JP3453562B2 - How to refill ink - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to relates to ink recharge Hamakata method used to fill the ink to the ink container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet ink cartridge is integrated with an ink jet head, and when the ink in the cartridge cannot be ejected,
Often discarded with the head. Even if improvements are made, the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge in this state is relatively large because it is governed by the ink holding capacity of the sponge, which is the negative pressure generator that is stored almost entirely in the cartridge. It was dead.

An ink container of this type is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-63
-63242 publication can be mentioned. That is, it is a cartridge of one inkjet recording head in which a foam material is arranged in an ink container and which is provided with a plurality of ink ejection orifices. In this ink container, since ink is stored in a porous medium such as polyurethane foam, which is a foam material, a negative pressure is generated by the capillary force of the foam and the ink is retained (prevention of ink leakage from the ink container). However, since only one foam is required to fill almost the entire ink storage chamber, the ink filling amount is limited, and the ink filling amount is limited to almost the entire ink storage chamber. However, there is a problem that the amount of ink left unused in the foam is increased and the efficiency of ink use is poor.

To solve this problem, there is a publication that discloses a cartridge that employs a configuration in which the ink cartridge holds substantially only ink. That is, in JP-A-2-522, an ink jet in which a small amount of a porous member is arranged between a primary ink storage section located above and holding a large amount of ink only and an ink jet recording head located below. An ink cartridge integrated with a recording head is disclosed. According to the present invention, the use efficiency of ink can be improved by disposing the porous member only in the ink flow path without incorporating it in the ink storage unit. Further, by providing a secondary ink storage portion as a space capable of holding ink on the side of the porous member, the temperature rise (pressure drop) is reduced to 1
It is stated that the ink flowing out from the primary ink storage part due to the expansion of the air in the secondary ink storage part is stored and the negative pressure to the recording head during recording can be maintained substantially constant.

However, according to the invention of this publication, in the non-recording time, the porous member is soaked with the ink from the primary ink storage portion which is located above and holds a large amount of the ink so much that the ink is too much. Therefore, the 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 inkjet recording head with a slight impact.
Not suitable for practical use. In addition, the adoption of the exchangeable ink cartridge type in which the ink container is attached to the ink recording head has a problem that it cannot be put to practical use because the state of the porous member causes ink leakage.

On the other hand, there is also known an ink cartridge in which ink is enclosed in a bag and a spring structure is added to make the negative pressure of the bag constant, but it is not only expensive but also expensive. Maintaining the performance of the spring configuration and achieving mass production has been difficult.

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

[0008]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The inventors of the present invention, as an ink container suitable for the technical field of ink jet printing, satisfactorily supply an ink corresponding to the amount of ink ejected from a recording head during recording. It is possible,
Both sides of the fact that there is no inconvenience such as ink leakage from the ejection port during non-recording were examined. as a result,
As a basic configuration, a first storage chamber that accommodates a negative pressure generating member and is provided with an atmosphere communication portion for obtaining communication with the atmosphere, and communicates with the first storage chamber, but is in a substantially sealed state.
It has come to be an important premise for the characteristics of the inkjet to have a configuration having a second storage chamber for directly storing the ink to be supplied to the storage chamber.

On the other hand, the present inventors have studied the contact recording technique different from the technical field of the present invention,
We decided to reexamine the technical peculiarities of the inkjet printing field. Generally, a recording instrument pen that contacts a recording medium to perform recording supplies ink to a recording core that has both ink absorbability and retention, and therefore the recording core itself is exposed to the atmosphere. On the premise that this is the case, an ink impregnated body that is supersaturated with ink is essential in the area that directly contacts the recording core. That is, the contact recording technology is fundamentally different from the technical contents in the inkjet field.

As a result of an investigation, it was found that Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-16385.
I found the publication. This publication discloses a recording instrument pen which is premised on the use of a recording core (a porous ink-absorbent core) for contacting with a recording medium to perform recording. It was only the ink overflow.

This publication discloses a first contact for contacting a lower recording core.
The liquid absorbent material and a second liquid absorbent material that slightly absorbs the ink on the upper air communication port side but is less likely to contain the ink than the first liquid absorbent material are provided, and the recording core is projected downward at the center. This is an invention in which a chamber and a hermetically sealed ink containing chamber for supplying ink to both sides of the chamber are essential components. According to this configuration, the air in the hermetically sealed ink storage chamber expands due to the rise in ambient temperature, the ink in the hermetically sealed ink storage chamber reaches the first liquid absorbing material, and the ink that cannot be held by the first liquid absorbing material is reached. By absorbing the second liquid absorbing material, it is possible to prevent the ink from overflowing and falling from the recording core. Further, in this publication, when one of the two hermetically sealed ink storage chambers contains only air, a groove having a constant width is provided to allow the expansion of the air to escape to the atmosphere communication port side. It is also disclosed to provide from the lowermost end to the uppermost end of a side surface different from the partition wall with the chamber.

The inventors of the present invention focused on applying only this tank configuration to a non-contact recording ink jet head having few technical similarities. A new phenomenon of ink overflow was confirmed. Moreover, the first liquid absorbent, which is an ink impregnated body in a region in direct contact with the recording core, is supersaturated with ink, and therefore does not need to generate a negative pressure, and therefore has a commonality with inkjet technology. I was able to confirm that I could not see it. This new phenomenon has not been recognized in the field of recording instrument pens, and there has been no technical suggestion for stabilizing negative pressure in this field.

It has also been confirmed that the groove of a certain width disclosed in the above publication has a function of promoting the discharge of ink together with the air, so that the overflow of ink from the atmosphere communication port is further promoted. Furthermore, the ink consumption from the ink storage chambers on both sides is not equal, and if the ink in one ink storage chamber is exhausted first, inkjet recording will not be possible even though a large amount of ink remains in the other ink storage chamber. I got it. This was a result of wasting the ink in the ink storage chamber, which was fundamentally contrary to the purpose of the inkjet technology. This was because a large amount of air had entered the first liquid absorbent material, and as a result, ink could not be supplied.

The applicant of the present invention has previously applied for an epoch-making ink jet cartridge which solves such a background problem. This accommodates the negative pressure generating member and has a first storage chamber having an atmosphere communicating portion for communicating with the atmosphere, and communicates with the first storage chamber, but the first storage is substantially sealed. It is an invention to provide a structure capable of effectively functioning as an ink jet to a cartridge having a precondition that has a second storage chamber for directly storing ink to be supplied to the chamber. According to this structure, since the tank structure is such that the negative pressure is substantially constant from the beginning of use to the end of use of the ink cartridge, the replaceable ink cartridge and inkjet that can also support high-speed recording. It is also possible to provide a head and a printer.

On the other hand, in general, the ink cartridge is
In order to reduce the running cost and from the viewpoint of resource saving, it is desired to re-inject the ink after it is used.

As a result of studying the re-injection of the above-mentioned ink in the above-mentioned invented ink-jet cartridge, the present inventors have found a preferable ink-injection form by the technique unique to the present ink-jet cartridge.

The present invention was not expected from a conventional technical point of view, and by analyzing this, ink is re-injected into a used ink cartridge while maintaining the function of the ink cartridge. The present invention has been recognized for the first time by the present inventors as being able to provide conditions that enable the above.

In view of the above background art, the main object of the present invention is to provide an ink refilling method which can further stabilize the characteristics of the cartridge structure having the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber which are new as the ink jet ink cartridge. To provide.

[0019]

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an outside air which is a gas in the negative pressure generating member formed at a stage in which the ink in the ink chamber of the ink cartridge is supplied to the negative pressure generating member even after the ink is refilled. and can further stabilize the smooth and stable interface of the gas-liquid interface of the ink, preferably is to <br/> provide refilling how the ink negative pressure therebetween can be substantially in the almost constant.

Here, an ink jet cartridge which is premised on the use of a negative pressure generating member which is not in an ink supersaturated state, such as the negative pressure generating member applied to the ink jet cartridge of the present invention, is known. There is no known configuration in which an ink storage chamber that is substantially sealed is adjacent to this. Therefore, first, some of the features of the cartridge configuration to which the filling ink of the present invention is applied will be described below.

[0022]

[0023]

In the ink refilling method of the present invention, the ink absorber is stored, and the first storage chamber having the atmosphere communicating portion and the ink supplying portion is provided, and only the communicating portion is provided. Ink refilling method for refilling ink to an ink container having a second storage chamber that directly communicates with the first storage chamber and is connected to the first storage chamber in a substantially closed state A step of forming an opening in the second storage chamber of the ink container in which the ink has been consumed with a jig having a pin-shaped or drill-blade-shaped tip ,
Filling the ink from the formed opening with an ink refill container provided with the ink for refilling.

As a technical point of view to wipe out the conventional state of the art regardless of the storage state or the use state, the area near the atmosphere communicating portion of the negative pressure generating member is defined as an area not holding ink with respect to the above-described precondition. By doing so, there is an advantage that it is possible to prevent the ink in the ink cartridge from leaking from the atmosphere communicating portion against changes in environmental conditions. In particular, when the seal member seals the atmosphere communicating portion, it also has the effect of preventing the seal member from peeling off. Also, when in use,
In this region, the atmosphere can efficiently supply the required amount to the inside of the cartridge, and also has the effect of suppressing the negative pressure change in the inkjet cartridge. It is preferable that the region in the vicinity of the atmosphere communicating portion is not wetted by the ink at all, because the permeation speed of the ink itself can be further reduced, but it may be a region in which the ink is removed after being previously wetted with the ink. .

Further, the present invention is based on the above-mentioned preconditions.
By providing an ink supply opening or a compression (or compressible) region of the negative pressure generator by a supply pipe on the side facing the partition wall forming the minute communication portion,
The ink in the second storage chamber can secure a stable and substantial ink supply passage inside the negative pressure generator, and the ink supply opening is located above the minute communicating portion with respect to the lower surface of the ink cartridge so as to further stabilize the ink supply passage. It can be mentioned that it is located at. The "supply pipe" referred to in the present invention
Includes not only an insertion tube peculiar to an ink jet, but also a valve structure attached to a cartridge to compressively deform a negative pressure generator and a connecting member. The action of this arrangement relation is a direction in which the substantial ink movement direction can be made constant, all the ink in the second storage chamber can be consumed, and even after this consumption, the air in the second storage chamber is under reduced pressure. By interposing the atmosphere so as to move from the partition wall side to the opposing opening side, the ink in the negative pressure generating body can be consumed and the residual ink can be reduced as a result.

