JP2852914B2 - Recording liquid container for inkjet - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording liquid container for holding a liquid ink, and more particularly, to a combination of a chamber for accommodating a recording liquid and a chamber for accommodating a liquid holding member as a negative pressure generating member. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording liquid container having the above configuration.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording liquid container (hereinafter also referred to as an ink cartridge) for accommodating a recording liquid such as ink for ink jet is integrated with an ink jet head so that the ink in the cartridge cannot be discharged. Then, they are often discarded together with the head. The amount of ink remaining in the cartridge at this stage, even with improvements, is governed by the ink holding capacity of the sponge, which is a negative pressure generator housed almost entirely in the cartridge,
It was relatively large.

An example of this type of ink container (cartridge) is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-63242. That is, it is a cartridge of one ink jet recording head having a foam material disposed in an ink container and having a plurality of ink ejection orifices. In this ink container, a negative pressure is generated due to the capillary force of the foam and the ink is retained (the ink is prevented from leaking from the ink container) in order to store the ink in a porous medium such as a polyurethane foam as a foam material. However, since the foam is required almost entirely in the ink storage layer, the filling amount of the ink is limited, and the amount of the ink remaining without being used in the foam increases, so that the ink use efficiency becomes too high. I couldn't do that. Further, there is a problem that it is difficult to detect the remaining amount of ink, and furthermore, the negative pressure gradually changes during the ink consumption period, and it is difficult to maintain a substantially constant negative pressure.

[0004] In contrast to this configuration, there is a gazette that discloses a cartridge that employs a configuration in which an ink cartridge holds substantially only ink. In other words, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-522 discloses an ink jet apparatus in which a slight porous member is arranged between a primary ink storage section which is located above and holds a large amount of ink alone and an ink jet recording head which is located below. An ink cartridge integrated with a recording head is disclosed. According to the invention, the use efficiency of ink can be improved by disposing the porous member only in the ink flow path without being built in the ink storage section. In addition, by providing a secondary ink storage section as a space capable of holding ink on the side of the porous member, the temperature can be reduced by 1 (pressure drop).
It is stated that ink flowing out of the primary ink storage unit due to expansion of the air in the secondary ink storage unit can be maintained at a substantially constant negative pressure to the print head during printing.

However, according to the invention of this publication, during non-printing, the porous member is impregnated with ink from the primary ink storage portion which is located above and holds only a large amount of ink, so that the ink is too much. Therefore, generation of negative pressure in the porous member itself is almost eliminated.
Therefore, there is a problem that the ink leaks from the orifice of the ink jet recording head due to a slight impact,
Not practical. In addition, adopting a replaceable ink cartridge type in which an ink container is mounted on an ink recording head in this configuration has a problem that the state of the porous member causes an ink leak and cannot be put to practical use.

[0006] On the other hand, there is known an ink cartridge which is provided with a spring structure for keeping the negative pressure of the bag by enclosing the ink in the bag, but it is not only expensive but also expensive. It has been difficult to achieve mass production while maintaining the performance of the spring configuration.

In any case, no inexpensive ink jet (non-contact recording print type) ink cartridge having a reasonable technical level has been provided in the field of ink jet printing.

[0008]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventors have proposed that an ink container suitable for the technical field of ink-jet printing can supply ink suitable for the amount of ink ejected from a recording head at the time of printing. In some cases, the two-sidedness was examined to ensure that there was no inconvenience such as ink leakage from the ejection port. As a result, as a basic configuration, a first storage chamber that houses the negative pressure generating member and has an air communication portion for obtaining communication with the atmosphere and communicates with the first storage chamber, but is substantially sealed. Thus, the configuration having the second storage chamber for directly storing the ink to be supplied to the first storage chamber is an important premise for the characteristics of the ink jet.

On the other hand, the present inventors have studied contact recording technology different from the technical field of the present invention,
We decided to review the technical peculiarities of the inkjet printing field. Generally, a recording instrument pen that performs recording by contacting a recording medium supplies ink to a recording core that has both ink absorption and retention properties, so the recording core itself is exposed to the atmosphere. It is fundamentally different from the technical content of the inkjet field.

[0010] Investigations have revealed that Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
No. gazette was found. This publication discloses a pen for a recording instrument on the premise of using a recording core (porous ink-absorbing core) that performs recording by contacting a recording medium. There was only ink overflow.

This publication discloses a first recording medium that contacts a lower recording core.
A central portion having a liquid absorbing material and a second liquid absorbing material that slightly absorbs ink but is less likely to contain ink than the first liquid absorbing material on the upper air communication port side, and the recording core protrudes downward. This is an invention in which a chamber and a sealed ink storage chamber for supplying ink to both sides of the chamber are essential components. According to this configuration, the air in the closed ink storage chamber expands due to an increase in the ambient temperature, the ink in the closed ink storage chamber reaches the first liquid absorbing material, and the ink that the first liquid absorbing material can no longer hold can be held. Is absorbed by the second liquid absorbing material, thereby preventing the ink from overflowing from the recording core and falling. Further, in this publication, when one of the two closed ink storage chambers becomes air only, a groove having a constant width is formed to allow the expansion of the air to escape to the atmosphere communication port side. It is also disclosed that the partition wall is provided from the lowermost end to the uppermost end of the side surface different from the partition wall.

The present inventors have focused on applying only this tank configuration to an ink jet head of non-contact recording having few technical similarities. A new phenomenon of ink overflow was confirmed.

This new phenomenon has not been recognized in the field of recording instrument pens.

Further, since the groove having a constant width described in the above publication also has a function of promoting the discharge of ink together with air, the overflow of ink from the air communication port is further promoted.

Furthermore, the ink consumption from the ink storage chambers on both sides is not equivalent. If the ink in one ink storage chamber is exhausted first, the ink jet recording is performed even though a large amount of ink remains in the other ink storage chamber. Has become impossible. This is a result of wasting the ink in the ink storage chamber, which is fundamentally contrary to the object of the present invention. This was because a large amount of air entered the first liquid absorbing material, and as a result, ink could not be supplied.

