JP3702898B2 - Ink cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field such as an ink cartridge that supplies ink to a printer head such as a recording device such as an ink jet type printer, and an ink filling device that supplies ink into the ink cartridge.

  Conventionally, this type of used ink cartridge can be reused by refilling it with fresh ink from the viewpoint of wasting resources and wasting resources, and thus promoting environmental destruction. It has been recommended.

  However, since the seal member of the ink supply portion of the ink cartridge is damaged by the ink supply needle on the printer device side during normal use, it is difficult to reuse it unless it is regenerated.

  In the ink cartridge according to the above-described prior art, the seal member damaged due to reuse is completely peeled off from the ink supply unit, an unused seal member is attached, and the ink is reused in the case. Since it has to be filled, it has been considered extremely difficult to recycle used ink cartridges by printer users who can only replenish ink.

Conventionally, in this type of ink cartridge, when supplying ink into a foam holding ink, an unused ink cartridge is automatically filled with ink from an ink injection hole as part of its assembly line. In addition, when a used ink cartridge is refilled with ink (refill treatment), it is common to use a syringe-like ink injection tool or the like (prior art).
JP-A-7-17052

  In a known example, a porous member impregnated with ink is wrapped with a film member, inserted into a foam storage chamber, and when the openable lid is closed, the film member can be broken by the ink supply port to supply ink. An ink supply apparatus is disclosed.

  In the above prior art, when ink is press-fitted into the foam from the ink injection portion, the ink injection time is used and the ink filling time is prolonged, resulting in a cost increase.

  Further, the above-mentioned known example is excellent in that the insertion and removal of the foam can be performed and the ink filling process is simplified, but a processing step for replacing the foam is added, and the ink filling is performed. Processing complexity has been unavoidable.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge that can withstand long-term use with a simple structure by detachably connecting the supply hole means to the ink containing means.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge that can easily reprocess a used ink cartridge not only by the manufacturer of the ink cartridge but also by a user.
It is a third object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge with an ink supply means that can be attached and detached easily by using operator's fingers or pliers, pliers and other household tools. .
A fourth problem of the present invention is that only the ink supply section removed from the ink cartridge can be reclaimed, so that a significant cost reduction can be achieved.
A fifth object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge capable of quickly and effectively filling ink while the foam is loaded in the foam chamber.
A sixth object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge that can be filled with ink in a very short time with the foam chamber open at both ends.
The seventh object of the present invention is that the upper and lower lids capable of closing the foam chamber can be easily removed from the cartridge frame by engaging and disengaging the engagement legs and the engagement protrusions provided on the cartridge frame. Thus, it is an object to provide an ink cartridge that facilitates the ink filling operation.
An eighth object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge in which the engagement cross section of the seal member has an acute angle to increase the ink filling amount.
A ninth object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge in which the sealing ability is improved by a sealing member having a rib on the upper lid.
A tenth object of the present invention is to provide an ink filling apparatus and a filling method capable of rapidly supplying a large amount of ink to the foam chamber from the open end of the foam chamber.
An eleventh object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge capable of effectively supplying ink by using negative pressure generating means.

The structural features of the present invention for achieving the above object are as follows.
(1) An ink cartridge in a recording apparatus capable of supplying ink to recording means, comprising: an ink storage means capable of storing ink therein; and a supply hole means capable of supplying ink; Means is detachably attached to the ink containing means, and the supply hole means seals the packing member inserted into the supply hole and the supply hole disposed outside the packing member. and a sealing member possess, ink cartridge in the recording apparatus wherein the supply hole means and wherein Rukoto such comprises a negative pressure generator.
(2) The ink cartridge in the recording apparatus according to (1), wherein the supply hole means can be disassembled and assembled.
(3) The ink cartridge in the recording apparatus according to (1) , wherein the ink containing means includes a porous body for holding ink .
(4) The ink cartridge in the recording apparatus according to (1 ), wherein the negative pressure generating means includes a movable valve portion and a fixed valve portion .
(5) the said mounting means a supply hole means is equipped detachably to said ink accommodating means, characterized by mounting means der Rukoto selected from among screw means, snap-fit detachment means or injection means (1) An ink cartridge in the recording apparatus described above.