In particular, with respect to the above-described precondition, a region which is not compressed by the supply pipe of the negative pressure generator from the partition wall forming the minute communication portion toward the side facing the wall,
By having the regions compressed by the supply pipe of the negative pressure generator in this order, the above-mentioned one-direction ink supply path can be formed in the uncompressed region, and the same effect can be obtained. With this, the ink remaining amount can be further reduced.

Therefore, the more preferable preparatory constitution invention of the present invention can satisfy the above-mentioned three constitutions, but of course, the above constitutions alone or a combination of any two constitutions can obtain excellent effects. You can understand that

On the other hand, in the ink jet cartridge of the premise of the present invention, the operator's finger is touched, but normally, inconvenience is unlikely to occur, but if a strong pressure is applied, a storage chamber for storing only ink is large. Depends on the size, but it is easily deformed. Therefore, as a structure for solving the problem caused by the external pressure, it is preferable to provide a partition plate having a larger gap than the partition wall forming the minute communication portion in the ink-only chamber. Further, from the viewpoint of deformation, when these cartridges are made of resin, the wall of the ink containing chamber has a thickness of 0.8 mm or more, and the wall of the containing chamber for containing sponge or the like as the negative pressure generating member. Thickness of 1.3
It is preferable to set it to mm or more. Further, it was found that the wall thickness is more preferably 1.2 times or more and 3 times or less than the wall thickness.

As the ink jet printer of the premise of the present invention, when the cartridge of the present invention is mounted, ink is discharged from the cartridge automatically or instructed by a suction means by a suction means through a head. Since the ink state in the negative pressure generating body can be corrected before printing by executing the above, the original function of the cartridge can be used without being affected by the state of leaving the cartridge.

The height of the minute communication portion to the partition wall in the above-mentioned premise is larger than the average pore diameter of the negative pressure generating member (preferably the average pore diameter near the minute communication portion) (practically 0.1 mm or more). 5 mm or less is suitable. If more stabilization is expected, it is preferably 3 mm or less. or,
The ratio of the volume of the storage chamber of the negative pressure generating member to the volume of the storage chamber of only ink may be in the range of 1: 1 or more and 1: 3 or less as a practically optimum range.

Next, the phenomenon of ink leakage seen in the above-mentioned preconditions is seen at the time of initial filling or refilling of the cartridge, and the cause thereof is the ink having no problem in the ink containing chamber. However, when it reaches the storage chamber that accommodates the negative pressure generating member, it travels between the negative pressure generating member and the inner wall of the cartridge, rather than being temporarily held inside the negative pressure generating member, and communicates with the atmosphere communication port and the ink. There is a large tendency to break and leak from openings such as supply ports or sealed areas. Therefore, according to the present invention, when the ink condition for the premise constitution is examined, the ink surface tension is 5
Above 5 dyn / cm (25 ° C.), the tendency is remarkable, but below 55 dyn / cm, this problem is not seen critically, and especially below 50 dyn / cm, it may affect the environment. Instead, they exhibited extremely stable characteristics.

On the other hand, when it is 55 dyn / cm or less, stable progress is certainly exhibited in the negative pressure generating member, and a gas-liquid interface between air which is a gas and ink which is a liquid is present in the negative pressure generating member. In the case of the formed structure, the effect that the interface can be made stable over a long period of time was recognized. This is synergistic with the structure of the cartridge having the gas-liquid exchange promoting structure extending from the minute communicating portion to the position facing the negative pressure generating member in the first storage chamber, and the linear interface is obtained. Was preferable because it can be formed in a stable state.

On the contrary, the ink surface tension for the precondition is 20
Below dyn / cm (25 ° C.), ink leakage does not occur in normal use, but when shock is applied, an ink leakage phenomenon is observed, and 20 dyn / cm
From the above, it has been found that even with such an impact, ink leakage can be prevented by the synergistic effect of the advantage of the prerequisite structure and the ink characteristics. Also, in particular, 25 dyn / cm
Above 50 dyn / cm, the above-mentioned effect, that is,
It showed extremely stable characteristics regardless of the environment.

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

[0035]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to examples.

[0036]

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

FIGS. 1 to 6 show the surface of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion which faces the partition wall 5 which forms the minute communicating portion 8 with the bottom surface of the cartridge, in addition to the prerequisite structure of the ink cartridge used in the present invention. This is an example of a configuration in which an opening for ink supply is provided in the.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of the ink cartridge in a cutaway manner, and FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink cartridge body 1 used in the present invention is located at a position where the opening 2 for connecting with the ink jet recording head is displaced toward the gap portion 8 as a minute communication portion. The ink cartridge bottom portion 1 is provided adjacent to the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 accommodating the negative pressure generating member 3 and the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion via the partition wall 5.
1 and an ink containing portion 6 that contains only the ink communicating with each other.

With this structure, the atmosphere is supplied from the opening 2. However, it is important to note that the ink in the ink containing section 6 is only passed through the communicating section 8 as compared with the structure of the atmosphere communicating section. That is, the ink is reliably supplied to the opening 2 side along the ink cartridge bottom 11. As the ink is supplied, the atmosphere is replaced with the ink in the ink container 6 and is replenished.

Here, a state in which the negative pressure generating member in the region near the opening of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 which can be compressed and deformed by the supply pipe is compressed and deformed by the supply pipe will be described. In FIG. 3, a joint member 7 as a supply pipe for supplying ink to an ink jet recording head is inserted into a replaceable ink cartridge used in the present invention, and the ink jet recording apparatus is brought into a operable state by being pressed against a negative pressure generating member. It is a schematic cross-sectional view when it becomes. A filter may be installed at the end of the joint member to remove dust inside the ink cartridge.

When the ink jet recording apparatus is operated, ink is ejected from the orifice of the ink jet recording head and an ink suction force is generated in the replaceable ink cartridge. The suction force of the ink 9 causes the gap 8 between the end of the partition wall and the bottom 11 of the ink cartridge from the ink containing portion 6 to be sucked.
Through the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4, the negative pressure generating member 3, the negative pressure generating member 3 is drawn into the joint member 7, and the ink is supplied to the inkjet 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. The pressure difference continues to increase as recording continues, but since the negative pressure generating member portion is open to the atmosphere by the gap 12 between the joint member portion and the joint opening portion, air passes through the negative pressure generating member. The ink container 4 enters through the gap 8 between the partition wall end 8 and the ink cartridge bottom 11. At this point, the ink containing portion 6 and the negative pressure generating member containing portion 4
The pressure difference between and is eliminated. This operation is repeated during inkjet recording, and a certain negative pressure is obtained in the ink cartridge. Further, almost all of the ink in the ink containing portion can be used except the ink attached to the wall surface in the ink containing portion, so that the ink use efficiency is improved.

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

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

As shown in FIGS. 19 (A) and 19 (B), the ink of each color (for example, four colors of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan) is used to make the exchangeable ink cartridge of the present invention compatible with a color ink jet recording apparatus. Can be housed in individual replaceable ink cartridges and used. For example, as shown in FIG. 19 (A), individual ink cartridges may be integrated into a replaceable ink cartridge, or as shown in FIG. 19 (B), replaceable ink cartridges for frequently used black ink. It may be a replaceable ink cartridge in which the other color ink integrated cartridge is separated. These combinations are arbitrary according to the inkjet device.

In the exchangeable 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 partition of the partition wall end portion 8 are selected. The shape and size of the gap 8 between the wall end portion 8 and the ink cartridge bottom portion 11, the volume ratio of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 and the ink accommodating portion 6, the insertion amount of the joint member 7 into the exchangeable ink cartridge,
It is more preferable to optimize the shape and size, the shape and size of the filter 12, the roughness of the eyes, the surface tension of the ink and the like according to the conditions of use.

As the negative pressure generating member to be used, a conventionally known member can be used as long as it has the ability to retain the ink even with respect to its own weight of liquid (ink) and slight vibration. For example, a cotton-like material in which fibers are meshed or a porous material having communication holes can be used. A sponge such as polyurethane foam is preferable because it is easy to adjust the ink holding power and the generation of negative pressure. In particular, in the case of foam, it is preferable because it can be adjusted so as to have a desired porosity during foam production. When the foam is subjected to a heat compression treatment to further adjust the porosity, decomposition products due to heating may be generated, which may change the physical properties of the ink and adversely affect the recording quality. Become. Further, in order to manufacture a replaceable ink cartridge compatible with various ink jet recording devices, a foam having a corresponding porosity 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 size of 1 to a desired size and insert it into the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion by compression to adjust the porosity and the capillary force.

In the above-mentioned example, the joint member 7 and the joint opening 2 are provided with a gap to take in the air from the outside of the ink cartridge. However, this constitution is not limited and the joint member and the joint opening portion are not limited. Any structure and shape may be used.
When the negative pressure generating member is a porous member such as a sponge, the porous member is prevented from escaping from the bottom of the ink cartridge when the joint member is inserted, as shown in FIGS. In order to maintain and secure the pressure contact surface between the filter portion and the negative pressure generating member, the end portion of the joint member 7 preferably has an arbitrary angle (taper) with respect to the joint member insertion direction. When the insertion amount of the joint member is too large, the tapered portion at the tip may cause cracks in the negative pressure generating member. Therefore, a surface structure as shown in FIG. 3C may be used.

Further, it is conceivable that the outer wall of the joint member is provided with irregularities for introducing the atmosphere so as to serve as an inlet for the atmosphere, but as shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the opening 2 is also a groove (see FIG. 5).
(A)) desired shape, that is, FIG. 5 (b) is rectangular,
It is possible to select a triangular shape as shown in FIG. The shape of the opening 2 is preferably such that a gap is provided such that the joint member and the opening are not sealed, or the opening 2 is close to the outer periphery of the joint member at the lower portion of the opening (on the bottom side of the ink cartridge) and is opened at the upper portion of the opening. It has a shape like.

As described above, the replaceable ink cartridge used in 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 the joint member 7 to be inserted into the exchangeable 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, etc. It is preferable to set the compression region of the negative pressure generating member so as not to cause the above.