The present inventors have studied to provide a recording liquid container having a configuration which can be applied to an ink jet apparatus and can achieve a stable supply of a recording liquid. The state of the negative pressure generating member for promoting gas-liquid exchange was examined, focusing on the state in which the supply of ink to the chamber containing the negative pressure generating member as described above is performed in the communicating portion.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made based on the above findings, and a negative pressure generating member is housed in an ink jet recording liquid container connectable to an ink jet head of an ink jet apparatus, and recording is performed on the head. A first chamber provided with a recording liquid supply unit for supplying liquid and an atmosphere communication unit for obtaining communication with the atmosphere, and a communication with the first chamber via a communication unit provided at a position distant from the atmosphere communication unit And a second chamber that is substantially sealed except for the communication section and stores the liquid to be supplied to the first chamber, and that a second chamber is provided between the communication section and the negative pressure generating member. Wherein the first chamber has a region in which a negative pressure generating member does not substantially exist.

According to the present invention, since the negative pressure generating member does not exist in the first chamber for the negative pressure generating member storage chamber near the communication portion, the movement of the liquid or the air Excessive restriction of movement is not performed in the vicinity of the communication portion. As a result, gas-liquid exchange can be achieved promptly.

Further, the present invention provides the above premise configuration,
By providing an ink supply opening or a region where a negative pressure generator can be compressed (or compressible) by a supply tube on the side facing the partition wall forming the microcommunication portion,
The ink in the second storage chamber can secure a stable substantial ink supply path in the negative pressure generating body, and the ink supply opening is located above the microcommunication portion with respect to the lower surface of the ink cartridge. Can be listed. In the present invention, the "supply pipe"
Includes a valve structure and a connecting member attached to the cartridge and compressing and deforming the negative pressure generator, as well as an insertion tube unique to the ink jet. The effect of this arrangement relation is that the ink movement direction can be substantially constant, all the ink in the second storage chamber can be consumed, and after this consumption, the atmosphere moves from the partition wall side to the opposite opening side. By intervening, as a result, the ink inside the negative pressure generator can be consumed and the remaining ink can be reduced.

In particular, with respect to the above premise, an area which is not compressed by the supply pipe of the negative pressure generator from the partition wall forming the minute communication portion to the side facing the wall,
By providing the area compressed by the supply pipe of the negative pressure generator in this order, the above-described one-way ink supply path can be formed in the area not compressed, and the same effect can be obtained. Thus, the remaining amount of ink can be further reduced.

Therefore, a more preferable invention of the present invention can satisfy the above three constitutions,
Of course, it can be understood that a single effect of the above-described structure or a combination of any two structures can provide excellent effects.

On the other hand, the ink-jet cartridge of the present invention touches the operator's fingers. Usually, inconvenience hardly occurs. However, when a strong pressure is applied, the storage chamber for storing only the ink becomes large. Depends, but easy to deform. Therefore, as a configuration that solves the problem caused by the external pressure, it is preferable to provide a partition plate that opens a gap larger than the partition wall that forms the minute communication portion in the ink-only chamber. Also, from the viewpoint of deformation, when these cartridges are formed of resin, the thickness Ti of the wall of the chamber containing only ink is set to 0.8 mm or more (point G in FIG. 20).
It is preferable that the thickness Ts of the wall of the storage chamber for storing a sponge or the like as the negative pressure generating member is 1.3 mm (point J in FIG. 20) or more. Furthermore, it has been found that the wall thickness Ts is more preferably 1.2 times or more and 3 times or less the wall thickness Ti.

As the ink jet printer of the present invention, in response to the mounting of the cartridge of the present invention, the ink is automatically or instructively discharged from the inside of the cartridge by suction or discharge by suction means via a head. This means that the ink state in the negative pressure generator can be corrected before printing, so that the above-described functions inherent in the cartridge can be used without being affected by the state of leaving the cartridge.

According to the method of manufacturing the cartridge of the present invention, the micro communication portion is formed between the lid member and the partition wall by fixing the lid member for storing the negative pressure generating member in the recess of the storage chamber to the main body. Since the negative pressure generating member in the vicinity of the minute communication portion can be stabilized, the mass production is excellent and the performance can be stabilized.

The height of the minute communication portion up to the partition wall is as follows:
Larger than the average pore diameter of the negative pressure generating member (preferably, the average pore diameter in the vicinity of the minute communication portion) (practically 0.1 mm or more) 20
mm or less is suitable, preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or more.
mm or less is suitable. If more stability is expected, 3 mm or less is preferable. Further, the ratio of the capacity of the storage chamber of the negative pressure generating member to the capacity of the storage chamber of only the ink is in a range of 1: 1 or more and 1: 3 or less as a practically optimum range.

The effects and features of the other inventions according to the present invention can be understood from the following embodiments.

[0027]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show, in addition to the prerequisite structure of the present invention, ink supply for ink supply to the surface of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion facing the partition wall 5 formed by the minute communication portion 8 with the bottom surface of the cartridge. It is an example of a configuration provided with an opening.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of the ink container of the first embodiment cut away, and FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink cartridge body 1 of the present embodiment has an opening 2 for connecting to an ink jet recording head and a gap 8 as a minute communication part.
The negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 that has the negative pressure generating member 3 and is adjacent to the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion via the partition wall 5 and communicates with the ink cartridge bottom portion 11. An ink container 6 for storing only ink.

With this configuration, the atmosphere is supplied from the opening 2, but what is important is that the ink in the ink storage unit 6 is supplied only through the communication unit 8 rather than the configuration of the air communication unit. That is, the ink is reliably supplied to the opening 2 along the bottom 11 of the ink cartridge. With the supply of the ink, the atmosphere replaces the ink in the ink storage unit 6 and is replenished.

