JP2001105610A - Ink jet recording apparatus and molding method of capping means therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method not receiving the obstruction due to the remaining of a gate at a time of the molding of a capping means. SOLUTION: In a capping means having a function sealing the nozzle forming surface of a recording head to apply negative pressure, a cap holder and a cap member are molded, for example, by a two-color molding method. The cap member comprising a soft material is charged at the gate remaining position of the cap holder molded by primary molding as a secondary injection-molding resin. The gate residue at the time of primary molding is pressed by the temp. and pressure at this time and the cap member is molded from the secondary injection-molding resin so as to cover the pressed part. In the secondary injection molding due to the soft material, a gate is cut at the fine diameter part of a secondary injection gate and the cap member is molded in a state of generating little gate residue.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus having a recording head for discharging ink droplets corresponding to print data, and more particularly to a method for sealing a nozzle forming surface of a recording head with an internal space. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a capping means capable of performing the above-described steps, and a method of forming the capping means in the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet recording apparatuses have been used in many printings including color printing in recent years, since noise during printing is relatively small and small dots can be formed at a high density. Such an ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet recording head that receives supply of ink from an ink cartridge, and a paper feeding unit that moves recording paper relative to the recording head,
Recording is performed by ejecting ink droplets on recording paper based on print data while moving the recording head.

A recording head capable of discharging, for example, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks is mounted on a carriage. Not only text printing using black ink, but also changing the discharge ratio of each color ink allows full-color printing. Printing is enabled.

The above-mentioned ink jet recording head is
Due to the fact that the ink pressurized in the pressure generating chamber is ejected onto the recording paper as ink droplets from the nozzle openings and printing is performed, an increase in ink viscosity due to evaporation of the solvent from the nozzle openings,
There is a problem that clogging of the nozzle opening occurs due to solidification of ink, adhesion of dust, and mixing of air bubbles, resulting in poor printing.

For this purpose, this type of ink jet recording apparatus is provided with capping means for sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head during non-printing. This capping means not only functions as a lid for preventing ink from drying at the nozzle openings in the print head, but also seals the nozzle forming surface by the capping means when the nozzle openings are clogged, and sucks the ink. The apparatus also has a function of recovering ink droplet ejection capability for sucking and discharging ink from the nozzle openings by negative pressure from the pump to eliminate clogging of the nozzle openings.

[0006] Forcible suction and discharge processing of ink for eliminating clogging of the recording head is called a cleaning operation, and is performed when printing is resumed after a long pause of the apparatus.
This operation is performed when the user recognizes a printing failure and operates, for example, a cleaning switch. After a negative pressure is applied by a suction pump and ink is sucked and discharged from the recording head into the capping unit, the ink is formed from, for example, a rubber material. Such a wiping member involves an operation of wiping the nozzle forming surface.

[0007]

The capping means used in this type of ink jet recording apparatus is a soft material which can be in close contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head, for example, rubber or rubber called an elastomer. It is composed of a cap member made of a synthetic resin material into which components are mixed, and a cap holder made of, for example, a hard synthetic resin formed in a rectangular shape and supporting the cap member.

Further, an elevating mechanism for supporting the lower bottom portion of the cap holder is provided, and when the carriage moves to the position where the capping means is disposed, the cap holder is maintained in a substantially horizontal posture in conjunction with the movement of the carriage. By moving the recording head upward, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head can be sealed with the cap member.

In the conventional capping means, the cap holder and the cap member constituting the capping means are formed as separate members, respectively.
It has been assembled so that the cap member is fitted into a cap holder having a rectangular shape and one surface opened.

[0010] Therefore, in addition to the necessity of managing each member in the production process, the number of steps for assembling them into one is also required, which is one factor that reduces productivity. Therefore, in order to eliminate such factors, the cap holder and the cap member are
For example, when integrally molded by a two-color molding method, the adhesion at the interface between the cap holder and the cap member is also improved, the air leakage and the like can be prevented, and the functional reliability of this type of capping means is also improved. This is convenient because it can be secured.

