BACKGROUND ART
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A related art discloses an ink cartridge stored in a packing member. The ink cartridge disclosed in the related art is stored in the packing member when the ink cartridge is distributed to the market. The ink cartridge disclosed in the related art is taken out from the packing member and mounted in an inkjet printer when used. On the other hand, the used ink cartridge is stored in the packing member or a separately prepared bag and collected in a recycle collection box.
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In the related art, it takes time and effort to store the packing member or separately prepare a bag for storing the ink cartridge. In addition, in the packing member or the bag, an ink may leak through an ink supply port of the ink cartridge, and a surface of the ink cartridge may be contaminated.
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An object of the present disclosure is to provide an ink cartridge in which there is no need to prepare a bag for storing a cartridge main body, and an ink does not easily leak through an ink outflow port in the bag.
SUMMARY
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An ink cartridge including:
- a cartridge main body configured to be attached to and detached from an inkjet printer;
- a bag attached to the cartridge main body and configured to store the cartridge main body; and
- an ink leakage prevention member,
- wherein the cartridge main body includes:
- a housing including an ink storage chamber configured to store an ink;
- an ink outflow portion defining an ink outflow port through which the ink stored in the ink storage chamber flows out; and
- a valve configured to open and close the ink outflow port, and
- the ink leakage prevention member is configured to be attached to the ink outflow portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mounting posture in which an ink cartridge 1 is mounted in an inkjet printer 11.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to a left-right direction.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state where a bag 3 has been pulled out downward from a storage recess portion 8.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a protective tape 4.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state where an ink outflow port 10 is closed by the protective tape 4.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a method of storing a cartridge main body 2 in the bag 3.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the cartridge main body 2 is stored in the bag 3.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the bag 3 of the ink cartridge 1 according to a modification is pulled out downward from the storage recess portion 8.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the cartridge main body 2 is stored in the bag 3 of the ink cartridge 1 according to a modification.
DESCRIPTION
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Hereinafter, an ink cartridge 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The following embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.
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As shown in FIG. 1, the ink cartridge 1 is configured to be attached to and detached from an inkjet printer 11. Hereinafter, a direction in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the inkjet printer 11 is referred to as a front direction. A direction in which the ink cartridge 1 is detached from the inkjet printer 11 is referred to as a rear direction. The front direction and the rear direction are collectively referred to as a front-rear direction. An up-down direction of the ink cartridge 1 is defined in a mounting posture in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted in the inkjet printer 11. A left-right direction is defined when a cartridge main body 2 in the mounting posture is viewed from the front direction. The front direction is an example of a mounting direction. The rear direction is an example of a removal direction.
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As shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 1 includes the cartridge main body 2, a bag 3, and a protective tape 4. The cartridge main body 2 is configured to be detached from the inkjet printer 11. The cartridge main body 2 includes a housing 5, an ink outflow portion 6, a valve 7, and a storage recess portion 8.
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The housing 5 has a box shape. The housing 5 includes an ink storage chamber 9 configured to store an ink. The housing 5 includes a front recess portion 5A and a rear recess portion 5B. The front recess portion 5A is located at a lower end portion of the housing 5. The front recess portion 5A is recess portioned rearward from a front end of the housing 5. The rear recess portion 5B is located at a lower end portion of the housing 5. The rear recess portion 5B is located behind the front recess portion 5A. The rear recess portion 5B is recessed upward from a lower end of the housing 5.
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The ink outflow portion 6 is located in the front recess portion 5A. A lower end of the ink outflow portion 6 coincides with the lower end of the housing 5 in the up-down direction. The ink outflow portion 6 has a cylindrical shape defining an ink outflow port 10. The ink outflow port 10 opens frontward. The ink outflow port 10 communicates with the ink storage chamber 9. The ink outflow port 10 has a circular shape. The ink in the ink storage chamber 9 flows out through the ink outflow port 10. A storage element 12 is located at an upper end of the housing 5. The storage element 12 is configured to store cartridge information.
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The valve 7 is located in an internal space of the ink outflow portion 6. The valve 7 is configured to open and close the ink outflow port 10. Specifically, the valve 7 includes a valve body 7A, a valve seat 7B, and a biasing member 7C. The valve body 7A is configured to move in the front-rear direction between a closed position and an open position. The valve body 7A at the closed position closes the ink outflow port 10. The valve body 7A at the open position opens the ink outflow port 10. The valve seat 7B is fixed to an inner surface of the ink outflow portion 6 behind the valve body 7A.
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The biasing member 7C is a coil spring configured to be compressed in the front-rear direction. One end of the biasing member 7C is supported by the valve seat 7B. The other end of the biasing member 7C is supported by the valve body 7A. The biasing member 7C biases the valve body 7A to the closed position. Accordingly, in a case where the valve body 7A is pressed rearward from the front direction, the valve body 7A moves from the closed position to the open position against a biasing force of the biasing member 7C.
