JP2001301184A - Ink drying preventing device, storage container for ink jet recording head, and ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink drying preventing device and a storage container for ink jet recording head in which ink in the ink jet recording head can be prevented from drying up for a long term, and an ink jet recorder in which ink in the ink jet recording head can be prevented from drying up to cause lowering of print quality or to bring about an unprintable state. SOLUTION: A long porous material 12 impregnated with a sealing liquid 14 is wound from the opposite ends thereof by means of winding rollers 15, 16. The porous material 12 can be moved with respect to an ink ejection plane 104 such that an unused part touches the ink ejection plane 104 constantly. Consequently, the ink ejection plane 104 can be sealed surely over a long term.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink drying prevention device, an ink jet recording head storage container having the same, and an ink jet recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet printer performs printing by ejecting ink from a plurality of orifices formed in a nozzle plate of an ejection nozzle and attaching the ink to a medium. In the above-mentioned printer, if the state in which printing is not performed continues for a long time, the ink dries and the orifice becomes clogged, and dust (dust) adheres to the nozzle plate.
Missing dots may occur during printing, lowering print quality,
Printing may not be possible. Therefore, when printing is stopped for a certain period, when printing is performed with inks of different colors, or when the printing method is changed, the printing head is moved to a predetermined location in the ink jet printer, and Or the used recording head is detached from the ink jet printer and stored in a storage container provided with drying prevention means.

[0003] As the drying prevention means, a small room corresponding to the injection nozzle is formed at the bottom portion, and the periphery of the small room is
It is known that a rubber cap is provided. The recording head is biased slightly toward the drying prevention unit by, for example, setting the ejection nozzle toward the bottom of the drying prevention unit, or when the recording head is set to the drying prevention unit. Accordingly, the nozzle plate of the ejection nozzle of the recording head is pressed against the cap, and the ink inside the orifice is prevented from evaporating from the nozzle.

[0004] As a conventional drying prevention means, various means using a cap are known. For example, a cap used in a closed cap method has a shape that does not have an opening except for a portion that comes into contact with a nozzle plate. Therefore, when the recording head is set on the drying prevention means via the cap, it is possible to seal the small room, so that it is possible to prevent the ink from drying and clogging the orifice and preventing dust from adhering to the nozzle plate. Can be. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of missing dots at the time of printing, thereby lowering the print quality or making printing impossible. However, in the closed cap method, the nozzle plate of the injection nozzle is mechanically pressed against the cap to seal the small room. Therefore, the presence of slight foreign matters, scratches on the member surface,
It is difficult to maintain a completely sealed state for a long period of time due to deterioration of the elasticity of the cap, change in the pressed state due to the movement of the recording head in the storage case, and the like. As a result, there is a problem that the ink dries slightly with the passage of time and the orifice is clogged. Also,
If the air pressure in the small room becomes high for some reason, the ink in the orifice returns to the ink tank, so that dot missing occurs and the print quality deteriorates or printing becomes impossible.

As a method for solving the problem of the closed cap method, a method using a cap having a communication port is known. In the cap having the communication port, since the communication port communicates the small room with the outside world, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the small room can be kept to a minimum, so that the ink in the orifice is pushed back into the ink tank. Can be prevented beforehand. However, in the above method, since ink drying through the communication port provided in the cap increases, the orifice clogging due to ink drying occurs in a shorter time than in the closed cap method.

As a further improved system, there is known a system in which a cap is filled with a liquid similar to the ink but containing no coloring material, or a system in which glycerin or diethylene glycol known as a moisturizer is filled. These systems prevent the drying of the ink by maintaining the inside of the small room which is closed or partially communicated with the atmosphere at a saturated vapor pressure state. With this method, it is possible to prevent the ink from being pushed due to a change in the atmospheric pressure while preventing drying for a longer time. However, when a liquid similar to ink is used, the used liquid itself evaporates and disappears with time, so that it is necessary to replenish the liquid as needed in order to exhibit its performance for a long time. Even in a system using a humectant that is relatively difficult to evaporate, it is difficult to prevent disappearance. Further, in the above method, the liquid to be filled in the cap is one having compatibility with ink or affinity for ink. Therefore, when the ink in the orifice and the filling liquid come into contact with each other, a solution or a mixed liquid of the two kinds of liquids is formed, which changes the characteristics of the ink and makes normal printing difficult. Further, the coloring material of the ink may be mixed with the liquid in the cap, which causes color mixing.

Further, there is known a configuration in which an absorbent impregnated with a liquid having a water-repellent retaining effect is brought into contact with a discharge nozzle surface (ink discharge surface) to prevent drying of ink. However, when a liquid having a water-repellent retention effect is used to make contact with the ink ejection surface, the liquid may enter the ink ejection port and cause ejection failure. Further, when it is attempted to prevent the ink from drying over a long period of time, the liquid may dissolve into the ink or be mixed with the ink, which may adversely affect the ink.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and provides an ink drying prevention device and an ink jet recording head storage container which can prevent drying of the ink inside the ink jet recording head for a long period of time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of preventing deterioration of print quality due to drying of ink in an ink jet recording head and preventing printing from being disabled.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink drying prevention device for preventing drying of ink in an ink jet recording head. A porous body capable of impregnating and holding a seal liquid incompatible with the ink inside the inkjet recording head and sealing the ink ejection port by contacting the ink ejection surface of the inkjet recording head; and And a relative moving means for relatively moving the porous body and changing a contact portion of the porous body with which the ink ejection surface comes into contact.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a state where the porous body is in contact with the ejection surface, the porous body is impregnated and held in a non-volatile state and is incompatible with the ink inside the ink jet recording head. The sealing liquid forms a number of meniscuses with the ink ejection surface. As a result, the ink discharge port is sealed, and communication between the ink exposed from the ink discharge port and the outside world can be cut off. Since the sealing liquid is impregnated and held in the voids inside the porous body, the ink is completely shut off from the outside even in the thickness direction of the porous body (in the direction away from the ejection surface). Therefore, the ink inside the ink jet recording head is not exposed to the surrounding atmosphere, and as a result, clogging of the ink ejection ports due to drying and solidification of the ink can be reduced. Further, since the sealing liquid is impregnated and held in the porous body (generally, held inside the porous body by capillary force in the pores of the porous body), it is difficult to be released to the outside,
The ink drying prevention function can be maintained for a long time.

However, if the ink ejection surface contacts only the same portion of the porous body to prevent the ink from drying, the porous body may be deformed, the sealing liquid may be insufficient, or the ink may adhere to the porous body. Etc., the sealing performance,
That is, the ink drying prevention function may be reduced. The ink drying prevention device according to claim 1, further comprising a relative moving means, wherein the ink jet recording head and the porous body are relatively moved to change a contact portion where the ink ejection surface of the porous body comes into contact. Has become. In other words, there are a plurality of portions of the porous body that come into contact with the ink ejection surface. For this reason, when the sealing performance of a part of the porous body is reduced, the ink discharge port can be sealed again by bringing the ink discharge surface into contact with a portion where the seal performance is not lowered. For this reason, a decrease in the sealing performance of the ink drying prevention device is prevented, and the ink drying prevention device can maintain the ink drying prevention function well over a long period of time.

The drive source for relatively moving the ink jet recording head and the porous body is not particularly limited, and may be an electric drive source such as a motor or a solenoid, or a spring (coil spring, leaf spring, spring, etc.). ) Or a driving source utilizing the elastic force of an elastic body such as rubber. Also, a mechanism for allowing the user to manually move it arbitrarily may be used.

As a relative moving means, the relative moving means includes an ink jet recording head moving means for moving the ink jet recording head with respect to the fixed porous body. And the relative moving means includes a porous body moving means for moving the porous body with respect to the fixed inkjet recording head. It may be what you have.

In the structure for moving the ink jet recording head, the moving mechanism of the ink jet recording head used in a general ink jet recording apparatus or the like can be used, so that the cost is reduced. In particular, when this ink drying prevention device is provided in an ink jet recording apparatus, a mechanism for scanning an ink jet recording head can be used.

On the other hand, in the structure in which the porous body is moved as described in claim 3, since the porous body is lighter in weight than the ink jet recording head, less energy is required for the movement.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the porous body moving means is a winding device for winding and unwinding the porous body. .

Therefore, the porous body (the part before or after use) other than the part in contact with the ink discharge port can be wound around the winding device. Therefore, even if the area of the porous body itself is increased, the ink drying prevention device can be downsized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the porous body is an elongated porous body formed in an elongated shape, and the winding device includes It is possible to be able to take up from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the sized porous body.

By forming the porous body in a long shape, the ink discharge surface can be brought into contact with different portions of the porous body only by moving the porous body in the longitudinal direction. Also, after winding the porous body from one end in the longitudinal direction by a winding device,
By rewinding from the other end in the longitudinal direction, the porous body can be used again.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the porous body moving means is a circulating device for circulating the porous body in a plane direction.

