JP4704134B2 - Recording liquid container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording liquid container and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by discharging droplets of a recording liquid onto a recording medium and a recording liquid container used therefor.

  In general, as an image forming apparatus that combines a printer / fax / copier or a combination of these functions, an image forming unit that employs an electrophotographic method is known. For example, liquid discharge that discharges liquid droplets of recording liquid is known. Recording is performed while a recording medium (hereinafter also referred to as “paper” is not limited to a material, and the recording medium, a transfer material, and the like are also used synonymously) using a recording head constituted by a head. Some are equipped with an image forming unit of an ink jet system that performs image formation (recording, printing, printing, and printing are also used synonymously) by attaching liquid droplets (hereinafter also referred to as ink droplets) to paper. is there.

  In such an ink jet recording type image forming apparatus, a sub-tank, which is a small-capacity recording liquid container for supplying a recording liquid to a recording head, is mounted on a carriage, and a large-capacity main cartridge (main tank) is mounted on the apparatus body side. There is known an apparatus that is installed and replenished with a recording liquid (ink) supplied from a main cartridge on the apparatus main body side to a sub tank.

As such a sub-tank, as described in Patent Document 1, the opening of the recording liquid storage unit is sealed with a flexible sealing member, and an elastic member is disposed inside, and further, the recording liquid storage unit Some have an air opening that can be opened and closed.
JP 2003-237108 A

In addition, as described in Patent Document 2, the main cartridge in which the above-described recording liquid is not replenished and supplied is introduced from a negative pressure introducing portion for introducing a negative pressure therein, and from this negative pressure introducing portion. Some include a liquid intake portion for taking a liquid into the interior by negative pressure, and a gas-liquid separation member that is disposed in the negative pressure introduction portion and allows only gas to pass through.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-200585

Further, as described in Patent Document 3, a negative pressure generating member for holding ink is accommodated, and an air communication port for obtaining communication between the ink supply port for supplying ink to the inkjet head and the atmosphere And a first storage chamber having a space member that forms a region in which the area near the atmosphere communication port does not hold ink, and only an ink communication path provided at a position away from the atmosphere communication port. And a second storage chamber that is substantially sealed and stores ink, and the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are temporarily connected to the atmosphere at the same time. Then, there is one provided with an open sealing means for sealing again only the second storage chamber.
JP 2004-009444 A

In addition, there is an ink cartridge (main tank) as described in Patent Document 4, and another recording material storage container is a toner storage container as described in Patent Document 5.
JP 2001-315349 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-084552

  By the way, in the recording liquid container having the configuration in which the recording liquid container is opened to the atmosphere through the atmosphere opening port as described above, the recording liquid, in particular, is connected to the air flow path that connects the recording liquid container and the atmosphere opening port. When a recording liquid with high viscosity enters, a film of the recording liquid is formed, and it becomes difficult to remove the recording liquid from the air flow path, so that there is a possibility that the recording liquid container cannot be opened to the atmosphere. Also, if the recording liquid adheres to the air release valve for opening and closing the air release port from the air flow path, the valve will not operate and the air cannot be released, or the air will remain open and the air will be released. Recording liquid leaks from the mouth.

  Normally, the recording liquid does not enter the air flow path that connects the recording liquid container and the air opening in this way, but the recording liquid container may be turned upside down during transportation or handling by the user. There is no absence. Therefore, measures such as filling a recording liquid with a lower viscosity than the recording liquid used in the recording liquid container during transportation, etc., and discharging the filling liquid and replacing it with the recording liquid at the initial use are taken. Yes.

  However, if the filling liquid is discharged and replaced with the recording liquid during the initial use as described above, there are problems that it takes a long time for the initial start-up and the filling liquid is wasted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a recording liquid container that can be initially filled with a recording liquid and an image forming apparatus including the recording liquid container.

In order to solve the above problems, the recording liquid container according to the present invention is:
In the container body that forms the recording liquid storage portion that stores the recording liquid supplied to the recording head ,
And air opening opened to the atmosphere the recording liquid storage unit,
An air passage communicating with said air opening and the recording liquid storage unit, is provided,
A part of the air flow path is formed of an elastic member having a through hole, and the air flow path is closed and the crushed state is released by pressing the elastic member from the outside of the container main body to be crushed. The air flow path is opened,
A holding member for pressing and crushing the elastic member from the outside of the container body is detachably provided .