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The storage recess portion 8 is located behind the ink outflow portion 6. The storage recess portion 8 is located in the rear recess portion 5B. The storage recess portion 8 has a box shape that opens downward. A lower end of the storage recess portion 8 coincides with the lower end of the housing 5 in the up-down direction. A trailing end of the storage recess portion 8 coincides with a trailing end of the housing 5 in the front-rear direction. The storage recess portion 8 is translucent. The down direction is an example of one direction. The storage recess portion 8 is an example of a recess portion.
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As shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, a length L1 between a front end 2B and a trailing end 2A of the cartridge main body 2 in the front-rear direction is longer than a length L2. The length L2 is a length between an upper end 2C and a lower end 2D of the cartridge main body 2 in the up-down direction. The length L2 of the cartridge main body 2 in the up-down direction is longer than a length L3 of the cartridge main body 2 in the left-right direction.
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The ink stored in the ink storage chamber 9 contains one or more of a colorant, water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a water-insoluble organic solvent. The ink may be an aqueous ink containing a colorant, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent, or may be an oil-based ink containing a colorant and a water-insoluble organic solvent. The ink may be a pigment ink or a dye ink. The water-insoluble organic solvent is not particularly limited as long as it is water-insoluble.
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The colorant contains one or more of a pigment and a dye. Examples of the pigment include carbon black, an inorganic pigment, and an organic pigment. Examples of the carbon black include furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, and channel black. Examples of the inorganic pigment include titanium oxide, an iron oxide-based inorganic pigment, and a carbon black-based inorganic pigment. Examples of the organic pigment include: azo pigments such as azo lake, an insoluble azo pigment, a condensed azo pigment, and a chelate azo pigment; polycyclic pigments such as a phthalocyanine pigment, a perylene and perinone pigment, an anthraquinone pigment, a quinacridone pigment, a dioxazine pigment, a thioindigo pigment, an isoindolinone pigment, and a quinophthalone pigment; dye lake pigments such as a basic dye lake pigment and an acid dye lake pigment; nitro pigments; nitroso pigments; and aniline black daylight fluorescent pigments. As the pigment, for example, a resin dispersion type pigment which can be dispersed in water by a pigment dispersion resin is suitably used.
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As the pigment, a self-dispersion type pigment may be used. The self-dispersion type pigment can be dispersed in water without using a dispersant. The self-dispersion type pigment is obtained by, for example, introducing at least one of a hydrophilic functional group such as a carbonyl group, a hydroxy group, a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, and a phosphoric acid group, and a salt thereof into pigment particles by chemical bonding, either directly or through other groups.
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As the self-dispersion type pigment, a pigment treated by a method described in the following publications can be used. The publications are, for example,
JPH08-3498A ,
JP2000-513396A ,
JP2008-524400A , and
JP2009-515007A . As a raw material of the self-dispersion type pigment, either an inorganic pigment or an organic pigment can be used.
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The dye is, for example, a direct dye, an acid dye, a basic dye, or a reactive dye. One or more of the pigment and the dye may be contained in the aqueous ink. Specific examples of the dye include C.I. Direct Black, C.I. Direct Blue, C.I. Direct Red, C.I. Direct Yellow, C.I. Direct Orange, C.I. Direct Violet, C.I. Direct Brown, C.I. Direct Green, C.I. Acid Black, C.I. Acid Blue, C.I. Acid Red, C.I. Acid Yellow, C.I. Acid Orange, C.I. Acid Violet, C.I. Basic Black, C.I. Basic Blue, C.I. Basic Red, C.I. Basic Violet, and C.I. Food Black.
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Examples of the C.I. Direct Black include C.I. Direct Black 17, 19, 32, 51, 71, 108, 146, 154, and 168. Examples of the C.I. Direct Blue include C.I. Direct Blue 6, 22, 25, 71, 86, 90, 106, and 199. Examples of the C.I. Direct Red include C.I. Direct Red 1, 4, 17, 28, 83, and 227. Examples of the C.I. Direct Yellow include C.I. Direct Yellow 12, 24, 26, 86, 98, 132, 142, and 173. Examples of the C.I. Direct Orange include C.I. Direct Orange 34, 39, 44, 46, and 60. Examples of the C.I. Direct Violet include C.I. Direct Violet 47 and 48. Examples of the C.I. Direct Brown include C.I. Direct Brown 109. Examples of the C.I. Direct Green include C.I. Direct Green 59. Examples of the C.I. Acid Black include C.I. Acid Black 2, 7, 24, 26, 31, 52, 63, 112, and 118. Examples of the C.I. Acid Blue include C.I. Acid Blue 9, 22, 40, 59, 90, 93, 102, 104, 117, 120, 167, 229, and 234. Examples of the C.I. Acid Red include C.I. Acid Red 1, 6, 32, 37, 51, 52, 80, 85, 87, 92, 94, 115, 180, 256, 289, 315, and 317. Examples of the C.I. Acid Yellow include C.I. Acid Yellow 11, 17, 23, 25, 29, 42, 61, and 71. Examples of the C.I. Acid Orange include C.I. Acid Orange 7 and 19. Examples of the C.I. Acid Violet include C.I. Acid Violet 49. Examples of the C.I. Basic Black include C.I. Basic Black 2. Examples of the C.I. Basic Blue include C.I. Basic Blue 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 24, 25, 26, 28, and 29. Examples of the C.I. Basic Red include C.I. Basic Red 1, 2, 9, 12, 13, 14, and 37. Examples of the C.I. Basic Violet include C.I. Basic Violet 7, 14, and 27. Examples of the C.I. Food Black include C.I. Food Black 1 and 2.
