JP2006130700A - Method of inserting negative pressure generation member and liquid container using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance an ink supply performance and to improve productivity without forming unexpected fine grooves on an outer circumference of a negative pressure generation member even when the density of the negative pressure generation member is varied. <P>SOLUTION: In the long side section 135 on the outer circumference of the negative pressure generation member 130 stored in a negative pressure generation member storage chamber 104, a recessed section 140 is formed between an ink supply hole 102 and a first wall section W1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for inserting a negative pressure generating member into which a recording liquid is permeated, and a liquid storage container in which the method is used.

  In general, for the purpose of downsizing, an ink jet recording apparatus is practically provided with an ink cartridge that ejects ink and supplies ink to a recording head that performs a recording operation, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2. Has been. Such an ink cartridge as a liquid container is detachable from a cartridge mounting portion in a carriage provided with a recording head.

  Such a type of liquid container needs to generate a predetermined negative pressure inside the recording head in order to perform a recording operation smoothly. As one of the methods, a method in which a negative pressure generating member such as an ink absorber impregnated with ink is accommodated in a liquid container is practically used.

  Further, as shown in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and the like, while using such a negative pressure generating member, the ink storage amount per unit volume in the liquid storage container is increased, and stable ink is used. There has been proposed an ink cartridge provided with a liquid storage chamber that can be supplied adjacent to a negative pressure generating member.

For example, as shown in FIG. 28, such an ink cartridge accommodates a liquid storage chamber 24 as a first chamber for storing a liquid IK such as ink and the negative pressure generating member 22 as described above. And a negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 26 as a second chamber.
The liquid storage chamber 24 and the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 26 are partitioned by a partition wall 18 having a communication portion 16. The upper portions of the liquid storage chamber 24 and the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 26 are covered with a common cover member 10 serving as an upper wall. At a portion of the cover member 10 corresponding to the negative pressure generating member accommodation chamber 26, an atmosphere communication portion (atmosphere communication port) 10a for introducing the atmosphere into the container accompanying ink consumption is provided. A supply port 20 for supplying ink to a recording head (not shown) is formed on the bottom wall forming the bottom of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 26.

  In such an ink cartridge structure, when the ink IK ′ in the negative pressure generating member 22 is consumed by a recording head (not shown), air is introduced into the negative pressure generating member accommodation chamber 26 through the atmosphere communication port 10a. The air is introduced into the liquid storage chamber 24 through the communication portion 16 of the partition wall 18. Further, the ink IK from the liquid storage chamber 24 is filled into the negative pressure generating member 22 in the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 26 through the communication portion 16 of the partition wall 18.

  Therefore, even if the ink IK ′ is consumed by the recording head, the ink IK is filled in the negative pressure generating member 22 according to the consumption amount. That is, the negative pressure generating member 22 holds a certain amount of ink IK 'inside, and the negative pressure on the recording head is kept substantially constant, so that stable ink supply to the recording head is possible.

  The operation of inserting the negative pressure generating member 22 into the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 26 in the liquid storage container of the above-described form is, for example, storing the negative pressure generating member 22 compressed in advance one by one in the liquid storage container. The chamber 26 is manually inserted. Ink is injected into the negative pressure generating member 22 inserted into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 26.

  Thus, the operation of manually inserting the negative pressure generating member 22 into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 26 is time consuming and unsuitable for mass production. Further, when inserting the negative pressure generating member 22, undesired fine grooves (ridges) are formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, or the negative pressure generating member 22 is good against the inner wall of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 26 of the liquid storage container. There may be a portion that is not in close contact with the surface.

  When there is a fine groove on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 22 inserted into the liquid container in this way, the capillary force generated in the negative pressure generating member 22 is locally increased, so that the ink flow is inhibited, Therefore, ink ejection is not performed normally, and there is a possibility that the print quality is deteriorated.

  Furthermore, in the state where the ink IK exists in the liquid storage chamber 24, when a fine groove on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 22 is formed so as to connect the atmosphere and the communication portion 16 through the atmosphere communication portion 10a, The liquid storage chamber 24 communicates with the atmosphere.

  In such a state, the water head pressure corresponding to the liquid level height acts on the ink in the liquid storage chamber 24. Accordingly, the ink IK in the liquid storage chamber 24 to which the water head pressure is applied passes through the communication portion 16 and flows into the negative pressure generation member storage chamber 26 and the negative pressure generation member 22.

  When the amount of ink in the liquid storage chamber 24 is greater than or equal to the amount of ink that can be absorbed by the negative pressure generating member 22, excess ink that cannot be absorbed by the negative pressure generating member 22 passes through the supplied recording head and passes through the ink discharge section. Therefore, there is a possibility that the recording paper disposed below the recording head is contaminated.

  In view of the above problems, as shown in Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4, a negative pressure generating member insertion device and method have been proposed. In this apparatus, the negative pressure generating member is uniformly pressed with a jig, and compressed to a shape having a size smaller than the inner dimension of the storage chamber of the negative pressure generating member in the liquid storage container. Further, this method is a method in which the negative pressure generating member is entered into the liquid storage container together with the jig while being compressed, and the negative pressure generating member is pushed into the liquid storage container by another jig and inserted. is there. By using this method, the negative pressure generating member can be pressed uniformly, so that the fine groove as described above is not formed, and due to the frictional force between the inner wall of the liquid container and the negative pressure generating member. The deformation of the negative pressure generating member can also be prevented.

JP 7-125232 A JP-A-6-40043 JP 7-125233 A JP-A-7-314727

  The above-described insertion method of the negative pressure generating member is a very reasonable insertion method, and can perform highly reliable insertion in the negative pressure generating member.

  However, for example, when the negative pressure generating member is a fiber material, since the rigidity and elastic force are small, the negative pressure generating member may be deformed due to an inadvertent load applied during manufacture or transportation. In addition, there may be local density variations in the negative pressure generating member alone due to variations in the fiber diameter of the negative pressure generating member, variations in the weld distribution between fibers, and the like.

  When a negative pressure generating member made of a fiber material having such density variation is inserted using the above-described insertion method, such density variation is generated when the negative pressure generating member is compressed by a jig. Accordingly, the compressive stress applied in accordance with the pressure becomes not uniform, and therefore, a fine groove may be generated on the discontinuous surface on the surface on which the compressive force is applied in the negative pressure generating member.