However, when the above-mentioned two members are integrally molded simply by the two-color molding method, a gate residue is generated in a part of the cap holder by, for example, the primary molding, and the floating of the ink absorbing sheet and the capping means are performed. At the time of assembling into the recording apparatus main body, depending on the handling, there still remains a problem such as damage to the fingertip due to the remaining gate.

The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-mentioned technical problem. In the case where a cap member is integrally formed with a cap holder, it is possible to eliminate the above-mentioned trouble caused by the remaining gate. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a capping means to be obtained, and a method of forming the capping means in the apparatus.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an ink jet recording head for discharging ink droplets corresponding to print data; An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a cap member that abuts a nozzle forming surface of a head to form an internal space between the nozzle forming surface and a cap holder that holds the cap member; and The cap holder is molded in a primary mold by a primary injection gate, and the cap member corresponds to a gate cutting position at the time of molding the cap holder between the cap holder and a secondary mold having the cap holder as a primary molded product. With the secondary injection gate arranged at the position, it is configured integrally with the cap holder

In this case, preferably, the cap holder is formed in a primary mold in which a primary injection gate is disposed at a position corresponding to an internal space formed between the nozzle and the nozzle forming surface, and the cap member is In addition, a secondary injection gate disposed at a position corresponding to a gate cutting position at the time of forming the cap holder is integrally formed with the cap holder between a secondary molding die having the cap holder as a primary molded product. It is done as follows.

The cap holder is formed of a hard material, and the cap member is formed of a soft material capable of contacting a nozzle forming surface of a recording head to seal the nozzle forming surface with an internal space. Is preferred.

In the capping means constructed as described above, it is preferable that the cap holder and the cap member are integrally formed by a two-color molding method, and are bonded to each other at an interface between them.

In a preferred embodiment,
The cap member is formed such that a seal portion abutting on a nozzle forming surface covers a reinforcing rib formed on the cap holder, and a part of the cap member is formed on an inner bottom portion of the cap holder. Filled into the engagement hole,
The lower bottom portion of the cap member is configured to be able to maintain a close contact state with the inner bottom portion of the cap holder.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a capping means, comprising: an ink jet recording head for discharging ink droplets corresponding to print data; and a nozzle forming surface in contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head. A capping means formed by a cap member forming an internal space between the capping means and a cap holder for holding the cap member, wherein the capping means is disposed in a primary mold. A cap holder forming step of forming a cap holder by a primary injection gate, and a second mold disposed in a secondary mold having the cap holder as a primary molded product at a position corresponding to a gate cutting position at the time of forming the cap holder. The next injection gate forms the cap member integrally with the cap holder. It is made to.

In this case, preferably, in the cap holder molding step, primary molding is executed by a primary injection gate arranged at a position corresponding to an internal space formed between the nozzle holder and the nozzle forming surface. In the member molding step, secondary molding is performed between the cap holder as the primary molded product and the secondary molding die by the secondary injection gate arranged at a position corresponding to the gate cutting position at the time of molding the cap holder. Thereby, the cap member is formed integrally with the cap holder.

According to the ink jet recording apparatus employing the above-described molding method, the cap member is positioned between the cap member and the secondary molding die having the primary molded product as the cap holder at the position corresponding to the gate cutting position at the time of molding the cap holder. Is molded integrally with the cap holder by injection molding using the secondary injection gate arranged at the position.

Therefore, the gate remaining in the cap holder generated during the primary molding can be crushed to some extent by the temperature and pressure by the secondary injection, and the cap member 7 is covered with the secondary injection resin so as to cover the relevant portion. Can be molded.

