JP2001001682A - Ink tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink tank using an ink without waste by stabilizing discharging of the ink from a print head even at an initial or end time of using, and preventing invasion of a dust or the like to the head. SOLUTION: In the ink tank comprising an ink storage chamber 14 for storing an ink I, and a connector 18 disposed at a bottom side of the chamber 14, an ink storage unit 20 for containing the chamber 14 has a plurality of lateral plate-like blade members 21 longitudinally aligned to form an ink storage gap 25 therebetween, and a long longitudinal rod-like relay member 27 communicating with the gap 25 and having an ink moving passage extended to the connector 18 through the members 21. The gap 25 is disposed from a lower part to an upper part of the chamber 14 so as to store the ink I by a capillary force from an initial to an end of using and to generate a predetermined negative pressure at an ink discharge hole 16 side, and provided with a vent hole 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a writing instrument, an applicator,
Or printing device (including ink jet recording device)
The present invention relates to an ink tank used for storing ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An instrument or a device for printing ink on a medium, such as a writing instrument, an applicator, or a printing apparatus, has an ink tank for storing ink, and is required to supply ink stably. The ink tank provided in the ink jet recording apparatus may be mounted on a print head or may be integrated (see JP-A-8-290585). In the ink cartridge described in this publication,
The ink tank (the interior of which is the space of the ink storage chamber) is disposed on the upper side, the ink reservoir is disposed in the middle, and the print head (ink discharge section) is disposed on the lower side. In the ink storage space of the ink tank, the ink is stored as it is (without being absorbed by a massive porous body such as a sponge), and the ink is transferred from the ink storage chamber to the ink discharge portion by the ink storage body. Moves,
Overflow ink is temporarily stored.

[0003] That is, the ink reservoir is composed of a plurality of horizontal plate-like wings arranged in the vertical direction and a vertically long rod-shaped relay core penetrating the wings. Is formed with an ink storage gap that generates a predetermined capillary force (surface tension of ink), and the relay core is configured with a fiber bundle or the like so as to generate a capillary force larger than the ink storage gap. The upper end of the relay core is fitted into the bottom of the ink storage chamber, and the lower part of the relay core extends toward the ink discharge unit. In addition, the ink storage chamber in the ink tank
Except for the bottom air intake hole and the top end of the relay core, the whole is closed, and the air intake hole has capillary force (ink surface tension).
Is closed so that air can be taken in.

[0004] The size of the air intake hole of the ink storage chamber and the ink storage gap of the ink storage body depends on the capillary force of the air intake hole (negative pressure of the ink storage chamber) and the capillary of the ink storage gap. Pressure is applied so that the pressure of the ink discharge section (the pressure of ink supply to the print head) is stabilized within a predetermined range (negative pressure), whereby the discharge of ink from the print head becomes excessive. Or interruption of ink ejection from the print head is prevented.

In the ink cartridge described in Japanese Patent No. 2683187, an ink tank and an ink storage chamber are arranged side by side with a partition wall therebetween. Print head (ink ejection section)
Is arranged. And on the top of the ink reservoir,
An opening to the atmosphere is provided, and a gap for air intake and ink transfer is provided at the lower end of the partition wall. And
The ink is stored in the ink storage chamber as it is, and the ink is stored in the ink storage chamber in a form absorbed by an ink storage body formed of a massive porous body such as a sponge.

[0006]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the ink cartridge described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 5 (1993) -1995, during the middle period of use (stable period), the pressure of the ink discharge section (the pressure of supplying ink to the print head) can be stabilized within a predetermined range as described above. However, in the initial stage of use, the pressure in the ink storage chamber is excessive until the ink in the ink storage chamber is used (consumed) to a certain extent, and therefore the pressure in the ink discharge section is excessive, and the ink discharge from the print head is excessive. May be. On the other hand, at the end of use, when all the ink in the ink storage chamber is used and the upper end of the relay core is released to the atmosphere, the capillary force of the relay core acts, so that the pressure of the ink discharge unit becomes too small and the print head In some cases, the ejection of ink from the ink is interrupted.

