FR3047924A1 - APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING INK OF A PRINTER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an ink supply device (1) for a printer (2), the supply device (1) comprising an ink storage tank (3) that can be filled. According to the invention, the storage tank comprises electronic means for measuring (12) in real time the ink contained in the tank (3), the electronic measurement means (12) being connected to warning means ( 13) able to issue warning messages when the ink level in the tank (3) reaches a threshold value.

Description

Device d? Ink supply of a printer

The present invention is in the field of printing using a printer, ink jet.

Generally, an ink jet printer projects. the liquid ink for a color rendering of an almost photographic quality ,. .The inkjet is a process, contactless printing, it. It allows printing on a wide variety of print media (paper, ceramics, glass, textiles, plastics, etc.). In general, the ink is stored in a consumable such as an ink cartridge. This cartridge has a storage compartment in which the ink is stored and connection means with a printhead of the printer, which is adapted to project the ink onto the print medium. These disposable ink cartridges are often recyclable. However, in order for them to be recycled, a consumer has to return his used ink cartridges to specific collection points.

In the course of regular use of the inkjet printer, these disposable cartridges have the advantage of being able to use the inkjet printer. also, the disadvantage of being weak, of. capacity- and require, therefore to be changed regularly, from.more, the regular change of ink cartridge created a volume of cartridges -usages important, which if they are not brought back to a point, specific collection will be not recycled and will constitute non-biodegradable waste.

In addition, in general, inkjet printers are not equipped with means to evaluate the. ink level present in "ne. disposable ink cartridge. Thus, the printer indicates to the user that the ink level is low depending on the number of prints it has made and not on. depending on the actual amount of ink inside the cartridge. This results in a significant waste of ink by the cartridge replacement not yet completely empty,

There is known a printer equipped with an ink supply device installed outside the printer frame. This supply device comprises at least one large capacity ink storage tank. Each tank comprises, on the one hand, a filling opening on an upper face for filling the storage tank directly with liquid ink, and on the other hand, a transparent wall allowing a user to control visually the level of the. ink volume and filling the tank, by .the opening of the · filling when the ink volume level becomes low 'In addition, the transfer of ink from a tank to printing devices of the printer (for example a print head) is via a hydraulic circuit. The disadvantage of such a supply device is in the control of the level of the volume of ink contained in the tank. Indeed, when the volume level, ink decreases rapidly and the user is not nearby to control it, the tank is empty and air can then enter the hydraulic circuit and 'in . the. .printing organs, which damages them ..

The present invention seeks to solve. aforementioned drawbacks of the state of the art by providing a supply device comprising a precise control system of the volume level of ink contained by the storage tank.

The present invention relates to an ink supply device of a printer, the supply device comprising an ink storage tank which can be filled, characterized in that the storage tank comprises electronic measuring means, in real time of the ink contained in the tank, the electronic measuring means being connected to. Warning means capable of emitting messages, of warning when the volume of ink contained in the tank reaches a threshold value.

The automated control of the ink volume level enables an operator in charge of maintaining the supply device to be released from the level control which he had previously had to perform on his own, and thus to focus on other tasks. Advantageously, the warning means make it possible to indicate reliably to the operator whether there is a need to replenish the storage tank. This feature prevents the printer from printing while a storage tank is empty.

Moreover, the supply system is part of an eco-responsible approach. Indeed, it allows, in the context of an intensive printing activity, to eliminate the use of polluting consumables that are, cartridges, ink.

According to a first additional characteristic, the storage tank comprises, on its upper face, an air vent equipped with an air filter, this air outlet allowing. generate a column of air inside the storage tank.

So cleverly, the ink: can be transferred from the tank. storage up to printing devices of the printer by simple pressure balance.

According to a second additional characteristic, the electronic measurement means comprise an ultrasonic transmitter / receiver. Advantageously, the use of an ultrasonic transmitter / receiver makes it possible to measure in real time and with precision the volume level of any type of ink contained in the tank.

According to a feature of the second additional feature, the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver is attached to the interior of the vessel.

According to a third additional feature, the provisioning device comprises communication means able to transfer warning messages to a remote server. As a result, the operator responsible for maintaining the provisioning device can be remotely informed of these warning messages via a terminal communicating with the remote server.

According to a fourth additional feature, the storage tank has a plurality of storage compartments, which can be filled with a different ink color.

According to a fifth additional feature, the supply device comprises a plurality of storage tanks each intended to be filled with a different ink color, preferably the supply device comprises four tanks, one for black, and the other three for each primary color (cyan, magenta, yellow). According to an additional sixth characteristic, the supply device comprises an outer covering equipped with a movable cover between one position. closed- in which access to the internal space of the supply device is prohibited and an open position in which access to the internal space of the device is allowed.

According to a first feature of the sixth additional feature, · the supply device comprises lid locking means, in the closed position. This feature: allows to prohibit access- to the internal space of the supply device lol- no people other than the operator in charge, · maintenance ·· ..