Therefore, by circulating the porous body, the porous body can be used endlessly.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, the relative moving means moves the ink jet recording head toward and away from the porous body. And an interlocking mechanism that moves the ink jet recording head and the porous body relative to each other in conjunction with the operation.

By providing the interlocking mechanism as described above, when the ink jet recording head is moved toward or away from the porous body, it can be surely moved relatively.
As an interlocking mechanism, a link, an arm, a mechanism that mechanically interlocks using a gear, or the like, a gas, a fluid such as a liquid that is compressed, expanded, or caused to flow as a drive source, It is possible to employ a device that uses driving by a magnetic force (attraction, repulsion) of a magnet as a driving source. It is preferable that the structure that is mechanically interlocked does not require external energy such as consumed energy of a battery or an external power supply. In particular, when this ink drying prevention device is applied to an ink jet recording head storage container, the ink jet recording head storage container is generally not presupposed to be supplied with energy from the outside, and therefore, mechanically. It is preferable to use a mechanism for interlocking with.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of any one of the first to seventh aspects, the reproducing means for reproducing the porous body in contact with the ink discharge surface to a state before the contact. , Is characterized by having.

Therefore, the regenerated porous body can be constantly brought into contact with the ink ejection surface, and the sealing ability, that is, the ink drying prevention function can be maintained satisfactorily for a long period of time. Further, even a porous body having a small area can be used a plurality of times, resulting in low cost.

The regenerating means includes, for example, a cleaning means for removing unnecessary ink and foreign matter such as dust adhering to the porous body by moving from the ink ejection surface to the porous body and cleaning the porous body. Further, a sealing liquid supply means for supplying a sealing liquid to a porous body to obtain a necessary and sufficient sealing liquid impregnation rate can be given.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the porous body and the ink jet recording head are relatively moved by the relative moving means. A separating mechanism for separating the ink ejection surface and the porous body from each other.

Accordingly, when the porous body moves relative to the ink jet recording head, the ink ejection surface and the porous body are separated by the separating mechanism, so that the porous body is not rubbed. Therefore, damage to the ink ejection surface and the porous body can be prevented.

The separating mechanism may be a mechanism that mechanically separates using a link, an arm, a gear, or the like, or an elastic body such as a spring or rubber, similar to the interlocking mechanism according to the seventh aspect. , Which is driven by compressing, expanding or flowing a fluid such as gas or liquid, or driven by the magnetic force (attraction, repulsion) of a magnet, etc. Can be adopted. It is preferable that the mechanically-separated structure does not require external energy such as an exhausting energy of a battery or an external power supply. In particular, when this ink drying prevention device is applied to an ink jet recording head storage container, the ink jet recording head storage container is generally not presupposed to be supplied with energy from the outside, and therefore, mechanically. It is preferable to use a mechanism that interlocks with the mechanism and a configuration that utilizes the elastic force of the elastic body.

The distance between the porous body and the ink ejection surface is not particularly limited. However, even when the porous body is deformed and the contact surface with the ink ejection surface is uneven, the separated state is ensured. As described above, the thickness is preferably 1 mm or more.

An ink jet recording head storage container according to a tenth aspect is provided with the ink drying prevention device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects.

Therefore, by storing the ink jet recording head in this ink jet recording head storage container,
Drying of the ink from the inside of the ink jet recording head can be prevented by the ink drying prevention device, and clogging of the ink ejection ports due to drying and solidification of the ink can be reduced.

Further, the ink drying prevention device constituting this ink jet recording head storage container can change the contact portion where the ink ejection surface of the porous material comes into contact by relatively moving the ink jet recording head and the porous body. When the sealing performance of a part of the porous body is deteriorated, the ink ejection surface is re-contacted with a portion where the sealing performance is not deteriorated to seal the ink ejection port. Thus, the sealing performance, that is, the ink drying prevention function can be maintained satisfactorily for a long period of time.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus comprising the ink drying prevention device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects.

Since this ink jet recording apparatus has an ink drying prevention device, it is possible to reliably prevent the ink inside the ink jet recording head from drying.

Further, the ink drying prevention device constituting this ink jet recording apparatus moves the ink jet recording head and the porous body relative to each other so that the contact portion where the ink ejection surface of the porous body comes into contact can be changed. Since the moving means is provided, when the sealing performance of a part of the porous body is reduced, a portion where the sealing performance is not reduced is re-contacted with the ink discharge surface to seal the ink discharge port, The sealing performance, that is, the ink drying prevention function, can be favorably maintained over a long period of time. For this reason, it is possible to prevent print quality from deteriorating due to drying of the ink inside the ink jet recording head and preventing printing from being impossible.

In the ink drying prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the ink jet recording head storage container according to claim 10, and the ink jet recording device according to claim 11, the ink jet recording head and the porous body are separated. The timing of the relative movement is not particularly limited. For example, the ink ejection port may be moved when the porous body is brought into contact with or separated from the ink ejection port, or may be moved after a predetermined time has elapsed irrespective of these operations. In the case of the ink jet recording head storage container of the tenth aspect, there is also a configuration having a lid member, and in this case, the container may be moved in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the lid member.

[0038]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Ink Drying Prevention Device] The ink drying prevention device of the present invention includes a sealing liquid and a porous body impregnated with and holding the sealing liquid. Then, by contacting a porous body with an ink ejection surface of an ink jet recording head (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a “recording head”), one or more ink ejection ports (generally provided) are provided on the ink ejection surface of the recording head. Specifically, the opening of the nozzle on the ink ejection surface) is sealed by the seal liquid impregnated and held in the porous body, thereby preventing drying of the ink inside the recording head exposed at the ink ejection port. it can.

In the present invention, the sealing liquid used to seal the ink discharge ports of the recording head is non-volatile. Therefore, the seal liquid does not evaporate during storage of the recording head, and the seal liquid does not change the state of sealing the ink discharge ports. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ink from drying for a long time. The sealing liquid has a vapor pressure of about 13.3 Pa (0.1 mm) at normal temperature (25 ° C.).
Hg) or less.

Further, the sealing liquid has incompatibility with the ink inside the recording head. Therefore, even if the seal liquid seals the ink discharge port for a long period of time, it does not mix with the ink, and color mixing caused by mixing of the seal liquid with the ink, deterioration of print quality, and the like hardly occur. The solubility of the sealing liquid in the ink at room temperature (25 ° C.) is more preferably 0.1% by weight or less. Further, it is preferable that the sealing liquid has ink repellency to the ink to be used as described later.

It is preferable that the sealing liquid has such a property as to be easily impregnated into the fine pores of the porous body. From this point, the sealing liquid preferably has a small surface tension, and more specifically, the surface tension is more preferably 30 mN / m or less. The surface tension γs of the seal liquid and the surface tension γi of the ink are γs
The relationship of &ggr; i is preferable because the sealing liquid has ink repellency to the ink and can prevent ink contamination. The kinematic viscosity of the sealing liquid is 1 to 10 at room temperature.
It is preferably 00 mm ² / s. When the kinematic viscosity of the sealing liquid is less than 1 mm ² / s, the amount of evaporation of the sealing liquid itself at room temperature increases, making it difficult to maintain the performance for a long time. On the other hand, if the kinematic viscosity exceeds 1000 mm ² / s, the resistance to the flow increases, and the time required for impregnation into the porous body is undesirably increased.

When an aqueous ink is used, an organic solvent or oil that is liquid at room temperature can be used as the sealing liquid.
More specifically, organic solvents such as octane, nonane, tetradecane, dodecane, oleic acid, linoleic acid, n-decanol, dimethylbutanol, dibutyl phthalate, and dibutyl maleate, and vegetable oils, mineral oils, silicone oils, and fluorine oils And the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more as long as they can be uniformly mixed. Also,
A plurality of materials may be mixed to adjust the viscosity and the surface tension to a preferred range before use.

The ink drying prevention device of the present invention has a porous body impregnated and held with a sealing liquid. The porous body preferably has an average pore diameter of 0.01 to 100 μm. If the pore diameter is too small, the sealing liquid will not easily penetrate, and a special method such as a pressurization method will be required to impregnate the porous body with a predetermined amount. On the other hand, if the hole diameter is too large, the meniscus holding force is reduced. As a result, the seal liquid may be transferred to the ejection surface of the recording head, or the seal liquid may be released from the porous body due to external force such as vibration or impact, so that the drying prevention performance may not be exhibited. The larger the porosity of the porous body, the more the sealing liquid can be impregnated and can function as an ink drying prevention device for a longer period of time, but if too large, the mechanical strength decreases. On the other hand, as the porosity is smaller, the mechanical strength is improved, but if it is too small, complete shielding from the atmosphere becomes difficult,
The ink drying prevention performance may be reduced.

