EP3581387B1 - Ink container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Ink container and image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3581387B1 EP3581387B1 EP19156357.6A EP19156357A EP3581387B1 EP 3581387 B1 EP3581387 B1 EP 3581387B1 EP 19156357 A EP19156357 A EP 19156357A EP 3581387 B1 EP3581387 B1 EP 3581387B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- rib
- ink container
- face
- cover
- outer circumferential
- 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.)
- Active
Links
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 claims description 26
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 description 113
- NJPPVKZQTLUDBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N novaluron Chemical group C1=C(Cl)C(OC(F)(F)C(OC(F)(F)F)F)=CC=C1NC(=O)NC(=O)C1=C(F)C=CC=C1F NJPPVKZQTLUDBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 10
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010030 laminating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- B41J2/17553—Outer structure
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
- B41J2/17523—Ink connection
-
- 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
- B41J2002/17516—Inner structure comprising a collapsible ink holder, e.g. a flexible bag
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to an ink container and an image forming apparatus including the ink container.
- An inkjet type image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by discharging ink from a recording head on the recording medium.
- the ink used for forming the image is usually supplied to the recording head from an ink container.
- the ink container is usually detachably attached to an attachment part provided in the image forming apparatus.
- the ink container includes an ink pack storing the ink, a case storing the ink pack and a cover fixed to an end portion of the case.
- an ink container includes an ink pack, a paper case and a cover.
- the ink pack is configured to store ink.
- the paper case is configured to store the ink pack and to have a shape elongated in one direction.
- the cover is bonded to an end portion in the one direction of the case.
- a protection rib is protruded on an outer circumferential face of the cover. The protection rib covers, from an outside in the one direction, a bonded portion of the end portion of the case and the cover.
- an image forming apparatus includes the ink container and an attachment part to which the ink container is detachably attached.
- a near side of a paper surface of FIG. 1 is defined as a front side of the image forming apparatus 1.
- Arrows Fr, Rr, L, R, U and Lo suitably marked in each figure respectively indicate a front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side, an upper side and a lower side of the image forming apparatus 1.
- a front-and-rear direction is an example of one direction
- an upper-and-lower direction is an example of a direction perpendicular to the one direction
- a left-and-right direction is an example of a direction perpendicular to the one direction and the upper-and-lower direction.
- the image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet type color printer, for example.
- the image forming apparatus 1 includes a box-shaped apparatus main body 2. In a lower portion of the apparatus main body 2, a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes 3 is stored. Each sheet feeding cassette 3 stores a sheet S (an example of a recording medium).
- a conveyance path P for the sheet S is provided inside the apparatus main body 2.
- a plurality of sheet feeding parts 4 is provided at an upstream end portion of the conveyance path P.
- a conveyance belt 5 and four line heads 6 are provided at a midstream portion of the conveyance path P.
- the respective line heads 6 correspond to black, cyan, magenta and yellow.
- Each line head 6 includes a plurality of recording heads 7.
- a sheet ejecting part 8 is provided at a downstream end portion of the conveyance path P.
- each attachment part 9 In a left lower portion of the apparatus main body 2, four attachment parts 9 are provided. To each attachment part 9, one of four ink containers 10 is detachably attached. The respective ink containers 10 store inks of black, cyan, magenta and yellow. Each ink container 10 is connected to the corresponding recording head 7 of the corresponding line head 6 via one of four pipes 11.
- the sheet S is fed from the sheet feeding cassette 3 by the sheet feeding part 4.
- the fed sheet S is conveyed to a downstream side along the conveyance path P and sucked on an upper face of the conveyance belt 5.
- the recording head 7 of the line head 6 discharges the ink supplied from the ink container 10, to the sheet S sucked on the upper face of the conveyance belt 5. Thereby, a color image is formed on the sheet S.
- the sheet S on which the color image is formed is further conveyed to the downstream side along the conveyance path P and then ejected by the sheet ejecting part 8 outside the apparatus main body 2.
- each attachment part 9 extends along the front-and-rear direction (a depth direction of a paper surface of FIG. 2 ). A front end portion of each attachment part 9 is opened. The front end portion of each attachment part 9 is covered by a front cover (not shown).
- each attachment part 9 On a rear portion of a bottom face of each attachment part 9, a pin 12 is protruded. On the rear portion of the bottom face of each attachment part 9, bosses 13 are protruded at both sides in the left-and-right direction of the pin 12. At the rear side of each attachment part 9, a communication board 15 is provided. On a rear face of each attachment part 9, a cylindrical supply port 16 is provided. At a center portion of the supply port 16, a needle 17 is provided.
- An arrow O suitably marked in each figure subsequent to FIG. 3 indicates an outside in the front-and-rear direction of each ink container 10 (a side separate from a center portion in the front-and-rear direction of each ink container 10), and an arrow I suitably marked in each figure subsequent to FIG. 3 indicates an inside in the front-and-rear direction of each ink container 10 (a side close to the center portion in the front-and-rear direction of each ink container 10).
- An arrow Z suitably marked in each figure subsequent to FIG. 3 indicates an attachment direction in which each ink container 10 is attached to the corresponding attachment part 9 (a direction from the front side to the rear side, in the present embodiment).
- each ink container 10 includes an ink pack 22, a spout 23 attached to a rear end portion (an end portion in the front-and-rear direction) of the ink pack 22, a case 24 storing the ink pack 22, a cover 25 covering a rear end portion 24a (an end portion in the front-and-rear direction) of the case 24, a liquid absorbing sheet 26 and an IC tag 27 which are fixed to the cover 25.
- the above components of the ink container 10 will be explained in the above order.
- the ink pack 22 of each ink container 10 has a shape elongated in the front-and-rear direction.
- the ink pack 22 is formed by welding a plural of film sheets 29, and has a bag like shape.
- Each film sheet 29 is formed by laminating resin material and metal material, and has flexibility.
- the ink (not shown) is stored.
- the spout 23 of each ink container 10 includes a spout main body 31, a cap 32 attached to the spout main body 31, a first valve body 33 stored in the cap 32, a cylindrical body 34 attached to the cap 32 and a second valve body 35 stored in the cylindrical body 34.
- the spout main body 31 of the spout 23 has a cylindrical shape.
- a front end portion of the spout main body 31 is communicated with the inner space of the ink pack 22.
- An outer circumferential face of the front end portion of the spout main body 31 is welded to the rear end portion of the ink pack 22.
- a restriction groove 37 is provided on an outer circumferential face of a front portion of the spout main body 31 .
- the cap 32 of the spout 23 includes an annular base part 39, an outer cylindrical part 40, an inner cylindrical part 41 and a discharge cylindrical part 42.
- the outer cylindrical part 40 extends from an outer end portion in a radial direction of the base part 39 to the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the inner cylindrical part 41 extends from an inner portion in the radial direction of the base part 39 to the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the discharge cylindrical part 42 extends from an inner end portion in the radial direction of the base part 39 to the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction).
- An inner circumferential face of the outer cylindrical part 40 is meshed with an outer circumferential face of a rear end portion of the spout main body 31.
- a discharge port 43 (hereinafter, called “the discharge port 43 of the spout 23") is provided.
- the first valve body 33 of the spout 23 is movable in the front-and-rear direction between a first opening position (refer to a solid line in FIG. 5 ) where the first valve body 33 opens the discharge port 43 of the spout 23 and a first closing position (refer to a dotted line in FIG. 5 ) where the first valve body 33 closes the discharge port 43 of the spout 23.
- the first valve body 33 is biased to the first closing position (refer to the dotted line in FIG. 5 ) by a first spring 45.
- the cylindrical body 34 of the spout 23 has a cylindrical shape.
- the cylindrical body 34 is stored in the spout main body 31.
- An outer circumferential face of a rear end portion of the cylindrical body 34 is meshed with an inner circumferential face of the inner cylindrical part 41 of the cap 32.
- a communication port 47 (hereinafter, called “the communication port 47 of the spout 23") is provided inside the cylindrical body 34.
- the second valve body 35 of the spout 23 is movable in the front-and-rear direction between a second opening position (refer to a solid line in FIG. 5 ) where the second valve body 35 opens the communication port 47 of the spout 23 and a second closing position (refer to a dotted line in FIG. 5 ) where the second valve body 35 closes the communication port 47 of the spout 23.
- the second valve body 35 is biased to the second closing position (refer to the dotted line in FIG. 5 ) by a second spring 49.
- the case 24 of each ink container 10 has a square tube shape elongated in the front-and-rear direction.
- the case 24 is formed by a sheet of paper 51. That is, the case 24 is formed by paper.
