JPH05305791A - Container of expendables, container wrapping material and recovery method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To return a container of expendables for recovery to a manufacturer without limiting the type of a transport means by providing an airtight sealing member, and a container with descriptions of an address for returning/recovering the container of expendables and matters relative to transport. CONSTITUTION:Ink in an ink tank 2 filled with ink when a recording device is used, is supplied to a main device system from an ink feed aperture 8 by the suction force of the recording device. Most of the ink feed apertures 8 is made of a rubber member. Therefore, a ring for holding the feed aperture is provided for keeping the contraction force of the rubber in a satisfactory condition. In addition, a used ink discharged by suction action of a used ink suction pump is conducted into an ink cartridge 1 from a used ink suction aperture 10 and then is absorbed into a porous material 3 for the suction of the used ink stored in the cartridge. If the residual ink in the ink tank 2 runs short, a detection device in the device is activated to notify a user of the necessity to replace expendables.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a replaceable consumable container used for office equipment and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a consumable container, a container packaging material for the consumable container, and a method for recovering the discharged materials of the device, which enables the consumable container to be easily recycled.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, replacement consumables used, for example, in office automation equipment have been arranged by the user after use. Manufacturers of these devices
To ensure proper disposal by the user, a caution label, etc. is attached to the instruction manual of the equipment used, the instruction manual of the consumable parts for replacement, or the equipment, consumables, etc. to describe the precautions for disposal. It was

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the user is required to dispose of it, there are the following problems. That is; 1) When the materials used for consumables are various, such as metal, plastic, and paper, and the structure is complicatedly combined, or metal is embedded inside, the contents from the surface. As it is not possible to judge,
It is discarded as an incombustible material or combustible material as it is, and is not properly separated and disposed.

2) When the above-mentioned separate disposal is performed, it is often necessary to disassemble with a tool or the like, and even if a dedicated tool is attached, the disassembling work is uncomfortable for the user.

3) In recent years, materials that tend to be difficult to distinguish from the appearance, such as materials that cannot be distinguished from plastics at first glance and materials that cannot be distinguished from specific metals, have been used in many cases and are normally used. There are not a few that cannot be judged by the person.

4) When these are made of a composite material, the target substance can be recovered only after once treated.

5) When the consumables are collected in the same container after use, the consumables to be collected are various, such as powders or liquids, and there is a problem in batch disposal. There, etc.

Also, from the viewpoint of recycling of use, which has become a hot topic in recent years, and further from the viewpoint of environmental conservation, it is a great social problem that correct disposal is not carried out and that the manufacturer cannot carry out responsibility for disposal. is there.

[0009] As the collecting means currently used, a pamphlet describing collection for recycling at the time of sale and a sticker indicating the collection destination are enclosed together. In other words, it is only these pamphlets that call attention to collection for recycling, and consumers who have already purchased consumables many times have the pamphlets enclosed with the instructions each time. There is no guarantee that it will be read. At this time, it can be easily imagined that the sticker in which the collection destination is described may be discarded without being noticed.

Further, even if the consumer reads the pamphlet and tries to return the consumable item to contribute to recycling, the consumer himself / herself is responsible for preparing the return box so as not to damage or stain the consumable item. This has to be done and puts a considerable burden on the consumer. Further, when the consumable item is a liquid, it is required to be more hermetically sealed than when it is a powder, and this need becomes higher when a general transportation means such as a mail is used.

[0011]

Therefore, according to the present invention, in an office equipment or the like having a consumable item that is consumed by the use of the device, a container and a replacement consumable item have a transportable shape and function. Have the necessary information regarding the address and transportation for returning and collecting the product, or a shape that can be transported with the used consumables container in the replacement consumables package. , Which has a function and describes in advance the address and the necessary items related to transportation for returning and collecting the package, or the container body of the replaceable consumable product or the used consumable product. Aim to achieve easy collection of consumable containers by including a shipping bag that includes the address for returning and collecting the packaging material containing the container and necessary items for transportation. To do .

[0012]

By using the container or container packaging material according to the present invention as described above, a container of consumables after use, a collected device discharge or the like can be mailed or used without troublesome work for the user. It can be returned to the manufacturer by courier, etc., the manufacturer's responsibility for waste can be fulfilled, and recycling can be performed from the standpoint of environmental protection.

[0013]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below based on examples.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an ink cartridge for supplying ink as a consumable item to an ink jet recording apparatus as a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a replaceable ink cartridge, 4 is its container case, and an address 5 for returning and contents 6 and necessary items 7 for transportation are printed in advance on the back surface thereof. This surface corresponds to the back surface of the main body device during normal use.

When the apparatus is used, the ink in the ink tank 2 filled with the ink is supplied from the ink supply port 8 to the main body apparatus by the suction force of the recording apparatus. Ink supply port 8
Since most of them use a rubber member, a supply port retainer (ring) 9 is arranged to maintain the tightening force of the rubber.