Further, it is preferable that the cap member is formed of a soft material capable of contacting the nozzle forming surface of the recording head to seal the nozzle forming surface, and the secondary molding using such a soft material is preferable. In the case of, when leaving from the secondary mold, it is cut at the small diameter portion of the gate portion, and is formed in a state where almost no gate residue occurs.
Therefore, if the position of the injection gate in the primary molding and the secondary molding is arranged, for example, on the side of the internal space formed between the nozzle forming surface of the recording head and the molding, the outer surface on which traces of the gate remaining can be visually observed. Without stopping
Further, it is possible to avoid the disadvantage that the ink absorbing sheet stored in the internal space is pushed upward by the remaining gate.

Further, according to the above-described structure, the seal portion abutting on the nozzle forming surface of the cap member is formed so as to cover the reinforcing rib formed on the cap holder. Even if the pressure is sucked, the reinforcing ribs function as a support for the cap member, and the degree of the inward fall of the cap member can be reduced.

Further, a part of the cap member is filled and engaged with an engagement hole formed in the inner bottom portion of the cap holder, and the lower bottom portion of the cap member keeps close contact with the inner bottom portion of the cap holder. It is configured so that even if the internal space of the capping means is suctioned to a negative pressure,
For example, it is possible to effectively prevent the inner bottom portion of the cap member from being deformed toward the nozzle forming surface side of the recording head, and it is also possible to solve the problem that air leaks into the internal space of the capping means.

Then, by forming the cap holder and the cap member integrally by a two-color molding method,
Adhesion at the interface between the two acts, and the combined use with the above-described configuration makes it possible to secure the adhesion to the nozzle forming surface of the recording head and the confidentiality over a long period of time.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 mainly show the configuration of capping means in an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 1 shows a state viewed from the top of the apparatus, FIGS. 2 and 3 show states viewed from the side, FIG. 2 shows an uncapped state, and FIG.
Indicates a capping state.

Reference numeral 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 denotes a carriage, and the carriage 1 is configured to be guided by a guide rod 2 and move in parallel with the paper guide plate 3. The carriage 1 is connected to a part of a timing belt reciprocated by a carriage motor (not shown), and is configured to reciprocate along the guide rod 2.

A recording head 5 is mounted on the carriage 1 so as to oppose the recording paper 4 disposed on the upper surface of the paper guide plate 3. Based on the bitmap data corresponding to the data, ink droplets can be ejected and printed on the recording paper 4 on the paper guide plate 3.

The capping means 6 for sealing the recording head 5 is disposed in a non-printing area (home position) at the end of the recording apparatus, and has a size capable of sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 with a sealed space. A function of sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 during non-printing to prevent drying of the ink at the nozzle openings, and recording by receiving a negative pressure from a suction pump (not shown) during the cleaning operation. A function of forcibly discharging ink from the head 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, an ink discharge port 7a is formed at the inner bottom of the cap member 7 disposed in the capping means 6, and the ink discharge port 7a is connected to one end of a tube (not shown). Is connected, and the other end of the tube is connected to a suction pump.

Thus, the cap member 7 can be used during non-printing.
The nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 is sealed by the above, and when a cleaning command is received, a negative pressure by the suction pump is applied to the internal space of the capping means, and ink is forcibly discharged from the recording head 5. Can be done. An ink absorbing sheet 8 is accommodated in the cap member 7 so as to hold the sucked ink.

The cap member 7 is formed integrally with a rectangular cap holder 9 as will be described in detail later.
The flat plate-shaped spring receiving portions 9a are respectively formed in the horizontal direction. The cap holder 9 is mounted on a slider 10 constituting a lifting mechanism, and a pair of compression springs 11 interposed between the slider 10 and a spring receiving portion 9a.
And is attached in a state of being biased toward the recording head 5 side.

An engaging portion 9b is formed on the center of one end of the cap holder 9 and on both sides of the other end, and these three engaging portions 9b are formed on the slider 10 respectively. When the cap holder 9 is locked at three points by the locking member 10a, the movement of the cap holder 9 in the upward direction, that is, toward the recording head 5, is restricted.
Mounted on top.