According to one. second, peculiarity of the sixth, additional characteristic, the. supply device comprises an intrusion detection system cooperating with the lid.

Advantageously, the intrusion detection system can pass between an engaged position when the lid is in the closed position, and a relaxed position when the lid is. in the open position, the intrusion detection system being configured to signal an intrusion when the lid is in open position. Other features and advantages will appear in the detailed description, which follows, of an exemplary embodiment of. the invention illustrated by Figures 1 to 4 placed in the appendix and in which: Figure 1 is a representation of an assembly consisting of a printer and a supply device according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a representation of the supply device of Figure 1, the. lid is in open position; FIG. 3 is a representation of the intrusion detection system of the supply device of FIG. 2; and. Figure 4 is a representation of the system of. FIG. 2 shows a supply device 1 adapted to supply ink to an inkjet printer 2.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the supply device 1 comprises at least one high-capacity ink storage tank 3 (of at least 0.5 liters). Preferably and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the supply device 1 comprises four independent storage tanks 3 each containing a different color ink, a storage tank 3 for the black and a tank 3 of. storage for each, primary color (cyan, magenta and yellow). He is at. note that the storage tank 3 containing the black ink is indicated by the abbreviation "BK", the storage tank 3 containing the cyan ink by the letter "C", the storage tank 3 containing the magenta ink by the letter. ". M. "And the storage tank 3 for the yellow color by the letter". Y ". {illustrated at. Figure 2).

In the example shown in. FIG. 2, the storage tank 3, has a filling opening 4 disposed on its upper face 5, this opening 4 making it possible to fill the tank 3 with ink when the level of ink is low. In order to keep the. ink quality and the resulting print quality, the tank 3's. storage comprises a removable plug 6 associated with. opening 4 and who. preserves the ink contained in the tank of any aerial contamination. Thus, the plug 6 is removed before filling the tank 3 and repositioned on the opening 4 filling. that the. tank 3 filled.

Each tank 3 of the. 1 supply device is connected to the printing members of the printer 2 by connection means 7 which comprises a hydraulic circuit 8. In known manner, at the printer 2 the hydraulic circuit 8 is connected to an ink cartridge adapted to operate with the printer 2. This cartridge is adapted to be removably connected to the hydraulic circuit 8 of. in order to receive the ink from the supply device 1 and to transmit it to the printing members of the printer 2. Thus, when the supply device .1 is defective, an operator in charge of his maintenance can easily replace the defective supply device 1 in the. disconnecting from the printer. 2. Preferably, one. sheath 9 made of polymeric material protects the hydraulic circuit 8 from any fortuitous deterioration, this sheath 9 covers the hydraulic circuit 8 from the supply device 1 to the frame 10 of the printer 2. A passing light of the hydraulic circuit 8 is arranged in the frame 10 of the printer 2. This feature makes it possible to connect the supply device 1 and the printer 2 while keeping the cover of the printer 2 closed, and thus to prevent the printing members are exposed, in particular, to the open air, and to dust.

Thus, the ink contained in each tank 3 is transmitted, by pressure balance via the hydraulic circuit 8, to a cartridge of the printer 2. Once filled, the cartridge transmits, always by pressure balance, the ink to the printing members of the printer 2. A. This effect, the upper face · .5 '"of the storage tank 3 is equipped with a vent 11 to generate · a column of air inside the storage tank 3, thus facilitating the transfer of ink by pressure balance It should be noted that, for the sake of preserving the ink contained in the storage tank 3 of all airborne contamination, the mouth, aeration 11 is equipped with an air filter, In addition, it is necessary to maintain a minimum level of volume, ink in the breast, storage tank 3. · If the printer 2 was printing with an empty ink tank 3, air would enter the circuit 8, and to reach the printing members that could be damaged, For this purpose, the storage tank 3 · comprises electronic means for measuring 12 in real · time the volume of anchor contained in the tank 3 · ·, • In the example shown: in the figure. 2, the electronic measuring means 12 comprise at least one ultrasonic transmitter / receiver disposed within the interior of the. However, the electronic measuring means 12 could be formed by any electronic means of measurement capable of measuring in real time the temperature. the volume occupied by an ink contained in a container. Advantageously, the electronic measuring means 12 are connected to warning means 13 able to issue warning messages when the level of the ink contained in the tank 3 reaches a level of predetermined threshold value. This predetermined threshold value of the ink volume level is preferably between 5% and 20% of the volume of the storage tank 3. Ί1 is. Note that these warning messages allow a maintenance operator to be notified when the ink volume level reaches the predetermined threshold value. Thus, the operator does not need to regularly check the level of. , the ink in each tank 3, as soon as the warning messages prevent it when the level of the ink reaches the predetermined threshold value.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the supply device 1 comprises communication means 14 through a telecommunication network. Advantageously, the warning means 13 cooperate with the communication means 14 so that the warning messages are transmitted via the telecommunication network to a remote server. Thus, a maintenance operator can receive on a remote terminal communicating with the remote server, warning messages indicating that the ink level has reached the threshold value. Advantageously, the threshold value is predefined so that the operator has a certain amount of time to fill the tank 3 with ink storage.