Here, a state in which the negative pressure generating member in the region that can be compressed and deformed by the supply pipe near the opening of the negative pressure generating member housing portion 4 is compressed and deformed by the supply pipe will be described. FIG. 3 shows that the joint member 7 as a supply pipe for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head is inserted into the replaceable ink cartridge of the present invention, and the ink jet recording apparatus can be operated by pressing against the negative pressure generating member. It is a schematic sectional view at the time. In some cases, a filter is provided at the end of the joint member to remove dust in the ink cartridge.

When the ink jet recording apparatus is operated, ink is discharged from the orifice of the ink jet recording head, and an ink suction force is generated in the replaceable ink cartridge. By this suction force, the ink 9 is separated from the ink container 6 by the gap 8 between the end of the partition wall and the bottom 11 of the ink cartridge.
Through the negative pressure generating member 3 to the ink jet recording head. As a result, the pressure inside the ink container 6 that is closed except for the gap 8 is reduced, and a pressure difference is generated between the ink container 6 and the negative pressure generating member container 4. When the recording is continued, the pressure difference continues to rise, but since the negative pressure generating member is opened to the atmosphere by the gap 12 between the joint member and the joint opening, air passes through the negative pressure generating member. The ink enters the ink container 4 through a gap 8 between the end 8 of the partition wall and the bottom 11 of the ink cartridge. At this point, the ink container 6 and the negative pressure generating member container 4
Is eliminated. This operation is repeated during ink jet recording, and a certain negative pressure is obtained in the ink cartridge. In addition, almost all of the ink in the ink storage unit can be used except for the ink that adheres to the wall surface in the ink storage unit.

At the time of non-recording, a capillary force of the negative pressure generating member itself (or a meniscus force at the interface between the ink and the negative pressure generating member) is generated. In particular, when the ink of the ink in the ink storage portion starts to be consumed. The ink holding state in the negative pressure generating member housing is substantially constant, and the gas recovered in the ink housing is substantially in a negative pressure state, so that the pressure balance in the cartridge is extremely stable, and ink jet recording is performed. Suppresses ink leakage from the head.

Therefore, if the selection of the negative pressure generating member according to the ink jet recording head to be jointed and the ratio design of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion and the ink accommodating portion are made, the configuration shown in FIG. 4 can be realized.

As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, inks of each color (for example, four colors of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan) are used to make the replaceable ink cartridge of the present invention compatible with a color ink jet recording apparatus. Can be stored and used in individual replaceable ink cartridges. Further, as shown in FIG. 19A, an individual ink cartridge may be integrated into a single unit to form a replaceable ink cartridge, or as shown in FIG. 19B, a replaceable ink cartridge for frequently used black ink. A replaceable ink cartridge may be provided in which the replaceable ink cartridge for one color ink is separated from the replaceable ink cartridge. These combinations are arbitrary according to the ink jet device.

In the replaceable ink cartridge of the present invention, in order to control the negative pressure in the ink jet recording head, not only the selection, shape and size of the negative pressure generating member 3 but also the shape, size and size of the end of the partition wall 5 are determined. The shape and size of the gap 8 between the partition wall end 8 and the ink cartridge bottom 11
The volume ratio between the negative pressure generating member housing portion 4 and the ink housing portion 6, the insertion amount, shape and size of the joint member 7 into the replaceable ink cartridge, the shape and size of the filter 12, the coarseness of the eye, the surface tension of the ink, etc. It is more preferable to optimize according to the conditions used.

As the negative pressure generating member used in the present invention, a conventionally known member can be used as long as it has the ability to hold the ink even by its own weight and slight vibration of the liquid (ink). For example, a flocculent body in which fibers are meshed into a mesh or a porous body having a communication hole can be used. A sponge such as a polyurethane foam whose ink holding power and negative pressure generation are easily adjusted is preferable. In particular, a foam is preferable because it can be adjusted to a desired porosity during foam production. When the foam is further subjected to a heat compression treatment to further adjust the porous density, a decomposed product is generated by heating, which may change the physical properties of the ink and adversely affect the recording quality. Become. Also, in order to manufacture an exchangeable ink cartridge corresponding to various ink jet recording apparatuses, a foam having a corresponding porous density is required, but a specific number of cells not subjected to thermal compression (the number of holes per inch) It is preferable to cut a foam material having a desired size into a desired size, and compression-insert it into a negative pressure generating member accommodating portion to adjust the porosity and the capillary force.

In the above example, a structure is provided in which a gap is provided between the joint member 7 and the joint opening 2 to take in the atmosphere from the outside of the ink cartridge. May have any structure and shape.
When the negative pressure generating member is a porous member such as a sponge, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the insertion of the joint member prevents the porous member from escaping from the bottom of the ink cartridge, and The end of the joint member 7 preferably has an arbitrary angle (taper) with respect to the insertion direction of the joint member in order to maintain and secure the pressure contact surface between the filter portion and the negative pressure generating member. When the insertion amount of the joint member is excessively large, the tapered portion at the tip may cause a crack in the negative pressure generating member. Therefore, a surface structure as shown in FIG.

It is also conceivable to provide irregularities for introducing air into the outer wall of the joint member in order to provide an air intake. However, as shown in FIG.
(A)) and the like, that is, FIG.
It is possible to select such that FIG. 5 (c) is a triangle. Preferably, the shape of the opening 2 is such that a gap is provided so as not to seal the joint member and the opening, or the opening 2 is located close to the outer periphery of the joint member at the lower part (bottom side of the ink cartridge) and is opened at the upper part of the opening. Shape.

As described above, the exchangeable ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention can serve as both the joint opening and the portion for taking in the atmosphere, and can have a simpler structure. The amount of insertion of the joint member 7 into the replaceable ink cartridge does not cause ink leakage at the time of insertion in consideration of the shape of the joint member, the negative pressure generating member, the shape of the ink cartridge, and the like. It is preferable to set the compression area of the negative pressure generating member so as not to cause the above.