Further, the used ink discharged by the suction operation by the pump of the recording apparatus is the waste ink absorption port 1
It is configured to be guided into the ink cartridge 1 from 0 and be absorbed by the porous body 3 for absorbing the waste ink therein.

When the remaining amount in the ink tank 2 becomes small, a detection mechanism in the device (not shown) is activated to notify the user of the necessity of exchanging consumables. Regarding the sealing property when used, if the rubber member of the sealing portion is water repellent and the compression set is 10% or less,
The sealing performance is further improved when the needle is removed. Further, the waste ink absorber 3 has a sufficient absorbing power so that the waste ink does not come out from the waste ink absorbing port 10.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an example of an ink cartridge provided with a cartridge lid 11 as a sealing member as a sealing means for further preventing ink leakage during transportation. Show. In this second embodiment,
In order to secure the hermeticity in the first embodiment, the cartridge lid 11 for hermetically sealing the ink supply port 8 and the waste ink absorption port 10 is provided. The cartridge lid 11 is provided with a claw 13 for preventing detachment, and the ink cartridge container case 4 is provided with a claw hole 14 for receiving the claw 13.

The cartridge lid 11 has an ink supply port 8
Also, a rubber member 12 for pressure-sealing the waste ink absorption port 10 is provided. Sealing member 12 used as a sealing member
May be water-absorbent instead of water-repellent like the rubber of the first embodiment.

With the above-mentioned structure, even if an external force is applied to the ink cartridge 1, the ink leakage is surely prevented, and it is possible to collect it without fear of contaminating the handling person or other transported objects during transportation. Becomes

(Third Embodiment) As for the concave and convex portion for engaging the cartridge lid 11 with the cartridge 1, as shown in FIG. 3, a concave portion 15 for engaging the cartridge 1 with the recording apparatus is provided. By utilizing this, and providing the claw 16 that is a convex portion that engages with the concave portion 15 on the cartridge lid 11, it is effective in terms of cost and manufacturing process. In this case, the uneven portion may be either a concave portion or a convex portion on the cartridge side.

Since the address of the manufacturer is already printed and printed on the back surface of the ink cartridge 1 shown in the first to third embodiments, the user can request transportation or home delivery as it is. It is possible for the manufacturer to collect the container of used consumables and the collected waste ink without the need for labor as in the conventional case.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a cartridge package 17 as a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The package 17 stores an ink cartridge 1a (unlike the first embodiment, only the product name of the contents and necessary items are printed on the outer surface thereof), which is used. It not only serves as a container for consumables but also as a shipping package before use.
On the surface of this package 17, the address 5 and the content name 6
In addition, necessary items 7 for transportation are printed, and a fixing tape 18 for sealing the package lid is provided. Therefore, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. When the package before use is used at the time of collecting the ink cartridge 1a, it is possible to prevent ink leakage in a composite manner by using the sealing member 12 as shown in the second and third embodiments. it can.

Further, since the package before use is used, the integrated cartridge 2 having the recording head having the ejection port 19 and the ink containing portion as shown in FIG.
Even 0 (whether it is integrally molded or separable) can be applied without problems.

As described above, since the address and the like are written on the position of the lid of the package, it is always possible to call attention when opening the package. In addition, the consumer can return the consumable item extremely easily as compared with the conventional case without the need to prepare a new box.

(Fifth Embodiment) Further, the ink leakage prevention at the time of collecting the head-integrated cartridge 20 is as follows.
This can be achieved by using a cap 22 whose perspective view is shown in FIG. This is the ejection port protection member 2 that comes into close contact with the ink ejection port 19 that engages with the engaging portion 21 of the cartridge.
Cap 22 for integrated cartridge 20 with 3
Is prepared at the time of collection.

Further, the cap 22 is used for preventing the ink ejection port 19 of the unused cartridge from being dried, when the cartridge is exchanged for each desired color of the ink to be used not only at the time of recovery but also at the normal time. It is valid. When the cartridge 20 is used until continuous printing cannot be performed, it is sufficiently possible to use the cap 22 enclosed at the time of new purchase for a used cartridge because it is the same standard product.

(Sixth Embodiment) Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the cap 22 of the fifth embodiment is provided as a separate member and attached to the integrated cartridge 20 so that ink leakage does not occur at the time of recovery. The cap 24 may be provided. The cap 24 is provided with an ejection port protection member 23 that is in close contact with the ink ejection port 19. If this type of cap is used as a separate member, the cap may be lost,
By integrating them as described above, loss can be prevented.

The protective member 23 shown in the fifth and sixth embodiments may be waterproof or water-absorbing, but it must be in close contact with the discharge port 19. In order to prevent ink leakage to the outside,
A waterproof member or a water-absorbing member may be provided on the inner surface of the packaging material, or a water-absorbing member may be provided inside the waterproof member to form a double structure. In addition, even if a coating process is applied instead of a separate member, it can be sufficiently used.

(Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an ink cartridge return envelope according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. This return envelope 25 is an alternative to the package 17 of the fourth embodiment and is included in the product before use. The user inserts the used ink cartridge 1a into the envelope 25 at the time of replacement. It is designed to be returned, and the address 5, the contents 6, and other necessary items 7 for transportation are printed on the surface in advance.
In this embodiment, the same effect as in the first to sixth embodiments can be obtained.

