JP2001347682A - Ink container and ink jet recorder using it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To minimize the quantity of residual ink through a simple arrangement by using up ink surely and to prevent incomplete ink ejection or lowering of record image quality by removing dust mixed into ink or deposit generated in the ink. SOLUTION: A lead-out tube 129 is provided to extend from the ink supply part 145 of an ink containing section 142 to the vicinity of lowest plane at the lowest level of the ink containing section and a porous material 150 exhibiting capillarity under a state touching the lowest plane is fixed to the opening at the forward end of the lead-out tube.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink container detachably mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means to a recording material, and an ink jet recording apparatus using the ink container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device of a composite electronic device or a workstation including a computer and a word processor, etc., is based on image information. It is configured to record an image on a recording material (recording medium) such as a plastic thin plate. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type and the like according to a recording method.

In a serial type recording apparatus employing a serial scanning system in which a main scanning is performed in a direction crossing a conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and then the recording is performed. The image is recorded (main scanning) by the recording means mounted on the carriage moving along the material, and after the recording of one line is completed, a predetermined amount of paper feeding (pitch conveyance) is performed, and then the stopped image is stopped again. By repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the next row of image on the recording material, the entire recording material is recorded. On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that records only by sub-scanning in the transport direction of the recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and recording is performed for one line at a time. Is performed, and the recording of the next line is performed collectively, thereby recording the entire recording material.

Among the above recording apparatuses, an ink jet recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording material. Easy,
High-definition images can be recorded at high speed, recording can be performed on plain paper without special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method reduces noise, and It has advantages such as easy recording of a color image using ink. Above all, a line-type apparatus using a line-type recording means in which a large number of discharge ports are arranged in the paper width direction can further increase the recording speed. The “ink” in the present application is
This is a general term for liquids ejected from recording means, and includes, in addition to liquids used for recording, for example, recording function improving liquids such as processing liquids used to improve the permeability of ink to recording paper. It is a thing.

[0005] In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for discharging ink by using thermal energy,
Through a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, sputtering, etc., an electrothermal converter, an electrode,
By forming the liquid path wall, the top plate, and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a device having a high-density liquid path arrangement (discharge port arrangement) and achieve further downsizing. On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording material,
In recent years, ordinary recording materials such as paper and resin thin plates (OHP
Etc.), thin paper and processed paper (paper with perforated holes or perforated paper for filing, paper of any shape, etc.) have been required to be used.

An ink container as an ink supply source used in an ink jet recording apparatus is configured to be detachable from an ink container unit as an ink container accommodating portion of the recording apparatus in order to facilitate replacement when ink is consumed. Have been. In this type of ink container, an ink supply port sealed with a rubber stopper or the like is provided to prevent inconvenience such as ink leakage when the ink container exists alone. The ink container unit is provided with a hollow needle or the like for connecting to an ink supply unit of the ink container. Recording is performed by connecting an ink supply pipe to recording means to the ink supply unit via the hollow needle. The ink supply to the means is enabled.

[0007]

However, in a conventional ink container of this type, when dust is mixed in a process of injecting the ink into the container, or when the ink is stored in the container for a long period of time, If deposits are generated in the container due to the deposit, these dusts and deposits cause clogging of an ink supply pipe, a recording unit (recording head), and the like in the ink jet recording apparatus, and the ink is discharged. There has been a technical problem to be solved such that a defect (including non-ejection) or a defect in image recording occurs.

Further, as a specific configuration of the ink container or the ink container unit as described above in the ink jet recording apparatus, for example, as described in JP-A-59-52659, the ink in the container is supplied to the outside. There is known a configuration in which a capillary filter is connected to an opening of an ink conduit for leading out.

On the other hand, in a large-sized ink jet recording apparatus having a high recording duty and consuming a large amount of ink, the ink storage amount is 200 cc or more, more preferably 500 cc, in order to reduce the frequency of replacing ink containers.
In many cases, the large-capacity ink container described above is used. Further, as described in JP-A-59-52659, when a flexible bag-shaped container is used as the ink storage portion, the bag-shaped container is formed by bending a single film and superimposing the films. It is manufactured by a method of joining the surroundings by heat welding or the like.

