EP2214908B1 - Ink cartridge, in particular for an inkjet printer - Google Patents

Ink cartridge, in particular for an inkjet printer Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2214908B1
EP2214908B1 EP08852799.9A EP08852799A EP2214908B1 EP 2214908 B1 EP2214908 B1 EP 2214908B1 EP 08852799 A EP08852799 A EP 08852799A EP 2214908 B1 EP2214908 B1 EP 2214908B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
passageway
capillary
ink cartridge
volume
ink
Prior art date
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Not-in-force
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EP08852799.9A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2214908A1 (en
Inventor
Daniel Sulser
René Butty
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Pelikan Hardcopy Production AG
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Pelikan Hardcopy Production AG
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Publication of EP2214908A1 publication Critical patent/EP2214908A1/en
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Publication of EP2214908B1 publication Critical patent/EP2214908B1/en
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    • 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 an ink cartridge, in particular for an inkjet printer, having an ink reservoir which limits a free ink volume in a first chamber and a capillary volume in a second chamber, wherein the two chambers are ventilated via one opening and fluidly connected to each other via a passage, and wherein the capillary volume limiting chamber is associated with an ink outlet.
  • One chamber serves to hold liquid or so-called free ink, while the other chamber limits a capillary volume of sponge, fibrous or the like storage material.
  • This chamber is also associated with the ink outlet to the printer or a printhead.
  • both ink chambers are ventilated via separate openings, i. Connectable with the external environment, in order to bring about a pressure equalization in and between the two chambers, which ensures a functionally reliable use of the ink cartridge.
  • the free ink volume limiting chamber may preferably communicate with the outside environment via a bubble generator.
  • the capillary volume defining material e.g. Sponge or fiber material
  • the capillary volume defining material is compressed during assembly in the associated chamber of the ink cartridge, so that the material fills all corners and edges of the chamber. This is to prevent penetration of ambient air into the free ink volume limiting chamber.
  • the sponge or fiber material is not placed very accurately, more or less large air channels, through which ambient air can pass to the fluid passage between the two chambers and thus into the free ink volume limiting chamber. It is also conceivable that ambient air finds its way through a partially empty capillary volume to the free ink volume limiting chamber.
  • the document EP 1 106 363 A discloses an ink cartridge according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the present invention is an object of the invention to provide an ink cartridge of the type mentioned, in which compared to the prior art, a much greater security against the ingress of ambient air through the capillary volume limiting chamber into the free ink volume limiting chamber received becomes.
  • An essential basic idea of the present invention therefore lies in allocating capillary-increasing means to the passage between the two chambers on the side facing the capillary volume, which define a type of "air barrier". In this way it is ensured that the free ink volume limiting chamber is vented through the chamber associated with this ventilation opening in a predetermined manner, ie in a functionally reliable manner when using the cartridge. In particular, this ensures that a free-volume ink associated with the bubble generator works properly until complete emptying of the free ink chamber, so that subsequently the Kapillarvolumen limiting chamber can be emptied without ambient air from the free ink chamber through the fluid connection between the two chambers in the capillary can penetrate.
  • the capillary volume limiting chamber should take place until completely drained via the ventilation opening assigned to this chamber.
  • the ventilation of the two chambers should be exclusively via the ventilation openings associated with these chambers, which are ventilated for the purpose of complete emptying of the cartridge or for the purpose of a predetermined successive emptying of the two chambers in a coordinated manner. This co-ordinated ventilation should be maintained from the first use to the complete emptying of the cartridge.
  • a preferred embodiment of the construction according to the invention is characterized in that at the capillary volume associated side of the fluid passage between the two chambers around this a rib extends, which penetrates into the capillary volume or in the capillary volume defining sponge or fiber material. This results in a local compression of the capillary volume defining material with the consequence of a corresponding increase in capillarity in this area. This increased capillarity forms the desired "air barrier".
  • the capillary volume at the side facing the passage between the two chambers with a capillary-increasing insert which extends at least partially around the passage.
  • the capillary increase is thus carried out in this embodiment not by measures on the ink cartridge or the housing thereof, but by local change of the Kapillarvolumen defining material.
  • a particularly preferred embodiment which is also relatively simple in terms of manufacturing technology, is characterized in that the passage is formed in a partition wall between the two chambers, starting from the bottom or the bottom wall of the cartridge, and that the projecting into the capillary volume rib is formed approximately U-shaped and bounded the passageway archway-like.
  • the legs adjacent to the bottom wall may then preferably be on the inside, i. the capillary volume facing side be continued over corner to form so-called bottom ribs.
  • the passage is bounded by two or more spaced-apart and each extending parallel to each other ribs, in this embodiment, the height of these ribs either the same or preferably in the direction towards the passageway is increasingly formed. Get in this way at least two "air barriers" around the fluid passage between the two chambers.
  • the in the FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrated ink cartridge is indicated by the reference numeral 10. It comprises two opposite flat or longitudinal side walls 11, two opposite end walls 12, a top wall 13 and a bottom wall 14. Furthermore, the aforementioned ink cartridge on an ink reservoir, which in a first chamber 17 a free ink volume 16 and in a second chamber 18 a Capillary volume 15 limited, wherein the two chambers 17 and 18 are each ventilated via an opening 23, 24 and fluidly connected to each other via a passage 22.
  • the capillary volume 15 bounding chamber 18 is associated with an ink outlet 21.
  • the capillary volume 15 is formed by a storage element of sponge or fiber material.
  • the ink outlet 21 is also associated with a sponge or fiber material having a higher capillarity than the capillary volume 15. This capillary element associated with the ink outlet 21, sometimes also referred to as a "wick", is indicated at 27 in FIG Fig. 2 characterized.
  • both chambers 17 and 18 are associated with ventilation openings 23, 24. These ventilation openings are arranged in each other in the illustrated embodiment.
  • An inner ventilation opening 23 is connected via an opening formed in the lid wall 13 air duct 25 with an opening into the free ink volume limiting chamber 17 opening 28, which in turn communicates with a dipping into the free ink volume bubble generator 19.
  • the central opening 23 is annularly surrounded by an outer ventilation opening 24. This is via a likewise formed in the top wall 13 air channel 26 with a capillary volume in the bounding chamber 18 opening opening 29 connected.
  • both chambers 17 and 18 are ventilated independently of one another, after a so-called "remove film" 30 has been deducted from the two openings 23, 24 prior to the first use of the cartridge 10. This remove film 30 also serves to cover the Tintenauslasses 21 and is also deducted from this before the first use of the cartridge 10.
  • the opening 28 communicates with the so-called bubble generator 19, which is a dip tube immersed in the free ink volume.
  • bubble generator 19 is a dip tube immersed in the free ink volume.
  • At the lower or distal end of this dip tube at least one slot-shaped opening is formed, through which air can be sucked into the chamber 17 during the use of the ink cartridge due to the aspiration of ink, forming air bubbles.
  • the function of the bubble generator 19 is very important for the complete emptying of the ink cartridge, especially for the successive emptying of the same. First, it is necessary to empty the free ink volume limiting chamber 17 to then suck residual ink from the capillary.
  • capillary increasing means are assigned to the capillary volume 15 side facing, in the form of a passage 22 surrounding the arch-like rib 32nd (please refer Figures 2 and 3 ).
  • This rib 32 protrudes into the capillary volume 15 and compresses this or the sponge or fiber material defining the capillary volume 15 locally to form an increased capillarity, whereby a corresponding air barrier is formed.
  • the rib 32 is therefore approximately U-shaped and directly adjacent to the peripheral edge of the passage 22.
  • the legs 33, which adjoin the bottom wall 14, of the rib 32 delimiting the passage are continued on the inside, ie, the side facing the capillary volume 15, at the corner, forming so-called bottom ribs 34. Accordingly, the capillarity is increased substantially completely around the passage 22 in the aforementioned manner.
  • the height of the bottom ribs 34 decreases in a preferred embodiment, starting from the passage 22 in the direction away from this steadily. Even a gradual decrease in height is conceivable.
  • the cross section of the passage 22 bounding rib 32 is preferably approximately semicircular. However, it is also a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section conceivable. In principle, it is also conceivable to arrange a transverse rib projecting into the capillary volume at the lower end of the two legs 33 of the U-shaped rib 32 adjoining the inside of the bottom wall 14, so that the passage 22 is surrounded by the rib 32 in a substantially annular manner.
  • capillary-increasing means on the material defining the capillary volume 15 or to provide this material with capillary-increasing means corresponding to the passage 22 assigned. This may be done by a capillary-increasing insert associated with the passageway 22 between the two chambers 17 and 18, which extends at least partially around the passageway 22 and is defined by a higher density or smaller pore size material.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Tintenpatrone, insbesondere für einen Tintenstrahldrucker, mit einem Tintenreservoir, welches in einer ersten Kammer ein Freitintenvolumen und in einer zweiten Kammer ein Kapillarvolumen begrenzt, wobei die beiden Kammern über jeweils eine Öffnung belüftbar sowie über einen Durchgang miteinander fluidverbunden sind, und wobei der das Kapillarvolumen begrenzenden Kammer ein Tintenauslaß zugeordnet ist.The present invention relates to an ink cartridge, in particular for an inkjet printer, having an ink reservoir which limits a free ink volume in a first chamber and a capillary volume in a second chamber, wherein the two chambers are ventilated via one opening and fluidly connected to each other via a passage, and wherein the capillary volume limiting chamber is associated with an ink outlet.

