JP3546870B2 - Ink storage bag and recording device for mounting the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet printer that prints on recording paper by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles, an ink containing bag used for a facsimile machine including such a printing mechanism, a recording device such as a copying machine, and the ink. The present invention relates to a recording device such as a printer in which a storage bag is mounted.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an ink storage bag used in this type of printer, a bag formed from a flexible sheet that can be deformed in accordance with consumption of the ink stored therein is used. The thing which attached the identification mark on the surface is known. The identification mark stores attribute data such as the type, color, and date of manufacture of the ink. With the ink storage bag attached to the printer, a reading unit provided in the printer reads the attribute data of the ink from the identification mark. The data is read, and the printing operation of the printer is controlled based on the data.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in this conventional ink storage bag, the attribute data of the ink is unilaterally read out from the identification mark attached to the outer surface of the ink storage bag, and is used for controlling the printing operation. The management of the amount is performed by the control unit of the printer. When the ink storage bag is attached to the printer, the data including the ink usage stored in the control unit is cleared, new data is read from the identification mark, and management of the ink usage is newly started. It is supposed to be. For this reason, when the usage data of the ink storage bag is on the printer side, and the ink storage bag is removed from the printer during the use of the ink, and then the ink storage bag is mounted on the printer again and used, the ink usage There was a problem that it was not possible to continue the management of the system. Further, since a barcode is used for the identification mark, the capacity is small and sufficient management data cannot be handled.
[0004]
The present invention has been made by paying attention to the problems existing in such a conventional technique. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink storage bag capable of managing the amount of used ink for each ink storage bag and handling sufficient management data, and a recording apparatus to which the ink storage bag is attached.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the invention of an ink storage bag according to claim 1 supplies a flexible ink storage bag main body for storing printing ink, and supplies the ink of the ink storage bag main body to the outside. An ink supply port, and a non-contact type memory IC provided on a heat-welded portion at a corner of the ink containing bag main body are provided.
[0007]
Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the amount of ink used can be managed for each ink storage bag by writing the remaining amount of ink in the non-contact type memory IC. Then, the ink storage bag management data such as the amount of ink used can be stored in the ink storage bag. Therefore, when the ink storage bag is removed from the printer during the use of the ink and then the ink storage bag is set in the printer again and used, the management of the ink usage can be continued.
In particular, the flexible ink storage bag does not come into contact with the corners of the ink storage bag main body, which are less likely to be deformed due to ink consumption, and in particular, the heat-welded portion that is rigid compared to other portions of the ink storage bag main body. The mold memory IC can be stably held and can be brought close to the data transfer unit on the printer side. Therefore, since the non-contact type memory IC can be opposed to the data transfer section at a substantially stable position, data transfer can be performed accurately in a non-contact state.
[0008]
The invention of an ink storage bag according to claim 2 is characterized in that the non-contact type memory IC is provided on a heat welding portion at a corner of the ink storage bag main body near the ink supply port. is there.
[0009]
Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the non-contact type memory IC is arranged near the supply port fixed to the apparatus main body, the data can be more stably held and the data can be transferred. Can be accurately performed in a non-contact state.
[0010]
In the invention of the ink containing bag according to the third aspect, the heat welding portion is formed along the outer peripheral edge of the ink containing bag main body, and the ink supply port is thermally welded to one end edge thereof. It is characterized by the following.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink container having a flexible ink container body for storing ink for printing and an ink supply port for supplying the ink of the ink container bag to the outside. A non-contact type memory IC is formed in a center portion of the ink storage bag main body which is a lower side when the ink storage bag is stored in a cartridge case storing the ink storage bag.
[0012]
Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the ink storage bag is set in the recording apparatus so that the center of the ink storage bag main body provided with the non-contact type memory IC is located on the lower side. The non-contact type memory IC can always be brought close to the data transfer unit on the printer side regardless of the use condition of the ink in the storage bag, that is, regardless of the swelling state of the ink storage bag. Therefore, data can be accurately transferred between the non-contact type memory IC and the data transfer unit in a non-contact state.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus comprising: a cartridge case accommodating the ink containing bag according to any one of the first to fourth aspects; and a non-contact type memory IC formed on the ink containing bag. And a data transfer unit for transferring data in a non-contact state between the two.
[0014]
Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the non-contact type memory IC is set in the recording device, and the non-contact type memory IC is brought into close contact with the data transfer section. By transferring data to and from the transfer unit, it is possible to effectively control the printing operation, manage the amount of ink used, and the like.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the cartridge case is provided with an opening which enables communication between the non-contact type memory IC provided in the ink storage bag and the data transfer section. It is characterized by the following.