However, it has been found that such a large-capacity bag-shaped ink container has the following disadvantages (technical problems). That is, when trying to realize a large-capacity ink container with a bag-shaped ink container, sufficient bonding cannot be obtained because the bonding portion by the thermal welding or the like extends over a wide range,
Ink could leak from a part of the surroundings. Also,
In order to enlarge the size of the flexible bag-like container, the ink that cannot be drawn out to the outside of the container stays at the corner of the bag-like container,
As a result, there is also a technical problem that the amount of remaining ink in the container increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to use a simple configuration and reliably use up the ink in an ink storage unit to reduce the remaining ink amount in the ink storage unit. Ink that can minimize ink discharge and removes dust mixed in the ink container and precipitates generated in the ink container, thereby preventing defective ink ejection and deterioration in the quality of a recorded image. An object of the present invention is to provide a container and an ink jet recording apparatus.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink container detachably mounted in an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means to a recording material in order to achieve the above object. An ink storage section for storing ink, an ink supply section for taking out the ink stored in the ink storage section, and a vicinity of the lowest level of the ink storage section from the ink supply section to the lowest level An outlet pipe extending to the outlet pipe, a porous member having a capillary force is disposed in an opening near the lowest surface of the outlet pipe, and a lower portion of the porous member is brought into contact with the lowest surface. Features.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material in order to achieve the above object. An ink container for storing the ink, an ink supply unit for leading the ink stored in the ink storage unit to recording means, and an ink supply unit. And a lead-out tube extending from the portion to the vicinity of the lowest surface of the ink storage portion at the lowest level, and a porous member having a capillary force is disposed in an opening near the lowest surface of the lead-out tube. The lower part of the porous member is brought into contact with the lowest surface.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing one embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a head carriage 104 and an ink supply carriage 105 are guided and supported slidably in a double-headed arrow A direction by two main scanning rails 107, 107 installed in parallel with each other. The head carriage 104 has an ejection head (recording head) 101 as recording means for performing recording by ejecting ink onto a recording material (recording paper) 115 based on a recording signal.

The ejection head (recording means, recording head)
On a surface (discharge port surface) of the recording medium 101 that faces the recording material 115, an ink discharge section including a plurality of discharge port groups corresponding to each of the plurality of colors of ink is formed. The ejection head 101 has a head cover 1 together with its driving substrate.
06. The drive board of the ejection head 101 is electrically connected via a flat cable 113 to a board box 114 in which a control board for controlling the operation of the entire printing apparatus is stored.

On the other hand, a sub-ink container 103 for supplying ink to a discharge head (recording means, recording head) 101 is mounted on the ink supply carriage 105. In this embodiment, the recording unit 101 forms a discharge head unit that can discharge a plurality of types of inks (six types of inks including a, b, c, d, e, and f including the processing liquid). ing. Therefore, the sub ink container 103 also
A plurality of sub-ink containers 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 103e corresponding to the plurality of types of ink,
103f. When a plurality of such sub-ink containers are provided according to the type of ink (color, etc.), or when they indicate the whole or any one of them, the additional symbols a, b,. Therefore, only the number (for example, the sub ink container 103) is shown. The aforementioned plurality of sub ink containers 103a, 103b,
Reference numerals 103c, 103d, 103e, and 103f are connected to an ink ejection unit (ejection port group) including a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting a corresponding ink color through respective resin tubes.

In the lower part of the apparatus main body, a plurality of ink containers 102a, 102b, 102c, 1c corresponding to a plurality of inks respectively supplied to the plurality of sub-ink containers 103 are provided.
02d, 102e, and 102f are provided. These ink containers 102 are detachably held in an ink container unit 112. Each of the ink containers 102 has a larger capacity than the sub-ink container 103 that stores the corresponding ink color (including the processing liquid).
0 to 1000 cc of ink can be stored. Each ink container 102 is connected to a corresponding ink sub-ink container 103 via a resin tube.

The head carriage 104 and the ink supply carriage 105 are coupled to a timing belt (not shown), and are reciprocally driven (reciprocally scanned) in the direction of a double arrow A by rotating the timing belt by a main scanning motor 108. You. A platen 10 is provided at a position facing an ejection port of an ejection head (recording unit, recording head) 101.
9 are provided. The conveyance (paper feed) of the recording paper (recording material) 115 in the direction of arrow B is performed by the head carriage 10.
The printing is performed intermittently at a predetermined pitch for each of the four main scans, and printing is performed by discharging ink from a printing unit (ejection head) 101 in accordance with a print signal during each main scan.