The recording liquid container according to the present invention comprises:
In the container body that forms the recording liquid storage portion that stores the recording liquid supplied to the recording head,
An air opening opening for opening the recording liquid container to the atmosphere;
An air flow path that communicates the recording liquid container and the atmosphere opening, and
A part of the air flow path is formed of an elastically deformable tubular member that is wound around the outside of the container body, and the air flow path is closed by crushing the tubular member on the outside of the container body. The air flow path is opened by releasing the crushed state,
A holding member for crushing the elastic member on the outside of the container main body is provided .

According to the recording liquid container of the present invention, a part of the air flow path is formed of an elastic member having a through hole, and the air flow path is closed by pressing and crushing the elastic member from the outside of the container body. Since the air flow path is opened when the crushed state is released, and the holding member for pressing and crushing the elastic member from the outside of the container main body is detachably provided, the recording liquid is initially filled. Even if it is filled, the recording liquid can be prevented from entering the air flow path or the atmosphere opening port, and the initial rise time of the apparatus can be shortened.
According to the recording liquid container of the present invention, a part of the air flow path is formed of an elastically deformable tube-shaped member that is wound around the outer side of the container main body, and the tube-shaped member is crushed on the outer side of the container main body. The air flow path is closed and the collapsed state is released, so that the air flow path is opened, and the holding member for crushing the elastic member on the outside of the container body is provided. Even if the recording liquid is filled, it is possible to prevent the recording liquid from entering the air flow path or the atmosphere opening, and the initial rise time of the apparatus can be shortened .
According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the recording liquid container according to the present invention is provided, the initial rise time of the apparatus can be shortened.

  According to the recording liquid container and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the recording liquid storage unit that stores the recording liquid, the air opening that opens the recording liquid storage to the atmosphere, the recording liquid storage and the air opening And an open / close means for sealing / opening the air flow path, so that the recording liquid can be supplied to the air flow path or the atmosphere opening even if the recording liquid is filled in the initial filling. Intrusion can be prevented and the initial rise time of the apparatus can be shortened.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. An example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is an explanatory plan view of an image forming unit and a sub-scanning conveying unit of the apparatus, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the sub-scanning conveying unit. is there.

  This image forming apparatus has an image forming part (means) 2 for forming an image, a sub-scanning conveying part (means) 3, etc. in the inside (enclosure) of the apparatus main body 1. A recording medium (hereinafter referred to as “paper”, but the material is not limited to paper) 5 serving as a transported member is separated and fed one by one from a paper feeding unit (means) 4 serving as a housing unit. Paper is formed and the sub-scanning conveyance unit 3 intermittently conveys the paper 5 at a position facing the image forming unit 2 while the image forming unit 2 ejects droplets onto the paper 5 to form (record) a desired image. After that, the paper 5 is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 7 formed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1 through the paper discharge conveyance unit 6.

  The image forming apparatus also has an image reading unit (scanner) for reading an image above the discharge tray 7 above the apparatus main body 1 as an input system for image data (print data) formed by the image forming unit 2. Part) 11. The image reading unit 11 includes a scanning optical system 15 including an illumination light source 13 and a mirror 14 and a scanning optical system 18 including mirrors 16 and 17. The scanned document image is read as an image signal by the image reading element 20 disposed behind the lens 19, and the read image signal is digitized and subjected to image processing, and the image-processed print data is printed. be able to. A pressure plate 10 is provided on the contact glass 12 for pressing the document.

  Further, this image forming apparatus uses an information processing apparatus such as an external personal computer, an image reading apparatus such as an image scanner, and an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera as an input system for image data (print data) formed by the image forming unit 2. For example, print data including image data from the host side can be received via a cable or a network, and the received print data can be processed and printed.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 2 of the image forming apparatus holds the carriage 23 movably in the main scanning direction by a carriage guide 21 and a guide stay (not shown), and is driven by a main scanning motor 27. It moves and scans in the main scanning direction via a timing belt 29 spanned between the pulley 28a and the driven pulley 28b.