  As described above, when there is a fine groove on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member inserted into the liquid container, as described above, it may be an obstacle to smooth ink supply or ink leakage from the ink discharge portion of the recording head. May develop to

  In consideration of the above problems, the present invention is a method for inserting a negative pressure generating member, and a liquid storage container in which the negative pressure generating member is used, and even if there is a variation in the density of the negative pressure generating member, An insertion method of the negative pressure generating member that does not form undesired fine grooves on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member, has high ink supply performance, and can improve productivity, and It aims at providing the liquid container used.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the negative pressure generating member insertion method according to the present invention includes a pair of first pressure generating members inserted into a negative pressure generating member storage chamber in a liquid storage container for storing a liquid. The step of disposing in the space surrounded by the pressing member and the second pressing member, and one opposite end portions of the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member disposed in the space are respectively in the pair of first While the first pressing member is compressed to a size smaller than the inner size of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber, the second pressing member locally compresses a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member. A compressing step of compressing so as to form different portions, and a negative pressure in the compressed state so that the portions having different locally compressed amounts are arranged corresponding to predetermined positions in the negative pressure generating member housing chamber The negative pressure generating portion of the generating member An insertion step of inserting into the accommodating chamber, comprising.

  In addition, the liquid container according to the present invention has a communication portion formed on a boundary wall between the first chamber that stores the recording liquid and a communication hole that communicates with the outside air on the upper wall. The negative pressure generating member that is infiltrated with the recording liquid supplied via the first inner wall surface facing the boundary wall, and a pair of second walls connecting the first inner wall surface and the wall surface of the boundary wall A second chamber that is contained so as to be surrounded by the inner wall surface, and that supplies the recording liquid contained in the negative pressure generating member to the outside through a supply port provided in the bottom wall. When the member is inserted into the second chamber, a recess is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member from the bottom wall to the upper wall at a position between the first inner wall surface and the supply port in the second chamber. It is formed so that it may extend.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the method for inserting the negative pressure generating member according to the present invention and the liquid storage container in which the negative pressure generating member is used, the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member disposed in the space in the compression step While compressing both opposite ends of each of the two to a size smaller than the inner size of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber by the pair of first pressing members, the outer periphery of the negative pressure generating member by the second pressing member By compressing so as to form a non-compressed portion having a locally different amount of compression at a predetermined position on the surface, a recess is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the accommodated negative pressure generating member corresponding to the non-compressed portion. Therefore, all excess slack in dimensions on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member is absorbed. As a result, even if the density of the negative pressure generating member varies, unwanted fine grooves are not formed on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member, and the ink supply performance is high. Productivity can also be improved.

(First embodiment)
1 and 2 each show the configuration of a first embodiment of a liquid container according to the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a liquid storage container 100 includes a liquid storage chamber 105 as a first chamber that stores a predetermined amount of liquid ink IK, and a first negative pressure generation through which the ink IK from the liquid storage chamber 105 penetrates. A negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 as a second chamber for accommodating the member 130 and the second negative pressure generating member 131 is included inside as a main element. For example, the liquid container 100 can be attached to and detached from a carriage unit (not shown), and ink is supplied to an ink introduction port IJH of a recording head that is provided on the carriage unit and performs recording operation. The

  The upper part of the liquid storage chamber 105 is covered with a lid member 121 as an upper wall common to the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 104. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of ribs 109 projecting toward the inside of the negative pressure generating member housing chamber 104 are integrally formed on the inner surface of the lid member 121. The plurality of ribs 109 are formed substantially parallel to each other with a predetermined interval. The tips of the plurality of ribs 109 are in contact with the upper end surface of a compressed negative pressure generating member 131 described later. As a result, the air buffer chamber 110 is formed between the plurality of ribs 109 and the upper end surface of the negative pressure generating member 131. Further, the lid member 121 is provided with an atmosphere communication port 101 for communicating the outside with the inside of the negative pressure generating member accommodation chamber 104 at a position above the partition wall 106 in the negative pressure generating member accommodation chamber 104. .

  A partition wall 106 partitions the liquid storage chamber 105 and the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 104. In FIG. 1, the partition wall 106 is formed substantially parallel to the right wall surface forming the above-described rib 109 and the liquid storage chamber 105. A communication portion 107 is formed between the lower end of the partition wall 106 and the bottom wall forming the bottom portion of the liquid storage chamber 105 to communicate between the liquid storage chamber 105 and the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 104. At the lower end of the partition wall 106, an air introduction path 108 is formed for promoting the introduction of air (air) into the liquid storage chamber 105 during the liquid supply operation.

  In FIG. 2, the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 includes the lid member 121 described above, the first wall portion W1 facing the partition wall 106, the wall surface of the partition wall 106, and the wall surface of the first wall portion W1. A pair of second wall portions W2 to be connected and a bottom wall WB that forms the bottom portion of the pair are formed.

  The pair of second wall portions W2 are formed so as to face each other, and are tapered so that the cross-sectional area of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 gradually decreases toward the liquid supply port 102 described later. Yes. This is to increase the capillary force of the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 toward the liquid supply port 102. Such a shape is adopted for the purpose of gradually consuming the ink IK from the air communication port 101 side in the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131.

  On the bottom wall WB, a liquid supply port 102 for supplying ink in the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 to the ink introduction port IJH is provided at a position offset from the center portion toward the first wall W1 side. Yes. A pressure contact body 111 is provided at the liquid supply port 102. The pressure contact body 111 is made of a material having a higher capillary force than that of the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 and a strong physical strength. An end surface of the pressure contact body 111 facing the negative pressure generating member 130 is in contact with the negative pressure generating member 130.

  The substantially rectangular parallelepiped negative pressure generating member 130 and the negative pressure generating member 131 are formed of a fiber material of an olefin resin such as polyethylene as two capillary force generating negative pressure generating members. The negative pressure generating member 130 and the negative pressure generating member 131 are disposed so as to be vertically arranged in the negative pressure generating member accommodation chamber 104.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a boundary layer 132 formed between the negative pressure generating member 130 and the negative pressure generating member 131 substantially parallel to the bottom wall WB is formed between the two negative pressure generating members 130 and 131. It is a boundary. In FIG. 1, the intersection of the boundary layer 132 and the partition wall 106 is located above the upper end of the air introduction path 108 in a posture in which the communication portion 107 is downward when the liquid container is used. .

  If the capillary force held by the negative pressure generating member 130 is P1, and the capillary force held by the negative pressure generating member 131 is P2, the two negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 are selected so that P2 <P1. Yes. With this configuration, first, consumption of the ink IK is started from the negative pressure generating member 131 having a low capillary force. After the ink IK in the negative pressure generating member 131 is consumed, the ink of the negative pressure generating member 130 is consumed. Since IK is consumed, the ink IK does not remain in the two negative pressure generating members 130 and 131, and all the ink can be used up.