A pair of elongated holes 12 are formed in the lower bottom of the slider 10 in a substantially horizontal direction, and each of the elongated holes 12 is rotatably attached to the frame 13. A pair of horizontal shafts 15 arranged on the free end side of the arm 14 are housed so as to be movable. As a result, the slider 10 can rise with an arc-shaped locus with respect to the frame 13 via the arm 14.

Guide pieces 10b are formed on both sides of the end portion of the slider 10 on the non-printing area side, and the pair of guide pieces 10b are formed with a pair of guide grooves 16 formed in the frame 13. It is configured to be supported by. The guide groove 16 has a low portion 16a formed at one end, a horizontal high portion 16b formed at the other end,
Further, it is constituted by an inclined portion 16c connecting these, and these three regions are formed to communicate with each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, one end of a tension spring 17 having one end fixed to the frame 13 is fixed to one guide piece 10b.
By the action of 7, the slider 10 is urged so as to be positioned in the print area direction and in the direction away from the recording head 5, that is, in the downward direction in this embodiment.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, when the carriage 1 moves just above the capping means 6, the carriage 1
The engaging body 1a disposed on the slider 10 comes into contact with an engaging portion 10c formed to stand upright on the slider 10 so as to resist the tensile force of the spring 17 as shown in FIG.
Is raised via an arm 14 so that the cap member 7 formed integrally with the cap holder 9 can seal the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 arranged on the carriage 1. ing.

When the carriage 1 moves to the printing area side, the contact of the engaging body 1a on the carriage 1 with the engaging portion 10c arranged on the slider 10 is released, and the slider 10 pulls the spring 17. The state shown in FIG. 2 is restored by the force, whereby the sealing of the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 by the cap member 7 is released.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.
A cleaner holding member 20 having, for example, a rubber wiping member 21 for wiping the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 mounted on the carriage 1 with the movement of the carriage 1 is disposed. The cleaner holding member 20 is configured to be moved in the horizontal direction so that the wiping member 21 can enter or retract with respect to the wiping position on the moving path of the recording head 5.

Therefore, during the cleaning operation, the wiping member 21 removes dust and paper dust adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 before the ink suction, and after the ink suction. The ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface is wiped.

In this case, in the embodiment, the movement of the holding member 20 for holding the wiping member 21 and the pump for sucking the internal space of the capping means to a negative pressure are performed by the recording paper 4 on the paper guide plate 3. The driving force of a paper feed motor (not shown) for transporting the paper is used. Then, the wiping member 21 is configured to advance on the movement locus of the recording head with the driving of the suction pump.

In the above configuration, when the carriage 1 moves to the non-printing area side by driving the carriage motor,
As shown in FIG. 2, the engagement body 1 disposed on the carriage 1
a comes into contact with the engaging portion 10c formed on the slider 10. Then, as the carriage 1 still moves in the same direction, the slider 10 rises through the arm 14 while resisting the tensile force of the spring 17 as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the guide piece 10b formed on the slider 10 moves from the low portion 16a constituting the guide groove 16 to the inclined portion 16c and further to the horizontal high portion 16b, whereby the cap holder 9 is moved. A cap member 7 integrally formed with the head 1 seals the recording head 5 disposed on the carriage 1.

When the sealing of the nozzle forming surface by the cap member 7 is completed in this way, the cap member 7 is disconnected from the atmosphere and becomes airtight, thereby suppressing the evaporation of ink from the nozzle openings. Thus, the recording head acts to prevent clogging. Further, by driving the suction pump in this state, a negative pressure can be applied to the internal space of the cap member 7, and ink can be discharged from the nozzle openings of the recording head.

When the carriage 1 moves to the printing area side by driving the carriage motor, the engaging member 1a arranged on the carriage 1 separates from the engaging portion 10c formed on the slider 10. Therefore, the slider 10 is moved through the arm 14 by the tensile force of the spring 17, and the guide piece 10b formed on the slider 10 is moved to the lower part 16a.
The slider 10 moves down by moving to the side a. Thereby, the sealing state of the recording head 5 by the cap member 7 is released.

