JP3371318B2 - Ink cartridge mounting device for recording device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technical field of a recording device such as an ink cartridge for supplying ink to a print head of a recording device such as an ink jet printer and a device for mounting the ink cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, an ink cartridge of this type has been required to have a large ink filling capacity and to supply the ink to a print head smoothly during use.

A large number of various ink cartridges have already been proposed to meet the user's needs.

As an example thereof, the ink cartridge of a resin molded body is enclosed in a bag made of an aluminum laminated film or the like and supplied to the user.

When a user who purchases such an ink cartridge has to use it, the bag is torn, the ink cartridge is taken out, a part of the film is further torn, and then set in a printer for use.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above-mentioned prior art, there are problems to be improved as described below.

To break the bag to load the ink cartridge into the printer, take out the ink cartridge,
A complicated process such as further breaking a part of the film is required, and if the operation is erroneous in the process, there is a risk of printing failure.

If the bag is broken to open to the atmosphere and kept waiting for a long period of time, the degassing degree of the ink is lowered, and the print quality may be deteriorated due to the inflow of minute air every time the cartridge is replaced. there were.

Since the expiration date and precautions of the cartridge are displayed on the bag body, there is a problem that the display becomes unclear when the bag body is discarded.

Since the ink cartridge is composed of a resin-molded frame body, a thickness of the frame body is required to be about 0.5-2 mm due to moldability, and the ink capacity may be reduced in the case of a limited volume. was there.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and the problems are as follows.

A first problem to be solved by the present invention is to maintain the initial cartridge quality until the cartridge is replaced by forming the ink cartridge with a gas barrier film or a laminated paper member. It is to provide a possible ink cartridge.

A second problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge in which the air permeability in the ink cartridge is improved so that the ink in the foam can be smoothly supplied.

A third problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge having an improved ink containing volume efficiency because the ink cartridge is a film pack and thin.

A fourth problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a mounting device capable of mounting the above-mentioned ink cartridge on a printer and effectively supplying the ink.

[0016]

[Means for Solving the Problems] As means for solving the above problems, the following points can be mentioned.

(1) A foam formed with an impermeable sheet material such as a gas-barrier film or a gas-barrier laminated paper member is filled with ink, and a spacer capable of forming an atmosphere open path is provided. Mounting device for ink cartridges for recording devices that are sealed in a sealed manner
The open part fixed on the frame of the recording device.
It has a box-shaped cartridge mounting part having
A needle for opening to the atmosphere and an ink supply needle that can be inserted into
One of the lower frames located on one side of the cartridge mounting part
An image for recording device, which is arranged so that it can appear in and out of the through holes of the set at the same time.
An attachment device for an ink cartridge.

(2) Needle for opening to the atmosphere and ink supply
Only when inserting the needle through the attached cartridge
It is constructed so that it can invade the cartridge mounting part.
Installation of the ink cartridge for the recording device described in (1) above
apparatus.

The functions of the means (1) and (2) described above are as follows.
Is like.

That is, the ink in the ink cartridge is
When supplying it to the linter head,
Foam and space filled with ink from the open part to the mounting part
Loaded with ink cartridge containing a sensor.

Move the ink supply needle and the air release needle.
The end of the ink through the through hole in the side frame.
-Break through the Ridge pack and insert at the same time.

Vent smoothly with a needle for opening to the atmosphere,
Ink filled in the ink chamber via the ink supply needle
Supply to the head.

Ink in the ink cartridge is exhausted
The ink supply needle and the air release needle are retracted at the same time.
And retract the tip into the through hole.

Remove the ink cartridge from the opening
And perform the ink cartridge replacement process.

Therefore, each of the problems is solved by the above solving means.
Can be effectively resolved.

The effects peculiar to the invention will be described later.
It is as described in the section “Effect of the invention”.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Each embodiment of the present invention is as shown in the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) (1) Ink cartridge 1 The ink cartridge 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an ink cartridge made of a paper member laminated with a film having a gas barrier property or a plastic material. The pack 12 is formed by hermetically loading a spacer 12 and a foam 13 in which ink has been occluded.
1, 122 are connected by a connecting frame 123, and each parallel frame 12
A gap G1 is formed between 1 and 122, and each parallel frame 1
21 and 122 are configured to support the foam 13.