Derartige Zweikammer-Tintenpatronen sind allgemein bekannt. Die eine Kammer dient zur Aufnahme von Flüssig- bzw. sogenannter Freitinte, während die andere Kammer ein Kapillarvolumen aus Schwamm-, Faser- od. dgl. Speichermaterial begrenzt. Dieser Kammer ist auch der Tintenauslaß zum Drucker bzw. einem Druckkopf zugeordnet. Vorzugsweise sind beide Tintenkammern über gesonderte Öffnungen belüftbar, d.h. mit der äußeren Umgebung verbindbar, um in und zwischen den beiden Kammern einen Druckausgleich herbeizuführen, der einen funktionssicheren Gebrauch der Tintenpatrone gewährleistet. Die das Freitintenvolumen begrenzende Kammer kann vorzugsweise über einen Blasengenerator mit der äußeren Umgebung in Verbindung stehen.Such dual-chamber ink cartridges are well known. One chamber serves to hold liquid or so-called free ink, while the other chamber limits a capillary volume of sponge, fibrous or the like storage material. This chamber is also associated with the ink outlet to the printer or a printhead. Preferably, both ink chambers are ventilated via separate openings, i. Connectable with the external environment, in order to bring about a pressure equalization in and between the two chambers, which ensures a functionally reliable use of the ink cartridge. The free ink volume limiting chamber may preferably communicate with the outside environment via a bubble generator.