Thus, the cooperation between the electronic measurement means 12, the warning means 13 and the communication means 14 allows an operator to manage the maintenance and the filling of the storage tanks 3 of several supply devices which can be installed in several rooms distant from each other up to several kilometers.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the supply device 1 comprises an internal space. 1-5 wrapped by an outer casing 16 equipped with a cover 17 movable between a closed position prohibiting access to the internal space 15 and an open position allowing access to the internal space 15. Each tank 3 comprises fastening elements 18 to another tank · 3 and / or to the inner surface 19 of the outer cover 16. As a result, each tank. 3 'is secured to the outer cladding 16 of the supply device 1 and' that the electronic or hydraulic connections can not. be damaged by stresses due to inadvertent movement · of a tank 3 within the internal space. 15.

In order to limit access to the internal space 15 of the supply device 1 to. authorized persons, the supply device 1 comprises locking means. 20 adapted to hold the lid in the closed position 1 "lid in the closed position. The locking means 20 may be formed by a latch, a. latch or any other mechanical, electronic, hydraulic or electromagnetic means.

The means of. lock 20 are movable between, an activated position, in which, the lid 17 in closed position is locked, and a. a deactivated position in which the cover 17 is free to pass between its unlocked and closed position; position, open, For this purpose, the. locking means. 20 comprise an unlocking member 21 for activating and / or deactivating the locking means 20 '. This locking member 21 may be formed by any means, secure, enabling the locking means to be activated and / or deactivated. 20 (lock, alphanumeric keypad, low frequency short wave transmission system ("RPID" and "NFC" technology).). Limiting access to the internal space 15, for example, prevents unauthorized persons from filling a storage tank 3 with an ink quality which does not correspond to the printer 2 and which. would be likely to damage the print members.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the supply device 1 is equipped with an intrusion detection system 22. In the present example, the intrusion detection system comprises a microswitch. 23 which is equipped with a movable contactor between. a corresponding engaged position, the cover 17 in the closed position, and a corresponding latched position to the cover 17 in the open position. This intrusion detection system 22 allows, in particular to detect an opening operated by a person other than. the operator. It should be noted that the system, intrusion detection. 22 could comprise any other means adapted to detect the opening of a lid · 17.

According to an additional characteristic: the microswitch 23 may be equipped with warning means signaling an intrusion when the cover 17 passes from its closed position to its open position. Advantageously, the intrusion detection system 23 is connected with the communication means 14,

Thus, when an unauthorized person opens the cover 17 of the device 1 supply, an alert message is sent to a remote server. The operator in charge of the maintenance of the supply device 1 is then informed via a remote terminal communicating with the remote server ·

According to an additional characteristic of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, the supply device 1 comprises a screen 25 comprising connection means with the warning means 13 and the intrusion detection means 22. screen 25 is adapted to broadcast information relating to the state of the supply device 1, such as for example an error code in case of intrusion or detection of a level, anchor passing under the predefined threshold value.

In an exemplary non-illustrated embodiment of the invention, the printer · 2 may be equipped with a housing for receiving the device: supply 1 inside its frame 10.

The supply device 1 could comprise a single storage tank 3 having a plurality of independent compartments, each compartment being intended to store an ink, preferably of a different color and having all the characteristics of a storage tank, of the figure 2.

Claims (10)

claims 1. Supply device (1) in ink of a printer. (: 2 :), the. supply device (f) comprising a fillable ink storage tank (3), characterized in that the tank (31). storage includes. electronic measuring means (12) in real time, the ink contained in the tank (3), the electronic measuring means (12) being connected to warning means (13) capable of transmitting messages; warning when the volume of ink in the tank (3) reaches a threshold value. 2. Supply device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the. The storage tank (31) comprises, on an upper face (5), a venting outlet (11) for generating an air column inside the storage tank (3). 3 ··. Supply device (1) according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the electronic measurement means (12) comprise an ultrasonic transmitter / receiver. 4. Supply device (1) · according to claim 3, characterized in that the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver is fixed inside the tank (3.). 5. Supply device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises. communication means (14) adapted to transfer issued warning messages to a. remote server, 6. Supply device (1> according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises several storage tanks (3), 7. Supply device. (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an internal space (15) defined by an outer covering (16) which is equipped with a lid (17) .mobile between a closed position prohibiting access to the space, internal {15} and an open position allowing access to the internal space (15). 8. Supply device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises locking means (20) of the lid in the closed position. 9. Supply device (1) according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that it comprises an intrusion detection system (22) cooperating with the cover (17), 10. Supply device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the intrusion detection system (22) can pass between a position engaged when the cover (17) is in the closed position, and a position released when the cover (17) is in the open position, the intrusion detection system (22) being configured to signal an intrusion when the cover (17) is in the open position.