JP2006130719A - Method of supplying ink - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of supplying ink to a head of a recorder wherein an ink container can be readily attached to or detached from a loading section of the recorder, and it is possible to prevent occurrence of bubbles due to the attaching or detaching of the ink container in an ink channel from the ink container to the head, closing of the ink channel due to foreign matter and leakage of the ink in the keeping or reloading of the ink container. <P>SOLUTION: There is disclosed a method of supplying the ink in the ink container to the head of the inkjet recorder by loading an ink cartridge accommodating an ink container having an ink lead-out section with an ink lead-in pipe sealed by an elastic member and an ink storage section to the loading section having a hollow needle to be inserted into the ink lead-out section. The hardness under JIS-A of the elastic member is in the range of 25-45°, the compression permanent strain thereof is not greater than 30% (70°C.24h), the tearing strength is in the range of 15-40 N/mm, and the outer diameter of the hollow needle is in the range of 1.0-2.5 mm. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention supplies ink to an ink jet recording apparatus head (hereinafter also referred to as a head) of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a recording apparatus) from an ink cartridge that houses an ink container having an ink lead-out portion and an ink storage portion. The present invention relates to an ink supply method.

  Recently, the progress of digital devices has been remarkable, and recording devices for visualizing information output from the digital devices have been required to be refined in accordance with the progress of digital devices, and the image size has also been increased. In the recording apparatus, an ink cartridge containing an ink container having an ink outlet part and an ink storage part is used to supply ink to the head.

  As the amount of ink used increases as the image size increases, the size of the ink storage section has also increased. With the increase in the size of the ink storage unit, an ink container having an ink storage unit and an ink lead-out unit using a multilayer material in which various thermoplastic resin films are laminated is used from the viewpoint of ease of production and cost. In addition, with the increase in the size of the ink storage section, it is frequently performed to remove or install the ink cartridge in a plurality of times without using up the ink in the ink cartridge at once. In this case, when bubbles and foreign materials are generated due to attachment / detachment from the recording apparatus, and the ink flow path from the ink container to the head of the ink jet recording apparatus is blocked, it is natural that the ink does not flow and the white color is lost. Will be in shortage and will not become a product. Particularly in the case of a large-sized screen, it takes time and cost to redo, so it is common to use a new ink cartridge as much as possible so that it does not stop during the night continuous operation. For this reason, the waste of ink is eliminated by removing the ink cartridge containing the ink from the recording apparatus and reusing it in the daytime to produce another screen. Under such usage conditions, the following functions are required for the ink cartridge used in the recording apparatus.

  1) There is no ink leakage with the attachment / detachment from the recording apparatus, and it can be used repeatedly.

  2) With repeated use, there should be no gas entering the ink container and no foreign matter mixed in.

  3) The ink cartridge can be easily attached to and detached from the ink jet recording apparatus.

  As a method for supplying ink from the ink cartridge to the head of the recording apparatus in order to meet these requirements, for example, the ink introduction tube of the ink outlet part sealed with the elastic member of the ink container of the ink cartridge is connected to the mounting part of the recording apparatus. An ink supply method is known in which an ink cartridge can be reused by penetrating a hollow needle, supplying ink to the head, and then removing the hollow needle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, the ink supply method described in Patent Document 1 is easy to attach and detach the ink cartridge to the ink jet recording apparatus, but is not satisfied with the following matters.

  1) In the case of repeated use, there is no countermeasure against leakage of ink from the point of penetration through the hollow needle of the elastic member sealing the ink introduction tube (during storage and remounting) and countermeasures against the entry of air into the ink storage section. It is enough.

  2) When the elastic member sealing the ink introduction tube is perforated and penetrated by the hollow needle, fine perforated dust of the elastic member enters the hollow portion of the hollow needle, and the ink supply becomes unstable.

From these situations, the head of the recording apparatus is easy to attach and detach to the mounting portion of the recording apparatus, and there is no generation of bubbles on the ink flow path from the ink container to the recording apparatus head due to the attachment or detachment, and obstruction of the ink flow path by foreign matter Development of a method for supplying ink to the printer is desired.
JP 2001-260374 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and its purpose is to easily attach and detach to the mounting portion of the recording apparatus, and to generate bubbles on the ink flow path from the ink container to the head of the recording apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for supplying ink to the head of a recording apparatus that does not cause ink leakage when the ink flow path is blocked, stored or reattached by a foreign substance.