(2) Ink Cartridge Mounting Device 100 The mounting device 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a box-shaped cartridge mounting portion 1 fixedly mounted on a frame 101 of a printer.
02, and using the opening 103, the mounting chamber 10
The ink cartridge 1 is inserted into and detached from the inside of the cartridge 4.

Further, a pair of through holes 106 and 107 are formed in the lower frame 105 of the cartridge mounting portion 102, and an ink supply needle 108 for supplying ink to the print head or a needle 109 for opening to the atmosphere. Is provided on a displaceable needle support frame 110, and a return spring 111 provided between the needle support frame 110 and the cartridge mounting portion 102 by means of a return spring 111 allows the ink supply needle 108 and the atmosphere release needle to be released. The tip of 109 is constructed so as to be stable when it is loosely inserted into the through holes 106 and 107.

(3) How to use When the ink in the ink cartridge 1 is supplied to the printer head, as shown in the arrow (A) direction in FIG. 3, the mounting chamber 1 is opened from the opening 103 of the cartridge mounting portion 102.
Ink cartridge 1 is loaded in 04.

Then, as shown in FIG.
The ink supply needle 108 and the atmosphere release needle 109 together with the needle support frame 110 in the direction of the arrow (B) against
Each tip is penetrated through the through holes 106 and 107 of the side frame 105, and the ink cartridge pack 11 is pierced and inserted.

In this state, since the air is smoothly vented from the position of the air release needle 109 into the gap G1 of the spacer 12, the ink filled in the foam 13 passes through the ink supply needle 108 to the head. Can be supplied to.

When the ink in the ink cartridge 1 is used up, the return force of the return spring 111 causes the needle support frame 110 and the needles 108 and 109 to move downward so that the tips of the needles 108 and 109 pass through the through holes 106 and 107. Evacuate inside (arrow (B ') direction).

Then, the ink cartridge 1 is moved to the arrow A '.
By removing the ink cartridge 1 from the mounting chamber 104 in the direction (FIG. 3), the ink cartridge 1 can be easily replaced.

(Second Embodiment) (1) Ink Cartridge 200 The second embodiment differs from the ink cartridge 1 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the spacer 220 as follows.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the comb-shaped spacer 220 enclosed in the pack 230 has a base 220A.
Parallel frame members 220B are arranged in parallel, and a gap G2 for air circulation is formed between them.
To support the foam 240.

The outermost parallel frame 220D is provided with a through hole 220C through which the atmosphere opening needle 109 is passed.

(2) Ink cartridge mounting device 100
Most of A is common to the first embodiment, but is characterized in that the seal member 250 is interposed between the ink cartridge 200 and the cartridge mounting portion 260.

(3) Method of use In common with the first embodiment, the air gap G2 is formed between the foam 240 and the spacer 220, and the seal member 250 seals the through hole 220C. Since the opening needle 109 is passed through the pack 230, the ink cartridge 200 is stably opened to the atmosphere, and the ink in the ink cartridge 200 is discharged from the ink supply needle 108 without causing ink ejection failure. It can be supplied to the head.

(Third Embodiment) (1) Ink Cartridge 300 The third embodiment is different from the ink cartridges 1 and 200 of the first or second embodiment in the structure of the spacer 320 as described below. .

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the spacer 320 enclosed in the pack 330 has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and the main frame 320A has a hole 3 for opening to the atmosphere.
20B is transparently provided, and the sub-frame portion 320C is provided with the atmosphere opening groove 320D.

(2) Ink cartridge mounting device 100 It is common to the mounting device in the first embodiment.

(3) How to use It is common to the first embodiment.

The air introduced from the pack 330 pierced by the atmosphere opening needle 109 is the atmosphere opening hole 320.
The ink in the foam 340 can be smoothly supplied to the head from the ink supply needle 108 because it is circulated in the B and the air release groove 320D.