- the paper 51 includes a corrugated cardboard layer 52 and a coated cardboard layer 53 covering a surface of the corrugated cardboard layer 52.
- the corrugated cardboard layer 52 is composed of single-faced corrugated cardboard or double-faced corrugated cardboard, for example.
- the coated cardboard layer 53 is composed of white-coated cardboard, for example.
- a pair of closing plates 55 is provided at a front end portion of the case 24.
- the respective closing plates 55 are folded from an upper face and a lower face of the case 24.
- the closing plates 55 are overlapped with each other to close the front end portion of the case 24.
- the rear end portion 24a (the end portion in the front-and-rear direction) of the case 24 is opened.
- a slit 57 is provided at each of four corner portions of the rear end portion 24a of the case 24.
- Each slit 57 has a shape elongated in the front-and-rear direction.
- four flaps 58 are provided between the adjacent slits 57.
- a folding line 59 is provided along the left-and-right direction or the upper-and-lower direction.
- the cover 25 of each ink container 10 has a square frame shape.
- the cover 25 includes an inner cover part 61 and an outer cover part 62 attached to the inner cover part 61.
- the inner cover part 61 of the cover 25 has a square frame shape.
- An outer circumferential face 61a (an upper face, a lower face, a left face and a right face) of the inner cover part 61 is bonded to inside faces of the flaps 58 of the case 24. Thereby, the inner cover part 61 is fixed to the rear end portion 24a of the case 24.
- a restriction frame 63 is provided on a front face (a face at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of the inner cover part 61.
- the restriction frame 63 is engaged with the restriction groove 37 provided in the spout main body 31 of the spout 23. This restricts displacement of the spout 23 in the upper-and-lower direction and in the front-and-rear direction with respect to the inner cover part 61.
- a through hole 64a is provided on an upper portion of a rear face (a face at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the inner cover part 61 .
- through holes 64b are provided on both side portions in the left-and-right direction of the rear face of the inner cover part 61 .
- a fitting groove 65a (an example of a first fitting part) is provided.
- fitting grooves 65b (an example of the first fitting part) are provided.
- Each of the fitting grooves 65a and 65b is recessed from a front end portion (an end portion at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of the inner cover part 61 to the rear side.
- first rib 66a is protruded so as to be overlapped with the through hole 64a and the fitting groove 65a in the left-and-right direction.
- the first rib 66a extends along the left-and-right direction.
- first ribs 66b are protruded so as to be overlapped with the through holes 64b and the fitting grooves 65b in the upper-and-lower direction. Each first rib 66b extends along the upper-and-lower direction.
- left and right depressions 67 are provided on the lower face of the inner cover part 61 .
- a fitting projection 68 is protruded on each depression 67.
- the outer cover part 62 of the cover 25 is formed separately from the inner cover part 61.
- the outer cover part 62 has a square frame shape.
- the outer cover part 62 covers the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the inner cover part 61.
- An outer circumferential face 62a (an upper face, a lower face, a left face and a right face) of the outer cover part 62 constitutes an outer circumferential face 25a of the cover 25 together with the outer circumferential face 61a (the upper face, the lower face, the left face and the right face) of the inner cover part 61.
- left and right protruding pieces 69 are protruded on a lower portion of a front face (a face at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of the outer cover part 62.
- Each protruding piece 69 is engaged with each depression 67 of the inner cover part 61.
- Each protruding piece 69 has a fitting hole 70. Into the fitting hole 70, the fitting projection 68 provided on each depression 67 of the inner cover part 61 is fitted.
- connection ribs 71 are protruded on a center portion of a rear face (a face at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the outer cover part 62.
- the connection ribs 71 are aligned at intervals in the upper-and-lower direction.
- a pedestal part 72 to which the IC tag 27 (described later in detail) is fixed is protruded on a right side portion of the rear face of the outer cover part 62.
- a left side face of the pedestal part 72 is connected to the connection ribs 71.
- a square small groove 73 is provided at a center portion of a rear face (a face at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the pedestal part 72 .
- an approximately U-shaped guide rib 74 is provided at an outer edge portion of the rear face of the pedestal part 72.
- a recess 75a is provided above the IC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the recess 75a has a width in the left-and-right direction wider than a width in the left-and-right direction of the pedestal part 72.
- recesses 75b are provided on the left face and the right face of the outer cover part 62.
- Each recess 75b has a width in the upper-and-lower direction wider than a width in the upper-and-lower direction of the pedestal part 72.
- a hook 76a (an example of a second fitting part) is protruded above the IC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the hook 76a penetrates through the through hole 64a of the inner cover part 61 and fitted into the fitting groove 65a of the inner cover part 61.
- hooks 76b (an example of the second fitting part) are protruded.
- the hooks 76b penetrate through the through holes 64b of the inner cover part 61 and fitted into the fitting grooves 65b of the inner cover part 61.
- second ribs 77a are protruded on a front end portion (an end portion at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of the upper face of the outer cover part 62.
- the second ribs 77a are separated by the recess 75a.
- Each second rib 77a extends along the left-and-right direction.
- the second ribs 77a are arranged on a linear line with the first rib 66a of the inner cover part 61.
- a second rib 77b is protruded on a front end portion (an end portion at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of the lower face of the outer cover part 62.
- the second rib 77b extends along the left-and-right direction.
- the second rib 77b continuously extends from a left end portion to a right end portion of the outer cover part 62.
- the second ribs 77a and 77b constitutes a protection rib 78 together with the first ribs 66a and 66b.
- the protection rib 78 covers, from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction), a bonded portion Y of the inside faces of the flaps 58 of the case 24 and the outer circumferential face 61a of the inner cover part 61.
- the protection rib 78 is protruded from each of four faces (an upper face, a lower face, a left face and a right face) of the cover 25, and the four faces constitute the outer circumferential face 25a of the cover 25.
- the protection rib 78 includes an area M whose position in the left-and-right direction is overlapped with a position in the left-and-right direction of the hook 76a.
- the area M is constituted by the first rib 66a.
- the protection rib 78 includes areas N whose positions in the upper-and-lower direction are overlapped with positions in the upper-and-lower direction of the hooks 76b.
- the areas N are constituted by the first ribs 66b.
- a plurality of reinforcement ribs 79a is protruded at the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the second ribs 77a.
- the reinforcement ribs 79a are formed continuously with the second ribs 77a.
- a protruded height of each reinforcement rib 79a with respect to the upper face of the outer cover part 62 is increased from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) to the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the reinforcement ribs 79a are provided at intervals in the left-and-right direction.
- a plurality of reinforcement ribs 79b is protruded at the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the second rib 77b.
- the reinforcement ribs 79b are formed continuously with the second rib 77b.
- a protruded height of each reinforcement rib 79b with respect to the lower face of the outer cover part 62 is increased from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) to the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the reinforcement ribs 79b are provided at intervals in the left-and-right direction.
- extension ribs 80 On the lower face of the outer cover part 62, a plurality of extension ribs 80 is protruded at the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the reinforcement ribs 79b.
- the extension ribs 80 are formed continuously with the reinforcement ribs 79b.
- Each extension rib 80 extends along the front-and-rear direction.
- a groove part 84 is provided below the IC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the groove part 84 has a first path 85, a second path 86 provided at the front side of the first path 85 and a third path 87 provided at the front side of the second path 86.
- the first path 85 is gradually narrowed from the rear side to the front side.
- the second path 86 is inclined to the left side from the rear side to the front side.
- the third path 87 extends along the left-and-right direction.
- the third path 87 has an engagement groove 88.
- engagement ribs 89 are provided at both sides in the left-and-right direction of the groove part 84.
- a cylindrical holding tube 91 is provided on the front face (the face at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of the outer cover part 62.
- the outer cylindrical part 40 of the cap 32 of the spout 23 is fitted into the holding tube 91. Thereby, the spout 23 is held by the holding tube 91.
- a frame part 93 is provided at the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the holding tube 91.
- the frame part 93 has a square frame shape.
- the frame part 93 covers an outer circumference of the discharge port 43 of the spout 23.
- the frame part 93 is opened to the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction).
- a bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 of the outer cover part 62 is inclined downward from the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction) to the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 includes a center portion 94a positioned below the discharge port 43 of the spout 23 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) and both corner portions 94b and 94c positioned at both sides in the left-and-right direction of the center portion 94a.
- the center portion 94a is formed to be flat.
- Both the corner portions 94b and 94c include the outer corner portion 94b positioned at the left side (the outside in the left-and-right direction) of the center portion 94a and the inner corner portion 94c positioned at the right side (the inside in the left-and-right direction) of the center portion 94a.
