JP2005199516A - Method for filling liquid container with liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for filling a liquid container with liquid capable of refilling a liquid container having a check valve with liquid. <P>SOLUTION: An ink pack 13 has a bag part 20 for containing ink and provided with a check valve consisting of a valve element and a valve seat in the way of a lead-out section 21 communicating with the outside of the bag part 20. The valve element is formed of a material having a specific gravity not higher than that of ink. The bag part 20 of the ink pack 13 where ink is consumed is filled with ink from the lead-out section 21 at such a flow rate as sustaining a state where the valve element is separated from the valve seat. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid filling method for a liquid container.

  Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus has been widely used as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target. Specifically, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a carriage, a recording head as a liquid ejecting head mounted on the carriage, and an ink cartridge that stores ink as liquid.

  Such an ink jet recording apparatus has a mechanism (a so-called off-carriage type) in which an ink cartridge is not mounted on the carriage in order to reduce the load on the carriage or to reduce the size and thickness of the apparatus. There is something. Ink cartridges employed in this printer usually include an ink pack as a bag-like liquid container for containing ink, and a case for containing the ink pack. The ink in the ink pack is supplied to the recording head via the ink supply tube (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The ink pack includes a bag portion as a liquid storage portion and a lead-out portion provided in the bag portion. The lead-out portion includes a communication hole that communicates the inside of the bag portion to the outside. A valve mechanism for sealing the inside of the bag portion is generally provided in the communication hole.

One of the valve mechanisms is a check valve that prevents air or the like from flowing into the ink pack. The check valve is opened when ink is led out from the ink pack. Further, the check valve is closed when the communication hole is opened and fluid flows in from the outside, and air or the like is prevented from entering the bag portion.
JP 2003-53984 A

  By the way, since this ink pack includes a check valve in the outlet portion, it is difficult to fill the bag portion with ink through the outlet portion. In other words, the ink pack after the ink in the bag portion has been consumed cannot be filled with ink and reused.

  The objective of this invention is providing the liquid filling method of the liquid container which can refill the liquid to the liquid container provided with the non-return valve.

  A liquid filling method for a liquid container according to the present invention includes a liquid container that contains a liquid, and a check valve including a valve body and a valve seat is provided in the middle of a liquid channel that communicates the liquid container with the outside. A liquid filling method for a liquid container provided, wherein the specific gravity of the valve body is less than or equal to the specific gravity of the liquid, and at least a part of the valve body maintains a state of being separated from the valve seat. A liquid is injected into the liquid container through the liquid flow path at a flow rate.

According to this, the flow rate is such that the specific gravity of the valve body of the check valve provided in the liquid flow path maintains the state in which the valve body is separated from the valve seat with respect to the liquid container having the specific gravity of the liquid or less. Then, the liquid is injected into the liquid container. For this reason, even if the check valve is provided, the liquid container can be filled with the liquid, so that the liquid can be refilled without disassembling the used liquid container. Accordingly, since the liquid container can be used repeatedly, the liquid container in which the liquid in the liquid container is consumed can be effectively used without being discarded.

  In the liquid filling method of the liquid container, the liquid container is injected into the liquid flow path in a posture in which the valve body is disposed above the valve seat in the vertical direction, and the valve body is , And away from the valve seat by buoyancy received from the liquid filled in the liquid flow path.

  According to this, in the liquid container, the liquid is injected into the liquid flow path in a posture in which the valve body is disposed above the valve seat in the vertical direction. For this reason, the valve body is separated from the valve seat by the buoyancy of the liquid in the liquid flow path. For this reason, since the valve body and the valve seat can be separated only by determining the posture of the liquid container, the liquid can be easily injected into the liquid container.

In the liquid filling method of the liquid container, the method further includes a step of setting the flow path on the valve body side in the liquid flow path to a negative pressure to separate the valve body from the valve seat.
According to this, the flow path on the valve body side is set to a negative pressure so that at least part of the valve body is separated from the valve seat. For this reason, the valve element can be reliably separated from the valve seat.

  In the liquid filling method of the liquid container, when the liquid is injected into the liquid container through the liquid channel, the flow rate of the liquid flowing into the liquid channel is controlled using a liquid pumping means.

According to this, since the flow rate of the liquid flowing into the liquid flow path can be controlled using the liquid pumping means, the flow rate of the liquid can be controlled efficiently and with high accuracy.
In this liquid container filling method, when the liquid is injected into the liquid container through the liquid flow path, the liquid is sent from above in the vertical direction to the liquid container, and the water head difference. Is supplied into the liquid flow path by a positive pressure based on.

