JP3391221B2 - Ink cartridges - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of ink cartridges that supply ink to recording devices such as inkjet printers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of ink cartridge, a soft ink containing bag is provided in a hard cover case, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-963.
The invention of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 02 (publicly known example) has been proposed.

In this known ink cartridge, a bag body filled with ink is housed in a back case, and an ink inlet is opened in a cover connected to the opening of the bag body. In addition, a piston that is biased by a return spring to close the ink inlet is provided.When the front case is connected to the cover, the piston is moved to open the valve and the ink inlet is connected. Is also opened so that the ink in the bag can be fed to the ink reservoir through the ink flow passage and discharged from the ink ejection port.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned known example, not only the structure is complicated and the cost is increased, but also it is difficult to refill the used ink cartridge with ink. There was a problem that was.

A first problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge having a simple structure and easy to reuse.

A second problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge which is liquid-tight and can replace a used ink cartridge in a state where ink leakage does not occur.

A third problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge in which opening of an ink supply portion and involvement of a supply needle are interlocked with each other so that ink can be smoothly drawn out without ink leakage. That is.

A fourth problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge in which an O-ring is provided in the ink supply portion so that the supply needle can be accurately inserted into the inner container.

A fifth problem to be solved by the present invention is that a thin film having different characteristics is laminated on the inner container to form a multi-layered structure in which air is introduced into the ink or volatile components in the ink are evaporated. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge which can prevent the above-mentioned phenomenon and can shield the ink from external visual recognition.

[0010]

The features of the solving means of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems are as follows.

(1) In an ink cartridge for supplying ink to a recording head such as an ink jet printer,
An outer container formed of a hard material and an inner container formed of a soft thin film or thin rubber disposed in the outer container, the outer container being openable
It is composed of a bottom open outer box with a hole and a bottom frame,
The inner container has an O-ring that opens the ink supply.
The ink supply section should be projected outside the outer container.
Is placed inside the outer container, and the ink is drawn out by a spring.
Multiple urged to be accessible in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of
This ink supply unit can be opened by the supply closing body
An ink cartridge that is closed .

(2) The ink supply section of the inner container is
Pushing out the supply port closing body against the spring by the pullout means
When sealed, it is liquid-tight along the O-ring part of the ink supply part.
The ink cartridge according to the above (1), characterized in that the supply needle is inserted into a shape to enable ink supply .

(3) The ink supply section is a thin tube.
And an O-ring portion is formed at the outer end of the ink cartridge according to the above (1).

(4) The inner container is at least outside.
Aluminum and polyethylene terephthalate on the inside,
Equipped with a layer selected from iron or polyethylene
Characterized by being composed of a multi-layered thin film
The ink cartridge according to any one of (1) to (3) above .

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

According to the above-mentioned solution means, the used ink cartridge can be easily replaced without ink leakage, and not only can it be recycled, but also high quality ink can be constantly supplied to the printers. It is a thing.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described below.

(Embodiment 1) 1. The ink cartridge 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a rigid outer container 1 made of a hard plastic material or the like.
Inner container 120 composed of 10 and soft thin film
The outer container 110 has a first container part 112 having an ink supply part 111 and a vent hole 1
The second container portion 114 having the opened 13 is fitted to each other at its open edge portion, and the packing 115 is interposed to form a hermetically sealed state, and the snap fit portion 11 of the second container portion 114 is provided.
4A is detachably assembled integrally by engaging the step portion 112A of the first container portion 112, but the inner side is formed of a flexible thin film or thin rubber which is separately impermeable. The container 120 is shaped and dimensioned so as to be approximately expanded to a volume approximately similar to the internal volume of the second container portion 114 when the ink IK is maximally filled, and the open end 121 thereof is the first and second containers. 112, 114
The first container portion 112 of the outer container 110 and the inner container 1 are attached together with the packing 115 interposed between the outer container 110 and the inner container 1.
The ink IK can be accommodated by 20 and 20.

Reference numerals 130 and 140 in FIGS. 1 and 2 denote peelable or through-openable seals capable of sealing the vent hole 113 and the ink supply portion, respectively.