At a predetermined position within the main scanning area of the recording means 101 and outside the recording area on the recording paper 115, a head recovery system 110 for maintaining good ink ejection characteristics of the recording means 101 is provided. Have been. This head recovery system 1
Numeral 10 is arranged to face the ink ejection section of the recording means 101. The head recovery system 110 includes a cap 117 for capping the ink ejection portion of the recording unit 101 and a blade (wiper) 111 for wiping and cleaning the ejection opening surface of the recording unit 101.

The recording means (ejection head, recording head)
Reference numeral 101 denotes an inkjet recording unit including an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for discharging ink. Further, the inkjet recording unit 101 further reduces film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter. This is an ink jet recording means for discharging ink from a discharge port by utilizing the ink.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection section of the recording means 101. In FIG. 2, a predetermined distance (for example, about 0.3 to
A plurality of discharge ports 82 are formed at a predetermined pitch on a discharge port surface 81 facing at an interval of about 2.0 mm.
An electrothermal converter (heating resistor, etc.) 85 that generates energy for ink ejection is arranged along the wall surface of each liquid path 84 that connects the ejection port 3 to the ejection port 82. In this example, the recording means (recording head) 101 is mounted on the head carriage in a positional relationship such that the rows of the ejection ports 82 are arranged in a direction crossing the main scanning direction of the head carriage 104. The recording head 101 generates thermal energy in the electrothermal transducer 85 by applying a drive signal, and the thermal energy causes the ink in the liquid passage 84 to boil, thereby causing a pressure generated by the growth and contraction of the bubble. Is configured to eject and record ink droplets.

The ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 uses inks of a plurality of colors, and ink paths are provided for each color, but the ink paths are substantially the same. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ink replenishment path for an arbitrary ink color (including a processing liquid).
In FIG. 3, the ink container 102 and the sub ink container 10
3 is connected through a main tube 126. A hollow needle (not shown) such as an injection needle is provided at a connection portion of the main tube 126 on the ink container 102 side, and the hollow tube is pierced through a rubber stopper 128 of the ink container 102 to be connected. . The inside of the ink container 102 communicates with the atmosphere through an atmosphere opening pipe 132.
The rubber stopper 128 into which the hollow needle is pierced is connected to a tube (outlet tube) 129 extending to near the bottom inside the ink container 102. Therefore, the ink in the ink container 102 is discharged from the tube (outlet tube) 129.
And is supplied to the sub-ink container 103 through the hollow needle and the main tube 126.

The other end of the main tube 126 extends to the inside of the sub ink container 103, and a filter 125 for preventing foreign matter from flowing into the sub ink container 103 is attached to the end of the main tube 126. ing.
The distal end of the main tube 126 on the side inserted into the sub ink container 103 is located at substantially the same height as the level (E) shown in the figure. In the middle of the main tube 126,
One-way valve (check valve) 127 that opens only when ink flows from ink container 102 to sub-ink container 103
Is provided, whereby the sub ink container 103 is provided.
Backflow of ink toward the ink container 102 is prevented. A negative pressure generating pump 119 is provided on the main tube 126 between the check valve 127 and the sub ink container 103.

In the sub ink container 103, an ink remaining amount detecting sensor 123 for detecting the remaining ink amount in the sub ink container is provided. The ink remaining amount detection sensor 123 includes three electrode needles x, y, and z inserted from the top surface of the sub ink container 103 to the inside. Two of the electrode needles x and y extend to a position of height (E) corresponding to the lowest level, and one electrode needle z extends to a position of height (F) corresponding to the highest level. In addition, these electrode needles are configured to detect whether the remaining amount of ink is excessive or insufficient.

The highest level (F) of the ink in the sub-ink container 103 is set at a position lower than the discharge port surface of the recording head 101 by a height b, and the lowest level (E) is the discharge port surface. It is set at a position lower by the height a (a> b). Also, the sub ink container 103
An air communication port 124 is provided in the upper part of. The bottom (ink take-out part) of the sub-ink container 103 and the recording means (ejection head) 101 are connected by a sub-tube 134. Therefore, the sub ink container 10
The supply of ink from 3 to the recording means (discharge head) 101 is performed by capillary action at the discharge port 82 of the recording means 101.

