JP2006075997A - Reuse method of liquid cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately reuse a used liquid cartridge equipped with an electronic component. <P>SOLUTION: The reuse method of the liquid cartridge is a method for reusing an ink cartridge 10 which is equipped with a cartridge body 12 where an ink storage part for storing ink and an ink feeding part 16 for ejecting the ink are set, and an IC chip 20 capable of storing information related to the stored ink and of transmitting and receiving information between an inkjet type recorder and the chip. The reuse method includes a removal process S03 of removing the IC chip 20 from the used ink cartridge 10, selection processes S05 and S08 of selecting the reusable IC chip 20 from the removed IC chips 20, an attachment process S09 of attaching the selected IC chip 20 to a new container of the ink cartridge 10, and a write process S10 of storing new information into the IC chip 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for recycling a used liquid cartridge with electronic components.

  In many cases, a liquid (ink) cartridge mounted and used in an ink jet recording apparatus is discarded as a consumable after the ink is consumed by printing. For this reason, it has been proposed that a manufacturer collects used ink cartridges from users and reuses them to preserve the environment. As means for reusing, the collected ink cartridge can be refilled with ink and regenerated as an ink cartridge, or the collected ink cartridge can be disassembled and recycled by material. Are known.

  The quality of used ink cartridges varies greatly depending on the user's usage history, in addition to the fixed conditions such as the manufacturing time, the durable years, and the number of reusable times. Therefore, when the used ink cartridge is to be reused by refilling the ink, the storage means storing the data relating to the ink and the data exchange between the storage means and the external device are enabled. It has been proposed to use an ink cartridge that is provided with data transfer means and whose storage means has an area in which data relating to the use history of the ink cartridge is rewritable (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . According to such an ink cartridge, since the use status of the ink cartridge after reaching the user's hand is stored in the storage means, the reproduction process suitable for the ink cartridge is performed based on the data in the storage means at the time of reproduction. Can be applied.

JP 2000-94715 A

  However, when refilling the collected ink cartridge with ink, it is difficult to fill an accurate amount of ink according to the remaining amount of ink, and the quality of the regenerated ink cartridge is stabilized. Is difficult. In addition, even if the usage status is stored in the storage means, it is possible to grasp the various usage environments and further consider the possibility of damage during transportation, and perform the recycling process for each ink cartridge. , Manual processing steps are required, which is inefficient and expensive. As described above, the regenerating process by refilling ink has been difficult to be practically used as a means for reusing the ink cartridge.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for reusing a liquid cartridge that can appropriately reuse a used liquid cartridge including an electronic component.

  A method of reusing a liquid cartridge according to the present invention that can solve the above-described problems includes a container provided with a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid and a liquid supply unit that discharges the liquid in the liquid storage unit. A method of reusing a liquid cartridge, comprising: an electronic component that stores information relating to the liquid and that can exchange information with an external device, wherein the electronic component is removed from the used liquid cartridge. A removing step for removing, a sorting step for sorting out reusable electronic components from the removed electronic components, a mounting step for attaching the sorted electronic components to a new container of a liquid cartridge, and new information on the electronic components And a writing step for storing.

  In the method of reusing the liquid cartridge having such a configuration, at least the electronic components can be reused at low cost because the usable electronic components among the members constituting the liquid cartridge are attached to a new container again. Can do. In addition, after selecting only reusable electronic parts by the sorting process and attaching the electronic parts to a new container, a writing process for writing and storing new information necessary as a new liquid cartridge is performed. The cartridge quality is stable.

  In the liquid cartridge recycling method according to the present invention, it is preferable to have an appearance selection step of determining whether or not dirt is attached to the electronic component and selecting an electronic component that is not attached with dirt. An electronic component to which dirt such as a liquid is attached cannot be used because its electrical characteristics such as a resistance value change, and therefore, it is preferable to discriminate from the appearance whether or not the dirt is attached, and to select an electronic component having no dirt.

Moreover, this appearance selection process can be performed before the said removal process. Adherence of dirt such as liquid is easy to determine while still attached to the container.
In addition, this appearance sorting step may be included in the sorting step. That is, it is possible to determine whether or not dirt is attached to the electronic component removed from the container through the removal process.