It is preferable that the porous body has a sealing liquid property with respect to the sealing liquid and has an ink repellency with respect to the ink used. Specifically, the porous body preferably has a surface energy such that the contact angle of the ink is larger than 90 ° and the contact angle of the sealing liquid is 90 ° or less. When the surface energy is within the range that satisfies the above-mentioned contact angle, it is possible to prevent the ink from adhering to the porous body and to prevent the state of the ink inside the ink ejection port of the recording head from being disturbed. It is preferable because it is possible. The porous structure of the porous body may be a structure having fine pores that can be impregnated on the side of the porous body that is in contact with the ink ejection surface of the recording head so that the sealing liquid to be impregnated and held is exposed. The porous structure of the porous body may be a structure in which isolated holes are discretely present, or a fine groove structure in which ultrafine fibers are woven. Alternatively, a hole structure formed by bundling and bonding materials having a capillary structure, such as hollow fibers, and slicing thinly on a surface perpendicular to the capillary direction may be used. Among them, a three-dimensional network structure of various porous resins is preferable. When the porous body has a three-dimensional network structure, when the porous body is impregnated with the sealing liquid during the manufacturing or use of the ink drying member, the sealing liquid is supplied to any part of the porous body. This is preferable because the sealing liquid quickly and uniformly penetrates into the porous body to obtain a desired impregnation state.

The porous body is preferably made of a member which can be flexibly deformed in order to improve the followability to the ink ejection surface of the recording head and the sealing performance. When the above-mentioned porous resin is used, it is preferable that it is a thin layer having a thickness of 1 mm or less. Among them, porous resin films made of the following various materials are preferable. Specifically, porous fluororesins (PTFE (ethylene tetrafluoride polymer), PFA (ethylene tetrafluoride / perfluorovinyl ether copolymer), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), FEP (ethylene tetrafluoride / 6 Fluorinated propylene copolymer), ETFE
(Ethylene / tetrafluoroethylene copolymer), PCTFE
(Polyethylene trifluorochloride), porous polyolefin resin (PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene)), porous polysulfone resin (polysulfone polymer), porous polyester resin (PET (polyethylene terephthalate)) , PBT (polybutylene terephthalate)), porous polyamide resin (polyamide), porous polyimide resin (polyimide, polyamide imide), porous polyurethane resin (polyurethane), porous polyacrylic resin (polyacrylonitrile polymer) ,
Methacrylic acid alkyl ester, N-alkyl (meth) acrylamide, carboxy (meth) acrylate), porous polystyrene resin (hydroxystyrene resin), porous polyketone resin (polyetherketone resin), porous silicone resin ( Silicone gel) film.

In the case of producing a porous resin, for example, a foaming method, a sintering method, a stretching method, an extraction method, a track etching method, a melt phase separation method, a phase inversion method and the like can be used, and the most suitable method according to the material is used. Can be selected. For example, when a fluororesin is used, it is preferable to use an unsintered treatment such as a stretching method or an extraction method that does not perform a heat treatment at or above the melting point of the resin. The so-called unfired porous fluororesin which has been made porous by the unfired treatment is preferable because it is easily deformed and the adhesion to the ink ejection surface of the recording head is further improved. Fluororesin has water repellency and is therefore preferred as a material for a porous body when using aqueous ink. When using an aqueous ink, a fluororesin is applied to a porous resin film made of a material other than the fluororesin, sprayed,
Alternatively, a general porous body having water repellency, such as coating with a dip, may be used as the porous body in the present invention.

Since the porous body has a large number of pores inside, the sealing liquid can be held inside the porous body by the capillary force in the pores. By balancing the capillary force of the sealing liquid in the pores with the negative pressure in the recording head acting on the ink meniscus of the ink ejection port, the sealing liquid is held inside the porous body, and Can be prevented. The impregnation rate of the sealing liquid, ie
The ratio of the impregnated seal liquid to the total pore volume of the porous body is 1 in a state where the recording head and the porous body are pressed against each other and are in close contact with each other (the recording head is in a resting state or a storage state, etc.).
Preferably it does not exceed 00%. If it exceeds 100%, the sealing liquid overflowing from the porous body may enter the recording head, and may deteriorate the ejection performance of the recording head. The appropriate impregnation rate in the initial state is determined by the average pore diameter and compression characteristics of the porous material used, the applied pressing force, etc., but even in the event of an unexpected situation taking into account the design tolerance of the device. 100% impregnation when used
It is better to design so as not to exceed.

The ink drying prevention device of the present invention closes the ink discharge port by bringing a porous material, which is non-volatile and impregnated with a seal liquid incompatible with ink, into contact with the ink discharge surface of the recording head. By doing so, contact between the ink and the atmosphere is prevented, and drying of the ink inside the recording head is prevented. The ink drying prevention device of the present invention is characterized in that the seal liquid forms a meniscus between the porous body and the ink ejection surface. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the sealing liquid is impregnated and held in the porous body. In FIG. 1, when the porous body 1 comes into contact with the ink ejection surface 4 of the recording head 3, a part (a small amount of the seal liquid 2) of the sealing liquid 2 impregnated and held in the porous body 1 at this contact portion. It comes into contact with the ejection surface 4.

As a result, a meniscus 8 is formed between the ink ejection surface 4 and the porous body 1 by the sealing liquid 2, so that the ink 6 in the nozzle 5 exposed on the ejection surface 4 is formed.
Communication with the outside world can be cut off. If the pore diameter of the pores of the porous body 1 is sufficiently small, an infinite number of meniscuses 8 are formed around the ink ejection surface 4, so that the nozzle 5 is more completely sealed. Since the gap inside the porous body 1 is filled with the sealing liquid 2, the communication path in the thickness direction of the porous body 1 is completely shut off. As a result, the ink 6 inside the nozzle 5 is not exposed to the atmosphere around the recording head 3, and clogging of the nozzle 5 (particularly, the ink discharge port) due to drying and solidification of the ink 6 does not occur.

In FIG. 1, air 9 exists at the interface between the porous body 1 and the ink discharge surface 4.
Is a small amount of air remaining when the porous body 1 and the ink ejection surface 4 are in contact with each other. The contact state between the porous body 1 and the ink ejection surface 4 and the impregnation state of the porous body 1 with the sealing liquid 2 Depending on the existence state, it may be slightly different. In any state, the air 9 is cut off from the outside air by the sealing liquid 2 impregnated in the porous body 1 and has little effect on the evaporation of water from the ink discharge ports.

Further, since the sealing liquid 2 is non-volatile and is held inside the porous body 1 by the action of the capillary force of the pores, it is not easily released from the porous body 1 and the The drying prevention function can be maintained for a long time. Further, the sealing liquid 2 is incompatible with the ink 6 used, and even if the sealing liquid 2 comes into contact with the ink 6, the ink 6 and the sealing liquid 2 are separated without being compatible with each other. It can be easily removed by a jet or the like, and does not adversely affect the ejection performance of the recording head.

The ink drying prevention apparatus of the present invention can change the portion (contact portion) of the porous body that comes into contact with the ink ejection surface by relatively moving the recording head and the porous body. . If the ink ejection surface contacts only the same portion of the porous body to prevent the ink from drying, contamination due to deformation of the porous body, lack of the sealing liquid, or adhesion of the ink to the porous body, etc. In some cases, the sealing performance may be degraded, but by changing the contact portion in this way, the ink ejection surface can be sealed again by bringing the ink ejection surface into contact with a portion where the sealing performance is not degraded.
As a result, it is possible to prevent the sealing performance of the ink drying prevention device from deteriorating, and to maintain the sealing performance, that is, the ink drying prevention function, for a long period of time.

Either the recording head or the porous body may be moved. As shown in FIG. 2, the porous body 1 may be fixed and the recording head 3 alone may be moved, or the porous body 1 may be moved with respect to the fixed recording head 3 as shown in FIG. 1 may be moved. In the configuration in which the recording head 3 is moved, a moving mechanism (a scanning device or the like) of the recording head 3 conventionally used in an ink jet recording apparatus or the like can be used, and the cost is reduced. In the configuration in which the porous body 1 is moved, the porous body 1 is generally lighter in weight than the recording head 3 and can be moved with less energy. Both of these may be moved. Further, at the time of movement, it is preferable to separate the porous body 1 and the ink ejection surface 4 so that they do not rub against each other.

The direction of the relative movement between the porous body 1 and the ink discharge surface 4 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the nozzles 5 (ink discharge ports) are arranged in a row on the ink discharge surface 4. In the case of a so-called in-line head, the direction of relative movement between the porous body 1 and the recording head 3 is a direction (arrow C direction) orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the nozzles 5 (arrow L direction).
Is preferable because the relative movement amount can be reduced. As shown in FIG. 5, the nozzles 5 are arranged in a plurality of rows (2 in FIG. 5).
In the case of a print head arranged in a row, three or more rows may be provided), the direction (arrow C direction) is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (arrow L direction) when the plurality of nozzles 5 are viewed as a whole. Is preferred.

