JP3005104B2 - Liquid storage container, recording head unit having the liquid storage container, and recording apparatus equipped with the liquid storage container - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container for storing a liquid, and more particularly to a writing implement, an ink jet recording apparatus,
The present invention relates to a liquid storage container, a recording head having the liquid storage container, and a recording device equipped with the recording head, which is used in a recording device such as a copying machine or a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a liquid is supplied from a liquid storage container to a portion where the supply of the liquid is required, if the liquid storage container and a portion to which the liquid is supplied have different arrangement heights, the liquid is supplied. Head pressure acts on the liquid at the site.

[0003] The effect of such a head pressure is particularly important in the field of recording.

For example, in the field of ink jet recording in which recording is performed using ink which is a liquid, leakage of ink from the recording head due to a head pressure caused by a difference in arrangement height between the ink container and the recording head, and recording performance. Conventionally, in order to prevent the change and the poor image quality, the ink level of the ink container, which is the liquid storage container, has been arranged at a lower position than the discharge port of the recording head. As a result, the pressure of the ink at the position of the recording head becomes negative with respect to the outside air.

However, in the method of generating a negative pressure at the position of the recording head, the ink container must be arranged at a substantially predetermined position with respect to the recording head, which is a great limitation in the structure of the apparatus. Was.

As a means for solving the above restriction, there is a method in which a porous body such as a sponge is disposed in an ink container, ink is held in the porous body, and a negative pressure is generated by utilizing the inter-hair force of the porous body. Conventionally known.

[0007]

However, since it is necessary to use a porous body at a high density in order to maintain an appropriate performance for the recording head, it is necessary to fill up the volume of the ink container. The amount of ink that can be produced is reduced.
Also, as the ink is consumed and decreased, the inter-hair force of the porous body increases, and the negative pressure becomes extremely high,
The supply of the ink to the head is stopped while the ink remains in the ink tank. Therefore, the ink capacity that can be actually used is smaller than the capacity of the ink container, and the use efficiency is reduced. For this reason, when it is necessary to use a certain amount of ink, the ink container itself must be enlarged in anticipation of this amount.
There is a problem to be solved in that the recording device itself becomes large.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has a special pressure generator for generating an appropriate negative pressure required as a storage container for recording liquid. Without the configuration of
It is an object of the present invention to realize a liquid storage container that can be adjusted and maintained by two valve structures and has high liquid use efficiency.

[0009]

A main structure of a liquid storage container according to the present invention for achieving the above object is to integrate an ink jet recording head which discharges a recording liquid and performs recording in accordance with a recording signal. And a liquid storage container for storing the recording liquid supplied to the recording head, wherein the liquid storage container comprises: a first container formed of a flexible bag for storing liquid; A second container configured to cover the first container, and a communication path that guides the recording liquid stored in the first container to the outside of the second container through the first and second containers. The second container has a valve mechanism for controlling the pressure of gas present in the space between the first container and the second container, and the valve The mechanism consists of two valves,
The first valve operates to introduce gas outside the second container into the space when a pressure equal to or higher than the operating pressure of the first valve acts on the first valve, and the second valve operates as the second valve. Pressure above the operating pressure of
The valve operates to release gas from the space to the outside of the second container when acting on the valve, and the pressure in the space is increased according to consumption of the recording liquid from the communication path or environmental change. The opening and closing operation of the first valve and the second valve adjusts the operating pressure within a range suitable for supplying the recording liquid.

The first valve and the second valve include a communication opening for communicating the space inside the second container with the outside, and a sheet arranged to cover the communication opening, Said sheet
It is preferable that a sealing liquid is arranged between the opening and the periphery of the communication opening.

The main structure of the recording head unit for achieving the above object is a liquid storage container according to claim 1 in which a recording liquid is held in a first container, and a supply of the recording liquid from the liquid storage container. And a recording head that performs recording using the receiving recording liquid, and is integrally mounted. Further, the main configuration of the recording apparatus for achieving the above object is a carriage that is mounted and scanned with a recording head unit, an electric signal supply unit provided to drive the recording head of the recording head unit, It is characterized by having.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the recording field, but is, of course, effective as a storage container for any liquid required to adjust and maintain the inside of the storage container at a predetermined pressure. Although not provided, the description will be made by taking an ink container (ink tank) particularly in the recording field as an example.

