JP4479733B2 - Ink cartridge for recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge that is used in, for example, an ink jet recording apparatus and configured to supply ink to a recording head side by applying air pressure generated by an air pressurizing pump.

  Inkjet recording apparatuses are used for many printing including color printing in recent years because noise during printing is relatively small and small dots can be formed with high density. Such an ink jet recording apparatus is generally mounted on a carriage and moved in the width direction of the recording paper, and the recording paper is moved relatively in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head. Paper feeding means is provided, and recording is performed on the recording paper by ejecting ink droplets from the recording head based on the print data.

  A recording head capable of ejecting, for example, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks is mounted on the carriage, and not only text printing using black ink but also full-color printing is possible by changing the ejection ratio of each ink. .

  On the other hand, in this type of recording apparatus provided for office use or business use, for example, a large-capacity ink cartridge needs to be provided in order to cope with a relatively large amount of printing. For example, a recording apparatus of a type that is loaded in a cartridge holder disposed on the apparatus main body side is provided.

  A sub tank is disposed on the carriage on which the recording head is mounted, ink is supplied from each ink cartridge to each sub tank via an ink supply tube, and ink is supplied from each sub tank to the recording head. Is configured to supply.

  By the way, in recent years, there is a demand for a large recording apparatus having a long carriage scanning distance capable of printing on a larger paper surface. In such a printing apparatus, in order to improve the throughput, the number of nozzles is increasingly increased in the printing head. Furthermore, in order to improve throughput, it is possible to replenish ink sequentially from the ink cartridge to each sub-tank mounted on the carriage while printing is performed, and the ink is stabilized from each sub-tank to the recording head. And a recording apparatus that can be supplied.

  In such a recording apparatus, it is necessary to connect an ink supply tube corresponding to each ink from the ink cartridge to the sub tank, and the scanning distance of the carriage is inevitably increased, so that the drawing distance of the tube is inevitably increased. To do. In addition, as described above, since the recording head has a large number of nozzles, the amount of ink consumed is large, and the dynamic pressure of the ink increases in each ink supply tube connected from the ink cartridge to the sub tank. There is a technical problem of insufficient ink supply.

  As one means for solving such a problem, for example, an air pressure is applied to the ink cartridge side, and a forced ink flow is generated from the ink cartridge to the sub tank by the air pressure. A configuration for replenishing ink may be employed.

  FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the structure of a conventional ink cartridge used in the ink jet recording apparatus having such a structure. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 81 denotes a case that constitutes the outline of the ink cartridge. This case 81 is integrally molded like a so-called wide-mouth bottle by blow molding (hollow molding) using a synthetic resin material. .

  A cylindrical plug 84 is fitted into the opening 82 via an O-ring 83, and the inside of the case 81 is made airtight by the O-ring 83, and a pressure chamber 85 is formed in the case 81. .

  The plug body 84 formed in a columnar shape has an ink supply valve 86 formed of a ball valve at the center thereof, and is formed of a flexible material that is housed in a case 81 and encloses ink therein. The ink from the ink pack 87 can be led out to the outside through the ink supply valve 86.

  On the other hand, an air introduction valve 88 is formed in a part of the plug 84, and the air introduction valve 88 communicates with the pressure chamber 85. Therefore, the pressure chamber 85 is pressurized by applying the air pressure generated by the air pressurizing pump via the air introduction valve 88, and the ink sealed in the ink pack 87 is subjected to the pressurization. It acts so as to be led out to the outside through the supply valve 86.

JP 11-227223 A

  By the way, in the ink cartridge having the above-described conventional configuration, the case constituting the outer shell is integrally formed by blow molding. Therefore, as can be understood from the configuration shown in FIG. An ink pack 87 is integrally attached to a cylindrical plug body 84 on which an introduction valve 88 is formed.