In these cases, the relative movement amount between the porous body 1 and the ink ejection surface 4 is set to be equal to or larger than the width of the nozzle row measured in the relative movement direction (indicated by W1 in FIGS. 4 and 5). It is preferable that even if the ink flowing out from the ink discharge port adheres to the porous body 1, the ink is not affected by the attached ink. Further, when the relative movement amount is equal to or more than the width W2 of the ink ejection surface 4 measured in the relative movement direction, even if the portion where the ink ejection surface 4 is in contact is set, no set is generated. It is more preferable that the ink discharge port can be sealed by using the porous body 1 in a portion. If the ink ejection surface 4 is separated from the porous body 1 for a certain period of time or longer, the settling of the porous body 1 (or the restoring force of the porous body 1 itself (or the porous body 1 When the elastic member 1 is held by the elastic member, the elastic member recovers due to the elastic force of the elastic member), and the porous body
Can maintain flatness. In the present embodiment, even when the porous body 1 is reused, the portion of the porous body 1 where the set has occurred can be prevented from contacting the ink ejection surface 4 for a relatively long time. It becomes possible to recover one set.

In the ink drying prevention device of the present invention, the ink jet recording head storage container and the ink jet recording device provided with the ink drying prevention device, the used portion of the porous body 1 is returned to the state before use (or used). It is preferable to provide a reproducing means (to bring the state closer to the previous state). The regenerating means includes, for example, a cleaning means for removing unnecessary ink and foreign matter such as dust adhering to the porous body 1 by moving from the ink ejection surface 4 to the porous body 1 and cleaning the porous body 1; , Sealing liquid 2 on porous body 1
To supply a necessary and sufficient impregnation rate of the sealing liquid 2. By the cleaning means, the porous body 1 is always cleaned, and high adhesion to the ink ejection surface 4 can be secured. In addition, when ink is adhered to the porous body 1, the cleaning by the cleaning means is preferably performed when the ink adhered to the porous body 1 does not dry and solidify. In addition, when the sealing liquid 2 of the porous body 1 becomes insufficient by the sealing liquid supply means, the sealing liquid 2 is supplied to the porous body 1 and the porous body 1 is used to seal the ink discharge ports. Since the necessary and sufficient sealing liquid 2 is always impregnated and held, the ink discharge ports can be reliably sealed. The position where the sealing liquid 2 is supplied to the porous body 1 by the sealing liquid supply means is preferably after the above-described cleaning position by the cleaning means, since unnecessary ink and the like do not affect the sealing liquid supply means.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the ink drying prevention device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 shows an ink drying prevention device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The ink drying prevention device 10 has a porous body 12 made of a porous resin film or the like, a sealing liquid 14, and a housing 13.

The width (or width) of the porous body 12 is equal to the length L1 of the ink ejection surface 104 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
, And both ends are wound around winding rollers 15 and 16, respectively.

The take-up rollers 15 and 16 are rotatably supported so as to extend over the side wall 13A of the housing 13, and are driven by a driving source such as a motor (not shown).
Alternatively, the porous body 12 can be wound up by being rotated manually. When rotating manually, it is preferable to provide a gripping member such as a handle so that the user can easily rotate.

The sealing liquid 14 is impregnated and held in the porous body 12. The porous body 12 includes a winding roller 15,
16 corresponds to the ink ejection surface 1 of the recording head 102.
The ink discharge port 108 is sealed by the seal liquid 14 which is opposed to the ink discharge port 108 and impregnated and held in the porous body 12, so that clogging of the nozzle 106 (ink flow path to the ink discharge port 108) Clogging at the discharge port 108) is prevented.

The recording head 102 is always held at a predetermined position with respect to the housing 13 by a holding member (not shown).

Then, by rotating either of the winding rollers 15 and 16 to wind up the porous body 12, the porous body 12 is moved with respect to the ink ejection surface 104, and the unused portion is always removed. It can be brought into contact with the ink ejection surface 104. As a result, the ink discharge port 1
04 can be reliably sealed. Moreover, when the porous body 12 is wound up in this way, even when the porous body 12 having a large area is used, the space for disposing it in the housing 13 is small, and the ink drying prevention device 10 can be used. Can be downsized.

If only one of the winding rollers 15 and 16 is driven to rotate, the porous body 12 is wound in one direction and the unused porous body 12 is removed from the ink discharge surface. 104 can be contacted,
As described above, if both of the winding rollers 15 and 16 can be driven to rotate, the porous body 12 can be wound and moved in any direction. For example, the porous body moved in one direction can be wound in the opposite direction and reused. In the case of reusing, the porous body 12 can be regenerated to a state before use by providing a regenerating device such as an ink absorber 97, an ink removing blade 98, and a sealing liquid supply member 99 described later. ,preferable.

When the porous body 12 is moved, the porous body 1 is moved in order to prevent the porous body 12 from rubbing against the ink ejection surface 104.
2 and the ink ejection surface 104 are preferably separated from each other. Therefore, the recording head 102 is connected to the ink drying prevention device 1.
When the porous body 12 is moved without being set to 0, or when the porous body 12 is moved (that is, in conjunction with the rotation of the winding rollers 15 and 16),
It is preferable to provide a structure having a separation mechanism for separating the ink ejection surface 104 from the porous body 12.

It is preferable that the porous body 12 be made of a member that can be extended at least in the longitudinal direction, since the adhesion and the followability to the ink ejection surface 104 can be improved.

An elastic member 18 made of a material having a predetermined elasticity such as rubber is disposed on the side of the porous body 12 opposite to the side in contact with the ink ejection surface 104.
The ink ejection surface 104 of the recording head 102 is
When pressed toward the ink, the elastic member 18 is elastically deformed, and the adhesion of the porous body 12 to the ink ejection surface 104 is increased.

In order to enhance the adhesiveness of the porous body 12 as described above, not only the elastic member 18 but also a deformable member that is simply deformed may be used. Is preferred. Further, in the case of the elastic member 18, a repulsive force when pressed is obtained,
Since the pressing state can be continuously maintained by the repulsive force, a more stable close contact state can be easily realized.

The elastic member 18 (or deformable member) is not particularly limited as long as it does not deteriorate or deteriorate due to the sealing liquid 14 used. Specific materials for the elastic member 18 include various rubbers and elastomers,
It is possible to use a porous material (foam) formed of various polymer materials such as polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, polystyrene foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, and rubber foam. When a porous polymer foam is used, the value of the compressive stress increases as the porosity decreases. Therefore, the porosity is preferably 30% or more. The Young's modulus of the elastic member 18 is 10 ² MPa
The following is preferred. If the Young's modulus is greater than 10 ² MPa, the repulsive force against deformation becomes large, and it is necessary to control the amount of pushing of the recording head 102 with high precision, which is not preferable.

The shape of the elastic member 18 is the same as that of the porous body 1.
2 is not particularly limited as long as it can enhance the adhesiveness to the ink ejection surface 104, but as shown in FIG. With this configuration, since the elastic member 18 and the porous body 12 do not rub against each other, damage to the porous body 12 can be prevented, and the rotational driving force of the winding rollers 15 and 16 can be reduced, which is preferable. Further, in order to enhance the above-mentioned adhesion, it is preferable that the area of the surface facing the porous body 12 is widened. Specifically, when the surface is formed in a cylindrical or columnar shape, the diameter is reduced. You just need to increase it. The elastic member 18 may have a shape in which at least the surface facing the ink ejection surface 104 is flat, and in this case, the surface facing the ink ejection surface 104 is
It is preferable that the area is approximately equal to or larger than 04.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an ink drying prevention device 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the first
The same components as the ink drying prevention device 10 of the embodiment,
The same reference numerals are given to members and the like, and the description is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8B, in the ink drying prevention device 20 of the second embodiment, the porous body 12 is formed in a disk shape. The housing 23 is formed in a flat bottomed cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the porous body 12 as can be seen from FIGS. Porous body 1
2 is a housing 23 facing the ink ejection surface 102.
It is housed and held inside. On the outer periphery of the housing 23, anti-slip irregularities 23A are formed.

The housing 23 is supported by a flat support plate 22. As shown in FIG. 8A, a support shaft 24 projects vertically upward from the support plate 22, and this support shaft is inserted into a shaft hole 26 formed in a bottom plate 23 </ b> B of the housing 23. Is housed. Thus, the housing 23 is mounted on the support plate 22 so as to be rotatable about the support shaft in the direction of arrow R.

The recording head 102 is the same as in the first embodiment.
The holding member (not shown) always holds the support plate 22 at a predetermined position.

In the ink drying prevention device 20 of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the housing 23 and the porous body 12
Are integrally rotated with respect to the support plate 22 so that an unused portion of the porous body 12 is always used.
04 can be contacted. Thereby, the ink ejection port 104 can be reliably sealed for a long period of time. Moreover, by rotating the disk-shaped porous body 12, the porous body 12 can be repeatedly used substantially endlessly. In this case, if the porous body 12 makes one or more rounds, the same part of the porous pair 12 will be reused. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, an ink absorber 97, an ink removing blade 98, and a seal liquid supply It is preferable to regenerate the porous body 12 to a state before use by a regenerating device such as the member 99.