FIG. 1 is a schematic external perspective view of a liquid storage container according to the present embodiment. The ink container 1, which is the second container, is provided with a valve 10 that constitutes a valve mechanism for adjusting the pressure inside the ink container (only one valve is shown in FIG. 1). Depending on how the pressure in the ink container is adjusted, a plurality of pressures may be combined). The connection with the recording head to which the liquid ink is supplied is performed by three connection claws 16 as connectors, and the ink is supplied to the recording head via the ink supply port 27.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the ink container as shown in FIG. 1, in which a valve mechanism is constituted by two valves 10. As shown in the figure, the ink container 1 has a sealed structure when the internal pressure of the ink container and the external pressure are parallel.

An ink bag 2 serving as a first container for storing ink is disposed inside the ink container 1, and a discharge port 3 for discharging the ink 5 from the inside of the ink bag 2 to the recording head side. Is provided through a part of the wall of the ink container 2.

Since the ink bag is sufficiently flexible, the volume of ink contained in the ink container can be almost the same as the volume of the ink container. It can be much higher than when using a porous body. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the device on which the ink container is mounted.

The communication between the inside of the ink bag and the space 6 between the ink bag (second container) and the ink container (first container) is normally completely interrupted.

As described above, the ink container, which is the second container having the valve mechanism, and the ink bag, which is the first container for holding the ink, have a double structure. By adjusting the pressure, the ink can be supplied to the side to which the ink is supplied at an appropriate pressure without fear of leakage of the ink to the outside of the container.

When the connection between the recording head receiving the supply of the liquid ink and the ink container is not established, the communication between the inside of the ink bag and the recording head is established by the repulsive force of an elastic member such as the pressing spring 7. The passage 28 is closed by a ball and a rubber stopper 9 which are constantly pressed in a direction to close the passage 28.

The valve mechanism shown in the figure shows an example in which the pressure between the space 6 and the outside of the ink container is adjusted by two valves, and the valve at the top of the figure moves from the space 6 to the outside of the ink container. The valve on the right side of the figure shows a case where a one-way valve capable of flowing gas in the opposite direction is provided. Although the detailed description of the valve mechanism will be described later, from the viewpoint of the gas flow control described above, the valve at the top of the figure is located outside the communication port 11 and the valve at the right side of the figure is viewed from the communication line 11. Mylarite is arranged inside.

FIG. 3 shows a valve 1 constituting a valve (valve) mechanism.
FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view for explaining a configuration of No. 0. The valve 10 has a communication port 11 and a pressure acting portion (t ₂ = 5 m) connected to the communication port.
m) and the mylar sheet 1 disposed so as to cover the pressure chamber.
2 (t ₁ = 15 mm, t ₃ = 0.04 mm), and a holding member (holding plate) 13 (T = 5 mm) for fixing the mylar sheet to the container body. The sealing liquid 14 such as silicone oil for improving airtightness is arranged at the interface (sealing liquid application surface) between the container and the container body.

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section and a transverse section in the longitudinal direction of the member for holding the valve (valve) 10 formed by these members. As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a configuration in which a part of the target position is pressed by the pressing member 13 around the communication port, and a part covering the pressure action chamber 4 is not pressed. In the valve of this embodiment, the gas transmitted through the communication port 11 to the pressure chamber 4 causes a part of the mylar sheet not pressed by the pressing member to float, thereby allowing gas to flow through the communication port 1.
1. The pressure chamber 4 is released through a gap between the ink container and the mylar sheet. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4A, one of the contact surfaces of the pressing member with the mylar sheet so as not to hinder the floating of the mylar sheet and to raise the mylar sheet with an appropriate pressure. The part (corner) is deleted within an appropriate range.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a recording head unit in which the liquid storage container of this embodiment is connected to a recording section such as the recording head 20. At the time of connection with the recording section, the above-mentioned ball 8 on the storage container side is pressed against the ink container side against the pressing force of the pressing spring 7 by a pipe 18 protruding from the recording section, and the ball is pressed. From the rubber stopper 9 of the communication passage 28,
Ink can be supplied to the recording head 20 from the ink bag.