In contrast to the above embodiments, providing a communication hole for communicating with the atmosphere on the side of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion in addition to the joint opening allows the negative pressure generating member region of the present invention not holding ink. It is also effective for adopting the configuration provided in the vicinity of the atmosphere communicating portion, and is a suitable means for improving the 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 arbitrary, but if the gap is too narrow, the meniscus force with the ink will be strong and ink leakage from the joint opening will be suppressed. However, it is necessary to supply ink to the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion, and ink may run out during use. Also, if it is too wide, the opposite phenomenon may occur, so the height of the minute communication part to the partition wall is larger than the average hole diameter of the negative pressure generating member (preferably the average hole diameter in the vicinity of the minute communication part). (Practically 0.1 mm or more) 5 mm or less is suitable. If more stabilization is expected, it is preferably 3 mm or less. FIG. 7 shows an example of the shape of the gap 8. FIG. 7A shows
It was used in the previous example and is the most stable construction for the present invention, with a constant height and across the full width of the cartridge. 7 (b) and 7 (c), the communicating portion is formed and meanders only in a part of the entire width of the cartridge. This configuration is effective when the volume of the entire cartridge is large, but is low in normal printers. FIG. 7D has a plurality of tunnel-shaped communicating portions, and the ink easily moves to the inner surface of the cartridge, so that the gas introduction for gas-ink exchange can be concentrated.
7 (e) and 7 (f), in addition to the configuration of FIG. 7 (a), a recess is formed in the partition wall on the ink storage chamber side in the vertical direction. Therefore, the gas that has reached the lower end of the partition wall is effectively introduced into the ink storage chamber relatively in the recess, and the gas recovery efficiency can be improved.

Incidentally, it is a more preferable condition that the gap 8 is also determined in consideration of the position of the joint opening. Explaining with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B,
In (a), 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 below the lower end of the joint opening. Yes preferred. 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 above the lower end of the joint opening, so ink leakage is suppressed. Less effective and not preferable. Therefore, there is an advantage that the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized by 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. Although it depends on the shape and size 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 heights of 0.1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 to 5 mm. It is a degree.
Further, the shape of the partition wall end may be any shape as long as the position with the joint opening is taken into consideration, but if it is shown as an example, the description is omitted, but FIGS. ).

Further, the boundary between the end of the partition wall 5 and the negative pressure generating member 3 may have various structural relationships. FIG. 9 shows this. 9 (a) to 9 (d)
Since the negative pressure generating member is not compressed by the end of the partition wall and the density of the negative pressure generating member is not locally increased, the ink flow and the air flow become relatively quick, and high-speed recording and It is preferable for color recording. On the other hand, in FIGS. 9E and 9F, the negative pressure generating member 3 is compressed by the end of the partition wall, and the density of the member increases, which causes resistance to the flow of ink and the flow of air, but a slight amount. With respect to environmental changes, it is possible to suppress troubles such as ink leakage.
Therefore, these selections may be designed in consideration of the type of inkjet recording device and the environmental conditions used.

The volume ratio of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 and the ink accommodating portion 6 must be determined in consideration of the type of 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 ink, it is preferable to increase the volume of the ink containing portion, and at that time, a negative pressure generating member having a high negative pressure generating force (a compression rate of a sponge is high) is used. Will be effective. Therefore, if it is noted that the negative pressure generation force of the negative pressure generation member is increased as the volume ratio of the ink storage portion is increased, the volume of the storage chamber of the negative pressure generation member and the volume of the storage chamber of only ink are A ratio in the range of 1: 1 or more and 1: 3 or less can be mentioned as an optimum range for practical use.

The shape, size, and roughness of the filter 11 can be arbitrarily set according to the type of the ink jet recording apparatus. However, in order to prevent dust from entering from the ink cartridge and not clog the nozzle of the recording head, the orifice of the orifice is selected. It is preferable to make the surface roughness smaller than the diameter.

The initial ink filling amount in the exchangeable ink cartridge used in the present invention is arbitrary within the limit of the internal volume of the ink cartridge. However, in order to maintain the negative pressure immediately after opening the exchangeable ink cartridge, the ink is stored in the ink containing portion. May be filled up to the volume limit, but it is preferable that the ink filling amount in the negative pressure generating member is 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 negative pressure generating member to hold the ink by itself when the negative pressure generating member is impregnated with the ink.

In an ink cartridge having a closed ink container, the external environment changes (temperature rise or atmospheric pressure drop) when loaded in the ink jet recording apparatus.
On the other hand, due to the air expansion of the ink container (there is also the expansion of the ink), the ink remaining in the ink container may be pushed out of the ink cartridge, and ink may leak. However, in the replaceable ink cartridge used in the present invention, the air expansion volume (including a small amount of ink expansion) of the closed system ink accommodating portion is predicted in accordance with the worst-case environmental condition, and the ink accompanying it is predicted. It is preferable that the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion is provided in advance with the amount of ink movement from the accommodating portion. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 10 (c) and 10 (d), it is necessary to provide an atmosphere communication hole on the side of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion other than the joint opening so that the negative pressure is generated from the ink chamber due to the expansion of the air in the ink accommodating chamber. The ink that has moved into the member can be guided to the atmosphere communication side, which is very effective. The installation position of the atmosphere communication hole is not particularly specified as long as it is above the joint opening on the side of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion, but separates the flow of ink in the negative pressure generating member from the joint opening when the environment changes. for,
It is preferably located far from the joint opening. Further, the number, shape, size, etc. of the atmosphere communication holes can be arbitrarily set in consideration of ink evaporation.

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

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 in the packaging material is degassed and then sealed. It is effective if taken. The packaging material is preferably selected from the barrier materials in the same manner as the above sealing material in consideration of gas permeability and liquid permeability.

By selecting the packaging form as described above, the physical distribution of the ink cartridge alone becomes extremely reliable without ink leakage.

The material of the ink cartridge body may be any material conventionally used for molded articles, but it should be selected from materials that do not affect the ink jet ink or members that are treated so as not to affect the ink. is there. It is also necessary to consider the productivity of the ink cartridge. For example, the ink cartridge body shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 is divided into an ink cartridge bottom 11 portion and an upper portion thereof, which are integrally molded with a resin material, and after the negative pressure generating member is inserted, the ink cartridge bottom 11 portion is inserted. The ink cartridge body can be manufactured by welding the upper part of the ink cartridge. If the resin material is selected to be transparent or semi-transparent, the ink in the ink containing portion can be visually recognized from the outside of the ink cartridge, so that the replacement time of the ink cartridge can be visually determined. Further, in order to facilitate the welding of the sealing material and the like, it is preferable to provide a convex portion as shown in the figure. Further, it is also preferable in terms of design to give the outer surface of the ink cartridge body a texture.

Both the pressurizing method and the depressurizing method can be used for the initial filling of the ink. It should be noted that it is preferable to provide the ink filling port 21 in any one of the tank bodies for filling the ink because it does not stain the other ink cartridge openings. The ink filling port 21 after filling the ink 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 used in 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 the ink. Type ink cartridge.

In addition, an exchangeable type that maintains a suitable negative pressure during recording and non-recording from the beginning of use to the end of use for high-speed recording, and does not leak ink even under the operating environment conditions of the ink jet recording apparatus. It becomes an ink cartridge.

Furthermore, the replaceable ink cartridge is easy to handle, does not leak when attached to or detached from the ink jet recording apparatus, and does not malfunction when mounted in the ink jet recording apparatus.

The above-described ink jet cartridge filled with or filled with the filling ink used in the present invention has the advantages of the respective constitutions described above. The present invention has these advantages in a more reliable manner and expands the allowable range of conditions under which the effect can be exerted, and a phenomenon of new ink leakage (when initially filling or refilling the cartridge, When the ink having no problem in the ink containing chamber reaches the containing chamber containing the negative pressure generating member, the ink between the negative pressure generating member and the cartridge inner wall is larger than that temporarily stored in the negative pressure generating member. To prevent air leaks, ink supply ports, or other openings or sealed areas that tend to leak, or due to impact). The surface tension of the filled ink and the filled ink that are initially or refilled in the ink jet cartridge should be 20 dyn / cm or more and 55 dyn / cm or less. Preferred. This not only solves this new phenomenon of ink leakage with respect to the configuration described above, but also improves the smoothness of the gas-liquid interface by the action of the configuration itself and minimizes the degree of overall fluctuation. It can be further stabilized by the action such as being possible.

FIG. 11 shows a method of manufacturing an ink tank as a cartridge used in the present invention, which includes a partition plate 61, which will be described later, and a wall portion which forms two recesses for a storage chamber through a partition wall 5. A structure in which an absorber 3 as a negative pressure generating member is inserted into a recessed portion on the side of the opening 2 with respect to a cartridge body (diagonal line in cross section: diagonally downward to the left) and then integrated with a bottom member 11 as a lid member. Is shown. This FIG.
Then, it is a partially broken schematic view showing a state in which the recording head HD is mounted on the ink tank 1. The ink tank is
It is configured by covering a container divided into two chambers by the partition wall 5 with a flat plate bottom member 11 forming the bottom of the ink tank. In this way, the same minute communication passage 8 as the tip of the partition wall 5 of the container can be formed with a simple structure of covering the lid. It should be noted that the atmosphere communicating portion 10 has the opening 2
Is located in the upper part on the same surface as the surface on which is provided.

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

The ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a heating element 72 as a means for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink from the ejection port 71 of the nozzle 73, and the state change of the ink is caused by the thermal energy. In the recording apparatus having the recording head HD of the type that causes
Higher recording density and higher definition can be achieved especially for color recording.

As described above, the replaceable ink cartridge used in the present invention maintains high reliability even in the case of a single physical distribution, and is a replaceable ink cartridge having a simple structure and capable of detecting the remaining amount of ink and having high ink use efficiency. It becomes an ink cartridge.

In addition, an exchangeable type that maintains a suitable negative pressure during recording and during non-recording to support high-speed recording from the beginning of use to the end of use, and does not leak ink even under the operating environment conditions of the ink jet recording apparatus. It becomes an ink cartridge.

Furthermore, the replaceable ink cartridge is easy to handle, does not leak when attached to or detached from the ink jet recording apparatus, and is a replaceable ink cartridge which does not have a mounting error operation in the ink jet recording apparatus.

Supplementally, a method of manufacturing the ink cartridge will be described. It has a negative pressure generating member storage chamber containing the absorber described above and a communication portion 8 as a minute communication portion.
When the ink storage chamber having a substantially closed structure in the sense that the ink is first discharged by exchanging the gas and the liquid is integrally formed, the ink is filled from the opening 21 on the ink storage chamber side of the lid member 11. As a result, when the ink storage chamber is filled with the ink, the negative pressure generating member 4 itself is also supplied with the ink from the minute communication portion, and the ink is supplied in a considerable range.

Here, the negative pressure generating member near the atmosphere communicating portion is made to exist as a region where ink is not applied and ink is not retained. Thereafter, the opening 21 is sealed with the ball 22, and the opening 2 and the atmosphere communicating portion 10 are sealed with the same sealing member S (which may be different).