- the outer corner portion 94b is curved upward to the left side (the side separate from the center portion 94a) when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the inner corner portion 94c is formed to be flat.
- the liquid absorbing sheet 26 of each ink container 10 is formed by non-woven fabric containing polyester fiber, for example.
- the liquid absorbing sheet 26 has a sheet shape, and has flexibility.
- the liquid absorbing sheet 26 is adhered on the center portion 94a and both the corner portions 94b and 94c of the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 of the outer cover part 62.
- the IC tag 27 of each ink container 10 has a square plate shape.
- the IC tag 27 is bonded to the rear face (the face at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the pedestal part 72 of the outer cover part 62 and fixed thereto.
- the IC tag 27 is positioned at a rear end portion (an end portion at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of each ink container 10.
- the supply port 16 of the attachment part 9 is connected to the cap 32 of the spout 23 and the needle 17 of the attachment part 9 presses the first valve body 33 of the spout 23. Consequently, the first valve body 33 of the spout 23 is moved from the first closing position (refer to the dotted line in FIG. 5 ) to the first opening position (refer to the solid line in FIG. 5 ) against biasing force of the first spring 45 so that the discharge port 43 of the spout 23 is opened.
- the ink stored in the ink pack 22 is flowed in the discharge cylindrical part 42 of the cap 32 through the communication port 47 of the spout 23.
- the ink flowed in the discharge cylindrical part 42 of the cap 32 is discharged through the discharge port 43 of the spout 23 outside the ink container 10 and supplied to the supply port 16 of the attachment part 9.
- the ink supplied to the supply port 16 of the attachment part 9 is supplied to the recording head 7 of the line head 6 through the pipe 11.
- the IC tag 27 of the ink container 10 faces the communication board 15 of the attachment part 9 via a space (refer to FIG. 10 ) .
- RFID radio frequency identification
- each ink container 10 is attached to the corresponding attachment part 9 in the above described manner, the pin 12 of the attachment part 9 is engaged with the engagement groove 88 of the groove part 84 of the ink container 10 (refer to FIG. 10 ). This allows each ink container 10 to be positioned to the corresponding attachment part 9.
- the bosses 13 of the attachment part 9 are engaged with the engagement ribs 89 of the ink container 10 (refer to FIG. 10 ). This inhibits a tilt of each ink container 10 in the left-and-right direction with respect to the corresponding attachment part 9.
- the outer circumferential face 61a of the inner cover part 61 is bonded to the inside faces of the flaps 58 of the case 24. If such a configuration is applied, when each ink container 10 is attached to the corresponding attachment part 9, there is a fear that each flap 58 touches a part of the attachment part 9 and is rolled up, and the bonded portion Y of the inside faces of the flaps 58 and the outer circumferential face 61a of the inner cover part 61 (hereinafter, simply called “the bonded portion Y”) may be separated.
- the protection rib 78 which covers the bonded portion Y from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) is protruded.
- the plurality of reinforcement ribs 79a and the plurality of reinforcement ribs 79b which are formed continuously with the second ribs 77a and 77b are protruded at the rear side (the outside in the front-and rear direction) of the second ribs 77a and 77b, respectively. Additionally, a protruded height of each of the reinforcement ribs 79a and 79b is increased from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) to the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction).
- each of the second ribs 77a and 77b extends in the left-and-right direction (the direction perpendicular to the front-and-rear direction), and the plurality of reinforcement ribs 79a and the plurality of reinforcement ribs 79b are provided at intervals in the left-and-right direction.
- the plurality of extension ribs 80 formed continuously with the plurality of reinforcement ribs 79b is protruded at the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the reinforcement ribs 79b, and each extension rib 80 extends along the front-and-rear direction.
- the protection rib 78 is constituted by the first ribs 66a and 66b protruded on the outer circumferential face 61a of the inner cover part 61 and the second ribs 77a and 77b protruded on the outer circumferential face 62a of the outer cover part 62.
- the second ribs 77a and 77b at a portion where it is difficult to provide the first ribs 66a and 66b and to provide the first ribs 66a and 66b at a portion where it is difficult to provide the second ribs 77a and 77b.
- the protection rib 78 includes areas M and N whose positions in the left-and-right direction or the upper-and-lower direction (the direction perpendicular to the front-and-rear direction) are overlapped with positions in the left-and-right direction or the upper-and-lower direction of the hooks 76a and 76b, and the areas M and N are constituted by the first ribs 66a and 66b, respectively.
- the through holes 64a and 64b are provided, and the hooks 76a and 76b penetrate through the through holes 64a and 64b, respectively.
- first rib 66a and the second ribs 77a extend along the left-and-right direction, and the second ribs 77a are arranged on a linear line with the first rib 66a.
- the case 24 has a square tube shape
- the cover 25 has a square frame shape
- the four faces constituting the outer circumferential face 25a of the cover 25 are bonded to the rear end portion 24a of the case 24 and the protection rib 78 is protruded from each of the four faces constituting the outer circumferential face 25a of the cover 25.
- the image forming apparatus 1 includes the ink containers 10 and the attachment parts 9 to which the respective ink containers 10 are detachably attached. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 capable of inhibiting the bonded portion Y from being separated.
- the recess 75a is provided above the IC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). It is highly possible that the operator who replaces each ink container 10 places his finger to the recess 75a in order to prevent slipping of his hand. When the operator places his finger to the recess 75a, a possibility that the IC tag 27 positioned below the recess 75a when viewed from the rear side is covered with his hand is increased so that it becomes possible to reduce the possibility that the IC tag 27 may be damaged.
- the fitting groove 65a is provided, and on the front face (the face at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of the outer cover part 62, the hook 76a engaged with the fitting groove 65a is provided above the IC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction).
- connection ribs 71a are protruded, and the left side face of the pedestal part 72 is connected to the connection ribs 71.
- a width in the left-and-right direction of the recess 75a is wider than a width in the left-and-right direction of the pedestal part 72.
- the groove part 84 is provided below the IC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the image forming apparatus 1 includes the ink containers 10 and the attachment parts 9 to which the respective ink containers 10 are detachably attached. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 capable of reducing a possibility that the IC tag 27 may be damaged.
- the groove part 84 is provided below the IC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the pin 12 of the attachment part 9 is engaged with the engagement groove 88 of the groove part 84 so that the ink container 10 is positioned with respect to the attachment part 9.
- the liquid absorbing sheet 26 may be bonded to the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 in a flat plate shape. Then, the ink absorbed in the liquid absorbing sheet 26 may be easily leaked from both end portions in the left-and-right direction of the liquid absorbing sheet 26, and the leaked ink may contaminate the ink container 10 and its periphery.
- the outer corner portion 94b of the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 is curved upward to the left side (the side separate from the center portion 94a) when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the left end portion of the liquid absorbing sheet 26 is bonded to the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 in a curved state. Then, it becomes possible to inhibit the ink absorbed in the liquid absorbing sheet 26 from being leaked from the left end portion of the liquid absorbing sheet 26 and to inhibit the ink container 10 and its periphery from being contaminated with the leaked ink.
- center portion 94a of the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 is formed to be flat.
- the outer corner portion 94b of the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 is curved upward when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) and the inner corner portion 94c of the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 is formed to be flat.
- the frame part 93 is opened to the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction), and the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 is inclined downward from the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction) to the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). If such a configuration is applied, because the ink leaked from both the end portions in the left-and-right direction of the liquid absorbing sheet 26 is easily leaked through the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 outside the cover 25, using the above described configuration provides a high advantage for inhibiting the ink leakage.
- liquid absorbing sheet 26 is bonded to the center portion 94a and both the corner portions 94b and 94c of the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93.
- the image forming apparatus 1 includes the ink containers 10 and the attachment parts 9 to which the respective ink containers 10 are attached. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 capable of inhibiting the ink containers 10 and their peripheries from being contaminated with the ink leaked from the liquid absorbing sheet 26.
- the rear end portion 24a of the case 24 formed in a square cylindrical shape be bonded to the outer circumferential face 61a of the inner cover part 61.
- the rear end portion 24a of the case 24 may not be bonded to the four faces constituting the outer circumferential face 61a of the inner cover part 61 surely.
- the slits 57 are provided at the four corners of the rear end portion 24a of the case 24, the slits 57 are provided.
- the four flaps 58 are provided between the adjacent slits 57, and at the front end portion (the end portion at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of each flap 58, the folding line 59 is provided along the left-and-right direction or the upper-and-lower direction (perpendicular to the front-and-rear direction).
