EP2102012B1 - Ink cartridge for inkjet printers - Google Patents

Abstract

Ink cartridge (10) for inkjet printers having a ventilation opening (17) between the ink storage space (20) and the surroundings (21), and having a valve (22) which is assigned to an ink outlet (11) and, when inserted into the printer, can be moved from a closed position into an open position and vice versa counter to the action of an elastic element (6). The valve (22) which is assigned to the ink outlet (11) is coupled in such a way to a valve (23) which is assigned to the ventilation opening (17) that, when inserted into the printer, the ink outlet (11) and the ventilation opening (17) are opened successively, or vice versa when the ink cartridge (10) is removed from the printer.

Description

The present invention relates to an ink cartridge for ink jet printer with a vent between the ink storage space and the environment and with an ink outlet associated valve, which is in use in the printer against the action of an elastic member from a closed to an open position, and vice versa, brought.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to an ink cartridge of the aforementioned type, which comprises a level indicator with an opaque or light-reflective lug, wherein the flag is connected to a float disposed within the ink cartridge or its housing, such that with decreasing level the mentioned flag either in or preferably out of the range of a printer disposed in the light barrier is movable.

The sealed for transport ink cartridges of the aforementioned type must before or during insertion into the printer by opening a connection between the environment and the interior of the ink cartridge, i. Be inked storage space. For ink cartridges, without absorber, i. in ink cartridges in the ink storage space is no absorbent material, especially fiber material or foam, this vent should be closed when removing it from the printer, so that no residual ink can leak.

1. a) Die Belüftungsöffnung wird mit einer sogenannten "Remove-Etikette" verschlossen, d.h. einer Etikette, die vor der ersten Benutzung der Tintenpatrone manuell entfernt wird. Nachteilig ist, dass der Benutzer manchmal vergisst, die erwähnte Etikette zu entfernen mit der Folge, dass dann das System nicht funktioniert.
   Des weiteren ist nachteilig, dass die Belüftungsöffnung auch nicht mehr verschlossen werden kann mit der Folge, dass die Gefahr besteht, dass beim Herausnehmen der Patrone aus dem Drucker Resttinte ausläuft.
2. b) Die Belüftungsöffnung wird mit einer Folie verschlossen, welche beim Einsetzen in den Drucker aufgestochen wird. Auch hier besteht der Nachteil, dass die Belüftungsöffnung nicht mehr verschlossen werden kann mit der Folge, dass auch hier die Gefahr besteht, dass beim Herausnehmen aus dem Drucker Resttinte aus der Patrone ausläuft.
3. c) Die Belüftungsöffnung wird mittels eines Ventils verschlossen, welches beim Einsetzen in den Drucker beaufschlagt und dadurch geöffnet wird. Beim Herausnehmen der Patrone aus dem Drucker wird das Ventil wieder verschlossen.

So far this problem has been solved as follows:

1. a) The ventilation opening is closed with a so-called "remove etiquette", ie a label which is manually removed before the first use of the ink cartridge. The disadvantage is that the user sometimes forgets to remove the mentioned etiquette with the result that then the system does not work.
   Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that the ventilation opening can not be closed, with the result that the risk exists that when removing the cartridge from the printer residual ink expires.
2. b) The ventilation opening is closed with a foil, which is pierced when inserting it into the printer. Again, there is the disadvantage that the ventilation opening can not be closed with the result that there is also the danger that when removing from the printer residual ink from the cartridge expires.
3. c) The ventilation opening is closed by means of a valve, which is acted upon insertion into the printer and thereby opened. When removing the cartridge from the printer, the valve is closed again.

All the aforementioned solutions have in common that the ink outlet is associated with a closing valve, which establishes the fluid connection between the cartridge interior and ink storage space and printer when inserting the cartridge into the printer and closes when removing the cartridge from the printer again. In the latter solution according to the prior art, therefore, two separate valves are provided, namely a valve associated with the ventilation opening and a further valve associated with the ink outlet of the cartridge. The design effort is correspondingly high, both on the cartridge side and on the printer side.