[0016]
Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to accurately perform data transfer between the non-contact type memory IC and the data transfer unit without being interrupted by the cartridge case. Further, the present invention can be applied to a device having a low communication capability (a non-contact type memory IC or a data transfer unit).
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0029]
First, an ink storage bag of this embodiment and a recording apparatus using the same will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the ink storage bag main body 12 of the ink storage bag 11 is formed of a soft case in which a flexible sheet is formed in a bag shape, for example, a gas barrier formed by depositing aluminum on a polyethylene film. A sheet material such as a laminated film having properties is superimposed on each other, a heat-sealing seal is applied along an outer peripheral edge of the superposed sheet material, and a printing ink is contained in the inside. An ink supply port 13 made of a hard material such as a synthetic resin is thermally welded to one end edge of the ink storage bag main body 12, and ink in the ink storage bag main body 12 is taken out from the ink supply port 13.
[0030]
On the heat-sealing seal portion 12a as a heat-welding portion on the outer peripheral edge of the ink storage bag main body 12, the same heat-sealing seal portion at one end corner of the ink supply port 13 side edge on the lower surface of the ink storage bag main body 12 A non-contact type memory IC 14 readable and writable from the outside is fixed to 12a. The non-contact type memory IC 14 stores attribute data relating to the ink in the ink storage bag 11, for example, data such as the type, color, date of manufacture, and factory of the ink. Further, the non-contact type memory IC 14 is provided with a storage area for writing the used amount and the remaining amount of the ink in the ink storage bag 11.
[0031]
Next, a printer (recording device) used by mounting the ink storage bag 11 will be described.
[0032]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a print head 19 is provided on the printer body 18 so as to be movable along a platen (not shown). A plurality of case setting sections 20 are defined on the front side of the printer body 18 on one side, and each of the case setting sections 20 is provided with a pair of guide plates 20a. Each of the case setting sections 20 is set in a state where the ink storage bag 11 is stored in the cartridge case 21.
[0033]
The cartridge case 21 is formed in a hard case shape. An outlet 22 is formed on one end surface of the cartridge case 21, and the ink supply port 13 of the ink storage bag 11 housed in the cartridge case 21 is connected to the outlet 22 so as to protrude from the outlet 22 to the outside. Fixed. A window 23 is formed on the bottom surface on one side of the outlet 22 of the cartridge case 21. When the ink storage bag 11 is stored in the cartridge case 21, the non-contact type memory IC 14 provided at one corner of the lower surface of the ink storage bag 11 is exposed downward from the window 23. It has become so.
[0034]
A supply needle 24 is disposed opposite to each case setting section 20 of the printer main body 18, and is connected to a print head 19 via a supply tube 25. When the ink storage bag 11 is set in the case setting section 20 in a state of being housed in the cartridge case 21, the supply needle 24 passes through the ink supply port 13 of the ink storage bag 11, and Is inserted into In this state, with the printing operation of the print head 19, the ink in the ink storage bag 11 is supplied to the print head 19 via the supply needle 24 and the supply tube 25 so that printing is performed on the recording paper P. Has become.
[0035]
At an end of one guide plate 20a of each of the case setting sections 20, a data transfer section 26 is provided. When the ink storage bag 11 is set in the case setting section 20 in a state of being housed in the cartridge case 21, the non-contact type memory IC 14 disposed at one corner near the ink supply port of the ink storage bag 11 is provided. Are arranged to face the data transfer unit 26 via the window 23. In this state, the data transfer unit 26 reads and writes the attribute data of the ink in the ink storage bag 11 and the data of the used amount and the remaining amount in the non-contact type memory IC 14 in the non-contact state. It has become.
[0036]
Next, a circuit configuration of the printer having the above-described structure will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer body 18 is provided with a central processing unit (CPU) 30 for controlling the operation of the entire printer, and the CPU 30 stores a read-only memory (ROM) 31 storing a program and working data. A random access memory (RAM) 32 for storing is connected. A printing mechanism 33 including the print head 19 is connected to the CPU 30, and an operation signal is output to the printing mechanism 33. A data transfer unit 26 is connected to the CPU 30, and input and output of ink attribute data and the like are performed to the data transfer unit 26.
