JP2019064083A - Ink filling method and method for manufacturing ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ink filling method that can suppress bubbling of ink when the ink is filled in an ink container, and to provide a method for manufacturing an ink cartridge.SOLUTION: An ink filling method starts injection of ink into an ink container 2 from a supply port part 11 while an ink drop distance is suppressed more than that when injecting ink from the supply port part 11 while the ink container 2 is just suspended, and injects the ink into the ink container 2 while controlling a state of the ink container 2 in accordance with an increment of an injection rate of the ink.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink filling method for filling an ink cartridge with ink, and a manufacturing method of the ink cartridge.

  In an inkjet printing apparatus, an ink cartridge containing an ink to be supplied to an ink head is used.

  The ink cartridge is provided with an ink container, and the ink container is filled with the ink. In this regard, in Patent Document 1, an ink container attached with a supply port having a plug inside is installed upright in an installation part, the ink is injected from the supply port into the ink container, and the necessary amount of ink is An ink filling method is disclosed that seals the ink container with a plug when injected. With this ink filling method, it is possible to suppress that the ink overflows from the ink container and contaminates the ink container or the like, as compared with the case where the ink container is filled with the ink in a wide opening state where the supply port is removed.

Patent No. 59981616

  However, in the ink filling method of Patent Document 1, the ink injected into the ink container from the supply port may foam due to an impact when it falls. Depending on the type of ink, such bubbling at the time of ink injection is likely to occur. If the ink bubbles, air may enter into the ink, which may cause the ink head to not eject ink.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an ink filling method and an ink cartridge manufacturing method capable of suppressing the bubbling of the ink when the ink container is filled with the ink.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a bag-like ink container for containing ink, and one end of the ink container attached in one direction, communicate the inside and the outside of the ink container An ink filling method for an ink cartridge, comprising: a supply port portion; an inner plug for opening and closing the supply port portion; and biasing means for biasing the inner plug in a closing direction, wherein the biasing of the biasing means The process of opening the supply port by pressing the inside plug against the inside of the ink container, and the supply port just suspended with the one end of the ink container facing up. The injection of the ink from the supply port to the ink container is started in a state where the falling distance of the ink from the supply port in the ink container is suppressed more than the case where the ink is injected from the side, and the ink is injected. Quantity increase Accordingly, while adjusting the state of the ink container, injecting the ink into the ink container, injecting the ink into the ink container, and releasing the pressure on the inner plug to seal the ink container An ink filling method is provided, which comprises:

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a bag-like ink container for containing ink, a supply port attached to one end of the ink container and communicating the inside and the outside of the ink container, and A method of manufacturing an ink cartridge comprising: an inner plug for opening and closing a supply port; and urging means for urging the inner plug in a closing direction, the inner plug against the urging of the urging means. The step of opening the supply port by pressing the ink container into the ink container, and the case of injecting the ink from the supply port only with the ink container suspended with one end of the one side up Also, injection of ink from the supply port to the ink container is started in a state in which the falling distance of the ink from the supply port in the ink container is suppressed, and the ink is injected according to the increase of the injection amount. Adjust the condition of the ink container An ink cartridge including the steps of: injecting the ink into the ink container; and releasing the pressure on the inner plug after the ink is injected into the ink container to seal the ink container. A method of manufacture is provided.

  According to the present invention, bubbling of ink when filling the ink container can be suppressed.

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus into which the ink cartridge in the first embodiment is loaded. (B) is a front view of the same device. (C) is a side view of the same device. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an ink cartridge. FIG. 6 is a front view of an engaging portion of the ink cartridge. FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge. It is a schematic block diagram of the ink filling device in a 1st embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an ink supply connection of the ink filling device shown in FIG. 5 and an ink supply port of an ink cartridge. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an ink supply connection portion of the ink filling device shown in FIG. 5 and an ink supply port portion of an ink cartridge are connected. It is a front view which shows schematic structure of the ink filling apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a principal part side view of the ink filling apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the ink container installed in the ink filling device shown in FIG. 8 is bent. It is a schematic block diagram of the ink filling apparatus in 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts or components are denoted by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings.

  The embodiment shown below exemplifies an apparatus etc. for embodying the technical idea of this invention, and the technical idea of this invention is the material, shape, structure, arrangement etc. of each component. Does not specify the following. Various changes can be added to the technical idea of the present invention within the scope of the claims.

First Embodiment
In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus in which the ink cartridge is loaded includes a plurality of ink heads in which a large number of nozzles are formed, and inks of different colors are ejected from the respective ink heads to perform printing in line units The case of an inkjet line color printer that forms an image on the upper sheet will be described as an example.

  The printing apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C is an inkjet line color printer in which the ink cartridge 1 is loaded. The printing apparatus 100 has four ink heads (not shown) arranged side by side along the sheet conveyance direction. The four ink heads eject inks of different colors, and the images of the respective colors are superimposed on each other to form a color image.

  The direction in which the ink cartridge 1 is attached and detached horizontally to the printing apparatus 100 is referred to as “attachment and detachment direction A”. The direction in which the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into and loaded into the printing apparatus 100 is referred to as "loading direction A1", and the direction in which the ink cartridge 1 is detached from the printing apparatus 100 and removed is referred to as "disengaging direction A2." The loading direction A1 is the same as the direction in which the ink filled in the ink cartridge 1 flows out to the printing apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as “ink outflow direction B”), and when the ink container 2 described later is accommodated in the package 4 The insertion direction is the same as the separation direction A2.

  The printing apparatus 100 includes an arithmetic processing unit 101. The arithmetic processing unit 101 performs control regarding ink supply from an ink cartridge in addition to printing processing by the above-described ink head and drive control of the transport mechanism. .