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

FIG. 12 shows the ink jet cartridge 1 in the hermetically sealed state, and also shows a schematic view of a printer using the ink jet cartridge 1. In this ink jet cartridge 1, a negative pressure generating body region 3A located in the vicinity of the atmosphere communicating portion 10 is provided in an upper corner portion of the cartridge as a region that does not hold 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). The negative pressure generators other than these regions 3A and 3B hold the filled ink without other external influences. Of course, the region 3B is a region facing the opening 2 for mounting the ink supply pipe, which is provided on the same surface below the atmosphere communicating portion 10. The opening 2 is located above the minute communication portion 8 and has all of the above-described characteristic configurations of the present invention.

The cartridge 1 of FIG. 12 can be used by removing the above-mentioned seal member S, but since the area 3A does not hold ink, there is vibration and pressure change when the seal is removed. However, it does not leak ink.

In this embodiment, regardless of the storage state or the use state of the ink cartridge, as a technical point of view that the conventional state of the art is to be wiped out, the area near the atmosphere communicating portion of the negative pressure generating member is the area not holding ink. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the ink in the ink cartridge from leaking from the atmosphere communicating portion in response to changes in environmental conditions. In particular, when the seal member seals the atmosphere communicating portion, it also has the effect of preventing the seal member from peeling off. Also, when in use,
In this region, the atmosphere can efficiently supply the required amount to the inside of the cartridge, and also has the effect of suppressing the negative pressure change in the inkjet cartridge. It is preferable that the region in the vicinity of the atmosphere communicating portion is not wetted by the ink at all, because the permeation speed of the ink itself can be further reduced, but it may be a region in which the ink is removed after being previously wetted with the ink. .

Further, in this embodiment, an ink supply opening or an ink supply opening is provided on the side facing the partition wall forming the minute communication portion.
By configuring the compression (or compressible) region of the negative pressure generator by the supply pipe to exist, a stable and substantial ink supply path for the ink in the second storage chamber can be secured in the negative pressure generator. As a more stable configuration, the ink supply opening may be located above the minute communication portion with respect to the lower surface of the ink cartridge. The effect of this arrangement relationship is that the direction of movement of the ink 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 facing opening side. By interposing, the ink in the negative pressure generator can be consumed as a result, and the residual ink can be reduced.

In particular, a region which is not compressed by the supply pipe of the negative pressure generator and a region which is compressed by the supply pipe of the negative pressure generator are disposed from the partition wall forming the minute communication portion toward the side facing the wall. In this order, the above-mentioned one-direction ink supply path can be formed in the non-compressed region, and the same effect can be obtained, and the remaining ink amount can be further reduced by the ink securing capacity of the compressed region.

The ink jet printer of the present embodiment automatically or manually discharges the ink from the inside of the cartridge by suction or discharge by the suction means via the head in accordance with the mounting of the cartridge 1. It has a head recovery means HR. As a result, the ink state in the negative pressure generating body can be corrected before printing, so that the original function of the cartridge can be utilized without being affected by the state in which the cartridge is left.

In FIG. 12, the tank 1 mounted on the ink jet head HB held by the scanning type carriage CR is the same as the cartridge 1 shown in FIG. In the tank 1 mounted on the carriage, the ink supply pipe of the head passes through the opening 2 and compresses and deforms the compressible region 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 side. At this time, the mounting signal LP is sent to the printer control means CC by the tank attachment / detachment detection means (not shown because it is substituted by a known mechanical or electrical detection means).
Entered in. In response to this, the head recovery means HR operates before the start of recording to discharge the ink in the tank 1 and improve the state of the ink in the tank.

In FIG. 13A, the inner surface of the ink storage chamber of the ink jet cartridge of FIG. 12 is changed so that the space shape 22 is projected upward by the capacity thereof. The inner surface 20 is a curved surface that rises as it moves away from the minute communication port 8. 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 projecting portion 21 serves as a holding portion for the operator to prevent the tank from being deformed during the operation. To do. Figure 1
3 (B) shows an obliquely arranged partition wall 51 for making the ink storage chamber large and the negative pressure generating unit 3 storage chamber side small for an equivalent capacity tank.

FIG. 13C shows the above manufacturing method,
This is an example in which a lid member 11 that forms a gap 8 with respect to the partition wall 5 is inserted and fixed between the side plates 101 and 100 of the cartridge body. SE indicates the end of the lid member 11. In the case of FIG. 13C, the distance SP of the gap 8 is not constant if the adhesive fixation has a variation. for that reason,
It is also preferable to dispose the spacers 110 in contact with the end portions SE of the partition wall on both sides as shown in FIG. 13 (D). The spacer 110 may be provided on the lid member 11. Further, the convex portion 30 located within the distance SP of the gap 8 may be provided on the lid member to enhance the collectability of air into the ink containing portion.

FIGS. 14 (A) and 14 (B) show the possible state inclination range of the print or ink supply state of the embodiment of the ink cartridge used in the present invention, respectively.
Reference numeral 40 in the figure indicates a horizontal plane. A more preferable state for the present invention is that the minute communication portion is located on the lower side, and ideally it is parallel to the horizontal surface 40 on the lower surface of the cartridge. However, practically, in the case of the two-chamber configuration as in this example, the angle θ as shown in the diagrams of (A) and (B) is used.
Has no inconvenience in use up to the range of 0 ≦ θ ≦ 15 degrees. 0 when mounted on a scanning carriage and moved
The range of ≦ θ ≦ 5 degrees is preferable.

The negative pressure generating member of the above-described embodiment of the present invention may be composed of a plurality of members. However, if an interface (inter-member interface) between them occurs, the movement of the atmosphere occurs there, which is likely to cause a problem. In some cases, the negative pressure generating member is more preferably a single porous body.

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

Here, the partition plate 61 in the ink containing chamber disclosed in the previous embodiment will be described.
Ink leaks from the orifice of the inkjet recording head due to deformation of the outer wall surface of the cartridge due to the load when the user holds it by hand or the environmental conditions during distribution, or the pressure inside the cartridge that is provided in part of the cartridge. A description will be given of an embodiment capable of solving the problem that ink leaks from the atmosphere communication port that makes the same as the atmosphere.

The following example is made to solve the technical problems in the above various ink tank tank forms, and ink leakage may occur due to external force during handling or transportation, and environmental changes such as temperature and atmospheric pressure. It is an ink cartridge for ink jet recording which has high ink use efficiency.

FIG. 15A is a perspective sectional view of an embodiment of the ink cartridge used in the present invention with the side wall surface omitted, FIG. 5B is a transverse sectional view of the same embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of the ink supply operation of the same embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a sectional view for explaining the distortion of the side wall when a load is applied to the side wall.

As shown in FIGS. 15 (A) and 15 (B), the ink cartridge body 1 has an opening 2 for connecting with an ink jet recording head and an atmosphere communicating portion 10 provided above the opening 2 for taking in the atmosphere. And a negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 accommodating the negative pressure generating member 3 that absorbs and holds the recording ink, and an ink accommodating portion that adjoins the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 via the rib 5 and accommodates the ink. It consists of 6. The ink containing portion 6 and the negative pressure generating member containing portion 4 communicate with each other through a gap portion 8 provided between the rib 5 and the bottom surface. In the ink containing portion 6, a partition plate 61 is provided below the gap 8 and above. The side walls are connected to both sides leaving behind.

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

When the ink jet recording apparatus operates, ink is ejected from the orifice of the ink jet recording head, and an ink suction force is generated in the ink tank. Ink 9
Due to this suction force, the ink is passed from the ink storage portion 6 through the gap portion 8 between the end of the rib 5 and the ink cartridge bottom portion 11 to the negative pressure generating member storage portion 4, and through the negative pressure generating member 3 into the joint member 7. It is drawn in and supplied to the inkjet 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 pressure difference is generated between the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4. 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 atmosphere communicating hole 10, the air is a negative pressure generating member as shown in FIG. 16B. The ink container 6 enters through the gap 8 between the rib 5 and the ink cartridge bottom 11 through the ink container 3. At this point, the pressure difference between the ink containing portion 6 and the negative pressure generating member containing portion 4 is eliminated. This operation is repeated during inkjet recording, and a certain negative pressure is obtained in the ink cartridge. In addition, since the ink in the ink containing portion 6 can be used almost all except the ink attached to the wall surface in the ink containing portion 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 prevent ink from leaking from the ink jet recording head.

From the above-mentioned function, the cross section of FIG. 18 is shown as another embodiment depending on the selection of the negative pressure generating member 3 and the volume ratio of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 and the ink accommodating portion 6 according to the ink jet recording head to be jointed. As shown in the drawing, the ink containing portion 6 may be provided with a plurality of partition plates 61.

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 external force during hand-linking, changes in the environment during distribution, and has improved ink use efficiency.

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

For example, although the cartridge material is usually a plastic mold, as shown in FIGS. 15B and 17, the thickness of the side wall surface 12a of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 is set to the side wall surface of the ink accommodating portion 6. The partition plates (ribs) 61 are arranged between the inner surfaces of both side walls at positions such that they are thicker than the thicknesses of 12b and 12c, and the volume of the ink containing portion 6 is equally divided. The amount of wall surface deformation Δt6 for an equivalent load per area is reduced, and
The side wall surfaces 12b and 12c on both sides of the same are changed. Further, by making the deformation amount Δt4 of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 substantially equal, the purpose 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 dimension is length 48m / m x height 35m x thickness 1
In the case of 1 m / m, the heat of the side wall surface 12a of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 is 1.5 mm and the heat of the side wall surfaces 12b and 12c of the ink accommodating portion 6 is 1 mm at approximately the center of the length of 48 m / m.
By arranging the rib 61 of the ink containing portion 6 at a position of about 10 mm from each wall surface, the load during handling (about 2
It was possible to obtain a structure in which a margin more than twice the Kg) was secured. At the same time, it has become possible to obtain sufficient strength against changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature during distribution.

In the above-described embodiment of the ink cartridge used in the present invention, the number of the ribs 61 of the ink accommodating portion 6 is one in view of the size of the tank, but the number of ribs 61 is not limited to one, and the size of the ink cartridge is not limited. According to Figure 1
As shown in FIG. 8, the ribs 61 may be provided at two places, and the number of ribs, the position, and the wall thickness can be changed.

FIG. 20 shows the relationship between the wall thickness of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4, the thickness of each wall surface investigated to determine the wall thickness of the ink accommodating portion 6, and the ink leakage in the handling and physical distribution environment. Is data indicating.

