DE3331956A1 - Container for collecting waste ink in an ink jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable container is disclosed for collecting waste liquid. In its interior a housing has an absorption body for absorbing the waste liquid into the interior of the container and a liquid holding body which is held in contact with the absorption body in order to retain the waste liquid which has been absorbed by the absorption body. The container can be mounted on an ink jet printer in order to collect waste ink. A container for fresh ink can be combined with the container for the waste ink to form an integrated cartridge structure which can be mounted on an ink jet printer.

Description

Container for collecting waste paint in the event of a paint

jet writer The present invention relates to containers that Can be used in various types of apparatus for the purpose of removing liquid waste are, and particularly relates to a collection container for waste paint that is at a Color jet recording apparatus is used to discharge color that does not go any further can be used more for printing data.

In an ink jet recording apparatus, ink drops that do not contribute to the printing of data, usually from a receiving facility collected to be returned to a paint feed line for reuse to become. Because the so caught and used repeatedly Color gradually changes in its density and viscosity, so that it eventually no longer satisfies certain conditions for dissolving into individual drops, the Paint that is caught by the catcher at appropriate intervals be discharged without being returned to the paint feed line.

Meanwhile, a recording device has the above Type the tendency occurred that small drops of color, which usually l'Såtelliten " and which do not fit into the printing of data while of the operation of the recorder.

The satellites as well as a color mist, which at the beginning and end of the color emission occurs as a result of the actions of a solenoid operated Valves must be effectively collected and discharged because they are the apparatus and / or would stain the recording sheet.

There was already a container along with a jet pen used to catch unwanted color and store it temporarily. For example Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 53-97 428 discloses a container for waste paint, in which an absorbent body made of a cotton pulp or the like for absorbing of waste paint is included. A problem with such Container occurs, it is that the absorbent body does not easily take a lot absorb and retain absorbed color, and that when the container attached to or removed from a recorder with a tendency to that the dripping of paint is caused, so that the scribe and neighbors Objects become dirty.

It has now become common practice to have a waste paint container on one To fix the container by rotating it, and therefore you have a cylindrical one Training used for the container. So it was impossible to have a 'container to be installed with a maximum capacity within the limited space, which is available in the recorder. In addition, there was the attachment and detachment of one The container on and from the writer is not always easy.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container be provided that is able to collect waste liquid and inside it effectively withhold.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved one Container for use with a Color jet recording apparatus provide with a novel training to collect waste paint and use them effectively hold back inside.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a paint fountain cartridge to be provided for use in conjunction with a color jet recorder, with such a design that you can easily and effectively have a waste paint container and houses a container for fresh paint in the pen.

It is another object of the present invention to be general improved container for holding waste paint in a paint jet recorder to be provided.

The above and other objects, features, and benefits of the present Invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, if this is used in connection with the attached drawings.

A container for collecting waste liquid according to the present invention Invention comprises a housing, an absorption body which is arranged in the housing is to collect and absorb waste liquid and a part to contain of liquid that is in the case in contact with the absorption body is arranged to remove waste liquid absorbed by the absorbent body, take up or withhold.

In accordance with the present invention is a disposable container for collecting waste liquid. A case has inside an absorbent body on to liquid waste to the interior of the housing absorb, as well as a part for retaining liquid that is in contact with the absorption body is held to the waste liquid from the absorption body is absorbed to hold back. The container is on a color jet recorder applicable to collect waste paint.

A container of fresh paint can go along with the container for Waste color can be combined in an integrated cartridge formation, which is used for Attachment to a color jet recording apparatus is intended.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a section through a container which the present invention embodied and applied to a color jet writing apparatus Fig. 2 is a section through the container which is inserted in the pen, Fig. 3 shows a section through a container according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention Invention also attached to a color jet writing apparatus, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cartridge in which the container shown in FIG can be integrated together with a container for fresh paint, Fig. 5 is a section by the cartridge shown in Fig. 4 as it is inserted into the pen, Fig. 6 shows a section through a container according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention Invention, also for use on a color jet writing apparatus, Fig. 7 a An exploded perspective view of a cartridge in which the one shown in FIG Container can be integrated together with a container for fresh paint, Fig. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an example of a receptacle to which the cartridge of Fig. 7 can be attached to a pen, and Figs. 9a and 9b, respectively a section, with a receptacle for waste paint and a container for fresh Color are shown combined together in a cartridge assembly.

While the container for collecting waste paint in a jet pen according to the present invention is capable of being embodied in many ways to become, depending on the boundary conditions and the requirements of use, have become substantial numbers of the embodiments shown and described here already manufactured, tested and used, and all have been found to be extremely satisfactory Behave wisely.