  The above object of the present invention has been achieved by the following constitution.

(Claim 1)
An ink cartridge containing an ink container having an ink lead-in tube sealed with an elastic member and an ink container is attached to a mounting portion of an ink jet recording apparatus having a hollow needle penetrating through the ink lead-out part. In the ink supply method of mounting and supplying the ink in the ink container to the inkjet recording apparatus head, the elastic member has a JIS-A hardness measured in accordance with JISK6253-93 of 25 to 45 °, in accordance with JISK6262-93. The compression set is 30% (70 ° C./24 h) or less, the tear strength measured according to JISK6252 is 15 to 40 N / mm, and the outer diameter of the hollow needle is 1.0 to 2.5 mm. There is provided an ink supply method.

(Claim 2)
The ink supply method according to claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the ink in the ink container is 1.0 to 15.0 mPa · s.

  Easily attachable to and detachable from the mounting part of the recording device, and no bubbles are generated on the ink flow path from the ink container to the recording device head due to the detachment, the ink flow path is blocked by foreign matter, and there is no ink leakage during storage and remounting. A method of supplying ink to the head of the recording apparatus can be provided, the ink cartridge can be used repeatedly with peace of mind, and a large image size with high quality can be easily produced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink container housed in an ink cartridge.

  In the figure, 1 indicates an ink container. The ink container 1 has an ink outlet 2 and an ink storage 3. 4a shows the upper surface of the thermoplastic film making the ink storage part 3, and 4b shows the lower surface of the thermoplastic film making the ink storage part 3. Reference numerals 5 and 6 denote seal portions for making the ink storage portion 3. The seal portion 5 is a seal portion when the ink storage portion 3 is manufactured by the center seal method. The seal unit 5 may be provided on both sides of the ink storage unit according to the method of manufacturing the ink storage unit 3. Reference numeral 7 denotes a base material of the ink outlet 2. Reference numeral 8 denotes a joint portion with the ink storage portion 3 provided on the base material 7. As a method of joining the ink storage portion 3 to the joint portion 8, the ink storage portion 3 can be joined by inserting the joint portion 8 into the ink storage portion 3 and then sealing and adhering with heat welding, an adhesive, or the like. Reference numeral 9 denotes a seal portion in which the ink storage portion 3 is joined to the joint portion 8. Reference numeral 10 denotes a mounting portion to the ink supply unit 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus. Reference numeral 11 denotes a cylindrical ink introduction tube provided in the mounting portion 10. Reference numeral 12a denotes a hole for fitting and fixing a dropout prevention member 18 (see FIG. 2) for preventing the dropout of the elastic member 17 (see FIG. 2) provided inside the ink introduction tube 11, and another hole on the opposite side. 12b (see FIG. 5). Reference numeral 13 denotes a member for sealing the flow rate adjusting unit. As a method of sealing, after the ink lead-out part 2 is manufactured, aluminum foil may be laminated and sealed by thermal welding with a member, or when the ink lead-out part 2 is manufactured, it may be sealed by insert molding at the same time. . Note that the ink storage unit 3 has a side on which the ink lead-out unit 2 is attached as a front part and an opposite side as a rear part. The ink lead-out portion 2 has the side to which the joint portion 8 is attached as the back surface and the opposite side as the surface.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line AA ′ shown in FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes an ink reservoir formed inside a cylindrical ink introduction tube 11, which is isolated from the outside by a thin plate 15 integrated with the inner wall of the ink introduction tube 11. 16 is attached to the ink jet recording apparatus so that the outflow of ink is directed downward, so that a hollow needle 30 (see FIG. 8), which is an ink supply means of the ink jet recording apparatus, is inserted, and the ink introduction tube 11 is opened by perforation. The opening is shown. Reference numeral 17 denotes an elastic member that prevents ink leakage when the thin plate 15 is perforated and opened by inserting a hollow needle 30 (see FIG. 8) as ink supply means of the ink jet recording apparatus. The hollow needle 30 (see FIG. 8) as a means can pierce through the elastic member 17 and also perforate the thin plate 15 to supply ink in the ink reservoir 14 to the head of the recording apparatus. The shape of the elastic member 17 may be a shape that is in continuous linear contact with the inner wall of the opening 16 or may be a shape that is in continuous contact with a planar shape. Reference numeral 18 denotes a member for preventing the elastic member 17 from falling off. The elastic member 17 is inserted between the thin plate 15 and the drop-off prevention member 18 in a state of being fixed inside the ink introduction tube while being in contact with the inner wall of the ink introduction tube. Reference numeral 19 denotes an ink supply pipe provided in the joint 8, and the ink supply pipe 19 communicates with the ink reservoir 14, so that the ink in the ink storage unit 3 is stored in the ink reservoir 14 by the ink supply pipe 19. It has become. Reference numerals 20a and 20b denote erroneous attachment prevention concave portions that are uniquely engaged with the respective ink supply portions of the recording device provided on the abutting surface that abuts the attachment portion of the ink supply portion of the recording device of the attachment portion 10. A plurality of concave portions 20a (20b) for preventing erroneous mounting are arranged on the abutting surface, and at least one portion is deepened depending on the type of ink stored in the ink container 1 (see FIG. 1), and the ink cartridge 24 When the recording apparatus is mounted (see FIG. 6), the length and the arrangement of the convex objects attached to the recording apparatus are matched so that the mounting can be performed. Other reference numerals are the same as those in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the elastic member. 3A shows a type in which the entire inner wall of the opening is in continuous contact, FIG. 3B shows a type in which the inner wall of the opening and a partial surface are in continuous contact, and FIG. 3C shows an opening. Indicates the type that makes continuous contact with the inner wall of the part. 3 (d) shows a modification of the type represented by (a), FIG. 3 (e) shows a modification of the type represented by (b), and FIG. 3 (f) shows (c). A variation of the type represented by