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The water-soluble organic solvent is, for example, a wetting agent that prevents the aqueous ink from drying at a nozzle leading end portion of an inkjet head and a penetrating agent that adjusts a drying rate on a recording medium.
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The wetting agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include: lower alcohols such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, and tert-butyl alcohol; amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; ketones such as acetone; keto alcohols such as diacetone alcohol; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; polyhydric alcohols such as a polyalkylene glycol, an alkylene glycol, glycerin, and trimethylolpropane; 2-pyrrolidone; N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone. Examples of the polyalkylene glycol include polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol. Examples of the alkylene glycol include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, thiodiglycol, and hexylene glycol. The above wetting agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more types thereof. Among the above wetting agent, an alkylene glycol and a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin are preferred.
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Examples of the penetrating agent include glycol ether. Examples of the glycol ether include ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol-n-propyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol-n-propyl ether, diethylene glycol-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol-n-hexyl ether, triethylene glycol methyl ether, triethylene glycol ethyl ether, triethylene glycol-n-propyl ether, triethylene glycol-n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol-n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol ethyl ether, dipropylene glycol-n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol-n-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol ethyl ether, tripropylene glycol-n-propyl ether, and tripropylene glycol-n-butyl ether. The penetrating agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more types thereof.
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The aqueous ink may further contain an additive known in the related art, if necessary. Examples of the additive include a surfactant, a pH adjuster, a viscosity modifier, a surface tension regulator, and an antifungal agent. Examples of the viscosity modifier include polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, and a water-soluble resin.
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In the aqueous ink, for example, a colorant, water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and optionally other additive components are uniformly mixed by using a method known in the related art. Thereafter, insoluble matters can be removed with a filter or the like, to prepare the aqueous ink.
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An amount of the colorant contained in the ink is preferably 40 wt% or less. The ink preferably has a viscosity in a range of 1 mPa·s or more and 8 mPa·s or less. The ink preferably has a surface tension in a range of 20 mN/m or more and 45 mN/m or less.
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The bag 3 is formed by welding outer peripheral edges of two films. A material of bag 3 is a PP resin. The bag 3 has flexibility. The entire bag 3 transmits light. A user can visually recognize an internal space 3A of the bag 3 from the outside. The entire bag 3 is an example of a light transmission portion.
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The bag 3 is placed in the storage recess portion 8 in a state where the bag is folded. A storage tape is attached to an outer surface of the storage recess portion 8. In FIG. 2, the storage tape is omitted. The storage tape covers a part of an opening of the storage recess portion 8. Accordingly, the bag 3 is held in the storage recess portion 8. The storage tape can be peeled off from the outer surface of the storage recess portion 8.
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FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the bag 3 has been pulled out downward from the storage recess portion 8. In the following description, it is assumed that the bag 3 is in a state of being pulled out downward from the storage recess portion 8.
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An outer surface of the bag 3 is fixed to an inner surface 8A of the storage recess portion 8. Specifically, as shown in FIGs. 2 and 3, a peripheral portion 27 of a bottom 21 of the bag 3 is fixed to a lower end portion of the inner surface 8A of the storage recess portion 8. Accordingly, the bag 3 cannot be detached from the storage recess portion 8. A method of fixing the bag 3 is not limited as long as the bag 3 cannot be easily detached from the storage recess portion 8. For example, the bag 3 is fixed by welding.
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The bag 3 has an insertion port 22 that opens downward. The insertion port 22 has a size that allows the cartridge main body 2 to be inserted into the internal space 3A of the bag 3. The bag 3 includes a zipper 23 configured to seal the insertion port 22. The insertion port 22 is an example of an opening.
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The zipper 23 is located on the outer surface of the bag 3. The zipper 23 is located near the insertion port 22. The zipper 23 extends in the front-rear direction from a front end to a trailing end of the bag 3. Specifically, the zipper 23 includes a fitting recess portion 23A and a fitting protrusion portion 23B.