  Then, the plug 84 is press-fitted into the opening 82 of the case 81 through the O-ring 83 in a state where the ink pack 87 before ink filling is inserted into the case 81. A product as an ink cartridge is completed by injecting ink into the ink pack 87 from the outside via the ink supply valve 86.

  As described above, in the ink cartridge having the conventional configuration, since the case constituting the outer shell is integrally formed by blow molding, it may be difficult to incorporate an ink pack in which ink has been encapsulated in advance into the case. In many cases, it is necessary to inject ink into the ink pack in a later step.

  Further, since a predetermined pressure is applied to the case during the operation of the recording apparatus, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the case from being deformed by receiving this pressure. Therefore, in order to ensure the strength of the case, it is preferable to have a simple configuration such as a so-called wide-mouthed bottle as shown in FIG. However, such an external shape has a problem that the occupied volume becomes large, and there remains a problem that it is difficult to design the layout of this type of printing apparatus in which ink cartridges of respective colors need to be loaded in parallel.

  On the other hand, in order to secure the strength of the case, a means to increase the thickness of the case may be considered, but this consumes a large amount of the synthetic resin material that constitutes the case, and it is difficult to contribute to labor saving of resources. It becomes.

  Furthermore, in order to reduce the consumption of the synthetic resin material, means such as integrally forming a reinforcing rib on a part of the case is conceivable. However, when blow molding is adopted as described above, for example, It is generally difficult to form reinforcing ribs inside.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of such a technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to further simplify the assembly process of the outer shell of the ink cartridge including the ink pack, and to be used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a configuration of an ink cartridge for a recording apparatus that can easily disassemble and recycle a cartridge case and contribute to resource saving.

In order to achieve the above object, an ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to the present invention is an ink cartridge used for a recording apparatus configured to supply ink to a recording apparatus by applying air pressure. An ink pack formed of a flexible material encapsulating ink inside, a case (first outer structural member) containing the ink pack, and a pressure chamber to form an airtight state in the case A film-like member (second outer constituent member) welded so as to become, a reinforcing member that covers the film-like member, and an air inlet for introducing air pressure into the pressure chamber. ing.

  As the ink cartridge according to the present invention, a configuration in which the case (first outer constituent member) and the film-like member (second outer constituent member) are joined to each other in an airtight state by heat welding can be suitably employed. .

  In this case, preferably, a series of welding surfaces are formed substantially flush along the entire periphery of the lower case as the first outer member, and the second outer member is the second outer member. The heat-welded film is heat-welded to the series of surfaces to be welded at the periphery of the lower case.

  Further, in this case, it is desirable to further include a reinforcing member that covers the heat welding film as the second outer constituent member from the outside. Preferably, an engaging portion is formed integrally with the periphery of the reinforcing member so as to be detachable from the periphery of the lower case as the first outer structural member. In this case, in addition, it is preferable that a reinforcing rib for preventing deformation due to air pressure is formed in advance on a surface forming the pressure chamber of the first outer member.

  In addition, a series of adherend surfaces are formed along the entire periphery of the lower case as the first outer constituent member, and the peripheral edge of the lower case is provided at the peripheral edge of the lid as the second outer constituent member. A close contact surface is formed to be in close contact with the series of contact surfaces, and an engagement portion that is detachably attached to a peripheral edge of the lower case is integrally formed on the lid body. A configuration in which an airtight state is maintained between the case and the lid body by the action can also be employed.

  According to the ink cartridge configured as described above, the outer member is configured such that at least the first outer member and the second outer member are joined to be in an airtight state. Air pressure generated by an air pressurizing pump is applied to a pressure chamber formed by the pack.

  The first outer constituent member and the second outer constituent member can employ means for joining them in an airtight state by vibration welding. Moreover, the 1st outline component member and the 2nd outline component member can also employ | adopt the means joined to an airtight state mutually by heat welding. Further, the contact surface formed on the second outer constituent member is configured to be in close contact with the series of adherend surfaces formed on the first outer constituent member, and the two are maintained in an airtight state. Means can also be employed.