  In the liquid cartridge recycling method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the selecting step includes determining whether or not the electronic component is damaged. When using or collecting the liquid cartridge, or when transporting the electronic component after removal, the electronic component may be damaged, such as cracks. It is better to discriminate and select the electronic parts that are not damaged.

  In the liquid cartridge recycling method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the selecting step includes inspecting electrical characteristics of the electronic component. The collected electronic components can be confirmed more reliably by simply checking the appearance of the electronic components before attaching them to the container because the actual function cannot be confirmed simply by judging the appearance of dirt, damage, etc. Liquid cartridges of the desired quality can be provided.

  In the liquid cartridge recycling method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the electronic component stores the number of times the liquid cartridge is attached to and detached from the external device. When the liquid cartridge is mounted on an external device such as a liquid ejecting apparatus, the connection part (terminal) of the electronic component is worn and deteriorated as an electrical contact. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the collected electronic component can be reused by storing the number of times the liquid cartridge is attached to and detached from the external device in the electronic component.

  In the method for reusing a liquid cartridge according to the present invention, it is preferable that after the removing step, the container from which the electronic component has been removed is recycled for each material. Thereby, the whole liquid cartridge can be utilized as a circulation resource, and the load on the environment can be reduced as much as possible.

  In addition, the method for reusing a liquid cartridge according to the present invention that can solve the above-described problem includes a container provided with a liquid storage unit that stores liquid and a liquid supply unit that discharges the liquid in the liquid storage unit, A method for reusing a liquid cartridge, comprising: an electronic component that stores data relating to the contained liquid and that can exchange information with an external device; It has a mounting step of attaching the reusable electronic component selected by removing the component to a new container of a liquid cartridge, and a writing step of storing new information in the electronic component.

  In the method of reusing the liquid cartridge having such a configuration, at least the electronic components can be reused at low cost because the usable electronic components among the members constituting the liquid cartridge are attached to a new container again. Can do. In addition, after selecting only reusable electronic components and attaching the electronic components to a new container, a writing process for writing and storing new information necessary as a new liquid cartridge is performed. Is stable.

  According to the method for reusing a liquid cartridge of the present invention, a used liquid cartridge provided with an electronic component can be appropriately reused.

  The liquid cartridge applied to the present invention is suitable for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting head of the liquid ejecting apparatus. Examples of the liquid ejecting apparatus include a liquid ejecting head (recording head) of an ink jet recording apparatus, a colorant ejecting head of a color filter manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a color filter of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and an FED (surface emitting). Electrode material (conductive paste) ejecting heads for forming electrodes such as displays), bio-organic matter ejecting heads for biochip manufacturing apparatuses for producing biochips, and sample ejecting heads using precision pipettes.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a method for reusing a liquid cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as an example of the liquid cartridge, an ink cartridge that is attached to and detached from the carriage of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge 10 used in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the ink cartridge 10 of FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from below. The ink cartridge 10 of the present embodiment includes a cartridge body 12 having a substantially housing shape in which an ink storage portion (liquid storage portion) for storing ink is formed, and an opening (not shown) of the cartridge main body 12. ) Is provided. The cartridge body 12 and the lid body 14 constitute a container as an ink cartridge. Further, a film (not shown) that seals the opening of the cartridge body 12 is attached to the cartridge body 12 between the cartridge body 12 and the lid body 14.

  The cartridge main body 12 and the lid body 14 are integrally formed of a synthetic resin, for example, polypropylene (PP). The interior of the cartridge body 12 is partitioned into a plurality of recesses 270a, 292a, and 294a by a plurality of recesses 270a, 292a, and 294a that are open on the opening side to which the lid body 14 is attached. The open surfaces of these recesses are hermetically sealed with a film to form a plurality of ink storage portions for storing ink.

The film that closes the opening of the cartridge main body 12 is a transparent or translucent resin film having a melting point lower than that of the cartridge main body 12. The department is defined. This film is made of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The lid 14 is fixed to the cartridge body 12 so as to cover the outside of the film in an unsealed state.
Further, the cartridge body 12 includes an ink storage portion that stores ink, an ink flow path portion from the ink storage portion to the ink supply portion 16, an ink side passage that communicates the ink storage portion with the atmosphere, an atmospheric valve storage portion, And an atmosphere communication portion including an atmosphere side passage. The atmosphere communication portion is a region isolated from the atmosphere by sticking the film 11 to a partition wall that divides each passage and the like by a method such as heat welding.