A cap 117 for capping the discharge port surface 81 of the recording means 101 is connected to a waste ink container 121 through a suction tube 116. A suction pump 118 is provided in the middle of the suction tube 116. By operating the suction pump 118 with the cap 117 capped on the discharge port surface 81, the ink in the recording means (discharge head) 101 is suctioned into the cap 117, and the suction tube 116 is further discharged.
Through the waste ink container 121, and can be stored (collected) in the waste ink container 121. The waste ink container 121 is also provided with an air communication port 125. In the illustrated example, the suction pump 118 and the negative pressure generating pump 119 are constituted by tube pumps, and the respective pump motors 122 and 120 are provided.
It is configured to be driven by.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view showing an ink container to which the present invention is applied, that is, a first embodiment of the ink container 102 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the ink container shown in FIG. FIG. The ink container 102 is inserted into the ink container unit 112 (FIG. 1) in the direction of arrow C in FIG. In FIG. 4 and FIG.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a configuration in which a liquid such as ink or a processing liquid (collectively referred to as ink) is directly stored in a rigid housing 142, and the main purpose of the housing 142 is to store ink. The first protrusion 14 having an air communication port 143 for introducing air into the housing 142
4, a second protruding portion 146 having an ink supply port 145 for taking out ink from the housing 142, and an erroneous mounting prevention portion 147 for preventing the ink container 102 from being mounted in an incorrect posture. Is provided. The first protrusion 144, the second protrusion 146, and the erroneous mounting prevention part 147 constitute a part requiring functionality.

In the illustrated ink container 102, a portion that requires functionality related to the connection with the ink container unit 112 (FIG. 1) (in the illustrated example, a portion of the ink container 102 other than the housing 142) is provided. It is formed integrally with one plate-shaped member by injection molding. Such a connecting means integrated portion is integrated by fixing the plate-shaped member to the upper surface of the housing 142 formed by blow molding by ultrasonic welding. That is, a part that requires functionality related to coupling with the ink container unit 112 is integrally formed on a single plate-shaped member (the coupling unit integrated part) and the housing that stores ink. After manufacturing the body 142 separately, the housing 142
A manufacturing method is adopted in which the integrated portion of the coupling means is integrated by ultrasonic welding on the upper surface opposed to the bottom surface. However, this is not indispensable, and the entire ink container 102 is integrally molded, including a portion requiring functionality related to coupling with the ink container unit 112 and a portion of the housing 142 in which ink is stored. They may be formed integrally.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the first protrusion 144 and the second protrusion 146 has a substantially cylindrical shape. Direction C of insertion into ink container unit 112
They are arranged so that the central axes of the respective cylindrical shapes are substantially coincident when viewed from above. However, the first protrusion 144
The shape and arrangement of the second protrusion 146 are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and may have other configurations.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the parts requiring the functionality (the parts other than the casing 142) are formed by, for example, injection molding, and the casing whose main purpose is to store ink is used. The body 142 is formed by, for example, blow molding, and the ink container 102 is configured by integrating them. Here, the injection molding is a manufacturing method that can relatively easily obtain dimensional accuracy although the cost is relatively high. On the other hand, in the blow molding, it is difficult to easily obtain the dimensional accuracy, but the cost is relatively low. In this way, the housing 142 and the other parts that require functionality are individually made of necessary and sufficient materials and manufacturing methods, and the two are integrated to reduce the overall manufacturing cost of the ink container. , Can be suppressed at a lower cost than when the whole is manufactured by injection molding.

In FIG. 4 and FIG.
The ink supply port 43 and the ink supply port 145 are sealed by rubber stoppers (corresponding to the rubber stoppers 128 in FIG. 3) in the respective projections 144 and 146, and have a central portion through which a hollow needle or the like can pass. Cap 148, 1 having hole diameter
48. The ink supply port 145
A resin tube 129 extending to the vicinity of the bottom in the housing 142 is inserted and connected thereto, and a porous member 150 is attached to a tip portion (an end near the bottom in the housing 142) of the tube 129. Connected (attached). The porous member 150 is disposed so as to contact the bottom surface of the housing 142.