Reference is now made to Figure 1 of the drawings; a container, which embodies the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference number 10 designated.

It is assumed that the container 10 for use with an ink jet writer is designed to collect waste ink. As shown, the container 10 comprises a hollow housing 12 having a neck which has a through opening 14 is formed. An elongated absorbent member 16 is made of fibrous material manufactured to obtain the required capillary and so underbrabht in the housing 12, that it partially protrudes from the opening 14. A part 18 for retaining liquid, which is made of resin is in the housing 12 in contact with the absorbent member 16 arranged. A cover 20 is assigned to the housing 12 in order to close the opening 14 seal when the container is removed from the recorder.

The container 10 is shown in Fig. 2 in its position as it is in a Terminal 22 of the recorder is inserted.

Waste paint 26 is supplied to port 22 through a valved Waste color channel 24 transferred.

The absorbing member 16 absorbs the paint upward into the housing 12 by capillary action, after which the retaining body 18 removes the paint within of the housing 12 retains 12 in a gel-like state. The color in the case 12 is therefore prevented from dripping when the container 10 is on the pen attached to or removed from it.

Reference is now made to Figure 3; a container 28 with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The container 28 differs from the container 10 by the retention body 18, which is held in the absorption body 16. As for the function, so lies the container 28 is based on the same principle as the container 10.

In the first and second exemplary embodiment described, the restraint body 18 preferably contain a material which is capable of To absorb water or paint that is 100 times or preferably 200 times heavier than its own weight. Typical examples of such a material can be based on starch, acrylic acid-ti; raft compounds Starch base, Cellulose-based graft polymers, cellulose-based carboxymethylated substances and synthetic resins such as polyacrylates, but the material is not limited to these limited. Such materials are commercially available under the trade names SUNWET IM-30O (Sanyo Kasei), AQUAKEEP 4S (Seitetsu Kagaku Kogyo), and AQUAYEEP 1OSH (Seitetsu Kagaku Kogyo).

There are also various materials for the absorption body 16 which comprise a collection of filaments, such as woven cloth or felt, sponge, rubber, plastic foam or similar material that an intercom-tnnnizende Has foam structure, a bow or. Web material, e.g. blotting paper, filter paper, Membrane filter or a porous plastic sheet, a porous, sintered body Metal filaments, metal powder or resin powder, and ceramic materials.

As described above, the principle is based on that of the present invention underlying, in the effective combination of two different types of parts: an absorbent part for absorbing waste paint due to capillary action, and an absorbent resinous member around which the absorbent member absorbs Withhold color. This cuts the size and manufacturing cost of the whole Container while successfully preventing the paint from spilling will, when the container is attached to or detached from the pen, wherein the scribe is safe from soiling.

Should the container only contain the absorption body with the capillary effect have, then it would be necessary for such a body to have a considerable Has size in order to be able to suck into the housing, to the detriment of the Dimensions and costs. The combined use of two different types of absorbent bodies in accordance with the present invention an absorption capacity which is 100 to 1000 times the total amount of the absorption body matters. This leads to a compact and economical design of the container.

Reference is now made to Figures 4 and 5; any of the above Container shapes described can be combined with a container for fresh paint in one integrated cartridge assembly be combined. As shown, includes a color cartridge 30 a frame 32 which is adapted to the waste paint container 10 with a To connect container 34 integrating for fresh paint. The container 34 for fresh Paint has a feed opening 36 and a lid 38 for closing the opening 36 on.

As shown in Fig. 5, the color cartridge 30 is constructed so that it easily but efficiently fits into a port 40 on a color jet printer or the like is designed to receive it. The port 40 is with a Channel 42 for the incoming waste color and a channel 44 for the emerging fresh Color provided. With such an arrangement, the waste color caused by the Channel 42 is transferred, absorbed by the container 10, while the fresh paint is out the container 30 is input through the channel 44 to a pump or the like.

With the type of integrated cartridge described above, the Waste paint absorbed by the container 10 in an amount proportional to the amount of Supply of fresh paint is. The operator therefore only has to hold the container 10 then replace with a new one when it determines that the container is for fresh Color is empty and she renews it. This frees the operator from one Part of the maintenance work related to the supply and removal of paint, whereby the operability is improved or facilitated.

Reference is now made to Figure 6; a container 50 corresponds a third embodiment of the present invention and is as shown essentially similar to the first embodiment in terms of structure and function concerns. As shown, the Container on a housing 52, the is formed with an opening 54 passing through its neck. The absorption body 16 is arranged in the housing 52 near the opening 54, while a retaining body 18 also in the housing 52 in physical contact with the absorption body 16 is arranged. As stated earlier, stands for each of the interacting Body 16 and 18 a variety of materials are available.