In the EP1464502 A1 Although it is already proposed integrally form the valve associated with the ink outlet and the valve associated with the ventilation opening, so that this valve is correspondingly reduced with respect to the design effort. On the other hand, in the latter state of the art, the design effort is again considerably increased by the fact that the ventilation opening opens into a valve chamber with a disc valve. About this valve chamber, a predetermined negative pressure in the ink cartridge is to be ensured, so that leakage through the Tintenauslassöffnung is safely avoided under all conditions of use. However, this problem usually only occurs when the ink cartridge is above the level of the ink discharge nozzles the printhead, so for example mounted on a reciprocating printhead.

From the EP 1 520 711 A1 a valve assembly is known which comprises two valve body which successively release the ink outlet and a vent opening when the cartridge is inserted into the printer as well as when the cartridge is removed from the printer. However, the two aforementioned valve body are mounted separately from each other and therefore must be coordinated with each other in terms of their relative movement consuming. It is also a structurally complex solution that is prone to error.

The present invention is now based on the object to provide an ink cartridge of the type mentioned above, which are made available in particular for a stationary installation in the printer and which are considerably easier to handle and thus more user-friendly compared to known ink cartridges just for this use, this being Benefits to be achieved with minimal design effort.

Furthermore, the present invention has the object to provide an ink cartridge of the type mentioned, which comprises a simple and reliable ink level indicator.

The first object is achieved by the measures according to claim 1, wherein advantageous structural developments and embodiments are described in the respective subsequent claims. With regard to the second-mentioned object, reference is made to claims 9 et seq.

With regard to a use according to the invention, reference is made to claims 17 and 18.

With the construction according to the invention, therefore, the ventilation of the ink storage space is structurally coupled to the opening of the ink outlet, in such a way that the valve body associated with the ventilation opening is connected to the valve body associated with the ink outlet by a rod-like connecting element or a plunger. This connection and the valve body or corresponding valves are coordinated so that when inserting the cartridge into the printer first the ink outlet, and then the vent opening are opened. When removing The ink cartridge is the sealing of the same in the reverse manner, ie it is first the vent, and then closed the ink outlet. With simple means so a functionally reliable ink cartridge is created in their handling pollution of the environment and in particular the user is excluded. The user does not have to worry about whether the ventilation opening is open or closed. The opening and the closing of the same takes place automatically in response to the actuation of the valve associated with the ink outlet.

To the still mentioned ink level indicator within the cartridge should be mentioned that the already mentioned flag is connected to a float which is movable along an approximately perpendicular to the bottom wall of the ink cartridge and the housing extending guide. Preferably, the float is annular and extends within the cartridge or the housing thereof about a rod or sleeve-shaped guide around. In order to avoid jamming of the float together with the flag, the float is preferably formed like a sleeve. Of course, the float is made of a material whose density is slightly smaller than the density of the ink. Preferably, a corresponding plastic material is used for the float.

The ink cartridge usually comprises a bottom, four side walls and a lid, wherein the flag connected to the float within a perpendicular to the bottom of the ink cartridge extending, formed in a side wall, in particular narrow end wall web and slot-like wall area following the level of a upper, near the lid in a lower, ground level position is movable. At least in the area of this web and slot-like wall area, the ink cartridge from a transparent or translucent material, in particular plastic, since this wall area protrudes into the aforementioned light barrier of the printer or the ink cartridge receptacle of the printer, so that the light barrier with the the float connected flag can interact in a conventional manner.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an ink cartridge according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein this drawing shows a longitudinal section of the ink cartridge.

The attached drawing thus shows an ink cartridge 10 for an otherwise not shown ink jet printer with a vent 17 between the ink storage space 20 and environment 21, and with a Tintenauslaß 11 in the bottom 13 of the housing 1 of the ink cartridge 10 associated valve 22, which when used in the Printer against the action of an elastic element, here helical compression spring 6 from a closed position shown in the accompanying drawing in an open position, and vice versa, can be brought. According to the invention, the ink outlet 11 associated with the valve 22 is associated with the ventilation opening 17 associated valve 23 such that when using the ink cartridge in the printer Tintenauslaß 11 and vent 17 are opened, or vice versa when removing the ink cartridge from the printer. The mentioned coupling is such that, when the ink cartridge is inserted into the printer, first the ink outlet 11 and then the ventilation opening 17 are opened, or vice versa when removing the ink cartridge from the printer.

