JP2007090873A - Liquid container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid container which prevents scattering of ink even when an ink tank is dropped or any impact or force is applied to the tank. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid container is equipped with a housing, a liquid storage chamber which directly stores a liquid and is configured to have the housing as one side face and a flexible film as the other side face, and a liquid feeding part T2002 which is set in the liquid storage chamber to feed the liquid to a recording head. An easing member T2019 for easing inertial force generated to the liquid in the liquid storage chamber in accordance with external force applied from the outside to the housing is set in the vicinity of the liquid feeding part in the liquid storage chamber of the liquid container. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid storage container, and more particularly to a liquid storage container that supplies ink to an inkjet head in an inkjet recording apparatus.

  Conventionally, a replaceable tank has been provided as an ink tank for an inkjet printer. When the ink tank is replaced, the ink oozes out in the vicinity of the joint portion where the ink tank is mounted, and there is a problem that the user's hand is soiled or the ink is dripped on the machine body.

  In the ink tank shown in FIG. 16, a main ink chamber T2003 is provided inside the ink tank T2000, and an intermediate chamber T2006 is provided below the main ink chamber T2003. Inside the main ink chamber, a capillary member T2004 is disposed to hold ink and maintain a negative pressure. An ink supply port T2002 for connecting to the recording head is provided at the bottom of the intermediate chamber, and a meniscus forming member (filter) T2009 is provided.

  Moreover, the ink tank of FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an ink tank using pigment ink.

  In order to make the concentration in the tank where a concentration gradient is likely to occur uniform, the internal ink storage chamber T2001, the ink flow path T2014, and the ink supply port T2002 have a complicated configuration. A ball valve is provided at the ink supply port, and the ball valve is configured to seal the ink storage chamber.

  FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of another ink tank. The intermediate chamber T2006 is formed in an elongated channel shape with respect to the tank of FIG. 16, and an ink supply port T2002 is provided at an end thereof.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating still another ink tank. An ink supply port is provided at the bottom end of an intermediate chamber T2006 that is elongated in the shape of a flow path, and the intermediate chamber and the main ink chamber T2003 are connected by an opening T2014.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-300646 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-216424 JP 2005-67075 A JP 2003-80730 A

  However, in the ink tank having the configuration shown in FIG. 16, there is an intermediate chamber filled with ink on the upper side of the meniscus forming member of the ink supply port. Therefore, when an impact is applied from the outside by dropping, the ink inside the meniscus Break the meniscus formed on the forming member.

  As a result, there is a problem that the ink inside the ink tank is scattered outside.

  Further, in the ink tank configured as shown in FIG. 17, since the ink supply port is provided with a ball valve, ink scattering does not occur. However, there is a problem that the structure becomes complicated and the ink filling amount into the ink tank is reduced because of the sealed structure of the ball valve.

  Also, in the ink tank configured as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, an intermediate chamber filled with ink is formed toward the ink supply port, as in the tank of FIG. When an impact is applied from the outside due to dropping or the like, the ink pressure is easily transmitted directly to the ink supply port.

  Therefore, there is a problem that the meniscus of the meniscus forming member is broken and the ink is scattered.

  In order to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, the object of the present invention is to cause ink scattering when an ink tank is dropped or when an impact or force is applied to the tank. It is to provide a liquid storage container that is difficult to handle.

In order to solve the above-described object, the present invention provides a casing, a liquid storage chamber configured to store liquid directly, the casing as one side, and a flexible film as the other side, and the liquid storage chamber. A liquid storage container provided with a liquid supply port for supplying a liquid to the recording head,
An overhang is provided near the liquid supply port in the liquid storage chamber of the housing.

  According to the present invention, the inertia force of ink can be reduced with a simple configuration even if the ink tank is dropped or an impact is applied from the outside.

  The inertia force of ink is a force generated by the flow of ink that tends to move in the ink storage chamber toward the ink supply port by the inertia force. In the present invention, it is possible to obtain a liquid storage container in which ink scattering is less likely to occur.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
First, an ink jet recording apparatus on which the liquid storage container of the present invention is mounted will be described.