FIGS. 4 to 8 show the forms of the cap holder and the cap member constituting the above-mentioned capping means. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the configuration of only the cap holder as viewed from above, and FIG. 5 is a view of the assembly in which the cap member is integrally formed with the cap holder by a two-color molding method as viewed from above. It is a top view. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5 in the direction of the arrow, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the state viewed from the line in the direction of the arrow.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part in FIG. 6. 4 to FIG. 8, the already described FIG. 1 to FIG.
The parts corresponding to the respective parts in are denoted by the same reference numerals.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, the cap holder 9 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and has an upper part opened, and the opening end face 9c is formed by a pair of horizontal formed parts. Are formed substantially flush with the upper surface of the spring receiving portion 9a. The opening end face 9 c is formed in an annular shape along the outer periphery of the cap holder 9.

On the other hand, four reinforcing ribs 9e are formed along the long side and the short side of the opening end face 9c so as to rise in an L-shape upward from the inner side face 9d. An engagement hole 9f is formed in the inner bottom of the cap holder 9 to engage the cap member at the lower bottom.

The three engaging holes 9f are respectively formed along the base ends of the reinforcing ribs 9e formed along the long side direction of the cap holder 9, and the short side of the cap holder 9 is formed. The reinforcing ribs 9 formed along the direction
Two pieces are formed along the base end of e.

Further, from the inner bottom of the cap holder 9, six columnar bodies 9 g erected upward are integrally formed, and the columnar bodies 9 g penetrate the ink absorbing sheet 8. The ink absorbing sheet 8 can be stably held in the internal space of the capping means.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a state where the cap member 7 is integrally formed with the cap holder 9 shown in FIG. 4 by a two-color molding method. The cap holder 9 is made of, for example, a hard synthetic resin, and the cap member 7 is made of a soft material, for example, an elastomer or rubber.

In the case where both are integrally formed by the two-color molding method, as will be described later in detail, first, the cap holder 9 is first formed in a predetermined mold, and the cap holder 9 and the cap holder 9 which is the first formed product are first formed. The space formed by the next molding cavity is filled with the soft material constituting the cap member 7, whereby the two are integrally molded.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, on the inner side surface of the cap holder 9 to be primarily molded, the cap member 7 to be secondary molded is positioned with respect to the opening end face 9c of the cap holder 9. It is formed to protrude.
As shown in an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 8, the cross-sectional shape of the protruding portion of the cap member 7 has a substantially triangular shape, and the end surface of the top abuts on the nozzle forming surface of the recording head. It constitutes the seal part 7b. With this configuration, the degree of adhesion at the seal portion that comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is improved, so that the sealed state of the internal space of the capping means can be favorably maintained.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the cap holder 9 is formed with a reinforcing rib 9e which rises upward in an L-shape from an inner side surface 9d thereof. A space 9h is formed between the side surface 9d and the reinforcing rib 9e. Then, as described above, the cap member 7 is formed on the cap holder 9 by a two-color molding method, so that the cap member 7 fills the space 9h and further covers the inner side surface 9i of the reinforcing rib 9e. And are integrally molded.

Further, on the inner surface of the cap holder 9, the sealing portion 7b formed so as to project from the opening end surface 9c of the cap holder 9 is located directly above the L-shaped reinforcing rib 9e rising from the inner surface of the cap holder. Is formed.

As described above, by forming the reinforcing rib 9e which rises in an L-shape upward from the inner surface 9d of the cap holder 9, the reinforcing rib 9e acts as a support for the cap member, and the cleaning operation is performed. In some cases, even if a negative pressure is applied to the internal space of the capping means, it acts to effectively prevent the cap member 7 from falling inward due to the negative pressure.