  In the figure, 21 indicates a portion that receives the drop-off prevention member 18 (see FIG. 2), and 22 indicates a portion that contacts the inner wall of the opening 16 (see FIG. 2). Contact prevents the ink from leaking.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a drop-off preventing member provided in the ink introduction tube.

  In the figure, reference numerals 18 a and 18 b denote claws provided on the outer wall of the drop-off prevention member 18. The claw 18a (18b) has holes 12a (see FIG. 1) and 12b (see FIG. 5) formed in the opening 16 (see FIG. 2) of the ink introduction tube 11 (see FIG. 1). ) Can be fixed.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line BB ′ shown in FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 19 denotes an ink supply pipe as described above, which communicates with the ink reservoir 14 so that the central axis of the ink reservoir 14 and the central axis of the ink supply pipe 19 are orthogonal to each other. Reference numeral 23 denotes a concave groove provided on the upper surface 8a and the lower surface 8b of the joint portion 8 in order to firmly join the ink storage portion 3 with the joint portion 8. Other symbols are the same as those in FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the ink cartridge. FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view seen from the upper surface of the ink cartridge. FIG. 6B is a schematic perspective view seen from the lower surface of the ink cartridge.

  In the figure, reference numeral 24 denotes an ink cartridge. 24a shows the upper surface, and 24b shows the lower surface. Reference numeral 25 denotes a window for confirming the remaining amount of ink and ink color provided on the upper surface 24a. In use, the window can be pulled out along the perforations 26 attached to the periphery by pushing the window. . Reference numeral 27 denotes a cutout portion provided on the lower surface 24b of the ink cartridge in order to join the ink supply portion of the ink jet recording apparatus and the ink cartridge of the present invention. In use, it is possible to pull out along the perforation 26 attached to the periphery by pushing. The upper surface 24a or the lower surface 24b of the ink cartridge main body may be provided with design printing including ink color, content, handling method, and the like.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line CC ′ of the ink cartridge shown in FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 28 denotes a pedestal stacking unit on which the ink storage unit 3 of the ink container 1 is placed. The height of the pedestal is preferably adjusted so that the lower surface 4b of the ink storage unit 3 is substantially the same height as the lower surface 8b of the joint 8 in order to reduce the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage unit 3 as much as possible. It is preferable that the height is the same before and after the portion 3. Reference numeral 29 denotes an outflow auxiliary member placed on the upper surface 4a of the ink storage unit 1 in order to reduce ink supply assistance and the remaining amount of ink as much as possible. Other reference numerals are the same as those in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the ink lead-out portion shown in FIG. 5 showing a state where the elastic member of the ink introduction tube is perforated and penetrated by the hollow needle which is the ink supply means of the recording apparatus. In this figure, the recording device, the mounting portion of the recording device, the ink storage portion, and the outer box of the ink cartridge are omitted.