In jedem Fall muß jedoch sichergestellt sein, daß keine Umgebungsluft durch das Kapillarvolumen und den Durchgang zwischen den beiden Kammern hindurch in das Freitintenvolumen gelangt; denn dies würde dann die Belüftung der das Freitintenvolumen begrenzenden Kammer, insbesondere die Funktion eines dieser Kammer zugeordneten Blasengenerators erheblich stören. Dabei ist zu bedenken, daß die Belüftung der beiden Kammern aufeinander abgestimmt sein muß, um letztlich eine vollständige Entleerung der Tintenpatrone über das Kapillarvolumen sicherzustellen.In any case, however, it must be ensured that no ambient air passes through the capillary volume and the passage between the two chambers into the free ink volume; because this would then significantly disturb the ventilation of the free ink volume limiting chamber, in particular the function of a bubble generator associated with this chamber. It should be noted that the ventilation of the two Chambers must be coordinated to ultimately ensure complete emptying of the ink cartridge on the capillary.

Bisher hat man versucht, dieses Problem dadurch zu lösen, daß das Kapillarvolumen definierende Material merklich größer hergestellt wird als im eingebauten Zustand. Das das Kapillarvolumen definierende Material, z.B. Schwamm- oder Fasermaterial, wird bei der Montage in die zugeordnete Kammer der Tintenpatrone zusammengedrückt, so daß das Material sämtliche Ecken und Kanten der Kammer ausfüllt. Dadurch soll ein Eindringen von Umgebungsluft in die das Freitintenvolumen begrenzende Kammer verhindert werden. Wenn das Schwamm- oder Fasermaterial jedoch nicht sehr exakt plaziert wird, entstehen mehr oder weniger große Luftkanäle, durch die hindurch Umgebungsluft zum Fluiddurchgang zwischen den beiden Kammern und damit auch in die das Freitintenvolumen begrenzende Kammer gelangen kann. Auch ist es denkbar, daß Umgebungsluft einen Weg durch ein teilweise entleertes Kapillarvolumen hindurch zu der das Freitintenvolumen begrenzenden Kammer findet.So far, attempts have been made to solve this problem in that the capillary volume defining material is made considerably larger than in the installed state. The capillary volume defining material, e.g. Sponge or fiber material, is compressed during assembly in the associated chamber of the ink cartridge, so that the material fills all corners and edges of the chamber. This is to prevent penetration of ambient air into the free ink volume limiting chamber. However, if the sponge or fiber material is not placed very accurately, more or less large air channels, through which ambient air can pass to the fluid passage between the two chambers and thus into the free ink volume limiting chamber. It is also conceivable that ambient air finds its way through a partially empty capillary volume to the free ink volume limiting chamber.

Das Dokument EP 1 106 363 A offenbart eine Tintenpatrone nach der Oberteil des Anspruchs 1.The document EP 1 106 363 A discloses an ink cartridge according to the preamble of claim 1.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt nun die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Tintenpatrone der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, bei der im Vergleich zum Stand der Technik eine erheblich größere Sicherheit gegen das Eindringen von Umgebungsluft durch die das Kapillarvolumen begrenzende Kammer hindurch in die das Freitintenvolumen begrenzende Kammer hinein erhalten wird.The present invention is an object of the invention to provide an ink cartridge of the type mentioned, in which compared to the prior art, a much greater security against the ingress of ambient air through the capillary volume limiting chamber into the free ink volume limiting chamber received becomes.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch die kennzeichnenden Merkmale des Anspruches 1 gelöst, wobei vorteilhafte Details und Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Lösung in den Unteransprüchen beschrieben sind.This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1, wherein advantageous details and embodiments of the inventive solution are described in the subclaims.