  A recording head 24 including a droplet discharge head for discharging droplets of each color is mounted on the carriage 23, the carriage 23 is moved in the main scanning direction, and the sheet 5 is transferred to the sheet by the sub-scanning conveyance unit 3. A shuttle type is used in which droplets are ejected from the recording head 24 while feeding in the transport direction (sub-scanning direction) to form an image.

  The recording head 24 has two droplet discharge heads 24k1 and 24k2 that discharge black (Bk) ink, respectively, and one each that discharges cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink. A total of five droplet discharge heads (hereinafter simply referred to as “heads”), which are the droplet discharge heads 24c, 24m, and 24y. The carriage 23 is equipped with a sub tank 25 which is a recording liquid container according to the present invention in order to supply a recording liquid of a required color to each recording head 24.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, recording liquid containing black (K) ink, cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink from the front of the apparatus main body 1 to the cartridge mounting portion 26A. Each color ink cartridge 26 can be detachably mounted, and ink (recording liquid) is supplied from each color ink cartridge 26 to each color sub-tank 25 via a tube (not shown). The black ink is supplied from one ink cartridge 26 to the two sub tanks 25.

  The recording head 24 uses a piezoelectric element as a pressure generating means (actuator means) for pressurizing the ink in the ink flow path (pressure generation chamber) to deform the vibration plate that forms the wall surface of the ink flow path. A so-called piezo type that discharges ink droplets by changing the volume in the flow channel, or discharges ink droplets with a pressure generated by heating the ink in the ink flow channel using a heating resistor to generate bubbles. The so-called thermal type, the diaphragm that forms the wall surface of the ink flow path and the electrode are placed opposite to each other, and the diaphragm is deformed by the electrostatic force generated between the vibration plate and the electrode, thereby the ink flow path inner volume It is possible to use an electrostatic type or the like that discharges ink droplets by changing the above.

  A maintenance / recovery device 121 including a head cleaning device for maintaining and recovering the state of the nozzles of the recording head 24 is disposed in a non-printing area on one side of the carriage 23 in the scanning direction. The maintenance / recovery device 121 includes five moisturizing caps 122k2, 122k1, 122c, 122m, and 122y for capping the nozzle surfaces of the five recording heads 24 (“moisturizing caps” when colors are not distinguished). 122 ”), a single suction cap 123, a wiper blade 124 for wiping the nozzle surface of the recording head 24, an idle discharge receptacle 125 for performing idle discharge, and the like.

  The sub-scanning conveyance unit 3 includes a conveyance roller 32 and a tension roller that are driving rollers for conveying the paper 5 fed from below by facing the image forming unit 2 by changing the conveyance direction by approximately 90 degrees. An endless transport belt 31 spanned between the driven rollers 33, a charging roller 34 which is a charging means to which a high voltage as an alternating voltage is applied from a high voltage power source to charge the surface of the transport belt 31, and a transport A guide member 35 that guides the belt 31 in a region opposite to the image forming unit 2, a pressing roller (pressure roller) 36 that presses the paper 5 against the conveying belt 31 at a position facing the conveying roller 32, and the image forming unit 2. A separation claw 37 for separating the sheet 5 on which the image is formed from the conveyance belt 31 and a conveyance roller 38 for sending the separated sheet 5 to the paper discharge conveyance unit 6 are provided.

  The transport belt 31 of the sub-scan transport unit 3 is rotated in the paper transport direction (sub-scan direction) in FIG. 2 by rotating the transport roller 32 from the sub-scan motor 131 through the timing belt 132 and the timing roller 133. It is configured to do. The transport belt 31 includes, for example, a surface layer that is a sheet adsorption surface formed of a pure resin material that is not subjected to resistance control, such as ETFE pure material, and a back layer that is subjected to resistance control using carbon with the same material as the surface layer. It has a two-layer structure (medium resistance layer, earth layer).

  In addition, a cleaning unit (mylar is used here) 135 for removing paper dust and the like adhering to the surface of the conveyor belt 31 between the driven roller 33 and the charging roller 34, and the surface of the conveyor belt 31. And a static elimination brush 136 for removing electric charges.