In contrast to the above embodiment, providing a communication hole with the atmosphere separately from the joint opening on the side of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion makes the negative pressure generating member area not holding the ink of the present invention. This is also effective in adopting a configuration provided near the air communication portion, and is a means suitable for improving reliability against environmental changes in the inkjet recording apparatus described later.

The shape and size of the gap 8 between the end of the partition wall and the bottom of the ink cartridge are also arbitrary. Therefore, it takes a great deal of force to supply ink to the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion, and the ink may run out during use. If the width is too large, the opposite phenomenon may occur. Therefore, the height of the minute communication portion to the partition wall is larger than the average hole diameter of the negative pressure generating member (preferably, the average hole diameter near the minute communication portion). (Practically 0.1 mm or more) 20 mm or less is suitable. Preferably, the thickness is 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. If more stability is expected, 3 mm or less is preferable. FIG. 7 shows an example of the shape of the gap 8. FIG.
(A) is used in the previous embodiment, is the most stable configuration for the present invention, and is provided at a constant height and over the entire width of the cartridge. FIG. 7B illustrates a case where the communicating portion is formed only in a part of the entire width of the cartridge.
(C) meanders in addition to the configuration of (b). This configuration is effective when the overall volume of the cartridge is large, but is usually used low in a printer. FIG.
(D) has a plurality of tunnel-shaped communicating portions, and the ink can easily move to the inner surface side of the cartridge, and the gas introduction for gas-ink exchange can be centralized. FIG. 7 (e) (f)
In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 7A, a recess is formed in the partition wall on the ink storage chamber side in the vertical direction.
Therefore, the gas reaching the lower end of the partition wall is relatively effectively introduced into the ink storage chamber in the concave portion, and the gas collection efficiency can be improved.

It is more preferable that the gap 8 be determined in consideration of the position of the joint opening. Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, (a)
Is preferably located at a position where the end of the partition wall is lower than the lower end of the joint opening, and the ink held in the negative pressure generating member is lower than the lower end of the joint opening. On the other hand, in (b), the end of the partition wall is higher than the lower end of the joint opening, and the ink held in the negative pressure generating member is higher than the lower end of the joint opening. The effect is small and not preferable. Therefore, designing the size of the gap 8 such that the position of the end of the partition wall is the same as or lower than the lower end of the joint opening has an advantage that the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. Although it depends on the shape and dimensions of the replacement ink cartridge, it can be put to practical use by selecting the height of the gap 8 from the maximum range of 0.1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 to 5 mm. It is about. Further, the shape of the end of the partition wall may be any shape as long as the position with respect to the above-described joint opening is taken into consideration. ).

Further, the boundary between the end face of the partition wall 5 and the negative pressure generating member 3 may have various structural relationships. This is shown in FIG. FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) show a state where the negative pressure generating member is not compressed by the end face of the partition wall at a communicating portion formed between the end of the partition wall 5 and the bottom member. Indicates the intruded state. FIG.
(C) and (d) show a state in which the negative pressure generating member does not enter the communication portion and, as can be seen from the drawing, has a region in which the negative pressure generating member does not substantially exist in the negative pressure generating member storage chamber. Show. 9A to 9D, since the negative pressure generating member is not compressed by the end face of the partition wall, the density of the negative pressure generating member is not locally increased. (Gas-liquid exchange in the section) is performed relatively quickly. Therefore, the supply of ink is stabilized, and ink supply compatible with high-speed printing and color printing can be achieved. Such a configuration is, of course, possible even when using a porous body that is compressed and stored in a container to obtain a predetermined porous density, but by using a thermally compressed porous member. Can be more easily achieved.

On the other hand, FIGS. 9 (e) and 9 (f) show that although the negative pressure generating member 3 is compressed by the end of the partition wall and the density of the member is increased, there is resistance in the flow of ink and the flow of air. In addition, it is possible to suppress an obstacle such as ink leakage for a slight environmental change. Therefore, these selections may be designed in consideration of the type of the inkjet recording apparatus and the environmental conditions to be used.

The volume ratio between the negative pressure generating member housing section 4 and the ink housing section 6 needs to be determined in consideration of the type of the ink jet recording apparatus and the environmental conditions used. Also,
The relationship with the negative pressure generating member used is also important. In order to improve the use efficiency of the ink, it is preferable to increase the volume of the ink storage section. In this case, a negative pressure generating member having a high negative pressure generating force (a high compression ratio in the case of a sponge) is used. It becomes effective. Therefore, if it is noted that the negative pressure generating force of the negative pressure generating member is increased as the volume ratio of the ink storage section is increased, the volume of the storage chamber of the negative pressure generating member and the volume of the storage chamber of only the ink are reduced. The ratio is preferably in a range of 1: 1 or more and 1: 3 or less as a practically optimum range.

The shape, size, and roughness of the filter 11 can be arbitrarily set depending on the type of the ink jet recording apparatus. However, in order to prevent dust from entering the ink cartridge and prevent the nozzles of the recording head from being clogged, the orifice is used. It is preferable to use a filter having an eye smaller than the diameter.

The amount of ink to be filled into the replaceable ink cartridge of the present invention is arbitrary up to the internal volume of the ink cartridge. The ink container may be filled up to the volume limit. In order to maintain the negative pressure, the amount of ink filling the negative pressure generating member is preferably set to be equal to or less than the limit of the ink holding force of the negative pressure generating member. Here, the ink holding force refers to the ability of the member when the negative pressure generating member is impregnated with ink to be able to hold ink alone.