Increasing the thickness of each wall increases the strength against ink leakage, but in order to satisfy the objective of downsizing and high ink use efficiency, the wall should be thinned as much as possible. It is necessary to increase the internal volume, and based on the data shown in FIG. 20, the side wall thickness of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 is 1.5 mm and the side wall thickness of the ink accommodating 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 outer wall thickness of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 4 is 1.2 to 3 times the outer wall thickness of the ink accommodating portion 6. It is preferable to configure within the range.

In FIG. 33, the replacement ink tank and the recording head are sufficiently coupled to each other and then the replacement ink tank is urged so that the carriage and the recording head can be reliably positioned with a simple structure, and Since the replacement ink tank is easily connected to the outside of the main body and then attached to the carriage, the replacement operation can be facilitated. Also, since the electrical connection between the carriage (recording device main body) and the recording head is made at the same time, the operability when exchanging the recording head and the replacement ink tank is good, but the electrical connection is a separate connector. A connection method or the like may be used to increase the degree of freedom in the configuration for ensuring the positioning of the recording head and the connection with the replacement ink tank.

Here, the arrangement and operation of the recording head in the ink jet recording apparatus in FIG. 33 will be described.
In FIG. 33, the recording medium P is horizontally guided using the plantain roller 5000, and is pressed against the plantain 5000 by the paper pressing plate 5002 in the carriage movement direction. The carriage HC is supported by a lead screw 5005, which operates as a drive source when the carriage moving pin is fitted in the spiral groove 5004 and rotates by itself, and a slider 5003 which is arranged in parallel with the lead screw, and is supported by the plan. It reciprocates back and forth along the recording surface of the recording medium P guided on the ten-roller 5000. The lead screw 5005 is rotationally driven and controlled in association with forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor via a drive transmission gear.

The image recording signal is sent to the recording head at a timing when the carriage carrying the recording head is moved, and ink droplets are ejected at a predetermined position for recording.

The ink tank and the ink used in the present invention are particularly effective in a vertical printing posture as shown in FIG. The recording head 20 in the vertical print orientation
The recording medium P is configured so as to face the lower surface of the recording medium 10 to perform recording scanning, and the recording medium P is fed, printed, and discharged in substantially the same plane without being wound around the platen roller 5000. It is also possible to print on thick and highly rigid recording media such as postcards and OHP paper. Since the replacement ink tank 2001 is disposed above the ejection portion of the recording head 2010 facing the recording medium P in the portrait orientation, the ink internal pressure in the ejection portion is supported while supporting the head pressure of the ink. A slight positive pressure,
It is necessary to maintain a slight negative pressure to stabilize the ink meniscus in the ejection portion.

The recording apparatus shown in FIG. 33 can be applied to each of the embodiments described below.

FIG. 21 is a vertical sectional view of an ink jet ink cartridge body of another embodiment used in the present invention.
22 is a transverse sectional view of the same, and FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing the surface of the rib.

In the ink jet ink cartridge main body 1001, an air introducing groove 1031 and a negative pressure generating member adjusting chamber 1032 are formed in a part of a rib 1005 which is a partition between the ink containing portion 1006 and the negative pressure generating member containing portion 1004. I am doing it.

The atmosphere introducing groove 1031 is formed on the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 1004 side from the intermediate portion of the rib 1005 to the end portion of the rib 1005, that is, the gap portion 1008 with the ink cartridge bottom portion 1011. And rib 100
Negative pressure generating member 1 in contact with the vicinity of the air introduction groove 1031 of No. 5
A negative pressure generating member adjusting chamber 1032 having a sculpted shape is formed between the negative pressure generating member adjusting chamber 1032 and the negative pressure generating member adjusting chamber 1032.

Since the negative pressure generating member 1003 is in contact with the inner surface of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 1004, even if the negative pressure generating member 1003 is unevenly inserted, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 22, the contact (compression) force of the negative pressure generating member 1003 is partially relieved. Therefore, when ink starts to be consumed from the head, the ink impregnated in the negative pressure generating member 1003 is consumed and reaches the negative pressure generating member adjusting chamber 1032. If the ink continues to be consumed after that, the atmosphere easily breaks the ink meniscus from the portion where the contact force of the negative pressure generating member 1003 is relieved by the negative pressure generating member adjusting chamber 1032, and the atmosphere quickly enters the atmosphere introducing groove 1031. Is introduced to facilitate the control of negative pressure.

In this embodiment, it is desirable to use an elastic porous body as the negative pressure generating member 1003.

During non-recording, the capillary force of the negative pressure generating member 1003 itself (or the meniscus force at the ink-negative pressure generating member sea surface) is exerted to prevent ink leakage from the ink jet recording head.

As a comparative example, an example of an ink cartridge having no negative pressure generating member adjusting chamber is shown in FIGS.

Even in the structure of the ink cartridge of the illustrated comparative example, it operates without any problem in an ideal state based on the above-mentioned operation principle. Needless to say, the operation is more stable than when there is no air introduction groove.

However, more stable control is required in order to realize more stable operation industrially or when a resin porous body having a communicating hole is used as the negative pressure generating member.

As shown in the enlarged sectional view of FIG. 32, the negative pressure generating member 1003 is brought into contact with the rib 1005 so that the atmosphere introducing groove 1
It will be in a state of cutting into 031. As a result, the pressure contact force (compressive force) of the negative pressure generating member 1003 is not relaxed at the contact portion A, and the atmosphere breaks the ink meniscus in that portion and is less likely to enter the atmosphere introduction groove 1031. As a result, even if the ink is continuously consumed, gas-liquid exchange is not performed, and the air introduction groove 1
There is a concern that the effect of 031 cannot be exhibited, and the ink of the ink absorbing unit 1006 is not used and becomes inoperable.

Unlike the comparative example, the example has a structure that exhibits excellent effects as described above.

FIG. 24 shows a rib 1005 prepared for another embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a vertical sectional view showing two types of sectional shapes different from each other.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view showing a sectional shape of a rib.

As shown in the figure, the shapes of the atmosphere introducing groove 1031 and the negative pressure generating member adjusting chamber 1032 are different from those of the above-mentioned embodiment.

That is, the stepped portion of the rib 1005 that abuts on the negative pressure generating member 1003 is chamfered so that the effect of pressure contact / compression relaxation can be more exerted.

Air is taken into the ink impregnated in the negative pressure generating member 1003 in the vicinity of the rib 1005 on the side of the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 1004 that has been chamfered. Then, the taken-in air is used as the ink container 10
Move to 06. With the movement of the air, the ink in the ink containing section 1006 is supplied to the negative pressure generating member containing section 1004. A region where air is taken into the ink with which the negative pressure generating member 1003 is impregnated becomes a gas-liquid exchange region.

In order to carry out the above-mentioned gas-liquid exchange more smoothly, the negative pressure generating member 10 with respect to the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion 1004 is provided from the upper side of the gas-liquid exchange area to the lower side of the gas-liquid exchange area.
It is preferable to relax the contact force of 03. This is because the air can move more smoothly from the gas phase to the ink phase in the capillaries of the negative pressure generating member 1003 in which the contact force is relaxed.

A rib 1 as shown in FIGS. 26 to 28, for example.
It is also possible to exert the effect effectively by forming the partial negative pressure generating member adjustment chamber 1032 in the central portion of 005 (the end portion of the air introduction groove).

Incidentally, the negative pressure generating member adjusting chamber 103 of the embodiment.
Negative pressure generating member 100 in order to have the same function as
It is also possible to change the shape of No. 3 to correspond, and any shape and size may be used as long as the above requirements are satisfied.

As described above, according to the present invention, the ink in the ink containing portion and the atmosphere can be stably and promptly exchanged with the gas during the ink supply, and as a result, the ink in the ink supplying portion can be exchanged. It became possible to control the internal pressure with stability, good ejection stability in the recording head, and high-speed printing.

Further, it is possible to provide an ink tank in which ink leakage does not occur even when the pressure inside the ink tank changes due to changes in the external environment.

Another ink tank 2001 of this embodiment is
The inner surface is partitioned into two ink chambers (a, b) and communicated at the bottom, and the ink chamber a of the ink supply unit is packed with an ink absorber 2002 with adjusted capillary force with almost no gap and an atmosphere communicating unit 2003 is provided. It is an ink chamber system that is used in combination with the body.

FIG. 34 illustrates the function of the compression absorber as a buffer absorber. The ink chamber b2006 from the state of FIG. 10 due to reduction of atmospheric pressure or increase in temperature.
It shows a state in which the ink in the ink chamber b2006 flows out toward the ink chamber a2004 due to the expansion of the air inside. In this embodiment, the ink flowing out to the ink chamber a2004 is held by the compression absorber 2003. Regarding the relationship between the ink absorption amount of the compression absorber and the ink chamber, from the viewpoint of preventing the leakage of the ink when the pressure is reduced or the temperature is changed, the ink outflow amount from the ink chamber b2006 under the worst condition and the ink amount The maximum ink absorption amount of the ink chamber a2004 is determined in consideration of the amount of ink held in the ink chamber a2004 when the ink is supplied from the chamber b2006,
It suffices to provide the ink chamber a with a capacity for accommodating at least that much compression absorber.

On the contrary, when the atmospheric pressure rises, the ink chamber b2
Since the difference between the air originally decompressed by the ink head pressure above 006 and the increased atmospheric pressure becomes too large, the ink or the atmosphere is drawn into the ink chamber b2006 to return to the predetermined pressure difference. In the same manner as when the ink is supplied from the ink chamber b2006, the meniscus of the compressed ink absorber 2003 near the lower end of the ink chamber wall 2005 is broken, and air is mainly introduced into the ink chamber b2006 to achieve pressure balance. In addition, the internal pressure of the ink in the ink supply section hardly changes, and there is almost no effect on the recording characteristics. In the above example, when the atmospheric pressure returns to the original value, the ink chamber b200 is replaced by the amount of air introduced into the ink chamber b2006.
6 flows into the ink chamber a2004, the amount of ink in the ink chamber a2004 temporarily increases and the gas-liquid interface rises as in the above-described example. Although the inner pressure is slightly positive, the effect on the ejection characteristics of the recording head is small and there is no problem in actual use. The above problem occurs, for example, when the recording apparatus used under reduced pressure in the highland is moved to the lowland of standard atmospheric pressure for use. In that case, however, the ink chamber b2006
In addition, air is introduced into the ink, and when the ink is moved to a highland again and used again, the internal pressure of the ink in the ink supply part slightly rises. Furthermore, it is not possible to use it in a state significantly higher than the standard atmospheric pressure. Since it is unlikely to be considered, it does not pose a big problem in practical use as described above.