  The arithmetic processing unit 101 is configured by a processor such as a CPU or DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a memory, hardware such as another electronic circuit, software such as a program having the function, or a combination thereof. It is a calculation module. The arithmetic processing unit 101 virtually constructs various functional modules by reading and executing programs as appropriate, and various functional modules perform processing related to image data, operation control of each part, and user operations by each constructed functional module. Do the processing. Further, an operation panel 102 is connected to the arithmetic processing unit 101, and an instruction or setting operation by the user can be received through the operation panel 102.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, a cartridge mounting mechanism 103 to which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted is provided on the top of the apparatus main body 100a of the printing apparatus 100. A total of four cartridge mounting mechanisms 103 are provided corresponding to each of the four ink heads.

  Further, an upper surface device 104 is disposed to cover the upper side of the cartridge attachment mechanism 103. The loading of the ink cartridge 1 is performed by inserting it in the horizontal direction (loading direction A1) between the lower surface of the upper surface device 104 and the upper surface of the device main body 100a. In the upper surface device 104, for example, an image reading device (scanner) that optically reads a document set in an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) as it is transported and converts it into digital data, and the operation panel 102 described above are disposed. .

  Further, the cartridge mounting mechanism 103 is provided with a holder portion 111 which is fitted with a supply port portion 11 of the ink cartridge 1 described later when the ink cartridge 1 is loaded into the printing apparatus 100.

  Next, the configuration of the ink cartridge 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 1 includes an ink container 2, an ink supply unit 3, an exterior body 4, and an engagement unit 5.

  The ink container 2 is a bag for containing ink. In the ink container 2 of the present embodiment, two rectangular thermoplastic films are stacked, and the ink supply unit 3 is interposed at one end in the longitudinal direction (corresponding to one direction in the claims), and the heat is generated around the periphery. It joins by welding and is formed in the shape of a bag. The ink container 2 is inserted from the opening of the package 4, and the engaging portion 5 to which the ink supply unit 3 is assembled is fitted to the opening of the package 4, whereby the ink cartridge 1 is assembled.

  The ink container 2 contains an oil-based ink containing silicone oil. Specifically, the oil-based ink stored in the ink container 2 is mainly composed of a non-aqueous solvent and a coloring material, and contains silicone oil as the non-aqueous solvent. The silicone oil is preferably contained in a range of 15 to 100% by mass of the non-aqueous solvent. The non-aqueous solvent may contain petroleum hydrocarbon solvents, fatty acid ester solvents, higher alcohol solvents and the like in addition to silicone oil.

  Moreover, as a coloring material of the oil-based ink accommodated in the ink container 2, any of a pigment and a dye can be used, and it may use individually or may use both together. The oil-based ink stored in the ink container 2 may contain a pigment dispersant, a preservative, an antioxidant, a surfactant, and the like.

  The ink supply unit 3 is for supplying the ink in the ink container 2 to the printing apparatus 100 when the ink cartridge 1 is loaded in the printing device 100. The ink supply unit 3 is attached to an end of the ink container 2 on the loading direction A1 side.

  Although the name of the ink supply unit 3 is named because the ink is supplied to the printing apparatus 100 through this portion when used in the printing apparatus 100, as described later, the ink filling apparatus If the ink cartridge 1 is connected to the ink supply / connection unit 38, ink can be injected and filled into the ink container 2 via the ink supply unit 3 in reverse.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the ink supply unit 3 includes a supply port 11 that communicates the inside and the outside of the ink container 2. The supply port 11 includes a supply port side joint portion 13 fitted with the holder portion 111 of the printing apparatus 100 and the ink supply connection portion 38 of the ink filling device 30 described later, and a circle surrounding the supply port side joint portion 13 An annular recess 14 is provided. The supply port side joint portion 13 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and an opening 13a is formed at the tip. The inside and the outside of the ink container 2 are communicated with each other through the opening 13a. The supply port 11 is engaged with the engagement portion 5 in a state where the opening 13a is directed in the loading direction A1.

  In addition, in the supply port portion 11, an inner plug 15 which opens or closes the opening 13a, and an urging member which urges the inner plug 15 in the ink outflow direction B to close the opening 13a And the covering member 17 for guiding the sliding of the plug 15 along the mounting and dismounting direction A along with the mounting and dismounting of the ink cartridge 1.

  In addition, the ink supply unit 3 has a communication pipe 19 thermally welded to the thermoplastic film of the ink container 2. The communication tube 19 is a cylindrical member and communicates the inside and the outside of the ink container 2.

  The supply port 11 and the ink container 2 are integrated by inserting the supply port 11 in which the inner plug 15 or the like is incorporated into the opening of the communication pipe 19 and fitting in a liquid tight state. . According to such a structure, the inside and the outside of the ink container 2 can be communicated or blocked by opening and closing the opening 13a by the inner plug 15.

  The inner plug 15 has a plug 15a whose front end closes the opening 13a to close the communication between the inside and the outside of the ink container 2, and a shaft extending from the rear end side (the disengaging direction A2 side) of the plug 15a. A portion 15b, and an engagement receiving portion 15c provided at the tip of the plug portion 15a and engaged with a pressing portion (not shown) of the holder portion 111 of the printing apparatus 100 and a pressing portion 44 of the ink filling device 30 described later; It has an O-ring 15d which is fitted around the plug 15a and fills the gap between the plug 15a and the supply port side joint 13 when the opening 13a is closed.

  In the inside plug 15, the surface on the tip side of the plug portion 15a abuts on the inner surface of the tip portion of the supply port side joint portion 13 by the biasing force of the biasing member 16, and closes the opening 13a. Further, the O-ring 15 d fills the gap between the plug portion 15 a and the supply port side joint portion 13. Thus, the communication between the inside and the outside of the ink container 2 is shut off, and the ink does not flow out.