Further, since the air intake hole of the ink storage chamber is closed by capillary force (surface tension of the ink), the air intake hole is closed after the pressure of the ink storage chamber becomes too low due to the use of ink. External air is taken into the ink reservoir through the air reservoir, and the pressure in the ink reservoir increases. Therefore, the pressure in the ink reservoir fluctuates before and after the air is taken in through the air intake hole, and accordingly, the pressure in the ink discharge section (the pressure at which ink is supplied to the print head) also fluctuates.

[0008] In addition, when a massive porous body such as a sponge is cut into a desired size, fine cutting chips (scrap) are generated, and fine dust such as the cutting chips generates fine pores in the massive porous body. In some cases, it is difficult to completely remove the fine dust that has entered the deep pores of the massive porous body by washing. Therefore, in an ink cartridge using a massive porous body, such as the ink cartridge described in Japanese Patent No. 2683187, there is a possibility that fine dust enters the ink from the massive porous body and the print head is clogged by the fine dust. is there.

[0009] Further, in the ink cartridge using the massive porous body, it is difficult to completely use (consume) the ink absorbed by the massive porous body, and it is difficult to use about 50 to 50% of the total amount of the stored ink. Only about 60% can be used. Therefore, it is necessary to make the capacity of the ink storage chamber and the storage chamber larger than the planned use amount of the ink, and to make the ink tank and the ink cartridge larger, so that the space for mounting the ink cartridge to the ink jet printer needs to be increased. is there.

[0010] The above-mentioned various problems also occur in a writing device, an applicator, a printing device other than an ink jet printing device, or the like using an ink tank (fixed or detachably provided).

In view of the above problems, the present invention can stabilize the ejection of ink from the ink outflow port at the beginning of use and at the end of use, and can supply dust or dirt to the writing or coating tip or the print head. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink tank which can prevent ink from being used and can use ink without waste.

[0012]

To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following arrangement. The present invention is an ink tank provided with an ink outflow hole for allowing the ink in the ink storage chamber to flow out of the storage chamber in the ink storage chamber for storing the ink. The ink reservoir is provided with a plurality of plate-shaped wings arranged in parallel so as to form an ink reservoir gap therebetween, and the ink reservoir gap is provided from an initial use to an end of use. An ink tank, wherein the ink tank is arranged in the ink storage chamber so as to store ink by capillary force and generate a predetermined negative pressure on the ink outlet hole side.

According to the present invention, ink is stored from the initial use to the end of use not by the negative pressure of the ink storage chamber but by the capillary force of the ink storage gap of the wing portion arranged from the lower part to the upper part of the ink storage chamber. At the same time, a predetermined negative pressure is generated on the side of the ink outlet, so that the pressure on the side of the ink outlet from the beginning of use to the end of use (such as the ink body, for example, the writing body of a writing implement, the application body of an applicator, or the print head of a printing device, Ink supply pressure to the ink), preventing the ink from being discharged excessively from the ink outlet at the beginning of use, or preventing the ink from being discharged from the ink outlet at the end of use. be able to. Further, since the negative pressure of the ink storage chamber is not used, the ink storage chamber can be opened to the atmosphere.

Further, the ink reservoir is not a massive porous body such as a sponge, but has a structure in which an ink reservoir is formed between a plurality of parallel blades, so that the size of the ink reservoir can be adjusted to a desired size. The ink can be easily adjusted so as to generate a capillary force, and can be used without leaving the ink stored in the ink storage gap. Further, since the massive porous body is not used, it is possible to prevent fine dust from entering the ink from the massive porous body and clogging the ink used body with the minute dust. In addition, since it is not necessary to consider that the porous body is affected by the ink solvent, the types of ink that can be used are increased, and for example, a quick-drying ink containing a volatile solvent can be used.

In the present invention, the ink reservoir is provided with a relay member that connects the wing portion and the ink outlet hole side, and the relay member communicates with the ink storage gap and is connected to the ink outlet hole side. A configuration in which an extended ink moving passage is provided is preferable. With this configuration, the ink stored in the ink storing groove can be smoothly moved to the ink outlet hole side by the ink moving passage of the relay member. Also,
In the present invention, it is preferable that the ink storage chamber communicates with the air release passage. In this way, the pressure in the ink storage chamber is always constant (atmospheric pressure),
Even when air enters and leaves the ink storage chamber due to the use (consumption) of ink, the pressure in the ink storage chamber does not change, so the pressure at the ink outlet port side (pressure of ink supplied to the ink body) is more stable. Can be done.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ink tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a wing portion (wing member) of the ink reservoir in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an example of a relay member (molding core) of the ink reservoir in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example (fiber bundle core) of the relay member.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink tank according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a horizontal disk-shaped top plate 11, a vertical cylindrical horizontal plate 12, and a horizontal disk-shaped bottom plate 13. The main body 10 has a hollow box shape, and an inner space of the main body 10 constitutes an ink storage chamber 14. In addition,
The horizontal plate portion 12 and the bottom plate portion 13 are integrally formed in a cup shape with an open upper surface, and the top plate portion 11 is separately formed in a lid shape that covers the upper surface opening of the horizontal plate portion 12.