In an ink cartridge having a closed ink storage unit, an external environment change (temperature rise or pressure drop) when the ink cartridge is loaded in the ink jet recording apparatus.
However, there is a possibility that ink remaining in the ink storage unit is pushed out of the ink cartridge due to air expansion of the ink storage unit (there is also ink expansion), and ink leakage may occur. However, in the replaceable ink cartridge according to the present invention, the air expansion volume (including a small amount of ink expansion) of the closed system ink storage unit is predicted according to the worst-cased environmental condition, and the ink storage unit is accordingly estimated. It is preferable that the negative pressure generating member accommodating section is provided in advance with the amount of ink movement from the ink. At this time, providing an air communication hole other than the joint opening on the side of the negative pressure generating member housing portion, as shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, generates a negative pressure from the ink chamber due to expansion of air in the ink chamber. This is very effective because the ink moved into the member can be guided to the atmosphere communication side. The installation position of the atmosphere communication hole is
There is no special designation if it is above the joint opening on the negative pressure generating member housing part side, but in order to keep the flow of ink in the negative pressure generating member from the joint opening when the environment changes, move it to a position far from the joint opening. Preferably it is. Further, the number, shape, size, and the like of the air communication holes can be arbitrarily set in consideration of the evaporation of the ink.

During the distribution of the ink cartridge alone, it is preferable that the joint opening and / or the air communication hole be sealed with a sealant or the like to prepare for evaporation of ink and expansion of air in the ink cartridge. As a sealing material,
In the field of packaging, it is preferable to use a composite of a single layer barrier and several layers of plastic film, which are called a barrier material in the packaging field, and a composite material obtained by combining these with a reinforcing material such as paper or cloth, or aluminum foil. . It is more preferable that the material similar to the material of the ink cartridge body is used as the adhesive layer of the barrier material and the hermeticity is increased by welding with heat or the like.

Further, in order to suppress the evaporation of ink from the ink cartridge or the inflow of air from the outside atmosphere, after the ink cartridge is inserted, the air inside the packaging material is evacuated and then sealed. It is effective. As the packaging material, it is preferable to select a barrier material as in the above-mentioned sealing material, in consideration of gas permeability and liquid permeability.

By selecting the above-mentioned packaging form, the distribution of the ink cartridge alone becomes very reliable without ink leakage or the like.

The material for the ink cartridge body may be any material conventionally used for molded articles, but it is necessary to select a material which does not affect ink jet ink or a member which has been treated so as not to affect it. is there. It is also necessary to consider the productivity of the ink cartridge. For example, the ink cartridge body is divided into an ink cartridge bottom portion 11 and an upper portion thereof, each of which is integrally formed of a resin material. After a negative pressure generating member is inserted, the ink cartridge bottom portion 11 and an upper portion thereof are welded. Thus, the ink cartridge body can be manufactured. If a transparent or translucent resin material is selected, the ink in the ink container can be visually recognized from the outside of the ink cartridge, so that the time to replace the ink cartridge can be visually determined. Further, it is preferable to provide a convex portion for facilitating welding of the sealing material and the like. Furthermore, it is also preferable in terms of design that the outer surface of the ink cartridge body is subjected to processing such as embossing.

For the filling of the ink, either the pressure method or the pressure reduction method can be used. It is preferable to provide an ink filling port in any one of the tank main bodies for filling the ink, because it does not contaminate the other ink cartridge openings. The ink filling port after ink filling is preferably plugged with a plastic or metal material.

The configuration and shape of the replaceable ink cartridge can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As described above, the replaceable ink cartridge of the present invention maintains high reliability even when it is distributed alone, and has a simple structure and can detect the remaining amount of ink. It becomes a cartridge.

In addition, an appropriate negative pressure is maintained from the beginning of use to the end of use during printing and during non-printing to support high-speed printing. It becomes an ink cartridge.

Further, the replaceable ink cartridge has good handleability, does not leak ink even when it is attached to or detached from the ink jet recording apparatus, and does not malfunction when mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus.

FIG. 11 shows a method of manufacturing an ink tank as a cartridge according to the present invention. The cartridge includes a partition plate 61 to be described later and a wall portion forming two recesses for a storage chamber via a partition wall 5. After the absorber 3 as a negative pressure generating member is inserted into the concave portion on the opening 2 side with respect to the main body (cross-sectional oblique line: obliquely downward left), the bottom member 11 as a lid member is inserted.
Shows the configuration integrated. FIG. 11 is a partially broken schematic view showing a state where the recording head HD is mounted on the ink tank 1. The ink tank is configured by covering a container divided into two rooms by a partition wall 5 with a flat bottom member 11 constituting the bottom of the ink tank. With such a simple structure in which the lid is covered, the minute communication passage 8 can be formed between the container and the front end of the partition wall 5. In addition, the atmosphere communication part 10 is located at the upper part on the same surface as the surface on which the opening 2 is provided.

On the other hand, the head is attached by inserting a joint 7 serving as a supply pipe into the opening of the ink tank, and the joint 7 has an oblique structure in which the upper part in the figure projects forward from the lower part. . Further, the ink flow path inside the joint has a horn structure that opens upward. With such a structure, ink from the absorber can be favorably introduced to the head side.

The ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a heating element 72 as means for generating thermal energy as energy used for discharging ink from the discharge port 71 of the nozzle 73, and the state of the ink is changed by the thermal energy. Is a recording apparatus having a recording head HD of a type that causes the ink supply.
Further, especially for color printing, higher recording density and higher definition can be achieved.

As described above, the replaceable ink cartridge of the present invention maintains a high reliability even in the case of a single physical distribution, and has a simple structure and can detect the remaining amount of ink. Becomes

In addition, an appropriate negative pressure is maintained from the initial use to the end of use during printing and during non-printing to support high-speed printing. It becomes an ink cartridge.

Furthermore, the replaceable ink cartridge has good handleability, does not leak ink even when it is attached to or detached from the ink jet recording apparatus, and has no mounting error operation to the ink jet recording apparatus.

In addition, a method of manufacturing the ink cartridge will be described. It has a negative pressure generating member storage chamber containing the above-described absorber and a communication portion 8 as a minute communication portion.
When the ink storage chamber having a substantially sealed structure in which ink is released for the first time by exchanging gas and liquid is integrally formed, ink is filled from the opening 13 of the lid member 11 on the ink storage chamber side. Thus, when the ink is filled in the ink storage chamber, the negative pressure generating member 4 itself is also supplied with ink from the minute communication portion, and the ink is supplied to a considerable area.