  Further, the ink cartridge 10 includes an ink supply unit 16, ink supply control means (not shown), an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip 20 that is an electronic component, and an engagement lever 18.

  The ink supply unit 16 is disposed on the lower surface of the cartridge body 12 and an ink supply needle formed on a carriage on which the ink cartridge 10 is mounted is inserted to supply ink stored in the ink storage unit to the recording head of the carriage. To do. The ink supply unit 16 includes a seal member formed of an elastomer or the like having an insertion port into which an ink supply needle provided in the carriage is inserted, a supply valve that closes the insertion port of the seal member, and the supply valve facing the seal member And an urging member made of a coil spring or the like for urging. The film 13 is attached to the insertion port of the seal member at the time of factory shipment.

  The ink supply control means constitutes a differential pressure valve that supplies the ink in the ink storage section to the ink supply section 16 due to the pressure difference between the ink storage section and the ink supply section 16 that occurs as the ink is consumed. The ink supply control means includes a coil spring for biasing the differential pressure valve to close.

  The IC chip 20 is crimped in a state where the IC chip 20 is fitted in the attachment portion 19, and the attachment portion 19 is attached by being crimped below the side surface of the cartridge main body 12. The attachment portion 19 may be integrally formed with the cartridge body 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the IC chip 20 is provided with a plurality of terminals 21 on the front surface with respect to the flat substrate 25, and storage means 22 accessible from the terminals 21 on the back surface. . The substrate 25 is formed of glass and epoxy resin, and has a hole 23 and a recess 24 for being fixed by being crimped to the mounting portion 19 of the cartridge body 12. On the attachment portion 19, convex portions (not shown) for caulking are formed at positions corresponding to the holes 23 and the concave portions 24.

  In addition, the IC chip 20 stores information about the ink cartridge 10 and ink in the storage unit 22, and transfers such information to and from the ink jet recording apparatus main body through a plurality of terminals 21 exposed on the surface. The information stored in the storage means 22 includes fixed information such as the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 10 and the durable service life, as well as the type of the ink cartridge 10, the color of the ink held by the ink cartridge 10, the ink remaining amount, There are the number of times of attachment / detachment with respect to the carriage, use time, ink end time, use status, and the like. In addition, a character string having a unique relationship with these pieces of information can be stored in a predetermined area so that it can be rewritten as needed. When various types of information are stored as character strings, it is only necessary to store the decoded data on the recording device side, and the storage capacity of the storage means 22 can be greatly reduced.

  The engaging lever 18 is formed on the upper portion of the side surface of the cartridge main body 12 opposite to the mounting portion 19 and engages with the carriage of the ink jet recording apparatus. The side surface of the attachment portion 19 is restricted by a rib formed on the carriage, and is configured such that the terminal 21 and the elastic contact on the carriage side are in contact with each other.

  In addition, the ink cartridge 10 is provided with a filter or the like having ink repellency and air permeability functions.

  The ink cartridge 10 configured as described above is printed by an ink jet recording apparatus, and ink is gradually consumed. The remaining amount of ink is stored in the IC chip 20 in a timely manner. When the remaining amount of ink stored in the IC chip 20 becomes zero and the ink jet recording apparatus reads the information, an ink out message or the like is displayed on the computer that drives the ink jet recording apparatus to notify the user. Is done. As a result, the user removes the ink cartridge 10 that has run out of ink from the carriage of the ink jet recording apparatus.

A method of reusing the ink cartridge 10 that has been used in this way will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the used ink cartridge 10 is collected by a collection post or collection activity installed at a dealer in each place (step S01: collection step).

The collected ink cartridge 10 is transported to a recycling factory, and first, an operator determines whether or not dirt such as ink adheres to the surface of the IC chip 20 (step S02: appearance selection process). As a method for judging the appearance, it is sufficient to confirm directly with the naked eye or using an enlarged visual recognition means such as a microscope. Note that this appearance selection step may be performed mechanically by means such as image processing instead of by the operator. It is easy to visually recognize only the surface of the IC chip 20 when the IC chip 20 is attached to the ink cartridge 10.
By such an appearance selection process, the ink cartridge 10 having the IC chip 20 to which dirt is not attached and the ink cartridge 10 having the IC chip 20 to which dirt is attached are selected.