  The paper feeding unit 4 is detachable from the apparatus main body 1 and separates the paper 5 in the paper feeding cassette 41 one by one from the paper feeding cassette 41 which is a storing means for stacking and storing a large number of papers 5. A sheet feeding roller 42 and a friction pad 43 for feeding out, and a sheet feeding conveyance roller 44 that conveys the fed sheet 5 to the sub-scanning conveyance unit 3 are provided. The paper feed roller 42 is rotated by a paper feed motor (drive source) 45 formed of an HB type stepping motor via a paper feed clutch (not shown), and the paper feed transport roller 44 is also rotationally driven by the paper feed motor 45.

  The paper discharge conveyance unit 6 includes a pair of paper discharge conveyance rollers 61 and 62 for conveying the paper 5 on which image formation has been performed, a paper discharge conveyance roller pair 63 and a paper discharge roller 64 for sending the paper 5 to the paper discharge tray 7. And.

  In the image forming apparatus configured as described above, the rotation amount of the conveyance roller 32 that drives the conveyance belt 31 is detected, and the sub-scanning motor 131 is driven and controlled according to the detected rotation amount, and an AC (not shown) is also illustrated. A positive and negative rectangular wave high voltage, which is an alternating voltage, is applied from the bias supply unit to the charging roller 34, whereby positive and negative charges are alternately band-shaped in the conveying direction of the conveying belt 31. And is charged with a predetermined charging width on the conveying belt 31 to generate an unequal electric field.

  Therefore, the conveyance belt in which an unequal electric field is generated by the sheet 5 being fed from the sheet feeding unit 4 and fed between the conveyance roller 32 and the pressing roller 36 to form positive and negative charges. When fed onto the paper 31, the paper 5 is instantly polarized according to the direction of the electric field, and is attracted onto the transport belt 31 by the electrostatic attraction force, and is transported as the transport belt 31 moves.

  Then, while the paper 5 is intermittently transported by the transport belt 31, recording liquid droplets are ejected from the recording head 24 onto the paper 5 to record (print) an image, and the front end of the paper 5 on which printing is performed The side is separated from the conveyance belt 31 by the separation claw 37 and sent to the paper discharge conveyance unit 6 by the conveyance roller 38.

  Next, an example of a sub tank which is a recording liquid container to which the present invention is applied in the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the sub-tank, FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the sub-tank, and FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

  The sub-tank 25 is a flexible film that seals the opening of the ink storage portion 200 in a container body (case) 201 that forms the ink storage portion 200 that is a recording liquid storage portion that stores ink that is recording liquid. An elastic member such as a spring for urging the film-like member 202 outwardly between the case main body 201 and the film-like member 202. A member 203 is interposed. A bulging portion 202a is formed on the film-like member 202 corresponding to the elastic member 203, and a reinforcing member 204 is attached to the outer surface thereof.

  Further, a full tank detecting lever 206 for detecting that the ink container 200 is full when ink is replenished and supplied is attached to support parts 207 and 207 provided on the side of the case 201 so as to be swingable. ing.

  On the other hand, the case 201 is provided with an ink introduction path portion 211 for replenishing ink to the ink containing portion 200, and a connecting means for connecting the ink introduction path portion 211 and the supply tube 216 connected to the ink cartridge 26. 212 can be detachably mounted.

  Further, a connecting member 213 for supplying ink from the ink containing portion 200 to the recording head 24 is attached to the lower portion of the case 201, and an ink supply path 214 of the recording head 24 is formed in the connecting member 213, and the ink containing portion A filter 215 is interposed between the terminal 200 and the terminal 200.

  An air flow path 221 for taking out air from the ink containing portion 200 is formed in the upper portion of the case 201. The air flow path 221 includes an inlet flow path portion 222 having an opening facing the ink containing portion 200 and a flow path portion 223 following the inlet flow path portion 222, and the air opening hole ( The storage portion 225 is continuously formed in a portion that is in communication with the opening 231 and that is lower than the air opening hole 231 in use.

  An atmosphere release valve mechanism 232 is provided in the atmosphere release hole (mouth) 231. The air release valve mechanism 232 is configured by accommodating a valve seat 234, a valve body ball 235, and a spring 236 for biasing the ball 235 toward the valve seat 234 in a holder 233.