Moreover, a part of the cap member 7 is formed so as to fill the space 9h formed by the reinforcing rib 9e rising upward in an L-shape from the inner surface of the cap holder 9, so that this space is formed. The structure of the cap member filled in the portion 9h is replaced with the sealing portion 7b which comes into contact with the recording head.
Acts outwardly, thereby synergistically reducing the phenomenon of the cap member 7 falling inward.

Further, by forming the cap member 7 integrally with the cap holder 9 by a two-color molding method, the interface between the cap member 7 filling the space 9h and the cap holder 9 is formed. In this case, an adhesive force is generated mechanically, whereby the action of pulling the seal portion 7b of the cap member 7 in the outward direction can be ensured.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cap member 7 is integrally formed along the inner bottom surface of the cap holder 9 and a part thereof is formed on the cap holder 9. The holes 9f are filled. The engagement hole 9f forms an overhang state toward the seal portion 7b side of the cap member, as particularly shown in an enlarged manner in FIG.

That is, the cap member 7 is reliably joined to the inner bottom of the cap holder 9 by filling the anchor portion 9j formed by the overhang with the cap member 7 to improve the adhesion strength. Act on. Further, even if a negative pressure acts on the inner bottom of the capping means, it is possible to prevent the lower bottom of the cap member 7 from rising from the inner bottom of the cap holder 9. This makes it possible to prevent separation at the interface between the two, and to effectively prevent air leakage due to the separation.

Next, FIGS. 9 and 10 show the structures of respective molds used for molding the capping means including the cap holder 9 and the cap member 7 described above. Note that the cap holder 9 and the cap member 7 are molded by a two-color molding method, and a molding die shown in FIG. 9 is an upper die of a primary molding die used for molding the cap holder 9. 10
The upper mold of the secondary mold used in molding the cap member 7 is shown in FIG.

FIG. 9A shows a state in which the primary mold is viewed from the front, and FIG.
It is shown in the state viewed from the line CC in FIG. Further, FIG. 10A shows a state where the secondary mold is viewed from the front, and FIG.
It is shown in a state viewed from the DD line in FIG.

In the two-color molding method used in this embodiment, for example, a core rotation method is used, and eight lower dies of the same shape (not shown) are provided on a rotation mechanism, and a primary molding die shown in FIG. The four upper dies shown in FIG. 10 are provided side by side, and the four upper dies shown in FIG. 10 are provided side by side as secondary molding dies.

Then, a cap holder as a primary molded product is formed between the lower mold first mounted on the rotating mechanism and the primary cavity formed by the upper mold shown in FIG. To transfer the cap holder as a primary molded product to the secondary cavity formed by the upper mold shown in FIG. 10, and fill the space between the cap holder and the secondary cavity with the secondary resin. Thus, an integrally molded product of the cap holder and the cap member is obtained.

The upper die 31 as a primary forming die is formed as a male die, and as shown in FIG.
a is formed. A second sprue hole 31b formed in a tapered shape is formed in the upper die 31 so as to communicate with the gate hole 31a, thereby forming a gate mechanism.

Then, by the action of the gate mechanism,
The primary resin is intermittently injected from the gate hole 31a. Therefore, in the primary cavity formed by the lower die (not shown) and the upper die 31 shown in FIG.
A cap holder 9 having the shape shown in FIG. 4 is formed.

In the primary molding die shown in FIG.
Is a columnar body 9g for holding the ink absorbing sheet 8
And 31e are cavities formed in the cap holder 9 for forming four reinforcing ribs 9e rising upward in an L-shape from the inner surface thereof.

As can be understood from the configuration of the upper die 31 shown in FIG.
The primary ejection gate hole 31a is arranged at a position corresponding to an internal space formed between the nozzle and the recording head in the assembled state as capping means.

That is, the gate cutting position by the primary molding is left almost at the center of the internal space formed between the recording head and the nozzle forming surface. As described above, the resin used in the primary molding is a relatively hard resin, and the relationship between the skin layer on the surface in the primary mold, the difference between the cooling speed in the inside, and the manner in which pressure is applied, and the like. Thus, at the gate cutting position, a gate residue like a core is likely to occur.