As for the thin film constituting the inner container 120, a single layer film such as polyethylene terephthalate which has relatively little moisture evaporation and air intrusion, and an aluminum film on the outside as shown in the sectional view of FIG. And a polyethylene terephthalate layer 120A for preventing water vaporization and air invasion to prevent moisture vaporization and air intrusion, and at the same time prevent see-through of the filler, aluminum protection and air invasion. Ink-resistant polyethylene layer 120D for interposing a nylon layer 120C for preventing heat generation and forming a heat-welded portion when contacted with ink IK inside to form a bag-like structure is formed by laminating an adhesive layer 120E. And each layer 1
With respect to the thickness of 20A to 120E, the following results were obtained by carrying out as follows.

[0025] Polyethylene terephthalate 120A ... 10 μm Aluminum 120B ... 7 μm Nylon 120C… 15μm Polyethylene layer 120D ... 15 μm Adhesive layer 120E ... 3 μm

2. Usage FIG. 1 shows an unused ink cartridge 100 that is filled with the ink IK in a so-called full state, in which the vent hole 113 is opened by peeling off the seal 130, and in this state, the head portion of printers or the like is opened. The ink IK can be discharged by engaging the ink supply unit 111 with the PH and breaking the seal 140.

In this state, the ink IK is appropriately derived by the command from the printer side and is supplied to the recording process.

By the way, when the ink IK is used in this way and the amount of ink equal to the amount of air invading from the vent holes 113 is reduced, the inner container 120, which is soft gradually, works in conjunction with the lowering of the ink surface. The inner container 120 is lowered and the appearance of the inner container 120 is shrunk as the volume of the ink IK is reduced. Further, since it is possible to safely prevent the generation of bubbles due to the invasion of air, a smooth ink IK supply state is maintained, and high-quality print processing is guaranteed.

Then, by continuing the printing process, the ink I
When K is exhausted, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner container 1
The ink container 20 is almost in close contact with the first container portion 112 of the outer container 110, and the use of the ink cartridge 100 is completed.

During this period, the ink IK is protected by the multi-layered inner container 120 as described above, so that alteration or air inflow can be safely prevented, and visual recognition from the outside can be prevented.

Next, regarding the recycling of the ink cartridge 100, fresh ink IK is injected again from the ink supply section 111, and the ink supply section 111 and the vent hole 113 are sealed by the seals 130 and 140. It can wait for reuse.

Further, the first and second container parts 112, 114
Can be separated and the inner container 120 can be released for partial recycling.

(Second Embodiment) 1. Means The ink cartridge 200 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a rigid outer container 21 made of a hard plastic material or the like.
0 and a bag-shaped inner container 220 formed of a soft thin film or the like disposed therein, and the soft thin film or thin rubber is the inner container 120 in the ink cartridge 100 of the first embodiment. Configuration (Fig. 3
The ink container cartridge 100 is similar to the ink cartridge 100 in that it is similar to the ink container cartridge 100. However, when the inner container 220 is filled with ink in a full tank, the inner container 220 becomes the outer container 210.
Are different in that they are arranged so as to be arranged over the entire area.

That is, a bag-shaped inner container 220 made of a flexible thin film or the like is disposed in the lower open outer box 214 having the vent holes 213, and the lower open part of the outer box 214 is provided. The bottom frame 212 is fitted so as to close 214A, and the inner container 2 is opened from the opening 212A of the bottom frame 212.
20 thin tube-shaped ink supply parts 220A are connected to the outer container 210
, And an O-ring portion 220B is formed on the opening edge thereof.

A spring 23 is provided inside the bottom frame 212.
The pair of supply port closing bodies 232 biased toward each other by 1 are arranged, and the ink supply section 220A is provided between the arc-shaped inner ends 232A of the supply port closing bodies 232.
Is configured to be able to close the inner container 220, and the ink supply portion 220A can be opened by the cam-shaped leg 232B of the supply port closing body 232, which will be described later.

Therefore, when the ink IK is not supplied, the ink supply portion 220A of the ink cartridge 200 is closed by the supply port closing body 232 as shown in FIG. 4, and the ink can be safely held in the ink cartridge 200. It is a thing.