In this embodiment, the negative pressure generating member 130 is a capillary force generating negative pressure generating member (P1 = −110 mmAq.) Using an olefin resin fiber material (fiber diameter 2 denier), and its hardness is 0.69 kgf / mm. (In addition, the hardness of the capillary force generating member is obtained by measuring the repulsive force when it is pushed in with a φ15 mm push rod in the state of being accommodated in the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber, and obtaining the inclination of the repulsive force with respect to the pushing amount. .)
On the other hand, the negative pressure generating member 131 is a capillary force generating negative pressure generating member using the same olefin resin fiber material as that of the negative pressure generating member 130. As described above, the capillary of the negative pressure generating member 130 is used. Compared with the force, the capillary force is weak (P2 = −80 mmAq.), The fiber diameter of the fiber material is large (fiber diameter 6 denier), and the rigidity of the negative pressure generating member 131 is high (1.88 kgf / mm). Any of the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 are thermoformed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the position of the supply port 102 provided on the bottom wall WB, which is the long side outer surface 135 facing each of the pair of second walls W <b> 2 in the negative pressure generating member 130. An elongated recess 140 is formed at a position closer to the portion connected to the first wall portion W1. The elongated depressions 140 extend substantially in parallel to the first wall W1 from the bottom wall WB toward the negative pressure generating member 131 and the lid member 121, respectively.

  The depression 140 is generated only in the negative pressure generating member 130, and the depth becomes deeper in the internal direction of the negative pressure generating member 130 as it goes to the liquid supply port 102. As described above, since the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 is tapered so that the cross-sectional area gradually decreases toward the liquid supply port 102, the negative pressure generating member 131 has the negative pressure generating member 130. The amount of compression received from the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104, that is, the amount of deformation is small, and the amount of compression of the negative pressure generating member 130 becomes larger toward the liquid supply port 102 side. It has become.

  The depression 140 is formed so that the outer dimension of the negative pressure generating member 130 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 and the inner peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member receiving chamber 104. This is because it is set larger than the inner dimension of the storage chamber.

  This is to reliably prevent the outside air and the communication portion 107 that may cause ink leakage from being connected to each other by the undesired long and narrow groove (皺) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130. . Thus, in a state where the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 are inserted, a difference in dimensions between the negative pressure generating member 130 and the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 becomes a groove and exists on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130. become.

  By forming the elongated depression 140 on the long side outer surface 135 as described above, the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 are disposed in the region between the liquid supply port 102 and the communication portion 107. When inserted therein, there is no slack due to the applied compressive stress, and the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 can firmly contact the partition wall 106 and the bottom of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104.

  Further, by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent ink leakage that is generated by an undesired elongated groove that communicates the outside air formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 and the communicating portion 107. In addition, ink that cannot be used due to the undesired elongated grooves is not generated.

  Further, an undesired elongated groove or the like is not formed in a portion corresponding to a region between the liquid supply port 102 serving as an ink path and the communication portion 107 on the outer peripheral surfaces of the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131. Accordingly, since there is no large capillary force difference in such a region, there is no problem in ink supply.

  The elongated depression 140 can also serve as a buffer for slack due to compression of the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131. That is, even if the negative pressure generating member is somewhat large, by setting the size of the recess 140 to be large, the compressive stress is applied so as to eliminate the elongated wrinkles formed between the liquid supply port 102 and the communication portion 107. Can be adjusted. Therefore, even if the size tolerance of the negative pressure generating member is largely estimated, the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 can be used. As a result, the yield of the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 is improved and the apparatus is simplified, and the productivity can be improved.

(Mechanism of formation of the depression 140)
A mechanism for surely forming the depression 140 at a predetermined position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 will be described. In the present embodiment, the method of intentionally forming the depression 140 is based on a compression process in an insertion operation of the negative pressure generating member, which will be described later, into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104.

  FIG. 15C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the negative pressure generating member 130 is compressed by the pair of first pressing member 150 and second pressing member 151 before being inserted. When compressing the negative pressure generating member 130, the pair of first and second pressing members 150 and 151 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 without any gap so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130. Rather than disposing them, one of the opposing second pressing members 151 is set adjacent to the end of the second pressing member 150 so that a gap 141 is formed.

  When the negative pressure generating member 130 is a fiber material such as a thermoplastic resin fiber, generally, the fiber material has a certain degree of direction as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-183236. It will be. Therefore, the compressive force F acts so as to intersect the fiber direction in which the fibers 190 constituting the negative pressure generating member 130 of the fiber material extend as shown in FIG. In this case, the depression 140 often occurs on the surface M, which is a surface that can be easily deformed by the compression force F. In this embodiment, the negative pressure generating member 130 is selected and arranged so that the long side portion 135 of the negative pressure generating member 130 corresponds to the deformable surface (M) of the fiber material in order to intentionally provide the depression 140. Has been made.

  For example, when the liquid storage container 100 is disposed so as to face the opening of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 104 upward, the position where the gap 141 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the second wall portion W <b> 2 is opposed to the liquid supply port 102 and is closer to the connection portion with the first wall portion W <b> 1.

  As shown in FIG. 15C, the gap 141 is provided between the end of the first pressing member 150 and one of the second pressing members 151. The gap 141 serves as a trigger and is depressed. This is because 140 is formed.

  In the compressed state of the negative pressure generating member 130, the negative pressure generating member 130 corresponding to the region of the gap 141 becomes a non-compressed portion that is not compressed. Thereby, in the negative pressure generating member 130, a gap is generated at a boundary portion between a region compressed by the pair of first pressing members 150 and a non-compressed portion corresponding to the gap 141. In this state, the negative pressure generating member 130 is pushed into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 by a third pressing member (not shown).

  The negative pressure generating member 130 in a region where the compression force by the first and second pressing members 150 and 151 is released by being pushed into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 tends to return to the original volume.

  Since the size of the negative pressure generating member 130 is larger than the inner size of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 104, it cannot return completely and remains in the liquid storage chamber 104. For this reason, the gap generated at the boundary portion does not disappear completely, but exists as the depression 140.

  Thereby, since undesired slack does not occur in a portion corresponding to the portion between the liquid supply port 102 and the communication portion 107 in the negative pressure generating member 130, the negative pressure generating member 130 can be inserted without difficulty. Unwanted wrinkle formation can be reliably suppressed.

  When the negative pressure generating member 130 has a large size and an undesired wrinkle is formed in a corresponding portion between the liquid supply port 102 and the communication portion 107 in the negative pressure generating member 130, the gap at the boundary portion is increased. By setting, the above-mentioned slack is eliminated, so that undesired wrinkles can be eliminated. Of course, the gap at the boundary due to the pressing member absorbs all the excessive slack in size, so that it does not develop into an undesired wrinkle due to density variations in the negative pressure generating member.

(Ink supply operation)
In the first embodiment of the liquid container according to the present invention, the operation of supplying ink to the ink introduction port IJH of the recording head will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. FIG.