However, at the time of molding the cap member 7 by the secondary molding die shown in FIG. 10, the remaining gate is crushed to some extent by the temperature and pressure by the secondary injection, and the portion is covered with the secondary injection resin. Thus, the cap member 7 is formed.

FIG. 10 shows the structure of the upper die 32 as a secondary molding die made to have the above-mentioned function. The upper die 32 as a secondary molding die is formed as a male die, and has a gate hole 32a substantially at the center as shown in FIG. The upper die 3 communicates with the gate hole 32a.
2, a second sprue hole 32b formed in a tapered shape is formed, and a gate mechanism is configured.

Then, by the action of the gate mechanism,
The secondary resin is intermittently injected from the gate hole 32a. Therefore, the cap holder 9 molded by the primary molding die and the secondary molding upper die 32 shown in FIG.
The secondary molding resin is injected into the secondary cavity formed by the above process, whereby the integrally molded product of the cap holder 9 and the cap member 7 shown in FIG. 5 is molded.

The gate hole 32 in this secondary injection mold is
The position a is set at a position corresponding to the gate remaining position during the primary molding. Therefore, at the time of molding the cap member 7 by the secondary molding die shown in FIG. 10, the gate residue generated at the time of the primary molding is crushed to some extent by the temperature and pressure by the secondary injection, and the portion is further crushed by the secondary injection resin. Cap member 7 so as to cover
Is formed, and the integrally formed product of the cap holder 9 and the cap member 7 shown in FIG. 5 is completed.

In the secondary molding die shown in FIG. 10, reference numeral 32d denotes a cavity for receiving a rod member protruding from the lower die for forming the ink discharge port 7a, and reference numeral 32e denotes a cap member. 7 shows an annular concave groove for forming a seal portion 7b having a substantially triangular shape in particular.

According to the above-described configuration, the position of the injection gate in the primary molding and the secondary molding is located on the side of the internal space formed between the recording head and the nozzle forming surface. It is not formed on the outer surface of the holder 9, and the problem of impairing the appearance can be avoided.

As a material for forming the cap member, for example, an elastomer or the like made of a synthetic resin material mixed with a rubber component is used. By using such a soft material, the secondary mold is separated. In such a case, the elastomer as a raw material is cut at the small diameter portion of the gate portion, and is molded in a state where almost no gate residue occurs.

Therefore, a gate remains in the internal space formed between the recording head and the nozzle forming surface, and the ink absorbing sheet accommodated in the internal space is pushed upward to bring the ink absorbing sheet into an appropriate state. The inconvenience of not being able to be stored in a storage device can also be avoided.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given based on the case where the cap holder and the cap member are formed by the two-color molding method. Molding can also be performed by using an injection molding (insert molding) method.

In this case, first, the cap holder is molded in the first molding die, and the cap holder, which is the primary molded product, is loaded in the second molding die, and the cap holder and the secondary molding die are interposed. By filling the soft material constituting the cap member into the cavity formed by the above, both can be integrally molded.

[0080]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus employing the method of forming capping means according to the present invention, the cap holder is formed by the injection molding method using the primary injection gate. The cap member is a secondary injection gate disposed at a position corresponding to a gate cutting position at the time of forming the cap holder, between a secondary molding die having the cap holder as a primary molded product,
Since it is formed integrally with the cap holder, the gate residue generated at the time of the primary molding can be effectively removed at the time of the secondary molding. It is preferable to use a relatively soft material when molding the cap member that comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head. In this way, when a soft material is used in the secondary molding, the remaining gate is removed. It is possible to realize a product which can be extremely reduced and does not suffer a failure due to the remaining gate.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view mainly showing a configuration of capping means in an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the capping means shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a state in which the recording head is capped by the capping unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of a cap holder in the capping means.