[0037]
Further, an external computer 35 is connected to the CPU 30 in the printer main body 18 via an interface 34, and print data, a warning display signal, and the like are exchanged with the computer 35. A display unit 36 such as a display device is connected to the computer 35. When a warning display signal is output from the CPU 30 to the computer 35, a warning message is displayed on the display unit 36. A keyboard 37 is connected to the computer 35, and various data is input from the keyboard 37.
[0038]
Next, the operation of the printer configured as described above will be described.
[0039]
When the ink storage bag 11 is mounted on the printer, the ink storage bag 11 is set in the case setting section 20 of the printer main body 18 in a state of being stored in the cartridge case 21. Then, the supply needle 24 penetrates through the ink supply port 13 of the ink storage bag 11 and is inserted and arranged in the ink storage bag main body 12, and the non-contact type memory IC 14 on the lower surface of the ink storage bag 11 is opened through the window. 23, it is disposed to face the data transfer unit 26 of the printer main body 18 side.
[0040]
In this state, the data transfer unit 26 reads the attribute data and the like of the ink in the ink storage bag 11 from the non-contact type memory IC 14 and writes the attribute data and the like into the RAM 32 via the CPU 30. The printing mechanism 33 including the print head 19 performs a printing operation based on the attribute data of the ink and the like, and the ink in the ink containing bag 11 is supplied to the print head 19 via the supply needle 24 and the supply tube 25. Then, printing is performed on the recording paper P.
[0041]
During this printing operation, the data transfer unit 26 writes data on the used amount and the remaining amount of ink into the RAM 32 under the control of the CPU 30. Then, the data is transferred to the non-contact type memory IC 14 periodically or at a predetermined printing operation timing. When the cumulative amount of ink written in the non-contact type memory IC 14 reaches a predetermined value, the CPU 30 outputs a warning display signal for urging the user to replace the ink containing bag 11, and displays, for example, “ink containing The bag is out of ink. Replace it with a new one. "
[0042]
Even when the printing operation is completed during the use of the ink in the ink storage bag 11, the non-contact type memory IC 14 on the ink storage bag 11 stores the used amount of the ink consumed in the previous printing operation. And the remaining data. Therefore, even if the ink containing bag 11 is detached from the printer in this state, and set again in another printer for use, transferring these data to the printer allows the ink consumption amount to be continuously managed. Will be.
[0043]
Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
[0044]
(1) In the ink storage bag 11, a non-contact type memory IC 14 is provided on the outer surface of the flexible ink storage bag 11 that stores the printing ink. Therefore, by writing the remaining amount of ink to the non-contact type memory IC 14, the management of the amount of ink used can be performed for each ink containing bag 11. Therefore, when the ink containing bag 11 is detached from the printer during the use of the ink, and then the ink containing bag 11 is set in the printer again and used, the management of the ink consumption can be continued. In addition, in the case of a flexible ink storage bag, the outer shape changes so that the thickness of the entire bag becomes thinner by consumption of the stored ink, but since a non-contact type memory IC is installed, By properly setting the communication range between the non-contact type memory IC and the data transfer section, accurate data reading and writing can be performed. Further, in the above case, even if the non-contact type memory IC is not strictly provided, almost no trouble occurs in reading and writing of data, so that the non-contact type memory IC can be easily attached. Further, since the storage container is a flexible storage bag, when all the stored ink is used, the bulk of the ink storage bag can be reduced and discarded.
[0045]
(2) In the ink storage bag 11, the non-contact type memory IC 14 is provided at a corner of the ink storage bag main body 12. For this reason, since a change in the outer shape due to ink consumption is small at the corner of the flexible bag, it is possible to use a device in which the communication range between the non-contact type memory IC and the data transfer unit is not large. Further, a heat-sealing seal portion 12a is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the ink storage bag main body 12, and the corners of the ink storage bag main body 12 are in a harder state than other portions of the ink storage bag main body, so that the rigidity is high. Therefore, the non-contact type memory IC 14 provided at this corner can be stably held and always brought close to the data transfer unit 26 on the printer side. Therefore, since the non-contact type memory IC 14 can face the data transfer unit 26 at a substantially stable position, data transfer can be performed more accurately in a non-contact state.
[0046]
(3) In a printer in which the ink storage bag 11 is mounted, the ink storage bag 11 for storing ink is set, and printing is performed using the ink in the ink storage bag 11. A data transfer unit 26 that transfers data in a non-contact state with a non-contact type memory IC 14 provided on the outer surface of the ink storage bag 11 is provided. Therefore, data transfer between the non-contact type memory IC 14 and the data transfer unit 26 is performed with the ink storage bag 11 set in the printer and the non-contact type memory IC 14 brought into close proximity with the data transfer unit 26. To effectively control the printing operation, manage the amount of ink used, and the like.