  In the figure, 30 indicates a hollow needle which is an ink supply means of the recording apparatus, 30a indicates an ink inlet provided near the upper portion of the hollow needle, and 30b indicates a hollow portion. Other symbols are the same as those in FIG. The ink stored in the ink reservoir 14 can be supplied from the ink inlet 30a to the head via the hollow portion 30b.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic sectional view of a portion indicated by X in FIG.
In the figure, P indicates the inner diameter of the hollow needle 30. The inner diameter P is preferably an outer diameter of −0.3 mm or less in consideration of the required flow velocity, securing the flow rate, the strength against bending of the needle, and bending. Q indicates the outer diameter of the hollow needle 30. The outer diameter Q is 1.0 to 2.5 mm. When the outer diameter Q is less than 1.0 mm, it is difficult to obtain a required flow rate in the hollow portion of the needle while maintaining the strength of the needle, and this is not preferable because ink may be lost. If the outer diameter Q exceeds 2.5 mm, the elastic member must be enlarged to prevent ink leakage when the needle is inserted into the elastic member of the ink introduction tube. This is not preferable because the size becomes larger than necessary, and the mounting property and handling property of the recording device are deteriorated.

  The material of the hollow needle according to the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include SUS. As the hollow needle according to the present invention, a hollow needle generally used in an ink jet recording apparatus can be used.

  The elastic member used to seal the ink outlet portion has a JIS-A hardness of 25 to 45 ° measured according to JISK6253-93 and a compression set of 30% (70% measured according to JISK6262-93). ° C · 24 h) The tear strength measured according to JISK6253 is 15 to 40 N / mm, and these must be satisfied at the same time.

  When the JIS-A hardness is less than 25 °, even if the compression set and the tear strength satisfy the conditions, the elastic member extends too much due to the needle piercing the elastic member of the ink introduction tube. This is not preferable because a residue of the elastic member is generated, and this residue enters the ink and is supplied to the head through the hollow needle and may clog the head. When the JIS-A hardness exceeds 45 °, even when the compression set and tear strength satisfy the conditions, the elastic member is strongly pressed against the needle when the hollow needle is inserted into the elastic member of the ink introduction tube. Therefore, the waste of the elastic member due to friction is generated, and this waste enters the ink and is supplied to the head through the hollow needle, which is not preferable.

  In the present invention, the compression set of 30% (70 ° C./24 h) or less means 2 to 30% (70 ° C./24 h), preferably 2 to 3%. Moreover, even if it is less than 0 to 2%, there may be an effect depending on conditions. When the compression set exceeds 30%, even if the JIS-A hardness and tear strength satisfy the conditions, the elastic member does not return properly due to the insertion of the hollow needle into the elastic member of the ink introduction tube, so that the storage This is not preferable because there is a possibility that ink leakage may occur from the portion where the hollow needle has been punched out.

  When the tear strength is less than 15 N / mm, even if the JIS-A hardness and compression set satisfy the conditions, the hollow needle is punctured by piercing the elastic member of the ink introduction tube. This is not preferable because a space due to tearing is generated and ink leakage and air mixing may occur from the portion where the hollow needle is inserted and inserted when the recording device is mounted on the mounting portion. When the tear strength exceeds 40 N / mm, even when the JIS-A hardness and compression set satisfy the conditions, the hollow needle is inserted into the elastic member of the ink introduction tube when it is attached to the attachment portion of the recording apparatus. This is not preferable because it requires a large amount of force and handling becomes worse.

  Examples of the elastic member according to the present invention include synthetic rubber and thermoplastic resin. Synthetic rubber includes, for example, urethane rubber, silicone rubber (polydimethylsiloxane), chloroprene rubber, isoprene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber and the like in the range of JIS-A hardness, compression set and tear strength according to the present invention at the same time. It is possible to select and use a material that satisfies the requirements.

  The material used for the ink lead-out portion according to the present invention is not particularly limited, but it is most preferable to use a thermoplastic resin in terms of cost and ease of production. The production method can also be produced by an injection molding method as described in the general Japan plastic molding industry handbook. The thermoplastic resin to be used is not particularly limited as long as injection molding can be performed, but general resins such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyacetal, polycarbonate, and polypropylene can be used.