  In the case where the first outer constituent member is a lower case and the second outer constituent member is an upper case such as a lid, for example, an ink pack in which ink is sealed in advance is stored in the lower case. A product as an ink cartridge can be obtained by attaching the lid as the upper case in an airtight state by the above-described means.

  Therefore, the assembly process of the outer shell of the ink cartridge including the ink pack can be further simplified, which can contribute to improving the productivity of this type of product. Further, since the outer shell of the ink cartridge has a structure in which the first outer member and the second outer member are joined in an airtight state, for example, it is easy to disassemble and recycle the used cartridge case, This can contribute to labor saving.

  According to the ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to the present invention, the ink pack is accommodated therein, and the outer member is at least the first outer member and the second outer member joined to be in an airtight state. Since it is comprised, the product as an ink cartridge can be formed by joining the 1st and 2nd outer structural member in the state which accommodated the ink pack with which the ink was enclosed beforehand. In addition, since the first outer structural member and the second outer structural member are joined to be in an airtight state, for example, it is easy to disassemble and recycle used cartridges and save resources. Can contribute.

  Hereinafter, an ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top view showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus that can use an ink cartridge according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a carriage. The carriage 1 is guided by a scanning guide member 4 via a timing belt 3 driven by a carriage motor 2, in the longitudinal direction of the paper feeding member 5, that is, in the width direction of the recording paper. It is configured to reciprocate in a certain main scanning direction. Although not shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet recording head 6 described later is mounted on the surface of the carriage 1 that faces the paper feeding member 5.

  The carriage 1 is equipped with sub tanks 7a to 7d for supplying ink to the recording head. In this embodiment, four sub-tanks 7a to 7d are provided corresponding to each ink in order to temporarily store each ink therein.

  The sub tanks 7a to 7d are respectively provided with flexible ink supply tubes 10, 10,... From main tanks 9a to 9d as ink cartridges loaded in a cartridge holder 8 arranged in the apparatus main body. Thus, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan inks are supplied.

  On the other hand, a capping unit 11 capable of sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is disposed in a non-printing area (home position) on the movement path of the carriage 1, and further on the upper surface of the capping unit 11. Is provided with a cap member 11a formed of a flexible material such as rubber that can seal the nozzle forming surface of the recording head. Then, when the carriage 1 moves to the home position, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is sealed by the cap member 11a.

  The cap member 11a functions as a lid that seals the nozzle forming surface of the recording head and prevents the nozzle openings from drying during the rest period of the recording apparatus. Although not shown in the figure, one end of a tube in a suction pump (tube pump) is connected to the cap member 11a, and a negative pressure by the suction pump is applied to the recording head so that ink is discharged from the recording head. A cleaning operation for sucking and discharging is performed.

  A wiping member 12 made of an elastic material such as rubber is disposed on the print area side of the capping unit 11 so that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head can be wiped and cleaned as necessary. ing.

  Next, FIG. 2 schematically shows a configuration of an ink supply system mounted on the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and in this ink supply system, corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. It explains together.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 21 denotes an air pressurizing pump constituting a pressurizing unit, and the air pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 is supplied to a pressure regulating valve 22 and further detects the pressure. Each of the main tanks 9a to 9d (represented by reference numeral 9 in FIG. 2 as a representative and may be simply described as reference numeral 9 in the following) may be supplied via the vessel 23. It is configured.

  The pressure adjusting valve 22 releases the pressure and maintains the air pressure applied to each of the main tanks 9a to 9d within a predetermined range when the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 reaches a predetermined value or more. have.

  Further, the pressure detector 23 functions to detect the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 and to control the driving of the air pressurizing pump 21. That is, when it is detected that the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 has reached a predetermined pressure, the driving of the air pressurizing pump 21 is stopped and the air pressure is determined by the pressure detector 23. When it is detected that the pressure has become lower than the pressure, the air pressurizing pump 21 is controlled to be driven, and the air pressure applied to each of the main tanks 9a to 9d is maintained within a predetermined range by repeating this operation. Function.