The specific configuration for rotating the housing 23 is not particularly limited. For example, if the user has anti-slip irregularities 3
You may make it rotate manually using A.
Further, a drive source such as a motor may be arranged on the support plate 22, and the housing 23 may be rotated via a gear or the like (or directly).

A deformable member (preferably, an elastic member 18, see FIG. 8A) similar to that of the first embodiment is disposed between the bottom plate 23B of the housing 23 and the porous body 12 to form an ink ejection surface. The adhesion of the porous body 12 to the base 102 may be further enhanced. In this case, in the second embodiment, the elastic member 18 has substantially the same size as the porous body 12, and the porous body 12 contacts the ink ejection surface 104 irrespective of the rotation position of the porous body 12. It can be configured to be in close contact.

Further, in the ink drying prevention device 20 of the second embodiment, the recording head 102 is arranged such that the arrangement direction of the ink ejection ports 108 (the width direction of the ink ejection surface 104) coincides with the radial direction of the porous body 12. Is arranged, even if the rotation amount of the porous body 12 is small, it is possible to bring different portions of the porous body 12 into contact with the ink ejection surface 108.

In each of the above embodiments, a blocking member may be arranged between the porous body 12 and the elastic member 18 (or the deformable member). The blocking member is a member through which the sealing liquid 14 cannot pass, and has a function of preventing the sealing liquid 14 in the porous body 12 from being absorbed by the elastic member 18. When such a blocking member is used, the porous body 12
Since the sealing liquid 14 impregnated and held in the porous member 12 is not absorbed by the elastic member 18, the impregnation rate of the sealing liquid 14 held in the porous body 12 for a longer period can be maintained in a favorable range. The clogging prevention effect can be maintained for a longer period.

As a material constituting the blocking member, any material can be used as long as it can block the flow of the sealing liquid 14, and various resin materials, metal materials and the like can be used. It is preferable that the blocking member is a thin layer because the blocking between the ink ejection surface 104 of the recording head 102 and the porous body 12 is not hindered. For example, the blocking member is preferably a resin film or a metal foil. The blocking member may be formed integrally on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic member 18 in the first embodiment, or may be formed integrally on the surface of the elastic member 18 facing the porous body 12 in the second embodiment. You may. Also, for example, using a film forming method such as a spray method, a dip method, and a spin coating method,
A resin film may be formed on the opposing surface of the elastic member 18 and the resin film may function as a blocking member. Alternatively, a metal film may be formed on the opposing surface of the elastic member 18 by using a deposition method such as a vapor deposition method or a sputtering method. A thin film may be formed, and this metal thin film may function as a blocking member. Porous body 12 and elastic member 1 via blocking member
8 may be integrally fixed to restrict the deformation when the porous body 12 is pulled.

[Inkjet Recording Head Storage Container] FIG. 9 shows an inkjet recording head storage container 60 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The ink jet recording head storage container 60 has a container main body 62 having an opening 62A formed at an upper portion and capable of accommodating the recording head 102, and a lid member 64 capable of closing the opening 62A. In the container main body 62, an ink drying prevention device 10 similar to that of the first embodiment is arranged.
In a state where the recording head 102 is accommodated in the recording head 2, the porous body 12 comes into close contact with the ink ejection surface 104 of the recording head 102 and seals the ink ejection port 108.

The size of the container body 62 is such that the recording head 102 is housed therein, and the lid member 64 presses the recording head 102 in a state where the lid member 64 closes the opening 62A.
The size is set to a predetermined size in consideration of the height and the like of the recording head 102 so that the ink ejection surface 104 can be brought into close contact with the porous body 12.

In the ink jet recording head storage container 60 according to the third embodiment having such a configuration, the porous body 12 is wound by rotating one of the winding rollers 15 and 16 to thereby take up the porous body 12. Is moved with respect to the ink ejection surface 104 so that the unused portion is always
04 can be contacted. Thereby, the ink ejection port 104 can be reliably sealed for a long period of time.

As in the first embodiment, the porous body 12
It is preferable that the porous body 12 and the ink ejection surface 104 be separated from each other when the ink is moved in order to prevent the ink ejection surface 104 from being rubbed. Therefore, the recording head 1
02 is not accommodated in the container body 62 of the ink jet recording head storage container 60, or when the porous body 12 is moved, or when the porous body 12 is moved (that is, when the take-up rollers 15 and 16 It is preferable to provide a structure including a separation mechanism for separating the ink ejection surface 104 and the porous body 12 (in conjunction with the rotation).

In the ink jet recording head storage container 60 of the third embodiment, the container main body 62 may be configured to also serve as the housing 13 of the ink drying prevention device 10. Thereby, the ink jet recording head storage container 60 including the ink drying prevention device 10 can be configured without increasing the number of parts.

FIG. 10 shows an ink jet recording head storage container 70 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This ink jet recording head storage container 70 is similar to the ink jet recording head storage container 60 of the third embodiment.
An opening 62A is formed in the upper part and the recording head 102
And a lid member 64 capable of closing the opening 62A. In the container main body 62, an ink drying prevention device 20 similar to that of the second embodiment is arranged. With the recording head 102 housed in the container main body 62, the porous body 12 The ink ejection port 108 is sealed in close contact with the ejection surface 104.

An operation opening 72 is formed in the side wall 62S of the container body 62. The housing 23 of the ink drying prevention device 20 (especially the anti-slip
The shape of the container body 62 and the position of the operation opening 72 are determined so that 3A) partially projects.

In the ink jet recording head storage container 70 according to the fourth embodiment having the above-described structure, the portion of the housing 23 protruding from the operation opening 72 (the anti-slip irregularities 23A) is used. The body 23 and the porous body 12 can be integrally rotated. When a driving source such as a motor is disposed on the support plate 22, the housing 23 can be rotated by the driving force of the driving source. Case 2
Since the porous body 12 also rotates integrally by the rotation of 3,
By moving the porous body 12 with respect to the ink ejection surface 104, an unused portion can always be brought into contact with the ink ejection surface 104. Thereby, the ink ejection port 104 can be reliably sealed for a long period of time. In addition, by rotating the disk-shaped porous body 12, the porous body 12 can be used repeatedly endlessly. In this case, it is preferable to regenerate the porous body 12 to a state before use by a regenerating device such as an ink absorber 97, an ink removing blade 98, and a sealing liquid supply member 99 to be described later.

When the porous body 12 is moved, in order to prevent the porous body 12 from rubbing against the ink ejection surface 104, the porous body 1
2 and the ink ejection surface 104 are preferably separated from each other. Therefore, when moving the porous body 12 in a state where the recording head 102 is not housed in the container main body 62 of the ink jet recording head storage container 70, or when moving the porous body 12 (that is, It is preferable that the ink jetting apparatus further includes a separating mechanism for separating the ink ejection surface 104 and the porous body 12 from each other in conjunction with the rotation of the ink.

In the ink jet recording head storage container 70 of the fourth embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 10, the bottom plate 62B of the container main body 62 is connected to the support plate 22 of the second embodiment.
I also try to double. Thereby, the ink jet recording head storage container 70 including the ink drying prevention device 20 can be configured without increasing the number of parts. Of course, the bottom plate 62B of the container body 62 and the support plate 22 may be formed separately.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show an ink jet recording head storage container 80 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the same components, members, and the like as those in the first to fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the ink jet recording head storage container 80 according to the fifth embodiment, the housing 13 is fixed in the container main body 62, and is further bridged over the housing 13 so as to be impregnated and held with the sealing liquid 14. 12 is fixed.

The front plate 6 of the container body 62 according to the fifth embodiment.
A total of four guide grooves 82, two each, are formed in the 2F and the rear plate 62H. A total of four guide pins 8 are provided from the recording head 102 at positions corresponding to the guide grooves 82.
4 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 12, the guide groove 82 is bent substantially at a right angle at a predetermined position to form an introduction portion 82A and a horizontal guide portion 82B. The introduction portion 82A is opened upward and is formed in a substantially vertical direction. A guide pin 84 is introduced into the guide groove 82 from the introduction portion 82A. The horizontal guide portion 82B is formed continuously from the introduction portion 82A and parallel to the upper surface (the porous body 12) of the ink drying prevention device 10.
When the guide pin 84 moves within B, the recording head 10
2 moves while maintaining a parallel state with the porous body 12. The position of the horizontal guide portion 82B is determined by setting the guide pin 84 to the horizontal guide portion 82B.
The height is such that the ink ejection surface 104 of the recording head 102 does not come into contact with the porous body 12 when is positioned.