  The biasing member 16 is made of an elastic body such as a spring or rubber, and biases the opening 13a from the rear end side of the plug portion 15a in a direction to close the opening 13a (that is, the loading direction A1). In the present embodiment, a spring is used as the biasing member 16.

  The covering member 17 is composed of a support portion 17a for supporting the biasing member 16 and a substantially cylindrical covering portion 17b extended from the support portion 17a. The covering member 17 supports the biasing member 16 with the support portion 17a, and has a length set so as to cover up the entire portion where the shaft portion 15b of the inside plug 15 is exposed from the supply port portion 11. That is, even when the plug portion 15a closes the opening 13a as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the plug portion 15a is pushed into the pressing portion 116 as shown in FIG. 7 and the opening 13a is opened. In this state, the stem 15b of the inside plug 15 is covered and covered by the covering member 17.

  As described above, the covering portion 17 b has a length that covers all the shaft portions 15 b exposed from the supply port portion 11 regardless of the presence or absence of the sliding of the inner plug 15. Even when the ink container 2 is deflated, the end of the stem 15 b does not come in contact with the inner surface of the ink container 2. As a result, there is no risk of damage to the ink container 2 by the plug 15, and the user can use the ink cartridge 1 without care in handling.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the loading direction A1 side from the center of the covering portion 17b is an inner diameter (a guiding inner diameter) in which the gap with the shaft portion 15b is narrowed as much as possible. Thus, the shaft 15b can slide in the correct posture along the mounting / removing direction A when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted / remounted. Furthermore, the separating direction A2 side from the center of the covering portion 17b has an inner diameter such that the gap with the shaft portion 15b is wider.

  There is a problem that the manufacturing cost is increased because high accuracy is required to process the inner diameter for guiding, but in the present embodiment, in the covering portion 17b, a portion not requiring the inner diameter for guiding has a predetermined diameter than the inner diameter for guiding The manufacturing cost is suppressed by not unnecessarily forming the portion to be the inner diameter of the guide.

  According to the ink cartridge 1 having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the supply port 11 is connected to the holder 111 of the printing apparatus 100 or the ink supply connection 38 of the ink filling apparatus 30 described later. Before being performed, the plug 15a is pressed toward the opening 13a by the biasing force of the biasing member 16, so the opening 13a is closed and the plug 15a and the supply port side joint 13 by the O-ring 15d. And the supply port side joint portion 13 is closed to prevent ink from passing therethrough.

  Conversely, although the details will be described later, as shown in FIG. 7, when the inside plug 15 receives a pressing force in the reverse direction to the biasing force of the biasing member 16 and slides toward the inside of the ink container 2, The opening 13 a is opened, and the inside and the outside of the ink container 2 communicate with each other. At this time, if the ink cartridge 1 is loaded in the printing apparatus 100, the ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge 1 to the printing apparatus 100 along the ink outflow direction B. At this time, if the ink cartridge 1 is loaded in the ink filling device 30, the ink can be filled in the ink container 2 of the ink cartridge 1.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is loaded into the printing apparatus 100 or the ink filling apparatus 30 at the tip of the supply port side joint part 13, the connection part between the printing apparatus 100 or the ink filling apparatus 30 and the opening 13a. In order to provide a slight gap on the side wall and make the amount of outflow or inflow of the ink appropriate, the projection 13b is provided. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, three projections 13 b are provided at substantially equal angular intervals around the opening 13 a.

  The exterior body 4 has one end opened in the longitudinal direction and the other end closed by bending the folding side set in a sheet member made of paper (for example, cardboard) and pasting together the glue margin part. Are assembled in the form of a box forming a hollow rectangular solid.

  The engaging portion 5 engaged with the cartridge attachment mechanism 103 on the printing apparatus 100 side is fitted in the opening of the exterior body 4 (the opening on the printing apparatus 100 side when the cartridge is loaded). It is an imminent situation with mechanism 103.

  The engaging portion 5 is formed of a hard material such as resin or metal, and functions as an attaching / detaching mechanism engaged with the cartridge attaching mechanism 103 when the ink cartridge 1 is loaded into the printing apparatus 100. The engaging portion 5 is formed to have a size substantially equal to the size of the opening in order to engage with the opening of the exterior body 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, after the engaging portion 5 is fitted to the opening of the exterior body 4, the seal-like label 21 (for example, synthetic resin like film method synthetic paper) having adhesiveness on the back surface The sheet is applied and fixed with a sheet material coated with an adhesive on the back surface of the synthetic paper having as a main component. The label 21 is engaged by being wound around the opposite side surface from the side surface of the exterior body 4 through the engagement portion 5 in a state where the engagement portion 5 is fitted to the exterior body 4 The portion 5 is assembled and fixed to the exterior body 4.

  Next, the configuration of the ink filling device 30 will be described.

  The ink filling device 30 shown in FIG. 5 is a device for filling the ink cartridge 1 with ink.

  In the description of the ink filling device 30, upper, lower, right and left indicated by arrows in FIG. The vertical direction in FIG. 5 is parallel to the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ink filling device 30 has an installation unit 31 in which the ink container 2 to which the ink supply unit 3 is attached is installed in a state where the outer package 4 and the engagement unit 5 are removed from the ink cartridge 1. Is equipped.

  The installation portion 31 includes a base portion 32, a plurality of columns 33 erected on the base portion 32, and a ceiling portion 34 provided at the upper end of the column. The ink supply unit 3 is attached to the ceiling 34 with the opening 13 a facing upward, so that the ink container 2 is installed in a suspended state from the ceiling 34.