  This is a non-impact recording type recording apparatus that can perform high-speed recording and recording on various recording media, and has characteristics that hardly generate noise during recording.

  It is widely adopted as a device that bears a recording mechanism such as a printer, a word processor, a facsimile, and a copying machine.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the basic configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus includes an apparatus main body M1000, a recording medium feeding unit M3022 such as paper, and a discharge tray M1004.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the inside of the apparatus main body is composed of a chassis M3019 and each recording operation mechanism, and a recording head cartridge (not shown) that performs desired recording on a recording sheet conveyed to a recording position is a carriage. It is detachably mounted on M4001.

  The recording head cartridge includes a recording head that ejects liquid and an ink tank that is detachable from the head. The recording head heats ink by an electrothermal conversion element having a heating resistor, and discharges ink droplets from the discharge port by the action of film boiling.

(overall structure)
Next, the structure of the liquid container of the present invention mounted on such an ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an ink tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of a portion A of the ink tank that generates a negative pressure with a spring member shown in FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the ink tank shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink tank shown in FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion B shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ink tank shown in FIG.

  The ink tank T2000 is a container for storing ink, and as shown in FIG. 2, the appearance is composed of a container body T2017 and a lid member T2018, and an ink storage chamber is provided inside.

  The ink tank T2000 includes an ink supply port T2002 for supplying ink to a recording head (not shown) on the bottom surface of the container.

  As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, the ink tank includes a container body T2017, a spring member T2005, a plate member T2022, a flexible film T2027, a lid member T2018, a meniscus forming member T2020, an ink guiding member T2016, and a pressing member T2021. Consists of

  The container body T2017 is made of polypropylene. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a meniscus forming member T2020 is provided at a communication portion between the container main body and the ink supply port, and an ink guiding member T2016 is provided on the outer side, and a pressing member T2021 is attached on the outer side.

  In this embodiment, the meniscus forming member employs a stainless steel mesh filter having a pore diameter of 15 to 30 μm as the meniscus forming member.

  The meniscus forming member is not limited to the mesh filter, and may be any member that exhibits the same effect as a felt-like high-density fiber body.

  In the present embodiment, the ink guide member T2016 is a capillary member that is formed from a polypropylene fiber material and has a capillary force. The meniscus forming member forms a meniscus with ink so that air bubbles do not enter the ink storage chamber described later from the outside.

  The container main body T2017 forms an ink storage chamber T2001 by welding a flexible film to the opening peripheral edge T2015, and stores ink.

  The flexible film is a film member (thickness of about 20 to 100 μm) including a polypropylene thin film.

  The ink storage chamber generates a negative pressure in the container by urging the flexible film toward the outside of the tank via the plate member T2022 by a spring member.

  The spring member and the plate member are made of a stainless material.

  A lid member T2018 is attached to the opening of the container main body to protect the flexible film that is convex in the container outer direction.

  In these configurations, when the ink in the ink storage chamber is consumed by supplying ink to the recording head, the spring member contracts, the flexible film bends, and the volume of the ink storage chamber gradually decreases.

(Configuration of ink supply unit)
1 and 4 are an enlarged cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the ink supply unit. The ink tank T2000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is located at a position facing the meniscus forming member T2020 provided on the bottom surface of the ink storage chamber T2001, and alleviates the inertia force of the ink generated by the impact from the outside of the ink tank. An obstacle T2019 is provided. In this embodiment, the obstacle has an eaves shape protruding from the inner wall of the container body. When viewed from the direction of arrow E in FIG. 1, it is configured to be disposed at a position covering the meniscus forming member T2020 at a projection position. The gap between the obstacle T2019 and the meniscus forming member should be small, but in this embodiment, a gap of about 0.5 to 1.5 mm is provided in consideration of the mold size at the time of plastic molding. Yes. Moreover, it is set as the structure provided with the groove-shaped detour T2023 adjacent to the obstruction. The detour is partially formed from the ink storage chamber in a direction different from the meniscus forming member, and further bent to communicate with the meniscus forming member.