  According to this, since the liquid is sent out to the liquid container from above in the vertical direction with respect to the liquid container, it is possible to inject the liquid into the liquid container by the water head difference. For this reason, the liquid can be supplied without using a pump or the like.

  In the liquid filling method of the liquid container, the valve body of the check valve includes a flat plate portion, and the flat plate portion contacts the valve seat to close the check valve, and the flat plate portion is The check valve is opened by moving away from the valve seat.

According to this, the valve body of the check valve includes a flat plate portion. For this reason, since it can move comparatively easily in response to the pressure from the fluid at the flat plate portion, the check valve can be easily controlled.
In the liquid filling method of the liquid container, the valve seat is formed so that an area of the contact portion with the flat plate portion of the valve seat is smaller than an area of the flat plate portion and protrudes from the surroundings. The valve body is formed independently of the valve seat.

  According to this, the valve seat is formed so that the area of the contact portion with the flat plate portion is smaller than the area of the flat plate portion. For this reason, when the valve seat comes into contact with the valve body, a portion of the flat plate portion of the valve body that does not contact the valve seat is generated. Further, the valve seat is formed to protrude. Furthermore, the valve body is independent of the valve seat. With this configuration, the liquid can easily flow into a space provided between the portion of the valve body that is not in contact with the valve seat and the periphery of the valve seat. As a result, the flow of the liquid pushes up the flat plate portion of the valve body that is not in contact with the valve seat, and the valve body can be lifted relatively easily from the valve seat.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an outline of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a frame 2. A platen 3 is installed on the frame 2, and paper is fed onto the platen 3 by a paper feed mechanism (not shown). A guide member 4 is installed on the frame 2 in parallel with the platen 3. A carriage 5 is inserted into and supported by the guide member 4 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the guide member 4. The carriage 5 is drivingly connected to a carriage motor 7 via a timing belt 6. Therefore, the carriage 5 is reciprocated along the guide member 4 by driving the carriage motor 7.

  A recording head 8 as a liquid ejecting head is mounted on the surface of the carriage 5 facing the platen 3. On the carriage 5, six valve units 9 for supplying ink as a liquid to the recording head 8 are mounted. Each of the valve units 9 is provided with six corresponding to the color (type) of ink used in the printer 1 in order to temporarily store ink therein. A nozzle discharge port (not shown) is provided on the lower surface of the recording head 8, and ink droplets are discharged onto the paper from the discharge port.

  A cartridge holder 10 is provided at the right end of the frame 2. The cartridge holder 10 is provided with six ink cartridges 11 detachably. As shown in FIG. 2, these ink cartridges 11 are composed of a case 12 whose inside is airtight and an ink pack 13 as a liquid container provided inside thereof. Each ink pack 13 stores various inks. These ink packs 13 and each of the valve units 9 are connected via a supply tube 14 having flexibility. A hollow needle N1 (see FIG. 5) for connecting to the ink pack 13 is provided at the tip of the supply tube.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a pressurizing pump 15. The pressure pump 15 is connected to each case 12 of each ink cartridge 11 through six air supply tubes 16. Accordingly, the air pumped by the pressurizing pump 15 flows into the case 12 of each ink cartridge 11 through each air supply tube 16. The air flowing into the case 12 is filled in a space S (see FIG. 2) formed between the case 12 and the ink pack 13. As a result, the ink pack 13 is crushed by the pressurized air filled in the space S. By this pressing, the ink stored in each ink pack 13 is pushed out from the ink pack 13 and supplied to each valve unit 9 via each supply tube 14.

  Next, the ink pack 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink pack 13 in the present embodiment includes a bag portion 20 and a lead-out portion 21 as a liquid storage portion. In the present embodiment, the bag portion 20 is composed of two rectangular film members 22 and 23. Each film member 22 and 23 is formed by vapor-depositing gas barrier layers, such as aluminum, on thermoplastic resin layers, such as a polypropylene film, for example. The bag part 20 is obtained by overlapping the film members 22 and 23 with the thermoplastic resin layers facing each other, with the lead-out part 21 sandwiched between them, and thermally welding the edges of the four sides. It is formed in a bag shape. The lead-out portion 21 is formed of a resin that can be thermally welded to the thermoplastic resin layers of the film members 22 and 23. Various inks are filled in the internal space of the bag portion 20.

Next, the derivation unit 21 will be described. 4-6 is sectional drawing in the longitudinal direction of the derivation | leading-out part 21. As shown in FIG. The derivation unit 21 includes a first tubular body 25 and a second tubular body 26. The first tube body 25 is provided so as to be fitted in a fitting recess 26 b formed in the base end portion of the second tube body 26 and disposed in the bag portion 20 of the ink pack 13.