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The fitting recess portion 23A is fixed to an outer surface of one film. The fitting protrusion portion 23B is fixed to the outer surface of the other film. The fitting protrusion portion 23B is configured to be fitted into the fitting recess portion 23A in a state where the inside and the outside of the bag 3 are reversed. The fitting protrusion portion 23B is configured to be detached from the fitting recess portion 23A. The zipper 23 is configured to seal the insertion port 22 of the bag 3 by fitting the fitting protrusion portion 23B into the fitting recess portion 23A. Accordingly, the zipper 23 can seal the insertion port 22.
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A length L4 of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 in the front-rear direction is slightly longer than the length L1 between the front end 2B and the trailing end 2A of the cartridge main body 2 in the front-rear direction. A length L5 of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 in the up-down direction is longer than the length L2 between the upper end 2C and the lower end 2D of the cartridge main body 2 in the up-down direction. Accordingly, the bag 3 can store the cartridge main body 2.
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The length L4 of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 in the front-rear direction is equal to a length in the front-rear direction of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 whose inside and outside are reversed. The length L5 of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 in the up-down direction is equal to a length in the up-down direction of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 whose inside and outside are reversed.
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An address 24 of a recycler is described on an inner surface of the bag 3. In other words, the address 24 is located on the outer surface of the bag 3 whose inside and outside are reversed. Accordingly, the user can easily mail the ink cartridge 1 stored in the bag 3 to the recycler. The recycler is a recycler that reuses the ink cartridge 1.
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On the outer surface of the bag 3, a graphic 25 showing a posture in which the ink cartridge 1 is stored in the bag 3 is described. On the outer surface of the bag 3, a graphic 26 showing a method of attaching the protective tape 4 to the ink outflow portion 6 is described.
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The protective tape 4 is stored in the bag 3 placed in the storage recess portion 8. The protective tape 4 may be folded in a state of being stored in the bag 3. The protective tape 4 is a strip-shaped adhesive tape in which an adhesive is applied to a substrate 4A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the protective tape 4 includes the substrate 4A, an adhesive layer 4B, and a release paper 4C.
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The substrate 4A is made of a PP resin. The substrate 4A has a strip shape extending in one direction. The adhesive layer 4B is laminated on one surface of the substrate 4A. The adhesive layer 4B extends over the entire one surface of the substrate 4A. The adhesive layer 4B is composed of an adhesive.
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The release paper 4C is attached to the adhesive layer 4B. The release paper 4C covers the entire surface of the adhesive layer 4B. The release paper 4C is peelable from the adhesive layer 4B. Accordingly, the protective tape 4 can be attached to the ink outflow portion 6. The protective tape 4 is sized to cover the entire ink outflow port 10 in a state of being attached to the ink outflow portion 6. The protective tape 4 is an example of an ink leakage prevention member.
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Next, a method of using the ink cartridge 1 will be described. In the ink cartridge 1 in an initial state, the cartridge main body 2 has been used. In the ink cartridge 1 in the initial state, the bag 3 in a folded state is placed in the storage recess portion 8. In other words, the bag 3 is not used. A storage tape is attached to the outer surface of the storage recess portion 8. Accordingly, the bag 3 is held in the storage recess portion 8.
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First, the user peels off the storage tape from the outer surface of the storage recess portion 8. Next, the user pulls out the bag 3 downward from the storage recess portion 8. Next, the user takes out the protective tape 4 from the bag 3. The user views the graphic 26 located on the outer surface of the bag 3. Accordingly, the user grasps the method of attaching the protective tape 4 to the ink outflow portion 6.
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Next, the user peels off the release paper 4C from the protective tape 4. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the user attaches the protective tape 4 to a leading end portion of the ink outflow portion 6. Accordingly, the entire ink outflow port 10 is closed by the protective tape 4. Next, the user views the graphic 25 located on the outer surface of the bag 3. Accordingly, the user grasps the posture of inserting the cartridge main body 2 into the internal space 3A of the bag 3.
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Next, as shown in FIGs. 3 and 6, the user reverses the inside and the outside of the bag 3 and drops the cartridge main body 2 into the internal space 3A of the bag 3 through the insertion port 22. As a result, the cartridge main body 2 is stored in the bag 3. The fitting protrusion portion 23B and the fitting recess portion 23A of the zipper are in a state of facing each other. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the user seals the insertion port 22 by fitting the fitting protrusion portion 23B into the fitting recess portion 23A of the zipper 23.
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Finally, the user puts a postage stamp on the outer surface of the bag 3 and posts the used ink cartridge 1 stored in the bag 3. The recycler takes out the delivered used ink cartridge 1 from the bag 3 and peels off the protective tape 4 from the ink outflow portion 6. Thereafter, the recycler reuses the used ink cartridge 1. The bag 3 may be reused or replaced with a new bag 3.