5 is a plan view showing a configuration of capping means in which a cap member is formed on the cap holder shown in FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the capping unit shown in FIG. 5 when viewed from the line AA in the direction of the arrow.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the capping unit shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from line BB in the direction of the arrow.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing a main part of the capping means shown in FIG. 6;

9 is a configuration diagram illustrating an upper mold of a primary molding die used when molding the cap holder illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an upper mold among secondary molding dies used for molding a cap member on a cap holder.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 carriage 2 guide rod 3 paper guide plate 4 recording paper 5 recording head 6 capping means 7 cap member 7b seal portion 9 cap holder 9e reinforcing rib 9f engagement hole 9j anchor portion 21 wiping member 31 primary upper mold 31a gate hole 31b 2 sprue hole 32 Secondary upper mold 32a Gate hole 32b 2nd sprue hole

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hidetoshi Sato 3-5-5 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano Seiko Epson Corporation (72) Inventor Masanori Takemura 3-5-35 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano Seiko-Epson Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ota Kaito 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Seiko Epson Corporation F term (reference) 2C056 EA17 FA10 JA02 JA06 JA10 JA13 JA17 2C057 AF74 AF93 AP45 4F206 AA45 AG03 AH81 JA07 JB22 JB28 JN12 JN25

Claims (8)

[Claims] An ink jet recording head for ejecting ink droplets corresponding to print data; a cap member for contacting a nozzle forming surface of the recording head to form an internal space between the nozzle forming surface; An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a cap holder configured to hold the cap member; and a capping unit, wherein the cap holder is molded in a primary mold by a primary injection gate, and the cap member is a cap holder. An inkjet formed integrally with the cap holder by a secondary injection gate disposed at a position corresponding to a gate cutting position at the time of forming the cap holder, between a secondary molding die having a primary molded product. Expression recording device. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cap holder is formed in a primary mold in which a primary injection gate is disposed at a position corresponding to an internal space formed between the nozzle and the nozzle forming surface. It is formed integrally with the cap holder by a secondary injection gate disposed at a position corresponding to a gate cutting position at the time of forming the cap holder, between a secondary molding die having the holder as a primary molded product. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The cap holder is formed of a hard material, and the cap member is formed of a soft material capable of contacting a nozzle forming surface of a recording head to seal the nozzle forming surface with an internal space. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The cap holder according to claim 1, wherein the cap holder and the cap member are integrally formed by a two-color molding method, and are bonded to each other at an interface between the cap holder and the cap member. The ink-jet recording apparatus as described in the above. 5. The cap member according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion abutting on the nozzle forming surface is formed so as to cover a reinforcing rib formed on the cap holder. Ink jet recording device. 6. A part of the cap member is filled in an engagement hole formed in an inner bottom portion of the cap holder, so that a lower bottom portion of the cap member can be kept in close contact with the inner bottom portion of the cap holder. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is configured as described above. 7. An ink jet recording head for ejecting ink droplets corresponding to print data, a cap member for contacting a nozzle forming surface of the recording head to form an internal space between the nozzle forming surface, and A method for forming a capping means in an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: a cap holder configured to hold the cap member; and a cap for forming the cap holder by a primary injection gate disposed in a primary mold. Holder forming step, In a secondary mold having the cap holder as a primary molded product, a secondary injection gate arranged at a position corresponding to a gate cutting position at the time of forming the cap holder, with respect to the cap holder. The cap member forming step of integrally forming the cap member allows the capping hand to be formed. Molding method of capping means in an ink jet recording apparatus for forming a. 8. In the cap holder molding step, primary molding is executed by a primary injection gate arranged at a position corresponding to an internal space formed between the gate holder and the gate forming surface. In, between the cap holder as a primary molded product and the secondary mold, secondary molding is performed by a secondary injection gate disposed at a position corresponding to a gate cutting position at the time of cap holder molding, the cap 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the cap member is formed integrally with the holder.