Ein wesentlicher Grundgedanke der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt also darin, dem Durchgang zwischen den beiden Kammern an der dem Kapillarvolumen zugewandten Seite kapillarerhöhende Mittel zuzuordnen, die eine Art "Luftsperre" definieren. Auf diese Weise ist sichergestellt, daß die das Freitintenvolumen begrenzende Kammer über die dieser Kammer zugeordnete Belüftungsöffnung in vorbestimmter Weise, d.h. in funktionssicherer Weise beim Gebrauch der Patrone belüftet wird. Insbesondere wird dadurch sichergestellt, daß ein dem Freitintenvolumen zugeordneter Bubble-Generator ordnungsgemäß bis zur vollständigen Entleerung der Freitintenkammer funktioniert, so daß anschließend die das Kapillarvolumen begrenzende Kammer entleert werden kann, ohne daß Umgebungsluft von der Freitintenkammer durch die Fluidverbindung zwischen den beiden Kammern in das Kapillarvolumen eindringen kann. Die das Kapillarvolumen begrenzende Kammer soll bis zur vollständigen Entleerung über die dieser Kammer zugeordnete Belüftungsöffnung erfolgen. Durch die erfindungsgemäßen Maßnahmen soll also die Belüftung der beiden Kammern ausschließlich über die diesen Kammern zugeordneten Belüftungsöffnungen erfolgen, die zum Zwecke einer vollständigen Entleerung der Patrone bzw. zum Zwecke einer vorgegebenen sukzessiven Entleerung der beiden Kammern in aufeinander abgestimmter Weise belüftet werden. Diese aufeinander abgestimmte Belüftung soll vom ersten Gebrauch bis zur vollständigen Entleerung der Patrone aufrecht erhalten bleiben.An essential basic idea of the present invention therefore lies in allocating capillary-increasing means to the passage between the two chambers on the side facing the capillary volume, which define a type of "air barrier". In this way it is ensured that the free ink volume limiting chamber is vented through the chamber associated with this ventilation opening in a predetermined manner, ie in a functionally reliable manner when using the cartridge. In particular, this ensures that a free-volume ink associated with the bubble generator works properly until complete emptying of the free ink chamber, so that subsequently the Kapillarvolumen limiting chamber can be emptied without ambient air from the free ink chamber through the fluid connection between the two chambers in the capillary can penetrate. The capillary volume limiting chamber should take place until completely drained via the ventilation opening assigned to this chamber. By the measures according to the invention, therefore, the ventilation of the two chambers should be exclusively via the ventilation openings associated with these chambers, which are ventilated for the purpose of complete emptying of the cartridge or for the purpose of a predetermined successive emptying of the two chambers in a coordinated manner. This co-ordinated ventilation should be maintained from the first use to the complete emptying of the cartridge.

Eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Konstruktion ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sich an der dem Kapillarvolumen zugeordneten Seite des Fluiddurchgangs zwischen den beiden Kammern um diesen herum eine Rippe erstreckt, die in das Kapillarvolumen bzw. in das das Kapillarvolumen definierende Schwamm- oder Fasermaterial eindringt. Dadurch erfolgt eine lokale Kompression des das Kapillarvolumen definierenden Materials mit der Folge einer entsprechenden Erhöhung der Kapillarität in diesem Bereich. Diese erhöhte Kapillarität bildet die angestrebte "Luftsperre".A preferred embodiment of the construction according to the invention is characterized in that at the capillary volume associated side of the fluid passage between the two chambers around this a rib extends, which penetrates into the capillary volume or in the capillary volume defining sponge or fiber material. This results in a local compression of the capillary volume defining material with the consequence of a corresponding increase in capillarity in this area. This increased capillarity forms the desired "air barrier".

Alternativ zu der vorgenannten Rippen-Konstruktion ist es auch denkbar, das Kapillarvolumen an der dem Durchgang zwischen den beiden Kammern zugekehrten Seite mit einem kapillarerhöhenden Einsatz zu versehen, der sich wenigstens teilweise um den Durchgang herum erstreckt. Die Kapillarerhöhung erfolgt bei dieser Ausführungsform also nicht durch Maßnahmen an der Tintenpatrone bzw. dem Gehäuse derselben, sondern durch lokale Veränderung des das Kapillarvolumen definierenden Materials.As an alternative to the aforementioned rib construction, it is also conceivable to provide the capillary volume at the side facing the passage between the two chambers with a capillary-increasing insert which extends at least partially around the passage. The capillary increase is thus carried out in this embodiment not by measures on the ink cartridge or the housing thereof, but by local change of the Kapillarvolumen defining material.

Eine besonders bevorzugte Ausführungsform, die auch herstellungstechnisch relativ einfach ist, zeichnet sich dadurch aus, daß der Durchgang in einer Trennwand zwischen den beiden Kammern ausgebildet ist, und zwar ausgehend vom Boden bzw. der Bodenwand der Patrone, und daß die in das Kapillarvolumen hineinragende Rippe etwa U-förmig ausgebildet ist und den Durchgang torbogenartig begrenzt. Die an die Bodenwand angrenzenden Schenkel können dann vorzugsweise an der Innenseite, d.h. der dem Kapillarvolumen zugekehrten Seite über Eck unter Ausbildung sogenannter Bodenrippen fortgesetzt sein.A particularly preferred embodiment, which is also relatively simple in terms of manufacturing technology, is characterized in that the passage is formed in a partition wall between the two chambers, starting from the bottom or the bottom wall of the cartridge, and that the projecting into the capillary volume rib is formed approximately U-shaped and bounded the passageway archway-like. The legs adjacent to the bottom wall may then preferably be on the inside, i. the capillary volume facing side be continued over corner to form so-called bottom ribs.