[Effects of Present Embodiment]
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In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 1 includes the protective tape 4 and the bag 3. Therefore, the user closes the ink outflow port 10 with the protective tape 4 without separately preparing a component for closing the ink outflow port 10. After closing the ink outflow port 10 with the protective tape 4, the user can store the cartridge main body 2 in the bag 3 without separately preparing a bag capable of storing the cartridge main body 2. Therefore, an operation of storing the cartridge main body 2 in the bag 3 is easy. In addition, for example, the protective tape 4 prevents the valve 7 from being pressed by another member due to vibration during transportation of the ink cartridge 1. Accordingly, leakage of the ink through the ink outflow port 10 in the bag 3 is prevented. Even when the ink leaks through the ink outflow port 10, the bag 3 prevents the leaked ink from adhering to a surface of another member. On the contrary, for example, the bag 3 prevents the ink that has leaked from another ink cartridge from adhering to the surface of the ink cartridge 1. Therefore, the ink cartridge 1 can be easily reused.
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In the above embodiment, the protective tape 4 is stored in the bag 3. Therefore, the user takes out the protective tape 4 from the bag 3 and closes the ink outflow port 10 with the protective tape 4. Therefore, the user is less likely to lose protective tape 4.
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In the above embodiment, the bag 3 is stored in the storage recess portion 8 in a folded state. Therefore, when the cartridge main body 2 is mounted to the inkjet printer 11, the bag 3 is less likely to protrude from the cartridge main body 2. Therefore, the user easily mounts the cartridge main body 2 to the inkjet printer 11.
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In the above embodiment, the storage recess portion 8 is located at the lower end of the housing 5 and behind the ink outflow portion 6. The storage recess portion 8 opens downward. Therefore, when the cartridge main body 2 is mounted to the inkjet printer 11, the storage recess portion 8 is less likely to be brought into contact with other members. Therefore, the user easily mounts the cartridge main body 2 to the inkjet printer 11.
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In the above embodiment, the bottom 21 of the bag 3 is fixed to the inner surface 8A of the storage recess portion 8. The length L4 of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 in the front-rear direction is slightly longer than the length L1 between the front end 2B and the trailing end 2A of the cartridge main body 2 in the front-rear direction. The length L5 of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 in the up-down direction is longer than the length L2 between the upper end 2C and the lower end 2D of the cartridge main body 2 in the up-down direction. Therefore, even when the bag 3 is fixed to the storage recess portion 8, the user can store the cartridge main body 2 in the bag 3. In other words, the user can reverse the inside and the outside of the bag 3 and drops the cartridge main body 2 into the internal space 3A of the bag 3, thereby storing the cartridge main body 2 in the bag 3. Therefore, the operation of storing the cartridge main body 2 can be performed quickly. In addition, the user will not lose the bag 3.
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In the above embodiment, the user can easily seal the insertion port 22 of the bag 3 with the zipper 23.
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In the above embodiment, the material of the bag 3 is a PP resin. Therefore, compared to a paper bag 3, a gas barrier property, a waterproof property, and a moisture-proof property are better.
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In the above embodiment, the protective tape 4 is an adhesive tape in which an adhesive is applied to the substrate 4A made of a PP resin. Therefore, the user can easily peel off the protective tape 4 from the ink outflow portion 6. Therefore, the ink cartridge 1 can be easily reused.
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In the above embodiment, the entire bag 3 transmits light. Therefore, the user can easily check a color of the ink remaining in the ink cartridge 1 and the storage element 12 storing the cartridge information from the outside of the bag 3. Therefore, reuse is easy.
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In the above embodiment, the address 24 of the recycler is described on the bag 3. Therefore, the user does not need to take the trouble of writing the address 24 when mailing the used ink cartridge 1 to the recycler.
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In the above embodiment, the graphic 25 showing the posture in which the ink cartridge 1 is stored in the bag 3 is described on the bag 3. Therefore, the user can easily store the cartridge main body 2 in the bag 3.
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In the above embodiment, the graphic 26 showing the method of attaching the protective tape 4 to the ink outflow portion 6 is described on the bag 3. Therefore, it is easy to attach the protective tape 4 to the ink outflow portion 6.
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In the above embodiment, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 1 contains a colorant composed of one or more of a pigment and a dye. Therefore, contamination of the ink cartridge 1 by the colorant is effectively prevented.
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In the above embodiment, the pigment in the ink is a resin dispersion type pigment or a self-dispersion type pigment. Therefore, the ink cartridge 1 is effectively prevented from being contaminated by the resin dispersion type pigment or the self-dispersion type pigment.
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In the above embodiment, the amount of the colorant in the ink is 40 wt% or less. Therefore, even when the ink leaks from the ink cartridge 1, the surface of the ink cartridge 1 is less likely to be contaminated by the ink.
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In the above embodiment, the viscosity of the ink is in the range of 1 mPa·s or more and 8 mPa·s or less. Therefore, the ink is less likely to leak through the ink outflow port 10.