  Further, the installation unit 31 includes a guide rail 35 extending in the vertical direction, a slider 36 that can move up and down along the guide rail 35, and a holding member 37 that holds the ink container 2. The guide rail 35 is disposed at a side (left in the example of FIG. 5) of the ink container 2 suspended by the ceiling 34. The holding member 37 is configured to be able to hold the entire ink container 2 in the lateral direction (left and right direction) of the ink container 2. The holding member 37 has a function as a stopper that suppresses the drop of the ink below the position where the ink container 2 is held. The holding member 37 can perform the holding operation of the ink container 2 by a motor or the like (not shown). The holding member 37 is fixed to the slider 36, and in a state where the ink container 2 is held, the holding member 37 can be lowered together with the slider 36 while shifting the holding position with respect to the ink container 2. The slider 36 is configured to be movable up and down by a driving force of a motor (not shown).

  In addition, the ink filling device 30 includes an ink supply connection unit 38 connected to the ink supply unit 3. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ink supply connection unit 38 includes a filling device side joint unit 39 connected to the ink supply unit 3.

  The filling device side joint portion 39 is a member having a substantially outer cylindrical shape, and an annular convex portion 40 to be fitted to the supply port side joint portion 13 is formed at the lower end portion thereof. The inward of the protrusion 40 is a recess 41.

  An O-ring 42 for preventing ink leakage is provided on the inner peripheral surface near the opening of the recess 41. An ink channel 43 communicates with the recess 41, and the ink channel 43 is connected to a switching valve 51 described later. Further, at the center of the recess 41, a rod-like pressing portion 44 is provided downward. The tip end (lower end) of the pressing portion 44 is shaped so as to be engaged with the engagement receiving portion 15 c of the inner plug 15. An annular receiving plate 45 is slidably inserted in the pressing portion 44, and an elastic member 46 is interposed between the receiving plate 45 and the base of the pressing portion 44. In the present embodiment, a spring is used as the elastic member 46.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ink supply connection unit 38 is connected to the switching valve 51. Connected to the first switching path 52 of the switching valve 51 are a first pump 53 as an ink charging unit, and an ink tank 54 in which oil-based ink containing silicone oil is stored. The suction side of the first pump 53 is connected to the ink tank 54, and the discharge side is connected to the switching valve 51. By switching the switching valve 51 to the side of the first switching path 52 and driving the first pump 53, the ink of the ink tank 54 can be injected and filled into the ink container 2 through the ink supply connection portion 38. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a suction port of a second pump 56 for suctioning the inside of the ink container 2 is connected to the second switching path 55 of the switching valve 51. The discharge port of the second pump 56 is provided with a discharge port for suctioned air.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ink supply connection portion 38 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction by the driving force of a motor (not shown). However, the ink supply connection unit 38 of the ink filling device 30 and the ink supply unit 3 may be relatively movable. The ink supply connection unit 38 of the ink filling device 30 is installed at a predetermined position, and the installation unit 31 in which the ink supply unit 3 and the ink container 2 are installed is vertically movable with respect to the ink supply connection unit 38. Or both may move if necessary. In any case, this operation causes the pressing portion 44 of the ink filling device 30 to move the inner plug 15 of the supply port portion 11 of the ink supply portion 3 against the biasing force of the biasing member 16 or the pressing thereof When the biasing member 16 moves the inside plug 15, the opening 13 a of the supply port 11 can be opened and closed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the ink filling device 30 includes a control unit 57 that controls the operation of the entire ink filling device 30. The control unit 57 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like.

  Next, an ink filling method for filling the ink container 2 with the ink using the ink filling device 30 will be described. Here, the case where the ink container 2 of the used ink cartridge 1 is filled with ink will be described.

  First, the operator removes the case 4 and the engaging portion 5 from the ink cartridge 1, and the ink container 2 in a state in which the ink supply portion 3 is attached is installed in the setting portion 31 of the ink filling device 30. At this time, the ink supply unit 3 is attached to the ceiling portion 34 with the opening 13 a facing upward, so that the ink container 2 is installed in a suspended state from the ceiling portion 34.

  Next, the process of opening the supply port 11 of the ink supply unit 3 is performed. Specifically, the control unit 57 lowers the ink supply connection unit 38 from above the ink supply unit 3 and connects the ink supply connection unit 38 to the ink supply unit 3.

  At this time, the convex portion 40 of the filling device side joint portion 39 is fitted to the supply port side joint portion 13 of the supply port portion 11, and the pressing portion 44 has its front end (lower end) as the engagement receiving portion 15c of the inner plug 15. And push down the plug 15 downward. Thereby, (the opening 13a of) the supply port 11 is opened. Since the O ring 42 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the recess 41 of the filling device side joint portion 39 fitted with the supply port side joint portion 13, a reliable ink leakage preventing effect can be obtained. As the filling device side joint portion 39 and the supply port side joint portion 13 are fitted, the receiving plate 45 compresses the elastic member 46 and rises along the pressing portion 44, and the filling device side joint portion 39 and the supply port side In the state where the joint portion 13 is fitted, the receiving plate 45 receives the restoring force of the elastic member 46 and abuts on the supply port side joint portion 13 with a predetermined force, so the fitting state is stabilized, and the O ring 42 is sealed. Combined with the function, it prevents ink leakage.

  Next, the step of injecting the ink into the ink container 2 is performed. Specifically, first, the control unit 57 causes the holding member 37 to hold the ink container 2. At this time, the height position of the holding member 37 (slider 36) is adjusted to a position where the ink container 2 can be held at a predetermined position near the lower side of the ink supply unit 3.

  As described above, by holding the ink container 2 in the middle by the holding member 37, the falling distance of the ink from the supply port 11 when starting the injection of the ink is the holding position by the holding member 37 from the supply port 11. Up to. On the other hand, in the state in which the ink container 2 is only suspended (the state in which the ink container 2 is not held by the holding member 37), the drop distance of the ink from the supply port 11 at the start of the ink injection is , And from the supply port 11 to the lower end of the ink container 2. That is, by holding the ink container 2 with the holding member 37, the falling distance of the ink is suppressed as compared with the case where the ink is injected from the supply port 11 in the state where the ink container 2 is suspended. .