The horizontal guide portion 82B has an engagement recess 82C at a predetermined position. The engagement concave portion 82C is engaged with the guide pin 84 that has moved in the horizontal guide portion 82B to give an appropriate resistance (click feeling) to the movement of the recording head 102. The guide pin 84 is provided in the engagement concave portion 82C. When engaged, the recording head 102 descends, and the ink ejection surface 104
Contacts the porous body 12. A plurality of (three in this embodiment) engagement recesses 82C are formed for one horizontal guide portion 82B.

In this embodiment, two guide grooves 82 are formed in the front plate 62F and the rear plate 62H of the container body 62. However, as long as the recording head 102 can be guided as described above, even one guide groove may be used. Good. 2 as in this embodiment
When books (or three or more) are formed, the recording head 102
Is preferable because it can be smoothly guided without rattling.

In the ink jet recording head storage container 80 of the fifth embodiment having such a configuration, the guide pins 84 of the recording head 102 are introduced into the corresponding guide grooves 82, and the recording head 102 is inserted into the container main body 62. To accommodate. When the user slides the recording head 102 with the guide pin 84 reaching the horizontal guide portion 82B, the recording head 102 moves with respect to the porous body 12. And
When the guide pin 84 is engaged with any of the engagement recesses 82C, the recording head 102 descends and the ink ejection surface 104
Closely adheres to the porous body 12, and the ink ejection port 108 (FIG. 6,
FIG. 8A and the like are sealed.

The engaging concave portion 82C is provided with one horizontal guide portion 76B.
Since the guide pin 84 is engaged with the engagement concave portion 82C at a different position, the porous body 1 is formed.
The ink discharge surface 104 can be brought into contact with two different portions. As a result, the unused portion is brought into contact with the ink ejection surface 104, and the ink ejection port 104 is used for a long time.
Can be reliably sealed.

In the fifth embodiment, the configuration in which the recording head 102 is moved with respect to the fixed porous body 12 has been described as an example. However, as in the third and fourth embodiments, the recording head 102 includes the container main body 62. And the porous body 12 may move. In this case, for example, a space for moving the porous body 12 is provided in the container body 62 and the guide groove 82 is formed.
4 may be protruded.

In the fifth embodiment, the separating mechanism of the present invention is constituted by the guide groove 82 and the guide pin 84. That is, the guide pin 84 is
When moving inside 2B (when the ink jet recording head 102 is moving with respect to the porous body 12), the ink ejection surface 104 is separated from the porous body 12, and they do not rub each other. So damage is prevented. In particular, when the user mistakenly prints the ink jet recording head 102
This is preferable because it is possible to prevent the ink ejection surface 104 and the porous body 12 from being damaged by moving them.

The separating mechanism according to the present invention is applied to the ink drying prevention device 10 according to the first embodiment, the ink drying prevention device 20 according to the second embodiment, the ink drying prevention device 60 according to the third embodiment, and the ink drying prevention device according to the fourth embodiment. You may apply to the prevention device 70. For example, when applied to the third embodiment, before the rotation of the take-up rollers 15 and 16, the inkjet recording head 1
02 is moved upward, and when the ink ejection surface 104 is in contact with the porous body 12, the take-up roller 15,
What is necessary is just to comprise so that rotation of 16 may be locked. 4th
Even when applied to the embodiment, the rotation of the housing 23 is locked while the ink jet recording head 102 is moved upward before the rotation of the housing 23 and the ink ejection surface 104 is in contact with the porous body 12. It may be configured as follows.

FIG. 13 shows an ink jet recording head storage container 90 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the same components, members, and the like as those in the first to fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

This ink jet recording head storage container 9
0, a pair of support arms 92 are arranged on the bottom plate 62B of the container body 62 via a compression coil spring 91. The support arm 92 is held by a holding member (not shown) so as to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate 62B.

A rotating shaft 93 is wound around the upper end of the support arm 92 in parallel with the bottom plate 62B, and the columnar elastic member 18 is coaxially fixed to the rotating shaft 93. The porous body 12 is wound around the elastic member 18 so as to rotate integrally.

A moving gear 95 is attached to the rotating shaft 93 via a one-way clutch, so that it can rotate only in a counterclockwise direction (arrow R1 direction) in FIG.

The container body 62 is provided with a top plate 62T. From the top plate 62T, a suspension arm 94 is directed downward.
A fixed gear 96 that meshes with the moving gear 95 is attached to the lower end of the suspension arm 94 via a one-way clutch. The fixed gear 96 is moved clockwise in FIG. 11 (arrow R2) by a one-way clutch.
Direction).

An insertion hole 63 is formed in the top plate 62T, so that the ink ejection surface 104 of the recording head 102 can be inserted from above and brought into contact with the porous body 12.

Further, the ink absorber 9 is provided on the top plate 62T.
7 and an ink removing blade 98 are attached.
When the ink absorber 97 comes into contact with the porous body 12, the ink absorber 97 absorbs excess ink attached to the porous body 12. Similarly,
When the porous body 12 rotates while being in contact with the porous body 12, the ink removing blade 98 scrapes off excess ink attached to the porous body 12.

A sealing liquid supply member 99 is attached to the bottom plate 62B of the container body 62. The sealing liquid supply member 99 can supply the sealing liquid 14 to the porous body 12 in a state of being in contact with the porous body 12.

The recording head 102 is provided on the lower surface of the lid member 64.
When the cover member 64 is closed in a state in which the cover member 64 is disposed on the top plate 62T, the elastic member 6 that presses the recording head 102 downward is used.
5 is attached. Further, the lid member 64 is provided with a holding member for holding the lid member 64 in a closed state. Compression coil spring 91, support arm 92,
The rotating shaft 93, the suspension arm 94, the moving gear 95, the fixed gear 96, the ink absorber 97, the ink removing blade 98, and the seal liquid supply device 99 constitute an interlocking mechanism of the present invention.

In the ink jet recording head storage container 90 of the sixth embodiment having such a configuration, FIG.
As shown in (B), when the ink ejection surface 104 of the recording head 102 is not inserted into the insertion hole 63, the support arm 92 is moved upward by the urging force of the compression coil spring 91.

Here, as shown in FIG. 13A, when the ink ejection surface 104 of the recording head 102 is inserted into the insertion hole 63 and the lid member 64 is closed while being in contact with the porous body 12, the recording head 102 is pushed downward by the elastic member 65, and the ink ejection surface 104 also pushes the porous body 12 downward. The moving gear 95 is a one-way clutch as shown in FIG.
Since the clockwise rotation is prevented and the fixed gear 96 is allowed to rotate clockwise by a one-way clutch, only the fixed gear 96 rotates and the moving gear 9 rotates.
5. The porous body 12 and the elastic member 18 move downward together with the support arm 92 without rotating. As a result, the ink ejection surface 104 comes into close contact with the porous body 12, and the ink ejection openings 108 (see FIGS. 6, 8A) are sealed.

When the lid member 64 is kept closed by a holding member (not shown), the porous body 12 comes into contact with the sealing liquid supply member 99. Thereby, the sealing liquid 14 is supplied to the porous body 12.

As shown in FIG. 13B, when the cover member 64 is opened, the elastic member 65 separates from the recording head 102, and the support arm 9 is biased by the compression coil spring 91.
2. The elastic member 18 and the porous body 12 move upward.
At this time, the fixed gear 96 is prevented from rotating in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 11 by the one-way clutch, but the moving gear 95 is allowed to rotate in the counterclockwise direction by the one-way clutch. The member 18 and the porous body 12 rotate integrally by a fixed angle.
By this rotation, the porous body 12 moves with respect to the ink ejection surface 104, so that an unused portion can always be brought into contact with the ink ejection surface 104, and the ink ejection port 104 can be reliably sealed for a long time. Moreover, since the movement of the porous body 12 is linked to the operation of accommodating the recording head 102 in the ink jet recording head storage container 90, the porous body 12 can be surely moved (rotated).

Here, as can be seen from the above description, the sixth
In the embodiment, when the porous body 12 rotates, the ink ejection surface 104 is separated from the porous body 12, and the interlocking mechanism substantially serves also as the separating mechanism of the present invention.

Further, when the porous body 12 is moving upward, the ink absorbing member 97 and the ink removing blade 98
Rotates in contact with. As a result, unnecessary ink that has moved from the ink ejection surface 104 to the porous body 12 and adhered thereto, and foreign substances such as dust attached to the porous body 12 are removed, so that the ink ejection surface of the porous body 12 is removed. A good state of close contact with 104 can be maintained. In particular, since the ink removing blade 98 scrapes off the ink attached to the porous body 12, even if the viscosity of the ink has increased due to drying or the like, it is possible to reliably remove unnecessary ink from the surface of the porous body 12. it can. On the other hand, the ink absorber 97 absorbs the unnecessary ink of the porous body 12, so that the unnecessary ink does not scatter and does not stain the inside of the container body 62.