  The ink chip 10 that has undergone the appearance selection process is removed from the IC chip 20 regardless of the presence or absence of dirt (steps S03, S04: removal process). However, it may be removed by another line depending on the presence or absence of dirt. This removal may be performed manually by an operator using a tool or mechanically using a dedicated removal machine or the like. Here, the removed IC chip 20 may be transported to another recycling factory or ink cartridge manufacturing factory, and a process for subsequent reuse may be performed. At that time, the transportation cost of the IC chip 20 taken out as one component of the ink cartridge 10 is kept low.

  The IC chip 20 to which the dirt has not been attached after the removal step S03 is selected based on the appearance of the IC chip 20 by judging whether or not damage such as cracks has occurred (step S05: damage). Sorting process). The intact IC chip 20 is aligned and cleaned, and then an electrical characteristic inspection is performed.

An example of an apparatus for performing alignment, cleaning, and electrical property inspection of the IC chip 20 is shown in FIG.
The apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with outer shells 34 and 35 that block the inside of the apparatus 30 from outside air. Then, the IC chip 20 is loaded into the loading box 31 by opening the opening / closing lid 33 of the outer shell 34 provided on the right side in the drawing. The input box 31 is attached above the parts feeder board 32 installed inside the outer shell 34, and gradually supplies the input IC chip 20 to the parts feeder board 32. The parts feeder board 32 aligns the supplied ICs one by one in a predetermined posture (step S06: alignment step) and sends them to the downstream side (left side in the figure).

  The IC chip 20 delivered from the parts feeder board 32 passes through the cleaning unit 42 while being held in a predetermined posture on the tray 41 (step S07: cleaning process), and is further sent downstream. In the cleaning unit 42, air is blown onto the IC chip 20 to blow off foreign matters and dust attached to the IC chip 20, and air is also sucked to keep the inside of the outer shell 34 clean.

The IC chip 20 that has passed through the cleaning unit 42 is transported from the outer shell 34 into the outer shell 35 by the rotary stage 36 installed inside the outer shell 35. And the electrical property test | inspection of IC chip 20 is performed by the test | inspection part 37 installed inside the outer shell 34 (step S08: Electrical property test process). In addition, the IC chip 20 determined to have good electrical characteristics is initialized with information stored in the inspection unit 37 and information capable of determining that it is a reused product.
The IC chip 20 determined to have good electrical characteristics by the inspection unit 37 is further sent to the downstream side. On the other hand, the IC chip 20 determined to have an electrical characteristic failure is returned to the upstream side and is placed in the defective product collection box 38.

  Since the terminal 21 of the IC chip 20 is worn and deteriorated when the ink cartridge 10 is attached to and detached from the carriage, the electrical characteristic inspection is performed and information on the number of attachments and detachments stored in the IC chip 20 is read at the same time. It is preferable to determine whether or not a predetermined allowable number of attachments / detachments has been reached. When the allowable number of attachments / detachments has been reached, it is determined that the IC chip 20 cannot be reused, and the IC chip 20 is placed in the defective product collection box 38.

  The IC chip 20 determined to have good electrical characteristics is sent to the downstream side and held on the tray 40. The tray 40 can be moved in a plane by a position adjusting mechanism 39 such as an XY table, and can hold a large number of IC chips 20 arranged in a matrix. A large number of IC chips 20 held on the tray 40 are carried to the next work process together with the tray 40.

  As described above, only the reusable electronic components are sorted by the sorting process (steps S05 and S08) for the removed IC chip 20, and the ink cartridge is attached to a new container of the ink cartridge by performing cleaning and information initialization. A possible IC chip 20 is obtained. Then, these IC chips 20 are attached to a new container (step S09: attachment process), and necessary new information corresponding to the type of the ink cartridge is written into the IC chip 20 (step S10: writing process). These ink cartridges are appropriately packaged and shipped (step S11: shipping process).