  Then, in a state in which the holding member 37 holds the ink container 2, the control unit 57 starts the injection of the ink from the supply port 11 to the ink container 2. Specifically, the control unit 57 switches the switching valve 51 to the side of the first switching path 52, and starts driving of the first pump 53. Thereby, the ink in the ink tank 54 is started to be injected into the ink container 2 through the ink supply connection portion 38 and the supply port portion 11.

  After the start of the ink injection, the control unit 57 injects the ink while adjusting the state of the ink container 2 according to the increase of the ink injection amount. Specifically, the controller 57 lowers the nipping member 37 according to the increase in the injection amount of the ink, thereby performing the ink injection while moving the nipping position of the ink container 2 by the nipping member 37 downward. . Thereby, the ink is injected while avoiding the ink from overflowing from the ink container 2. The moving speed of the holding member 37 is adjusted so that the liquid level of the ink in the ink container 2 is maintained at a constant position.

  When the necessary amount of ink is injected, the control unit 57 stops the first pump 53 to end the injection of the ink into the ink container 2. Further, the control unit 57 causes the holding member 37 to be lowered below the lower end of the ink container 2 to release the holding of the ink container 2 by the holding member 37. Here, the amount of ink to be injected is arbitrary, and may be injected until the ink container 2 is full, or may be injected to such an extent that only a part of the effective capacity is satisfied according to the needs of the consumer .

  Here, in the step of injecting the ink into the ink container 2 described above, air may enter the ink container as the ink is injected. It is also conceivable that air is already contained in the ink container 2 before the ink is injected, and the air remains as it is after the injection. When air is contained in the ink container 2 of the ink cartridge 1, when the ink cartridge 1 is loaded into the printing apparatus 100 and printing is performed, the air enters the ink supply system of the printing apparatus 100, and the ink at the ink head In some cases, a problem such as the discontinuous supply of ink or the inability to supply ink may occur, which is harmful to printing. For this reason, it is desirable to remove air from the ink container 2 as much as possible.

  Therefore, following the above-described process of injecting the ink, a process of extracting air from the ink container 2 is performed. Specifically, the control unit 57 switches the switching valve 51 to the second switching path 55, and drives the second pump 56. The air in the ink container 2 is discharged to the outside from the discharge port by the second pump 56 through the switching valve 51. As a result, the ink container 2 is filled with the required amount of ink and there is almost no air.

  Then, the process of closing the supply port 11 of the ink supply unit 3 and sealing the ink container 2 is performed. Specifically, the control unit 57 lifts the ink supply connection unit 38 to release the pressing of the inner plug 15 by the pressing unit 44. As a result, the plug 15 moves upward by the biasing force of the biasing member 16, and the ink container 2 is sealed by the plug 15. Thus, a series of processes for filling the ink container 2 with the ink is completed.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the ink drop distance is suppressed more than when ink is injected from the supply port 11 in a state in which the ink container 2 is only suspended from the ceiling 34. Then, the injection of the ink from the supply port portion 11 into the ink container 2 is started, and the ink is injected into the ink container 2 while adjusting the state of the ink container 2 according to the increase of the injection amount of the ink. As a result, the impact due to the drop of the ink from the supply port portion 11 when the ink is injected into the ink container 2 is reduced, so that the bubbling of the ink can be suppressed.

  Specifically, in the first embodiment, the ink container 2 is held by the holding member 37, the injection of the ink from the supply port portion 11 into the ink container 2 is started, and the holding member is adjusted according to the injection amount of the ink. Ink is poured into the ink container 2 while moving the holding position by 37 downward. Thus, it is possible to realize the filling of the ink container 2 with the ink while suppressing the bubbling of the ink by suppressing the falling distance of the ink.

  The ink to be injected into the ink container 2 is an oil-based ink containing silicone oil. Oily inks, including silicone oils, are particularly susceptible to bubbling upon impact. On the other hand, by using the above-described ink filling method, even when oil-based ink containing silicone oil is injected into the ink container 2, bubbling at the time of ink injection can be suppressed, and air to ink in the ink container 2 can be reduced. Can be suppressed.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment in which the ink filling device and the ink filling method of the first embodiment described above are modified will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the ink filling device 30A in the second embodiment has a configuration in which the setting portion 31 of the ink filling device 30 of the first embodiment described above is replaced with a setting portion 31A.

  In the description of the second embodiment, upper, lower, right and left indicated by arrows in FIG. The vertical direction in FIG. 8 is parallel to the vertical direction. Further, the direction orthogonal to the sheet of FIG. 8 is the front-rear direction, and the front side of the sheet is the front.

  The installation portion 31A has a configuration in which the guide rail 35, the slider 36, and the holding member 37 of the installation portion 31 of the first embodiment are replaced with the guide rail 61, the slider 62, and the holding member 63.

  The guide rail 61 is a long member extending in the vertical direction, and stands upright on the base portion 32 at a position in front of the ink container 2 suspended by the ceiling portion 34. The slider 62 is a member capable of moving up and down along the guide rail 61 by a driving force of a motor (not shown). The holding member 63 is a member for holding the tip (lower end) of the ink container 2. The holding member 63 can perform the holding operation of the ink container 2 by a motor or the like (not shown). The holding member 63 is fixed to the slider 62, and is configured to be movable together with the slider 62.

  Next, an ink filling method for filling the ink container 2 with the ink using the ink filling device 30A will be described.

  In the ink filling method using the ink filling device 30A, the steps other than the step of injecting the ink into the ink container 2 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the process of injecting the ink into the ink container 2 will be described, and the description of the other processes will be omitted.