Des weiteren ist es denkbar, daß der Durchgang durch zwei oder mehr voneinander beabstandete und sich jeweils parallel zueinander erstreckende Rippen begrenzt ist, wobei bei dieser Ausführungsform die Höhe dieser Rippen entweder gleich oder vorzugsweise in Richtung zum Durchgang hin zunehmend ausgebildet ist. Auf diese Art und Weise erhält man wenigstens zwei "Luftsperren" um den Fluiddurchgang zwischen den beiden Kammern herum.Furthermore, it is conceivable that the passage is bounded by two or more spaced-apart and each extending parallel to each other ribs, in this embodiment, the height of these ribs either the same or preferably in the direction towards the passageway is increasingly formed. Get in this way at least two "air barriers" around the fluid passage between the two chambers.

Nachstehend wird eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten Tintenpatrone anhand der beigefügten Zeichnung näher erläutert. Diese zeigt in:

Fig. 1
eine Tintenpatrone in perspektivischer Ansicht von schräg oben, an der die erfindungsgemäßen Maßnahmen vorgenommen sind;
Fig. 2
die Tintenpatrone gemäß Fig. 1 im Längsschnitt; und
Fig. 3
die Tintenpatrone gemäß Fig. 1 in einer Ansicht entsprechend Fig. 1, jedoch mit weggebrochener Flach- bzw. Längsseitenwand unter Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Maßnahmen.
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an ink cartridge according to the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This shows in:
Fig. 1
an ink cartridge in a perspective view obliquely from above, on which the measures according to the invention are made;
Fig. 2
the ink cartridge according to Fig. 1 in longitudinal section; and
Fig. 3
the ink cartridge according to Fig. 1 in a view accordingly Fig. 1 , but with broken flat or longitudinal side wall showing the measures according to the invention.

Die in den Figuren 1 bis 3 dargestellte Tintenpatrone ist mit der Bezugsziffer 10 gekennzeichnet. Sie umfaßt zwei gegenüberliegende Flach- bzw. Längsseitenwände 11, zwei gegenüberliegende Stirnseitenwände 12, eine Deckelwand 13 und eine Bodenwand 14. Des weiteren weist die vorgenannte Tintenpatrone ein Tintenreservoir auf, welches in einer ersten Kammer 17 ein Freitintenvolumen 16 und in einer zweiten Kammer 18 ein Kapillarvolumen 15 begrenzt, wobei die beiden Kammern 17 und 18 jeweils über eine Öffnung 23, 24 belüftbar sowie über einen Durchgang 22 miteinander fluidverbunden sind. Der das Kapillarvolumen 15 begrenzenden Kammer 18 ist ein Tintenauslaß 21 zugeordnet. Das Kapillarvolumen 15 ist durch ein Speicherelement aus Schwamm- oder Fasermaterial gebildet. Dem Tintenauslaß 21 ist ebenfalls ein Schwamm- bzw. Fasermaterial zugeordnet, welches eine höhere Kapillarität aufweist als das Kapillarvolumen 15. Dieses dem Tintenauslaß 21 zugeordnete Kapillarelement, welches zuweilen auch als "Docht" bezeichnet wird, ist mit der Bezugsziffer 27 in Fig. 2 gekennzeichnet.The in the FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrated ink cartridge is indicated by the reference numeral 10. It comprises two opposite flat or longitudinal side walls 11, two opposite end walls 12, a top wall 13 and a bottom wall 14. Furthermore, the aforementioned ink cartridge on an ink reservoir, which in a first chamber 17 a free ink volume 16 and in a second chamber 18 a Capillary volume 15 limited, wherein the two chambers 17 and 18 are each ventilated via an opening 23, 24 and fluidly connected to each other via a passage 22. The capillary volume 15 bounding chamber 18 is associated with an ink outlet 21. The capillary volume 15 is formed by a storage element of sponge or fiber material. The ink outlet 21 is also associated with a sponge or fiber material having a higher capillarity than the capillary volume 15. This capillary element associated with the ink outlet 21, sometimes also referred to as a "wick", is indicated at 27 in FIG Fig. 2 characterized.