Valve 22 associated with ink outlet 11 has a first valve body 18 cooperating with a port seal 11 disposed in ink port 11, while valve 23 associated with vent port 17 has a second valve body 19 cooperating with inlet port 5 disposed in vent port 17, both valve bodies 18 and 19 are rigidly connected to each other, namely by a rod-like connecting element in the form of a plunger 3. In the area between the ink outlet 11 associated valve body 18 and a wall opposite thereto, namely lid 2 of the ink cartridge 10 and the housing 1 thereof, is a elastic element, namely a helical compression spring 6 effective against the action of the valve body 18 can be brought from its closed to the open position or pushed, according to arrow 24. Concretely, the helical compression spring 6 at a stage 25 of the plunger 3 between en the two valve bodies 18 and 19 on the one hand and on the ventilation opening 17 bounding wall, namely the lid wall of the ink cartridge or the housing thereof on the other hand supported.

The rod-like connecting element or the plunger 3 may have a circular, rectangular or cross-profile-like cross-section. The latter cross-section is realized in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

The valve body 19 associated with the vent 17 includes an outer cylindrical piston portion 26 on the one hand and an inner, i.e., inner, piston portion. the aeration chamber 27 associated with the ink storage chamber 20 on the other hand, the latter only after opening of the valve outlet 22 associated with the ink outlet 11 in operative position, i. Ventilation reaches. The venting portion 27 is formed as a continuation of the piston portion 26, i. has the same outer diameter as the piston portion 26. However, it includes at least one cross-sectional constriction extending over the length to allow venting of the ink storage space 20 upon appropriate movement of the piston portion 26 out of the inlet seal 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the venting section 27 has a cross-section-like cross-section which extends into the region of the helical compression spring 6.

This ensures that the inlet seal is not airtight to the ventilation portion 27 around applies when the piston portion 26 of the second valve body 19 from the inlet seal 5 and from the region of an annular sealing bead 28th the same is moved out. Furthermore, this ensures that the valve body 19 can be moved without jerking on the annular sealing bead 28 of the inlet seal 5, and indeed in the transition region between the piston section 26 and ventilation section 27th

To the support of the helical compression spring 6 on the ventilation opening 17 limiting top wall should be mentioned that between this and the helical compression spring 6, a support ring 29 is arranged made of metal or plastic. This support ring also secures the inlet seal 5 within the ventilation opening 17 and prevents the inlet seal 5 from migrating into the interior of the housing or into the ink storage space 20.

The filling of the ink cartridge 10 is otherwise carried out via an opening formed in the lid 2 Tintenfüllöffnung 12, which is closed fluid-tight after being filled by a closure ball 8.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the first valve body 18 defines a spherical zone. Complementarily, the sealing seat of the connection seal 4 is formed.

At the lower free end of the valve body 18, finally, a projection 9 is formed in the form of a projecting pin which, when placing the ink cartridge 10 on a flat surface, e.g. Table holds the outlet opening 11 at a distance and prevents sprawl of the pad, at least reduced.

The described ink cartridge is intended in particular for stationary mounting in a printer, wherein it is then positioned so that the ink level is always below the fluid-pressure-bondable ink outlet nozzles of the print head. Thereby, unintentional leakage of the ink by the printhead nozzles due to the direct connection of the ink accommodating space of the ink cartridge with the outside atmosphere after insertion of the ink cartridge in the printer is securely avoided.

In principle, the ink cartridges according to the invention are also suitable for mounting on a reciprocating print head; only then must it be ensured that the assembly is made so that the ink level in the cartridge is always below the ink outlet openings of the print head.