  In addition, two detection electrodes 241 and 242 for detecting ink end or near end are mounted on the upper portion of the case 201.

  With this configuration, the air release hole 231 is opened by pressing the ball 235 of the air release mechanism 232 with an air release pin (not shown), and the interior of the ink container 200 is passed through the air flow path 221 and the air release hole 231. In a state where the atmosphere is released, the ink is pumped from the ink cartridge 26 to replenish and supply the ink into the sub tank 25. At this time, the air in the sub tank 25 is discharged from the air flow path 221 through the atmosphere release valve mechanism 232.

  Thereafter, the atmosphere release valve mechanism 232 is closed to shut off the sub tank 25 from the atmosphere release, and the ink in the sub tank 25 is sucked from the nozzles (head suction is performed) with the recording head 24 capped. Since the urging force of the spring 203 is applied to the flexible film-like member 202, a negative pressure is generated in the sub tank 25.

  As described above, when the ink containing portion 200 and the air opening hole (mouth) 231 are communicated with each other through the narrow air flow path 221, particularly in the case of ink having high viscosity such as pigment-based ink, for example, ink of 7 mPa · s or more. Since the ink tends to harden, once the ink enters the air flow path 221, the air flow path 221 is blocked and the atmosphere cannot be released.

Therefore, in this embodiment, an opening / closing means (member or mechanism) for opening and closing the air flow path 221 is provided in the inlet flow path portion 222 of the air flow path 221.
First, a first embodiment of a sub-tank (recording liquid container) according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part in a state in which the air flow path of the inlet flow passage portion of the sub tank is closed, FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part in the same state in which the air flow path is opened, and FIG. It is a perspective explanatory drawing of the shutter member which comprises a means.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9, an elastically deformable shutter member 301 in which a through hole 302 constituting an air flow path is formed is disposed between the case 201 and the film-like member 202. As shown in FIG. 9B, the shutter member 301 can be pressed from the side and crushed so that the through hole 302 is closed, and by releasing the pressure, the shutter member 301 is shown in FIG. As shown, the through hole 302 can be opened. The shutter member 301 is fitted into a holding portion 311 provided in the case 201 in a deformable state.

  The end surface of the shutter member 301 on the case 201 side is sealed with an elastically deformable seal member 303. The restoring force of the seal member 303 is weaker than the restoring force of the shutter member 301 and can be extended by the restoring force of the shutter member 301. The seal member 303 is attached so that the periphery thereof is adhered and sealed to the case 301 so that the central portion can be deformed.

  Further, the sub tank 25 is provided with a holding member 304 for pressing the shutter member 301 through the seal member 303 to hold the through hole 302 in a closed state. The holding member 304 is locked to the case 201, for example. The shutter member 301 is held in a state in which the through hole 302 is closed by being locked by the portion 304a. As described above, the shutter member 301 can be opened and closed from the side opposite to the film-like member 202 of the sub tank 25, thereby reducing the movement of the film-like member 202 for holding the negative pressure by opening and closing the shutter member 301. It is possible to prevent ink from leaking from the recording head 24 due to negative pressure fluctuation.

  With this configuration, the holding member 304 is attached to the sub tank 25 and the shutter member 301 is pressed via the seal member 303 to hold the through hole 302 closed during transportation, as shown in FIG. To do. Accordingly, since the air flow path 221 of the sub tank 25 is closed, even when the sub tank 25 vibrates or is turned upside down in a state where the ink (recording liquid) is stored in the ink storage unit 200. The ink in the ink container 200 can be prevented from entering the air flow path 221 and solidifying.

  When the use of the image forming apparatus is started, by removing the holding member 304 attached to the sub tank 25, the through hole 302 is opened by the restoration of the shutter member 301 as shown in FIG. The path 221 is opened, and the ink container 200 can be opened to the atmosphere.

  That is, the recording liquid can be initially filled in the sub tank 25 and transported. As described above, since the sub tank 25 can be filled with the recording liquid from the beginning and transported, the sub tank 25 is filled with the filling liquid, and the sub tank 25 is filled with the filling liquid when the image forming apparatus is initially started. The operation for replacing the ink with ink becomes unnecessary, and the initial startup operation of the apparatus can be simplified.