  The negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 accommodated in the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 can be regarded as having a large number of capillaries formed therein, and generate negative pressure by the meniscus force. Usually, the liquid container 100 is impregnated with sufficient ink IK in the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 immediately after the start of use. The ink IK is held by the meniscus force at the ink liquid level in the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131.

  When ink is consumed by the recording head (not shown) via the liquid supply port 102, the pressure is reduced in the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 104 and the liquid storage chamber 105. In the liquid storage chamber 105, the ink IK exists in the communication portion 107 and is substantially sealed, so that the ink in the liquid storage chamber 105 is not consumed, and the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 104 is not consumed. The ink IK is consumed. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the gas-liquid interface L of the negative pressure generating member 131 decreases as the ink is consumed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, after the ink of the negative pressure generating member 131 is consumed due to the difference in capillary force, the ink of the negative pressure generating member 130 is consumed. The gas-liquid level L is once aligned at the boundary surface 132 between the gas and liquid 131.

  Further, when the ink IK is consumed, the gas-liquid interface L further decreases, and the state shown in FIG. 11 is obtained, and the upper end of the air introduction path 108 is positioned above the gas-liquid interface L. As a result, the atmosphere enters the atmosphere introduction path 108. In this state, since the sealed state of the liquid storage chamber 105 is released, air passing through the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 104 from the atmosphere communication port 101 passes through the atmosphere introduction path 108 and enters the liquid storage chamber 105. As a result, the air maintains a reduced pressure. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the ink IK in the liquid storage chamber 105 in an amount corresponding to the amount of air that has entered passes through the communication portion 107 along the direction indicated by the arrow, and enters the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 104. To be discharged. This operation is called gas-liquid exchange, and this gas-liquid exchange is continued until the gas-liquid interface L reaches the upper end of the atmosphere introduction path 108 again, that is, until the introduction of air is locked by the ink IK.

  During the recording by the recording head, such a gas-liquid exchange operation is repeated. During this gas-liquid exchange operation, the negative pressure generating member housing chamber 104 is maintained at a substantially constant pressure, so that smooth ink supply is performed. Good recording is possible.

  Here, as described above, if the capillary force of the negative pressure generating member 130 is P1, and the capillary force of the negative pressure generating member 131 is P2, the mutual capillary force has a relationship of P2 <P1. . Further, the boundary surface 132 between the negative pressure generating members is disposed above the upper end of the air introduction path 108. This is because the gas-liquid interface is aligned before the gas-liquid exchange. In other words, the ink held in the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 after the ink in the liquid storage chamber 105 is used up (end of the gas-liquid exchange). This is because the amount is set to a substantially constant value. When there is no boundary surface 132 between the negative pressure generating members, as shown in FIG. 12, the amount of ink consumed from the start of use to gas-liquid exchange varies, and the ink liquid surface (gas-liquid interface) L is greatly disturbed. Sometimes.

  Since the ink IK in the liquid storage chamber 105 is consumed during the gas-liquid exchange, the amount of ink held in the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 after the gas-liquid exchange is almost the same as that before the gas-liquid exchange. . That is, the amount of ink held in the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 after completion of gas-liquid exchange differs for each liquid container. In this case, the accuracy of the ink remaining amount detection by the dot count becomes very poor. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, in the worst case, the ink runs out before the gas-liquid exchange, and thus air may enter the recording head. When air intrudes into the recording head in this way, ejection failure due to air may occur and recording may become impossible.

  Therefore, before the gas-liquid exchange, the gas-liquid interface is once aligned, the region (h) (see FIGS. 9 and 10) that may cause an error is narrowed, and the amount of ink in the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 after the gas-liquid exchange is reduced. The error is reduced.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 respectively show the configuration of the main part of the second embodiment of the liquid container according to the present invention.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the depression 140 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 is formed in a portion facing the second wall W <b> 2, but the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Is formed in a short side portion 136 ′ which is a portion facing the first wall portion W1 on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 ′ in which the recess 140 ′ is inserted. In addition, arc portions 160 having a predetermined radius of curvature R are formed at both end portions of the first wall portion W1 to which the second wall portion W2 is connected in the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 '.

  5 and FIG. 6, components that are the same in the example shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted.

  The negative pressure generating member 130 'is made of the same material and shape as the negative pressure generating member 130' described above.

  The size of the predetermined radius of curvature R may be set as appropriate so as to be a surface distance that does not form undesired wrinkles according to the maximum length in the longitudinal direction of the negative pressure generating member 130 ′.

  By forming the depression 140 ′ in the short side portion 136 in this manner, the surface distance in the longitudinal direction of the negative pressure generating member 130 ′ is increased, and the slack in the long side portion 135 is eliminated. Therefore, since undesired slack does not occur between the liquid supply port 102 and the communication portion 107, generation of undesired wrinkles can be reliably suppressed. And by taking this structure, the effect mentioned in Example 1 can also be acquired.

(Mechanism of forming depression 140 ')
The mechanism for forming the depression 140 ′ is also different from that of the liquid storage container of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the depression 140 ′ is formed on the liquid storage container side, not by the insertion method of the negative pressure generating member 130 ′. It is supposed to be.

  The negative pressure generating member 130 ′ is inserted in the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 ′ by compressing the entire negative pressure generating member 130 ′ in a method equivalent to the insertion method of Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4. The compressed state of the negative pressure generating member 130 ′ is compressed to a similar shape to the original shape. After the negative pressure generating member 130 is pushed out by the third pressing member and inserted into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 ′, the negative pressure generating member 130 increases again in a similar shape in an attempt to return to the original volume. It will be.

  However, since the portion 160 corresponding to the corner on the liquid supply port side of the first wall W1 in the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 is an arc 160, the corresponding corner of the negative pressure generating member 130 is the arc 160. Therefore, the negative pressure generating member 130 ′ is bent toward the inside so as to slide along the arc 160 that is a concave curved surface.

  In this state, the short side portion 136 ′ of the negative pressure generating member 130 ′ is in a compressed state without returning to its original shape. Will be formed.

(Third embodiment)
7 and 8 respectively show the configuration of the main part of the third embodiment of the liquid container according to the present invention.
In the example shown in FIG. 1, the depressions 140 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 are formed so as to face each other in the portion facing the second wall W2. 7 and FIG. 8, each recess 140 ″ formed on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 ″ is a portion facing the second wall W2 forming the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 ″. In addition, a predetermined protrusion 170 is formed on the inner surface of the second wall W2 in the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 ″. It is formed corresponding to each depression 140 ″ formed on the outer peripheral surface. The protrusion 170 has a predetermined length substantially parallel to the first wall W1 from the bottom wall WB toward the lid member 121, for example, a length corresponding to a height at which the negative pressure generating member 130 ″ is accommodated. The cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 170 is, for example, a substantially triangular shape.