Wie bereits erwähnt, sind beiden Kammern 17 und 18 Belüftungsöffnungen 23, 24 zugeordnet. Diese Belüftungsöffnungen sind bei der dargestellten Ausführungsform ineinander angeordnet. Eine innere Belüftungsöffnung 23 ist über einen in der Deckelwand 13 ausgebildeten Luftkanal 25 mit einer in die das Freitintenvolumen begrenzende Kammer 17 mündende Öffnung 28 verbunden, welche wiederum mit einem in das Freitintenvolumen eintauchenden Bubble-Generator 19 kommuniziert. Die zentrale Öffnung 23 ist ringförmig von einer äußeren Belüftungsöffnung 24 umgeben. Diese ist über einen ebenfalls in der Deckelwand 13 ausgebildeten Luftkanal 26 mit einer in die das Kapillarvolumen begrenzende Kammer 18 mündende Öffnung 29 verbunden. Dementsprechend sind beide Kammern 17 und 18 unabhängig voneinander belüftet, nachdem vor dem ersten Gebrauch der Patrone 10 eine sogenannte "Remove-Folie" 30 von den beiden Öffnungen 23, 24 abgezogen worden ist. Diese Remove-Folie 30 dient auch zur Abdeckung des Tintenauslasses 21 und wird auch von diesem vor dem ersten Gebrauch der Patrone 10 abgezogen.As already mentioned, both chambers 17 and 18 are associated with ventilation openings 23, 24. These ventilation openings are arranged in each other in the illustrated embodiment. An inner ventilation opening 23 is connected via an opening formed in the lid wall 13 air duct 25 with an opening into the free ink volume limiting chamber 17 opening 28, which in turn communicates with a dipping into the free ink volume bubble generator 19. The central opening 23 is annularly surrounded by an outer ventilation opening 24. This is via a likewise formed in the top wall 13 air channel 26 with a capillary volume in the bounding chamber 18 opening opening 29 connected. Accordingly, both chambers 17 and 18 are ventilated independently of one another, after a so-called "remove film" 30 has been deducted from the two openings 23, 24 prior to the first use of the cartridge 10. This remove film 30 also serves to cover the Tintenauslasses 21 and is also deducted from this before the first use of the cartridge 10.

Wie bereits erwähnt, kommuniziert die Öffnung 28 mit dem sogenannten Bubble-Generator 19, bei dem es sich um ein in das Freitintenvolumen eintauchendes Tauchrohr handelt. Am unteren bzw. distalen Ende dieses Tauchrohres ist wenigstens eine schlitzförmige Öffnung ausgebildet, durch die hindurch während des Gebrauchs der Tintenpatrone bedingt durch das Absaugen von Tinte Luft unter Ausbildung von Luftbläschen in die Kammer 17 nachsaugbar ist. Die Funktion des Bubble-Generators 19 ist für die vollständige Entleerung der Tintenpatrone sehr wichtig, und zwar insbesondere auch für die sukzessive Entleerung derselben. Zuerst gilt es, die das Freitintenvolumen begrenzende Kammer 17 zu entleeren, um dann Resttinte aus dem Kapillarvolumen abzusaugen.As already mentioned, the opening 28 communicates with the so-called bubble generator 19, which is a dip tube immersed in the free ink volume. At the lower or distal end of this dip tube, at least one slot-shaped opening is formed, through which air can be sucked into the chamber 17 during the use of the ink cartridge due to the aspiration of ink, forming air bubbles. The function of the bubble generator 19 is very important for the complete emptying of the ink cartridge, especially for the successive emptying of the same. First, it is necessary to empty the free ink volume limiting chamber 17 to then suck residual ink from the capillary.

Dem Fluiddurchgang 22 zwischen den beiden Kammern 17 und 18, der am bodenseitigen Ende einer Trennwand 20 zwischen den beiden vorgenannten Kammern ausgebildet ist, sind an der dem Kapillarvolumen 15 zugewandten Seite kapillarerhöhende Mittel zugeordnet, und zwar in Form einer den Durchgang 22 torbogenartig umgebenden Rippe 32 (siehe Figuren 2 und 3). Diese Rippe 32 ragt in das Kapillarvolumen 15 hinein und komprimiert dieses bzw. das das Kapillarvolumen 15 definierende Schwamm- oder Fasermaterial entsprechend lokal unter Ausbildung einer erhöhten Kapillarität, wodurch eine entsprechende Luftsperre gebildet wird. Bezüglich der Funktion dieser Luftsperre wird auf die obigen Ausführungen dazu hingewiesen. Die Rippe 32 ist also etwa U-förmig ausgebildet und grenzt unmittelbar an den Umfangsrand des Durchgangs 22 an. Die an die Bodenwand 14 angrenzenden Schenkel 33 der den Durchgang begrenzenden Rippe 32 sind an der Innenseite, d.h. der dem Kapillarvolumen 15 zugekehrten Seite über Eck unter Ausbildung sogenannter Bodenrippen 34 fortgesetzt. Dementsprechend wird die Kapillarität im wesentlichen vollständig um den Durchgang 22 herum in der vorgenannten Weise erhöht.The fluid passage 22 between the two chambers 17 and 18, which is formed at the bottom end of a partition wall 20 between the two aforementioned chambers, capillary increasing means are assigned to the capillary volume 15 side facing, in the form of a passage 22 surrounding the arch-like rib 32nd (please refer Figures 2 and 3 ). This rib 32 protrudes into the capillary volume 15 and compresses this or the sponge or fiber material defining the capillary volume 15 locally to form an increased capillarity, whereby a corresponding air barrier is formed. With regard to the function of this air barrier, reference is made to the above explanations. The rib 32 is therefore approximately U-shaped and directly adjacent to the peripheral edge of the passage 22. The legs 33, which adjoin the bottom wall 14, of the rib 32 delimiting the passage are continued on the inside, ie, the side facing the capillary volume 15, at the corner, forming so-called bottom ribs 34. Accordingly, the capillarity is increased substantially completely around the passage 22 in the aforementioned manner.