Further, from the initial use of the ink tank to immediately before the replacement, the compressed ink absorber 2003 in the ink chamber a2004.
Since the ink in the ink chamber a2004 is reliably held by the ink chamber, and the ink chamber b2006 is closed, the ink does not leak from the openings (atmosphere communicating portion and ink supply portion), and the handleability is excellent.

Next, the necessary conditions for the configuration of the compressed ink absorber and the ink chamber in the divided ink chamber type combined with the absorber of the ink cartridge used in the present invention will be described in detail.

First, regarding the structure of the ink chamber, regarding the relationship between the ink absorption capacity of the compressed ink absorber 2003 and the volume of the ink chamber, from the viewpoint of preventing the leakage of ink during the above-mentioned pressure reduction or temperature change, Ink chamber b20
Ink leakage amount and ink chamber b2 under worst conditions from 06
The maximum ink absorption capacity of the ink chamber a2004 is determined in consideration of the amount of ink to be retained in the ink chamber a2004 when the ink is supplied from 006, and at least that amount of compressed ink is determined in consideration of the ink absorption rate of the compressed ink absorber 2003. The ink chamber a20 has a capacity sufficient to accommodate the absorber 2003.
04 should have it.

Next, the size of the communicating portion between the ink chambers formed at the lower end of the ink chamber wall 2005 is such that the ink in the ink chamber b2006 whose upper part is closed cannot form a meniscus at the communicating portion. The above is the first condition, and characteristics such as ink viscosity are considered according to the maximum ink supply speed from the ink supply unit (ink supply speed at the time of suction in the recording apparatus main body or solid printing). It suffices to provide an opening for smooth gas-liquid exchange. However, as described above, when the ink upper surface of the residual ink in the ink chamber b2006 is lower than the lower end portion of the ink chamber wall 2005, the internal pressure of the ink in the ink supply portion temporarily changes in the positive direction. It may be set so as to reduce the influence on the ink ejection characteristics of the recording head.

As described in the operation of the ink tank,
In the present divided ink chamber system combined with the absorber, since the compressed ink absorber 2003 near the ink chamber wall holds the ink internal pressure in the ink supply portion, in order to maintain the desired internal pressure when the ink is supplied from the ink chamber b2006. Is the ink chamber wall 2
It is necessary to adjust the capillary force of the compressed ink absorber 2003 near the lower end portion of 005. That is, the ink chamber wall 2005
For the capillary force of the compressed ink absorber 2003 near the lower end, the compression rate or the initial pore size may be set so that the internal pressure of the ink required for recording can be generated. For example, the ink internal pressure required in the ink supply unit is minus h (mma
q), it suffices that the compressed ink absorber 2003 near the lower end of the ink chamber wall 2005 has a capillary force capable of pulling up the ink hmm, and if the configuration of the compressed ink absorber 2003 is simplified, the density of the ink is ρ. Assuming that the surface tension of the ink is γ, the contact angle between the ink absorber and the ink is θ, and the gravitational acceleration is g, the pore radius P1 of the compressed ink absorber 2003 may be P1 = 2γ cos θ / ρgh.

While the ink is being supplied from the ink chamber b2006, when the gas-liquid interface of the ink in the ink chamber a2004 is the ink supply part and is lower than the upper end of the ink supply part, the atmosphere is supplied to the recording head side. Therefore, the gas-liquid interface near the ink supply unit must be maintained at a position higher than at least the upper end of the ink supply unit. That is, the compressed ink absorber 2003 above the ink supply unit has a gas-liquid interface setting position (imm) higher than the ink tank lower surface to the ink supply unit upper end in addition to hmm corresponding to the ink internal pressure required in the ink supply unit. Height of (h +
i) Capillary force for pulling up the ink to a height of mm may be given. It can be considered that the structure of the compressed ink absorber is simplified in the same manner as described above, and the pore portion radius P2 of the compressed ink absorber in the upper part of the ink supply unit may be P2 = 2γ cos θ / ρg (h + i). In the above formula, the height (imm) of the gas-liquid interface directly above the ink supply unit may be higher than the upper end of the ink supply unit, and in the compressed ink absorber 2003 further inside the ink chamber a 2004, it faces the ink chamber wall. Whether the ink pull-up force (capillary force) is gradually reduced (if the same absorber is used, the pore radius P3 is gradually increased) so that the gas-liquid interface is set to be gradually lower (FIG. 35). It is sufficient to reduce the capillary force of the compressed ink absorber 2003 only in the vicinity of the ink chamber wall 2005 (FIG. 36) and connect it to the capillary force at the lower end of the ink chamber wall 2005 (P1 for the same absorber).

When the stable ink supply from the ink chamber b2006 is performed, the compressed ink absorber 20 in the portion below the gas-liquid interface in the compressed ink absorber 2003.
The capillary force of 03 may be adjusted in any way as long as no special external force such as a shock, an inclination, or a rapid temperature change acts on the ink tank, but such an external force or ink in the ink chamber b2006 In order to supply the residual ink in the ink chamber a2004 even after all the ink is consumed, the capillary force is gradually increased toward the ink supply portion (capillary force at the lower end of the ink chamber wall 2005 (pore radius P1)). The radius of the pore portion P4) is set so that the capillary force of the ink supply portion is maximized (pore radius P5) (FIG. 37). That is, the adjustment of the capillary force may be at least (lower end of ink chamber wall) <(immediately above ink supply unit), and more preferably (lower end of ink chamber wall) <(lower middle part of ink chamber) <(ink It suffices that the upper part of the chamber middle) <(immediately above the ink supply part) <(ink supply part)

If the same compressed ink absorber 2003 is used for simplification, the pore radius should be at least P1> P2, and more preferably P1> (P3, P4)> (P2 P5) is sufficient. The relationship between P3 and P4, P2 and P5 may be P3> P4 or P2> P5, or P3 = P4 and P2 = P5, depending on the compression ratio distribution setting.

FIGS. 35 to 37 show the same relationship as the above relationship.
Achieved by adjusting the compression rate with the reduced ink absorber 2003
As an example of
You A ₃₅₁, A₃₆₁, A₃₇₁Indicates the gas-liquid interface, and the arrow
A₃₅₂, A₃₆₂, A₃₇₂Has a low compression ratio of the compressed ink absorber.
It shows how it changes from the larger side to the larger side.

As Comparative Example 3, when the capillary force of the compressed ink absorber 2003 on the ink supply section side is not made stronger than that in the vicinity of the ink chamber wall, the ink chamber wall is left in a state where ink is consumed to some extent. The gas-liquid interface A ₃₈₁ is formed near the lower end of the 2005
4 and the ink chamber b2006 are located on the vapor phase side. In this case, the ink in the ink chamber b2006 cannot be supplied, the atmosphere A ₃₈₂ introduced from the atmosphere communication unit 2013 is directly supplied from the ink supply unit to the recording head, and the ink tank becomes unusable at that time.

Next, the present inventors examined the physical properties required for the ink preferably used for the ink tanks of the above-mentioned respective examples.

Desirable ink is that the interface A ₃₅₁ in the negative pressure generating member is stable against vibration of the ink tank, and the gas-liquid interface exhibits stable behavior against environmental changes.

The ink preferably used in the above-mentioned ink tank used in the present invention will be described below.

The basic composition of the ink is at least water, a colorant and a water-soluble organic solvent.

As the water-soluble organic solvent, those having high compatibility with water, low volatility, low viscosity and high safety to human body are desirable, but it is not limited to this if used in an extremely small amount. Specific examples will be given below. Dimethylformamide, amides such as dimethylacetamide, ketones such as acetone, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane, polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, Alkylene glycols such as 1,2,6-hexanetriol, thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol and diethylene glycol, lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether and triethylene glycol monomethyl ether,
Monohydric alcohols such as ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, glycerin, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, triethanolamine, sulfolane, dimethyl sulfoxide, cyclohexanol, etc. No particular limitation is imposed on the content of the water-soluble organic solvent used, but 1 to 80% by weight is a preferred range. The colorant used in the present invention may be either a dye or a pigment. As the dye, a water-soluble acid dye, a direct dye, a basic dye, a reactive dye or the like is preferably used. The content of the dye is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 0.1% by weight to 20% by weight with respect to the total amount of the ink.

Further, it is desirable to include a surfactant as a surface tension adjusting agent. Fatty acid salts as the surfactant,
Anionic surfactants such as higher alcohol sulfuric acid ester salts, alkylbenzene sulfonates and higher alcohol phosphate salts, cationic surfactants such as aliphatic amine salts and quaternary ammonium salts, higher alcohol ethylene oxide adducts, alkylphenol ethylene Oxide adduct, aliphatic ethylene oxide adduct, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester ethylene oxide adduct,
Nonionic surfactants such as higher alkylamine ethylene oxide adduct, fatty acid amide ethylene oxide adduct, polypropylene glycol ethylene oxide adduct, fatty acid ester of polyhydric alcohol, fatty acid amide of alkanolamine, amino acid type, betaine type amphoteric A surfactant or the like is used.

More preferably, ethylene oxide adduct of acetylene glycol is used.

Further, the number of added moles of the ethylene oxide adduct is particularly preferably in the range of 4 to 20.

The amount of surfactant added is not particularly limited,
The range of 0.01 to 10% by weight is preferable. It goes without saying that the above water-soluble organic solvent can be used as a means for controlling the surface tension.

Other additives such as a viscosity modifier, a pH modifier, an antiseptic, and an antioxidant may be added, if necessary.

The viscosity of the ink is preferably 1 to 20 cp. Ink surface tension is 20 dyne / cm
It should be ˜55 dyne / cm, more preferably 25 dyne / cm to 50 dyne / cm. When the surface tension of the ink is in this range, the phenomenon that the meniscus of the head orifice portion is broken and the ink overflows from the head orifice portion during non-printing does not occur.

The amount of ink to be filled in the ink cartridge is arbitrary with the internal volume of the ink cartridge as a limit, but in order to maintain the negative pressure immediately after opening the ink cartridge, the ink cartridge is filled up to the volume limit. However, the amount of ink filled in 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. still,
The ink holding force in the present invention refers to the ability to hold ink in a member unit when the negative pressure generating member is impregnated with ink.

Next, the sample of this example and the sample for comparison will be described.

The dye was mixed in a mixture of water and a water-soluble organic solvent while stirring, and after stirring for 4 hours, a predetermined amount of a surfactant was added and the mixture was filtered through a filter to remove dust.