  The obstacle T2019 and the flexible film T2027 are configured to surround the meniscus forming member.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2C-C, showing the overall view of the container and the positional relationship between the ink supply ports.

(Function)
Since the obstacle T2019 provided in the ink storage chamber is provided in the vicinity of the meniscus forming member provided in the ink supply unit, when an impact or force is applied to the ink tank, the obstacle T2019 is directed to the meniscus forming member. Ink inertia can be reduced.

  The presence of the obstacle T2019 makes it difficult for the inertial force of the ink to move in the ink storage chamber to be directly transmitted to the meniscus forming member, and the ink is bent as shown by an arrow D in FIG. . As a result, ink scattering from the ink supply port hardly occurs.

  Further, the second obstacle T2024 may be provided at the bent portion of the detour so as to surround the meniscus forming member. Even when the ink tank drops in an oblique direction, the inertial force of the ink can be reduced.

  A part of the flexible film formed so as to surround the meniscus forming member also functions as a third obstacle.

  By adopting the above configuration, even if the user accidentally drops the ink tank, or when some kind of impact or force is applied to the tank, the ink is easy to disperse from the supply port with a simple configuration. Tanks can now be provided.

(Example 2)
6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ink tank according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of the ink tank shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, an ink flow path T2026 is provided between an ink storage chamber T2001 that stores ink and a meniscus forming member T2020 provided in the ink supply port T2002.

  The ink flow path has an opening T2025 on the bottom surface of the ink storage chamber. An obstacle T2019 is provided in the vicinity of the opening in the vicinity of the opening so as to alleviate the inertial force of the ink generated by the external shock when an impact is applied to the ink tank.

  The configuration other than the ink flow path T2026 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In the ink tank configured as described above, an obstacle provided in the ink storage chamber is provided in the vicinity of the opening T2025 of the ink flow path T2026 communicating with the ink supply unit. This has the effect of reducing the inertial force of the ink generated by external impact and force toward the supply port.

  Therefore, it is possible to obtain a liquid storage container that is difficult to scatter ink.

(Example 3)
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ink tank according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of the ink tank shown in FIG.

  In the ink tank of this embodiment, the side wall T2029 of the groove-shaped detour T2023 adjacent to the obstacle T2019 is formed at substantially the same height as the obstacle T2019.

  The ink tank configured as described above can ensure a wide cross-sectional area of the bypass, and can function as a second obstacle T2024 in which the side wall T2029 surrounds the ink flow path opening T2025.

  Accordingly, not only the linear ink inertia force from the ink storage chamber to the ink supply port, but also the ink inertia force applied from the side surface direction of the obstacle T2019 can be reduced. Therefore, there is an effect that ink scattering from the ink supply port hardly occurs.

  Further, a slope T2030 is provided at a contact portion between the side wall T2029 and the flexible film T2027, and the height of the side wall is configured to be equal to the obstacle T2019. With this configuration, the flexible film can easily adhere to the side wall and the obstacle, and the function as the second obstacle can be further enhanced.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the flexible film T2027 is configured from the end portion of the first obstacle T2019 along the upper end portion of the detour slope T2030.

  It covers a small room T2031 composed of an ink storage chamber, an obstacle T2019, and a second obstacle T2024.

  A configuration in which the area of the opening T2025 of the ink flow path T2026 is reduced or the ink flow path is divided with respect to the small room T2031 including the ink storage chamber, the obstacle T2019, and the second obstacle T2024. good.

  Since the flow resistance is generated when the ink flows through this portion, it is possible to relax the inertial force of the ink generated by the impact from the outside and make it difficult to scatter ink. In this embodiment, the ink flow path is divided into three divisions T2025-1, T2025-2, T2025-3, or T2026-1, T2026-2, T2026-3.

Example 4
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ink tank according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of the ink tank shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the ink tank of this example includes an ink supply port T2002, an ink guide member T2016, a meniscus forming member T2020, an ink flow path T2026, and an obstacle T2019 on the opening side of the container body T2017. It has a configuration.