  7 and 8, the same components in the example shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted.

  By providing the protrusion 170 on the inner surface of the second wall portion W2 in this way, the surface distance on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 ″ is increased, so that the slack is eliminated. Undesirable slack is not generated between the communicating portion 107 and the formation of undesired wrinkles can be surely suppressed, and this configuration can also provide the same effects as the above-described embodiment. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the purpose of providing the protrusion 170 is to increase the surface distance at the long side portion 135 of the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 ″, so that it is not desired between the liquid supply port 102 and the communication portion 107. The purpose is to eliminate the formation of a long and narrow depression.

  Since the capillary force of the negative pressure generating member 130 ″ is locally significantly increased due to the compressive stress applied by the protrusion 170 and it is not desired to cause such an adverse effect that the remaining amount of ink increases, in this embodiment, The protrusions 170 are not on the same straight line but are arranged to face each other diagonally. This prevents the negative pressure generating member 130 ″ from being crushed.

  If the capillary force of the negative pressure generating member 130 ″ is not significantly increased and can be dealt with so as to eliminate the adverse effects, the cross-sectional shape and arrangement of the protrusions 170 are not limited to this, and are appropriately set. May be.

(Mechanism of forming depression 140 ")
Unlike the first embodiment, the mechanism for generating the recess 140 ″ is not based on the insertion method of the negative pressure generating member 130 ″, but the recess 140 ″ is formed by the configuration on the liquid container side.

  The negative pressure generating member 130 ″ is inserted into the method equivalent to the insertion method of Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4, that is, the entire negative pressure generating member 130 ″ is compressed. The compressed state of the negative pressure generating member 130 ″ is compressed to a similar shape to the original shape. The negative pressure generating member 130 ″ is pushed out and inserted into the negative pressure generating member receiving chamber 104 ″ by the third pressing member. Thereafter, the negative pressure generating member 130 ″ increases its volume again in a similar shape in an attempt to return to the original volume.

  However, since the pair of protrusions 170 are formed on a part of the second wall W2 of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 ″, the negative pressure generating member 130 ″ cannot return to its original shape. Therefore, it follows the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 170. As a result, a depression 140 is forcibly formed on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 ″.

  In the present embodiment, when the negative pressure generating member 130 ″ is compressed, the dimension of the third pressing member is set so that the protrusion 170 and the third pressing member do not interfere with each other during insertion. Needless to say.

  The recording liquid used in the above-described embodiments of the present invention has been described by taking ink as an example. However, the applicable recording liquid is not limited to ink, and for example, in the ink jet recording field. Needless to say, includes a processing solution for the recording medium.

  In the series of manufacturing steps in the first, second, and third embodiments of the liquid container according to the present invention described above, an example of the method for inserting the negative pressure generating member according to the present invention described later is described. Each liquid container is manufactured by applying.

  In an example of a method for inserting a negative pressure generating member according to the present invention to be described later, a case where the above-described first embodiment is applied will be described.

  The pressure contact body 111 and the negative pressure generating member 130 constituting a part of the liquid storage container 100 are inserted and arranged in the ink supply port 102 and the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 104, respectively, and then the lid member 121. Is welded to the peripheral edges of the openings of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 104 and the liquid storage chamber 105, whereby the liquid storage container before ink injection is completed.

  In addition, the welding can use a well-known welding means, for example, ultrasonic welding may be used.

  Then, ink is injected into the liquid container before the ink injection, and the assembly of the liquid container is completed. In the ink injection method, a known means may be used.

  An example of the method for inserting the negative pressure generating member according to the present invention includes (A) a step of holding the container body, (B) a step of compressing the negative pressure generating member, and (C) a negative consisting of the first and second insertion steps. And a step of inserting the pressure generating member into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber.

Each process will be described in turn below.
(A) Step of Holding Container Body FIG. 14 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the negative pressure generating member insertion device 200 used in an example of the present invention.

  The negative pressure generating member insertion device 200 is used when a compression process, a first insertion process, and a second insertion process described later are performed.

  By operating the negative pressure generating member inserting device 200, the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 are inserted into the container main body 120 fixed at a predetermined position in the workstation WS.

  The negative pressure generating member insertion apparatus 200 includes a pair of first pressing members 150 that are arranged opposite to each other and substantially parallel to each other, and are opposed to each other so as to be substantially orthogonal to the first pressing member 150 and are substantially parallel to each other. The second pressing member 151 disposed in the first press member 150 and the third pressing member disposed so as to be insertable in the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 14 in the space surrounded by the first pressing member 150 and the second pressing member 151. Member 152.

  The pair of first pressing members 150 have the same shape, and a drive mechanism (not shown) is provided in the main body of the negative pressure generating member insertion device 200 so as to be close to or separated from each other in the direction indicated by the arrow Y in FIG. Are arranged.

  Further, the pair of second pressing members 151 have the same shape as each other, and the negative pressure generating member inserting device 200 is capable of being close to or separated from each other along the Z direction substantially orthogonal to the directions indicated by the arrows X and Y in FIG. The main body is arranged via a drive mechanism (not shown).

  Further, the third pressing member 152 of the negative pressure generating member insertion device 200 is movable so as to press the end portions of the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 inserted along the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. It arrange | positions through the drive mechanism (not shown) at the main-body part.

  In the container main body 120 having the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 and the liquid accommodating chamber 105, the opening of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 has a pair of first pressing members 150 of the negative pressure generating member inserting device 200, and a pair. The second pressing member 151 is fixed to the workstation WS by a fixing jig (not shown) so as to face the end of the second pressing member 151. In FIG. 14, the pressure contact body 111 is already inserted into the ink supply port 102. The negative pressure generating member 131 having a weak capillary force as compared with the capillary force of the negative pressure generating member 130 at a position near the container main body 120 in the second pressing member 151 where the negative pressure generating member 130 having a high capillary force is present. Is placed at a position separated from the container body 120.

(B) Compression Step First, as shown in FIG. 15A, the pair of first pressing members 150 are brought close to the outer peripheral surface of the long side portion 135 of the negative pressure generating member 130, and the pair of second pressing members The member 151 is brought close to the outer peripheral surface of the short side portion of the negative pressure generating member 130. In addition, the 3rd press member (not shown) is arrange | positioned in the initial position shown by FIG.