  The detailed structure of the main tank 9 will be described later. As shown in FIG. 2, the outline structure of the main tank 9 is formed in an airtight state and a flexible material in which ink is sealed. The ink pack 24 formed by the above is stored. A space formed by the main tank 9 and the ink pack 24 constitutes a pressure chamber 25, and pressurized air is supplied into the pressure chamber 25 via the pressure detector 23. Has been.

  With this configuration, the ink packs 24 stored in the main tanks 9a to 9d are pressurized by the pressurized air, respectively, and ink from the main tanks 9a to 9d with a predetermined pressure is applied to the sub tanks 7a to 7d. A flow is generated.

  The ink pressurized in the main tanks 9a to 9d is supplied to the sub tanks 7a mounted on the carriage 1 via the ink supply valves 26, 26,... And the ink supply tubes 10, 10,. To 7d (represented by reference numeral 7 in FIG. 2 as a representative and may be simply described as reference numeral 7 in the following).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a float member 31 is disposed inside the sub tank, and a permanent magnet 32 is attached to a part of the float member 31. Magnetoelectric conversion elements 33 a and 33 b typified by Hall elements are attached to the substrate 34 and are attached to the side walls of the sub tank 7.

  With this configuration, the permanent magnet 32 disposed on the float member 31 and the ink that generates an electrical output by the Hall elements 33a and 33b according to the magnetic force dose by the permanent magnet 32 according to the floating position of the float member. It constitutes a quantity detection means.

  Therefore, for example, when the amount of ink in the sub tank 7 decreases, the position of the float member 31 accommodated in the sub tank moves in the direction of gravity, and accordingly, the position of the permanent magnet 32 also moves in the direction of gravity. . Therefore, the electrical output of the Hall elements 33a and 33b due to the movement of the permanent magnet can be sensed as the amount of ink in the sub-tank 7, and the ink supply valve is determined by the electrical output obtained by the Hall elements 33a and 33b. 26 is opened.

  Thereby, the ink pressurized in the main tank 9 is individually sent out to each sub tank 7 in which the ink amount is reduced. When the ink amount in the sub tank 7 reaches a predetermined capacity, the ink supply valve 26 is closed based on the electrical outputs of the Hall elements 33a and 33b. By repeating such operations, the ink is intermittently replenished from the main tank to the sub tanks, so that substantially constant ink is always stored in each sub tank.

  Each sub tank 7 is configured to supply ink to the recording head 6 via a valve 35 and a tube 36 connected thereto, and is supplied to an actuator (not shown) of the recording head 6. Based on the print data, the ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings 6 a formed on the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 6.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes the capping unit described above, and the tube connected to the capping unit 11 is connected to a suction pump (tube pump) (not shown).

  3 to 5 show examples of the main tank described above as an ink cartridge used in the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above. First, FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of the lower case as a first outer component constituting the outer shell of the main tank.

  The lower case 41 has a flat box shape, and is configured such that the upper surface is opened and the ink pack 24 in which ink is sealed is accommodated therein. On the peripheral edge of the lower case, a series of welding surfaces 42 are formed substantially flush along the entire periphery. Further, a rising portion 43 is integrally formed on the periphery of the lower case along the outer periphery of the series of welding surfaces 42. In FIG. 5B, the corner portion indicated by B in FIG. 3 is enlarged.

  As will be described later, when the upper case as the second outer constituent member is vibration welded to the lower case, the rising portion 43 causes the director (welder) formed on the upper case to be scraped off by friction. It is formed in order to prevent this from scattering.