  The appearance selection process (step S02) may be performed in a state where the IC chip 20 is removed. In this case, the appearance selecting step for determining the presence or absence of dirt can be performed together with the step for determining the presence or absence of damage (step S08) after the IC chip 20 removal step (step S03). That is, the process of selecting the reusable IC chip 20 is centralized after the removal process (step S03), and the efficiency of the selection work can be improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4 again, the container of the ink cartridge 10 from which the IC chip 20 has been removed is affected by deterioration of the portion in contact with the ink, changes in physical properties and characteristics of the remaining ink, and the like. Therefore, appropriate recycling processing is performed for each material. In performing the recycling process, first, the remaining ink is sucked (step S12: ink sucking step), then the entire container is destroyed and washed with a water flow, and then the resin material (PP ) And the film, the spring, the seal member, the filter, and the like contained in the container are sorted according to the respective materials using the difference in specific gravity (step S13: sorting step). Then, a recycling process is performed for each material (step S14: recycling process), and for example, a plastic product such as a transport container or a combustion aid is produced.

  Further, after the IC chip 20 that has been determined to be non-reusable through the appearance sorting step (step S02) and the sorting step (steps S05, S08) is crushed, it is sorted by material using the difference in specific gravity. Then, the recycling process is performed for each material (step S15: recycling process).

  As described above, according to the method for reusing a liquid cartridge of the present embodiment, among the members constituting the ink cartridge, a reusable IC chip is attached to a new container for use again. Can be reused at low cost. In addition, since the new information required as a new liquid cartridge is written into the IC chip that can be reused in the sorting process and used as a product, the quality of the ink cartridge that is commercialized by reusing the IC chip is stabilized. Can do. In addition, the entire ink cartridge can be used as a circulating resource, and the load on the environment can be greatly reduced.

It is a front perspective view from diagonally upward showing an example of an ink cartridge used in the method for reusing a liquid cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view after the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. It is a top view which shows the front and back of the IC chip shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method for reusing a liquid cartridge according to the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the apparatus for performing a part of process shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10: ink cartridge (liquid cartridge), 11, 13: film, 12: cartridge main body (container), 14: lid (container), 16: ink supply unit, 18: engagement lever, 19: mounting unit, 20: IC chip (electronic component), 21: terminal, 22: storage means, 23: hole, 24: recess, 25: substrate, 30: device, 31: input box, 32: parts feeder board, 33: open / close lid, 34, 35: outer shell, 36: rotating stage, 37: inspection section, 38: defective product collection box, 39: position adjustment mechanism, 40, 41: tray, 42: washing section, S01: collection process, S02: appearance selection process, S03, S04: Removal step, S05: Damage sorting step (sorting step), S06: Alignment step, S07: Cleaning step, S08: Electrical property inspection step (sorting step), S09: Mounting step, S1 : Writing step, S11: shipping process, S12: ink suction process, S13: fractionation step, S14, S15: recycling process

Claims (9)

Stores data related to the liquid stored in a container provided with a liquid storage unit that stores liquid and a liquid supply unit that discharges the liquid in the liquid storage unit, and can exchange information with an external device A method of reusing a liquid cartridge comprising various electronic components,
Removing the electronic component from the used liquid cartridge;
A sorting step of sorting reusable electronic components from the removed electronic components;
An attachment step of attaching the selected electronic component to a new container of a liquid cartridge;
And a writing process for storing new information in the electronic component. A method for reusing a liquid cartridge according to claim 1,
A method of reusing a liquid cartridge, comprising: an appearance sorting step of discriminating whether or not dirt is attached to the electronic component and sorting out the electronic component without the dirt. A method of reusing a liquid cartridge according to claim 2,
The method for reusing a liquid cartridge, wherein the appearance selecting step is performed before the removing step. A method of reusing a liquid cartridge according to claim 2,
The method for reusing a liquid cartridge, wherein the appearance sorting step is included in the sorting step. A method for reusing a liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The method of reusing a liquid cartridge, wherein the selecting step includes determining whether or not the electronic component is damaged. A method for reusing a liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The method of reusing a liquid cartridge, wherein the selecting step includes inspecting electrical characteristics of the electronic component. A method for reusing a liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The method for reusing a liquid cartridge, wherein the electronic component stores the number of times the liquid cartridge is attached to and detached from the external device. A method for reusing a liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
After the removing step, the container from which the electronic component has been removed is recycled according to the material. Stores data related to the liquid stored in a container provided with a liquid storage unit that stores liquid and a liquid supply unit that discharges the liquid in the liquid storage unit, and can exchange information with an external device A method of reusing a liquid cartridge comprising various electronic components,
Attaching the reusable electronic component selected by removing the electronic component from the used liquid cartridge to a new container of the liquid cartridge; and
And a writing process for storing new information in the electronic component.

Images