  Specifically, this corresponds to the arrow indicated by T2032 in FIG.

  The flexible film T2027 is covered from the end of the obstacle T2019 at the bottom of the ink storage chamber T2001 to the top.

  The ink tank configured as described above can be configured to always cover not only the obstacle but also a part on the detour T2023 with the flexible film T2027 that forms the ink storage chamber.

  A portion indicated by a dotted line in FIG.

  It turns out that the upper surface of a detour is covered with the flexible film.

  The pressure of the ink generated by an impact or force from the outside can be controlled so that the film portion covering the detour further relaxes and the ink flows reliably along the detour flow path T2023. As a result, ink scattering from the ink supply port is hardly generated.

(Example 5)
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ink tank according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of the ink tank shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the ink tank according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which an eaves-like protrusion protrudes from the inside of the container main body T2017 and a groove-like detour T2023 is formed on the upper surface of the obstacle T2019. .

  Thus, the detour T2023 can be formed not only on the left and right of the obstacle T2019, but also on other parts adjacent to the supply port. The flexible film T2027 is bent to cover the obstacle T2019. Alternatively, the ink flow path can be secured.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to control the ink pressure generated by an impact or force from the outside and to surely flow the ink along the bypass flow path T2023. As a result, ink scattering from the ink supply port is hardly generated.

Explanatory drawing of the liquid storage container of this invention External perspective view of liquid storage container of the present invention Liquid storage container exploded perspective view of the present invention FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the portion of FIG. FIG. 2C-C cross-sectional view of the liquid storage container of the present invention Liquid container container sectional drawing in 2nd Example of this invention Liquid storage container internal configuration explanatory perspective view of the second embodiment Cross section of the third embodiment Third embodiment internal configuration explanation perspective view Sectional view of the fourth embodiment Fourth embodiment internal configuration explanation perspective view Sectional view of the fifth embodiment Fifth embodiment internal configuration explanation perspective view Inkjet recording device perspective view Inkjet recording device internal configuration perspective view Conventional ink tank described in Patent Document 1 Conventional example of ink tank described in Patent Document 2 Conventional ink tank described in Patent Document 3 Conventional ink tank described in Patent Document 4

Explanation of symbols

T2000 Ink tank T2001 Ink storage chamber T2002 Ink supply port T2017 Container body (housing)
T2019 Obstacle (relaxation member)
T2027 Flexible film

Claims (9)

A housing, a liquid storage chamber configured to store liquid directly, the housing as one side and a flexible film as the other side, and a liquid supply provided in the liquid storage chamber for supplying liquid to the recording head A liquid storage container with a mouth,
An overhang is provided in the vicinity of the liquid supply port in the liquid storage chamber of the casing.   The overhanging portion is a relaxation member for relaxing the inertial force of the liquid generated in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber in response to an external force applied to the housing from the outside and directed to the liquid supply port. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid container is a liquid container.   The overhanging portion is provided in a position facing the liquid supply port in the liquid storage chamber, and covers the liquid supply port in a projected manner when viewed from the liquid storage chamber side. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a second overhanging portion surrounding the liquid supply port is provided adjacent to the overhanging portion.   The overhanging portion has an adjacent groove portion, and a liquid communication path is formed between the liquid supply portion and the liquid storage chamber by contacting the flexible film and the groove portion. Item 4. A liquid container described in Items 1 to 3.   The liquid projecting path is formed between the liquid supply part and the liquid storage chamber by the projecting part having a groove part, and the flexible film and the groove part are in contact with each other. 3. A liquid container described in 3.   The flexible film is disposed so as to be in contact with the overhanging portion and the second overhanging portion, and relieves an inertial force generated in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber according to an external force applied to the casing from the outside. The liquid container according to claim 4, wherein the liquid container is a third projecting portion adjacent to the liquid supply portion.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a meniscus forming member is provided in the liquid supply unit.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a fibrous capillary force generating member is provided on the recording head coupling side of the liquid supply unit.

Images