  In the step of injecting the ink into the ink container 2, the control unit 57 causes the holding member 62 to hold the leading end (lower end) of the ink container 2. At this time, the control unit 57 causes the operator to guide the tip of the ink container 2 to a position where the holding member 62 can hold and perform an operation input to cause the input unit (not shown) to perform the holding operation. The holding member 62 performs the holding operation. A mechanism for guiding the leading end of the ink container 2 to a position where the holding member 62 can hold is provided, and the mechanism guides the tip of the ink container 2 to a position where the holding member 62 can hold the ink container. The tip of 2 may be held.

  Next, the control unit 57 adjusts the height position of the slider 62 and the sandwiching member 63 so that the ink container 2 is bent forward in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. At this time, the control unit 57 bends the ink container 2 with a curvature that can suppress the ink falling downward from the bending position of the ink container 2, and the bending position is a predetermined position near the lower side of the ink supply unit 3. The height position of the slider 62 and the holding member 63 is adjusted so that

  By bending the ink container 2 as described above, the falling distance of the ink from the supply port 11 at the start of the injection of the ink becomes from the supply port 11 to the bending position of the ink container 2. That is, by bending the ink container 2, the drop distance of the ink is suppressed as compared with the case where the ink is injected from the supply port 11 in a state in which the ink container 2 is only suspended.

  Then, in a state in which the ink container 2 is bent, the control unit 57 switches the switching valve 51 to the side of the first switching path 52 to start the driving of the first pump 53, thereby the ink container from the supply port 11 2. Start the injection of ink to 2

  After the start of the ink injection, the control unit 57 injects the ink while adjusting the state of the ink container 2 according to the increase of the ink injection amount. Specifically, the control unit 57 causes ink to be injected while moving the bending position of the ink container 2 downward by lowering the holding member 63 according to the increase of the injection amount of the ink. Thereby, the ink is injected while avoiding the ink from overflowing from the ink container 2. The moving speed of the holding member 62 is adjusted so that the liquid level of the ink in the ink container 2 is maintained at a constant position.

  When the necessary amount of ink is injected, the control unit 57 stops the first pump 53 to end the injection of the ink into the ink container 2. Further, the control unit 57 cancels the holding of the ink container 2 by the holding member 63. Thus, the process of injecting the ink into the ink container 2 is completed.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, with the ink container 2 in a bent state, the injection of the ink from the supply port 11 into the ink container 2 is started, and the ink container 2 is changed according to the increase of the injection amount of the ink. The ink is poured into the ink container 2 while moving the bending position downward. Even in this case, it is possible to realize the filling of the ink container 2 with the ink while suppressing the bubbling of the ink by suppressing the falling distance of the ink.

  Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, even when oil-based ink containing silicone oil that easily foams due to impact is injected into the ink container 2, it is possible to suppress foaming when ink is injected, and the ink container The mixing of air into the ink in 2 can be suppressed.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment in which the ink filling device and the ink filling method of the first embodiment described above are modified will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the ink filling device 30B in the third embodiment has a configuration in which the setting portion 31 of the ink filling device 30 of the first embodiment described above is replaced with a setting portion 31B.

  In the description of the third embodiment, upper and lower front and rear directions indicated by arrows in FIG. The vertical direction in FIG. 11 is parallel to the vertical direction.

  The setting unit 31B includes a plate-like mounting table 71 on which the ink container 2 is mounted, and a holding plate 72 to which the ink supply unit 3 is attached. The holding plate 72 is erected on the mounting table 71.

  The installation unit 31B is configured to be pivotable between a filling start state shown by a solid line in FIG. 11 and a filling end state shown by a two-dot chain line by a driving force of a motor (not shown). In the filling start state of the installation section 31B, the mounting table 71 is in the horizontal state, and the holding plate 72 is in the vertical state. In addition, in the state at the end of filling of the installation portion 31B, the mounting table 71 is in the vertical state, and the holding plate 72 is in the horizontal state.

  In the ink filling device 30B, the ink supply connection unit 38 is configured to rotate together with the installation unit 31B while being connected to the ink supply unit 3. Further, the ink supply connection unit 38 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction by the driving force of a motor (not shown) when the installation unit 31B is in the filling completion state.

  Next, an ink filling method for filling the ink container 2 with ink using the ink filling device 30B will be described.

  First, the ink container 2 in a state in which the ink supply unit 3 is attached is installed by the operator in the setting unit 31B in the filling completion state. At this time, the ink supply unit 3 is attached to the holding plate 72 with the opening 13 a facing upward. Here, the ink supply connection portion 38 is above the installation portion 31B.

  Next, the process of opening the supply port 11 of the ink supply unit 3 is performed. Specifically, the control unit 57 lowers the ink supply connection unit 38 from above the ink supply unit 3 and connects the ink supply connection unit 38 to the ink supply unit 3. Thereby, the pressing portion 44 pushes the inner plug 15 downward, and the supply port 11 (the opening 13a thereof) is opened.

  Next, the step of injecting the ink into the ink container 2 is performed. Specifically, first, the control unit 57 shifts the setting unit 31B from the filling end state to the filling start state. As a result, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 11, the ink container 2 is placed on the mounting table 71 in the horizontal state, with the longitudinal direction as the horizontal direction (front-rear direction).

  As a result, the falling distance of the ink from the supply port 11 at the start of the injection of the ink becomes from the supply port 11 to the inner surface on the lower side of the horizontally oriented ink container 2. That is, the ink container 2 is placed on the mounting table 71 in the horizontal state to be in the horizontal state, so that the ink is injected from the supply port 11 only when the ink container 2 is suspended. The falling distance of is reduced.