  As to its operation, as will be described in detail in the section of the best mode for carrying out the invention, the ink storage means constituting the ink cartridge and the supply hole means for supplying ink require special tools. In addition, the ink supply hole means can be disassembled, and the negative pressure generating means can be provided to ensure efficient ink supply.

The specific effects of the present invention are as follows.
1. Since the supply hole means can be exchangeably connected to the ink containing means, it can be used for a long time with a simple structure.
2. Since the supply hole attachment can be easily attached to and detached from the case, it is easy to recycle the used ink cartridge.
3. By preparing a preliminary supply hole attachment, the ink cartridge can be easily regenerated by the printer user.
4). Since it can be recycled by simply replacing the supply hole attachment from the used ink cartridge, the cost can be greatly reduced.
5. Ink cartridges can be quickly filled or refilled with single or multiple color inks.
6). Since the ink cartridge is easy to disassemble and assemble, its maintenance and inspection are easy.
7. The ink filling amount can be increased by the seal member having a special cross-sectional shape.
8). By providing the upper lid with ribs, the sealing performance of the sealing member can be improved as a result.
9. Increfill processing can be performed in a clean state.
10. The foam in the used ink cartridge can be effectively cleaned and fresh ink can be filled smoothly.
11. Since ink can be supplied effectively by the negative pressure generating means, high-quality printing processing can be performed.

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to explain it in more detail.
Hereinafter, the points common to the embodiments are that the supply hole case in the ink supply portion of the ink cartridge can be attached and detached.

1. The first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a case in which a supply hole attachment 20 is detachably attached to a case 10 of an ink cartridge IC by screw means 30, and a hard plastic material is molded and processed. An ink supply portion 12 that protrudes inward is integrally formed on the bottom portion 11 of the case 10 of the ink cartridge IC, and a filter 50 that abuts against the porous body 40 is attached to the top portion.
A large-diameter female screw 31 following the ink hole 12 a of the ink supply unit 12 is provided in the bottom portion 11.
On the other hand, a packing member 60 is tightly fitted in the supply hole case 21 of the supply hole attachment 20, and a male screw 32 of the screw means 30 provided in the supply hole case 21 is provided in the bottom portion 11 of the case 10. It is aligned with the ink hole 12a by being screwed onto the screw 31.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer periphery of the supply case 21 is formed with a knurled portion 22 that functions to prevent slipping when the screw is attached / detached. In addition, it is needless to say that a shape that can effectively provide torque to the supply case 21 such as a finger hook uneven portion is sufficient.
In the figure, reference numeral 70 denotes a seal member that seals the supply hole case 21 and the packing member 60.
2. Usage The ink cartridge IC shown in FIG. 1 is loaded into a printer (not shown) during use, and the ink in the porous body 40 is supplied to the printer using a lead-out tool (not shown) that penetrates through the seal member 70 and enters. To do.
Therefore, in the used ink cartridge IC, the seal member 70 is broken.
In this state, the operator applies a torque to the knurled portion 22 by using fingers or an arbitrary twisting tool to loosen the screw means 30 to separate the supply hole case 21 from the bottom portion 11 of the case 10 together with the packing member 60, The supply hole attachment 20 having a new unused seal member 70 is screwed to the case 10 by the screw means 30 and the ink cartridge IC can be reused by replenishing the porous body 40 with fresh ink. Is.
In addition, it cannot be overemphasized that it can reuse by replacing the damaged sealing member 70 of the used supply hole attachment 20. FIG.

1. Configuration In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the supply hole attachment 20A can be attached to and detached from the case 10A of the ink cartridge IC by a so-called snap-fit attachment / detachment means 30A. The description will focus on the differences.
That is, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3, an engagement hole 31A of the attaching / detaching means 30A and a huge hole 32A following the engagement hole 31A are formed in the bottom 11A of the case 10A, and the supply hole case of the supply hole attachment 20A is formed. A protrusion 33A that is press-fitted into the enormous hole 32A is formed at the outer end of the diameter-reduced portion 211A of 21A.
A plurality of engagement holes 213A are formed on the outer periphery of the large-diameter portion 212A of the supply hole case 21A.
Other configurations omitted in the above description are the same as those in the first embodiment.
2. Usage When replacing the supply hole attachment 20A in the ink cartridge IC of the second embodiment, for example, an arbitrary extraction tool (not shown) is engaged with the engagement hole 213A and forced to be detached from the case 10A. For example, the protrusion 33A of the supply hole case 21A is pulled out of the enormous hole 32A deformed to a somewhat reduced diameter, and the supply hole attachment 20A is detached from the case 10A. The protrusion 33A may be press-fitted into the huge hole 32A.
In addition, the part which abbreviate | omitted about the usage is common in Example 1. FIG.