Next, the operation of the liquid storage container of this embodiment will be described.

First, when the pressure _Pout in the container is equal to the pressure Pin _{in the} outside of the container, for example, the container is not connected to the recording head, or the recording device such as an ink jet recording device connected to the container is stopped. When no ink is consumed and the environment (temperature, pressure, etc.) does not change, the miracle of the _two valves (V ₁ , V ₂ ) is the oil-coated surface 15 which is a part of the ink container. And the oil, and the inside of the container and the outside of the container are completely shut off.

Next, the pressure in the space 6 P _in the outside air pressure P _out
When the pressure is lower, for example, when recording is started, the ink is discharged from the discharge port and consumed. As the ink is consumed, the volume of the bag decreases, and the pressure P _{in of the} space 6 becomes equal to the external pressure P.
negative pressure for _out . During recording, the appropriate negative pressure at the nozzle position of the ink jet recording head is usually 0 to
-150 mmAq, and if the negative pressure is too large, the ejection of the ink from the ejection port of the recording head may not be performed well, or the ink may not be ejected. Even if the initial negative pressure is 0, the negative pressure is quickly generated by a slight consumption of the ink. As the ink is consumed, the negative pressure in the space increases. However, as long as the negative pressure does not affect the printing, as shown in FIG. 6A, each of the valves (V ₁ , V ₂ ) is closed.

As the ink is further consumed, the negative pressure further increases. However, in order to prevent the negative pressure in the space 6 from becoming too large, the negative pressure is larger than a certain constant differential pressure (△ P ₁ ). (△ P ₁ <P _out −P _in ), that is, P _out
-P _in the differential pressure by the valve V ₁ Mairashi - force acting on bets are, shea - adhesion mylar and the container surface by the ring liquid and Mairashi - of the valve actuation pressure △ P ₁ determined by the force deforming the door or the like When it becomes large, a part of the mylar sheet is deformed, so that the sealing liquid application surface 15 is formed.
And the mylar sheet are separated, and outside air is introduced into the ink container through the gap (FIG. 6B). As a result, the negative pressure in the space 6, that is, the negative pressure in the ink bag is reduced, and the pressure of the ink is controlled. Further, when the negative pressure is relieved, the mylar sheet deformed by the above-mentioned differential pressure returns to the original shape, so that the space 6 and the outside are shut off again. Examples of such an operating pressure of the valve V _1, as the pressure in the nozzle position of the recording head the ink supply is performed becomes 0~-150mmAq, it is desirable to set. On the other hand, the tank internal pressure for obtaining an appropriate pressure at the nozzle position differs depending on the arrangement height of the liquid storage container and the arrangement height of the nozzle to be supplied. What is necessary is just to set so that the value to which the pressure of the liquid in the inside is within the above-mentioned range.

Next, conversely, when the pressure in the air chamber becomes P _in > P _out
In the case of, for example, when the outside air temperature rises while the ink is not consumed, the gas in the space 6 expands due to heat,
Of course P _in becomes a high pressure to the P _out. However, as described above, the pressure difference between the pressure inside the space and the outside (P _in -P _out )
But when it becomes greater than the operating pressure of the valve V ₂ (△ P _2), in turn communicated with the space 6 and the outside by opening the valve V _2, the expansion amount of the gas in the space is discharged to the outside . Pressure of P _in, ie, the pressure in the ink bag is relaxed.
The liquid ink does not leak from the side receiving the supply of the liquid such as the ink jet recording head.