It is not necessary to provide both the ink absorber 97 and the ink removing blade 98 as long as unnecessary ink attached to the porous body 12 can be removed. However, as described above, since the ink absorber 97 and the ink removing blade 98 each have a specific effect, it is possible to provide both of them.
Unnecessary ink is reliably removed from the porous body 12, and the porous body 12 can be reusably regenerated in a better condition, which is preferable.

As the ink absorber 97, those having pores formed therein for absorbing ink can be used. Specific examples include various sponges, foams (polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, polystyrene foam, etc.), woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, synthetic resin foam members,
Felt, foamed rubber and the like can be mentioned. In particular, it is preferable to use a material that is not deteriorated or deteriorated by the ink used, since the ink absorbing ability can be maintained for a long period of time. Further, the structure of the pores of the ink absorber 97 is preferably such that ink is sucked but the sealing liquid 14 impregnated and held in the porous body 12 is not absorbed. Is larger than the pore diameter of the pores of the porous body 12 (specifically, 100 μm
１1 mm) is preferred.

As the ink removing blade 98, for example, a cleaning blade equivalent to a cleaning blade used in a conventional general ink jet printer or the like can be used. Examples of materials for these cleaning blades include various resins such as polyimide, polyester, and polyethylene, and various rubbers such as natural rubber, isoprene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, and chlorinated butyl rubber. .

The porous body 12 of the ink removing blade 98
(The amount of the porous body 12 pushed in the direction perpendicular to the surface (normal direction) from the position where the porous body 12 and the ink removing blade 98 are in contact with each other) from the viewpoint of reliably removing the ink. Is preferably 0.5 mm or more. Further, from the viewpoint of preventing damage due to excessive pressing on the porous body 12, the thickness is preferably 3 mm or less.

The positions where the ink absorber 97 and the ink removing blade 98 are arranged are not particularly limited.
It is preferable to remove the unnecessary ink attached to 2 before it dries, because it can be removed more effectively. Accordingly, the position immediately after the contact of the porous body 12 with the ink ejection surface 104 (in FIG. 11, the position slightly moved in the moving direction (left side) of the porous body 12 from the position where the ink ejection surface 104 comes into contact) It is preferred that

The ink absorber 97 and the ink removing blade 98 may be in constant contact with the porous body 12, but as described above, the porous body 12 is not used except when unnecessary ink is removed. It is preferable that they are separated because deformation and set of the porous body 12, the ink absorber 97 and the ink removing blade 98 can be prevented. In particular, in the case of the ink absorber 97, if it has been in contact with the porous body 12 for a long period of time, the sealing liquid 14 of the porous body 12 may be slightly absorbed, but unnecessary ink may be absorbed. It is preferable to separate the porous body 12 from the porous body 12 except when it is removed because the sealing liquid 14 is not absorbed.

The sealing liquid supply member 99 is not particularly limited as long as the sealing liquid 14 can be supplied in advance by holding the sealing liquid 14 in advance and coming into contact with the porous pair 12. For example, a porous member that supplies the sealing liquid 14 to the porous body 12 using a difference in capillary force can be used. That is, when the pore diameter of the porous body 12 is r ₁ and the contact angle of the sealing liquid is θ _1, and the pore diameter of the porous member is r ₂ and the contact angle of the sealing liquid is θ ₂ ,
If the following relational expression is satisfied in at least both contact portions, the porous member 12 is brought into contact with the porous member 12 so that the sealing liquid 14 held by the porous member is
Can be supplied to the porous body 12. Therefore, the porous member, the porous body 12,
It is preferable to select the material of the sealing liquid 14.

(Cos θ ₁ / r ₁ )> (cos θ ₂ /
r ₂ ) As the porous member, a material having a porous structure that does not deteriorate or deteriorate due to the sealing liquid 14 used and satisfies the above relational expression can be used. Above all, it is preferable to use a material having a continuous void porous structure, such as a fibrous material or a paper material, in which continuous fine grooves on the surface or inside can contact the porous body 12 on the surface. For example, various sponges, foams, nonwoven fabrics, felts, cloths, synthetic resins exemplified as the usable porous body, so-called foams such as polyurethane foam having continuous cells, polyethylene foam, polystyrene foam, and foamed rubbers are exemplified. be able to. For example, when silicone oil is used as the sealing liquid 14, a porous PTFE film is used as the porous body 12, and polyurethane foam is used as the porous member, r
₁ ≒ 0.5 μm, θ ₁ ≒ 30 °, r ₂ ≒ 50 μm, θ ₂ ≒ 0
° and the relationship (cos θ ₁ / r ₁ = 1.73 μm)
^-1 )> (cos θ ₂ / r ₂ = 0.02 μm ⁻¹ ).
Further, the larger the impregnation rate of the sealing liquid 14 in the porous member is, the better the supply of the sealing liquid 14 to the porous body 12 is, which is preferable.
In order to prevent the leakage, the impregnation ratio is preferably about 60%.

The position at which the seal liquid supply member 99 is disposed is not particularly limited as long as the seal liquid 14 can be supplied to the porous body 12, but when the ink absorber 97 and the ink removal blade 98 are provided, these positions are not limited. Porous body 1
It is preferable to dispose the seal liquid supply member 99 on the downstream side in the moving direction of 2, since there is no possibility that the seal liquid supply member 99 is contaminated with unnecessary ink attached to the porous body 12 and hinders the seal liquid supply function.

The cleaning means (ink absorber 97, ink removing blade 98) and sealing liquid supply member 99 picked up in the ink jet recording head storage container 90 of the sixth embodiment are the same as those of the first and second embodiments. Prevention devices 10 and 20 and the inkjet recording head storage containers 60, 70 and 80 of the third to fifth embodiments may be provided.

When the sealing liquid supply member 99 is applied to the first to fifth embodiments, the liquid may be supplied from any surface of the porous body 12, but the back side of the portion where the ink ejection surface 104 comes into contact is used. In such a case, the sealing liquid 14 of the sealing liquid supply member 99 flows into the nozzle through the porous body 12, and there is a possibility that the inkjet recording head 102 may have a discharge failure. Therefore, in order to prevent such a situation, it is preferable to supply the porous body 12 at a position away from the back surface of the portion where the ink ejection surface 104 contacts.

Further, the interlocking mechanism of the sixth embodiment is different from the ink drying prevention device 10 of the first embodiment, the ink drying prevention device 20 of the second embodiment, the ink jet recording head storage container 60 and the fourth embodiment of the third embodiment. It may be applied to the ink jet recording head storage container 70 of the embodiment. When applied to the first embodiment or the third embodiment, the ink ejection port 1
One of the winding rollers 15, 16 may be rotated by a predetermined amount in conjunction with the operation of bringing the 04 into close contact with the porous body 12. Also in the case of applying to the second embodiment and the fourth embodiment, the housing 23 may be rotated by a predetermined amount in conjunction with the operation of bringing the ink ejection port 104 into close contact with the porous body 12.

In the sixth embodiment, the shapes of the elastic member 18 and the porous body 12 are not limited to the columnar or cylindrical shapes described above. For example, the elastic member 18 is formed in a polygonal column shape and the porous body 12 is formed in a polygonal cylindrical shape, and the rotation angle of the elastic member 18 and the porous body 12 is set such that a part of the porous body 12 is always parallel to the ink ejection surface 104. What is necessary is just to set to such an angle. Alternatively, the porous body 12 may be formed in an endless belt shape, wound around two rollers, and circulated. Regardless of the shape, the porous body 12 is endless, so that the porous body 12 can be used repeatedly endlessly by circulating the porous body 12. In order to improve the adhesion of the porous body 12 to the ink ejection surface 104, the porous body 12
It is preferable that the area of the facing surface is widened, and specifically, when it is formed in a cylindrical or columnar shape, the diameter may be increased.

If the porous body 12 can be maintained in a predetermined shape, a cylindrical or cylindrical holding member having a certain rigidity may be provided instead of the elastic member 18. However, from the viewpoint of increasing the adhesion of the porous body 12 to the ink ejection surface,
It is preferably at least a deformable member, and more preferably an elastic member.

In the above description, the ink jet recording head storage containers 60, 70, 80, and 90 each having the container main body 62 capable of accommodating the entire recording head 102 have been described. It is not necessary that the entirety of the recording head 102 can be accommodated.
4 only needs to have a volume capable of accommodating a certain tip portion). For example, when the tip of the recording head 102 has a convex shape and the tip of the convex shape is the ink ejection surface, the convex portion can be accommodated (while the ink ejection surface and the ink drying prevention device are in contact with each other) (Storable).

In the structure shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the container body 62 is fixed so that the recording head 102 is fixed at a position where the porous body 12 is in close contact with the ink ejection surface 104.
It is preferable to provide a locking member between the ink jetting surface 104 and the recording head 102 or between the container body 62 and the lid member 64 because the porous member 12 does not inadvertently separate from the ink ejection surface 104. Further, even if shock or vibration is applied to the storage container, the adhesion between the porous body 12 and the ink ejection surface 104 can be maintained,
This is preferable because the ink drying prevention function does not deteriorate.

