EP0832750B1 - Tintenbehälter für Tintenstrahldrucker - Google Patents

Tintenbehälter für Tintenstrahldrucker Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0832750B1
EP0832750B1 EP19970307558 EP97307558A EP0832750B1 EP 0832750 B1 EP0832750 B1 EP 0832750B1 EP 19970307558 EP19970307558 EP 19970307558 EP 97307558 A EP97307558 A EP 97307558A EP 0832750 B1 EP0832750 B1 EP 0832750B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
foam
ink
ink cartridge
cartridge according
reservoir
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19970307558
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0832750A2 (de
EP0832750A3 (de
Inventor
Charles Leonard Decoste, Jr.
Donald Leo Elbert
Bradley Leonard Beach
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lexmark International Inc
Original Assignee
Lexmark International Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lexmark International Inc filed Critical Lexmark International Inc
Publication of EP0832750A2 publication Critical patent/EP0832750A2/de
Publication of EP0832750A3 publication Critical patent/EP0832750A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0832750B1 publication Critical patent/EP0832750B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17513—Inner structure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to ink cartridges which are used in ink jet printers. Particularly, it relates to the reservoirs which hold and feed out the ink in those cartridges during the printing process.
  • Ink jet heads are well known in the art. They provide the means by which an ink jet printer holds and meters out the appropriate amount of ink, when needed, to ensure clear, smudge-free printing.
  • Such cartridges usually consist of an energy generating portion which forms droplets of the ink and an ink tank which supplies ink to the energy generating portion.
  • the ink is absorbed and held in place by a porous material compressed and encased in an ink tank. The ink held by the porous material is pulled out by the capillary force of a nozzle as it is required at the ink ejection portion of the ink jet head.
  • Polyurethane foams are the best known reservoir materials for use in ink jet cartridges.
  • U.S. Patent 4,790,409, Deaver, issued December 13, 1988, and U.S. Patent 4,824,887, Aycock, et al., issued April 25, 1989 teach the fabrication of a commercial foam into a size suitable for use in an ink cartridge, as well as a process for washing out nonvolatile matter contained in that material.
  • nonvolatile materials also known as nonvolatile residue, or NVR
  • the foam used for ink delivery in an ink jet cartridge contains levels of nonvolatile residue in the range of from about 0.5% to greater than 3 % by weight of the foam.
  • This residue consists of low molecular weight urethanes resulting from the chain termination during formation of the foam and from degradation of urethane linkages during manufacture of the foam, as well as remnants of surfactant used as an ingredient in the foam formulation.
  • such residues can deposit on the plate containing the nozzles thereby causing clogging and other operational failures.
  • a typical prior art ink reservoir might comprise a polyether urethane foam, having a pore size of about 25 pores per cm (70 pore per inch (ppi)), which is reticulated to obtain open cells. Then, the material is felted by applying heat and compression in order to provide the foam with its ink holding and metering capabilities by reducing its volume to between 1/3 and 1/6 of the unfelted volume. Following that, the felted foam is cut into individual pieces to be put in the ink reservoir. However, the felting process also results in high levels of undesirable nonvolatile residue in the foam. It is possible to clean nonvolatile residues out of the foam, but this adds expense and extra steps to the manufacturing process. An example of such a procedure is found in U.S.
  • Patent 4,824,487, Heffernan issued April 25, 1989, which discloses a specific solvent process for removing residue from the foam.
  • Another way of minimizing nonvolatile residues is disclosed in U.S.Patent 5,572,876, issued October 8, 1996, which discloses a method for felting open cell foams under reduced moisture conditions in order to provide minimized residues of low volatile materials. While these methods are effective in achieving their intended purpose, it would be useful to be able to minimize the nonvolatile residues without having to add additional manufacturing steps or process controls.
  • nonfelted foams in the ink reservoir since it is the felting process which forms much of the nonvolatile residues.
  • nonfelted foams tend to be too large to fit into conventional ink reservoirs and have insufficient back pressure to effectively hold the ink. This is especially true with low viscosity inks (i.e., those having a viscosity of less than about 2 centipoise).
  • low viscosity inks i.e., those having a viscosity of less than about 2 centipoise.
  • the net result is a phenomenon called drooling wherein the ink dribbles out of the ink reservoir during the printing process, causing smudging and fouling of the printing apparatus.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to provide foam reservoirs for use in ink jet printer cartridges which minimize the presence of nonvolatile residues while providing sufficient ink feed to the printer for effective printing without permitting ink drooling. It has been found that by using as an ink reservoir a reticulated nonfelted foam having a relatively small pore size (i.e., a relatively large number of pores per inch) and which is compressed to a specific compression ratio, this object can be achieved. In addition, since it eliminates felting and residue clean-up steps, the present invention accomplishes this object in a very cost effective manner.
  • the patent specifically defines the relationship required between the compression ratio and the pore size of the foam.