  As described above, by providing the opening / closing means for sealing / opening the air flow path of the sub tank, it becomes possible to initially fill the recording liquid, and in the image forming apparatus using the sub tank, the initial rising operation is performed. Can be simplified, and the rise time can be shortened.

  Here, the opening / closing means is an elastic member having a through hole that forms an air flow path, and the air flow path is sealed by being crushed from the outside, and the crushed state is opened to open the air flow path. By configuring so as to open, the air channel can be opened and closed with a simple configuration. In this case, since the holding member for crushing the elastic member from the outside is detachably provided, the air flow path can be easily opened by the user.

Next, a second embodiment of a sub tank (recording liquid container) according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part in a state where the air flow path of the inlet flow path portion of the sub tank is closed, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part in a state where the air flow path is also opened.
Here, the shutter member 301 is fitted into the holding portion 311 of the case 201 so as to be able to be pressed and deformed in order to open and close the inlet flow path portion 222 of the air flow path 221 as in the above embodiment, and the hole 311a of the holding section 311 is formed. It is sealed by a seal member 305 that can be elastically deformed. The shutter member 301 can be held in a closed state by the holding member 306 provided with a convex portion 306a that can be fitted into the hole 311a of the holding portion 311 via the seal member 305.

  That is, during transportation, the projection 306a of the holding member 306 is pushed into the hole 311a of the holding portion 311 of the sub tank 25 via the seal member 305 as shown in FIG. The member 301 is pressed to hold the through hole 302 in a closed state. Accordingly, since the air flow path 221 of the sub tank 25 is closed, even when the sub tank 25 vibrates or is turned upside down in a state where the ink (recording liquid) is stored in the ink storage unit 200. The ink in the ink container 200 can be prevented from entering the air flow path 221 and solidifying.

  When the use of the image forming apparatus is started, by removing the holding member 306 attached to the sub tank 25, the through hole 302 is opened by the restoration of the shutter member 301 as shown in FIG. The path 221 is opened, and the ink container 200 can be opened to the atmosphere.

  Next, a third embodiment of a sub-tank (recording liquid container) according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part in a state where the air flow path of the sub tank is closed, and FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part in a state where the air flow path is also opened.

  Here, the air flow path that communicates the ink containing portion with the atmosphere opening hole (mouth) is formed by a hollow elastically deformable tube (pipe) 421 exposed outside the case 401 of the sub tank, and this tube 421. The clip member 431 which is a holding member for hold | maintaining in the state which was crushed is provided.

  Therefore, when transporting or the like, as shown in FIG. 12, when the tube 421 is sandwiched between the clip members 431 and crushed, the hollow hole serving as the internal air flow path is closed, and the use of the image forming apparatus is started. As shown in FIG. 13, by removing the clip member 431, the tube 421 is restored, and the internal hollow hole is opened to open the air flow path.

  Thus, if the air flow path is formed of a hollow tube (or pipe-shaped) member that can be elastically deformed, the air flow path can be opened and closed depending on whether the tube is crushed or opened. Opening and closing operations can be performed easily.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of a sub-tank (recording liquid container) according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 is a perspective explanatory view of an air flow path forming member and an opening / closing member of the sub tank, FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part in a state where the air flow path is closed, and FIG. 16 is a state where the air flow path is also opened. It is principal part sectional drawing.

  Here, an air flow path forming member 501 (which may be the case of the above-described embodiment or a separate member) is provided as the first member for forming the air flow path 521 on the sub tank side, and this air. A recess 531 is formed in the flow path forming member 501 in the middle of the air flow path 521. On the other hand, it is provided with an elastically deformable shutter member 502 that is a second member having a convex portion 532 that fits into the concave portion 531 of the air flow path forming member 501. The periphery of the shutter member 502 is joined to the air flow path 501 in a sealed state.

  A holding member 504 is provided for holding the air flow path 521 in a closed state by pressing and deforming the shutter member 502 so that the convex portion 532 of the shutter member 502 is pressed against the concave portion 531 of the air flow path forming member 501. The shutter member 502 is held in a state in which the air flow path 521 is closed by locking the holding member 504 to the flow path forming member 501 with a locking portion 504a or the like. The holding member 504 is formed with a convex portion 504b so that the convex portion 532 of the shutter member 502 can be effectively pressed.