Here, the negative pressure generating member in the vicinity of the air communication portion is provided as an area where ink is not supplied and ink is not held. Thereafter, the opening 13 is sealed with the ball 14 and the opening 2 and the atmosphere communication portion are in the same sealing member S.
(May be different) and sealed.

FIG. 12 shows the pre-use ink jet cartridge in this state. In this figure, it is assumed that ink is filled in the ink storage chamber 6.

FIG. 12 shows the ink-jet cartridge 1 in a sealed state and a schematic view of a printer using the same. In the ink jet cartridge 1, a negative pressure generator region 3A located near the atmosphere communication portion 10 is provided at an upper corner of the cartridge as a region not holding ink. The negative pressure generator region 3B located below the region 3A is a compressible region that is compressed and deformed by inserting an ink supply pipe (not shown). Negative pressure generators other than these areas 3A and 3B hold the filled ink without any other external influence. Of course, the region 3B is a region facing the ink supply tube mounting opening 2 provided on the same surface below the air communication portion 10. In addition, the opening 2 is located above the minute communication portion 8 and has all of the above-described features of the present invention.

The cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 12 can be used by removing the seal member S described above. However, since the area 3A does not hold ink, vibration and pressure change at the time of removing the seal may occur. No leakage of ink.

In this embodiment, as a technical point of view for clearing the prior art irrespective of the storage state and use state of the ink cartridge, the area near the air communication portion of the negative pressure generating member is defined as an area where no ink is held. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the ink in the ink cartridge from leaking from the atmosphere communication portion in response to a change in environmental conditions. In particular, when the seal member seals the air communication portion, the seal member has an effect of preventing the seal member from peeling off. Also, when in use,
In this area, the atmosphere can efficiently supply a required amount of air into the cartridge, and there is also an effect of suppressing a change in negative pressure in the ink jet cartridge. The region near the air communication portion is preferably free from ink wetting because the permeation speed of the ink itself can be further reduced, but may be a region where the ink is removed after being wetted in advance by the ink. .

In this embodiment, an ink supply opening or an ink supply opening is provided on the side opposed to the partition wall forming the minute communication section.
By providing a structure in which the negative pressure generator is compressed (or compressible) by the supply pipe, the ink in the second storage chamber can secure a stable substantial ink supply path in the negative pressure generator. As a configuration for further stabilization, the ink supply opening may be positioned above the microcommunication portion with respect to the lower surface of the ink cartridge. The effect of this arrangement relation is that the ink movement direction can be substantially constant, all the ink in the second storage chamber can be consumed, and after this consumption, the air in the second storage chamber moves to the opposite opening side. By intervening, as a result, the ink inside the negative pressure generator can be consumed and the remaining ink can be reduced.

In particular, a region not compressed by the supply pipe of the negative pressure generator and a region compressed by the supply pipe of the negative pressure generator are arranged from the partition wall forming the microcommunication portion toward the side facing the partition wall. In this order, the one-way ink supply path described above can be formed in the non-compressed area, and the same effect can be obtained. Further, the remaining ink amount can be further reduced by the ink securing ability of the compressed area.

The ink jet printer of this embodiment automatically or manually discharges ink from the inside of the cartridge by suction or discharge by suction means via a head in response to the mounting of the cartridge 1. It has a head recovery means HR. As a result, the ink state in the negative pressure generator can be corrected before printing, so that the original function of the cartridge can be used without being affected by the state of leaving the cartridge.

In FIG. 12, the tank 1 mounted on the ink jet head HB held on the scanning carriage CR is the same as the cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 12 except for the sealing tape described above. In the tank 1 mounted on the carriage, the ink supply pipe of the head passes through the opening 2 to compress and deform the compressible area 3B of the negative pressure generating member 3. In this example, the negative pressure generating member 3 is deformed toward the minute communication portion 8. At this time, the mounting signal LP is output from the printer control unit CC by tank attachment / detachment detection unit (not shown because it is substituted by a known mechanical or electric detection unit).
Is input to In response to this, before the start of recording, the head recovery means HR operates to discharge the ink in the tank 1 and improve the state of the ink in the tank.

FIG. 13 (A) shows a case where the inner surface of the ink storage chamber of the ink-jet cartridge of FIG. The inner surface 20 is a curved surface that rises as the distance from the minute communication port 8 increases. The structure of the inner surface 20 supplies minute residual droplets due to the surface tension of the ink to the negative pressure generating member 3 side, and the upwardly protruding portion 21 serves as a holding portion for the operator, thereby preventing deformation of the tank during operation. I do. FIG.
3 (B) shows an oblique arrangement of the partition wall 51 for reducing the size of the negative pressure generating unit 3 storage chamber side while the ink storage chamber is large and the equivalent capacity tank is large. FIG. 13C shows the lid member 11 which forms the gap 8 with respect to the partition wall 5 shown in the above-described manufacturing method.
Is inserted between the side plates 101 and 100 of the cartridge body and fixed. SE indicates an end of the lid member 11. In the case of FIG. 13 (C), if the adhesion and fixing vary, the distance SP of the gap 8 is not fixed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13D, it is preferable that the spacers 110 that are in contact with the end SE of the partition wall be positioned on both sides.
The spacer 110 is preferably provided on the lid member 11. Further, by providing the convex portion 30 located within the distance SP of the gap 8 on the lid member, the recoverability of the air into the ink storage portion may be enhanced.

FIGS. 14 (A) and 14 (B) show the possible state inclination ranges of the printing or ink supply state according to the embodiment of the present invention, and 40 in the figure denotes a horizontal plane. A more preferable state for the present invention is that the microcommunication portion is located on the lower side, and ideally, it is good to be parallel to the horizontal surface 40 on the lower surface of the cartridge. However, practically, in the case of a two-chamber configuration as in this example, (A),
There is no inconvenience in using the angle θ as shown in FIG. When it is mounted on the scanning type carriage and moved, the range of 0 ≦ θ ≦ 5 degrees is preferable.