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In the above embodiment, the surface tension of the ink is in the range of 20 mN/m or more and 45 mN/m or less. The ink is less likely to leak through the ink outflow port 10.
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In the above embodiment, the dye in the ink is a direct dye, an acid dye, a basic dye, or a reactive dye. Therefore, even when the dye ink adheres to the surface of the ink cartridge 1, the user can easily wipe the dye ink from the surface of the ink cartridge 1. Therefore, the surface of the ink cartridge 1 is less likely to be contaminated by the dye ink.
[Modifications]
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In the above embodiment, the shape of the protective tape 4 is a strip shape. However, the shape of the protective tape 4 is not limited as long as the ink outflow port 10 is closed. For example, the shape of the protective tape 4 may be a circular or quadrangular shape.
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In the above embodiment, the protective tape 4 is stored in the bag 3, but the ink cartridge 1 may include the protective tape 4. For example, the protective tape 4 may be releasably attached to the lower end 2D of the cartridge main body 2. In this case, the release paper 4C is omitted.
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In the above embodiment, the peripheral portion 27 of the bottom 21 of the bag 3 is fixed to the lower end portion of the inner surface 8A of the storage recess portion 8. However, the position where the bag 3 is fixed to the inner surface 8A of the storage recess portion 8 is not limited. For example, the bottom 21 of the bag 3 may be fixed to a bottom opposite to the opening of the storage recess portion 8.
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In the above embodiment, the bag 3 cannot be detached from the inner surface 8A of the storage recess portion 8. However, the bag 3 may be detachable from the inner surface 8A of the storage recess portion 8. In this case, for example, an area where the outer surface of the bag 3 is welded to the inner surface 8A of the storage recess portion 8 may be reduced. Accordingly, the user can easily detach the bag 3 from the inner surface 8A of the storage recess portion 8.
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In addition, the bag 3 may be simply placed in the storage recess portion 8. In this case, the bag 3 may be attached to the storage recess portion 8 by being held in the storage recess portion 8 by the storage tape, for example.
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In the above embodiment, the storage recess portion 8 is located in the rear recess portion 5B of the housing 5, but the position of the storage recess portion 8 is not limited. For example, it may be located at the trailing end of the housing 5. In this case, the storage recess portion 8 opens rearward. In addition, the storage recess portion 8 may be omitted. In this case, for example, the bag 3 may be fixed to the rear recess portion 5B or may be detachably attached to the rear recess portion 5B.
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The mounting position of the bag 3 is not limited as long as the bag 3 is not in contact with the inkjet printer 11 when the cartridge main body 2 is mounted to the inkjet printer 11. For example, the bag 3 may be attached to a rear surface of a rear wall of the housing 5 or may be attached to an upper surface of an upper wall of the housing 5. In this case, the bag 3 is held in a folded state by the storage tape, for example.
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In the above embodiment, the length L4 of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 in the front-rear direction is slightly longer than the length L1 between the front end 2B and the trailing end 2A of the cartridge main body 2 in the front-rear direction. The length L5 of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 in the up-down direction is longer than the length L2 of the cartridge main body 2 in the up-down direction. However, the size of the bag 3 is not limited as long as the bag 3 can store the cartridge main body 2.
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For example, the length L4 of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 in the front-rear direction may be shorter than the length L1 between the front end 2B and the trailing end 2A of the cartridge main body 2 in the front-rear direction. The length L4 of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 in the front-rear direction is longer than the length L2 of the cartridge main body 2 in the up-down direction. The length L5 of the internal space 3A of the bag 3 in the up-down direction is longer than the length L1 between the front end 2B and the trailing end 2A of the cartridge main body 2 in the front-rear direction. The bag 3 is detachable from the storage recess portion 8.
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In the above embodiment, the insertion port 22 is sealed with the zipper 23, but is not limited to being sealed with the zipper 23 as long as the insertion port 22 can be sealed. For example, the insertion port 22 may be sealed with a glue instead of the zipper 23.
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Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the bag 3 includes a glue 31 and release paper 32. The glue 31 is applied to the outer surface of the bag 3 near the insertion port 22. The release paper 32 is releasably attached to the glue 31.
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The user reverses the inside and the outside of the bag 3 and drops the cartridge main body 2 into the internal space 3A of the bag 3 through the insertion port 22. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the cartridge main body 2 is stored in the bag 3. The glue 31 and the release paper 32 are in a state of being located on the inner surface of the bag 3. The user peels off the release paper 32 from the inner surface of the bag 3 and adheres the inner surfaces of the bag 3 together.
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In this way, for example, the user can more easily seal the insertion port 22 than the case where the insertion port 22 is sealed with a separately prepared tape.
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In the above embodiment, the bag 3 is formed by welding the outer peripheral edges of two films, but the method of forming the bag 3 is not limited. For example, the bag 3 may be formed by welding bottoms of cylindrically formed films.