  • the patent teaches that the compression may be achieved by felting, but also may be achieved by compressing the foam into the cartridge.
  • the patent states that the foam should have a pore size of no greater than about 25 pores per cm (60 ppi) and, in fact, teaches away from foams having smaller pore sizes (i.e., higher pore densities).
  • EP-A-0 803 363 (which forms prior art under Art 54(3)(4) EPC) describes ink cartridges using non-felted foams which are especially adapted to act as reservoirs for high viscosity (pigmented) inks. The use of compressed foams in the cartridge is not disclosed.
  • the present invention relates to printer ink cartridges which contain a non-felted reticulated foam having from about 25 to 45 pores per cm (about 65 to about 110 pores per inch), preferably from about 35 to 38 pores per cm (about 88 to about 98 pores per inch), and a compression ratio of from about 1.5 to about 6.5, preferably from about 2 to about 4.
  • Preferred foams for use in present invention are urethane foams, particularly polyether polyurethane foams.
  • the foams contain very low levels (e.g., less than about 1.5%) of nonvolatile residue.
  • the nonvolatile residue content is reduced by 50% or more on a weight basis or to an equivalent of 0.75 % compared to felted foam (weight adjusted basis).
  • Ink jet cartridges are well known in the printer art. For example, they are described in detail in U.S. Patent 5,182,579, Haruta, et al., issued January 26, 1993, and U.S. Patent 5,025,271, Baker, et al., issued June 18, 1991.
  • the portion of the cartridge to which the present invention relates is the ink tank and particularly the ink reservoir in the ink tank. This portion of the cartridge holds the ink before it is formed into droplets and ejected onto the page in the appropriate pattern during the printing process. The reservoir actually holds the ink but in doing so a very careful balance is required. If the force holding the ink in the reservoir is too great, the ink won't feed and the printing either won't occur or will be too light. If the force holding the ink is not great enough, the ink will drool out of the reservoir fouling the printer and giving a short printer cartridge life.
  • the material used in forming the ink reservoir is a reticulated felted foam.
  • the felting process results in too high a level of nonvolatile residue for effective printer use.
  • the present invention solves this problem by providing an ink reservoir which effectively holds the ink and meters it out at the appropriate rate but, since it is not felted, does not include high levels of nonvolatile residue.
  • Any open celled foam material conventionally used in ink reservoirs may be used in the present invention.
  • Urethane foams and formaldehyde foams are preferred materials, with polyether polyurethane foams being particularly preferred.
  • An example of a foam which may be used in the present invention is commercially available from Foamex, Eddystone, Pennsylvania and is a reticulated unfelted polyether polyurethane foam having a pore size of about 36 pores per cm (about 93 ppi).
  • the ink absorbent member is preferably made from a polyether-type polyurethane foam in the form of a polymeric, elastic porous material having continuous foam cells.
  • the ink absorbent member can be prepared by conducting the reaction of, for example, polyether polyols and toluene diisocyanate as starting materials together with an additive such as a silicon-based surfactant and catalysts, according to conventional processes, thereby forming the foamed reaction product having the desired porosity and density.
  • the resulting foam is then reticulated (i.e., a gas explosion is used to blow out the cell faces) making an open cell foam.
  • the foam may then be cut to the desired shape and size for use in the present invention.
  • the ink absorbent materials utilized in the present invention generally have low levels of nonvolatile residue, typically no greater than about 1.5% nonvolatile residue, and preferably no greater than about 1.0% nonvolatile residue.
  • the reaction conditions can be manipulated, as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, to form a foam having optimized conditions for use in the present invention.
  • the foams utilized in the present invention contain a relatively high pore density (i.e., a relatively small pore size).
  • a relatively high pore density i.e., a relatively small pore size.
  • the conventional thinking was that such high pore density, small pore diameter foams would provide a level of capillary action which was so high so as to hold the ink tightly and not feed the ink effectively to the print head. See, for example, U.S. Patent 5,182,579, Haruta, et al., issued January 26, 1993, which states that the pore density in the foams of an ink reservoir must be no greater than about 25 pores per cm (60 ppi) and preferably are significantly less than that (i.e., about 15 pores per cm (35-40 ppi)).
  • the foams utilized in the present invention have a pore density of from about 25 to 45 pores per cm (about 65 to about 110 pores per inch), preferably from about 30 to 40 pores per cm (about 75 to about 102 ppi), more preferably from about 33 to 40 pores per cm (about 84 to about 102 ppi), more preferably from about 35 to 38 pores per cm (about 88 to about 98 ppi), and most preferably about 36 pores per cm (about 93 ppi).
  • Preferred foams have a pore density of greater than about 35 pores per cm (about 90 ppi) and up to about 38 pores per cm (about 98 ppi). If the pore density of the foam is too low, it provides insufficient back pressure and ink drooling occurs. If the pore density is too high, the foam provides too much back pressure and there is insufficient ink feed.
  • the foams should be fashioned so that the size of the cells is essentially uniform throughout the foam material so that the ink feed will be uniform at all points in the reservoir.