The operating pressure of the valve V ₂ ΔP ₂ = P _in −
P _out is effective closer to 0, the supply of ink may be set at a pressure of a degree that the ink in the recording head position does not leak to be performed. Such a pressure varies depending on the properties of the ink used and the state of the nozzles of the recording head, but the pressure at the nozzle position is 150 mmA.
What is necessary is just to set it so that it may be set to q or less.

Also, for example, when the external pressure surrounding the storage container of the present invention changes, such as during transportation by aircraft, the same operation as described above is performed, so that the adjustment corresponding to the pressure change is performed. This prevents the ink from leaking due to the pressure change.

When the external pressure becomes lower than the allowable pressure of the space 6, the operation as shown in FIG. 6C occurs. Conversely, when the external pressure becomes higher than the allowable pressure of the space 6, The operation shown in FIG. 6B occurs.

The configuration of the valves V ₁ and V ₂ and the operating pressures thereof need to be appropriately adjusted according to the specifications of the recording apparatus. However, in the case of the valve used in this embodiment, it is relatively simple. Can be set to

Factors that determine the operating pressure of the valve include the area of the pressure acting portion on the sheet surface (the area of the pressure acting portion) and the sheet.
The area of the ring liquid application surface, the material and diameter (area) and thickness of the sheet, the material of the oil, the range and area of the pressing plate, etc. can be increased. Fix the parameters other than the thickness and viscosity of the sealing liquid,
By changing these three parameters, the operating pressure can be easily adjusted.

Table 1 below shows an example of the relationship between the oil pressure, the thickness of the sheet, the valve in which the area (diameter) of the pressure acting portion is changed, and the operating pressure difference.

[0036]

[Table 1]

In the present embodiment employing such a valve, the operating pressure of the valve can be set simply by changing the sheet area, the physical properties of the sealing liquid, and the area of the pressure acting portion diameter 4. The pressure can be set to an arbitrary value, and the number of parts is small, so that an ink tank that can be easily assembled can be obtained.

Although a mylar sheet was used as a sheet constituting the above-described valve, the change with time was small.
Any material that does not attack the oil that is the sealing liquid to be combined and that exhibits elasticity may be used. Typical examples of such materials include metal films such as aluminum, phosphor bronze, stainless steel (SUS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP),
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide,
Examples are plastic films such as polyester. The surface roughness is desirably 6.3 or less.

As the sealing liquid, any non-volatile liquid may be used. However, in order to maintain the performance stability of the valve, if the temperature-viscosity characteristics are good, it is resistant to environmental changes, and the oxidation and wetness are small. Good. Examples of such a material include oils such as polybutene, polybutane, and Teflon in addition to silicone oil.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment in which the valve mechanism is unitized.

In this embodiment, the valve unit 19 is held in a unit holder 1 'which forms a part of the ink container 1. Each of the valves in the valve unit is used to control the ink container 1 as in the above-described embodiment.
The pressure in the space between the ink bag 2 and the ink bag 2 is adjusted.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic front view (a) and a schematic longitudinal sectional view (b) of the valve unit. In the valve unit of the present embodiment, the two valves as shown in the previous embodiment are configured to perform the same operation as the valve mechanism of the previous embodiment. Note that each reference numeral indicates a part having the same function as that of the previous embodiment.

By using a single valve mechanism as in this embodiment, even if the valve cannot be directly mounted due to the shape of the outer frame of the ink container, for example, only the valve unit 19 is assembled as a separate unit. Since the liquid storage container can be attached to the ink container, the liquid storage container can be manufactured easily and with design freedom.
Even if the liquid storage container has another shape, it is only necessary to apply the valve unit appropriately, so that the design time can be shortened, and the same process can be used, so that there is an effect that the product can be efficiently commercialized.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment, which shows an example of a liquid storage container employing a valve of another type. Here, the valve mechanism has valves 20 and 21 each formed of a flexible sheet and having a bag structure with one side opened. One side 22 of each valve communicates with a communication port 23 of the ink container body, and the opposite side 24 is open. Since the non-volatile oil 26 as a sealing agent, as used in the previous embodiment, is applied to the inner surface 25 of the bag, the inner surface of the bag is in close contact, and the pressure is increased in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. When the difference is not large, there is no gas flow between the outside and the inside of the container.