(Embodiment 4) (1) Ink Cartridge 400 This embodiment 4 is different from the ink cartridge 1, 200, or 300 of Embodiment 1, 2 or 3 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the spacer 420 enclosed in the pack 430 is configured to have a substantially L-shaped cross section, and an L-shaped atmosphere opening portion 420A is opened.

(2) Ink Cartridge Mounting Device 500 In the mounting device 500 according to the fourth embodiment, the cartridge mounting portion 502 is arranged on the frame 501 of the printer, and the needle is separately movably connected to the printer frame 501. An ink supply needle 504 is provided on the support frame 503, and a return spring 505 is contracted between the needle support frame 503 and the cartridge mounting portion 502 to insert the ink supply needle 504. 506 has been opened.

A lever 507 of a cartridge mounting portion 502 is movably mounted on a frame 501 of the printer, and an atmospheric opening needle 508 is provided on the inner surface of the lever 507 so as to project.

(3) How to use As shown in FIG. 7, the ink cartridge 400 is loaded in the cartridge mounting portion 502, and the lever 507 is rotated in the direction of arrow (C) to approach the ink cartridge 400, and then the needle. Ink supply needle 50 together with support frame 503
4 is moved up against the return spring 505, the ink supply needle 504 projects upward from the through hole 506 and the pack 4
Needle 50 for piercing 30 and opening to the atmosphere of lever 507
8 also enters the pack 430, and air flows into the ink cartridge 400 from the atmosphere opening portion 420A, and the ink in the foam 440 is supplied to the ink supply needle 504.
Will be smoothly supplied to the head.

(Embodiment 5) Embodiment 5 shown in FIG.
For Ink Cartridge 600, pack 610
It is common to the ink cartridges 1, 200, 300 or 400 of the other embodiments in that the foam 630 is enclosed together with the spacer 620 in the inside, but the characteristic constitution is a cylinder inside the foam 630. Ink supply needle 65
0 type ring 640A for sealing 0 and ink outlet hole 640
A tubular body 640C having B.
A filter 640 for ink transmission is provided in the open hole 640D of C.
E is attached.

The usage is the same as the above-mentioned mounting devices 100, 5
00 and the like are used in common.

[0052]

The effects brought about by the present invention described above are as follows.

The ink in the ink cartridge that is being used can maintain high quality for a long period of time, and thus can form good quality print records.

Since the air supply to the ink cartridge is good, the ink in the foam can be continuously and effectively supplied without ejection failure, so that excellent print quality can be guaranteed.

Since the ink cartridge pack is a thin sheet, the ink storage amount can be greatly increased.

Not only can the ink cartridge be easily attached to a printer or the like, but also the ink can be reliably supplied.

Since the expiration date and the like can be displayed on the ink cartridge itself, it can be utilized as information when exchanging.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment.

2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the ink cartridge of FIG. 1 and its mounting device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the usage state of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of an ink cartridge and a mounting device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge and a mounting device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 200, 300, 400, 600 Ink cartridge 11, 230, 330 Pack 13, 230, 340, 440, 640 Form 12, 220, 320, 420 Spacer 320B, 320D, 320A Atmosphere opening (hole, groove) 220B Parallel Frame 100, 100A, 500 Mounting device 104, 250 Mounting part 108 Ink supply needle 109, 508 Air release needle 250 Seal member 640 Foam compression member

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A foam formed with an impermeable sheet material such as a gas barrier film or a gas barrier laminated paper member is sealed with a foam filled with ink and a spacer capable of forming an atmosphere open path. It is an ink cartridge mounting device for recording devices that is enclosed in a circle
There is an open part fixed on the frame of the recording device.
Box-shaped cartridge mounting part
The air release needle and ink supply needle that can be inserted are
A set of lower frame located on one side of the cartridge mounting part
Ink for recording device arranged so that it can appear and disappear simultaneously in the through hole
Cartridge mounting device. 2. The atmosphere release needle and the ink supply needle
, Only when inserting it through the attached cartridge
A contract configured to allow entry into the cartridge mount.
Mounting device for ink cartridge for recording device according to claim 1
Place