system (24) comprises a pressing part (46b) which extends from the first valve seat (46a), surrounds the first valve (65) and presses the first surface of the first valve (65) towards the first valve seat (46a) in such a way that the first valve seat (46a) contacts the second surface of the first valve (65) outside the opening (41), the operating member (67) protrudes from the first valve (65) through the opening, and the pressing part (46b) is integrally formed with the first seat of valve (46a) so that it pushes the first surface of the first valve (65) towards the first valve seat (46a). An ink cartridge (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the operating member (67) is located on the second surface of the first valve (65). Ink cartridge, (1), according to Claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a sealing member (63) surrounding the operating member (67). Ink cartridge (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the operating member (67) which has an outer end opposite the first valve (65), the sealing member (63) has an end outside the opening (41), and the air communication chamber (50) has an outside end opposite the opening Petition 870170097198, of 12/12/2017, p. 6/15 4/5 ink chamber (16), the outer end of the operating member (67) being located between the outer end of the air communication chamber (50) and the outer end of the sealing member (63), when viewed in one direction of the ink cartridge installation (1). Ink cartridge, (1), according to claim 8, characterized in that the sealing member (63) extends from the first valve seat (46a) on a side opposite the first valve (65) and is integrally formed with the first valve seat (46a). 10. Ink cartridge, (1), according to Claim 5, characterized in that it still comprises a sealing member (67) in which when the ink cartridge (1) is installed in the installation part (3) of the equipment inkjet engraving (2), the sealing member (63) contacts the installation part (3) and forms a path of a flow path in the installation part (3) to the ink chamber (16). 11. Ink cartridge (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the first valve seat (46a), the pressing part (46b) and the sealing member (63) are formed entirely of a material similar to rubber. 12. Inkjet Engraving Equipment (2), characterized by comprising: an inkjet head (7); and an installation part (3), which is capable of receiving the ink cartridge (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the installation part (3) including a flow path through Petition 870170097198, of 12/12/2017, p. 7/15 5/5 from which air is introduced into the ink cartridge (1) and the extraction tube (12) through which ink is supplied to the inkjet head (7). Petition 870170097198, of 12/12/2017, p. 8/15 1/2 5 L • · · • φ • · *