In this embodiment, similarly to the above-described example,
One valve 20 is a valve for adjusting the inflow of air from the outside, and the other valve 21 is a valve for adjusting the outflow of gas from the space between the ink bag and the ink container to the outside. Also in the valve of the present embodiment, a constant differential pressure differential pressure between the ink container external to the space _{△ P 3 = P in -P out} ( when the valve 21), or _{△ P 4 = P out -P in} ( In the case of the valve 20), the pressure acting on the inner surfaces 25 of the valves 20 and 21 becomes larger than the adhesive force between the sheets by the oil 26, the sheets come off from each other, and the gas flows. As a result, the pressure in the space is controlled in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

As in the embodiments described above, the pressure in the space in the ink container, ie, the pressure of the ink in the ink bag, is determined by the difference between the operating pressures of the two valves constituting the valve mechanism. By adjusting the operating pressures of the two valves, the ink capacity can be maintained within an arbitrary pressure range regardless of the remaining amount of the ink.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the valve mechanism is constituted by two valves has been described. However, in the case where the external environment such as temperature and pressure changes little, a liquid storage container having one valve is used. Even if there is nothing.

The size and shape of the liquid storage container of the present invention are changed, the materials of the first container and the second container are appropriately selected, and the operating pressure of the valve is adjusted as described above. In addition to the ink container, it also prevents the leakage of liquids and the ease of adjusting the supply pressure, such as petroleum such as gasoline and kerosene, volatile and flammable liquids, and chemicals with danger due to leakage. It can be widely applied as a storage container and a storage container for a liquid for which stable supply is desired. However, the application as an ink container particularly used for ink jet recording is most suitable for adjusting a delicate pressure necessary for holding a meniscus at a recording head position and for supplying a stable ink which is not affected by a use state of the ink. It is preferred.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an ink jet recording apparatus IJRA in which a liquid storage container according to the present invention is used as an ink tank and a recording head is integrally mounted. Driving force transmission gear 501 in conjunction with forward / reverse rotation of drive motor 5013
Reed screw 500 rotating via 1,5009
The carriage HC that engages with the 5 helical groove 5004 has a pin (not shown) and is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. A paper pressing plate 5002 presses a recording paper, which is a recording medium, against a platen 5000 in the carriage movement direction. The recording apparatus performs recording by discharging ink from a recording head onto the recording paper.

Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this region by photocouplers and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member for supporting a cap member 5022 for capping the front surface of the recording head. Reference numeral 5015 denotes suction means for suctioning the inside of the cap and recovering the suction of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade.
Are members capable of moving the blade in the front-rear direction, and these are supported by the main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form, and a well-known cleaning blade can be applied to this embodiment. Also, 502
Reference numeral 1 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, which moves with the movement of the cam 5020 that engages with the carriage,
The driving force from the drive motor is controlled by known transmission means such as clutch switching.

These capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired processing can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the home position side area. If the desired operation is performed at the timing described above, any of the embodiments can be applied. Each of the configurations described above is an excellent invention when viewed alone or in combination, and shows preferred configuration examples for the present invention.

It should be noted that the recording apparatus of this embodiment has a control section having recording signal supply means for supplying a signal for driving the mounted recording head to the recording head, and having control means for controlling the driving of the recording apparatus. Have.

The ink container mounted on the apparatus has been described as an example in which the ink container is configured as an ink jet head unit integrated with the recording head. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It goes without saying that the recording head may be supplied to the recording head through the ink supply path.

As described above, the present invention particularly provides an ink container, a recording head unit, and a recording head unit which are used in an ink jet recording system in which flying droplets are formed by utilizing thermal energy in an ink jet recording system to perform recording. In the recording apparatus, a particularly excellent effect is brought about.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, to the electrothermal transducer disposed corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path in which is held, This is effective because thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the film is boiled on the heat-acting surface of the recording head. As a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in one-to-one correspondence with the drive signal. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet.