  Further, on the bottom surface of the lower case 41, that is, the surface forming the pressure chamber 25, a cross-shaped reinforcing rib 44 that prevents the lower case from being deformed by receiving air pressure is formed. The reinforcing rib 44 is integrally formed in advance when the lower case 41 is injection-molded, for example, and when the upper case is joined so as to be in an airtight state and a pressure chamber is formed therein, as will be described later. In this case, the cross rib-shaped reinforcing rib 44 acts to suppress the occurrence of deflection in the direction perpendicular to the surface due to the air pressure applied to the inside.

  In other words, by forming the cross-shaped reinforcing ribs 44 as described above, the strength in the direction perpendicular to the surface can be increased. Therefore, the amount of the synthetic resin material used when forming the lower case is also increased. It can also contribute to making it less.

  In this case, the same reinforcing effect can be obtained even if the reinforcing rib 44 is formed outside the case. However, when the cross-shaped rib 44 as shown in FIG. Therefore, there is an inconvenience that it is difficult to attach a label showing a product name or identification mark of the cartridge. Therefore, it is desirable to apply the rib 44 to the lower bottom surface of the lower case as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of guide holes 45 are formed at the longitudinal end portion of the lower case 41, and the guide holes 45 together with the upper case described later constitute an ink cartridge. In FIG. 3, the pair of guide pins disposed in the cartridge holder of the recording apparatus are fitted and positioned.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows the overall configuration of the upper case as a second outer component constituting the outer shell of the main tank. The upper case 51 is flat and has a box shape with a slightly recessed central portion, and is configured to function as a lid for the lower case 41 described above.

  A series of directors (welders) 52 are formed on the periphery of the upper case so as to be in contact with a series of welding surfaces 42 formed on the periphery of the lower case 41 and friction welded. . Note that FIG. 5A shows an enlarged corner portion indicated by A in FIG.

  Further, on the lower surface of the ceiling of the upper case 51, that is, the surface forming the pressure chamber 25, a cross-shaped reinforcing rib 53 that prevents deformation due to air pressure is formed similarly to the lower case. The reinforcing rib 53 is integrally formed in advance when the upper case 51 is injection-molded, for example, and is joined to the lower case so as to be airtight and a pressure chamber is formed therein. Generation of deflection in a direction perpendicular to the surface due to the air pressure applied to the inside acts to suppress the cross-girder-shaped reinforcing ribs 53.

  As described above, the reinforcing rib 53 is also formed on the lower surface of the ceiling of the upper case 51, so that the sticking of the label indicating the product name, the mark indicating the identification or the like on the surface of the cartridge is hindered as described above. It is considered not to occur.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the upper case 51 is to be joined to the lower case 41 by vibration welding. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in the state viewed from the CC line in FIG. 6 in the direction of the arrow. 6 and 7, the same parts as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  When performing vibration welding, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an ink pack 24 in which ink has been previously sealed is stored in the lower case 41 from above. Then, the plug 24 a that seals the ink pack 24 and constitutes the ink outlet is led out from the lower case 41 to the outside through the opening 46 formed in the side end portion of the lower case 41.

  In this state, the opening 46 is filled with the O-ring 56 and the annular engagement member 57 is pushed in from the outside of the lower case 41, so that the plug 24 a of the ink pack 24 is attached to the opening 46 of the lower case 41. be able to.

  As described above, since the stopper 24a of the ink pack 24 is attached so as to compress the O-ring filled in the opening 46 by the annular engagement member 57, the opening 46 formed in the lower case 41, The space between the ink pack plug 24a is airtight.

  Thus, after the ink pack 24 is loaded in the lower case 24, the upper case 51 is superposed on the lower case 41, and vibration welding is performed. In addition, the code | symbol 47 in FIG. 7 has shown the air inlet supplied with the air pressure produced | generated by the above-mentioned air pressurization pump.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged part of the state in which the upper case 51 is vibration welded to the lower case 41. That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, the peripheral portion of the lower case 41 is supported from below by the vibration welding jig 61 on the fixed side. Further, the peripheral portion of the upper case 51 is pressed from above by the movable vibration welding jig 62.