  The following effects can be obtained by the ink supply method using the ink lead-out portion and the hollow needle as shown in FIGS.

  1) There is no ink leakage or clogging of the head due to debris that accompanies the mounting of the ink cartridge to the recording apparatus, and it is possible to use it with peace of mind.

  2) The ink cartridge can be used a plurality of times in the recording apparatus, and the ink can be used without waste.

  3) Since it can be attached to the recording device with a single touch, handling is improved.

  The viscosity of the ink according to the present invention is preferably 1.0 to 15.0 mPa · s in consideration of head miniaturization, productivity, and the like.

  The ink according to the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the viscosity is 1.0 to 15.0 mPa · s. For example, JP-A-10-330661, JP-A-2000-2391979, JP-A-2000-239980, Examples thereof include inks described in JP-A-2002-12800, JP-A-2003-96340, JP-A-2004-18544, JP-A-2004-51820, and the like.

As the material used for the outer box of the ink cartridge according to the present invention, any material generally used for the box, such as paper materials such as paperboard and cardboard, and thermoplastic resin can be used, but the environmental load is reduced. It is preferable that it is made of paper from the above aspect. As the paper material, it is possible to use white paperboard or cardboard which is a general paperboard as described in the latest paper processing manual, Tech Times Co., Ltd. Preferably basis weight 300 to 700 g / m ² as a paperboard, and more preferably 400-600 g / m ^2. If it is less than 300 g / m ² , it may be difficult to maintain the strength to withstand handling and transportation. If it exceeds 700 g / m ² , the workability when manufacturing the outer box may be deteriorated, or the quality may be excessive and the environmental load may be increased. The thickness is preferably 260 to 1140 μm, more preferably 480 to 920 μm. If the thickness is less than 260 μm, it may be difficult to maintain the strength to withstand handling and transportation. If it exceeds 1140 μm, it may be overpacked and the environmental load may be increased.

  As the corrugated cardboard, common A flute to E flute double sided cardboard and double sided corrugated cardboard as described in Tech Times Co., Ltd. are preferably used, but there is no particular limitation. It can be appropriately selected according to the size of the ink container.

  On the surface of the ink cartridge of the present invention, a display for identifying the ink therein is displayed, and as a display method, it may be displayed directly on the surface of the cartridge, or a display for identification is provided. A method of attaching a label may be used.

As a material used for the ink storage part of the ink container according to the present invention, a multilayer thermoplastic film is preferable. The rigidity of the multilayer thermoplastic film is as follows: 1) oxygen permeability, 2) bonding strength of the ink lead-out portion with the bonding portion, and 3) considering handling properties, 7.9 × 10 ^{−7 to} 1.9 × 10 ⁻⁶ Nm ² is preferable, and 6.7 × 10 ^{−7 to} 3.1 × 10 ⁻⁶ Nm ² is more preferable.

  The thickness of the multilayer thermoplastic film is related to the rigidity, and maintains a preferable range of rigidity. The thickness is 73 to 123 μm in consideration of 1) strength as an ink storage portion, 2) handleability, and 3) environmental load. Is more preferable, and it is 83-113 micrometers.

An inorganic vapor deposition film or an aluminum vapor deposition film may be used for the multilayer thermoplastic film. Thin film handbooks p879-p901 (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science), vacuum technology handbooks p502-p509, p612, p810 (Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun), vacuum handbook revised editions p132-p134 (ULVAC Japan Vacuum Technology KK) Inorganic films as described in (1). For example, Cr ₂ O ₃ , Ta ₂ O ₃ , ZrN, SiC, TiC, PSG, Si ₃ N ₄ , single crystal Si, amorphous Si, W, AI ₂ O _{3 and the} like are used. Among these, the most preferable inorganic vapor deposition film is alumina (AI ₂ O ₃ ) from the viewpoint of the strength and transparency of the vapor deposition film. As a method for forming an inorganic vapor-deposited film, vacuum technology handbook and packaging technology Vol. 8, for example, by resistance or high frequency induction heating method, electrobeam (EB) method, plasma (PCVD) or the like. The thickness of the deposited film is preferably in the range of 40 to 200 nm, more preferably in the range of 50 to 180 nm.