(Eighth Embodiment) Further, the return envelope 25 of the seventh embodiment may have a size capable of containing the package as shown in the fourth embodiment. However, in order to carry out the transportation more reliably, as shown in FIG. 9, even if ink leakage occurs inside the return envelope used in the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. It is also effective to provide a waterproof member 26 typified by vinyl, polyethylene or the like inside the envelope so as not to leak ink to the outside.

Further, in order to prevent ink leakage, even if a water-absorbing member is provided inside, it is sufficiently durable for use. Further, a water absorbent member may be provided inside the waterproof member.

Here, in order to more safely return the cartridge, a sealing member as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 or FIGS. 6 and 7 may be used for the cartridge accommodated in the envelope.

(Further Other Embodiments) Although each of the above embodiments has been described with respect to the case of the ink jet recording apparatus, the present invention is not limited to this, and other general office use. Of course, it can also be applied to replacement consumables such as equipment. Further, the structure of the first embodiment may be combined with the integrated cartridge shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The above-mentioned embodiments can be arbitrarily combined and configured.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, for example, a consumable item after use such as office equipment, a collected device discharge, and the like can be transported without requiring a great deal of labor for the user. Since it can be returned to the manufacturer for collection without any limitation, proper processing can contribute to environmental protection and recycling of use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a package in the case of the ink cartridge of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a package in the case of the integrated cartridge of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of essential parts of a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of essential parts of a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an ink cartridge returning envelope according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an ink cartridge returning envelope according to an eighth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1a Ink cartridge 4 Container 5 Address 7 Necessary items for transportation 8 Ink supply port 10 Waste ink absorption port 11 Cartridge lid 12 Sealing member 17 Cartridge package (consumable packaging material) 20 Head integrated cartridge 22, 24 Cap 23 Protection Material 25 Return envelope (consumable packaging) 26 Waterproof material

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A replaceable consumable container that is consumed with the use of office equipment, and a sealing member that seals an opening that allows the inside and the outside of the consumable container to communicate with each other; A container for consumables, comprising a container on which an address for returning and collecting the container and a matter related to transportation are described. 2. The opening is an ink supply port and a waste ink absorption port of an ink cartridge that contains ink used in an inkjet recording apparatus, and the sealing member includes the ink supply port and the waste ink absorption port. The consumable container according to claim 1, wherein the container is sealed. 3. The opening is an ink discharge port of an integrated cartridge having a recording head and an ink storage unit used in an inkjet recording apparatus, and the sealing member seals the ink discharge port. The consumable container according to claim 1, wherein the container is a consumable product. 4. A packaging material for a consumable consumable container that is consumed with the use of office equipment, wherein the consumable container before use is stored, and the consumable container is A container and packaging material for consumables, in which the address for returning and collecting and the items related to transportation are described on the surface of the packaging material. 5. The consumable container packaging material according to claim 4, wherein the surface of the packaging material is a surface of a lid of the packaging material which is opened and closed when the consumable container is taken out. 6. The consumable container according to claim 4, further comprising a sealing member for sealing an opening that allows the inside and the outside of the consumable container to communicate with each other. Consumable container packaging material. 7. The opening is an ink supply port and a waste ink absorption port of an ink cartridge that contains ink used in an inkjet recording apparatus, and the sealing member includes the ink supply port and the waste ink absorption port. The container packaging material for consumables according to claim 6, wherein the container is sealed. 8. The ink discharge port of the integrated cartridge having a recording head and an ink storage unit used in an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the sealing member seals the ink discharge port. The container and packaging material for consumables according to claim 6. 9. A packaging material for a replaceable consumable container that is consumed with the use of office equipment, in which a used consumable container can be stored, and items related to address and transportation for returning and collecting are included. A container and packaging material for consumables, characterized in that the shipping bag described is included in the package. 10. The container packaging material for consumables according to claim 9, wherein the transport bag has a waterproof member inside. 11. The consumable container packaging material according to claim 9, wherein the consumable container has a sealing member that seals an opening of the consumable container. 12. The opening is an ink supply port and a waste ink absorption port of an ink cartridge that stores ink used in an ink jet recording apparatus, and the sealing member includes the ink supply port and the waste ink absorption port. The container packaging material for consumables according to claim 11, which is sealed. 13. The opening is an ink discharge port of an integrated cartridge having a recording head and an ink storage unit used in an inkjet recording apparatus, and the sealing member seals the ink discharge port. The consumable container packaging material according to claim 11. 14. In a method of collecting a container of a replaceable consumable item that is consumed with the use of office equipment, items related to the address for returning and collecting and the transportation are the items of the consumable item before the use of the consumable item. The container recovery of the consumables, which is described in the container packaging material, and in which after the use of the consumables, the opening capable of communicating the inside and the outside of the container of the consumables is sealed by a sealing member and recovered. Method.