- the depressions 67 are provided, and on the front face (the face at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of the outer cover part 62, the protruding pieces 69 engaged with the depressions 67 are provided.
- the fitting projection 68 is protruded, and in each protruding piece 69 of the outer cover part 62, the fitting hole 70 fitted to the fitting projection 68 is provided.
- the case 24 is formed by a sheet of paper 51.
- the paper 51 includes the corrugated cardboard layer 52 and the coated cardboard layer 53 covering the surface of the corrugated cardboard layer 52.
- the image forming apparatus 1 includes the ink containers 10 and the attachment parts 9 to which the respective ink containers 10 are detachably attached. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 capable of bonding the rear end portion 24a of the case 24 to the cover 25 surely.
- the inner cover part 61 and the outer cover part 62 of the cover 25 are provided separately.
- the inner cover part 61 and the outer cover part 62 of the cover 25 may be formed integrally.
- the first ribs 66a and 66b of the inner cover part 61 and the second ribs 77a and 77b of the outer cover part 62 constitute the protection rib 78.
- the protection rib 78 may be constituted by the rib of the inner cover part 61 only or the rib of the outer cover part 62 only.
- the outer corner portion 94b of the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 is curved upward when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) and the inner corner portion 94c of the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 is formed to be flat.
- both the corner portions 94b and 94c of the bottom face 94 of the frame part 93 may be curved upward when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction).
- the first fitting part is constituted by the fitting grooves 65a and 65b
- the second fitting part is constituted by the hooks 76a and 76b.
- the first fitting part may be constituted by the hooks 76a and 76b
- the second fitting part may be constituted by the fitting grooves 65a and 65b.
- a color printer is employed as an example of the image forming apparatus 1.
- a monochrome printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, a multifunctional peripheral an image forming apparatus multiply including a printing function, a copying function, a facsimile function and the others
- a multifunctional peripheral an image forming apparatus multiply including a printing function, a copying function, a facsimile function and the others
Landscapes
- Ink Jet (AREA)
Description
- The present disclosure relates to an ink container and an image forming apparatus including the ink container.
- An inkjet type image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by discharging ink from a recording head on the recording medium. The ink used for forming the image is usually supplied to the recording head from an ink container. The ink container is usually detachably attached to an attachment part provided in the image forming apparatus.
- For example, the ink container includes an ink pack storing the ink, a case storing the ink pack and a cover fixed to an end portion of the case.
- Documents
JP2014213565 WO2017/014779 andUS9827775 - In accordance with the main embodiment of the invention, an ink container includes an ink pack, a paper case and a cover. The ink pack is configured to store ink. The paper case is configured to store the ink pack and to have a shape elongated in one direction. The cover is bonded to an end portion in the one direction of the case. A protection rib is protruded on an outer circumferential face of the cover. The protection rib covers, from an outside in the one direction, a bonded portion of the end portion of the case and the cover.
- In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes the ink container and an attachment part to which the ink container is detachably attached.
- The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown by way of illustrative example.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a front view showing each attachment part and its periphery according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an ink container according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the ink container according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a rear portion of the ink container according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 6 is a disassembled perspective view showing a case, a cover, a liquid absorbing sheet and an IC tag, viewed from a left upper side, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 7 is a disassembled perspective view showing the case, the cover, the liquid absorbing sheet and the IC tag, viewed from a right lower side, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the case, the cover and the IC tag according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 9 is a back view showing the ink container according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing the rear portion of the ink container according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. - First, an entire structure of an
image forming apparatus 1 will be described. - Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a near side of a paper surface of
FIG. 1 is defined as a front side of theimage forming apparatus 1. Arrows Fr, Rr, L, R, U and Lo suitably marked in each figure respectively indicate a front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side, an upper side and a lower side of theimage forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, a front-and-rear direction is an example of one direction, an upper-and-lower direction is an example of a direction perpendicular to the one direction, and a left-and-right direction is an example of a direction perpendicular to the one direction and the upper-and-lower direction. - With reference to
FIG. 1 , theimage forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet type color printer, for example. Theimage forming apparatus 1 includes a box-shaped apparatusmain body 2. In a lower portion of the apparatusmain body 2, a plurality ofsheet feeding cassettes 3 is stored. Eachsheet feeding cassette 3 stores a sheet S (an example of a recording medium). - Inside the apparatus
main body 2, a conveyance path P for the sheet S is provided. At an upstream end portion of the conveyance path P, a plurality of sheet feeding parts 4 is provided. At a midstream portion of the conveyance path P, a conveyance belt 5 and fourline heads 6 are provided. Therespective line heads 6 correspond to black, cyan, magenta and yellow. Eachline head 6 includes a plurality of recording heads 7. At a downstream end portion of the conveyance path P, asheet ejecting part 8 is provided. - In a left lower portion of the apparatus
main body 2, fourattachment parts 9 are provided. To eachattachment part 9, one of fourink containers 10 is detachably attached. Therespective ink containers 10 store inks of black, cyan, magenta and yellow. Eachink container 10 is connected to the corresponding recording head 7 of thecorresponding line head 6 via one of fourpipes 11. - Next, an operation of the
image forming apparatus 1 having the above described configuration will be described. - First, the sheet S is fed from the
sheet feeding cassette 3 by the sheet feeding part 4. The fed sheet S is conveyed to a downstream side along the conveyance path P and sucked on an upper face of the conveyance belt 5. The recording head 7 of theline head 6 discharges the ink supplied from theink container 10, to the sheet S sucked on the upper face of the conveyance belt 5. Thereby, a color image is formed on the sheet S. The sheet S on which the color image is formed is further conveyed to the downstream side along the conveyance path P and then ejected by thesheet ejecting part 8 outside the apparatusmain body 2. - Next, each
attachment part 9 will be described in detail. - With reference to
FIG. 2 , eachattachment part 9 extends along the front-and-rear direction (a depth direction of a paper surface ofFIG. 2 ). A front end portion of eachattachment part 9 is opened. The front end portion of eachattachment part 9 is covered by a front cover (not shown). - On a rear portion of a bottom face of each
attachment part 9, apin 12 is protruded. On the rear portion of the bottom face of eachattachment part 9,bosses 13 are protruded at both sides in the left-and-right direction of thepin 12. At the rear side of eachattachment part 9, acommunication board 15 is provided. On a rear face of eachattachment part 9, acylindrical supply port 16 is provided. At a center portion of thesupply port 16, aneedle 17 is provided. - Next, each
ink container 10 will be described in detail. - An arrow O suitably marked in each figure subsequent to
FIG. 3 indicates an outside in the front-and-rear direction of each ink container 10 (a side separate from a center portion in the front-and-rear direction of each ink container 10), and an arrow I suitably marked in each figure subsequent toFIG. 3 indicates an inside in the front-and-rear direction of each ink container 10 (a side close to the center portion in the front-and-rear direction of each ink container 10). An arrow Z suitably marked in each figure subsequent toFIG. 3 indicates an attachment direction in which eachink container 10 is attached to the corresponding attachment part 9 (a direction from the front side to the rear side, in the present embodiment). - With reference to
FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 , eachink container 10 includes anink pack 22, aspout 23 attached to a rear end portion (an end portion in the front-and-rear direction) of theink pack 22, acase 24 storing theink pack 22, acover 25 covering arear end portion 24a (an end portion in the front-and-rear direction) of thecase 24, a liquid absorbingsheet 26 and anIC tag 27 which are fixed to thecover 25. Hereinafter, the above components of theink container 10 will be explained in the above order. - First, the
ink pack 22 of eachink container 10 will be described. - With reference to
FIG. 3 , theink pack 22 of eachink container 10 has a shape elongated in the front-and-rear direction. Theink pack 22 is formed by welding a plural offilm sheets 29, and has a bag like shape. Eachfilm sheet 29 is formed by laminating resin material and metal material, and has flexibility. In an inner space of theink pack 22, the ink (not shown) is stored. - Next, the
spout 23 of eachink container 10 will be described. - With reference to
FIG. 5 , thespout 23 of eachink container 10 includes a spoutmain body 31, acap 32 attached to the spoutmain body 31, afirst valve body 33 stored in thecap 32, acylindrical body 34 attached to thecap 32 and asecond valve body 35 stored in thecylindrical body 34. - The spout