  Then, the movable vibration welding jig 62 on the movable side receives a driving force of an actuator (not shown) and applies a load in the gravitational direction as shown in FIG. . By this operation, the director 52 formed on the upper case 51 is slid while a load is applied to the welding surface 42 of the lower case 41. Therefore, due to the frictional heat generated between them, the director 52 formed on the upper case 51 and a part of the welding surface 42 of the lower case 41 are melted.

  Then, by stopping the horizontal vibration operation in the movable vibration welding jig 62 with the load applied, the upper case 51 is brought into an airtight state with respect to the lower case 41 as shown in FIG. Be joined. As described above, the rising portion 43 is further formed along the outer periphery of the welding surface 42 of the lower case 41, and the presence of the rising portion 43 forms the upper case during the above-described vibration welding. Even if the generated director 52 is scraped off, the degree to which it is scattered can be reduced.

  The outer shell of the ink cartridge constructed as described above can be joined in an airtight state by melting the resin between the two, and as described above, the ink jet recording in which the air pressure is introduced into the main tank as the ink cartridge. It can employ | adopt suitably for an apparatus.

  The above description shows a form in which the upper case as the second outer constituent member forms an airtight state with the vibration welding means with respect to the lower case as the first outer constituent member. As means for configuring the two in an airtight state, the following heat welding means can also be used.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a state in which a film-like member as the second outer constituent member is thermally welded to the lower case as the first outer constituent member. In this case, as the lower case, the same structure as already described in FIG. 3 is used.

  When the film-like member is thermally welded to the lower case, as in the case of the vibration welding shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ink pack 24 in which ink is sealed in the lower case 41 from the upper part thereof. Is stored. Subsequently, the plug 24a attached to the ink pack 24 is led out from the lower case 41 through the opening 46 formed in the side end portion of the lower case 41, and the O-ring 56 is annularly formed. The plug member 24a of the ink pack 24 is attached to the opening 46 of the lower case 41 by sealing with the engaging member 57.

  On the other hand, as shown in part of FIG. 9A, a series of welding surfaces 42 are formed substantially flush with the periphery of the lower case 41 along the entire periphery. And the heat welding film 64 is heat-welded with respect to a series of to-be-welded surfaces 42 in the periphery of the said lower case.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9A, the peripheral portion of the lower case 41 is supported by the fixing jig 66. Then, the heat welding film 64 is placed so as to cover a series of welding surfaces 42 at the periphery of the lower case, and in this state, the heater chip 67 is formed from the upper part of the welding surface 42 formed at the peripheral portion of the lower case 41. Then, the heat welding film 64 is pressed against the welding surface 42.

  Thereby, the heat welding film 64 is welded to the peripheral portion of the lower case 41, and the heat welding film 64 is joined to the peripheral portion of the lower case 41 in an airtight state. Thus, the pressure chamber 25 can be formed in the lower case 41 in an airtight state by joining the upper surface opening of the lower case 41 with the heat welding film 64.

  By the way, since the heat welding film 64 has a relatively flexible property, when it is loaded in the recording apparatus in this state, the heat welding film 64 is subjected to the action of air pressure by an air pressurizing pump. And the technical problem remains that the air pressure in the pressure chamber 25 due to the lower case 41 and the heat welding film 64 is not stable.

  FIG. 9B shows a configuration for solving such a problem. That is, as shown in FIG. 9B, a reinforcing member 71 that covers the heat welding film 64 from above is provided, and the periphery of the reinforcing member is detachable from the periphery of the lower case 41. The engaging portion 71a is integrally formed.

  With this configuration, when air pressure is applied to the pressure chamber 25 formed by the lower case 41 and the thermal welding film 64 and the thermal welding film 64 is about to expand, the thermal welding film 64 contacts the surface of the reinforcing member 71. The expansion is hindered.