Die Höhe der Bodenrippen 34 nimmt bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform ausgehend vom Durchgang 22 in Richtung von diesem weg stetig ab. Auch eine stufenweise Abnahme der Höhe ist denkbar.The height of the bottom ribs 34 decreases in a preferred embodiment, starting from the passage 22 in the direction away from this steadily. Even a gradual decrease in height is conceivable.

Der Querschnitt der den Durchgang 22 begrenzenden Rippe 32 ist vorzugsweise etwa halbkreisförmig. Es ist jedoch auch ein dreieckförmiger oder trapezförmiger Querschnitt denkbar. Grundsätzlich ist es auch denkbar, am unteren Ende der beiden an die Innenseite der Bodenwand 14 angrenzenden Schenkel 33 der U-förmigen Rippe 32 eine in das Kapillarvolumen hineinragende Querrippe anzuordnen, so daß der Durchgang 22 im wesentlichen ringförmig von der Rippe 32 umgeben ist.The cross section of the passage 22 bounding rib 32 is preferably approximately semicircular. However, it is also a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section conceivable. In principle, it is also conceivable to arrange a transverse rib projecting into the capillary volume at the lower end of the two legs 33 of the U-shaped rib 32 adjoining the inside of the bottom wall 14, so that the passage 22 is surrounded by the rib 32 in a substantially annular manner.

Statt der an der Trennwand 20 und gegebenenfalls an der Innenseite der Bodenwand 14 ausgebildeten Rippe 32 ist es auch denkbar, die kapillarerhöhenden Mittel an dem das Kapillarvolumen 15 definierenden Material vorzusehen bzw. dieses Material mit kapillarerhöhenden Mitteln zu versehen, die dem Durchgang 22 in entsprechender Weise zugeordnet sind. Dies kann durch einen dem Durchgang 22 zwischen den beiden Kammern 17 und 18 zugeordneten kapillarerhöhenden Einsatz erfolgen, der sich wenigstens teilweise um den Durchgang 22 herum erstreckt und durch ein Material höherer Dichte bzw. kleinerer Porengröße definiert ist.Instead of the rib 32 formed on the dividing wall 20 and optionally on the inside of the bottom wall 14, it is also conceivable to provide the capillary-increasing means on the material defining the capillary volume 15 or to provide this material with capillary-increasing means corresponding to the passage 22 assigned. This may be done by a capillary-increasing insert associated with the passageway 22 between the two chambers 17 and 18, which extends at least partially around the passageway 22 and is defined by a higher density or smaller pore size material.

Sämtliche in den Anmeldungsunterlagen offenbarten Merkmale werden als erfindungswesentlich beansprucht, soweit sie einzeln oder in Kombination gegenüber dem Stand der Technik neu sind.All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, as far as they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

Bezugszeichen:Reference numerals:

1010
Tintenpatroneink cartridge
1111
Flach- bzw. LängsseitenwandFlat or longitudinal side wall
1212
StirnseitenwandEnd wall
1313
Deckelwandcover wall
1414
Bodenwandbottom wall
1515
Kapillarvolumencapillary
1616
FreitintenvolumenFree-ink volume
1717
erste Kammerfirst chamber
1818
zweite Kammersecond chamber
1919
Bubble-GeneratorBubble generator
2020
Trennwandpartition wall
2121
Tintenauslaßink outlet
2222
FluiddurchgangFluid passage
2323
Belüftungsöffnung (zur ersten Kammer bzw. Freitintenvolumen)Ventilation opening (to the first chamber or free ink volume)
2424
Belüftungsöffnung (zur zweiten Kammer bzw. Kapillarvolumen)Ventilation opening (to the second chamber or capillary volume)
2525
Luftkanalair duct
2626
Luftkanalair duct
2727
Dochtwick
2828
Öffnungopening
2929
Öffnungopening
3030
Remove-FolieRemove foil
3131
schlitzförmige Öffnungslotted opening
3232
Ripperib
3333
Schenkelleg
3434
Bodenrippebottom rib

Claims (8)