  Accordingly, during transportation or the like, as shown in FIG. 15, the holding member 504 is attached and the convex portion 532 of the shutter member 502 is fitted into the concave portion 531 so that the air flow path 521 is closed, and the image forming apparatus. When the use is started, as shown in FIG. 16, the shutter member 502 is restored by removing the holding member 504, and the convex portion 532 is separated from the concave portion 531, thereby opening the air flow path 521.

  Thus, it has the 1st member which has a crevice, and the 2nd member which has the convex part fitted to this, and is provided with the opening-and-closing means which opens an air channel in the state where the 1st member and the 2nd member separated. As a result, the initial filling of the recording liquid into the sub-tank can be performed, the initial rising operation of the image forming apparatus using this can be simplified, and the rising time can be shortened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a single-function image forming apparatus such as a simple printer, a fax machine, and a copying machine described in the example in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus having a multifunction function.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory plan view of the image forming unit and the sub-scanning conveyance unit. FIG. 5 is an enlarged explanatory view of the sub-scanning conveyance unit. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a sub tank mounted on the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is typical side surface explanatory drawing of the same sub tank. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory view taken along line AA in FIG. 5. It is a section explanatory view in the state where the air channel of the inlet channel portion of the sub tank in the first embodiment of the sub tank according to the present invention was closed. It is a section explanatory view of the state where the air channel was similarly opened. It is a perspective explanatory view of a shutter member constituting the opening / closing means in the same embodiment. It is sectional explanatory drawing of the state which closed the air flow path of the inlet flow path part of the sub tank in 2nd Embodiment of the sub tank which concerns on this invention. It is a section explanatory view of the state where the air channel was similarly opened. It is principal part perspective explanatory drawing of the state which closed the air flow path of the inlet flow path part of the sub tank in 3rd Embodiment of the sub tank which concerns on this invention. It is a principal part perspective view of the state which open | released the air flow path similarly. It is an isometric view explanatory drawing used for description of the air flow path part of the sub tank in 4th Embodiment of the sub tank which concerns on this invention. It is a section explanatory view of the state where the air channel was similarly closed. It is a section explanatory view of the state where the air channel was similarly opened.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Apparatus main body 2 ... Image formation part 3 ... Sub-scanning conveyance part 4 ... Paper feed part 5 ... Paper (recording medium)
6 ... Paper discharge conveyance unit 7 ... Paper discharge tray (paper discharge unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Image reading part 21 ... Guide rod 22 ... Guide rail 23 ... Carriage 24 ... Recording head 25 ... Sub tank 31 ... Conveyance belt 32 ... Conveyance roller 34 ... Charging roller 200 ... Ink storage part 201 ... Case 202 ... Film-like member 203 ... Elastic member 221 ... Air flow path 231 ... Air opening hole (mouth)
301 ... Shutter member 302 ... Through hole 303 ... Seal member 304 ... Holding member

Claims (3)

In the container body that forms the recording liquid storage portion that stores the recording liquid supplied to the recording head,
An air opening opening for opening the recording liquid container to the atmosphere;
An air flow path that communicates the recording liquid container and the atmosphere opening, and
A part of the air flow path is formed of an elastic member having a through hole, and the air flow path is closed and the crushed state is released by pressing the elastic member from the outside of the container main body to be crushed. The air flow path is opened,
A recording liquid container comprising a holding member for pressing and crushing the elastic member from the outside of the container main body so as to be detachable. In the container body that forms the recording liquid storage portion that stores the recording liquid supplied to the recording head,
An air opening opening for opening the recording liquid container to the atmosphere;
An air flow path that communicates the recording liquid container and the atmosphere opening, and
A part of the air flow path is formed of an elastically deformable tubular member that is wound around the outside of the container body, and the air flow path is closed by crushing the tubular member on the outside of the container body. The air flow path is opened by releasing the crushed state,
A recording liquid container comprising a holding member for crushing the elastic member outside the container main body. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a recording liquid container according to claim 1 or 2.

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