  In that case, the lower end part of the 1st press member 150 is distribute | arranged so that it may exist on the same plane as the surface of one 2nd press member 151. FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, after the pair of first pressing members 150 are brought close to the outer peripheral surface of the long side portion 135 of the negative pressure generating member 130, the negative pressure generating member 130 is moved by the arrow. Compress in the direction shown. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the long side portion 135 of the negative pressure generating member 130 is sandwiched and compressed by the pair of first pressing members 150 with a predetermined pressure.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7C, the other second pressing member 151 is brought close to the short side portion 136 of the negative pressure generating member 130, and the short side of the negative pressure generating member 130 in the direction indicated by the arrow. The part 136 is compressed with a predetermined pressure. At this time, one of the second pressing members 151 does not move, and the other second pressing member 151 only comes into contact with the short side portion 136, so that the other second pressing member 151 becomes a negative pressure generating member 130. Compress.

  In this compressed state, the negative pressure generating member 130 is adjusted so that the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the first and second pressing members 150 and 151 are equal to or less than the inner dimensions of the vertical and horizontal widths of the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 104. Compressed. Here, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), one end of the first pressing member 150 and the side surface of the second pressing member 151 are in contact with each other, and negative so as to form a substantially right angle. While the pressure generating member 130 is compressed, the other end of the first pressing member 150 and the other second pressing member 151 are not in contact with each other, and a gap 141 is formed. Are arranged as follows.

  The entire negative pressure generating member 130 is not pressed by the first pressing member 150 and the second pressing member 151, and only the region corresponding to the gap 141 in the negative pressure generating member 130 is in an uncompressed state. ing.

  This intentionally creates an uncompressed state in order to form the indentation 140 as the object of the present invention, and serves as a formation trigger for the indentation 140. In the compressed state, the negative pressure generating member 130 is inserted into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 as will be described later.

(Mechanism of forming depression 140)
A mechanism for reliably forming the recess 140 in the long side portion 136 of the negative pressure generating member 130 corresponding to the second wall portion W2 of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the method for intentionally generating the depression is based on the compression process of the negative pressure generating member 130 described above.

  When compressing the negative pressure generating member 130, the first and second pressing members 150 and 151 are not disposed so as to surround the negative pressure generating member 130 without any gap therebetween, but are disposed with a predetermined gap 141 therebetween. Is set to The gap 141 is formed between one first pressing member 150 and one end of the pair of second pressing members 151. As shown in FIG. 14, the container main body 120 is disposed so that the opening of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 faces the first pressing member 150 and the second pressing member 151, so that the gap 141 is formed. The provided position corresponds to a position between the first wall W1 of the negative pressure generating member accommodation chamber 104 and the vicinity of the liquid supply port 102.

  In the compressed state of the negative pressure generating member 130, a part of the long side portion 136 of the negative pressure generating member 130 corresponding to the region of the gap 141 is not compressed. As a result, a gap is generated at the boundary between the region compressed by the first pressing member 150 in the negative pressure generating member 130 and the uncompressed portion due to the gap 141. In this state, the negative pressure generating member 130 is pushed into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 by the third pressing member 152 as will be described later.

  In the pushed negative pressure generating member 130, the region where the compression by the first and second pressing members 150 and 151 is released tries to return to the original volume.

  However, since the dimension of the negative pressure generating member 130 is larger than the inner dimension of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104, it cannot be completely returned and remains in the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104. As a result, the gap generated at the boundary portion described above does not disappear completely but exists as the depression 140.

  Therefore, since undesired slack does not occur between the liquid supply port 102 and the communication portion 107, it is possible to insert the negative pressure generating member 130 without difficulty, so that the formation of undesired wrinkles can be reliably suppressed. it can. When the negative dimension of the negative pressure generating member 130 is large and an undesired wrinkle is formed between the liquid supply port 102 and the communication portion 107, the slackness is eliminated by setting the gap at the boundary portion large. Therefore, unwanted wrinkles can be eliminated.

  Of course, the gap at the boundary portion between the first and second pressing members 150 and 151 absorbs all of the excessive slackness of the dimensions, so that it develops into an undesired defect due to the density variation of the negative pressure generating member 130. There is nothing.

  Further, as described above, when the negative pressure generating member 130 is a fiber material such as a thermoplastic resin fiber, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-9-183236, as shown in FIG. In general, the fiber 190 has a certain degree of orientation. In this case, the depression 140 often occurs on the easily deformable surface (M). In this embodiment, since the depression 140 is intentionally provided, the negative pressure generating member 130 is selected and arranged so that the deformable surface (M) corresponds to the longitudinal portion 136 of the negative pressure generating member 130. Yes.

  By using the above-described method of inserting the negative pressure generating member 130 of the present invention, a highly reliable liquid storage container 100 that does not cause ink leakage is obtained, and stable ink supply is possible without adversely affecting the ink path. The liquid storage container 100 can be obtained. Furthermore, since the allowable range of the dimension of the negative pressure generating member can be increased, the yield of the negative pressure generating member can be improved and the apparatus can be simplified. Therefore, the productivity can be improved.

  The present embodiment is applied in the case where the atmosphere introduction path 108 is provided in the partition wall of the liquid storage container 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there is no atmosphere introduction path and communication is performed up to that position. The liquid may have a configuration in which the portion has reached, and has a negative pressure generating member storage chamber and a liquid storage chamber, and is a liquid that supplies ink from a liquid supply port in the negative pressure generation member storage chamber by gas-liquid exchange The present invention can also be applied to a storage container.

(C) Inserting process of negative pressure generating member into negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber (first inserting process)
In FIG. 16, the negative pressure generating member 130 in the compressed and sandwiched state as shown in FIG. 15C enters the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 together with the first and second pressing members 150 and 151. I'm damned. Here, the amounts of the first and second pressing members 150 and 151 entering the first and second pressing members 150 and 151 are about 15 mm away from the inner surface of the bottom wall where the liquid supply port 102 is formed. It is set so that one end of the can enter and be held.

  Further, the positional relationship between the first and second pressing members 150 and 151 and the container body 120 is such that when the first and second pressing members 150 and 151 are inserted, as shown in FIG. The pressing member 151 and the partition wall 106 are set so as to be disposed at positions very close to each other. This is because the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 and the inner wall surface of the container main body 120 must be in close contact so that the communication portion 107 of the liquid storage chamber 105 and the atmosphere do not directly communicate with each other. is there.

  Accordingly, when the outer peripheral surfaces of the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 are separated from the first and second pressing members 150 and 151, the step is small, so that the negative pressure generating member 130 can be smoothly inserted. Here, when the pressure contact body 111 is provided in the liquid supply port 102, it is desirable that the pressure contact body 111 is inserted in advance.

(Second insertion process)
Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 are pushed into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104 by moving the third pressing member 152 in the direction indicated by the arrow. One end of the negative pressure generating member 130 is pushed out to a position where it is brought into contact with the inner surface of the bottom wall where the liquid supply port 102 is provided. The negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 are slid and inserted while being compressed. At that time, each of the first and second pressing members 150 and 151 has a low surface roughness, and each corner is subjected to an arc chamfering process so that smooth sliding is performed. Undesired wrinkles due to the sliding friction are not formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131.