When the recording head 102 is housed in the container main body 62, the ink ejection surface 104 is
It is preferable to provide a guide groove or a guide plate for guiding the insertion of the recording head 102 in the container main body 62 so as to make reliable contact with the recording head 102.

[Ink Jet Recording Apparatus] FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. still,
The same members as those shown in FIGS. 2 to 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

An ink jet recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 14 includes a recording head 102, control means (not shown) for controlling ejection means (not shown) arranged in the recording head 102 in accordance with an image signal, A moving unit 110 for moving the recording head 102 in accordance with an image signal, and a conveying unit 114 such as an auto sheet feeder for conveying the recording paper 112 are provided. The moving means 110 includes the head 1
02, a carriage shaft 110b fixed to a housing (not shown) of the ink jet recording apparatus 100 and supporting the carriage 110a so as to be movable in the horizontal direction in the drawing, and a carriage 100a. And an endless drive belt 110c. In the vicinity of the standby area of the recording head 102, an ink drying prevention device (FIG. 14 shows the ink drying prevention device 10 of the first embodiment,
Any of the above-described ink drying prevention devices may be located), and the porous body 12 that impregnates and holds the seal liquid is disposed on the ejection surface 1.
04. Further, a cleaning unit 108 composed of a blade or the like is arranged near the ink drying prevention device 10 so that when the recording head 102 moves to the printing area, the seal liquid attached to the ejection surface can be removed. Further, the recording head 102 is maintained by the maintenance device 116 so that desired printing performance can be maintained.

At the time of printing, ink is ejected from the ink ejection port 108 of the recording head 102 in accordance with the image signal, and the recording head 102 is moved along the carriage shaft 110b by the drive belt. Further recording paper 1
12 also moves in an arbitrary direction (generally, a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the recording head 102 moves) by the transport means 114. By these operations, images such as pictures and characters are recorded on the recording paper 112.

When the ink jet recording apparatus 100 enters the non-printing mode or is turned off, the recording head 102 returns to the standby area. When the recording head 102 is located in the standby area, the ink drying prevention device 10 is pushed out toward the ejection surface 104 of the recording head 102, and
2 contacts the ejection surface 104. Since the porous body 12 holds the sealing liquid impregnated therein, a large number of meniscuses of the sealing liquid are present on the discharge surface 104, so that contact with the atmosphere is blocked and the nozzle 106 is not clogged. Therefore, the clogging of the nozzle 106, which has conventionally occurred when the power supply of the inkjet recording apparatus 100 is turned off or in the non-printing mode for a long time, can be eliminated.

Further, in the ink drying prevention device 10 constituting the ink jet recording head 100 of the present embodiment, the take-up roller 15 or the take-up roller 16 is rotated to take up the porous body 12 so that the porous body 12 is taken up. Can be moved with respect to the ink ejection surface 104 so that an unused portion can always be brought into contact with the ink ejection surface 104. Thereby, the ink ejection port 104 can be reliably sealed for a long period of time. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the print quality from deteriorating due to the drying of the ink in the recording head 102 and to prevent the printing from being impossible.

FIG. 16 shows an ink jet recording apparatus 150 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. This ink jet recording device 150 has substantially the same configuration as the ink jet recording device 100 of the seventh embodiment, but instead of the ink drying prevention device 10, an ink drying prevention device 14 is used.
0 is provided. The housing 13 of the ink drying prevention device 140 is fixed to a casing (not shown) of the inkjet recording device 150. The porous body 12 is fixed to the housing 13 so as to face the ink ejection surface 104 of the recording head 102 at the standby position. Therefore, the porous body 12 is connected to the inkjet recording device 15 through the housing 13.
It will be fixed to 0.

The recording head 102 is set with a plurality of standby positions at the time of non-printing, and comes into contact with different portions of the porous body 12.

Therefore, in the ink jet recording apparatus 150 according to the eighth embodiment, the recording head 102 stands by at a different standby position during non-printing, and the porous body 12
4, the unused portion can always be brought into contact with the ink ejection surface 104. Thereby, the ink ejection port 104 can be reliably sealed for a long period of time. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the print quality from deteriorating due to the drying of the ink in the landing 102 and to prevent the printing from being impossible.

In the ink jet recording apparatuses 100 and 150 of the seventh and eighth embodiments, the position at which the ink drying prevention device is disposed is, for example, within the trajectory where the recording head moves, and does not affect printing. The position can be anywhere in the inkjet recording apparatus 100, but a location called a normal maintenance position or a home position is optimal.

As a mechanism for bringing the porous body into contact with the ink ejection surface, it is also possible to employ a lifting means or the like which is a combination of a conventionally known cam mechanism or the like interlocked with a paper feed motor.

[0144]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ink drying prevention device and an ink jet recording head storage container which can prevent drying of the ink inside the ink jet recording head for a long period of time. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of preventing deterioration of print quality due to drying of ink in the ink jet recording head and preventing printing from being disabled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view conceptually showing an operation of an ink drying prevention device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration in which an ink jet recording head moves with respect to a porous body fixed in the ink drying prevention device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a configuration in which a porous body moves with respect to an ink jet recording head fixed in the ink drying prevention device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a nozzle arrangement direction and a moving direction on an ink ejection surface in the ink drying prevention device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a nozzle arrangement direction and a moving direction on an ink ejection surface in the ink drying prevention device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the ink drying prevention device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an ink drying prevention device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

8A and 8B show an ink drying prevention device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8A is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG.
(B) is a plan view.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an ink jet recording head storage container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an ink jet recording head storage container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an inkjet recording head storage container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ink jet recording head storage container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

13A and 13B are cross-sectional views illustrating an ink jet recording head storage container according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 13A is a state in which the ink jet recording head is housed, and FIG. State.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an ink jet recording apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an inkjet recording apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ink drying prevention device 12 Porous body 15 Take-up roller (porous body moving means, relative moving means) 16 Take-up roller (porous body moving means, relative moving means) 20 Ink drying prevention device 23 Housing (circulation device) , Porous body moving means, relative moving means) 60 inkjet recording head storage container 70 inkjet recording head storage container 80 inkjet recording head storage container 82 guide groove (inkjet recording head moving means,
Relative moving means) 84 Guide pin (ink jet recording head moving means, relative moving means) 90 Ink jet recording head storage container 91 Compression coil spring (circulating device, interlocking mechanism) 92 Support arm (circulating device, interlocking mechanism) 93 Rotary shaft (circulating) Device, interlocking mechanism 94 Suspended arm (circulating device, interlocking mechanism) 95 Moving gear (circulating device, interlocking mechanism) 96 Fixed gear (circulating device, interlocking mechanism) 97 Ink absorber (regeneration means) 98 Ink removal blade (regeneration means) ) 99 Seal liquid supply device (reproducing means) 100 Inkjet recording device 150 Inkjet recording device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Susumu Hirata 430 Nakaicho Sakai, Ashigara-Kan, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Green Tech Nakamura Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroaki Sato 430 Border, Nakai-cho, Ashigara-kami, Kanagawa Prefecture Green Tech Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C056 EA17 FA10 HA06 JA04 JA10 JA11 JA24 JA27

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An ink drying prevention device for preventing drying of ink inside an ink jet recording head, comprising: a non-volatile sealing liquid impregnated with the ink inside the ink jet recording head; A porous body that is in contact with an ink ejection surface of a recording head and is capable of sealing an ink ejection port, and the ink ejection surface of the porous body comes into contact by relatively moving the inkjet recording head and the porous body. An ink drying prevention device, comprising: a relative moving means capable of changing a contact portion. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relative moving means includes an ink jet recording head moving means for moving the ink jet recording head with respect to the fixed porous body. Ink drying prevention device. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said relative moving means includes a porous body moving means for moving said porous body with respect to said fixed inkjet recording head. Ink drying prevention device. 4. The ink drying prevention device according to claim 3, wherein the porous body moving means is a winding device that winds and unwinds the porous body. 5. The elongate porous body, wherein the porous body is formed in an elongate shape, and the winding device is capable of winding the elongate porous body from both sides in the longitudinal direction. Claim 4.
3. The ink drying prevention device according to claim 1. 6. The ink drying prevention device according to claim 3, wherein the porous body moving means is a circulation device that circulates the porous body in a plane direction. 7. An interlocking mechanism that relatively moves the ink jet recording head and the porous body in conjunction with an operation of moving the ink jet recording head toward and away from the porous body. The ink drying prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: 8. The ink drying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a reproducing unit configured to reproduce the porous body in contact with the ink ejection surface to a state before the contact. Prevention device. 9. A separation mechanism for separating the ink ejection surface and the porous body when the porous body and the inkjet recording head are relatively moved by the relative moving means. An ink drying prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. An ink jet recording head storage container comprising the ink drying prevention device according to claim 1. Description: 11. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising the ink drying prevention device according to claim 1.