main body 31 of thespout 23 has a cylindrical shape. A front end portion of the spoutmain body 31 is communicated with the inner space of theink pack 22. An outer circumferential face of the front end portion of the spoutmain body 31 is welded to the rear end portion of theink pack 22. On an outer circumferential face of a front portion of the spoutmain body 31, arestriction groove 37 is provided. - The
cap 32 of thespout 23 includes anannular base part 39, an outercylindrical part 40, an innercylindrical part 41 and a dischargecylindrical part 42. The outercylindrical part 40 extends from an outer end portion in a radial direction of thebase part 39 to the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction). The innercylindrical part 41 extends from an inner portion in the radial direction of thebase part 39 to the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction). The dischargecylindrical part 42 extends from an inner end portion in the radial direction of thebase part 39 to the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). An inner circumferential face of the outercylindrical part 40 is meshed with an outer circumferential face of a rear end portion of the spoutmain body 31. At a rear end portion of the dischargecylindrical part 42, a discharge port 43 (hereinafter, called "thedischarge port 43 of thespout 23") is provided. - The
first valve body 33 of thespout 23 is movable in the front-and-rear direction between a first opening position (refer to a solid line inFIG. 5 ) where thefirst valve body 33 opens thedischarge port 43 of thespout 23 and a first closing position (refer to a dotted line inFIG. 5 ) where thefirst valve body 33 closes thedischarge port 43 of thespout 23. Thefirst valve body 33 is biased to the first closing position (refer to the dotted line inFIG. 5 ) by afirst spring 45. - The
cylindrical body 34 of thespout 23 has a cylindrical shape. Thecylindrical body 34 is stored in the spoutmain body 31. An outer circumferential face of a rear end portion of thecylindrical body 34 is meshed with an inner circumferential face of the innercylindrical part 41 of thecap 32. Inside thecylindrical body 34, a communication port 47 (hereinafter, called "thecommunication port 47 of thespout 23") is provided. - The
second valve body 35 of thespout 23 is movable in the front-and-rear direction between a second opening position (refer to a solid line inFIG. 5 ) where thesecond valve body 35 opens thecommunication port 47 of thespout 23 and a second closing position (refer to a dotted line inFIG. 5 ) where thesecond valve body 35 closes thecommunication port 47 of thespout 23. Thesecond valve body 35 is biased to the second closing position (refer to the dotted line inFIG. 5 ) by asecond spring 49. - Next, the
case 24 of eachink container 10 will be described. - With reference to
FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 , thecase 24 of eachink container 10 has a square tube shape elongated in the front-and-rear direction. Thecase 24 is formed by a sheet ofpaper 51. That is, thecase 24 is formed by paper. Thepaper 51 includes acorrugated cardboard layer 52 and acoated cardboard layer 53 covering a surface of thecorrugated cardboard layer 52. Thecorrugated cardboard layer 52 is composed of single-faced corrugated cardboard or double-faced corrugated cardboard, for example. Thecoated cardboard layer 53 is composed of white-coated cardboard, for example. - At a front end portion of the
case 24, a pair ofclosing plates 55 is provided. Therespective closing plates 55 are folded from an upper face and a lower face of thecase 24. Theclosing plates 55 are overlapped with each other to close the front end portion of thecase 24. - With reference to
FIG. 6 andFIG. 7 , therear end portion 24a (the end portion in the front-and-rear direction) of thecase 24 is opened. At each of four corner portions of therear end portion 24a of thecase 24, aslit 57 is provided. Each slit 57 has a shape elongated in the front-and-rear direction. At therear end portion 24a of thecase 24, fourflaps 58 are provided between theadjacent slits 57. On an inside face of a front end portion (an end portion at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of eachflap 58, afolding line 59 is provided along the left-and-right direction or the upper-and-lower direction. - Next, the
cover 25 of eachink container 10 will be described. - With reference to
FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 , thecover 25 of eachink container 10 has a square frame shape. Thecover 25 includes aninner cover part 61 and anouter cover part 62 attached to theinner cover part 61. - With reference to
FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 , theinner cover part 61 of thecover 25 has a square frame shape. An outercircumferential face 61a (an upper face, a lower face, a left face and a right face) of theinner cover part 61 is bonded to inside faces of theflaps 58 of thecase 24. Thereby, theinner cover part 61 is fixed to therear end portion 24a of thecase 24. - With reference to
FIG. 5 , on a front face (a face at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of theinner cover part 61, arestriction frame 63 is provided. Therestriction frame 63 is engaged with therestriction groove 37 provided in the spoutmain body 31 of thespout 23. This restricts displacement of thespout 23 in the upper-and-lower direction and in the front-and-rear direction with respect to theinner cover part 61. - With reference to
FIG. 6 andFIG. 7 , on an upper portion of a rear face (a face at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of theinner cover part 61, a throughhole 64a is provided. On both side portions in the left-and-right direction of the rear face of theinner cover part 61, throughholes 64b are provided. - At a front portion of the upper face of the
inner cover part 61, afitting groove 65a (an example of a first fitting part) is provided. At front portions of the left face and the right face of theinner cover part 61,fitting grooves 65b (an example of the first fitting part) are provided. Each of thefitting grooves inner cover part 61 to the rear side. - On a rear end portion (an end portion at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the upper face of the
inner cover part 61, afirst rib 66a is protruded so as to be overlapped with the throughhole 64a and thefitting groove 65a in the left-and-right direction. Thefirst rib 66a extends along the left-and-right direction. On rear end portions (end portions at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the left face and the right face of theinner cover part 61,first ribs 66b are protruded so as to be overlapped with the throughholes 64b and thefitting grooves 65b in the upper-and-lower direction. Eachfirst rib 66b extends along the upper-and-lower direction. - On the lower face of the
inner cover part 61, left andright depressions 67 are provided. On eachdepression 67, afitting projection 68 is protruded. - With reference to
FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 , theouter cover part 62 of thecover 25 is formed separately from theinner cover part 61. Theouter cover part 62 has a square frame shape. Theouter cover part 62 covers the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of theinner cover part 61. An outercircumferential face 62a (an upper face, a lower face, a left face and a right face) of theouter cover part 62 constitutes an outercircumferential face 25a of thecover 25 together with the outercircumferential face 61a (the upper face, the lower face, the left face and the right face) of theinner cover part 61. - With reference to
FIG. 7 , on a lower portion of a front face (a face at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of theouter cover part 62, left and right protrudingpieces 69 are protruded. Each protrudingpiece 69 is engaged with eachdepression 67 of theinner cover part 61. Each protrudingpiece 69 has afitting hole 70. Into thefitting hole 70, thefitting projection 68 provided on eachdepression 67 of theinner cover part 61 is fitted. - With reference to
FIG. 6 , on a center portion of a rear face (a face at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of theouter cover part 62, threeconnection ribs 71 are protruded. Theconnection ribs 71 are aligned at intervals in the upper-and-lower direction. On a right side portion of the rear face of theouter cover part 62, apedestal part 72 to which the IC tag 27 (described later in detail) is fixed is protruded. A left side face of thepedestal part 72 is connected to theconnection ribs 71. At a center portion of a rear face (a face at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of thepedestal part 72, a squaresmall groove 73 is provided. At an outer edge portion of the rear face of thepedestal part 72, an approximatelyU-shaped guide rib 74 is provided. - With reference to
FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 , on the upper face of theouter cover part 62, arecess 75a is provided above theIC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). Therecess 75a has a width in the left-and-right direction wider than a width in the left-and-right direction of thepedestal part 72. On the left face and the right face of theouter cover part 62, recesses 75b are provided. Eachrecess 75b has a width in the upper-and-lower direction wider than a width in the upper-and-lower direction of thepedestal part 72. - With reference to
FIG. 6 ,FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 , on an upper portion of the front face (the face at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of theouter cover part 62, ahook 76a (an example of a second fitting part) is protruded above theIC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). Thehook 76a penetrates through the throughhole 64a of theinner cover part 61 and fitted into thefitting groove 65a of theinner cover part 61. - With reference to
FIG. 6 andFIG. 7 , on both side portions in the left-and-right direction of the front face of theouter cover part 62, hooks 76b (an example of the second fitting part) are protruded. Thehooks 76b penetrate through the throughholes 64b of theinner cover part 61 and fitted into thefitting grooves 65b of theinner cover part 61. - With reference to
FIG. 4 andFIG. 6 , on a front end portion (an end portion at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of the upper face of theouter cover part 62,second ribs 77a are protruded. Thesecond ribs 77a are separated by therecess 75a. Eachsecond rib 77a extends along the left-and-right direction. Thesecond ribs 77a are arranged on a linear line with thefirst rib 66a of theinner cover part 61. - With reference to