  Here, as a means for reducing the sliding friction of the first and second pressing members 150 and 151, a Teflon (registered trademark) coating or a fluororesin coating may be applied to the outer peripheral surface thereof, or Teflon (registered trademark) may be applied. ) A film or a polyethylene film may be affixed to the outer peripheral surface. Furthermore, if the material of the first and second pressing members 150 and 151 is made of a mirror-finished stainless steel plate or Teflon (registered trademark) resin plate, the aforementioned undesired wrinkles are not formed.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the first and second pressing members 150 and 151 are respectively accommodated in the negative pressure generating member while the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 are pressed by the third pressing member 152. The third pressure member 152 is separated from the chamber 104 so as to be pulled out, and then the third pressure member 152 is separated from the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104, whereby the insertion of the negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 is completed.

  In this embodiment, the two negative pressure generating members 130 and 131 are simultaneously inserted, but there is no problem even if they are inserted one by one using the same insertion method.

  20 (a), 20 (b), and 20 (c) respectively show compression required for forming the depression 140 in a series of steps of the method for inserting the negative pressure generating member according to the present invention. It is a figure where it uses for description of the 1st modification of a process.

  20 (a), 20 (b), and 20 (c), it is the same in the examples shown in FIGS. 15 (a), 15 (b), and 15 (c). The same reference numerals are given to the constituent elements, and the duplicate description thereof is omitted.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 15 (a), (b), and (c), the opposing second pressing members 151 have the same shape, but in the example shown in FIG. 20 (a), The second pressing members 151A and 151B have different shapes. That is, the width of the second pressing member 151A is set larger than the width of the second pressing member 151B.

  As shown in FIG. 20 (c), when the negative pressure generating member 130 is compressed, the gap 141 ′ has one end of the first pressing member 150 adjacent to one end of the second pressing member 151B. 20 is formed so as to be positioned on the left side in FIG. That is, the gap 141 ′ is formed so as to correspond to one end portion of the short side portion 136 of the negative pressure generating member 130.

  Accordingly, in the liquid storage container 100, a gap 141 'is formed corresponding to a position corresponding to the short side portion 136 of the negative pressure generating member 130 facing the first wall portion W1.

  When the negative pressure generating member 130 is stored in the negative pressure generating member receiving portion 104 through the process of inserting the negative pressure generating member into the negative pressure generating member receiving chamber as described above in a state where the negative pressure generating member 130 is compressed as described above. 22 and FIG. 23, the recess 140 </ b> A is formed in the short side portion 136 on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130.

  In FIG. 21, FIG. 22, and FIG. 23, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in the example shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the recess 140A is formed in the short side portion 136 of the negative pressure generating member 130 facing the first wall portion W1. The recess 140A is formed to extend from the bottom wall toward the lid member 121 at a position offset from the center of the short side portion 136 to the left side in FIG.

(Mechanism of formation of depression 140A)
As described above, after the negative pressure generating member 130 is pushed out by the third pressing member 152 and inserted into the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 104, the negative pressure generating member 130 tries to return to the original volume and has a similar shape. The volume will increase. Since the outer dimension of the negative pressure generating member 130 is larger than the inner dimension of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber 104, it cannot be completely returned, and therefore is accommodated in the liquid accommodating chamber 104. As a result, the gap at the boundary portion generated in the short side portion 136 of the negative pressure generating member 130 is not completely eliminated but exists in the form of the depression 140A.

  By providing the depression 140A in the short side portion 136 of the negative pressure generating member 130 in this way, the surface distance at the long side portion 135 is increased, and the slack at the long side portion 135 is eliminated. Therefore, since unintentional slack is not generated between the liquid supply port 102 and the communication portion 107, generation of undesired wrinkles can be reliably suppressed. And the same effect obtained in the Example mentioned above can also be acquired.

  24 (a), 24 (b), and 24 (c) respectively show compression required for forming the depression 140 in a series of steps of the method for inserting the negative pressure generating member according to the present invention. It is a figure with which it uses for description of the 2nd modification of a process.

  24 (a), 24 (b), and 24 (c), it is the same in the examples shown in FIGS. 15 (a), 15 (b), and 15 (c). The same reference numerals are given to the constituent elements, and the duplicate description thereof is omitted.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C, the first pressing members 150 facing each other are configured such that there are no protrusions or the like on their flat surfaces, but FIG. ), The pair of first pressing members 174 have the protrusions 172 at predetermined positions on opposite flat surfaces, and have the same shape.

  In the present embodiment, the protrusion 172 is provided on the upper portion of the first pressing member 174. That is, the protrusion 172 is provided in the liquid storage container 100 at a position corresponding to the long side portion 135 of the negative pressure generating member 130 that faces the second wall portion W2. When the negative pressure generating member 130 is compressed by the pair of first pressing members 174, as shown in FIG. 24C, the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 pressed by the protrusion 172 is It will be deformed to follow the protrusion 172.

  Also, in the compression step of this embodiment, the order of pressing by the first and second pressing members 174 and 151 is different from the above-described embodiment, and the negative pressure generating member 130 is first pressed by the second pressing member 151. Is done. Next, the negative pressure generating member 130 is pressed by the first pressing member 174.

  This is because, since the first pressing member 174 has the protrusion 172, when the compression by the first pressing member 174 is the first, the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 by the compression of the second pressing member 151. This is because there is a possibility of being caught on the protrusion 172, and the fiber may be broken. Therefore, the compression by the second pressing member 151 is performed before the compression by the first pressing member 174. Even in such a compression order, there is no problem in forming the recess.

  When the negative pressure generating member 130 is stored in the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 104 through the insertion process of the negative pressure generating member into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber as described above in a state where the negative pressure generating member 130 is compressed as described above. As shown in FIG. 26, the depression 140 </ b> B is formed in the long side portion 135 on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130.

  In FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in the example shown in FIG.

  27 (a), 27 (b), and 27 (c) respectively show compression required for forming the depression 140 in a series of steps of the method for inserting the negative pressure generating member according to the present invention. It is a figure with which it uses for description of the 3rd modification of a process.

  27 (a), 27 (b), and 27 (c), it is the same in the examples shown in FIGS. 15 (a), 15 (b), and 15 (c). The same reference numerals are given to the constituent elements, and the duplicate description thereof is omitted.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C, the second pressing members 151 facing each other have the same shape, but in the example shown in FIG. The second pressing members 184A and 184B have different shapes. That is, the width of the second pressing member 184A is set smaller than the width of the second pressing member 184B. The pair of first pressing members 182 have the same shape as each other, and have a stepped portion 180 at one end portion of the opposing flat surfaces.