At the center of the top plate 11 of the main body 10, an air opening hole 15 is provided penetrating in the vertical direction (vertical direction), and at the center of the bottom plate 13, an ink discharge hole (ink outflow hole) is provided. 16) are provided penetrating in the vertical direction. In addition, the ink tank has a vertically cylindrical cylindrical ink use body having an open lower end, for example, a connection portion 18 to a print head projects downward from the bottom plate portion 13 so as to surround the outer periphery of the ink discharge hole 16 and has a main body. It is provided integrally with the unit 10. The ink tank has a structure of an ink cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the ink using body at the connection section 18.

In the ink storage chamber 14 inside the main body 10, an ink reservoir 20 having a substantially columnar shape in a vertical direction is accommodated. A large number of horizontal disk-shaped wing members 21 are provided in the ink storage body 20 in a vertically stacked (parallel) manner, and a predetermined interval is provided between the wing members 21. An ink storage gap 25 is formed. A vertically long columnar (bar-shaped) relay member 27 is attached to the ink reservoir 20.
The wing member 21 is provided to penetrate in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wing member 21 has a flat plate portion 23 having a flat upper surface and a lower surface (laminated surface), and a plurality of gaps having a concave upper surface and a lower convex surface with respect to the flat plate 23. The gap projections 24 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction and the radial direction. The gap protrusions 24 of the upper wing member 21 and the flat plate portion 23 of the lower wing member 21 abut on each other, so that the flat plate portion 23 of the upper wing member 21 and the lower wing member 21 are in contact with each other. Flat plate part 2
3, an ink storage gap 25 is formed. Therefore, the interval between the ink storage gaps 25 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the amount of projection of the gap projections 24. In the center of the wing member 21, a relay member insertion hole 22 is provided.
Are provided to penetrate in the vertical direction, and the relay member insertion hole 2 is provided.
A large number of wing members 21 are aligned in the vertical direction by fitting the relay member 27 into the second member 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the relay member 27 is formed of a molding core formed in a vertically long cylindrical shape made of a synthetic resin. In this case, the outer peripheral portion of the relay member 27 has an opening on the outer peripheral side. A plurality of longitudinally continuous groove-shaped ink transfer passages 28 are provided radially at intervals in the circumferential direction. Then, by inserting the relay member 27 into the relay member insertion hole 22 of the wing member 21, the ink moving passage 2 is inserted.
8 and the ink storage gap 25 communicate with each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the relay member 27 may be configured by a fiber bundle core (sliver core) in which fibers elongated in the vertical direction are bound in a vertically long cylindrical shape. The ink movement passage is formed by the gap between the two.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lower end of the relay member 27 of the ink storage body 20 is fitted into the ink discharge hole 16, and the wing member 21 (ink storage gap 25) is connected to the lower part of the ink storage chamber 14. To the upper portion, and between the outer peripheral edge of the wing member 21 and the inner peripheral surface of the ink storage chamber 14,
A predetermined gap is provided. In the ink storage space 25 between the wing members 21 and the ink movement passage 28 of the relay member 27, the ink I is in contact with the air A on the outer peripheral side of the ink storage gap 25 and the upper side of the ink movement passage 28. Are stored by capillary force (surface tension) at the connection portion 18 (ink discharge hole 16) due to the capillary force (surface tension of ink I) of the ink storage gap 25 and the ink moving passage 28.
Has a predetermined negative pressure.

The ink moving passage 2 of the relay member 27
8. The ink storage gap 25 between the wing members 21 is formed so that the capillary force of the ink movement passage 28 is changed so that the ink I moves from the ink storage gap 25 to the ink movement passage 28. It is formed to be larger than the force. In addition, the ink storage passage 25 is connected to the ink moving passage 28.
In order to make the movement of the ink I smoothly, the ink storage gap 25 between the wing members 21 is formed in a tapered shape so as to become narrower from the outer peripheral side toward the inner peripheral side (relay member side). May be.