1. Configuration In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the ink cartridge IC case 10B and the supply hole attachment 20B are detachably mounted by press-fitting means 30B.
In other words, the bottom 11B of the case 10B is provided with the attachment / detachment hole 31B, while the outer diameter of the reduced diameter portion 32B of the supply hole attachment 20B is somewhat larger than the attachment / detachment hole 31B. Is preferably tapered.
In addition, it is desirable that a hard plastic that can be somewhat elastically deformed is selected as a material of the case 10B or the supply hole case 21B.
2. Usage In order to attach and detach the supply hole attachment 20B in the ink cartridge IC of the third embodiment to the case 10B, it is fitted by applying a pressing force, and a required tool is locked in the engagement hole 213B and pulled out. Since it is sufficient to make it detach | leave, since the other point is common in Example 1 or 2, the repeated description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, other embodiments of the ink cartridge and the ink filling device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. Structure The ink cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 10 is of a type that can accommodate a single color ink, and can be attached to and detached from the top and bottom of a cartridge box 10 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a hollow box shape in appearance. An upper lid 11 and a lower lid 12 are connected to form a foam chamber 14 in which a foam 170 (see FIG. 12) is loaded, and the top surface 101 and the bottom surface 102 of the cartridge frame 10 are The annular grooves 103 and 104 having a V-shaped cross section are recessed, and the upper seal member 15 and the lower seal member 16 having an annular engagement section and an acute angle are fitted into the annular grooves 103 and 104, and the upper and lower seals are respectively fitted. The upper lid 11 and the lower lid 12 are sealed against the cartridge frame 10 so as to cover the members 15, 16, and the width details 112 of the engagement legs 111 arranged in parallel at both ends of the upper lid 11 are formed on the cartridge frame 10. Protruding to the side The engaging groove 106 formed between the pair of engaging protrusions 105 provided is inserted into the engaging groove 106, and the wide portion 113 following the width detail 112 of the engaging leg 111 is engaged with the engaging protrusions 105. The taper portion 114 of the wide width portion 113 is configured to be engaged with the stop surface 107. When the upper lid 11 is engaged with the cartridge frame 10, the wide width portion 113 of the engagement leg 111 is a pair of engagement. It is formed to support smooth passage over the top surface 108 of the protrusion 105.
Here, the wall of the foam chamber can be made thin by making the engagement cross section between the upper and lower seal members 15 and 16 and the annular grooves 103 and 104 acute, and the cartridge can be downsized or the ink storage capacity of the foam chamber 14 can be increased. In particular, this advantage becomes more remarkable when a plurality of foam chambers are integrated.
The means for engaging the lower lid 12 with the cartridge frame 10 is the same as that of the upper lid 11, and includes an engagement leg 121, a width detail 122, a wide width portion 123, and a taper portion 124. But there is no particular difference.
In addition, a vent hole 115 is formed in the upper lid 11, a meandering air release channel 116 following the vent hole 115 is recessed, and a film 150 having removability is pasted on the outer surface thereof. In addition, a pressure is applied to the inner surface of the foam 170 and a rib 117 is provided to prevent the deformation of the upper surface, and the height of the rib 117 is changed so that the central portion is the highest. In addition to compressing the foam 170 and securing a space for ventilation, the rigidity of the upper lid 11 is increased, and the upper seal member 15 itself is near the center due to the reaction force of the upper seal member 15 when the lid is closed. This prevents the compressive force from being lowered and the sealing performance from being lost as a result.
It goes without saying that the same sealing effect can be expected for the rib 117 even if the plate thickness is increased.
Further, the lower lid 12 is provided with an internal supply port 125 and the outer cylinder 126 is provided with a connection attachment 127 with a connection seal 127 interposed therebetween. Depending on the size and shape, the lower lid 12 can be prevented from being deformed.
2. Disassembly / Assembly Method As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, all components are arranged, the foam 170 is loaded into the foam chamber 14 of the cartridge frame 10, and the upper and lower seal members 15, 16, and when the upper lid 11 is engaged downward with the upper lid 11 and the lower lid 12 is engaged with the cartridge frame 10 with upward pressure, the tapered portions 114 of the wide-width portions 113, 123 of the engaging legs 111, 121 are engaged. When 124 runs on the top surface 108 of the engagement protrusion 105 and the wide portions 113, 123 pass through the top surface 108 with the width details 112, 122 somewhat deflected outward, the width details 112, 122 Each of the engaging legs 111 and 121 is urged inward by the return force, the width details 112 and 122 are inserted into the engaging groove 106, and the wide portions 113 and 123 are locked to the locking surface 107. And this time Since the upper and lower seal members 15 and 16 are engaged with the annular grooves 103 and 104 while being slightly compressed by the upper and lower lids 11 and 12, the upper and lower lids 11 and 12 are engaged with the cartridge frame. As a result, the assembly of the ink cartridge 1 is completed.
Further, when disassembling the ink cartridge 1, the engaging legs 111 and 121 are slightly bent outward by an operator's fingernail or a familiar tool such as a screwdriver, and the wide portions 113 and 123 are formed into the cartridge frame. The upper and lower lids 11 and 12 are disengaged from the cartridge frame body 10 by being detached from the engagement protrusion 105 of the body 10 and can be disassembled. Can be refilled, cleaned or otherwise maintained and inspected.