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The bag 3 may each be configured to have a gusset. In this way, the internal space 3A of the bag 3 is widened in a thickness direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. Therefore, the user can easily insert the cartridge main body 2 into the internal space 3A of the bag 3 through the insertion port 22.
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In the above embodiment, the material of the bag 3 is a PP resin. However, the material of the bag 3 is not limited to a PP resin. For example, the material of the bag 3 may be a PET resin, a polyvinylidene chloride, aluminum, or PE laminated paper in which a film made of a PE resin is laminated on paper. In addition, the material of the bag 3 may be paper in which an aluminum-deposited film obtained by depositing aluminum is laminated on a PP film made of a PP resin.
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In the above embodiment, the material of the bag 3 is a PP resin. However, the bag 3 may have a laminated structure in which a plurality of thermoplastic resin films are laminated. For example, the bag 3 may have a laminated structure in which a PP film made of a PP resin and a PET film made of a PET resin are laminated. In this way, the bag 3 has good gas barrier property, waterproof property, and moisture-proof property.
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In the above embodiment, the material of the substrate 4A is a PP resin. However, the material of the substrate 4A is not limited to a PP resin. For example, the material of the substrate 4A may be a PET resin, a polyvinylidene chloride, aluminum, or PE laminated paper in which a PE film made of a PE resin is laminated on paper. In addition, the material of the substrate 4A may be paper in which an aluminum-deposited film obtained by depositing aluminum is laminated on a PP film made of a PP resin.
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In the above embodiment, the entire bag 3 transmits light, but a light transmission portion that transmits light may be located in a part of the bag 3. The bag 3 may not transmit light.
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In the above embodiment, the address 24 of the recycler is described on the outer surface of the bag 3, but the address 24 may be omitted. In this case, the used cartridge main body 2 stored in the bag 3 may be collected in, for example, a collection box placed in a store.
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In the above embodiment, the graphic 25 showing the posture in which the ink cartridge 1 is stored in the bag 3 is described on the outer surface of the bag 3. However, the graphic 25 may not be described on the outer surface of the bag 3.
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In the above embodiment, the graphic 26 showing the method of attaching the protective tape 4 to the ink outflow portion 6 is described on the outer surface of the bag 3. However, the graphic 26 may not be described on the outer surface of the bag 3.
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In the above embodiment, the bag 3 includes the zipper 23 capable of sealing the insertion port 22. However, the zipper 23 may be omitted. In this case, the user may seal the insertion port 22 with a separately prepared tape, for example.
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As described above, the present specification discloses the following matters:
- (1) An ink cartridge including:
- a cartridge main body configured to be attached to and detached from an inkjet printer;
- a bag attached to the cartridge main body and configured to store the cartridge main body; and
- an ink leakage prevention member,
- in which the cartridge main body includes:
- a housing including an ink storage chamber configured to store an ink;
- an ink outflow portion defining an ink outflow port through which the ink stored in the ink storage chamber flows out; and
- a valve configured to open and close the ink outflow port, and
- the ink leakage prevention member is configured to be attached to the ink outflow portion.
A user closes the ink outflow port by the ink leakage prevention member without separately preparing a component for closing the ink outflow port. After closing the ink outflow port by the ink leakage prevention member, the user stores the cartridge main body in the bag without separately preparing a bag capable of storing the cartridge main body. Therefore, an operation of storing the cartridge main body in the bag is easy. For example, the ink leakage prevention member prevents the valve from being pressed by another member due to vibration during transportation of the ink cartridge. Accordingly, leakage of the ink through the ink outflow port in the bag is prevented. Even when the ink leaks through the ink outflow port, the bag prevents the leaked ink from adhering to a surface of another member. On the contrary, for example, the bag prevents the ink that has leaked from another ink cartridge from adhering to a surface of the ink cartridge. Therefore, the ink cartridge can be easily reused. - (2) The ink cartridge according to (2), in which the ink leakage prevention member is stored in the bag.
Since the user takes out the ink leakage prevention member from the bag and closes the ink outflow port by the ink leakage prevention member, the ink leakage prevention member is less likely to be lost. - (3) The ink cartridge according to (2),
- in which the cartridge main body is located on an outer surface of the housing and includes a recess portion opening in one direction, and
- the bag is inserted into the recess portion in a state where the bag is folded, and the bag is attached to an inner surface of the recess portion.
- When the cartridge main body is mounted to the inkjet printer, the bag is less likely to protrude from the cartridge main body. Therefore, the user easily mounts the cartridge main body to the inkjet printer.
- (4) The ink cartridge according to (3),
- in which the ink outflow portion is located at a lower end of the housing in an up-down direction in a state where the cartridge main body is in a mounting posture of being mounted to the inkjet printer,
- the recess portion is located at the lower end of the housing and in a removal direction with respect to the ink outflow portion, the removal direction being opposite to a mounting direction in which the cartridge main body is mounted to the inkjet printer, and
- the recess portion is opened downward in the one direction.