  In this embodiment, the stepped portion 180 is provided at one end of the first pressing member 182, that is, the negative pressure generating member 130 facing the second wall portion W <b> 2 in the liquid storage container 100. The long side portion 135 is formed at a position corresponding to the long side portion 135. When the negative pressure generating member 130 is compressed by the first pressing member 182, the long side portion 135 of the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130 corresponding to the stepped portion 180 is deformed to follow the stepped portion 180. Therefore, a gap is formed.

  Also in such an example, the negative pressure generating member 130 is accommodated in the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 104 through the insertion process of the negative pressure generating member into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber as described above in a state where the negative pressure generating member 130 is compressed as described above. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 described above, the recess 140 is formed in the long side portion 135 on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member 130.

It is sectional drawing which shows 1st Example of the liquid container which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which decomposes | disassembles and shows the component of the liquid container in the example shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing in the example shown by FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing which shows 2nd Example of the liquid container which concerns on this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view shown along the VI-VI line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows 3rd Example of the liquid container which concerns on this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view shown along the VIII-VIII line in FIG. It is sectional drawing with which it uses for operation | movement description in the example shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing with which it uses for operation | movement description in the example shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing with which it uses for operation | movement description in the example shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing with which it uses for operation | movement description in the example shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing with which it uses for operation | movement description in the example shown by FIG. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the negative pressure generation member insertion apparatus used for an example of the insertion method of the negative pressure generation member which concerns on this invention. (A), (b), (c) is a figure with which it uses for description of the compression process in an example of the insertion method of the negative pressure generation member which concerns on this invention, respectively. It is a figure with which description of the insertion process of the negative pressure generation member in an example of the insertion method of the negative pressure generation member which concerns on this invention is provided. It is a figure with which description of the insertion process of the negative pressure generation member in an example of the insertion method of the negative pressure generation member which concerns on this invention is provided. It is a figure with which description of the insertion process of the negative pressure generation member in an example of the insertion method of the negative pressure generation member which concerns on this invention is provided. When a negative pressure generating member is made with a fiber material, it is a figure with which it uses for description of the compression direction of a negative pressure generating member. (A), (b), (c) is a figure where each is provided for description of the 1st modification of the compression process used in an example of the insertion method of the negative pressure generation member which concerns on this invention. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid container assembled through the compression process described with reference to FIGS. 20 (a), (b), and (c). It is a fragmentary sectional view shown along the XXII-XXII line in FIG. FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 21. (A), (b), (c) is a figure which each is provided for description of the 2nd modification of the compression process used in an example of the insertion method of the negative pressure generation member which concerns on this invention. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid container assembled through the compression process described with reference to FIGS. 24 (a), (b), and (c). FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI in FIG. 25. (A), (b), (c) is a figure which each is used for description of the 3rd modification of the compression process used in an example of the insertion method of the negative pressure generation member which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the conventional liquid container.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Liquid container 101 Atmospheric communication port 102 Liquid supply port 130,131 Negative pressure generation member 104 Negative pressure generation member storage chamber 105 Liquid storage chamber 106 Partition wall 107 Communication part 108 Atmospheric introduction path 132 Boundary layer 135 Long side part 136 Short side Portion 140 Depression 141 Clearance 150 First pressing member 151 Second pressing member 170 Projection portion 180 Step portion

Claims (12)

Disposing a negative pressure generating member inserted into a negative pressure generating member housing chamber in a liquid storage container for storing a liquid in a space surrounded by the pair of first pressing members and the second pressing member;
One opposing both ends of the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member disposed in the space are compressed to a size smaller than the inner size of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber by the pair of first pressing members. Meanwhile, a compression step of compressing the predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member so as to locally form a portion having a different compression amount by the second pressing member,
The compressed negative pressure generating member is inserted into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber so that the portions having different locally compressed amounts are arranged corresponding to predetermined positions in the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber. Insertion process;
A method for inserting a negative pressure generating member comprising:   The inserting step includes a first step of inserting one end of the pair of first pressing member and second pressing member into the negative pressure generating member housing chamber together with the compressed negative pressure generating member; 2. The insertion of the negative pressure generating member according to claim 1, further comprising: a second step of pushing the negative pressure generating member inserted by the step into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber by a third pressing member. Method.   When the negative pressure generating member is inserted into the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber, the boundary portion between the portion where the compression amount locally differs on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member and the other portion generates the negative pressure. 2. The method of inserting a negative pressure generating member according to claim 1, wherein a recess is formed between the wall surface forming the member accommodating chamber.   The depression is adapted to generate the negative pressure between a liquid supply port provided in the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber and a first wall portion forming a short side wall portion of the negative pressure generating member accommodating chamber. 4. The method for inserting a negative pressure generating member according to claim 3, wherein the negative pressure generating member is formed on a long side portion or a short side portion of the outer peripheral surface of the member. A first chamber containing a recording liquid;
A negative pressure generating member having a communication hole communicating with outside air in the upper wall and penetrating the recording liquid supplied through a communication portion formed in a boundary wall with the first chamber; The first inner wall surface facing the wall and the pair of second inner wall surfaces connecting the first inner wall surface and the wall surface of the boundary wall are housed so as to be surrounded, and in the negative pressure generating member And a second chamber for supplying the recording liquid contained in the outside to the outside through a supply port provided in the bottom wall,
When the negative pressure generating member is inserted into the second chamber, a recess is formed between the first inner wall surface and the supply port in the second chamber on the outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member. The liquid container is formed to extend from the bottom wall toward the top wall at a position.   The liquid container according to claim 5, wherein the recess is formed inward at a long side portion or a short side portion of an outer peripheral surface of the negative pressure generating member inserted into the second chamber.   The liquid container according to claim 5, wherein a substantially arc portion is formed at a portion where the end portions of the pair of second inner wall surfaces and the end portions of the first inner wall surfaces are connected. 6. The liquid container according to claim 5, wherein a projection is formed on the pair of second inner wall surfaces corresponding to a position between the first inner wall surface and the supply port. .   The liquid container according to claim 5, wherein the negative pressure generating member is formed of an olefin resin fiber material.   The liquid container according to claim 5, wherein the second chamber contains and stores at least two negative pressure generating members that are in contact with each other.   The liquid container according to claim 10, wherein a boundary surface between the two negative pressure generating members is formed to intersect a wall surface of the boundary wall.   The capillary force of one negative pressure generating member arranged to contact the bottom wall of the two negative pressure generating members is larger than the capillary force of the other negative pressure generating member. The liquid container according to claim 10.

Images