  The first tube body 25 includes a first communication hole 27 and a second communication hole 28 as liquid flow paths that are continuous from the lower surface 25a toward the upper surface 25b. The inner diameter of the first communication hole 27 is formed larger than the inner diameter of the second communication hole 28. The first tubular body 25 includes a flange portion 29, and a pair of engagement holes 30 are formed through the flange portion 29.

  The second tubular body 26 is integrally provided with a fitting portion 31, a welding portion 32, and a cylindrical portion 33. The fitting portion 31 includes a fitting recess 26b on the lower surface 26a. On the lower surface 26 a, an engagement protrusion 34 is formed that fits into the engagement hole 30 formed in the flange portion 29 of the first tubular body 25. When the cylindrical portion of the first tubular body 25 is fitted into the fitting recess 26b of the fitting portion 31 while the engaging projection 34 and the engaging hole 30 of the first tubular body 25 are fitted. The first tubular body 25 is fixed to the second tubular body 26.

  The weld portion 32 has an outer peripheral surface sandwiched between the film members 22 and 23 and is fixed to the film members 22 and 23. Moreover, the welding part 32 has comprised the boat shape as shown in FIG. The cylindrical portion 33 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. In these fitting part 31, welding part 32, and cylindrical part 33, from the fitting part 31 toward the cylindrical part 33, a third communication hole 35 as a liquid flow path, a fourth communication hole 36, and A fifth communication hole 37 is formed through. The third communication hole 35 communicates with the second communication hole 28 of the first tube body 25 when the first tube body 25 is fixed to the second tube body 26. The fourth communication hole 36 has a larger diameter than the third communication hole 35 and includes a center hole 36a and a plurality of communication grooves 36b formed in the center hole 36a. The center hole 36a has a substantially circular cross section. The communication groove 36b is recessed in the inner peripheral surface of the center hole 36a. Here, the communication groove 36b is formed at four locations on the inner peripheral surface of the center hole 36a. The fifth communication hole 37 is formed in the cylindrical portion 33.

  The second tube body 26 is provided with a first valve mechanism V1 and a second valve mechanism V2. The first valve mechanism V1 as a check valve includes a valve body 40 and a valve seat 41, and is provided at a connection location of the first tube body 25 and the second tube body 26. The valve body 40 is formed in a substantially disk shape having a size capable of closing the opening of the second communication hole 28 (that is, the valve body 40 is configured by a flat plate portion). The valve body 40 is formed using a material having a specific gravity equal to or lower than the specific gravity of the ink, such as a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. The valve seat 41 is formed independently of the valve body 40, and protrudes in an annular shape around the opening of the second communication hole 28 on the upper surface 25 b of the first tube body 25. For this reason, the valve seat 41 protrudes from the periphery (upper surface 25b). The area of the contact surface (contact portion) of the valve seat 41 with the valve body 40 is smaller than the area of the valve body 40. That is, when the valve body 40 comes into contact with the valve seat 41, as shown by a chain line in FIG. 5, the valve body 40 has a portion that does not come into contact with the valve seat 41. A space is formed between the upper surface 25b. When the valve body 40 is filled with ink in the lead-out portion 21 and the valve body 40 is positioned above the valve seat 41 in the vertical direction, the specific gravity is equal to or less than the specific gravity of the ink so that the valve body 40 floats. It has become. However, it is assumed that the ink flow is stationary when the valve body 40 floats.

Further, the valve body 40 is moved by the pressure difference between the fluid in the second communication hole 28 and the fluid in the third communication hole 35. Specifically, when the fluid moves from the third communication hole 35 to the second communication hole 28 (in the direction opposite to the arrow direction in FIG. 5), the pressure of the fluid in the second communication hole 28 is When the pressure in the third communication hole 35 is lower than the pressure of the fluid and the pressure difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the valve body 40 moves toward the valve seat 41 by the fluid in the third communication hole 35. Then, as shown by the chain line in FIG. 5, the valve body 40 abuts on the valve seat 41 and blocks the flow between the second communication hole 28 and the third communication hole 35.