When the cartridge main body is mounted to the inkjet printer, the recess portion is less likely to be brought into contact with other members. Therefore, the user can easily mount the cartridge main body to the inkjet printer. - (5) The ink cartridge according to (4),
- in which the bag is fixed to the inner surface of the recess portion,
- a length of an internal space of the bag in the mounting direction is longer than a length of the cartridge main body in the mounting direction, and
- a length of the internal space of the bag in the up-down direction is longer than a length of the cartridge main body in the up-down direction.
Even when the bag is fixed to the inner surface of the recess portion, the user reverses the inside and the outside of the bag and drops the cartridge main body into the internal space of the bag, thereby storing the cartridge main body in the bag. Therefore, the operation of storing the cartridge main body can be performed quickly. The user will not lose the bag. - (6) The ink cartridge according to any one of (1) to (5), in which the bag includes a zipper configured to seal an opening through which the cartridge main body is to be inserted into an internal space of the bag.
The user can easily seal the opening of the bag with the zipper. - (7) The ink cartridge according to any one of (1) to (5),
in which the bag includes:
- a glue applied to the bag; and
- a release paper releasably attached to the glue.
The user peels off the release paper from the bag and adheres the bags together. Therefore, for example, the user can more easily seal the opening of the bag than the case where the opening of the bag is sealed with a separately prepared tape. - (8) The ink cartridge according to (1), in which a material of the bag is any one of a PET resin, a PP resin, a polyvinylidene chloride, aluminum, PE laminated paper in which a film made of a PE resin is laminated on paper, or paper in which an aluminum-deposited film obtained by depositing aluminum is laminated on a PP film made of a PP resin.
Compared to a paper bag, a gas barrier property, a waterproof property, and a moisture-proof property are better. - (9) The ink cartridge according to (1),
- in which the ink leakage prevention member is an adhesive tape in which an adhesive is applied to a substrate, and
- a material of the substrate is any one of a PET resin, a PP resin, a polyvinylidene chloride, an aluminum-deposited film in which aluminum is deposited on a thermoplastic resin film, or PE laminated paper in which a PE film made of a PE resin is laminated on paper.
The user can easily peel off the ink leakage prevention member from the ink outflow portion. Accordingly, the ink cartridge can be easily reused. - (10) The ink cartridge according to (1), in which the bag has a laminated structure in which a plurality of thermoplastic resin films are laminated.
The bag has a good gas barrier property, waterproof property, and moisture-proof property. - (11) The ink cartridge according to (1), in which the bag includes a light transmission portion that transmits light.
The user can easily check, from the outside of the bag, a color of the ink remaining in the ink cartridge, a storage element storing cartridge information, and a barcode obtained by encoding the cartridge information. Therefore, reuse is easy. - (12) The ink cartridge according to (1), in which an address of a recycler who reuses the ink cartridge is described on the bag.
The user does not need to take the trouble of writing an address when mailing the used ink cartridge to a recycler. - (13) The ink cartridge according to (1), in which at least one of a posture in which the cartridge main body is stored in the bag and a method of attaching the ink leakage prevention member to the ink outflow portion is illustrated on the bag.
The user can easily store the cartridge main body in the bag. The user can easily attach the ink leakage prevention member to the ink outflow portion. - (14) The ink cartridge according to (1), in which the ink stored in the ink storage chamber contains a colorant composed of one or more of a pigment and a dye.
The ink cartridge is less likely to be contaminated by the colorant. - (15) The ink cartridge according to (14), in which the pigment is a resin dispersion type pigment or a self-dispersion type pigment.
The ink cartridge is less likely to be contaminated by the resin dispersion type pigment or the self-dispersion type pigment. - (16) The ink cartridge according to (14), in which an amount of the colorant is 40 wt% or less.
Even when the ink leaks through the ink outflow port to the outside, the surface of the ink cartridge is less likely to be contaminated by the ink. - (17) The ink cartridge according to (14), in which the ink has a viscosity in a range of 1 mPa·s or more and 8 mPa·s or less.
The ink is less likely to leak through the ink outflow port to the outside. - (18) The ink cartridge according to (14), in which the ink has a surface tension in a range of 20 mN/m or more and 45 mN/m or less.
The ink is less likely to leak through the ink outflow port to the outside. - (19) The ink cartridge according to (14), in which the ink is a dye ink, and the dye is a direct dye, an acid dye, a basic dye, or a reactive dye.
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Even when the dye ink adheres to a surface of the cartridge main body, the dye ink is easily wiped from the surface of the cartridge main body. Accordingly, the surface of the cartridge main body is less likely to be contaminated by the dye ink.
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According to the present disclosure, there is no need to prepare a bag for storing the cartridge main body, and the ink does not easily leak through the ink outflow port in the bag.