In this way, the ink stored in the housing 142 is externally passed through a hollow needle connected to the ink supply port 145 (that is, a hollow needle pierced through the rubber stopper in the protrusion 146) or the like. By suctioning from the, it can be led out through the main tube 126 (FIG. 3) connected to the hollow needle or the like. Therefore, the housing 142
The inner bottom surface (bottom portion) is provided with an inclination such that the vicinity of the porous member 150 connected to the distal end portion of the tube (outlet tube) 129 is at the lowest level. In this embodiment, the housing facing 142 is configured such that the lowest level surface of the bottom of the ink storage unit is located immediately below the ink supply port 145 in the vertical direction. Note that, depending on the overall configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus, it is conceivable to provide the ink supply port 145 on the side wall of the ink container 102.
129 and porous member 150 connected to the tip
Is provided so that the vicinity of the bottom is the lowest level of the bottom surface.

As the material of the porous member 150, a material having corrosion resistance to ink, such as a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and Teflon (registered trademark), a metal, and a ceramic, is selected. A porous body having capillary pores having a pore size of about a micron to several tens of microns is used. In general, the size of such pores is set to such an extent that dust mixed in the ink and precipitates precipitated from the ink can be prevented from passing therethrough.

That is, the porous member 150 is configured to also function as a capillary filter. Therefore, the porous member 150 can be formed of, for example, a member formed by bundling fibers formed of polypropylene or the like, or a member in which fibers are layered like a nonwoven fabric. Can also be used as a filter. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ink container 102 is used as the porous member 150.
Foamed polyurethane used as an absorber for holding and absorbing the ink. This foamed polyurethane is also used as the filter.

According to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 described above, an ink container detachably mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means to a recording material, and the ink container. In the ink jet recording apparatus used, the ink container 102 includes an ink storage section 142 for storing ink, and the ink storage section 14.
Ink supply unit 1 for taking out the ink stored in 2
45, and an outlet pipe 129 extending from the ink supply section 145 to the vicinity of the lowest surface of the ink storage section 142 at the lowest level, and a capillary is provided at an opening of the outlet pipe 129 near the lowest surface. A configuration is obtained in which the porous member 150 having a force is disposed, and the lower portion of the porous member is brought into contact with the lowest surface. Further, the porous member 1
50 is configured to function as a capillary filter,
Further, the ink supply unit 145 is disposed on a surface facing the lowest surface.

Therefore, according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the following effects can be obtained. First, since the porous member 150 functioning as a filter is provided in the opening of the outlet tube (tube) 129 near the bottom of the housing 142, dust deposited in the ink and precipitated from the ink are formed. Precipitates can be trapped by the porous member 150, and these foreign substances can be prevented from being mixed into the outlet pipe (tube) 129. Therefore, the ink from which dust and deposits have been removed is supplied to the recording means 101 of the ink jet recording apparatus, and it is possible to prevent ink ejection failure and deterioration of the quality of the recorded image.

Second, since the bottom of the housing (ink storage section) 142 is provided with a slope such that a part of the bottom is at the lowest level (lowest surface), the ink storage section 142 is almost completely formed. In the empty state, the remaining ink flows along the slope to the lowest level (lowest surface). The ink supply unit 145 is located near the position of the lowest level.
A leading end opening of a discharge pipe (tube) 129 extending from the opening, and the porous member 1 having a capillary force at the leading end opening.
Since 50 is disposed so as to be in contact with the bottom surface of the lowest level, ink can be efficiently collected even when the remaining amount of ink becomes very small, and the ink can be used up to the end.

