JP3419196B2 - Ink cartridges for printers - 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 printers such as inkjet printers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in printing devices such as ink jet printers for printing season greetings such as New Year's cards and greeting cards, and various notification documents, sudden ink deficiency and excessive ink residue, especially when used for personal courses. It was pointed out that the problem occurred.

The main reason for this is that the ink cartridge which is uniformly filled with ink is loaded into the printer and is used for the printing process. Therefore, consideration for supplying the required amount to the printer without excess or deficiency is lacking. It is thought that there is a point.

On the contrary, in the conventional ink cartridge, the ink cartridge which can be loaded in a predetermined printer is filled with ink without any shortage so as to prevent the ink from running out, and if necessary, the ink cartridge. It was the actual situation in this industry that the emphasis was placed on the countermeasure for refilling the ink.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional ink supply method, attention is paid to the prevention of ink shortage, and it is intended to fill the ink cartridge with a sufficient amount of ink. There is a lack of countermeasures when the ink cartridge with the remaining ink is loaded in the printer and is not used for a long time.

A first problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge which is filled with an appropriate amount of ink suitable for the purpose of use and which can be easily loaded into a printer and subjected to a printing process. is there.

A second problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer which can be stably mounted on a printer by using an adapter having a shape adapted to a mounting region of the printer.

A third problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer compatible with color printers.

A fourth problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge having a constant external shape and capable of freely adjusting the ink storage amount.

A fifth problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a simple adjustment process of the supplied ink amount.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The means for solving the above problems according to the present invention are as follows.

[0012] (1) A ink cartridge in the printer such, to allow change external depending on the amount of ink filled in the ink cartridge that can be mounted to the printer such to freely loaded removably into the adapter, the i
The locking cartridge is provided with protruding locking ears and the ink
The adapter that can be loaded with the cart lid is an ink car
Open the storage room for the torridge and engage with the locking ears.
The casing with the fitting part to be fitted and the
Lock to fix the loaded ink cartridge
An ink cover constructed so that the frame can be fixedly mounted on the casing.
-Ridge.

(2) A locking hole is formed in the side wall of the casing.
In addition, the claw holes are opened and the locks provided on the lock frame
Clever's inward protrusion and stop rod's stop claw are engaged
The ink cartridge according to (1), which is configured to be possible .

(3) Located in the casing of the adapter
The shape of the ink cartridge and the installation of printers
(1) The appearance shape is changed to fit the area.
Alternatively, the ink cartridge according to (2).

(4) Adjacent to the casing of the adapter
Ink cartridges filled with different color inks.
The ink cartridge according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the cartridge can be loaded with the cartridge.

[0016]

Each of the above-mentioned solutions is consistent with the claims.

Therefore, the problems to be solved by the respective inventions are solved by these solving means.

The effects brought about by these solutions are specified in the "Effects of the Invention" section.

(9) The ink cartridge according to (7), wherein an air bag is loaded in the foam chamber of the ink cartridge so that the ink storage amount in the foam chamber can be changed and adjusted.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, each illustrated embodiment will be described.

(Embodiment 1) The ink cartridge according to Embodiment 1 is of a type that is mounted on an adapter and mounted on printers.

1. Configuration The configurations of the ink cartridge 1 and the adapter 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are as follows.

(1) Ink cartridge 1 The ink cartridge 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a foam (not shown) impregnated with ink is loaded into the ink cartridge, and the ink is led out from the ink supply unit 11 at the lower part of the printer head. Can be supplied to a portion (not shown), and locking ears 12 that are locked to an adapter 100 described later are provided on both side surfaces thereof in a protruding manner.

(2) Adapter 100 The adapter 100 into which the ink cartridge 1 can be removably loaded is a casing 110 and an L-shaped lock body 1.
It is composed of 30 and.

The casing 110 is provided with a top-open storage chamber 111 into which the ink cartridge 1 can be inserted, an ink supply hole 113 is provided at the bottom 112, and lateral bottles are provided on both side walls 114. Mold finger hole 11
5 is opened, and the engaging ear portion 12 of the ink cartridge 1 can be engaged with the fitting portion 116 having a pore shape (see FIG. 2).

Further, locking holes 11 for engaging and disengaging an L-shaped lock body 130, which will be described later, are formed in both upper and lower side walls 114.
7 and claw holes 118 are formed, and an engaging groove 119 is further provided at the top thereof.

In addition, thick-walled portions 120 and 121 for supporting the ink cartridge 1 are formed on the inner surfaces of the side walls 114 so as to project inward.

Next, the L-shaped lock body 130 is attached to the lateral frame portion 14.
0 and the vertical frame portion 150 are integrally formed, and preferably, a resin material having some flexibility is integrally molded.