  Then, in a state where the ink container 2 is mounted on the mounting table 71 in the horizontal state, the control unit 57 starts the injection of the ink from the supply port 11 to the ink container 2. Specifically, the control unit 57 switches the switching valve 51 to the side of the first switching path 52, and starts driving of the first pump 53. Thereby, the ink in the ink tank 54 is started to be injected into the ink container 2 through the ink supply connection portion 38 and the supply port portion 11.

  After the start of the ink injection, the control unit 57 injects the ink while adjusting the state of the ink container 2 according to the increase of the ink injection amount. Specifically, the control unit 57 rotates the setting unit 31B according to the increase of the injection amount of ink to gradually shift the filling start state to the filling end state, thereby supplying the ink container 2 with the ink. Ink is poured while gradually standing up with the side of the unit 3 facing up. Thereby, the ink is injected while avoiding the ink from overflowing from the ink container 2.

  When the necessary amount of ink is injected, the control unit 57 stops the first pump 53 to end the injection of the ink into the ink container 2. In addition, the control unit 57 stops the rotation of the setting unit 31B when the setting unit 31B is in the state at the end of the filling and the mounting table 71 and the ink container 2 are in the vertical state. Thus, the process of injecting the ink into the ink container 2 is completed. Here, the timing for ending the ink injection may be before the setting portion 31B is in the filling end state, or may be after the setting portion 31B is in the filling end state.

  Subsequent to the above-described step of injecting the ink, a step of removing air from the ink container 2 is performed, and then a step of sealing the ink container 2 is performed. The process of removing air from the ink container 2 and the process of sealing the ink container 2 are the same as those described in the first embodiment described above.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the ink container 2 is horizontally mounted on the mounting table 71 in the horizontal state, and the injection of the ink from the supply port 11 to the ink container 2 is started, and the ink is injected. Ink is poured into the ink container 2 while shifting the mounting table 71 and the ink container 2 to the vertical state so that the ink supply unit 3 side of the ink container 2 is up according to the amount. Even in this case, it is possible to realize the filling of the ink container 2 with the ink while suppressing the bubbling of the ink by suppressing the falling distance of the ink.

  Also in the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, even when oil-based ink containing silicone oil that easily foams due to impact is injected into the ink container 2, it is possible to suppress foaming when ink is injected. The mixing of air into the ink in the ink container 2 can be suppressed.

Other Embodiments
As described above, although the present invention has been described by the first to third embodiments, it should not be understood that the statements and drawings that form a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples and operation techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the case where the ink stored in the ink container 2 is an oil-based ink containing a silicone oil has been described, but the ink stored in the ink container 2 is not limited to this. The ink stored in the ink container 2 may be an aqueous ink, an oil-based ink other than an oil-based ink containing silicone oil, a solvent ink, an ultraviolet curable ink, or the like.

  In the first embodiment described above, the holding member 37 holding the ink container 2 is lowered by power along the guide rail 35. However, the operator holds the holding member and manually holds the ink container 2 And the holding member may be lowered manually.

  In the second embodiment described above, the lower end portion of the ink container 2 is held by the holding member 63 and lifted to bring the ink container 2 into a bent state, and the holding member 63 is lowered by power along the guide rail 61. The bending position of the ink container 2 was moved downward. However, the operator holds the lower end portion of the ink container 2 by hand and lifts the ink container 2 so that the ink container 2 is bent and the bending position of the ink container 2 is lowered by lowering the hand holding the lower end portion of the ink container 2. You may make it move downward.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the ink container 2 is evacuated by the second pump 56, but may be evacuated by another method. For example, after the injection of the ink is completed, the operator applies an appropriate pressure to the ink container 2 from the outside using a hand or the like while maintaining the opening 13a open by the pressing unit 44 from the opening 13a. You may push out the air. Further, for example, a movable pair of plate-like members sandwiching the ink container 2 is provided, and the pressure is applied so that the ink container 2 whose opening 13a is opened is pinched and crushed from both sides by the pair of members. You may push out the air.

  In the first to third embodiments, a slightly larger amount of ink than the necessary amount is injected into the ink container 2 in the step of injecting the ink, and then the second pump 56 is used to maintain the opening 13a open. The ink may be suctioned, and when the required amount of ink in the ink container 2 is reached, the step of sealing the ink container 2 may be performed to close the opening 13a. According to this method, when suctioning an excess amount of ink and removing it from the ink container 2, air can be reliably removed together with the ink.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the case where the filled ink container 2 of the used ink cartridge 1 is filled with ink has been described. However, the ink filling methods of the first to third embodiments can also be applied to the case where the empty ink container 2 is filled with ink in a part of the manufacturing process when the ink cartridge 1 is manufactured. That is, the method of filling the ink container 2 with ink in the first to third embodiments can be applied to the method of manufacturing the ink cartridge 1. The ink filling methods of the first to third embodiments can also be applied to the case where the ink is filled in the ink container 2 in which the ink remains.

  In the first to third embodiments, when the ink remains in the ink container 2, the ink remaining in the ink container 2 is between the step of opening the supply port 11 and the step of injecting the ink. The ink may be injected after being sucked out by the second pump 56. By providing such an ink suction step, mixing of the ink remaining in the ink container 2 and the ink of the ink tank 54 to be newly injected can be avoided in the ink container 2. This is effective, for example, when the ink remaining in the ink container 2 and the ink to be newly injected have an unrecognizable difference in the nature of the ink.

  In the case of providing the above-described step of sucking out the ink, the discharge port of the second pump 56 is provided with a waste container which can be selectively switched to the air discharge port. Then, when the ink remaining in the ink container 2 is sucked out by the second pump 56, the connection destination of the discharge port of the second pump 56 is switched to the waste container.

  Thus, it is a matter of course that the present invention includes various embodiments and the like which are not described herein. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention-specifying matters according to the scope of claims appropriate from the above description.

[Supplementary note]
The present application discloses the following invention.