FIG. 6 shows an ink container 102 to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 7 is a partial vertical sectional view showing a main part of the second embodiment. In FIG. 6, the porous member 150 connected to the leading end opening of the outlet pipe 129 extending to the vicinity of the lowest surface of the ink storage section (housing) 142 at the lowest level is connected to the outlet pipe 129. It is compressed and arranged between the leading end opening and the lowest surface of the ink storage section 142 which is at the lowest level. The second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is different from the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 in this point, and has substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment in other points, and is therefore the same. Alternatively, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to the second embodiment shown in FIG.
The height dimension of the porous member 150 is selected so that 50 is mounted in a compressed state between the distal end opening of the outlet pipe (tube) 129 and the lowest level surface of the ink storage section 142. . Therefore, even if a molding error of each member, an insertion error of the lead-out tube (tube) 129 into the ink supply unit 145, an assembly error such as welding between the members occur, or the like,
The porous member 150 can be reliably brought into contact with both the opening of the leading end of the outlet pipe 129 and the lowest surface of the ink container 142 that is at the lowest level. Therefore, even when the above-described manufacturing and assembly errors occur, as in the case of the above-described first embodiment, dust and precipitates in the ink are removed, and the ink in the ink storage section is completely removed. Can be used up.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show various states of the mounting state (mounting state) of the porous member 150 which is mounted between the leading end opening of the outlet pipe 129 and the lowest level surface of the ink storage section 142. It is a partial longitudinal section showing other examples. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, an enlarged (bulging) inner diameter portion is formed at the tip of the outlet pipe 129 as shown in FIG.
0 was inserted and fitted into the enlarged inner diameter portion. On the other hand, in another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the leading end of the outlet pipe 129 is protruded in a brim shape to form an end face flange as shown, and the porous member 150 is connected to the end face flange and the ink storage section. A configuration is adopted in which it is held between the lowest level surface 142.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, as shown in the drawing, the leading end of the outlet pipe 129 is kept in a straight state, and a concave portion (hole portion) opened toward the porous member 150 at the upper end surface. ) Is formed, and the distal end of the outlet pipe 129 is fitted into the recess. Further, in another embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the leading end of the outlet pipe 129 is protruded in a brim shape to form an end face flange (similar to FIG. 7) as shown in FIG. The upper half has a stepped shape in which the diameter dimension is reduced, and the upper half of the porous member 150 is fitted and inserted into the inner diameter of the outlet pipe 129, and the stepped portion of the porous member 150 is A configuration is adopted in which the porous member 150 is held at a predetermined position by abutting (abutting) against an end face flange of the outlet pipe 129.

In the above embodiment, a serial recording method in which recording is performed while the recording means (recording head) 101 is relatively moved with respect to the recording material 115 has been described as an example. Such as a line recording method of recording only in the sub-scan using a line type recording head of a length that covers the entire width or a part of the, it is applicable to various inkjet recording apparatuses regardless of the type of recording method, A similar effect can be achieved.

The present invention also provides a color recording apparatus and an ink container using a plurality of recording heads for recording with inks of different colors, a recording apparatus and an ink container using one (one color) recording head, and the same color. In the case of an ink jet recording apparatus and its ink container, such as a gradation recording apparatus using a plurality of recording heads for recording at different densities, or a recording apparatus combining the color recording apparatus and the gradation recording apparatus, the form of the recording apparatus The present invention can be widely applied regardless of the above, and can achieve the same effect. Further, the present invention provides a replaceable inkjet cartridge (head cartridge) in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrated.
, The recording head and the ink tank are separated,
The same configuration can be applied to any arrangement of the recording head and the ink tank, such as a configuration in which the connection is established by an ink supply tube or the like, and the same effect can be obtained.

The present invention can be similarly applied to a case where the ink jet recording apparatus uses another type of ink jet recording means such as an ink jet recording means using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. The same effect can be obtained.