The lateral frame portion 140 has a holding portion 141 and a lock lever 142 arranged in parallel with each other, and the outer end of the lock lever 142 has both side walls 11 of the casing 110.
4, the inward protrusion 143 that can be engaged and disengaged with the locking hole 117 opened in FIG.
And an operating portion 145 that engages with the recessed groove 144 of the pressing portion 141 and projects outward is provided on the base portion of the casing 11.
It is engaged with the engaging groove 119 provided on both side walls 114 (see FIG. 1).

Further, on the inner surface of the lower portion of the main portion 151 of the vertical frame portion 150, a gap stop portion 152 for restraining the shaking of the ink cartridge 1 is provided in a protruding manner, and a retaining rod 153 faces inward on both sides thereof. The stopper claws 154, which are continuously arranged so as to be able to be displaced, are provided at the lower ends of the side walls 11 of the casing 110.
It is formed so that it can be engaged with and disengaged from the claw hole 118 formed in No. 4 (see FIG. 2).

2. Usage Installation of ink cartridge 1 When the ink cartridge 1 is loaded into a printer (not shown), the ink cartridge 1 which is previously filled or refilled with ink is made to face the casing 110, and the ink supply portion 11 is placed on the lower side. It is inserted into the accommodation chamber 111 in the state of being arranged at, and is pushed into the accommodation chamber 111 while being guided by the thick portions 120 and 121.

At this time, the locking ears 1 of the ink cartridge 1
No. 2 does not face the thick-walled portions 120 and 121, and thus can be loaded without any trouble.

The ink cartridge 1 is a casing 1.
At the position where it abuts the bottom portion 112 of the ink supply unit 11,
Is exposed from the ink supply hole 113 (see FIG. 3).

In this state, the L-shaped lock body 130 for stabilizing the ink cartridge 1 is exposed on the ink cartridge 1 and the vertical frame portion 150 is attached to the casing 1.
Insert between 10 and Ink Cartridge 1.

At the end of the above-mentioned insertion operation, the gap stop portion 152 is in a state of pressing the rear portion of the ink cartridge 1 and the ink cartridge 1 is advanced by the taper portion 152T thereof, and the locking ear portion 12 thereof. Is engaged with the narrow groove-shaped fitting portion 116 provided in the thick portion 121 of the both side walls 114, so that the ink cartridge 1 is fixedly arranged in the casing 110. At this time, the retaining rod 153 of the vertical frame 150 is engaged with the claw hole 118, and further, the inward projection 143 of the lock lever 142 is engaged with the locking hole 117.
The L-shaped lock body 130 includes a holding portion 141 and a gap stop portion 15.
The ink cartridge 1 is fixed to the casing 110 by pressing the ink cartridge 1 and the casing 110, and the ink cartridge 1 is fixed in the casing 110.

When the adapter 100 is set in the printer in this state, the ink in the ink cartridge 1 is smoothly supplied from the ink supply section 11 to the head section so that the printing operation can be carried out.

Removal of Ink Cartridge Next, when the ink in the ink cartridge 1 is consumed by the printer operation, the ink must be refilled.

In this case, after the ink cartridge 1 is taken out from the printer together with the adapter 100 in advance, L
145 of the lock lever 142 of the lock body 130 of the mold
Is inwardly displaced by an operator's finger operation or a required holding tool (such as pliers or pliers), the inward projection 143 of the lock lever 142 is removed from the locking hole 117, and is removed from the casing 110. When the L-shaped lock body 130 is urged to be pulled out from the casing 110, the stopper claw 154 of the retaining rod 153 is forcibly disengaged from the claw hole 118, and the L-shaped lock body 130 is removed from the casing 110. .

Next, a finger is inserted into the finger hole 115 to move the ink cartridge 1 backward, and the locking ear portion 12 is fitted into the fitting portion 116.
After disengaging from the casing 110, the casing 110 is displaced upward.
Since the ink cartridge 1 can be taken out from the top open portion, the ink cartridge 1 can be easily used for maintenance such as ink filling processing.

Further, FIGS. 5 and 6 show casings 110A and 110B showing a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a horizontally long casing, and FIG. 6 is a tall casing 1.
10A and 110B, both of which are prepared in consideration that the size of the mountable space of the adapter may differ depending on the size of the ink cartridge 1 and the type and size of the printer to be loaded. The configuration and functions are common.

As another modification shown in FIG. 7, a multicolor ink cartridge 1 which can be used in a color printer or the like.
C to 1E and adapters 100C to 10 capable of loading the same
The casings 110C to 110E of 0E are arranged in a multi-row structure, and the other configurations and functions are common.