The negative pressure generating member of the above-described embodiment of the present invention may have a plurality of members. However, if an interface between them (an interface between members) occurs, the movement of the atmosphere occurs there, so that inconvenience is likely to occur. In some cases, the negative pressure generating member is more preferably a single porous chamber.

Further, the ink storage chamber can be substantially included as a chamber for storing ink as long as the ink storage chamber relatively contains a larger amount of ink than the negative pressure generating member storage chamber.

Here, the partition plate 61 in the ink storage chamber disclosed in the previous embodiment will be described.
The outer wall surface of the cartridge is deformed due to the load when the user grips it with the hand or the environmental conditions during distribution, causing ink to leak from the orifice of the ink jet recording head or the pressure inside the cartridge provided in a part of the cartridge. A description will be given of an embodiment capable of solving the problem that the ink leaks from the air communication port which makes the air the same as the air.

The following examples have been made in order to solve the technical problems in the above-described various types of ink tanks, and the occurrence of ink leakage due to external force during handling or transportation, and to environmental changes such as temperature and pressure are not likely to occur. It is an ink cartridge for ink jet recording which has no ink consumption and high efficiency.

FIG. 15A is a perspective cross-sectional view of one embodiment showing a side wall surface omitted, FIG. 5B is a transverse cross-sectional view of the embodiment, and FIG. 16 is an ink supply operation of the embodiment. Explanatory diagram, FIG.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the distortion of the side wall when a load is applied to the side wall of the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the ink cartridge main body 1 has an opening 2 for connection with an ink jet recording head and an air communication section 10 provided above the opening 2 for taking in air. A negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 accommodating a negative pressure generating member 3 for absorbing and holding recording ink, and an ink accommodating portion adjoining the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 via a rib 5 and accommodating ink. It consists of six. The ink container 6 and the negative pressure generating member container 4 communicate with each other through a gap 8 provided between the rib 5 and the bottom surface. The side walls are connected to both sides while leaving.

FIG. 16A shows a state in which the joint member 7 for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head is inserted into the opening 2 of the ink cartridge main body 1 of the embodiment and pressed against the negative pressure generating member 3 so that the ink jet recording apparatus is completed. It is a schematic cross section which shows the state which became operable. In addition, a filter may be provided at an end opening of the joint member 7 in order to remove dust in the ink cartridge.

When the ink jet recording apparatus is operated, ink is discharged from the orifice of the ink jet recording head, and an ink suction force is generated in the ink tank. Ink 9
The suction force causes the ink from the ink container 6 to pass through the gap 8 between the end of the rib 5 and the bottom 11 of the ink cartridge to the negative pressure generating member housing 4 and through the negative pressure generating member 3 into the joint member 7. It is drawn and supplied to the ink jet recording head. As a result, the pressure inside the ink container 6 that is closed except for the gap 8 is reduced, and the ink container 6 is closed.
And a negative pressure generating member housing 4 causes a pressure difference. When the recording is continued, the pressure difference continues to rise, but since the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 is open to the atmosphere through the air communication hole 10, air is released from the negative pressure generating member as shown in FIG. 3, the ink enters the ink container 6 through the gap 8 between the rib 5 and the bottom 11 of the ink cartridge. At this point, the pressure difference between the ink storage section 6 and the negative pressure generating member storage section 4 is eliminated. This operation is repeated during ink jet recording, and a certain negative pressure is obtained in the ink cartridge. In addition, since almost all of the ink in the ink container 6 can be used except for the ink adhering to the wall surface in the ink container 6, the ink use efficiency is improved (FIG. 16C).

At the time of non-recording, the capillary force of the negative pressure generating member 3 itself (or the meniscus force at the interface between the ink and the negative pressure generating member) is exerted to suppress the ink from leaking from the ink jet recording head.

According to the above function, the selection of the negative pressure generating member 3 according to the ink jet recording head to be jointed and the volume ratio of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 to the ink accommodating portion 6 show another embodiment as shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, a configuration in which a plurality of partition plates 61 are provided in the ink containing section 6 can be adopted.

A structure effective as a measure for improving the strength of the side wall will be described below.

It is important for the ink cartridge to have a structure that withstands the external force at the time of hand linking and changes in the environment during physical distribution and that increases the ink use efficiency.

In this embodiment, the side walls 12a, 12b, and 12c of the negative pressure generating member housing portion 4 and the ink housing portion 6 are configured to have the same amount of displacement with respect to an external force.

For example, the material of the cartridge is usually a plastic mold, but as shown in FIGS. 15B and 17, the thickness of the side wall surface 12a of the negative pressure generating The partitioning plates (ribs) 61 are arranged between the inner surfaces of both side walls at a position where the thickness is larger than the thicknesses of 12b and 12c and the space of the ink containing section 6 is equally divided, leaving a gap at the lower part. The amount of deformation Δt6 of the wall surface with respect to the same load per area is reduced.
Of the side wall surfaces 12b and 12c on both sides of the same. In addition, by making the deformation amount Δt4 of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 substantially equal, the object of preventing ink leakage due to deformation on the wall surface is achieved.

In the ink cartridge of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15B and 17, the material is polypropylene (P
P), outer diameter is 48m / m length x 35m height x 1 thickness
In the case of 1 m / m, the heat of the side wall surface 12a of the negative pressure generating member housing portion 4 is 1.5 mm, and the heat of the side wall surfaces 12b and 12c of the ink housing portion 6 is 1 mm at almost the center of the length of 48 m / m.
By arranging the ribs 61 of the ink container 6 at a position about 10 mm from each wall surface, the load during handling (about 2
Kg), a structure in which a margin more than twice as much as that of Kg) was obtained. At the same time, sufficient strength can be obtained even with respect to changes in atmospheric pressure and changes in temperature during distribution.

In the above embodiment, the number of the ribs 61 of the ink storage section 6 is one because of the size of the tank. However, the number of ribs is not limited to one. By changing the number of ribs, the position, and the thickness of the wall surface, for example, two ribs 61 may be provided.