FIG. 7 , on a front end portion (an end portion at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of the lower face of theouter cover part 62, asecond rib 77b is protruded. Thesecond rib 77b extends along the left-and-right direction. Thesecond rib 77b continuously extends from a left end portion to a right end portion of theouter cover part 62. - With reference to
FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 , thesecond ribs protection rib 78 together with thefirst ribs protection rib 78 covers, from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction), a bonded portion Y of the inside faces of theflaps 58 of thecase 24 and the outercircumferential face 61a of theinner cover part 61. Theprotection rib 78 is protruded from each of four faces (an upper face, a lower face, a left face and a right face) of thecover 25, and the four faces constitute the outercircumferential face 25a of thecover 25. Theprotection rib 78 includes an area M whose position in the left-and-right direction is overlapped with a position in the left-and-right direction of thehook 76a. The area M is constituted by thefirst rib 66a. Theprotection rib 78 includes areas N whose positions in the upper-and-lower direction are overlapped with positions in the upper-and-lower direction of thehooks 76b. The areas N are constituted by thefirst ribs 66b. - With reference to
FIG. 4 andFIG. 6 , on the upper face of theouter cover part 62, a plurality ofreinforcement ribs 79a is protruded at the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of thesecond ribs 77a. Thereinforcement ribs 79a are formed continuously with thesecond ribs 77a. A protruded height of eachreinforcement rib 79a with respect to the upper face of theouter cover part 62 is increased from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) to the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction). Thereinforcement ribs 79a are provided at intervals in the left-and-right direction. - With reference to
FIG. 7 , on the lower face of theouter cover part 62, a plurality ofreinforcement ribs 79b is protruded at the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of thesecond rib 77b. Thereinforcement ribs 79b are formed continuously with thesecond rib 77b. A protruded height of eachreinforcement rib 79b with respect to the lower face of theouter cover part 62 is increased from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) to the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction). Thereinforcement ribs 79b are provided at intervals in the left-and-right direction. - On the lower face of the
outer cover part 62, a plurality ofextension ribs 80 is protruded at the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of thereinforcement ribs 79b. Theextension ribs 80 are formed continuously with thereinforcement ribs 79b. Eachextension rib 80 extends along the front-and-rear direction. - With reference to
FIG. 9 andFIG. 10 , on the lower face of theouter cover part 62, agroove part 84 is provided below theIC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). Thegroove part 84 has afirst path 85, asecond path 86 provided at the front side of thefirst path 85 and athird path 87 provided at the front side of thesecond path 86. Thefirst path 85 is gradually narrowed from the rear side to the front side. Thesecond path 86 is inclined to the left side from the rear side to the front side. Thethird path 87 extends along the left-and-right direction. Thethird path 87 has anengagement groove 88. On the lower face of theouter cover part 62,engagement ribs 89 are provided at both sides in the left-and-right direction of thegroove part 84. - With reference to
FIG. 5 , on the front face (the face at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of theouter cover part 62, acylindrical holding tube 91 is provided. Into the holdingtube 91, the outercylindrical part 40 of thecap 32 of thespout 23 is fitted. Thereby, thespout 23 is held by the holdingtube 91. - With reference to
FIG. 5 ,FIG. 6 andFIG. 9 , at a left side portion of theouter cover part 62, aframe part 93 is provided at the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the holdingtube 91. Theframe part 93 has a square frame shape. Theframe part 93 covers an outer circumference of thedischarge port 43 of thespout 23. Theframe part 93 is opened to the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). - A
bottom face 94 of theframe part 93 of theouter cover part 62 is inclined downward from the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction) to the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). Thebottom face 94 of theframe part 93 includes acenter portion 94a positioned below thedischarge port 43 of thespout 23 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) and bothcorner portions center portion 94a. Thecenter portion 94a is formed to be flat. Both thecorner portions outer corner portion 94b positioned at the left side (the outside in the left-and-right direction) of thecenter portion 94a and theinner corner portion 94c positioned at the right side (the inside in the left-and-right direction) of thecenter portion 94a. Theouter corner portion 94b is curved upward to the left side (the side separate from thecenter portion 94a) when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). Theinner corner portion 94c is formed to be flat. - Next, the
liquid absorbing sheet 26 of eachink container 10 will be described. - With reference to
FIG. 5 ,FIG. 6 andFIG. 9 , theliquid absorbing sheet 26 of eachink container 10 is formed by non-woven fabric containing polyester fiber, for example. Theliquid absorbing sheet 26 has a sheet shape, and has flexibility. Theliquid absorbing sheet 26 is adhered on thecenter portion 94a and both thecorner portions bottom face 94 of theframe part 93 of theouter cover part 62. - Next, the
IC tag 27 of eachink container 10 will be described. - With reference to
FIG. 5 ,FIG. 6 andFIG. 9 , theIC tag 27 of eachink container 10 has a square plate shape. TheIC tag 27 is bonded to the rear face (the face at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of thepedestal part 72 of theouter cover part 62 and fixed thereto. TheIC tag 27 is positioned at a rear end portion (an end portion at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of eachink container 10. - In the
image forming apparatus 1 having the above described configuration, when eachink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9, thesupply port 16 of theattachment part 9 is connected to thecap 32 of thespout 23 and theneedle 17 of theattachment part 9 presses thefirst valve body 33 of thespout 23. Consequently, thefirst valve body 33 of thespout 23 is moved from the first closing position (refer to the dotted line inFIG. 5 ) to the first opening position (refer to the solid line inFIG. 5 ) against biasing force of thefirst spring 45 so that thedischarge port 43 of thespout 23 is opened. - When the
discharge port 43 of thespout 23 is thus opened, suction force of a pump (not shown) connected to thesupply port 16 of theattachment part 9 acts on thesecond valve body 35 of thespout 23. Consequently, thesecond valve body 35 of thespout 23 is moved from the second closing position (refer to the dotted line inFIG. 5 ) to the second opening position (refer to the solid line inFIG. 5 ) against biasing force of thesecond spring 49 so that thecommunication port 47 of thespout 23 is opened. - When the
communication port 47 of thespout 23 is thus opened, the ink stored in theink pack 22 is flowed in the dischargecylindrical part 42 of thecap 32 through thecommunication port 47 of thespout 23. The ink flowed in the dischargecylindrical part 42 of thecap 32 is discharged through thedischarge port 43 of thespout 23 outside theink container 10 and supplied to thesupply port 16 of theattachment part 9. The ink supplied to thesupply port 16 of theattachment part 9 is supplied to the recording head 7 of theline head 6 through thepipe 11. - Additionally, when each
ink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9 in the above described manner, theIC tag 27 of theink container 10 faces thecommunication board 15 of theattachment part 9 via a space (refer toFIG. 10 ) . This makes it possible to perform radio communication using radio frequency identification (RFID) between theIC tag 27 and thecommunication board 15. - Additionally, when each
ink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9 in the above described manner, thepin 12 of theattachment part 9 is engaged with theengagement groove 88 of thegroove part 84 of the ink container 10 (refer toFIG. 10 ). This allows eachink container 10 to be positioned to thecorresponding attachment part 9. When eachink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9 in the above described manner, thebosses 13 of theattachment part 9 are engaged with theengagement ribs 89 of the ink container 10 (refer toFIG. 10 ). This inhibits a tilt of eachink container 10 in the left-and-right direction with respect to thecorresponding attachment part 9. - By the way, in the present embodiment, the outer
circumferential face 61a of theinner cover part 61 is bonded to the inside faces of theflaps 58 of thecase 24. If such a configuration is applied, when eachink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9, there is a fear that eachflap 58 touches a part of theattachment part 9 and is rolled up, and the bonded portion Y of the inside faces of theflaps 58 and the outercircumferential face 61a of the inner cover part 61 (hereinafter, simply called "the bonded portion Y") may be separated. - Then, on the outer
circumferential face 25a of thecover 25, theprotection rib 78 which covers the bonded portion Y from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) is protruded. By applying such a configuration, when eachink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9, eachflap 58 is prevented from touching a part of theattachment part 9 so that it becomes possible to inhibit eachflap 58 from being rolled up. Accordingly, it becomes possible to inhibit the bonded portion Y from being separated. - On the other hand, when the
protection rib 78 is protruded from the outercircumferential face 25a of thecover 25 as described above, when eachink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9, there is a fear that theprotection rib 78 is caught by a part of theattachment part 9 and it may be difficult to attach theink container 10 to thecorresponding attachment part 9. - Then, on the upper face and the lower face of the
outer cover part 62, the plurality ofreinforcement ribs 79a and the plurality ofreinforcement ribs 79b which are formed continuously with thesecond ribs second ribs reinforcement ribs ink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9, it becomes possible to inhibit theprotection rib 78 from being caught by a part of theattachment part 9 so that theink container 10 can be attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9 smoothly. - Additionally, each of the