(Embodiment 2) 1. The adapter 100X for accommodating the ink cartridge 1X shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a casing 100X having an open rear portion, and the bottom portion 112X has an ink supply portion 11X.
The through groove 113X is formed, and the thick portions 120X and 121X are formed on the inner surfaces of both side walls 114X thereof, and the engaging groove 122X and the stop rod 123X for guiding the locking ears 12X of the ink cartridge 1X are formed. Split groove 124
X is opened, and a stop protrusion 126X having an inner and outer tapered portion 125X is provided inwardly at the free end of the stop rod 123X.

2. Usage To load the ink cartridge 1X into the adapter 100X, push the stopper rod 123X into the casing 110X of the adapter 100X in the direction of the arrow (a) in FIG. If the casing 12X is loaded with the 12X engaged, the ink cartridge 1X is stably held in the casing 110X while being guided by the thick portions 120X and 121X, and the through hole 113X. The ink can be smoothly supplied to the printer from the ink supply unit 11X exposed from the casing. When the ink cartridge 1X is taken out from the casing 110X, the ink cartridge 1X is resisted against the stop rod 126X in the arrow (B) direction. Can be easily refilled with ink by simply removing 1X. It is intended.

(Third Embodiment) The ink cartridge 200 shown in FIG. 9 is not different in appearance from the conventional ink cartridge, but it is a foam chamber 210.
The present invention provides an ink cartridge 200 in which the volume of the ink can be changed to freely change the ink storage amount according to the application, and the ink cartridge 200 can be easily loaded without changing the size and shape of the printer.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom of the ink cartridge 200 is used as a thick bottom 220 to form the foam chamber 2.
The volume of 10 can be freely changed.

(Embodiment 4) In the ink cartridge 300 shown in FIG. 10, in order to meet the same problem as the ink cartridge 200, the amount of ink contained in the foam chamber 310 can be changed by the bottom fried bottom 320.

(Embodiment 5) In the ink cartridge 400 shown in FIG. 11, an air bag 430 is loaded on the thin-walled bottom portion 420 in order to meet the same problems as those of the ink cartridges 200 and 300. A foam chamber 410 is formed on the upper side so that the ink storage amount can be changed.

If the replenishing ink is stored in the air bag 430, the ink can be refilled.

The number of printable sheets with the ink filled in each ink cartridge is displayed by providing a display section (not shown) such as "100 sheets of A4 size can be printed". If it is left, both the supplier and the user can purchase and use it without misunderstanding, which is practically convenient.

[0051]

According to the present invention described above, the following remarkable effects can be obtained.

It is possible to obtain an ink cartridge which can supply an appropriate amount of ink suitable for the purpose of use to printers without excess or deficiency.

Various ink cartridges having different ink filling amounts can be stably attached to printers.

Since one type of ink cartridge can be applied to various printers by using the adapter, standardization becomes possible, which leads to a significant cost reduction, and the user may be confused when purchasing. It is possible to prevent mistakes.

It is possible to obtain an ink cartridge which can be applied to a color ink.

Since the outer shape is constant regardless of the ink storage amount, the operability thereof is facilitated, and the cost can be significantly reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line MM in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an assembly diagram of FIG. 1.

5 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the casing of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another modified example of the casing of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another modification of the ink cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an adapter of the ink cartridge according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1C to 1E, 1X, 200, 300, 400 Ink cartridge 11, 11X Ink supply unit 12, 12X Locking ear portion 100, 100C to 100E, 100X Adapter 110, 110A to 110E Casing 111 Storage chamber 112, 220, 320 Bottom portion 116 Fitting portion 117 Locking hole 118 Claw hole 130 Lock body 142 Lock lever 143 Inward protrusion 153 Locking rod 154 Blocking claw 122X Inserting groove 123X Blocking rod 430 Air bag

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-3-227650 (JP, A) JP-A-6-191051 (JP, A) JP-A-7-314726 (JP, A) JP-A-8- 58107 (JP, A) JP-A-9-91922 (JP, A) JP-A-58-114372 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink cartridge for a printer, the outer shape of which can be changed according to the amount of ink to be filled, and which can be detachably mounted in an adapter so that the printer can be attached to the ink cartridge. In the adapter, which is provided with a locking ear portion, and in which the ink cartridge is loaded, an accommodating portion for opening the ink cartridge storage chamber and a fitting portion for engaging with the locking ear portion is provided. An ink cartridge having a lock frame for fixing the ink cartridge loaded in the storage chamber, the lock frame being fixed to the casing. 2. A locking hole and a claw hole are formed in a side wall of the casing, and an inward protrusion of a lock lever and a stop claw of a retaining rod provided on a lock frame can be engaged with the side wall of the casing. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, 3. The casing of the adapter,
The ink cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer shape is changed so as to match the shape of the ink cartridge and the mounting area of a printer. 4. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the casings of the adapters are arranged adjacent to each other, and an ink cartridge filled with an ink of a different color can be loaded in each casing.