  • the densities of the foams themselves generally range from about .015 to about .040 g/cm 3 , preferably from about .026 to about .038 g/cm 3 .
  • the piece of foam used for the reservoir is cut larger than the size of the ink tank in the cartridge body into which it fits. As a result, the act of placing the foam into the cartridge body acts to compress the foam. When it is in place, the foam reservoir must fill the ink tank and the cartridge body completely and with no wrinkling or channeling, otherwise the flow of the ink out of the reservoir will not be uniform.
  • a method for defining the compression of the ink reservoir is the compression ratio (R) which is the ratio of the apparent volume of the foam before compression (V 1 ) to the apparent volume of the foam after compression (V 2 ). The compression ratio (R) is therefore equal to V 1 /V 2 .
  • the foam reservoir materials should have a compression ratio in the cartridge body of from about 1.5 to about 6.5, preferably from about 2.0 to about 4.0, most preferably from about 2.4 to about 3.6.
  • Viscosity of ink used in ink jet printers typically ranges from about 1 cps to about 5 cps.
  • Dye-based inks tend to be less viscous than pigment inks.
  • Color inks tend to be less viscous than black ink.
  • the viscosity of color ink typically is in the range of from about 1.1 cps to about 2.5 cps and the viscosity of black ink typically is from about 1.3 cps to about 4.5 cps.
  • Inks typically have a surface tension between about 30 and about 65 dynes/cm, with color inks being in the range of from about 30 to about 45 dynes/cm and black inks being from about 45 to about 65 dynes/cm.
  • the surface tension and the viscosity of the ink to be used can have an effect on the optimum pore size and compression ratio to be used in the foam reservoir with that ink. For example, an ink having a higher viscosity does not need to be held by the reservoir as tightly which means that the optimum foam material for the reservoir may have a larger pore size or less compression.
  • ink tanks in ink jet printer cartridge bodies typically have a volume in the range of from about 15 cm 3 for color inks to about 60 cm 3 for monochromatic inks. However, these sizes can vary widely depending on the particular application involved and are limited only by printer design.
  • the dimensions of the foam reservoir material used with black inks are typically in the range of about 160 cm 3 , preferably about 64 x 42 x 59 mm.
  • the size of the foam reservoir material used with color inks is typically in the range of about 55 cm 3 , preferably about 22 x 42 x 59 mm.
  • the present invention is particularly useful for dye-based inks (although it can be used with any type of ink), especially those having viscosities below about 1.5 centipoise. It is especially surprising that non-felted foams can hold such low viscosity inks effectively.
  • the following pore sizes and compression ratios as the foam (polyether polyurethane foam) is put into the reservoir, provides a cartridge that prints satisfactorily, does not exhibit drooling or flooding and provides acceptable print life.
  • the following pore sizes and compression ratios as the foam (polyether polyurethane foam) is put into the reservoir, provides a cartridge that prints satisfactorily, does not exhibit drooling or flooding and provides acceptable print life.
  • the following pore sizes and compression ratios as the foam (polyether polyurethane foam) is put into the reservoir, provides a cartridge that prints satisfactorily, does not exhibit drooling or flooding and provides acceptable print life.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Drucker-Tintenpatrone, die einen nicht-gefilzten retikulierten Schaum mit 25 bis 45 Poren pro cm (65 bis 110 Poren pro Inch) und einem Kompressionsverhältnis von etwa 1,5 bis etwa 6,5 enthält.
  2. Tintenpatrone gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der der Schaum ausgewählt ist aus Urethanschäumen und Formaldehydschäumen.
  3. Tintenpatrone gemäß Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, bei der der Schaum nicht mehr als 1,5% nichtflüchtigen Rückstand enthält.
  4. Tintenpatrone gemäß irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, welche für die Verwendung mit einer Tinte mit einer Viskosität von 1 cps bis 5 cps entwickelt ist.
  5. Tintenpatrone gemäß irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, bei der der Schaum 33 bis 40 Poren pro cm (84 bis 102 Poren pro Inch) hat.
  6. Tintenpatrone gemäß irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, bei der der Schaum den Patronen-Tintentankkörper vollständig ohne Faltenbildung und ohne Kanalbildung ausfüllt.
  7. Tintenpatrone gemäß irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, bei der der Schaum ein Kompressionsverhältnis von 2,0 bis 4,0 hat.
  8. Tintenpatrone gemäß irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, bei der der Schaum nicht mehr als 1,0% nichtflüchtigen Rückstand enthält.
  9. Tincenpatrone gemäß irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, bei der der Schaum 35 bis 38 Poren pro cm (88 bis 98 Poren pro Inch) hat.
  10. Tintenpatrone gemäß irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, bei der der Schaum ein Polyetherpolyurethanschaum ist.
  11. Tintenpatrone gemäß Anspruch 10, bei der der Schaum eine Dichte von 0,015 bis 0,040 g/cm3 hat.
  12. Tintenpatrone gemäß irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, die zusätzlich eine Tinte auf Farbstoffbasis umfaßt, welche in dem genannten nichtverfilzten Schaum freisetzbar gespeichert ist.
  13. Tintenpatrone gemäß Anspruch 12, bei der die genannte Tinte eine Viskosität von weniger als etwa 1,5 Centipoise hat.
EP19970307558 1996-09-30 1997-09-26 Tintenbehälter für Tintenstrahldrucker Expired - Lifetime EP0832750B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US72368596A 1996-09-30 1996-09-30
US723685 1996-09-30