After that, the ink cartridges shown in FIG. 11 were filled with the respective inks, and recording was performed using the apparatus shown in FIG.

Formulations and physical properties of each ink and recording results are shown below.

[0161]

[Table 1]

[0162]

[Table 2] Next, the surface tension of a typical water-soluble organic solvent at 20 to 30 ° C. is shown.

Ethanol (22 dyne / cm), isopropanol (22 dyne / cm), cyclohexanol (34 dyne / cm), glycerin (63 dyn)
e / cm), diethylene glycol (49 dyne / c)
m), diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (35
dyne / cm), triethylene glycol (35 dy
ne / cm), 2-pyrrolidone (47 dyne / c)
m), N-methylpyrrolidone (41 dyne / cm) These solvents are mixed with water to obtain a desired surface tension.

Next, a method of controlling the surface tension of the ink using a surfactant will be described.

For example, sorbitan monolaurate gives 28 dyne / cm with 1% addition to water, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate gives 35 dyne / cm with 1% addition to water.
Is obtained. With acetylenol EH (EO adduct of acetylene glycol), addition of 1% or more gives 28 dyn.
e / cm is obtained. When a lower surface tension is required, a fluorine-containing surfactant such as Surflon S-145 (a perfluoroalkyl EO adduct manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.) gives 17 dyne / cm at 0.1% with respect to water. However, the surface tension will change somewhat due to other additives, so it should be adjusted appropriately.

Further, as described above, it is considered that the ink buffer may be designed in consideration of the maximum leaked ink amount, but the effect of this ink buffer is largely influenced not only by its capacity but also by the surface tension at the interface of the ink. It was obtained as a result of earnest study.

Among the inks for ink jet recording apparatus, those to which a surfactant is added have been proposed. This kind of ink is very fast to fix on plain paper such as copy paper and bond paper, and in color recording, even if ink recording areas of different colors are adjacent, improper color mixing (border bleed or bleed) It has the characteristic of uniform coloring (less color unevenness). An example of the composition is shown below.

[0168]

[Table 3] When this type of ink is used, as shown in FIG. 34, the ink chamber b20 is caused by a decrease in atmospheric pressure or an increase in temperature.
When the ink in the ink chamber b2006 was pushed out toward the ink chamber a2004 due to the expansion of the air in the ink chamber 06, the ink was not absorbed by the absorber 2003 in the ink chamber a2004 and leaked out of the ink cartridge.

As described above, when the ink is supplied from the ink chamber b2006, the gas-liquid interface of the ink in the ink chamber a2004 includes the head pressure from the ejection portion of the recording head and the pressure reduction in the ink chamber b2006. It is maintained at a height balanced with the capillary force of the compressed ink absorber. Assuming that the average ink height at the gas-liquid interface of the ink chamber a2004 at this time is H, if there is an outflow of ink from the ink chamber b2006 due to a decrease in atmospheric pressure or an increase in temperature, the air in the ink chamber a2004 will be reduced. The height of the ink at the liquid interface must be higher by h and be able to be absorbed and held.

As an example in this embodiment, the total height of the ink chambers is 3 cm, and the ink chambers a2004 and b2 are
The volume of 006 was 6 cc. At the beginning of the ink chamber b2006, 6 cc is filled with ink,
A compression absorber 2003 (polyurethane foam) was contained in the ink chamber a2004, and initially filled with 4 cc of ink (total amount of ink: 10 cc). The porosity of the absorber is 95% or more, and if all the voids of the absorber are filled with ink, the ink chamber a2004 can be filled with ink of about 6 cc. First, in this ink tank, the ink in the ink chamber a2004 begins to be consumed, and then the ink in the ink chamber b2006 starts to be consumed for a while, and the gas-liquid interface of the ink chamber a2004 becomes the head pressure from the ejection portion of the recording head. The reduced pressure of the ink chamber b2006 and the capillary force of the compressed ink absorber are maintained at a balanced height. The height of the gas-liquid interface at this time is about 1.5 cm on average.
Therefore, assuming that almost all the voids of the absorber are filled with ink, it is considered that the ink amount in the ink chamber a2004 is about 3 cc. When the maximum decompression condition of atmospheric pressure is 0.7 atm, 1.8 cc, which is about 30% of the volume of the ink chamber b2006, may flow out, so that about 3 cc + 1.8 c in the ink chamber a2004.
c (ink level about 2.4 cm) must be able to absorb and hold. When the maximum decompression condition is 0.5 atm, the volume of the ink chamber b2006 is about 50% of 3c.
Since c may flow out, the ink chamber a2004 must be able to absorb and hold about 3 cc + 3 cc (ink level about 3 cm). That is, it is necessary that the ink chamber a2004 can be filled with at least the volume of the absorber itself, the amount of ink originally in the ink chamber a, and the amount of ink flowing out from the ink chamber b2006. Therefore, the inner volume of the ink chamber a2004 changes greatly depending on the estimation of the amount of ink outflowing from the ink chamber b2006.

The ink holding height H of the porous absorber is generally considered to be expressed by the formula of capillary force. The surface tension of the ink is γ, the contact tube between the ink and the ink absorber is θ, and the density of the ink is Is represented by ρ, the weight acceleration is represented by g, and the average pore radius of the ink absorber is represented by r, then H = 2γ cos θ / ρgr.

Therefore, in order to increase the ink holding height H so that more ink can be absorbed and held,
It is considered that the surface tension of the ink may be increased, or the contact angle θ between the ink and the ink absorber may be decreased (cos θ may be increased).

The reason why the contact angle θ between the ink and the ink absorber is made small is that the ink is very likely to leak into the absorber, and a surfactant is generally used as a penetrant.

In the case of the ink of the embodiment composition, the surface tension is about 30 dyn / cm due to the addition of the surfactant.
Although it is small, it is considered that the permeability between the absorber and the ink is improved and the permeability is improved. It can be said that this has the effect of improving the leakability of ink rather than the surface tension.

As the penetrant, an anionic surfactant such as aerosol OT type, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium lauryl sulfate, etc., an ethylene oxid adduct of a higher alcohol represented by the following general formula [1], the following general formula An ethylene oxide adduct of an alkylphenel represented by the formula [2], an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer represented by the following general formula [3], and an ethylene of acetylene glycol represented by the following general formula [4]. Nonionic surfactants such as oxide adducts are excellent.

However, the above-mentioned anionic surfactant has a large foaming power and is inconvenient to handle, and the image characteristics such as boundary bleeding, color uniformity and feathering are higher than those of the anionic surfactant. Since the nonionic surfactant was better, the nonionic surfactant represented by the following general formula was used in this example.

In the general formulas [1] and [2], n is preferably 6 to 14, and R preferably has 5 to 26 carbon atoms. In the general formulas [3] and [4], m + n
Is preferably 6 to 14.

[0178]

[Chemical 1]

[0179]

[Chemical 2]

[0180]

[Chemical 3]

[0181]

[Chemical 4] Among the ethylene oxide-type nonionic surfactants mentioned above, the ethylene oxide adduct of acetylene glycol has a very good balance in terms of absorbability to ink absorber, image characteristics on recording medium, ejection characteristics from recording head, etc. Good and preferred. Furthermore, the hydrophilicity and permeability of this compound are controlled by the number m + n of ethylene oxide added. When m + n is less than 6, the permeability is good, but the water solubility is poor and the solubility in ink is poor. On the contrary, if the number of ethylene oxide added is too large, the hydrophilicity becomes too large and the penetrating power becomes small. When m + n is larger than 14, the permeability is lowered, and it cannot be said that it is effective only by increasing the amount of addition, but rather it adversely affects the ejection characteristics. Thus, this compound has an ethylene oxide addition number of 6 to
Preferably between 14

The addition amount of these nonionic surfactants is preferably 0.1 to 20% by weight. If it is less than 0.1%, the image characteristics and penetrability are not sufficient, and if it is more than 20%, no further effect can be obtained.
This is because the reliability of the ink is disadvantageous.

Further, one or more of these nonionic surfactants may be combined.

In addition, in general, the ink components include a dye as a recording agent, a low-volatile organic solvent such as a polyhydric alcohol for the purpose of preventing clogging, foaming stability, and fixability on a recording medium. The desired organic solvent such as alcohol is added as necessary.

Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent that forms the ink of the examples include polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol;
Alkylene glycols having an alkylene group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, hexylene glycol and diethylene glycol; glycerin; ethylene glycol Lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as methyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl (or ethyl) ether and triethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether; methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-Putyl alcohol, t
ert-alcohols such as butyl alcohol, isoptyl alcohol, benzine alcohol and cyclohexanol; amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; ketones or ketone alcohols such as acetone and diacetone alcohol; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone,
Examples thereof include nitrogen-containing cyclic compounds such as 2-pyrroliton and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone. These water-soluble organic solvents can be contained in an amount that does not deteriorate image characteristics and ejection reliability. Preferred are polyhydric alcohols and alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols, and the content thereof is preferably 1 to 30% by weight.

At this time, the amount of pure in the ink used in this embodiment is preferably between 50 and 90%.

Examples of dyes used in this embodiment include direct dyes, acid dyes, basic dyes, reactive dyes, disperse dyes and vat dyes. The content of these dyes is determined depending on the type of liquid medium component, the characteristics required for the ink, the ejection amount of the recording head, and the like, but generally 0.5 to the total weight of the ink. The range is 15% by weight, preferably 1 to 7% by weight.

It was found that the addition of thiodiglycol or urea (or its derivative) to the ink drastically improves the ejection characteristics and the effect of preventing clogging (sticking). It is considered that the addition of these improves the solubility of the dye in the ink. The content of thiodiglycol or urea (or its derivative) is preferably 1 to 30% by weight, and can be added if necessary.

The main components of the ink of this example are as described above, but in addition, viscosity adjusting agents such as polyvinyl alcohol, celluloses, water-soluble resins, etc .; pH adjusting agents such as diethanolamine, triethanolamine, buffer solutions and the like. ,
Antifungal agents and the like can be added as necessary within the range not hindering the object of the present invention.

Further, in order to prepare an ink used in an ink jet recording apparatus of the type which charges the ink, a specific resistance adjusting agent such as an inorganic salt such as lithium chloride, ammonium chloride or sodium chloride is added.