(Supplementary Note 1)
A bag-like ink container for containing ink;
A supply port attached to one end of the ink container and communicating the inside and the outside of the ink container;
A plug for opening and closing the supply port;
And a biasing means for biasing the inner plug in the closing direction, the method for filling the ink cartridge with ink.
Pressing the inner plug into the ink container against the bias of the biasing means to open the supply port;
The drop distance of the ink from the supply port in the ink container is smaller than the case where the ink is injected from the supply port in the state where the ink container is suspended with one end of the one side up. The step of starting the injection of the ink from the supply port to the ink container as a state to be suppressed, and injecting the ink into the ink container while adjusting the state of the ink container according to the increase of the injection amount of the ink When,
And a step of sealing the ink container by releasing the pressure on the inner plug after injecting the ink into the ink container.

(Supplementary Note 2)
In the process of injecting the ink,
In the state where the ink container with one end on one side up is held by the holding member, the injection of the ink from the supply port to the ink container is started, and according to the injection amount of the ink The ink filling method according to claim 1, wherein the method is a step of injecting the ink into the ink container while moving the holding position of the ink container from one end side to the other end side of the one direction.

(Supplementary Note 3)
In the process of injecting the ink,
The ink container having one end facing in one direction is bent in one direction, and injection of the ink from the supply port into the ink container is started, and the ink container is made according to the injection amount of the ink. The ink filling method according to claim 1, wherein the ink is injected into the ink container while moving the bending position from one end side to the other end side of the one direction.

(Supplementary Note 4)
In the process of injecting the ink,
In a state where the ink container is mounted on the horizontal mounting table with the one direction being the horizontal direction, the injection of the ink from the supply port into the ink container is started, and the mounting table and the mounting table according to the ink injection amount The ink filling method according to claim 1, wherein the ink container is injected into the ink container while shifting the ink container to the vertical state so that one end of the one direction is on the upper side.

(Supplementary Note 5)
The ink filling method according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that the ink injected into the ink container is an oil-based ink containing silicone oil.

(Supplementary Note 6)
A bag-like ink container for containing ink;
A supply port attached to one end of the ink container and communicating the inside and the outside of the ink container;
A plug for opening and closing the supply port;
And a biasing means for biasing the inner plug in the closing direction,
Pressing the inner plug into the ink container against the bias of the biasing means to open the supply port;
The drop distance of the ink from the supply port in the ink container is smaller than the case where the ink is injected from the supply port in the state where the ink container is suspended with one end of the one side up. The step of starting the injection of the ink from the supply port to the ink container as a state to be suppressed, and injecting the ink into the ink container while adjusting the state of the ink container according to the increase of the injection amount of the ink When,
And a step of sealing the ink container by releasing the pressure on the inner plug after the ink is injected into the ink container.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ink cartridge 2 ink container 3 ink supply part 4 exterior body 5 engaging part 11 supply port part 13 supply port side joint part 13a opening part 15 plug 16 biasing member 17 coating member 30, 30A, 30B ink filling device 31, 31A, 31B Installation part 35, 61 Guide rail 36, 62 Slider 37, 63 Holding member 38 Ink supply connection part 39 Filling device side joint part 44 Pressing part 51 Switching valve 53 1st pump 54 Ink tank 56 2nd pump 57 Control part 71 placing table 72 holding plate

Claims (6)

A bag-like ink container for containing ink;
A supply port attached to one end of the ink container and communicating the inside and the outside of the ink container;
A plug for opening and closing the supply port;
And a biasing means for biasing the inner plug in the closing direction, the method for filling the ink cartridge with ink.
Pressing the inner plug into the ink container against the bias of the biasing means to open the supply port;
The drop distance of the ink from the supply port in the ink container is smaller than the case where the ink is injected from the supply port in the state where the ink container is suspended with one end of the one side up. The step of starting the injection of the ink from the supply port to the ink container as a state to be suppressed, and injecting the ink into the ink container while adjusting the state of the ink container according to the increase of the injection amount of the ink When,
And a step of sealing the ink container by releasing the pressure on the inner plug after injecting the ink into the ink container. In the process of injecting the ink,
In the state where the ink container with one end on one side up is held by the holding member, the injection of the ink from the supply port to the ink container is started, and according to the injection amount of the ink The ink filling method according to claim 1, wherein the ink is poured into the ink container while moving the holding position of the ink container from one end side to the other end side of the one direction. In the process of injecting the ink,
The ink container having one end facing in one direction is bent in one direction, and injection of the ink from the supply port into the ink container is started, and the ink container is made according to the injection amount of the ink. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ink is injected into the ink container while moving the bending position from one end side to the other end side of the one direction. In the process of injecting the ink,
In a state where the ink container is mounted on the horizontal mounting table with the one direction being the horizontal direction, the injection of the ink from the supply port into the ink container is started, and the mounting table and the mounting table according to the ink injection amount 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ink container is injected into the ink container while the ink container is shifted to the vertical state so that one end of the one direction is on the upper side.   The ink filling method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ink injected into the ink container is an oil-based ink containing a silicone oil. A bag-like ink container for containing ink;
A supply port attached to one end of the ink container and communicating the inside and the outside of the ink container;
A plug for opening and closing the supply port;
And a biasing means for biasing the inner plug in the closing direction,
Pressing the inner plug into the ink container against the bias of the biasing means to open the supply port;
The drop distance of the ink from the supply port in the ink container is smaller than the case where the ink is injected from the supply port in the state where the ink container is suspended with one end of the one side up. The step of starting the injection of the ink from the supply port to the ink container as a state to be suppressed, and injecting the ink into the ink container while adjusting the state of the ink container according to the increase of the injection amount of the ink When,
And a step of sealing the ink container by releasing the pressure on the inner plug after the ink is injected into the ink container.