[0045]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention (claim 1), the ink detachably mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from the recording means to the recording material. In the container, an ink storage section for storing ink, an ink supply section for taking out the ink stored in the ink storage section, and a lowest surface of the ink storage section from the ink supply section to the lowest level. A lead pipe extending to the vicinity, a porous member having a capillary force is disposed in an opening near the lowest surface of the lead pipe, and a lower part of the porous member is brought into contact with the lowest surface. Therefore, since a porous member having a capillary force is disposed in the opening near the lowest surface of the outlet pipe and the porous member is brought into contact with the lowest surface, the ink storage portion has a simple configuration. The amount of ink remaining in the ink storage section can be minimized by reliably using up all of the ink, and dust generated in the ink container and dust generated in the ink container due to the filter action of the porous member. The present invention provides an ink container capable of preventing the occurrence of ink ejection failure and deterioration of the quality of a recorded image by removing precipitates.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the porous member is compressed between the opening of the outlet tube and the lowest surface of the ink storage portion. In addition to the above effects, even if there is a component molding error or an assembly error, the ink is surely used up, and dust mixed in the ink container and dust generated in the ink container are provided. Provided is an ink container that can remove deposited deposits.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means to a recording material, an ink container detachably mounted for supplying ink to the recording means. Wherein the ink container has an ink storage section for storing ink, an ink supply section for leading out the ink stored in the ink storage section to recording means, and an ink storage section from the ink supply section. An outlet pipe extending to the vicinity of the lowest surface at which the portion is at the lowest level, and a porous member having a capillary force is disposed in an opening near the lowest surface of the outlet tube; Because the lower part of was made to contact the lowest surface,
Since a porous member having a capillary force is disposed in the opening near the lowest surface of the outlet pipe and the porous member is brought into contact with the lowest surface, it is possible to reliably use up the ink in the ink storage unit. In addition, since the dust and the precipitates generated in the ink container can be removed by the filter action of the porous member, it is possible to prevent defective ink ejection and deterioration in the quality of a recorded image. There is provided an ink jet recording apparatus having a possible ink container.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the porous member is disposed by being compressed between the opening of the outlet pipe and the lowest surface of the ink storage section. In addition to the above-described effects, even when a molding error or an assembly error occurs in the parts, the ink is surely used up, and dust mixed in the ink container and deposition generated in the ink container are obtained. There is provided an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink container capable of removing an object.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing one embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of an ink ejection unit of a recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink replenishment path for an arbitrary ink color (including a processing liquid) in the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view showing a first embodiment of the ink container in FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the ink container of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of a second embodiment of the ink container to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the mounted state of the porous member in FIGS. 4 and 6.

FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing still another embodiment of the mounted state of the porous member in FIGS. 4 and 6.

FIG. 9 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing still another embodiment of the mounted state of the porous member in FIGS. 4 and 6.

[Explanation of symbols]

 81 discharge port surface 82 discharge port 83 common liquid chamber 84 liquid path 85 electrothermal converter 101 recording means (recording head, discharge head) 102 ink container 103 sub ink container 104 head carriage 105 ink supply carriage 108 main scanning motor 110 head recovery system 111 Blade 112 Ink Container Unit 115 Recording Material (Recording Paper) 116 Suction Tube 117 Cap 118 Suction Pump 126 Main Tube 128 Rubber Plug 129 Outgoing Tube (Tube) 142 Ink Storage Unit (Housing) 143 Atmospheric Communication Port 144 First Projection part 145 Ink supply part (ink supply port) 146 Second projection part 150 Porous member (filter)

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An ink container detachably mounted in an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means to a recording material, comprising: an ink storage section for storing ink; An ink supply unit for taking out the stored ink, and an outlet pipe extending from the ink supply unit to a position near the lowest surface of the ink storage unit at the lowest level, the lowest surface of the outlet tube being provided. An ink container, wherein a porous member having a capillary force is disposed in a nearby opening, and a lower portion of the porous member is brought into contact with the lowest surface. 2. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the porous member is a capillary filter. 3. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the porous member is disposed so as to be compressed between an opening of the outlet tube and a lowermost surface of the ink storage unit. container. 4. The ink supply unit according to claim 1, wherein the ink supply unit is disposed on a surface facing the lowest surface.
The ink container according to any one of the above. 5. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording unit to a recording material, comprising: an ink container detachably mounted to supply ink to the recording unit; Is an ink storage unit for storing ink, an ink supply unit for leading the ink stored in the ink storage unit to the recording unit, and the lowest level of the ink storage unit from the ink supply unit An outlet pipe extending to the vicinity of the lowest surface, and a porous member having a capillary force is disposed in an opening near the lowest surface of the outlet tube, and a lower portion of the porous member is provided on the lowest surface. An ink container, which is brought into contact with the ink container. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said porous member is a capillary filter. 7. The ink jet printer according to claim 5, wherein the porous member is disposed so as to be compressed between an opening of the outlet tube and a lowermost surface of the ink storage unit. Recording device. 8. The ink supply unit according to claim 5, wherein the ink supply unit is disposed on a surface facing the lowest surface.
The inkjet recording device according to any one of the above. 9. The ink jet recording device according to claim 5, wherein the recording device is an ink jet recording device including an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for discharging ink. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said recording means discharges the ink from a discharge port using film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer. .