[0047]
(4) In this printer, the data transfer unit 26 is configured to transfer data to and from the non-contact type memory IC 14 arranged in the downward state. For this reason, data transfer is performed between the non-contact type memory IC 14 and the data transfer unit 26 in a state where the ink containing bag 11 is installed so that the non-contact type memory IC 14 faces downward. For this reason, the weight of the ink containing bag 11 acts on the non-contact type memory IC 14 to keep the non-contact type memory IC 14 in a stable state, and the data transfer between the non-contact type memory IC 14 and the data transfer unit in that state. Delivery takes place. For this reason, data transfer can be performed reliably.
[0048]
(2nd Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on parts different from the first embodiment.
[0049]
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a non-contact type memory IC 14 is provided at the center of the lower surface of the ink containing bag main body 12 by sticking.
[0050]
On the other hand, the data transfer section 26 of the printer is provided at the center of the cartridge case 21. When the ink storage bag 11 is set in the case setting section 20 of the printer with the ink storage bag 11 stored in the cartridge case 21, the non-contact type memory IC 14 is disposed between the two guide plates 20 a of the case setting section 20. It is arranged to face the data transfer unit 26.
[0051]
Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in (1), (3), and (4) in the first embodiment.
[0052]
(5) In the ink storage bag 11, the non-contact type memory IC 14 is provided at the center of the outer surface of the ink storage bag main body 12. For this reason, by setting the ink storage bag 11 in the printer such that the center of the ink storage bag main body 12 provided with the non-contact type memory IC 14 is located on the lower side, the usage status of the ink in the ink storage bag 11 is set. That is, the non-contact type memory IC 14 can always be brought into close proximity to the data transfer section 26 of the printer at a predetermined interval regardless of the degree of expansion of the ink containing bag 11. Therefore, data can be accurately transferred between the non-contact type memory IC 14 and the data transfer unit 26 in a non-contact state, and the communication range of the non-contact type memory and the data transfer unit is narrow. It will be possible to use it.
[0053]
Note that the central portion of the lower outer surface of the ink storage bag in the above embodiment is limited to the illustrated position as long as the outer shape of the ink storage bag does not change much due to ink consumption in the ink storage bag. It is not done.
[0054]
(Example of change)
The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.
[0055]
In the first embodiment, the location of the non-contact type memory IC 14 is set at the other end corner of the ink supply port 13 side edge on the lower surface of the ink storage bag 11 and at the opposite end edge to the ink supply port 13. It may be changed to a corner at one end or a corner at the other end. Further, the ink storage bag 11 may be provided at a corner on the upper surface.
[0056]
Even with such a configuration, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the management data of the amount of ink used can be performed for each ink storage bag, and the management data can be stored in the ink storage bag to handle sufficient management data.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printer equipped with an ink storage bag according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an ink storage bag and its mounting configuration in an enlarged manner.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state where the ink storage bag of FIG. 2 is turned upside down.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the printer in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state where an ink storage bag according to a second embodiment is turned upside down.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ink storage bag 12 ink storage bag body 13 ink supply port 14 non-contact type memory IC
18 Printer body 19 Print head 20 Case set unit 21 Cartridge case 26 Data transfer unit 30 CPU
35 ... computer 36 ... display

Claims (6)

A flexible ink storage bag main body for storing the printing ink, an ink supply port for supplying the ink of the ink storage bag main body to the outside, and a heat welding portion provided at a corner of the ink storage bag main body. An ink storage bag including a non-contact type memory IC. The ink storage bag according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact type memory IC is provided on a heat-welded portion at a corner of the ink storage bag main body near the ink supply port. 2. The ink storage bag according to claim 1, wherein the heat welding portion is formed along an outer peripheral edge of the ink storage bag main body, and the ink supply port is heat-welded to one end edge thereof. An ink storage bag having a flexible ink storage bag main body for storing ink for printing and an ink supply port for supplying the ink of the ink storage bag main body to the outside,
An ink storage bag in which a non-contact type memory IC is formed in a central portion of the ink storage bag main body which is a lower side when stored in a cartridge case for storing the ink storage bag. A non-contact type data exchange between a cartridge case accommodating the ink storage bag according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a non-contact type memory IC formed in the ink storage bag. A recording device provided with a data transfer unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cartridge case is provided with an opening that enables communication between the non-contact type memory IC provided in the ink storage bag and the data transfer unit.

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