1. Configuration FIG. 11 shows an embodiment 5 of an ink cartridge 1A that can accommodate multicolor inks independently. As a characteristic configuration, a plurality of foam chambers 14A are adjacent to the cartridge frame 10A. An annular groove 103A, 104A having the same shape into which the upper and lower seal members 15A, 16A can be inserted is recessed on the top surface and the bottom surface, and a plurality of vent holes 115A are opened to the atmosphere on the top surface. A plurality of pairs of engaging legs 111A are provided on the upper lid 11A on which the channel 116A is recessed and the film 150A can be attached. Similarly, a plurality of pairs of engaging legs 121A are provided on the lower lid 12A, and the internal supply port 125A is provided. There are also the same number.
In addition, the point which Example 5 which abbreviate | omitted description has a common structure with Example 3 attached | subjected and illustrated (A) to each code | symbol.
2. Disassembly / Assembly Method Since the procedure and function are the same as those in the fourth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

1. Configuration The embodiment 6 shown in FIG. 12 is an ink filling device 200 for injecting ink into the ink cartridge 1 (or 1A). The first and second ink supply / discharge devices 210 and 229 include Ink sealing holes 211 and 222 are provided with ink through holes 212 and 222, and the ink circulation chambers 213 and 223 are connected to the first and second ink supply units via the first and second switching valves 230 and 240. 250 and 260 and the first and second ink recovery units 270 and 280 are connected.
2. Usage Now, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper and lower lids 11 and 12 and the upper and lower seal members 15 and 16 are dissociated from the ink cartridge frame 10, and ink is applied to the foam 170 inserted into the foam chamber 14. In order to fill (or refill) the first and second ink supply / discharge, the protrusions 211A and 221A of the engagement seal members 211 and 221 are engaged with the annular groove 104 as shown in FIG. The cartridge 210 is held by the tools 210 and 220.
In this state, the first and second switching valves 230 and 240 are operated to supply unused ink from the first ink supply unit 250 to the first ink supply / discharge tool 210 and from the second ink supply / discharge tool 220. If excess ink is collected by the ink collection unit 280, the ink is circulated as shown by the arrow (A) and the foam 170 can be filled with ink.
If the ink flow direction is changed intermittently and the ink is circulated in the form 170 in the arrow (b) or (b) direction, the foam 170 contaminated with dust or the like can be cleaned. The recovered ink can be removed in the first and second ink recovery units 270 and 280.

  A characteristic point of the embodiment shown below is a cartridge of a type in which no foam is loaded in the ink cartridge.

FIG. 13 to FIG. 16 show an ink cartridge 100 in which a supply hole attachment 103 having a negative pressure generating portion 102 is detachably provided at the bottom of the ink containing portion 101. As shown in FIG. The flexible portion 105 formed therethrough can be pushed into the snap fit portion 106, and the supply hole attachment 103 can be connected to the ink containing portion 101.
The negative pressure generating unit 102 can be disassembled and assembled as shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, and a movable valve unit 112 is provided in a main unit 111 to which a film 110 is attached. A fixed valve portion 113 facing the movable valve portion 112 is projected on a sub-portion 114 that can be separated from the main portion 111 to form an ink inflow side flow channel 115 and an ink discharge side flow channel 116. As shown in FIG. 19, it can be disassembled.
Further, the negative pressure generating portion 102 is provided with a connection seal portion 117 made of a flexible material as shown in FIG. 20, and can be connected to the head side.