When the driving signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubbles are performed immediately and appropriately, and the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in 463359 and 4345262 are suitable. In addition, US Pat. No. 4,431,131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of JP-A No. 24 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461 which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification is used. Either a configuration that satisfies the length or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exert the above-described effects.

In addition, the print head is replaceable with a print head of a replaceable chip type, which can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus or supplied with ink from the main body of the apparatus, or is integrated with the print head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge-type recording head provided in a fixed manner is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the print head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. To be more specific, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressure or suction unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal converter, another heating element, or a combination thereof, for the recording head. ,
Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing. Further, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to the printing mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be a printing head integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus having at least one of the full colors.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is not limited to one used as an image output terminal in the event of an information processing crisis such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader, and a transmission / reception function. It may take the form of a facsimile machine having the same.

[0062]

As described above, the liquid storage container according to the present invention does not require a special negative pressure generator required for the storage container for the recording liquid and does not require a special pressure generator structure, and the space in the second container is provided. Pressure, ie, the pressure of the liquid in the first container, is adjusted to an appropriate pressure by a two-valve configuration provided in the second container,
Since the liquid can be supplied to the outside while being maintained, the liquid can be supplied stably.

By employing the valve mechanism, it is possible to provide an ink container with high liquid use efficiency.

Since a porous body or the like for holding the liquid ink is not required, the capacity in the ink container can be increased. This means that the size of the ink storage container can be reduced, and the size of the recording head unit and the recording device can also be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic external perspective view of a liquid storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a container in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view of the valve according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the present embodiment at a valve position.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a recording head unit to which a liquid storage container is applied.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the operation of the container of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the liquid storage container of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a valve unit of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a third embodiment of the liquid storage container of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a recording apparatus to which the liquid storage container of the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 2 Ink bag 3 Discharge port 4 Working part 5 Ink 6 Space 7 Spring 8 Ball 9 Rubber stopper 10 Valve 11 Communication port 12 Mylar sheet 13 Hold down 14 Non-volatile liquid 15 Sealing agent application surface 16 Connector 17 Recording head 18 Pipe 19 Valve unit 20 Valve 21 Valve 22 End 23 Communication port 24 Opposite end 25 Bag inner surface 26 Non-volatile liquid

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A liquid storage container, which is integrally connected to an ink jet recording head that performs recording in accordance with a recording signal by discharging a recording liquid, and stores a recording liquid supplied to the recording head. A liquid container configured to include a first container configured of a flexible bag for storing liquid, a second container configured to cover the first container, and the first and second containers. And a communication path for guiding the recording liquid stored in the first container to the outside of the second container. The second container further includes a first container and a second container. And a valve mechanism for controlling the pressure of the gas present in the space, and the valve mechanism is composed of two valves, the first
The valve operates to introduce gas outside the second container into the space when a pressure equal to or higher than the operating pressure of the first valve acts on the first valve, and the second valve operates the second valve. Operable to release gas from the space to the outside of the second container when a pressure equal to or higher than the pressure acts on the second valve, and the pressure of the space is reduced by consumption of the recording liquid from the communication path; Alternatively, a liquid storage container characterized in that the opening and closing operation of a first valve and a second valve in accordance with an environmental change adjusts the operating pressure within a range of an operating pressure suitable for supplying a recording liquid. 2. The first valve and the second valve each include: a communication opening for communicating the space inside the second container with the outside; and a sheet disposed to cover the communication opening. 2. The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein a sealing liquid is provided between the sheet and the periphery of the communication opening. 3. A liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the recording liquid is held in a first container, a recording head which receives the recording liquid from the liquid storage container and performs recording using the recording liquid,
Is a recording head unit that is integrally mounted. 4. A printing apparatus comprising: a carriage on which the printhead unit according to claim 3 is mounted and scanned; and an electric signal supply unit provided for driving a printhead of the printhead unit. Characteristic recording device.