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0832750A2 EP0832750A2 (de) 1998-04-01
EP0832750A3 EP0832750A3 (de) 1999-02-03
EP0832750B1 true EP0832750B1 (de) 2001-11-28

Family

ID=24907260

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19970307558 Expired - Lifetime EP0832750B1 (de) 1996-09-30 1997-09-26 Tintenbehälter für Tintenstrahldrucker

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0832750B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH10114086A (de)
AU (1) AU736320B2 (de)
BR (1) BR9704913A (de)
CA (1) CA2216598A1 (de)
DE (1) DE69708571T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6371606B1 (en) * 2001-07-17 2002-04-16 Foamex L.P. Ink retaining foams
US6596785B2 (en) * 2001-07-17 2003-07-22 Foamex L.P. Ink retaining foam structure
KR101257628B1 (ko) 2011-03-24 2013-04-29 (주)아모레퍼시픽 화장료 조성물이 함침된 발포 우레탄 폼을 포함하는 화장품

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE69124296T2 (de) * 1990-07-10 1997-06-26 Canon Kk Aufzeichnungsmethode, Gerät zur Aufzeichnung nach der Methode und Tintenstrahlkassette für das Aufzeichnungsgerät
US5569726A (en) * 1993-01-27 1996-10-29 Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc. Diguanamines and preparation process, derivatives and use thereof
CA2124369A1 (en) * 1993-06-15 1994-12-16 Thyagaraj Sarada Dual density foam inking member and method of making the same
US5892527A (en) * 1996-04-22 1999-04-06 Lexmark International, Inc. Ink cartridge with an unfelted foam and method of printing using the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0832750A2 (de) 1998-04-01
AU736320B2 (en) 2001-07-26
DE69708571D1 (de) 2002-01-10
BR9704913A (pt) 1998-12-01
EP0832750A3 (de) 1999-02-03
CA2216598A1 (en) 1998-03-30
MX9707412A (es) 1998-10-31
JPH10114086A (ja) 1998-05-06
DE69708571T2 (de) 2002-07-25
AU3932097A (en) 1998-04-02

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