The container 50, which is shown in Fig. 6, can in turn with a Containers for fresh paint are combined in an integrated cartridge arrangement, as shown in Figs. As best shown in FIG. 7, includes the paint cartridge, indicated generally at 60, a housing 62, an inner housing 64, the container 50 and a container 66 for fresh paint.

The housing 62 is formed with guide holes 68 and 70, the are arranged opposite one another in the middle of the long sides. The holes 68 and 70 have different diameters. Mounting pawls 72 extend individually to the depth of the housing 62, and each jumps with its one end axially slightly into the guide hole 68 or 70. The pawls 72 are designed so that they deform when they are pressed in from the outside of the housing 62 will. There are also four protrusions on the inner periphery of the housing 62 74 two on the opposite sides of the guide hole 68 and the other two on the opposite sides of the guide hole 70.

The waste paint container 50 and the container 66 for fresh paint have individual housings 76 which have the effect of being modified rectangular have lower portion and a cylindrical upper portion. The container 66 for fresh paint has an opening 78 at its top, as does it is the case with the container 50 for the waste paint, as described.

The inner housing 64 is formed with two openings 80, four rectangular Openings 82 which cooperate with the projections 74 on the outer housing 62, such as to be described, and with necked portions 84 and 86 shown in FIG Center of each longitudinal side are arranged so that they extend towards one another.

When assembling, after the container 66 for fresh paint and the container 50 for waste paint have been inserted into the housing 62 so that they facing each other, the inner housing 64 is pushed into the outer housing 62, from above the container 66 and 50, to the rectangular openings 82 locking the projections 74 on the outer housing 62 receive. Shoulders 88 on container 66 and 60 are individually dimensioned so that they can be seen from above be depressed by the inner housing 64 when it fits in the outer housing 62 is attached so that both containers are firmly attached to the housing 62 for the completion of the color cartridge 60 are attached.

Reference is now made to Figure 8; there is shown a port 90, which is formed in a pump to receive the color cartridge 60, the above has been described with reference to FIG. Two guide pins 92 and 94 with different diameters protrude from the connection 90 like pegs. Holes 96 and 98 are formed in connection 90 so that they the container 66 for fresh paint or pick up the waste paint container 50. Each of the guide pins 92 and 94 has a top, which is shaped as a triangular pyramid, as well as an in Circumferential recess or groove 100 immediately below the top on.

The color cartridge 60 shown in Fig. 7 is attached in the connection 90 so that that their openings 78 and 54 face downwards and the guide holes 68 and 70 are aligned with guide pins 92 and 94. When the color cartridge 60 is pushed down in such a position, then the pawls 72 on Housing 62 progressing out of the guide holes 68 and 70 through the Tops The guide pins 92 and 94 are pushed out and then caused to slide into the grooves 100 which are formed in the guide pins 92 and 94. The color cartridge 60 is now attached to connector 90.

In Fig. 9a, the containers of the color cartridge 60, which are in connection 90 is attached, shown in section. As previously described, the Paint cartridge 60 has a container 66 for fresh paint and a container 50 for waste paint which by the inner housing 64 together with the outer housing 62 to one another are attached. The container 66 includes a valve 102 which is supported by a spring 104 in Contact with an inner stop housing 108 is pressed so that the interior of the container 66 is sealed against the outside when the container 66 is not used. Such an inner stop unit is in the opening 78 of the Container 66 pressed in.

In Fig. 9b the position of the color cartridge and the connection is shown, guide pins 92 and 94 received in guide holes 68 and 70, respectively are. In this position, the pawls 72 penetrate the guide holes 68 and 70 and are individually engaged with the grooves 100 of the guide pins 92 and 94, the housing 62 of the color cartridge 60 being locked at the connector 90.

To the cartridge 60 from the connector 90 for renewal or the like To remove, the pawls 72 on the cartridge housing are manually moved towards one another pushed in until the ends of the pawls 72 from the grooves 100 in the guide pins 92 and 94 are solved. In this state, the cartridge can easily be removed from the connector 90 can be pulled out.

It should be noted that the guide holes 68 and 70 with different Diameters are formed, and the same applies to the guide pins 92 and 94 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Such a difference in diameter hinders effectively prevents the cartridge from being accidentally inserted afterwards in such a way that that their page orientation is reversed.

If desired, the difference in diameter is replaced by a difference in shape, i.e. one of the elements is, for example, a cylinder and the other designed as a prism.