  The thermoplastic resin film used as the base material of the inorganic vapor deposition layer includes ethylene tetrafluoroethyl copolymer (ETFE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), biaxially oriented polypropylene (0PP), polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate ( PMMA), stretched nylon 6 (ONy), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyimide, polyether styrene (PES), and other film materials used for general packaging films can be used.

  Low density, which is a polymer film (for example, a polymer film described in Toray Research Center, Inc., a new development of functional packaging materials) used as a general packaging material as a thermoplastic resin film used via a vapor-deposited film sheet Polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), medium density polyethylene, unstretched polypropylene (CPP), stretched polypropylene (OPP), stretched nylon (ONy), polyester (PET), cellophane Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), expanded vinylon (OV), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVOH), vinylidene chloride (PVDC) and the like can be used.

  Of these thermoplastic films, a multilayer film made by coextrusion with a different film, a multilayer film made by laminating at different stretching angles, etc. can be used as needed. Furthermore, it is naturally possible to combine the density and molecular weight distribution of the film used to obtain the required physical properties of the packaging material. As the innermost thermoplastic film, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) produced using a metallocene catalyst, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), A film in which these films and a high density polyethylene (HDPE) film are mixed and used is used. Of these, LLDPE produced using a metallocene catalyst is preferable from the viewpoint of melting temperature and strength, and any LLDPE that is generally commercially available can be used. For example, Ube Industries 'Umerit, Dow Chemical Japan's AFFINITY, Elite, Nippon Polyolefin's Harmolex LL, Nippon Polychem's Kernel 57L, Mitsui Chemicals' Evolue, Sekisui Film West Japan Co., Ltd. Ramilon Super, Tamapoli Co., Ltd. SE Series, Tosero Co., Ltd. Tosero T. U. X-FCS, T.W. U. X-TCS, Dazai FL manufactured by Nimura Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Metalloace manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Kojin Pax Co., Ltd., WMX manufactured by Wada Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., FV202 manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and the like.

  When not using an inorganic vapor deposition layer, it can select from the above-mentioned thermoplastic films suitably, and may be a single body as needed, or can laminate | stack and use 2 or more types of films. For example, CPP / OPP, PET / OPP / LDPE, Ny / OPP / LDPE, CPP / OPP / EVOH, Saran UB / LLDPE (where Saran UB is a vinylidene chloride / acrylic acid ester copolymer resin manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation) K-OP / PP, K-PET / LLDPE, K-Ny / EVA (where K is a film coated with vinylidene chloride resin) and the like are used.

  As the method for producing the laminated film, various generally known methods such as those described in pages 40 to 48 of the May 1990 issue of Convertec are used. For example, wet lamination, dry lamination, hot It can be made by using a melt lamination method, an extrusion lamination method, or a thermal lamination method. Depending on the material used, it can be made by a multilayer inflation system.

  Adhesives used for laminating are generally known as described in Convertech January 1996 pages 18-22, October 1997 pages 13-17, pages 21-25. Adhesive can be used.

  Hereinafter, although the effect of the present invention is concretely explained by an example, the present invention is not limited to these.

Example 1
An ink cartridge was prepared using the following materials.

(Preparation of ink container)
The ink lead-out tube of the ink lead-out portion was sealed with an elastic member having the shape shown in FIG. 3d with different physical properties as shown in Table 1, and ink containers shown in FIG. The diameter of the elastic member was 800% larger than the outer diameter of the ink introduction tube. The ink container uses a multilayer thermoplastic film having a configuration of PET 12 μm / aluminum foil 9 μm / ONy 15 μm / LLDPE 20 μm / black LLDPE 50 μm in the ink container, and is formed into a cylindrical shape by the center seal method, and then is opened at one opening. The joining member of the ink lead-out portion shown in FIG. 5 produced by injection molding using LDPE was inserted and joined by thermal welding. Thereafter, the ink was filled under reduced pressure, and one of the open ports was sealed by heat welding.

The size of the ink container of the ink container thus prepared was 131 mm on the short side, 370 mm on the long side, and 1000 ml in capacity. The inner diameter of the ink introduction tube of the ink outlet is 3.0 mm, and the outer diameter is 5.0 mm. The rigidity of the used multilayer thermoplastic film was 1.3 × 10 ⁻⁶ Nm ² . The rigidity is a value measured using a tensile tester PSC-100 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation.