The present invention brings excellent effects particularly in an ink jet recording head recording apparatus for recording by forming flying liquids by utilizing thermal energy among the ink jet recording apparatuses.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
Applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or flow path in which is stored, corresponding to the recorded information and causing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling. Causes the electrothermal converter to generate heat energy, which causes film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) that correspond one-to-one to this drive signal can be formed. It is valid. Liquid (ink) flows through the ejection openings due to the growth and contraction of these bubbles.
To form at least one drop. If this drive signal is in the form of a pulse, the growth of bubbles will be immediately and properly,
Since contraction is performed, ejection of liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further excellent recording can be performed by adopting the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,24 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, A configuration using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 or US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which the heat acting portion is arranged in the bending region, may be used.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670, which discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a pressure wave of thermal energy is absorbed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration based on Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which the opening corresponds to the ejection portion.

Further, as a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of the recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus, a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification provides the length. Either of the structure satisfying the requirement or the structure as one recording head integrally formed may be used.

In addition, by being attached to the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means, preliminary auxiliary means, etc. to the recording head because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means, pressurizing or suctioning means for the recording head, preheating means by an electrothermal converter or a heating element other than this, or a combination thereof, and an ejection different from recording. It is effective to perform the preliminary ejection mode for performing stable recording.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. Alternatively, the device may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens at room temperature, or is a liquid, or the above-mentioned. In the inkjet method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It may be in a liquid form.

[0201] In addition, the temperature rise due to the thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink is solidified in a standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. Whether or not ink is used, the ink is liquefied by applying heat energy in any case according to the recording signal, such as those ejected as liquid ink or those which have already started to solidify when reaching the recording medium, The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied only by heat energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or JP-A-60-71260, a mode in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in the state of being held as a liquid or solid in the recess or through hole of the porous sheet. May be In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, the recording apparatus according to the present invention may be provided integrally or separately as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a word processor or a computer, or may be combined with a reader or the like. It may be in the form of a copying machine or a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.

The above-described ink jet cartridge used in the present invention has the advantages of the above constitutions.

In the present invention, in order to maintain these advantages and reduce the running cost of the ink cartridge and resource saving, the ink refilling is performed from the second storage chamber, and the ink refilling port has a sealing member. An ink-jet refilling ink jet cartridge characterized by being sealed with. The details will be described below.

FIG. 38 shows an embodiment of the ink cartridge used in the present invention, and shows a state in which the ink in the second storage chamber is consumed. An ink refill port 21 is opened in a part of the second storage chamber of the ink cartridge in which the ink has been consumed in the second storage chamber by a conventionally known means. It is not impossible to fill the ink from the first storage chamber without opening the ink refill port in the second storage chamber, but in the ink cartridge used in the present invention, the ink is connected to the minute communication portion due to its constitution. When the meniscus is formed, the second storage chamber has a closed structure, so that even if there is a space in the second storage chamber thereafter, ink cannot be re-injected any more and the first storage chamber Ink leaks from the opening. Therefore, in the present invention, it is important to install the re-ink filling port 21 in the second storage chamber.
The time of refilling the ink may be any time, but considering the function of the ink cartridge after refilling the ink, it is preferable to carry out while the ink remains in the second storage chamber. . This is due to the configuration of the ink cartridge used in the present invention. Further, in consideration of the efficiency of refilling the ink and the leakage of the ink remaining in the second storage chamber, it is more preferable just before the ink in the second storage chamber is exhausted.

FIG. 39 is a sectional view showing a state where the ink refill port is opened. The installation portion of the ink refill port may be at any position as long as it is the second storage portion, but in consideration of the ease of ink injection and the ink leakage from the ink refill port at the time of reuse, 31a in FIG. It is preferably on the upper part of the ink cartridge like 31b. Further, there is no particular limitation on the shape or the number thereof. The state where the ink 9 is refilled is shown in FIG. 40 as an example in which one ink refill port is opened at 31a in FIG. The refilling of the ink can be performed by any means (for example, the ink is drawn into a syringe or the like, and the ink is injected from the ink refilling port). After that, the ink refill port opened in the second storage chamber is sealed by the sealing member 41 so that the second storage chamber has a closed structure as shown in FIGS. 41 and 42. This completes the ink refill of the present invention, but another feature of the present invention appears when the ink cartridge is reused. That is, as described above, the ink cartridge used in the present invention is
The storage chamber maintains a certain negative pressure state (reduced pressure state), and acts so that another member of the sealed ink refill port is more firmly attracted to the ink cartridge and is not opened.

The sealing member for the ink refill port is
The stopper can be a conventionally known one such as metal, plastic or rubber having elasticity. Figure 44
It is preferable to provide a stopper integrated with the ink cartridge as shown in (3) because the user's labor for refilling the ink can be omitted.
Further, in order to further exhibit the above-mentioned action, a polymer member having adhesiveness (for example, conventionally known adhesives, adhesives,
It is preferably a sealing agent).

Further, in order to make the above-mentioned effect manifest and to enable reuse of the ink cartridge, FIG.
As shown in a, it is more preferable that the sealing member is a sheet-shaped member having an adhesive (for example, an adhesive tape, a seal tape, etc.).

Furthermore, the above-mentioned effects are further expressed,
In order to enable reuse of the ink cartridge and to reinforce the airtightness of the second storage chamber, the ink refill port is sealed on the surface other than the surface where the ink refill port is present as shown in FIG. 43b. It is preferable to carry out such sealing. Needless to say, the sealing is not limited to the illustrated form, and any form does not depart from the present invention.

As described above, the opening of the ink refill port is
Although it can be implemented by a conventionally known means, a simpler means is illustrated. FIG. 45 shows a bellows having an ink cartridge in which the ink in the second storage chamber has been consumed and an ink injection nozzle filled with the refilling ink 9. The jig 48 for forming the ink refill container 48 and the ink refill port of the structure is shown. The ink refill port is formed in the second storage chamber as shown in FIG. The jig 49 has a structure having a tip portion such as a pin shape or a drill blade shape , and has a jig with such a shape.
The tool 49 is used to form an ink refill port as shown in FIGS. 47a and 47b. FIG. 47a shows an example in which an opening larger than the outer diameter of the ink injection nozzle is formed, and FIG. 47b shows an example in which an opening equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink injection nozzle is formed at two locations. . In either case, when the ink is refilled, the ink is preferably filled in the second storage chamber.

[0211]

As can be understood from the above description, according to the present invention, since the ink refilling is performed from the second storage chamber and the ink refilling port is sealed with another member, a new ink cartridge is provided. While maintaining the advantage, it is possible to reuse the ink cartridge that should otherwise be discarded, and it is possible to reduce running costs and save resources.

Particularly in the present invention, by providing a more specific ink refilling means, it becomes possible for anyone to easily reproduce the ink cartridge.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a partially cutaway ink container of an embodiment used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG.

3 (a), (b), and (c) are explanatory views of an example of coupling an ink cartridge used in the present invention and a supply pipe.

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

5A, 5B, and 5C are explanatory views of an ink supply unit.

6A, 6B, and 6C are explanatory views for explaining the positional relationship between the ink supply unit and the minute communication unit.

7 (a) to 7 (f) are each a structural explanatory view of a minute communication portion.

8 (a) to 8 (h) are explanatory views of the shape of the end of the partition wall on the minute communication portion side.

9 (a) to 9 (f) are explanatory views of an absorber end portion state in the vicinity of a partition wall.

10 (a) to 10 (d) are explanatory diagrams of states inside the absorber with respect to environmental changes.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing an ink cartridge and an inkjet head used in the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an inkjet cartridge used in the present invention and an inkjet printer using the same.

13A to 13D are diagrams illustrating a modified example of a main part of the ink cartridge used in the present invention.

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

15 (A) and 15 (B) are shape explanatory views of an optimum embodiment of the ink cartridge used in the present invention.

16A to 16C are explanatory diagrams sequentially showing changes in the recording state of the ink cartridge used in the present invention.

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

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the ink cartridge used in the present invention.

19A and 19B are perspective views showing a color tank configuration of an ink cartridge used in the present invention.

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

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the ink cartridge used in the present invention.

22 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge body of FIG.

23 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge body showing the rib surface of FIG. 21. FIG.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge body showing another rib surface.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional shape of another rib.

FIG. 26 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a replaceable ink cartridge body of another embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a replaceable ink cartridge body of another embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge body showing another rib surface.

FIG. 29 is a vertical sectional view of an ink cartridge body of a comparative example.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge body of a comparative example.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge body showing a rib surface of a comparative example.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional shape of a rib of a comparative example.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of a vertical print orientation.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram of a leaked ink buffer function of the compressed ink absorber of the ink chamber a.

FIG. 35 is an example of a compressibility distribution of another compressed ink absorber.

36 is an example in which the compression ratio distribution of the compressed ink absorber of FIG. 35 is different.

FIG. 37 is an example of a different compression distribution of the compressed ink absorber of FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge used in the present invention after use.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an example of opening of the second storage chamber of the ink cartridge used in the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view for explaining ink refilling of the ink cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the sealing of the opening portion after refilling the ink of the ink cartridge of the present invention.

42 is a schematic perspective view of FIG. 41. FIG.

43 (a) and 43 (b) are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining sealing of the opening portion after refilling with ink according to the present invention.

44 (a) and 44 (b) are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining the sealing of the opening portion after refilling with the ink of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the ink refilling method of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the opening of the ink refill port of the present invention.

47 (a) and 47 (b) are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining the ink refilling port of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Ink supply port 3,1003 Negative pressure generating member 4,1004 First storage chamber (negative pressure generating member storage portion) 10a atmosphere communication hole 21 Ink refill port 22 stopper 1005 rib 1006 Second storage chamber (ink storage portion) 1008 Gap 1013 Air communication section

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page (72) Inventor Toshio Kashino 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yuuki Tajima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. Incorporated (72) Inventor Sadayuki Sugama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) Reference JP-A-5-16389 (JP, A) JP-A-2-198866 (JP , A) JP-A-2-214665 (JP, A) JP-A-5-8405 (JP, A) JP-A-4-348947 (JP, A) Actually developed 57-16385 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first storage chamber in which an ink absorber is stored and which has an atmosphere communication portion and an ink supply portion, and a first substantially closed state which communicates with the first storage chamber only via the communication portion. An ink refilling method for refilling an ink container with a second storage chamber for directly storing the ink supplied to the storage chamber, wherein the second storage chamber for the ink container in which the ink is consumed A step of forming an opening with a jig having a pin-shaped or drill-blade-shaped tip, and a step of filling the ink from the formed opening with an ink refill container equipped with ink for refill, An ink refilling method comprising: Wherein in the claim 1, further comprising the step of sealing the opening after the ink filling process
Refill method.