second ribs reinforcement ribs 79a and the plurality ofreinforcement ribs 79b are provided at intervals in the left-and-right direction. By applying such a configuration, when eachink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9, it becomes possible to surely inhibit theprotection rib 78 from being caught by a part of theattachment part 9. - Additionally, on the lower face of the
outer cover part 62, the plurality ofextension ribs 80 formed continuously with the plurality ofreinforcement ribs 79b is protruded at the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of thereinforcement ribs 79b, and eachextension rib 80 extends along the front-and-rear direction. By applying such a configuration, when eachink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9, it becomes possible to inhibit thereinforcement ribs 79b from being caught by a part of theattachment part 9 so that eachink container 10 can be attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9 more smoothly. - Additionally, the
protection rib 78 is constituted by thefirst ribs circumferential face 61a of theinner cover part 61 and thesecond ribs circumferential face 62a of theouter cover part 62. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to provide thesecond ribs first ribs first ribs second ribs protection rib 78 within a large range as much as possible so that when eachink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9, it becomes possible to surely prevent eachflap 58 from touching a part of theattachment part 9. - Additionally, the
protection rib 78 includes areas M and N whose positions in the left-and-right direction or the upper-and-lower direction (the direction perpendicular to the front-and-rear direction) are overlapped with positions in the left-and-right direction or the upper-and-lower direction of thehooks first ribs outer cover part 62 and to prevent increase in a manufacturing cost of theouter cover part 62. - Additionally, on the rear face (the face at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the
inner cover part 61, the throughholes hooks holes hooks inner cover part 61 and to fit them into thefitting grooves - Additionally, the
first rib 66a and thesecond ribs 77a extend along the left-and-right direction, and thesecond ribs 77a are arranged on a linear line with thefirst rib 66a. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to inhibit generation of a step between thefirst rib 66a and thesecond ribs 77b. Then, when eachink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9, it becomes possible to avoid a case where the above step may be caught by a part of theattachment part 9. - Additionally, the
case 24 has a square tube shape, thecover 25 has a square frame shape, the four faces constituting the outercircumferential face 25a of thecover 25 are bonded to therear end portion 24a of thecase 24 and theprotection rib 78 is protruded from each of the four faces constituting the outercircumferential face 25a of thecover 25. By applying such a configuration, when eachink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9, it becomes possible to inhibit eachflap 58 from being rolled up more effectively. - Additionally, the
image forming apparatus 1 includes theink containers 10 and theattachment parts 9 to which therespective ink containers 10 are detachably attached. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to provide theimage forming apparatus 1 capable of inhibiting the bonded portion Y from being separated. - By the way, if an operator who replaces each
ink container 10 brings theIC tag 27 into contact with theimage forming apparatus 1 or an apparatus disposed around it accidentally, theIC tag 27 may be damaged. - Then, on the upper face of the
outer cover part 62, therecess 75a is provided above theIC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). It is highly possible that the operator who replaces eachink container 10 places his finger to therecess 75a in order to prevent slipping of his hand. When the operator places his finger to therecess 75a, a possibility that theIC tag 27 positioned below therecess 75a when viewed from the rear side is covered with his hand is increased so that it becomes possible to reduce the possibility that theIC tag 27 may be damaged. - Additionally, on the upper face of the
inner cover part 61, thefitting groove 65a is provided, and on the front face (the face at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of theouter cover part 62, thehook 76a engaged with thefitting groove 65a is provided above theIC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to improve a positional precision of theIC tag 27 with respect to theinner cover part 61 in the left-and-right direction. - Additionally, on the rear face (the face at the outside in the front-and-rear direction) of the
outer cover part 62, the connection ribs 71a are protruded, and the left side face of thepedestal part 72 is connected to theconnection ribs 71. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to heighten strength of thepedestal part 72. - Additionally, a width in the left-and-right direction of the
recess 75a is wider than a width in the left-and-right direction of thepedestal part 72. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to keep the width in the left-and-right direction of therecess 75a sufficient so that the operator easily places his finger to therecess 75a. - Additionally, on the lower face of the
outer cover part 62, thegroove part 84 is provided below theIC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). By applying such a configuration, it become possible to confirm the position of theIC tag 27 using thegroove part 84 as a mark. - Additionally, the
image forming apparatus 1 includes theink containers 10 and theattachment parts 9 to which therespective ink containers 10 are detachably attached. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to provide theimage forming apparatus 1 capable of reducing a possibility that theIC tag 27 may be damaged. - Additionally, on the lower face of the
outer cover part 62, thegroove part 84 is provided below theIC tag 27 when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). When eachink container 10 is attached to thecorresponding attachment part 9, thepin 12 of theattachment part 9 is engaged with theengagement groove 88 of thegroove part 84 so that theink container 10 is positioned with respect to theattachment part 9. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to improve a positional precision of theIC tag 27 with respect to theattachment part 9 in the left-and-right direction. Therefore, it becomes possible to arrange theIC tag 27 at a suitable position with respect to thecommunication board 15 provided in theattachment part 9 and to inhibit communication error between thecommunication board 15 and theIC tag 27. - By the way, if an entire of the
bottom face 94 of theframe part 93 of theouter cover part 62 is formed to be flat, theliquid absorbing sheet 26 may be bonded to thebottom face 94 of theframe part 93 in a flat plate shape. Then, the ink absorbed in theliquid absorbing sheet 26 may be easily leaked from both end portions in the left-and-right direction of theliquid absorbing sheet 26, and the leaked ink may contaminate theink container 10 and its periphery. - Then, the
outer corner portion 94b of thebottom face 94 of theframe part 93 is curved upward to the left side (the side separate from thecenter portion 94a) when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). By applying such a configuration, the left end portion of theliquid absorbing sheet 26 is bonded to thebottom face 94 of theframe part 93 in a curved state. Then, it becomes possible to inhibit the ink absorbed in theliquid absorbing sheet 26 from being leaked from the left end portion of theliquid absorbing sheet 26 and to inhibit theink container 10 and its periphery from being contaminated with the leaked ink. - Additionally, the
center portion 94a of thebottom face 94 of theframe part 93 is formed to be flat. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to inhibit the ink from being gathered on the center portion in the left-and-right direction of theliquid absorbing sheet 26 excessively. - Additionally, the
outer corner portion 94b of thebottom face 94 of theframe part 93 is curved upward when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) and theinner corner portion 94c of thebottom face 94 of theframe part 93 is formed to be flat. By applying such a configuration, compared with a case where both thecorner portions bottom face 94 of theframe part 93 are curved upward, it becomes possible to increase a surface area of a flat shaped portion of thebottom face 94 of theframe part 93. - Additionally, the
frame part 93 is opened to the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction), and thebottom face 94 of theframe part 93 is inclined downward from the front side (the inside in the front-and-rear direction) to the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). If such a configuration is applied, because the ink leaked from both the end portions in the left-and-right direction of theliquid absorbing sheet 26 is easily leaked through thebottom face 94 of theframe part 93 outside thecover 25, using the above described configuration provides a high advantage for inhibiting the ink leakage. - Additionally, the
liquid absorbing sheet 26 is bonded to thecenter portion 94a and both thecorner portions bottom face 94 of theframe part 93. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to make theliquid absorbing sheet 26 absorb the ink leaked from thedischarge port 43 of thespout 23 surely. - Additionally, the
image forming apparatus 1 includes theink containers 10 and theattachment parts 9 to which therespective ink containers 10 are attached. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to provide theimage forming apparatus 1 capable of inhibiting theink containers 10 and their peripheries from being contaminated with the ink leaked from theliquid absorbing sheet 26. - By the way, in order to improve workability of assembling work of the
ink container 10, it is desirable that in a state where all of a step for forming thecase 24 in a square cylindrical shape, a step for welding thespout 23 to theink pack 22 and a step for fixing thespout 23 to thecover 25 are completed, therear end portion 24a of thecase 24 formed in a square cylindrical shape be bonded to the outercircumferential face 61a of theinner cover part 61. However, when the above assembling step is applied, if theinner cover part 61 and thecase 24 have a large dimension error, therear end portion 24a of thecase 24 may not be bonded to the four faces constituting the outercircumferential face 61a of theinner cover part 61 surely. - Then, at the four corners of the