  On the other hand, when the ink flows from the third communication hole 35 to the second communication hole 28 at a small flow rate, the valve body 40 may be kept floating. More specifically, when the pressure of the fluid in the second communication hole 28 is lower than the pressure of the fluid in the third communication hole 35 and the pressure difference is less than a predetermined value, When positioned above the seat 41 in the vertical direction, the valve body 40 is maintained in a state of not contacting the valve seat 41 as shown in FIG. At this time, the valve body 40 receives pressure due to the flow of ink in the third communication hole 35, but the pressure due to the ink is small, and the specific gravity of the valve body 40 is less than or equal to the specific gravity of the ink, so that the valve body 40 floats. . At this time, the ink strikes the upper surface 25 b of the first tube body 25, thereby causing a flow that pushes up the valve body 40. Here, the fluid refers to ink or air.

  On the contrary, when the pressure of the fluid in the 2nd communicating hole 28 is larger than the pressure of the fluid of the 3rd communicating hole 35, when ink is derived | led-out from the bag part 20, an ink is shown by the arrow in FIG. Flow in the direction. At this time, the valve body 40 receives the pressure of the fluid in the second communication hole 28 and moves away from the valve seat 41 as shown by a solid line in FIG. As a result, the second communication hole 28 and the third communication hole 35 communicate with each other. In other words, the first valve mechanism V1 allows the flow of fluid from the second communication hole 28 to the third communication hole 35, and reverses the flow between the second communication hole 28 and the third communication hole 35. It functions as a check valve that shuts off when the pressure difference from the communication hole 35 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

  The second valve mechanism V <b> 2 includes a valve body 42 and a seal member 43. The valve body 42 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is provided in the center hole 36 a of the fourth communication hole 36. The outer diameter of the valve body 42 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the center hole 36a, and the valve body 42 can slide while being guided by the inner peripheral surface of the center hole 36a.

  The seal member 43 is made of a flexible material such as an elastomer and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Further, the insertion hole 43b penetrating through the center of the seal member 43 is composed of a hole having an inner diameter that is tightly fitted to the hollow needle N1 (see FIG. 5) and a hole that is widened to the outlet side. A valve seat 45 projects from the lower surface 43a of the seal member 43 so as to surround the opening of the insertion hole 43b. The valve seat 45 functions as a valve seat on which the valve body 42 is seated. The hollow needle N1 is formed in a hollow shape and allows ink to flow into the inside through the hole H1.

  Furthermore, the second valve mechanism V <b> 2 includes a coil spring 46 that biases the valve body 42. The coil spring 46 is supported and fixed in the center hole 36a so as to urge the valve body 42 toward the seal member 43 side. When no force is applied from the outside, the coil spring 46 urges the valve body 42 to press the seal member 43 as shown in FIG. When the hollow needle N1 is inserted through the insertion hole 43b of the seal member 43, the hollow needle N1 pushes down the valve body 42 against the urging force of the coil spring 46, as shown in FIG. Moves in a direction away from the seal member 43. At this time, the tip of the hollow needle N1 is inserted while being sealed by the seal member 43. When ink is pushed out from the bag part 20, the ink in the bag part 20 flows around the valve body 42 via the communication groove 36b and flows into the hollow needle N1 from the hole H1 of the hollow needle N1.

That is, when the ink cartridge 11 is mounted on the cartridge holder 10, the hollow needle N1 is inserted into the seal member 43, and the hole H1 of the hollow needle N1 communicates with the third communication hole 35 and the fourth communication hole 36. When the pressurizing pump 15 is driven and the pressurized air presses the ink pack 13, the pressure in the second communication hole 28 becomes larger than the pressure in the third communication hole 35, and the first valve mechanism. The valve body 40 of V1 is separated from the valve seat 41, and the inside of the bag portion 20 and the hole H1 of the hollow needle N1 are in communication with each other. When the user or the like forcibly pushes down the valve body 42 of the second valve mechanism V2 using a jig, when air is about to flow in through the seal member 43, the inside of the third communication hole 35 is As the pressure increases, the valve body 40 is pressed against the valve seat 41.

  Next, the step of refilling the ink in the bag part 20 when the ink in the bag part 20 is completely consumed will be described with reference to FIG. When refilling the used ink pack 13 with ink, first, the ink pack 13 is mounted on the ink injection device 50. The ink injection device 50 includes an ink tank 51. The ink tank 51 stores ink therein. The ink tank 51 is connected to the tube 52 so that the ink stored inside can be supplied to the tube 52. The tube 52 is made of a flexible material, and a supply needle N2 is provided at the tip thereof. The supply needle N2 is formed in the same configuration as the hollow needle N1, and draws ink to the outside from the hole H2 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  In the middle of the tube 52, a roller pump 53 as a liquid pressure feeding means is provided. The roller pump 53 includes a roller (not shown) inside. When the roller rotates in the forward direction, the roller sequentially crushes the tube 52 to pressure-feed the fluid in the tube 52 in a predetermined direction (a direction from the ink tank 51 toward the supply needle N2). The roller pump 53 can adjust the flow velocity of the fluid led out from the tube 52 by controlling the rotational speed of the roller. A stop valve 54 is provided in the middle of the tube 52 and between the roller pump 53 and the supply needle N2.