As described above, it is a characteristic of that in Figs. 7 through 9 shown color cartridge that achieves considerable accuracy in mounting which prevents the cartridge from shaking or slipping after it has been installed in the Connection prevented. In addition, the cartridge can be locked in that you simply slide it into the connector and detach it from it will, by simply pulling them out while depressing the latches.

Where the guide pins and guide holes are formed that they are the attachment of the cartridge in the receiving section only in a special If you start alignment, you are prevented from turning the cartridge sideways misoriented.

It can be seen that even that shown in any of Figs Container can be built into a cartridge in the manner shown in Figures 7 and 7 8 is shown.

It can also be seen that the container shown in Fig. 6 in a writer can be used as shown in Fig. 2 or 5 is.

While the present invention is in the context of a color jet writer has been shown and described, this is merely illustrative and can be substituted by any other application that has a provision for waste liquid having.

Various modifications will be possible for those skilled in the art after He has accepted the teachings of the present disclosure without losing its scope leaves.

Claims (30)

Container for collecting waste ink from a ink jet writer Claims X container for collecting waste liquid, l g e k e n n n z e i c h n e t by a housing (12; 50), an absorption body (16), which is in the housing is arranged to collect and absorb the waste liquid, and a Liquid-holding body (18), which is steep in the housing in contact with the absorption is arranged to retain the liquid absorbed by the absorbent member. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized. that the absorbent body (16) comprises an accumulation of filaments. 3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that that the agglomeration of filaments comprises a woven cloth. 4. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the accumulation covered by filaments of felt. 5. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the absorbent (16) an arrangement with open-cell foam comprises-t. 6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the foam arrangement includes a sponge. 7. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the foam arrangement Rubber covers. 8. A container according to claim 5, characterized in that the foam arrangement includes foamed plastic. 9. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the absorption body (16) comprises a porous synthetic sheet. 10. Container according to claim 8, characterized in that the porous, Synthetic sheet includes filter paper. 11. Container according to claim 9, characterized in that the porous, synthetic sheet comprises a membrane filter. 12. Container according to claim 9, characterized in that the porous, synthetic sheet includes blotting paper. 13. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the absorption body (16) comprises a porous sintered body. 14. Container according to claim 1-3, characterized in that the porous, sintered body comprises metal filaments. 15. Container according to claim 13, characterized in that the porous, sintered body comprises a metal powder. 16. Container according to claim 13, characterized in that the porous, sintered body comprises resin powder. 17. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the absorption body (16) Kerarrdkrnatenal includes. 18. Container according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that that the liquid-holding body (18) is acrylonitrile graft hydrolyzate based on starch includes. 19. Container according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that that the liquid-holding body (18) is an acrylic acid graft compound based on starch includes. 20. Container according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that that the liquid holding body (18) comprises a cellulosic graft polymer. 21. Container according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that that the liquid holding body (18) is a carboxylmethylated cellulose-based substance includes. 22. Container according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that that the liquid holding body (18) comprises a polyacrylate. 23. Container according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized by a closure part (20) for closing an opening (14; 54) of the housing (12; 50). 24. Container according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that that the absorption body (16) has a columnar design, and that the Liquid-holding body (18) is shaped so that it is in contact with the outer Peripheral surfaces of the column-shaped absorption body remains. 25. Container according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that that the absorption body (16) and the liquid-holding body (18) are flat and hold each other in a sandwich-like manner in the housing (12). 26. Container for collecting waste ink in a inkjet writing instrument; characterized by a housing (12; 50), an absorption body (16) which is in Housing is arranged to collect the waste paint by absorption, and a Liquid-holding body (18) in the housing in contact with the absorption body is arranged to retain the waste paint absorbed by the absorbent body. 27. Color cartridge for a color jet writing apparatus, marked through a cartridge housing (62) for receiving a container (66) for supplying fresh paint and a container (50) for collecting waste paint, the cartridge provided with several guide holes (68, 70) and several fastening pawls (72) is, and a unit (90) for rigidly supporting the cartridge housing, the unit is provided with several guide pins 192, 94), each with a recess (100) are formed, and wherein the cartridge housing clamped together with the unit when the front ends of the fastening pawls individually into the recesses at come up with the guide pins. 28. Container according to claim 27, characterized in that at least one of the guide pins (92, 94) which engages the guide holes (68, 70) can be brought, has a shape which differs from that of the other. 29. Container according to one of claims 27 or 28, characterized in that that at least one of the guide pins (92, 94), which is inserted into the guide holes (68, 70) can intervene, has a radius which differs from that of the other. 30. Container according to one of claims 27 to 29, further characterized in that through an inner housing (64) for firmly holding the container (66) for fresh paint and the container (50) for collecting waste paint in the cartridge housing (62).