The illustrated embodiment of an ink cartridge also has an opaque or alternatively light-reflecting lug 15 comprehensive level indicator, wherein the flag 15 is connected to a float 7 arranged inside the ink cartridge 10 or the housing 1, such that the flag can be moved either in or as here from the region of a light barrier 16 arranged in the printer, with decreasing filling level. The float 7 is movable along a guide 30 extending around the ink outlet 11 perpendicular to the bottom wall 13 of the ink cartridge 10 and the casing 1, respectively. For this purpose, the float 7 is formed like a sleeve. It extends within the cartridge or the housing of the same around a rod or here also sleeve-shaped guide 30 around. Within this sleeve-shaped guide 30, the plunger 3, which connects the two valve bodies 18 and 19 with each other, mounted longitudinally displaceably, under the bias of the helical compression spring. 6

In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve-shaped guide 30 is integrally connected to the lid 2 of the ink cartridge 10. It extends between the ink outlet 11 and the oppositely arranged ventilation opening 17th

Of particular importance is still that connected to the float 7 flag 15 within a perpendicular to the bottom 13 of the ink cartridge 10 and the housing thereof extending, formed in a narrow end wall web and slot-like wall portion 14 following the level of an upper, close to the lid, in a lower, ground level position is movable. In the illustrated embodiment, the flag 15 is already in the lowest position in which the ink cartridge is emptied. At least the web and slot-like wall portion 14 is made of transparent or translucent material, in particular plastic, so that in this area a cooperation between the light barrier 16 on the one hand and the flag 15 on the other hand is ensured. The light barrier 16 is preferably divided into segments to indicate the concrete level of the cartridge, in particular to indicate in time when the ink is approaching the end. Ultimately, however, these are printer-specific specifications that are not the subject of the present invention. The reference to the light barrier 16 is used in the present case, only the explanation of the function of the flag 15th

As already mentioned, the float 7 is made of a material whose density is at least slightly smaller than the density of the ink in the ink storage space 20 of the cartridge 10. Flag 15 and float 7 are made of the same material and are preferably made in one piece. The float 7 together with the flag 15 is pushed onto the vertical guide 30 before the cover 2 is mounted. Also, before the Assembly of the lid 2 in the vertical guide 30, the inlet seal 5, the support ring 29, the helical compression spring 6 and the plunger 3 together with the connected to the plunger 3 valve bodies 18, 19 used. Subsequently, the assembly of the lid 2 takes place in association with the ink outlet 11 and the connection seal 4 arranged therein.

To the already mentioned support ring 29 may also be mentioned that this ensures that the inlet seal 5 is not acted upon directly by the helical compression spring 6 and deformed.

Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the float and flag 15 is made of a material whose density ρ is about 0.9 g / cm ³ .

To the web and slot-like wall portion 14 may be mentioned that this appears from the outside as a projecting web. From the inside of the housing this web defines a vertical slot within which the float lug 15 can move up and down.

reference numeral

1

casing

2

cover

3

rod-like connecting element (plunger)

4

connection seal

5

inlet seal

6

compression spring

7

swimmer

8th

closing ball

9

head Start

10

ink cartridge

11

ink outlet

12

ink fill

13

ground

14

Barred and slot-like wall area

15

Banner, flag

16

photocell

17

ventilation opening

18

first valve body

19

second valve body

20

Ink storage space

21

Surroundings

22

Valve

23

Valve

24

arrow

25

step

26

piston section

27

ventilation section

28

annular sealing bead

29

support ring

30

vertical guide

Claims (18)