  Also in the ink cartridge configured as described above, a pressure chamber can be formed between the lower case and the heat welding film, and is suitable for an ink jet recording apparatus configured to introduce air pressure into the ink cartridge as described above. Can be adopted.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing another embodiment when an ink cartridge is configured. In the form shown in FIG. 10, the contact surface formed on the lid constituting the second outer constituent member with respect to the series of adherent surfaces formed on the lower case constituting the first outer constituent member. Are configured to be in close contact with each other, and are configured to maintain an airtight state with each other.

  That is, as shown in the cross-sectional view of the end portion in FIG. 10, the lower case 41 as the first outer constituent member is formed with an arc-shaped contact surface 73 in a convex shape along the entire periphery. Has been. In addition, an arc-shaped contact surface 76 that is in close contact with the series of contacted surfaces 73 at the periphery of the lower case 41 is formed in a concave shape on the periphery of the lid body 75 as the second outer component member.

  The lid body 75 is integrally formed with an engaging portion 77 that can be attached to and detached from the peripheral edge of the lower case, and the action of the engaging portion 77 provides an airtight state between the case 41 and the lid body 75. Configured to hold.

  Even in the ink cartridge configured as described above, a pressure chamber can be formed between the lower case and the lid, and the ink cartridge is suitably employed in the ink jet recording apparatus configured to introduce air pressure into the ink cartridge as described above. be able to.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 10 also, the lower case 41, which is the first outer component, is loaded with an ink pack in which ink has been sealed in advance, and in this state, the lid, which is the second outer component The mounting of 75 on the upper portion of the case 41 is the same as in each of the embodiments described above.

FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating an example of an ink jet recording apparatus that can use the ink cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ink supply system from an ink cartridge to a recording head in the recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a lower case that constitutes an outline of the ink cartridge according to the present invention. It is the perspective view which showed the structure of the upper case which similarly comprises the outline of an ink cartridge. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a corner portion of each case shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is sectional drawing which showed the state which is going to join an upper case with vibration welding with respect to a lower case. It is sectional drawing of the state seen from the CC line in FIG. 6 in the arrow direction. When the upper case is vibration welded to the lower case, FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged part of a case where a heat welding film is welded to the upper surface of the opening of the lower case. It is the schematic diagram comprised so that the contact | adherence surface formed in the cover body might be closely_contact | adhered with respect to the to-be-adhered surface formed in the lower case, and an airtight state may be hold | maintained mutually. It is sectional drawing which showed an example of the conventional ink cartridge.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Carriage, 6 ... Recording head, 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) ... Sub tank, 8 ... Cartridge holder, 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) ... Main tank (ink cartridge), 10 ... Ink supply tube , 21 ... Air pressurizing pump, 22 ... Pressure adjusting valve, 23 ... Pressure detector, 24 ... Ink pack, 24a ... Plug body, 25 ... Pressure chamber, 26 ... Ink supply valve, 41 ... Lower case (first outer configuration) Member), 42 ... welded surface, 43 ... rising portion, 44 ... reinforcing rib, 46 ... opening, 47 ... air inlet, 51 ... upper case (second outer constituent member), 52 ... director, 53 ... reinforcing rib 56 ... O-ring, 57 ... engaging member, 61 ... vibration welding jig (fixed side), 62 ... vibration welding jig (movable side), 64 ... thermal welding film (second outer component), 66 ... fixed Jig, 67 ... He Chip, 71 ... reinforcing member, 71a ... engagement portion, 73 ... the contact surface, 75 ... lid (second outer shell component), 76 ... contact surface, 77 ... engaging portion.

Claims (2)

An ink cartridge used for a recording apparatus configured to supply ink to a recording apparatus by applying air pressure,
An ink pack formed of a flexible material with ink enclosed therein;
A case containing the ink pack;
A film-like member welded to the case so as to be airtight so as to form a pressure chamber;
A reinforcing member covering the film-like member;
An air inlet for introducing air pressure into the pressure chamber;
An ink cartridge for a recording apparatus. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is formed with an engaging portion that is detachably attached to the case.

Images