  1. Ink cartridge (10), especially for an inkjet printer, having an ink reservoir which delimits in a first chamber (17) a free-ink volume (16) and in a second chamber (18) a capillary volume (15), the two chambers (17, 18) each being arranged to admit air by way of a respective opening (23, 24) and being in fluidic connection with one another by way of a passageway (22), and there being an ink outlet (21) associated with the chamber (18) delimiting the capillary volume (15), the passageway (22) between the two chambers (17, 18) being delimited by capillary-increasing means (32) on the side facing the capillary volume (15),
    characterized in that
    the capillary-increasing means comprise at least one rib (32) extending at least partly around the passageway (22), and
    the passageway (22) being formed in a partition wall (20) between the two chambers (17, 18), especially starting from the base or the base wall (14) of the cartridge (10), and the rib (32) projecting into the capillary volume (15) is approximately U-shaped and delimits the passageway (22) like a gateway.
  2. Ink cartridge according to claim 1,
    characterized in that
    the limbs (33) of the rib (32) delimiting the passageway (22) that adjoin the base wall (14) are continued around the corner on the inner side, that is to say on the side of the base wall (14) facing the capillary volume (15), to form base ribs (34).
  3. Ink cartridge according to claim 1 or 2,
    characterized in that
    the cross-section of the rib (32) delimiting the passageway (22) is triangular, trapezoidal or semi-circular.
  4. Ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
    characterized in that
    the passageway (22) is delimited by two or more ribs spaced apart from one another and extending parallel to one another, the height of those ribs being the same or alternatively increasing in the direction towards the passageway (22).
  5. Ink cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
    characterized in that
    starting from the passageway (22), the height of the base ribs (34) decreases, especially decreases continuously, in the direction away from the passageway.
  6. Ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
    characterized in that
    the capillary volume (15) comprises on the side facing the passageway (22) between the two chambers (17, 18) a capillary-increasing insert which extends at least partly around the passageway (22) and delimits the latter.
  7. Ink cartridge according to claim 6,
    characterized in that
    the capillary-increasing insert is formed by a material of higher density, i.e. smaller pore size, in comparison with the remainder of the capillary volume.
  8. Ink cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 7,
    characterized in that
    the base ribs (34), especially the free ends thereof, are connected to one another by means of a transverse rib.
EP08852799.9A 2007-11-19 2008-11-18 Ink cartridge, in particular for an inkjet printer Not-in-force EP2214908B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102007055163A DE102007055163A1 (en) 2007-11-19 2007-11-19 Ink cartridge, in particular for an inkjet printer
PCT/EP2008/065727 WO2009065816A1 (en) 2007-11-19 2008-11-18 Ink cartridge, in particular for an inkjet printer

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2214908A1 EP2214908A1 (en) 2010-08-11
EP2214908B1 true EP2214908B1 (en) 2014-03-05

Family

ID=40344565

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08852799.9A Not-in-force EP2214908B1 (en) 2007-11-19 2008-11-18 Ink cartridge, in particular for an inkjet printer

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20100277554A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2214908B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2011502836A (en)
CN (1) CN101868354A (en)
DE (1) DE102007055163A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2009065816A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD875828S1 (en) * 2011-09-23 2020-02-18 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Ink cartridge
EP2943343B1 (en) * 2013-01-08 2017-11-15 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Reservoir with variable radius fillet
CN114083904A (en) * 2021-10-26 2022-02-25 厦门微亚智能科技有限公司 Ink supply system of UV resin glue

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3347559B2 (en) * 1994-12-28 2002-11-20 キヤノン株式会社 Ink tank, inkjet cartridge, and inkjet recording apparatus
JP3286210B2 (en) * 1997-06-19 2002-05-27 キヤノン株式会社 Ink tank
JP3287791B2 (en) * 1997-07-30 2002-06-04 キヤノン株式会社 Liquid filling method and liquid filling device for liquid container having liquid container
JP3278410B2 (en) * 1998-05-11 2002-04-30 キヤノン株式会社 Liquid container, method of manufacturing the container, package of the container, ink jet head cartridge integrating the container with a recording head, and liquid discharge recording apparatus
JP3745161B2 (en) * 1999-04-15 2006-02-15 キヤノン株式会社 Liquid storage container
JP4282043B2 (en) * 1999-12-06 2009-06-17 キヤノン株式会社 Recording liquid supply passage, recording liquid storage container, recording liquid supply apparatus including these, and surface modification method thereof
AU2002214555A1 (en) * 2000-10-06 2002-04-15 Nu-Kote International, Inc. A dual chamber cartridge
US6776477B2 (en) * 2000-10-06 2004-08-17 Seiko Epson Corporation Mechanical seal cap for ink-cartridge
JP4164471B2 (en) * 2004-06-01 2008-10-15 キヤノン株式会社 Liquid tank and liquid discharge recording apparatus equipped with the liquid tank
JP3840237B2 (en) * 2004-06-02 2006-11-01 キヤノン株式会社 Liquid storage container and recording apparatus using the liquid storage container
JP4137010B2 (en) * 2004-06-11 2008-08-20 キヤノン株式会社 Liquid storage container used in ink jet recording apparatus
JP4642562B2 (en) * 2005-06-28 2011-03-02 富士フイルム株式会社 Ink tank manufacturing method and ink filling method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101868354A (en) 2010-10-20
JP2011502836A (en) 2011-01-27
US20100277554A1 (en) 2010-11-04
EP2214908A1 (en) 2010-08-11
WO2009065816A1 (en) 2009-05-28
DE102007055163A1 (en) 2009-05-20

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