  The viscosity of the ink used was 6.0 mPa · s as a result of measurement with a rheometer MCR300 manufactured by Pyhsica. The ink configuration is shown below.

Yellow disperse dye base (CI Disperse Yellow 160) 25 parts by mass Glycerin (50 dyne / cm) 10 parts by mass Formalin condensate of creosote oil sodium sulfonate (Demol C from Kao Corporation) 10 parts by mass 2- (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate soda 0.05 parts by weight Nonylphenol ethylene oxide 10 mole adduct 1 part by weight Water 40 parts by weight The above mixture is made of ceramic beads having a diameter of 0.5 mm, and Imex Corporation (former name, Igarashi Seisakusho) Dispersion was performed at a rotational speed of 2500 rpm for 5 hours with a sand grinder. This dispersion was diluted with water / glycerin = 1: 4 so that the dye concentration was 5% to prepare an ink, and deaerated for 1 hour under a reduced pressure of 4 kPa.

(Production of outer box)
A paper box having a basis weight of 450 g / m ² and a thickness of 590 μm was used to produce a box of the type shown in the development view of FIG. The dimensions of the opening were a width of 135 mm and a height of 70 mm.
(Production of ink cartridge)
The prepared ink container No. Tables 1 to 1 to 19 show ink cartridges that are stored in the outer box in which a to s are manufactured.

(Preparation of hollow needle of recording device)
As shown in Table 2, SAS hollow needles having different outer diameters and inner diameters were prepared and designated as A to F. A hollow needle having the shape shown in FIG. 9 was used.

Evaluation Prepared ink cartridge No. Tables 3 to 5 show the results of the tests according to the following evaluation ranks according to the following evaluation ranks.

Ink leakage A TP-V manufactured by Konica Minolta Co., Ltd. was used as a recording device, and a hollow needle No. 1 was prepared with a hollow needle in the loading section. The prepared ink cartridges Nos. A to F were prepared. 1-1 to 1-19 were loaded, and the attachment / detachment was repeated 5 times. Visually checked for ink leakage when stored one day and night with the ink lead-out part facing down, and ink leakage when reattached to the recording apparatus. Confirmed with
Ink missing Each ink cartridge no. 1-1 to 1-19 were reattached to a recording apparatus (TP-V manufactured by Konica Minolta Co., Ltd.), image formation was performed to the size of A1 size, and samples were prepared as 1001 to 1114. The obtained sample No. The presence or absence of missing ink attached to 1001 to 1114 was visually confirmed and evaluated based on the following evaluation rank.

Evaluation rank of ink omission ○: No ink omission is observed Δ: Ink omission is recognized in 3 places or less to the extent that it does not cause a problem in practical use.

  Sample No. 1001, 1007, 1013, 1019, 1025, 1031, 1037, 1043, 1049, 1055, 1061, 1067, 1073, 1079, 1085, 1091, 1097, 1103, and 1109 all have an ink flow rate that the hollow needle needs to be thin. The flow rate could not be obtained and ink loss occurred. Sample No. 1012, 1018, 1024, 1030, 1036, 1042, 1048, 1054, 1060, 1066, 1072, 1078, 1084, 1090, 1096, 1102, 1108, 1114, no occurrence of ink leakage or ink loss was observed. Since the hollow needle is thick, it is necessary to increase the diameter of the elastic member. For this reason, the ink container has to be enlarged, and the cost increases. Sample No. In 1001 to 1007, the elastic member was excessively stretched, and a residue of the elastic member was generated. This residue entered the ink and was supplied to the head through the hollow needle, and the head was clogged and the ink was removed. Sample No. Nos. 1031 to 1036 show that when the elastic member of the ink introduction tube of the hollow needle is inserted into the elastic member, the elastic member is strongly pressed against the needle, thereby generating a residue of the elastic member due to friction. The ink was supplied to the head via the needle, and the head was clogged, causing ink loss.

  Sample No. Ink cartridge Nos. 1079 to 1084 used. In No. 1-14, when the hollow needle is inserted into the elastic member of the ink introduction tube, a space is generated by tearing at the place where the hollow needle is inserted and air is mixed, and the head is clogged by this air. Omission occurred.