  When the used ink pack 13 (hereinafter simply referred to as the ink pack 13) is attached to the ink injection device 50, the supply needle N2 is inserted into the lead-out portion 21. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6, the 2nd valve mechanism V2 opens. At this time, the ink pack 13 is mounted such that the lead-out portion 21 faces upward. Further, the ink pack 13 is disposed at a position where the position in the vertical direction is lower than the ink level in the ink tank 51. At this time, it is assumed that almost no ink remains in the bag portion 20 and the outlet portion 21. In this case, the first valve mechanism V1 is often closed, but in some cases, the valve body 40 may be in an inclined posture and opened.

  Then, the stop valve 54 is opened, and the roller pump 53 is rotated in the forward direction. Then, ink is supplied from the ink tank 51 to the supply needle N <b> 2 through the tube 52 due to the suction of the roller pump 53 and the water head difference between the ink tank 51 and the ink pack 13. When ink is supplied to the supply needle N2, the ink is led out from the hole H2 of the supply needle N2, and the derived ink flows into the lead-out portion 21. At this time, since the ink flows down from the third communication hole 35 toward the second communication hole 28, the pressure difference between the third communication hole 35 and the second communication hole 28 becomes a predetermined value or more. As a result, the valve body 40 of the first valve mechanism V1 is seated on the valve seat 41, and the ink flow from the third communication hole 35 to the second communication hole 28 is blocked. When ink is injected in an amount that fills the third communication hole 35 and the fourth communication hole 36, the stop valve 54 is closed and the rotation of the roller pump 53 in the forward direction is stopped.

At this time, the third communication hole 35 and the fourth communication hole 36 are filled with ink, and the ink in this flow path becomes stationary. Then, the valve body 40 is separated from the valve seat 41 by receiving ink buoyancy. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the stop valve 54 is opened, and the roller pump 53 is rotated in the forward direction. At this time, the rotational speed of the roller pump 53 is decreased, and the flow rate (flow velocity) of the ink derived from the supply needle N2 is decreased (low speed). The ink is pushed out from the supply needle N2 little by little and supplied into the fourth communication hole 36 little by little. More specifically, the rotational speed of the roller pump 53 is such that even if ink is supplied from the tube 52, the pressure difference between the third communication hole 35 and the second communication hole 28 is less than the predetermined value. Is held in. That is, the ink flowing out from the tube 52 is held at a flow rate that maintains the state in which the valve body 40 is floated.

  As a result, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 8, the ink flowing out from the supply needle N2 wraps around the valve body 42 of the second valve mechanism V2 via the communication groove 36b and enters the third communication hole 35. Inflow. The ink that has flowed into the third communication hole 35 flows into the second communication hole 28 from between the valve body 40 and the valve seat 41, and enters the bag portion 20 from the first communication hole 27. Ink runs down. At this time, even if the valve body 40 is close to the valve seat 41, ink flows into the space formed between the valve body 40 and the periphery of the valve seat 41 (the upper surface 25b), and the valve seat 41 side Ink flows toward the body 40 side. Due to this ink flow, the valve body 40 is pushed up in a direction away from the valve seat 41, so that the valve body 40 can be relatively easily separated from the valve seat 41 and floated. At this time, if bubbles are mixed in the lead-out portion 21 by raising the lead-out portion 21 of the ink pack 13, the bubbles are collected in the top of the lead-out portion 21, and inside the bag portion 20. Air bubbles will not flow into the.

  When ink is injected by the capacity of the bag portion 20, the rotation of the roller pump 53 in the forward direction is stopped and the stop valve 54 is closed. Then, the supply needle N2 is extracted from the outlet 21 of the ink pack 13, and the refilling process of the ink pack 13 is completed.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the first embodiment, the first valve mechanism V1 functioning as a check valve is provided in the lead-out portion 21, and the specific gravity of the valve body 40 of the first valve mechanism V1 is equal to or less than the specific gravity of the ink. It formed so that it might become. Then, the ink pack 13 was filled with ink through the lead-out portion 21 using the ink injection device 50. Specifically, the ink pack 13 was attached to the ink injection device 50, the ink was supplied from the ink tank 51 into the derivation unit 21, and the derivation unit 21 was filled with ink. And after separating the valve body 40 from the valve seat 41, the ink was supplied little by little from the supply needle N2 into the outlet portion 21. More specifically, the flow rate is such that the pressure difference between the third communication hole 35 and the second communication hole 28 in the lead-out portion 21 is less than a predetermined value, that is, the flow rate that maintains the floating of the valve body 40. Ink was supplied into the outlet 21. For this reason, the ink led out from the supply needle N2 flows into the second communication hole 28 from between the valve body 40 and the valve seat 41 and is led out into the bag portion 20. Therefore, even if the check valve is provided, the ink can be filled in the ink pack 13, so that the used ink pack can be refilled without being disassembled. That is, since the ink pack 13 can be used repeatedly, the used ink pack 13 can be effectively used without being discarded.