rear end portion 24a of thecase 24, theslits 57 are provided. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to fold therear end portion 24a of thecase 24 formed in a square cylindrical shape and to surely bond them to the four faces constituting the outercircumferential face 61a of theinner cover part 61. This makes it possible to apply the above assembling step and to improve the workability of the assembling work of theink container 10. - Additionally, in the
rear end portion 24a of thecase 24, the fourflaps 58 are provided between theadjacent slits 57, and at the front end portion (the end portion at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of eachflap 58, thefolding line 59 is provided along the left-and-right direction or the upper-and-lower direction (perpendicular to the front-and-rear direction). By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to fold eachflap 58 along thefolding line 59 easily. - Additionally, on the lower face of the
inner cover part 61, thedepressions 67 are provided, and on the front face (the face at the inside in the front-and-rear direction) of theouter cover part 62, the protrudingpieces 69 engaged with thedepressions 67 are provided. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to bond the protrudingpieces 69 to the inside faces of theflaps 58 together with the lower face of theinner cover part 61 so that bonding strength of thecase 24 to thecover 25 can be heightened. - Additionally, on each
depression 67 of theinner cover part 61, thefitting projection 68 is protruded, and in each protrudingpiece 69 of theouter cover part 62, thefitting hole 70 fitted to thefitting projection 68 is provided. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to improve fixing strength of theinner cover part 61 to theouter cover part 62. - Additionally, the
case 24 is formed by a sheet ofpaper 51. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to make the structure of thecase 24 simple and to reduce manufacturing cost of thecase 24. - Additionally, the
paper 51 includes thecorrugated cardboard layer 52 and thecoated cardboard layer 53 covering the surface of thecorrugated cardboard layer 52. By applying such a configuration, compared with a case where thepaper 51 is formed by thecorrugated cardboard layer 52 only, it becomes possible to enhance designability of thecase 24. - Additionally, the
image forming apparatus 1 includes theink containers 10 and theattachment parts 9 to which therespective ink containers 10 are detachably attached. By applying such a configuration, it becomes possible to provide theimage forming apparatus 1 capable of bonding therear end portion 24a of thecase 24 to thecover 25 surely. - In the present embodiment, the
inner cover part 61 and theouter cover part 62 of thecover 25 are provided separately. On the other hand, in another embodiment, theinner cover part 61 and theouter cover part 62 of thecover 25 may be formed integrally. - In the present embodiment, the
first ribs inner cover part 61 and thesecond ribs outer cover part 62 constitute theprotection rib 78. On the other hand, in another embodiment, theprotection rib 78 may be constituted by the rib of theinner cover part 61 only or the rib of theouter cover part 62 only. - In the present embodiment, the
outer corner portion 94b of thebottom face 94 of theframe part 93 is curved upward when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction) and theinner corner portion 94c of thebottom face 94 of theframe part 93 is formed to be flat. On the other hand, in another embodiment, both thecorner portions bottom face 94 of theframe part 93 may be curved upward when viewed from the rear side (the outside in the front-and-rear direction). - In the present embodiment, the first fitting part is constituted by the
fitting grooves hooks hooks fitting grooves - In the present embodiment, a color printer is employed as an example of the
image forming apparatus 1. On the other hand, in another embodiment, a monochrome printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, a multifunctional peripheral (an image forming apparatus multiply including a printing function, a copying function, a facsimile function and the others) may be employed as theimage forming apparatus 1.
Claims (12)
- An ink container (10) comprising:an ink pack (22) configured to store ink;a paper case (24) configured to store the ink pack (22) and to have a shape elongated in one direction; anda cover (25) bonded to an end portion (24a) in the one direction of the case (24),wherein a protection rib (78) is protruded on an outer circumferential face (25a) of the cover (25), and a protruding direction of the protection rib (78) is a direction protruding from the outer circumferential face (25a) of the cover (25),the protection rib (78) covers, from an outside in the one direction, a bonded portion (Y) of the end portion (24a) of the case (24) and the cover (25),at least one reinforcement rib (79a, 79b) is protruded on the outer circumferential face (25a) of the cover (25) at the outside in the one direction of the protection rib (78) and formed continuously with the protection rib (78), and a protruding direction of the at least one reinforcement rib (79a, 79b) is a direction protruding from the outer circumferential face (25a) of the cover (25),a protruded height of the at least one reinforcement rib (79a, 79b) with respect to the outer circumferential face (25a) of the cover (25) is increased from the outside to an inside in the one direction,the cover (25) includes:an inner cover part (61) bonded to the end portion (24a) of the case (24); andan outer cover part (62) attached to the inner cover part (61) and configured to cover the outside in the one direction of the inner cover part (61),the protection rib (78) is constituted by a first rib (66a, 66b) protruded on an outer circumferential face (61a) of the inner cover part (61) and a second rib (77a, 77b) protruded on an outer circumferential face (62a) of the outer cover part (62), and a protruding direction of the first rib (66a, 66b) is a direction protruding from the outer circumferential face (61a) of the inner cover part (61) and a protruding direction of the second rib (77a, 77b) is a direction protruding from the outer circumferential face (62a) of the outer cover part (62),the outer circumferential face (61a) of the inner cover part (61) is bonded to an inside face of the case (24), andthe at least one reinforcement rib (79a, 79b) is formed continuously with the second rib (77a, 77b).
- The ink container (10) according to claim 1,
wherein the protection rib (78) extends in a direction perpendicular to the one direction, and
the at least one reinforcement rib (79a, 79b) includes a plurality of reinforcement ribs (79a, 79b) provided at an interval in the direction perpendicular to the one direction. - The ink container (10) according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein at least one extension rib (80) is protruded on the outer circumferential face (25a) of the cover (25) at the outside in the one direction of the at least one reinforcement rib (79a, 79b) and formed continuously with the at least one reinforcement rib (79a, 79b), and
the at least one extension rib (80) extends along the one direction. - The ink container (10) according to claim 1,
wherein a first fitting part (65a, 65b) is provided on the outer circumferential face (61a) of the inner cover part (61),
a second fitting part (76a, 76b) fitted to the first fitting part (65a, 65b) is provided on an inside face in the one direction of the outer cover part (62), and
the protection rib (78) includes an area (M,N) whose position in a direction perpendicular to the one direction is overlapped with a position in the direction perpendicular to the one direction of the second fitting part (76a, 76b), and the area (M,N) is constituted by the first rib (66a, 66b). - The ink container (10) according to claim 4,
wherein a through hole (64a, 64b) is provided on an outside face in the one direction of the inner cover part (61), and
the second fitting part (76a, 76b) penetrates through the through hole (64a, 64b). - The ink container (10) according to any one of claims 1-5,
wherein the first rib (66a, 66b) and the second rib (77a, 77b) extend along a direction perpendicular to the one direction, and
the second rib (77a) is arranged on a linear line with the first rib (66a). - The ink container (10) according to any one of claims 1-6,
wherein the case (24) has a square tube shape,
the cover (25) has a square frame shape,
four faces constituting the outer circumferential face (25a) of the cover (25) are bonded to the end portion (24a) of the case (24), and
the protection rib (78) is protruded from each of the four faces constituting the outer circumferential face (25a) of the cover (25). - The ink container (10) according to any one of claims 1-7,
wherein the case (24) is formed by a sheet of paper. - The ink container (10) according to any one of claims 1-8, further comprising a spout (23) attached to an end portion in the one direction of the ink pack (22),
wherein the spout (23) includes a discharge port (43) for the ink, and
the cover (25) includes a frame part (93) configured to cover an outer circumference of the discharge port (43). - The ink container (10) according to claim 9, further comprising a liquid absorbing sheet (26) adhered on a bottom face of the frame part (93).
- The ink container (10) according to any one of claims 1-10, further comprising an IC tag (27) fixed to an outside face in the one direction of the cover (25).
- An image forming apparatus (1) comprising:the ink container (10) according to any one of claims 1-11; andan attachment part (9) to which the ink container (10) is detachably attached.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2018113621A JP7063135B2 (en) | 2018-06-14 | 2018-06-14 | Caps, ink containers and image forming equipment |
JP2018209743A JP7225698B2 (en) | 2018-11-07 | 2018-11-07 | Ink container and image forming apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3581387A1 EP3581387A1 (en) | 2019-12-18 |
EP3581387B1 true EP3581387B1 (en) | 2021-08-04 |
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EP19156357.6A Active EP3581387B1 (en) | 2018-06-14 | 2019-02-11 | Ink container and image forming apparatus |
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Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JP6016707B2 (en) * | 2013-04-26 | 2016-10-26 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Liquid container and inkjet image forming apparatus provided with the same |
US10300702B2 (en) * | 2015-07-22 | 2019-05-28 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Printing fluid container |
JP6716276B2 (en) * | 2016-02-10 | 2020-07-01 | 理想科学工業株式会社 | ink cartridge |
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