Next, regarding the ink deriving means 300 for supplying the ink in the ink cartridge 200 to the head portion (not shown) of printers, the negative pressure generating means 31.
0 is installed inside, and a hollow supply needle 320 is provided on the top.
And the supply port closing body 23 on both sides thereof.
A guide rod 330 which is engaged with the second cam-shaped leg 232B and moves the supply port closing bodies 232 in the direction away from each other against the spring 231 is additionally provided.

2. Usage In the state shown in FIG. 4, the ink IK is placed inside the inner container 220.
Is full, but in this state, the ink cartridge 200 is faced on the ink deriving means 300 of the printer (state of FIG. 4), and when the ink cartridge 200 is pushed down, the guide rod 330 is engaged with the cam-shaped leg 232B. Then, the supply port closing body 232 is pushed and spread against the spring 231, and the supply needle 320 enters the ink supply unit 220A of the inner container 220 from the position of the O-ring portion 220B.

As a result, the ink IK in the inner container 220 of the ink cartridge 200 is transferred to the ink outlet means 30.
0 is to be smoothly supplied to the recording head section,
During this time, the O-ring portion 220B is in close contact with the outside of the supply needle 320 to prevent unexpected leakage of ink (see FIG. 5).

Next, when the ink IK in the inner container 220 decreases due to use, the top of the inner container 210 is lowered along the liquid surface of the ink as shown in FIG. 5, while the liquid surface of the ink IK is inside. Since it is continuously in contact with the container 220, it is possible to safely prevent the generation of bubbles due to the inflow of air and the ripple of the liquid surface of the ink IK.

Furthermore, the used ink cartridge 20 is used.
For 0, the guide rod 33 can be obtained by simply pulling out the supply needle 320 of the ink outlet means 300 from the ink supply section 220A.
Since 0 releases the cam-shaped leg 232B, the supply port closing bodies 232 are brought closer to each other by the spring 231 and the ink supply section 220A is closed, and there is no risk of the ink IK leaking from the ink cartridge 200, and the ink can be safely performed. The ink cartridge 200 can be replaced.

Ink IK for Ink Cartridge 200
The filling and the re-filling after use can be easily performed with a filling needle (not shown) or the like that is in close contact with the O-ring 220B after the cam-shaped leg 232B is released.

[0043]

According to the present invention described above, the following excellent effects are exhibited.

The structure of the ink cartridge can be simplified.

A used ink cartridge can be removed without causing ink leakage.

The ink supply from the ink cartridge is smooth.

The ink cartridge replacement operation can be executed without erroneous operation.

Air does not enter the ink in the ink cartridge and evaporation can be prevented.

The ink in the ink cartridge cannot be seen from the outside.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the used state of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the inner container according to the first or second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge that is filled with the ink according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the in-use state of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 200 ink cartridge 110, 210 outer container 120, 220 inner container 112 First container part 114 Second container part 113,213 Vents 212 Bottom frame 214 outer box 220A ink supply unit 220B O-ring part 232B cam-shaped leg 300 ink derivation means 320 supply needle

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-6-218941 (JP, A) JP-A-5-254139 (JP, A) JP-A-5-301350 (JP, A) Actual Kaihei 1- 80425 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. In an ink cartridge for supplying ink to a recording head of an ink jet printer or the like, an outer container made of a hard material and a soft thin film or thin rubber provided in the outer container are formed. The inner container is provided with a vent hole that can be opened by the outer container.
It is composed of an open lower outer box and a bottom frame,
The container includes an O-ring portion that opens the ink supply section,
So that this ink supply section projects outside the outer container
Place it in the outer container and insert the ink outlet by a spring.
A plurality of members that are biased so that they can approach each other in the direction orthogonal to the entry direction.
This ink supply unit can be opened and closed by the supply and closure body.
Ink cartridge, characterized in that is. 2. The ink supply section of the inner container is an ink guide.
Push out the supply port closing body against the spring by the ejecting means.
Liquid-tight along the O-ring part of the ink supply part
The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the supply needle is inserted to enable ink supply . 3. The ink supply unit is a thin tube,
The ink cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein an O-ring portion is formed on the outer end of the ink cartridge. 4. The inner container is provided with at least an outer layer.
Minium and polyethylene terephthalate inside, Nairo
Or a layer having a layer selected from polyethylene or the like.
Claims characterized by being composed of a layered thin film
Item 4. The ink cartridge according to any one of items 1 to 3 .