  (2) In the first embodiment, the ink pack 13 is mounted on the ink injection device 50 so that the lead-out portion 21 faces upward. Then, the valve body 40 receives the buoyancy of the ink by injecting ink into the lead-out portion 21 via the supply needle N2 and filling the ink into the third communication hole 35 and the fourth communication hole 36. The valve seat 41 was separated. For this reason, since the valve body 40 and the valve seat 41 can be separated from each other simply by setting the orientation of the ink pack 13 so that the lead-out portion 21 faces upward, it is easy to use without using a pump or the like. Ink filling can begin.

  (3) In the first embodiment, the roller pump 53 is provided between the ink tank 51 and the supply needle N2. Then, by controlling the rotational speed of the roller pump 53, the flow speed of the ink derived from the supply needle N2 is controlled. For this reason, the flow rate of the ink from the ink tank 51 toward the supply needle N2 can be controlled efficiently and with high accuracy.

(4) In the first embodiment, the ink pack 13 is mounted on the ink injection device 50 in a state where the ink pack 13 is disposed below the ink liquid level of the ink tank 51 in the vertical direction. For this reason, the ink can be injected into the ink pack 13 by the water head difference.

  (5) In 1st Embodiment, the valve body 40 of the 1st valve mechanism V1 was made to form in the shape provided with the flat plate part, ie, a disk shape. For this reason, the valve body 40 can be structured to easily move in the third communication hole 35 under pressure from ink or air. Therefore, the first valve mechanism V1 as a check valve can be easily controlled by pressure.

  (6) In 1st Embodiment, the valve body 40 and the valve seat 41 were formed independently. Further, the valve seat 41 is formed to protrude so that the area of the contact surface with the valve body 40 is smaller than the area of the contact surface of the valve body 40. For this reason, when the valve body 40 and the valve seat 41 abut, a space is provided between the valve seat 41 and the contact surface of the valve body 40 that is not in contact with the valve seat 41. Accordingly, the ink flows from the third communication hole 35 toward the second communication hole 28 at such a speed that the pressure difference between the third communication hole 35 and the second communication hole 28 is less than a predetermined value. When flowing, the ink flows into the space, and the ink flows from the valve seat 41 side toward the valve body 40 side easily. Therefore, with this configuration, even when ink is supplied from the outlet portion 21 to the bag portion 20, the valve body 40 and the valve seat 41 can be separated relatively easily and the valve body 40 can be lifted. That is, ink can be injected into the bag portion 20 via the lead-out portion 21 relatively easily.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the second embodiment has a configuration in which the ink filling method and the ink injection device 50 according to the first embodiment are changed, and therefore, the description of the same parts is omitted.

  The ink injection device 60 includes a tube 61 that connects the ink tank 51 and the roller pump 53, and a branch pipe 62 is connected to the tube 61. A suction pump 63 is connected to one end of the branch pipe 62. A first stop valve 64 is provided between the branch pipe 62 and the suction pump 63. A supply needle N <b> 2 is connected to the other end of the branch pipe 62. Further, a second stop valve 66 is provided between the branch pipe 62 and the tube 61.

  When filling the used ink pack 13 with ink, first, the supply needle N2 is inserted into the lead-out portion 21, and the ink pack 13 is mounted. At this time, the ink pack 13 is mounted so that the lead-out portion 21 and the bag portion 20 are continuous in the horizontal direction. However, the ink pack 13 is suspended in the vertical direction with the lead-out portion 21 facing upward. It may be attached to the state. Then, the first stop valve 64 is closed and the second stop valve 66 is opened. Further, the roller pump 53 is rotated in the forward direction, and the ink is led out from the ink tank 51 to the supply needle N2.