1. Ink cartridge (10) for mounting below the level of the ink outlet nozzles of an associated print head of an inkjet printer, having a vent hole (17) for the ink reservoir (20) and having a valve (22) associated with an ink outlet (11), which valve is arranged to be brought, against the action of a resilient element (6), from a closed position into an open position when the ink cartridge is inserted into the printer, and vice versa, wherein
   the valve (22) associated with the ink outlet (11) is coupled in such a manner to a valve (23) associated with the vent hole (17) that, when the ink cartridge (10) is inserted into the printer, ink outlet (11) and vent hole (17) are opened in succession and, when the ink cartridge (10) is removed from the printer, vent holes (17) and ink outlet (11) are closed in succession, and wherein further
   the vent hole (17) leads directly to the outside environment so that, when the ink cartridge (10) is in use, the ink reservoir (20) is in direct connection with atmospheric pressure by way of the vent hole (17),
   characterized in that
   the valve (22) associated with the ink outlet (11) has a first valve body (18) co-operating with a seal (4) arranged in the ink outlet (11), and the valve (23) associated with the vent hole (17) has a second valve body (19) co-operating with a seal (5) arranged in the vent hole (17), the two valve bodies (18, 19) being rigidly connected to one another.
2. Ink cartridge according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the rigid connection between the two valve bodies (18, 19) is effected by a rod-like connecting element (3).
3. Ink cartridge according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   when the ink cartridge (10) is inserted into the printer, first the ink outlet (11) is opened and then the vent hole (17) is unblocked, whereas when the ink cartridge (10) is removed from the printer first the vent hole (17) and then the ink outlet (11) are closed.
4. Ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   a resilient element (6) acts in the region between the valve body (18) associated with the ink outlet (11) and a wall (2) lying opposite thereto of the ink cartridge (10) or of the housing thereof, against the action of which resilient element (6) the afore-mentioned valve body (18) is arranged to be brought from its closed position into the open position (24).
5. Ink cartridge according to claim 3 if dependent on claim 2, or claim 4 if dependent on claim 2,
   characterized in that
   the resilient element (6) is supported on the one hand against a shoulder (25) of the connecting element (3) between the two valve bodies (18, 19) and on the other hand against the wall (lid 2) of the ink cartridge (10) delimiting the vent hole (17).
6. Ink cartridge according to claim 2, claim 3 if dependent on claim 2, claim 4 if dependent on claim 2, or claim 5,
   characterized in that
   the rod-like connecting element (3) has a circular, rectangular, triangular or cross-shaped profile in cross-section.
7. Ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that
   the valve body (19) associated with the vent hole (17) comprises, on the one hand, an outer cylindrical piston portion (26) and, on the other hand, an inner venting portion (27), that is to say a venting portion facing the ink reservoir (20), the venting portion moving into the operative position, that is to say the venting position, only after the valve (22) associated with the ink outlet (11) has opened.
8. Ink cartridge according to claim 7,
   characterized in that
   the venting portion (27) is formed as a continuation of the piston portion (26) but has at least one portion of reduced cross-section extending over its length.
9. Ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, having a fill-level indicator comprising an opaque or light-reflecting tab (15), the tab (15) being so connected to a float (7) arranged inside the ink cartridge (10) or the housing (1) thereof that, as the fill level drops, the tab is arranged to move either into or, preferably, out of the region of a photoelectric sensor (16) arranged in the printer,
   characterized in that
   the float (7) is arranged to move along a guide (30), which extends approximately perpendicularly to the base wall (13) of the ink cartridge (10) or of the housing (1) thereof.
10. Ink cartridge according to claim 9,
    characterized in that
    the float (7) is of ring-like construction and extends inside the cartridge (10) or the housing (1) thereof about a rod-like or sleeve-like guide element (30).
11. Ink cartridge according to claim 10,
    characterized in that
    a rod-like or the rod-like connecting element (3) between the two valve bodies (18, 19) extends within, and is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable within, the rod-like or sleeve-like guide element (30) for the float (7).
12. Ink cartridge according to claim 10 or 11,
    characterized in that
    the rod-like or sleeve-like guide element (30) is connected integrally with a base (13) or lid (2) of the ink cartridge (10).
13. Ink cartridge according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
    characterized in that
    the guide element (30) for the float (7) extends between the ink outlet (11) and the vent hole (17).
14. Ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
    characterized in that
    it consists of a housing (1), which comprises a base (13) and side walls, and of a lid (2), wherein the ink outlet (11) is formed in the base (13), and the vent hole (17) is formed in the lid (2) opposite to the ink outlet (11).
15. Ink cartridge according to any one of claims 9 to 13 or according to claim 14 if dependent on any one of claims 9 to 13,
    characterized in that
    the tab (15) connected to the float (7) is arranged to move inside a tongue- and slot-like wall region (14), which is formed in a side wall and extends approximately perpendicularly to the base (13) of the ink cartridge (10) or of the housing (1) thereof, so as to be movable, following the fill level, from a top position close to the lid to a bottom position close to the base.
16. Ink cartridge according to claim 15,
    characterized in that
    at least the tongue- and slot-like wall region (14) consists of transparent or translucent material, especially plastics.
17. Use of an ink cartridge (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 16 in an inkjet printer such that the level of the ink in the cartridge (10) always lies below the level of the ink outlet apertures of the associated print head.
18. Use according to claim 17,
    characterized in that
    the ink cartridge (10) is mounted in fixed position in the printer.

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