21 to 24 show another ink cartridge 200. The difference between the eighth embodiment and the seventh embodiment is that the supply hole attachment 203 is provided in the ink containing portion 201. FIG. The connecting means is a snap-fit type configuration.
That is, a snap fit portion 205 that protrudes inward is formed in the vicinity of the seal portion 204 of the supply hole attachment 203 having the negative pressure generating portion 202, and is engaged with the locking wall 206 that protrudes from the bottom of the ink containing portion 201. It can be stopped freely.
Therefore, the supply hole attachment 203 can be reversed and connected to the ink storage unit 201 as shown in FIG. 22, and further, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the ink cartridges 300 and 400 of multiple colors can be arbitrarily connected. The supply hole attachment 500 can be connected and used in the direction of, and is practically advantageous.

The ink cartridge 600 shown in FIG. 25 is characterized in that a supply hole attachment 603 having a negative pressure generating portion 602 that is detachably attached to the bottom of the ink containing portion 601 is provided with an elastic member 610 such as an O-ring. Are connected so that ink leakage can be safely prevented.
The O-ring is usually composed of rubber or a resin material, but for example, water-expandable rubber can be used.

  The ink cartridge 700 shown in FIG. 26 is characterized in that the supply hole attachment 703 attached to the ink container 701 is connected by the ink end detection pin / fixing pin 711 so that the ink end can be detected electrically. It is in the point.

  A characteristic feature of the ink cartridge 800 shown in FIG. 27 is that the supply hole attachment 803 attached to the ink containing portion 801 is connected by a caulking connector 811, and the attachment processing step is greatly simplified. It can be.

  The characteristic of the ink cartridge 900 shown in FIG. 28 is that the supply hole attachment 903 attached to the ink containing portion 901 is connected by ultrasonic welding or vibration welding, and there is no concern about ink leakage. Is in the point where is obtained.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part surrounded by a circle in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of Example 2. FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of Example 3. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the fourth embodiment, which is looked down. FIG. 6 is a perspective view looking up from FIG. 5. XX sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line XX in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the fifth embodiment, which is looked down. FIG. 10 is a block explanatory diagram of an ink filling device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a vertical side view of an ink cartridge according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an ink cartridge of Example 7. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal front view of an ink cartridge of Example 7. The bottom view at the time of mounting | wearing of FIG. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal front view of an ink cartridge of Example 7. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a supply hole attachment of Example 7. Exploded view of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the connection seal | sticker part of FIG. FIG. 10 is a vertical side view of an ink cartridge according to an eighth embodiment. The inversion state explanatory drawing of FIG. Installation explanatory drawing of a supply hole attachment. The other attachment explanatory drawing of a supply hole attachment. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ink cartridge of Example 9. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ink cartridge according to Example 10. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ink cartridge according to Example 11. FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ink cartridge of Example 12.

Explanation of symbols

1 Ink cartridge 10 Ink storage means (cartridge frame)
20 Supply hole means (Supply hole attachment)
40 porous body 60 packing member 70 seal member 102 negative pressure generating means

Claims (5)

An ink cartridge for a recording apparatus capable of supplying ink to recording means, comprising: an ink containing means capable of containing ink therein; and a supply hole means capable of supplying ink, wherein the supply hole means A packing member that is detachably attached to the ink containing means, and wherein the supply hole means is inserted into the supply hole; and a seal member for sealing the supply hole disposed outside the packing member; have a, ink cartridge in the recording apparatus wherein the supply hole means and wherein Rukoto such comprises a negative pressure generator.   2. An ink cartridge in a recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supply hole means can be disassembled and assembled. 2. The ink cartridge in a recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the ink containing means includes a porous body for holding ink . Wherein the negative pressure generating means, ink cartridge in the recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a stationary valve part and the movable valve part. Mounting means for equipped with the supply hole means removably to said ink accommodating means, screw means, according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means der Rukoto selected from among the snap-fit removable means or injection means Ink cartridge in the recording device.