  When the ink is led out from the supply needle N2 into the lead-out portion 21, the pressure in the third communication hole 35 becomes larger than the pressure in the second communication hole 28 due to the fluid pressure. For this reason, as shown by a chain line in FIG. 5, the valve body 40 is pressed against the valve seat 41. When the roller pump 53 is driven for a predetermined time to discharge a predetermined amount of ink into the outlet 21, the second stop valve 66 is closed and driving of the roller pump 53 in the forward direction is stopped. Further, the first stop valve 64 is opened, and the suction pump 63 is driven.

  When the suction pump 63 is driven, the ink in the outlet portion 21 is sucked through the supply needle N2. By this suction, the pressure in the third communication hole 35 becomes smaller than the pressure in the second communication hole 28, and the valve body 40 is separated from the valve seat 41. When the suction pump 63 is driven for a predetermined time, the first stop valve 64 is closed, and the drive of the suction pump 63 is stopped.

Immediately after the first stop valve 64 is closed, the second stop valve 66 is opened and the roller pump 53 is driven to rotate in the forward direction. At this time, the rotational speed of the roller pump 53 is determined by the supply needle N
Even when ink is supplied from No. 2, the pressure difference between the third communication hole 35 and the second communication hole 28 is maintained at a speed that is less than a predetermined value. That is, the ink flowing out from the supply needle N2 is maintained at a flow velocity that maintains the state in which the valve body 40 is separated from the valve seat 41.

  As a result, the ink flows into the second communication hole 28 from between the valve body 40 and the valve seat 41 and is led out into the bag portion 20. When ink is injected by the capacity of the bag portion 20, the second stop valve 66 is closed, and the rotation of the roller pump 53 in the forward direction is stopped. Then, the supply needle N2 is extracted from the outlet 21 of the ink pack 13, and the refilling process of the ink pack 13 is completed.

According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects described in (1) and (3) to (6) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(7) In the second embodiment, the ink injection device 60 is provided with the suction pump 63 connected to the supply needle N2. The valve body 40 and the valve seat 41 are separated from each other by sucking the ink in the lead-out portion 21 of the ink pack 13 attached to the ink injection device 60 by the suction pump 63. Then, the ink is injected into the bag portion 20 at a flow rate that maintains the state in which the valve body 40 and the valve seat 41 are separated from each other. That is, when the ink is injected into the bag portion 20, the valve body 40 and the valve seat 41 are separated by the suction pump 63, so that the first valve mechanism V1 can be reliably opened.

In addition, you may change each said embodiment as follows.
In each of the above embodiments, the valve body 40 has a substantially disk shape, but the valve body may be configured by a flat plate portion and a protrusion protruding from the flat plate portion.

  In the first embodiment, after the ink filling device 50 is filled with ink by the ink injection device 50, the supply of ink is temporarily stopped and the valve body 40 is floated, and then the valve body 40 is kept floating. The ink was injected at such a flow rate. If the flow rate at which the valve body 40 floats can be maintained without temporarily stopping the ink supply, or if the valve body 40 and the valve seat 41 can be separated, the ink is continuously used. You may make it inject | pour into.

  In the first embodiment, the ink is filled in the ink pack 13 using the roller pump 53, but the difference between the position of the ink tank 51 in the vertical direction and the position of the ink pack 13 in the vertical direction. When the ink can be injected into the ink pack 13 while the valve body 40 is lifted due to (water head difference), the roller pump 53 may be omitted. In this case, the ink is delivered from an ink tank disposed above the ink pack 13 in the vertical direction, and is supplied into the outlet 21 by a positive pressure based on the water head difference.

  In the first embodiment, the ink pack 13 is arranged at a position lower than the ink liquid level of the ink tank 51, so that ink is supplied even by a water head difference. If the ink flow rate can be controlled only by the roller pump 53, the ink tank 51 may be arranged at the same position as the position of the ink pack 13 in the vertical direction or at a lower position.

-In 2nd Embodiment, although the suction pump 63 was used as a suction means which spaces apart the valve body 40 from the valve seat 41, you may comprise this from the injection pipe which consists of a cylinder and a piston.
In the second embodiment, after the suction step of sucking the ink in the outlet portion 21 by the suction pump 63, the injection step of continuously injecting the ink into the outlet portion 21 is performed. This may be repeated several times between the suction step and the injection step. In other words, if the valve body 40 approaches the valve seat 41 even if ink is supplied into the lead-out portion 21 little by little, a suction process is performed to sufficiently separate the valve body 40 from the valve seat 41. Then, the injection step may be performed again.