FIG. 20 shows the relationship between the wall thickness of the negative pressure generating member housing portion 4, the thickness of each wall surface examined for determining the wall thickness of the ink housing portion 6, and ink leakage in the handling and distribution environment. Is the data indicating

If the thickness of each wall is increased, the strength against ink leakage is increased. However, in order to satisfy the objectives of miniaturization and high ink use efficiency, the wall is made as thin as possible. It is necessary to increase the internal volume. From the data shown in FIG. 20, the thickness of the side wall surface of the negative pressure generating member housing portion 4 is 1.5 mm, and the side wall thickness of the ink housing portion 6 is 1.0 mm.

According to the size of the ink cartridge, the above dimensions can be determined with reference to FIG. 20, and the thickness of the outer wall of the negative pressure generating member housing portion 4 is 1.2 to 3 times the outer wall thickness of the ink housing portion 6. It is preferable to configure within the range.

As described above, the present invention provides a reasonable and effective cartridge for the inkjet printing field in the field of ink-jet printing from an unprecedented reversal idea as an ink-jet ink cartridge. Of course, there is a remarkable advantage that the color printer itself that requires a plurality of color inks can be downsized. Further, the replacement period of the ink cartridge can be lengthened, and the operability is excellent.

[0098]

According to the present invention, as described above, the first chamber for the negative pressure generating member storage chamber near the communication portion has a region in which the negative pressure generating member does not exist. Excessive restriction of the movement of the liquid and the movement of the air is not performed in the vicinity of the communication portion. As a result, gas-liquid exchange can be achieved promptly. Therefore, the supply of ink is stabilized, and ink supply compatible with high-speed printing and color printing can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of an ink container according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is cut away.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIGS. 3 (a), (b), and (c) are explanatory views of examples of coupling between a cartridge and a supply pipe according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example for explaining more preferable conditions of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are explanatory diagrams of an ink supply unit of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a positional relationship between an ink supply unit and a minute communication unit.

FIGS. 7 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e)
(F), each is an explanatory view of a configuration of a minute communication portion.

FIGS. 8A to 8H are explanatory diagrams of the shapes of the ends of the partition walls on the side of the minute communication portion.

FIGS. 9A to 9F are explanatory views of the state of the end of the absorber near the partition wall, respectively.

FIGS. 10 (a), (b), (c) and (d) are explanatory diagrams of states inside the absorber with respect to environmental changes.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the manufacturing method of the present invention and an ink jet head.

FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory view of the ink jet cartridge of the present invention and an ink jet printer using the same.

13 (A), (B), (C) and (D) are views for explaining a modification of the main part of the present invention.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are cross-sectional views for explaining a tiltable range in a use state of the ink cartridge of the present invention.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams of a shape of an optimal embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C are explanatory diagrams sequentially showing changes in the printing state of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a pressure state on the outer wall of the cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a modified example of the cartridge of the present invention.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are perspective views showing a color tank configuration of a cartridge embodying the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a graph showing a correlation between wall thickness and ink leakage due to external pressure deformation according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 2 Opening 3 Negative pressure generating member 4 1st storage room 6 2nd storage room 8 Micro communication part 10 Air communication part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Naoto Asai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Riki Abe 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Seiichiro Karita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-4-156339 (JP, A) JP-A-2-34354 (JP) , A) JP-A-2-187364 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet recording liquid container connectable to an ink jet head of an ink jet apparatus, a negative pressure generating member is accommodated therein, and a recording liquid supply unit for supplying a recording liquid to the head communicates with the atmosphere. And a first chamber provided with a first part, and a first part communicating with the first chamber through a communicating part provided at a position distant from the atmosphere communicating part. The first part is substantially sealed except for the communicating part. A second chamber for storing a liquid to be supplied to the chamber, between the communication portion and the negative pressure generating member, and substantially the negative pressure generating member in the first chamber. An ink jet recording liquid container characterized by having an area that does not exist. 2. The liquid supply section allows insertion of a supply pipe of the head, and the negative pressure generating member near the liquid supply section is compressible to be compressed toward the communication section by inserting the supply pipe. The recording liquid container for inkjet according to claim 1, wherein the container is an area. 3. The negative pressure generating member includes a compressible region that is compressed toward the communication portion by inserting the supply tube, and a region that is not compressed by insertion of the supply tube between the communication portion. 2. The ink jet recording liquid container according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication portion is formed between an end of a wall forming the first chamber and an inner wall surface serving as a bottom when the cartridge is used. Recording liquid container for inkjet. 5. An interval between the communicating portions is larger than an average hole diameter of the negative pressure generating member in the first chamber by 20 mm.
The recording liquid container for inkjet according to claim 4, wherein the value is within the following range. 6. The ink jet recording liquid container according to claim 5, wherein an interval between the communication portions is more preferably in a range of 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. 7. The ink jet recording liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the second chamber is provided with a reinforcing member formed with a gap larger than a gap between the communicating portions. 8. The volume ratio between the first chamber and the second chamber is 1: 1:
2. The ink jet recording liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the ratio is in the range of 3 to 1: 1. 9. The ink jet recording liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the second chamber is expanded upward in a use state. 10. The ink jet recording liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the second chamber in use is an inclined surface that descends toward the first chamber. 11. The ink jet recording liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the ink jet cartridges are integrally connected. 12. The ink jet recording liquid container according to claim 11, wherein the integrally connected ink jet recording liquid containers contain yellow, cyan, and magenta inks. 13. The ink jet recording liquid container according to claim 11, wherein the integrally connected ink jet recording liquid containers contain yellow, cyan, magenta, and black inks. . 14. The ink jet recording liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the recording liquid container is filled with ink. 15. The liquid holding member according to claim 1, wherein the liquid holding member is any one of a porous member compressed and housed in the first chamber and a porous member subjected to a heat compression process. Recording liquid container for inkjet.