Further, the ink moving passage 2 of the relay member 27
8, the ink storage gap 25 between the wing members 21 is such that the pressure (the supply pressure of the ink I to the print head) of the connection portion 18 (ink discharge hole 16) is -30 to -100 mmAq (water head).
It is preferable that the pressure is formed to be about the same as the negative pressure. In addition, the ink holding gap 25 between the ink moving passage 28 of the relay member 27 and the wing member 21 is designed such that the upper capillary force is larger than the lower capillary force in consideration of the weight of the ink I. Alternatively, the upper ink storage gap 25 may be formed narrower and the lower ink storage gap 25 may be formed wider.

In the ink tank constructed as described above, the ink I is supplied by the capillary force of the ink storage gap 25 between the wing members 21 of the ink storage body 20 or the ink moving passage 28 of the relay member 27 (overflow). It is stored (instead of being temporarily stored as ink) and the connection 1
Ink I (not shown) connected to ink I
Is discharged, the ink I moves from the ink moving passage 28 of the relay member 27 to the connection portion 18 and the wing member 21
Between the ink storage gap 25 and the ink transfer passage 28
The ink I moves to the lower side, and the ink I is used (consumed) in order from the upper ink storage gap 25 to the lower ink storage gap 25.
Will be done.

When the ink I in the ink storage gap 18 is used (consumed), the air A is supplied from the outside to the ink storage chamber 14 through the air release hole 15 in accordance with the amount of the ink I used.
Is taken in. Further, when the temperature in the ink storage chamber 14 rises and the air A in the ink storage chamber 14 expands, the air A is released from the ink storage chamber 14 to the outside through the atmosphere opening hole 15, while the ink A is released. When the temperature inside the ink storage chamber 14 decreases and the air A in the ink storage chamber 14 contracts, the air A is taken into the ink storage chamber 14 from the outside via the atmosphere release hole 15. Therefore, the pressure in the ink storage chamber 14 is maintained at a constant level (atmospheric pressure) through the air release hole 15, and the pressure in the ink storage chamber 14 does not fluctuate even when the air A in the ink storage chamber 14 flows in and out.

Accordingly, the pressure of the connecting portion 18 (ink discharge hole 16) (the supply pressure of the ink I to the print head) is stabilized at a predetermined negative pressure, not only during the middle period of use but also from the beginning to the end of use. The supply of the ink I to the ink use body is interrupted due to the pressure of the connecting portion 18 being too small.
Is excessively large, it is preferable that the ink I is excessively ejected from the writing body, the coated body, or the ink using body such as the print head of the printing apparatus equipped with the ink tank according to the embodiment (sagging). Can be prevented.

The ink reservoir 20 is provided in the ink reservoir gap 25 between the plurality of wing members 21 arranged in parallel.
It does not absorb ink into a massive porous body such as urethane foam, so it prevents fine dust from entering the ink from the massive porous body and clogging the print head with the fine dust. In addition, the ink I can be used (consumed) without leaving the ink I in the ink reservoir 20, so that the volume of the ink reservoir 14 can be minimized, and the ink cartridge can be downsized. .

Further, since the ink reservoir 20 does not absorb ink into the massive porous body, it is not necessary to consider that the porous body is affected by the ink solvent, and the type of ink that can be used is not limited. For example, quick drying inks containing volatile solvents can be used. The ink reservoir 20 composed of a plurality of wing members 21 arranged in parallel has a high degree of freedom in selecting a material, and a material that is not affected by ink can be selected. For example, ABS, PET, PP, or the like is used. And other materials.