  Sample No. Ink cartridge Nos. 1109 to 1114 used. No. 1-19 shows no occurrence of ink leakage or ink loss, but requires a force to insert the hollow needle into the elastic member of the ink introduction tube when it is attached to the attachment portion of the recording apparatus. Since handling becomes worse, it was judged that practical application was difficult.

  Sample No. Ink cartridge Nos. 1073 to 1078 used. In No. 1-13, the elastic member does not return properly when the hollow needle is introduced into the elastic member of the ink introduction tube, ink leakage occurs during storage from the point where the hollow needle is inserted, and ink leakage is recognized when reloaded. I couldn't.

  Sample No. Ink cartridges 1-14 used for 1079-1084 generate a space by tearing the hollow needle where the hollow needle is inserted into the elastic member, and are attached to the mounting portion of the recording apparatus. Ink leakage occurred from the point where the hollow needle was removed. No ink leakage was observed during storage. The effectiveness of the present invention was confirmed.

Example 2
Ink cartridge No. 1 shown in Example 1 was used. When producing 1-3, ink cartridges were produced under the same conditions except that the viscosity of the ink filled in the ink containing portion was changed as shown in Table 6, and the ink cartridges were designated as 2-1 to 2-5. The same ink as in Example 1 was used, and the viscosity was changed depending on the amount of glycerin added.

Ink cartridge No. prepared for evaluation Table 7 shows the results of evaluations according to the following evaluation ranks according to the following evaluation methods attached to the occurrence of ink leakage and ink loss.
Ink leakage A TP-V manufactured by Konica Minolta Co., Ltd. was used as a recording device, and a hollow needle No. 1 was prepared with a hollow needle in the loading section. Changed to BE, and prepared ink cartridge No. 2-1 to 2-6 are loaded and attached and detached repeatedly, and the ink leakage when stored in the whole day and night with the ink outlet part facing down and the presence or absence of ink leakage when reattached to the recording apparatus are visually observed. Confirmed with
Ink missing Each ink cartridge no. The samples 2-1 to 2-6 were remounted on a recording apparatus (TP-V manufactured by Konica Minolta Co., Ltd.) to form an image of A1 size, and samples 201 to 224 were obtained. The obtained sample No. The presence or absence of missing ink attached to 201 to 224 was visually confirmed and evaluated based on the same evaluation rank as in Example 1.

  Sample No. Cartridge No. used in 201-224. In any of 2-1 to 2-6, no occurrence of ink leakage was observed during storage and remounting. Sample No. No occurrence of ink loss was observed in 201-224. The effectiveness of the present invention was confirmed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ink container housed in an ink cartridge. It is a schematic sectional drawing in alignment with AA 'shown by FIG. It is the schematic of an elastic member. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a drop-off prevention member provided in the ink introduction pipe. It is a schematic sectional drawing in alignment with BB 'shown by FIG. It is a schematic perspective view of an ink cartridge. FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line CC ′ of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the ink lead-out portion shown in FIG. 5 showing a state in which the elastic member of the ink introduction tube is perforated and penetrated by a hollow needle that is an ink supply means of the recording apparatus. It is an expansion schematic sectional drawing of the part shown by X of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink container 2 Ink lead-out part 3 Ink storage part 11 Ink introduction pipe 16 Opening part 17 Elastic member 18 Drop-off prevention member 19 Ink supply pipe 24 Ink cartridge 28 Loading part 29 Outflow auxiliary member 30 Hollow needle 30a Ink introduction port 30b Hollow part P Inner diameter Q Outer diameter

Claims (2)

An ink cartridge containing an ink container having an ink lead-in tube sealed with an elastic member and an ink container is attached to a mounting portion of an ink jet recording apparatus having a hollow needle penetrating through the ink lead-out part. In the ink supply method of mounting and supplying the ink in the ink container to the inkjet recording apparatus head, the elastic member has a JIS-A hardness measured in accordance with JISK6253-93 of 25 to 45 °, in accordance with JISK6262-93. The compression set is 30% (70 ° C./24 h) or less, the tear strength measured according to JISK6252 is 15 to 40 N / mm, and the outer diameter of the hollow needle is 1.0 to 2.5 mm. There is provided an ink supply method. The ink supply method according to claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the ink in the ink container is 1.0 to 15.0 mPa · s.

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