  In the above embodiment, each ink cartridge 11 is constituted by each case 12 and the ink pack 13 accommodated in each case 12. The ink cartridge may be configured to accommodate a plurality of ink packs in one case. Further, the number of ink packs 13 is not limited to six, and may be changed as appropriate according to the type of ink used in the printer 1.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid container has been described as an ink pack. However, the liquid container has a liquid container having a film attached to the opening of a concave case, and a lead that communicates the concave part and the outside with the case. It may be a structure composed of a part, and is not limited to an ink pack composed of a bag-like film member. In short, it may be a liquid container provided with a liquid container that can contain a liquid and a lead-out part that communicates the liquid container with the outside.

  In the above embodiment, the ink pack 13 has a structure in which two films are bonded together, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the bag portion 20 of the ink pack 13 may have a configuration in which one film is formed into a bag shape. Moreover, the structure which made the said bag part 20 into the bag shape by sticking together three or more films may be sufficient.

  In the above embodiment, the valve seat 41 is formed so as to protrude, and the contact surface with the valve body 40 is made smaller than the area of the contact surface of the valve body 40. When the valve body 40 is relatively likely to float in the ink, the valve seat 41 may have a shape other than the above embodiment, such as a smooth shape without protruding.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 1 that ejects ink has been described as the liquid ejecting apparatus, but other liquid ejecting apparatuses may be used. For example, printing apparatuses including fax machines, copiers, etc., liquid ejecting apparatuses that eject liquids such as electrode materials and coloring materials used in the production of liquid crystal displays, EL displays, and surface-emitting displays, and bio-organic materials used in biochip manufacturing It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid or a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette. The fluid (liquid) is not limited to ink, and may be applied to other fluids (liquids). Further, the liquid container may be used as one that is mounted on a device other than the liquid ejecting apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge provided in the printer. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink pack provided in the ink cartridge. Sectional drawing of the derivation | leading-out part of the ink pack. Sectional drawing of the derivation | leading-out part of the ink pack. Sectional drawing of the derivation | leading-out part of the ink pack. Explanatory drawing of the ink injection apparatus which injects an ink into the ink pack. Explanatory drawing explaining the flow of the ink in the derivation | leading-out part. Explanatory drawing of the ink injection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer as a liquid ejecting apparatus, 8 ... Recording head as a liquid ejecting head, 13 ... Ink pack as a liquid container, 20 ... Bag part as a liquid container, 27 ... 1st communication as a liquid flow path Holes, 28 ... second communication holes as liquid flow paths, 35 ... third communication holes as liquid flow paths, 36 ... fourth communication holes as liquid flow paths, 37 ... fifth as liquid flow paths , 40... Valve body constituting a flat plate portion, 41... Valve seat, 53... Pressurizing pump as liquid pumping means, and V1.

Claims (7)

A liquid filling method for a liquid container comprising: a liquid container having a liquid container; and a check valve comprising a valve body and a valve seat in the middle of a liquid flow path communicating with the liquid container. ,
The valve body is formed with a specific gravity equal to or lower than the specific gravity of the liquid,
A liquid filling method for a liquid container, wherein a liquid is injected into the liquid container through the liquid channel at a flow rate such that at least a part of the valve body is kept away from the valve seat. In the liquid filling method of the liquid container according to claim 1,
Injecting the liquid into the liquid flow path in a posture in which the valve body is disposed above the valve seat in the vertical direction with respect to the liquid container,
A liquid filling method for a liquid container, wherein the valve body is separated from the valve seat by buoyancy received from a liquid filled in the liquid flow path. In the liquid filling method of the liquid container according to claim 1,
A liquid filling method for a liquid container, further comprising the step of setting a negative pressure in the flow path on the valve body side in the liquid flow path to separate the valve body from the valve seat. In the liquid filling method of the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Liquid filling of the liquid container, wherein the liquid flow rate is controlled by using a liquid pumping means when injecting the liquid into the liquid container through the liquid channel. Method. In the liquid filling method of the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When injecting the liquid into the liquid container through the liquid channel, the liquid is sent from above in the vertical direction with respect to the liquid container, and the inside of the liquid channel is caused by a positive pressure based on a water head difference. A liquid filling method for a liquid container, wherein the liquid container is supplied to the liquid container. In the liquid filling method of the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The valve body of the check valve includes a flat plate portion. The flat plate portion contacts the valve seat to close the check valve, and the flat plate portion separates from the valve seat to thereby check the check valve. A liquid filling method for a liquid container, wherein the valve is opened. In the liquid filling method of the liquid container according to claim 6,
The valve seat is formed so that the area of the contact portion with the flat plate portion of the valve seat is smaller than the area of the flat plate portion, and protrudes from the periphery.
The liquid filling method for a liquid container, wherein the valve body is formed independently of the valve seat.

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