The method for filling the ink tank with the ink according to the present invention is as follows: 1) The inside of the cartridge body 10 is depressurized through the air release hole 15 and the like,
The ink is sucked up through the ink 7 and the ink storage gap 25 is filled with the ink. 2) Also, without depressurizing the inside of the ink tank body 10, the relay member 27 can be connected through the air release hole 15, the connecting portion 18, and the like.
And the ink is filled in the ink storage gap 25. Here, as a method of supplying the ink to the relay member 27, a method of forcibly injecting the ink through a syringe-shaped conduit or the like, a method of bringing the ink to be filled into the end of the relay member 27 and naturally absorbing the ink, etc. Can take. 3) The ink reservoir 20 itself is immersed in the ink to be filled, and the ink reservoir gap 25 is filled with the ink. Etc.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the ink reservoir has a structure in which a large number of individually shaped wing members in the form of horizontal plates are vertically stacked. The storage body may have a structure in which a large number of horizontal plate-shaped wings are integrally formed (injection-molded) in such a manner as to be connected by a vertical rod-shaped shaft. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the air release hole is provided on the upper side (top plate portion) of the ink storage chamber has been described. However, the air release hole may be provided on the lateral side of the ink storage chamber. An air movement passage (air replacement passage) may be provided in the storage body. In the ink tank, the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of each section are relative descriptions of each section.
Since the ink is stored in the gap between the wings, the ink does not hang down from the gap even if the posture of the ink tank is changed up, down, left, and right, and the posture of use or mounting can be freely taken. Therefore, the orientation with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction can be set appropriately.

[0032]

According to the present invention, ink is stored from the beginning of use to the end of use not by the negative pressure of the ink storage chamber but by the capillary force of the ink storage gap arranged from the lower part to the upper part of the ink storage chamber. Since a predetermined negative pressure is generated on the side of the ink outlet, the pressure on the side of the ink outlet (ink supply pressure to the ink body) can be stabilized from the beginning of use to the end of use. It is possible to prevent the ejection of ink from the ink from becoming excessive, or to prevent the ejection of ink from the ink outlet hole from being interrupted at the end of use. Further, since the negative pressure of the ink storage chamber is not used, the ink storage chamber can be opened to the atmosphere.

Further, since the ink reservoir is not a massive porous body such as a sponge, but has a structure in which an ink reservoir is formed between a plurality of parallel blades, the size of the ink reservoir can be adjusted to a desired size. The ink can be easily adjusted so as to generate a capillary force, and can be used without leaving the ink stored in the ink storage gap. In addition, since the massive porous body is not used, it is possible to prevent fine dust from entering the ink from the massive porous body and to prevent the ink used body from being clogged with the fine dust. Since there is no need to consider that the ink is affected by the ink, the types of ink that can be used are increased. For example, a quick-drying ink containing a volatile solvent can be used.

Further, in the present invention, the ink stored in the ink storing groove can be smoothly moved to the ink outlet hole side by the ink moving passage of the relay member.

Further, in the present invention, the pressure in the ink storage chamber is always constant (atmospheric pressure), so that the air in the ink storage chamber enters and exits due to changes in temperature, use (consumption) of ink, and the like. Since the pressure of the ink does not change, the pressure on the ink outlet hole side (the pressure at which the ink is supplied to the ink body) can be further stabilized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ink tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a wing portion (a wing member) of the ink reservoir in FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example (molding core) of a relay member of the ink reservoir in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example (fiber bundle core) of the relay member of the ink reservoir in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main body part 11 Top plate part 12 Horizontal plate part 13 Bottom plate part 14 Ink storage chamber 15 Atmosphere release hole (Atmosphere release passage) 16 Ink discharge hole 18 Connection part 20 Ink reservoir 21 Wing member (wing part) 22 Relay member fitting hole 23 Plate portion 24 Gap projection 25 Ink storage gap 27 Relay member 28 Ink movement passage

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Fujisawa 2-12-5 Irie 2-chome, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture F-term in the Yokohama R & D Center, Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd. KC01 KC05 NA07 NA10 NA13 NC01 NC20 NC33

Claims (3)

[Claims] An ink tank provided with an ink outflow hole for allowing ink in the ink storage chamber to flow out of the storage chamber in an ink storage chamber for storing the ink. A plurality of plate-shaped wings are provided in parallel with each other so as to form an ink storage gap between the ink storage bodies. An ink tank arranged in the ink storage chamber so as to store the ink by capillary force and generate a predetermined negative pressure on the ink outlet hole side. 2. The ink storage body is provided with a relay member for connecting the wing portion and the ink outlet hole, and the relay member communicates with the ink storage gap and is provided on the ink outlet hole side. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein an extended ink movement passage is provided. 3. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the ink storage chamber communicates with an atmosphere release passage.