JPH054349A - Ink cartridge and ink jet recording device into which the cartridge can be loaded - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an ink cartridge of high safety and reliability wherein, when the ink cartridge is drawn out of an ink jet device, leaks of ink to the exterior is avoided and, when a hollow needle is drawn out, leaks of ink from the needle into the device is prevented. CONSTITUTION:In an ink cartridge, a cap 1 for coupling an ink container 3 with a hollow needle of an ink jet record device is fixed to the container 3 inward of the outer wall thereof. The connection part of the hollow needle for feeding ink and an ink delivery part is provided in the interior of the outer wall of the cartridge. A groove leading to a waste ink absorber 5 in the cartridge is provided in the region wherein the outer wall of the cartridge and the connection part are provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink cartridge used in an ink jet recording apparatus or the like, and more specifically, to an ink cartridge containing an ink container and a waste ink material and capable of supplying ink and treating waste liquid at the same time. The present invention relates to a loadable inkjet recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an ink jet recording apparatus equipped with this kind of waste ink reservoir cartridge, defective ejection occurs due to inclusion of air bubbles during printing, dust, retreat of an ink ejection port meniscus at a nozzle tip, and clear printing is performed. May not be obtained. In such a case, most of the ink can be recovered by pushing out the ink in the nozzle by various mechanisms, sucking it in reverse, or ejecting it preliminarily regardless of recording. A waste ink reservoir is provided for discarding discharged ink or the like for printing or for temporary storage. The ejected ink is usually contained in a flexible bag-shaped ink container. The ink container is provided with an ink connection port having rubber elasticity, and the ink is supplied to the inkjet recording head by inserting a connecting hollow needle of the inkjet recording device.

[0003]

However, such an ink cartridge may have the following problems.

Normally, when an ink cartridge is connected to an ink jet recording apparatus, it is not necessary to disconnect the ink cartridge until the ink in the ink cartridge becomes empty. For example, when the user confirms the remaining capacity of the ink or in the ink jet recording apparatus. When the cartridge is not used for a long time, when the type of ink is changed, or when the inkjet recording apparatus is transported or transported, the cartridge may be removed according to the user's judgment. In such a case, the hole of the connecting rubber plug opened by the hollow needle described above becomes a permanent strain, and the ink remaining in the ink bag may leak to the outside. In order to prevent this, two kinds of different properties are used, such as using a rubber material that has the smallest permanent set by inserting a hollow needle as a rubber stopper, and further pre-compressing with a metal ring from the surrounding of the rubber stopper. The above rubber stoppers were combined to handle the above-mentioned hole that was formed.
In addition to the large number of parts, complicated assembly and high cost,
Immediately after removing the ink cartridge, it is difficult to quickly and completely close the hole. Therefore, some residual ink may adhere to the outside and stain the user himself or the inkjet recording apparatus.

The present invention eliminates the problems of the conventional example, and when the ink cartridge is extracted from the ink jet recording apparatus, the residual ink in the ink cartridge leaks to the outside of the ink cartridge through a hole caused by a permanent strain formed by a hollow needle. An object of the present invention is to provide a safe and highly reliable ink cartridge, which prevents ink from leaking from the hollow needle into the device when ejected or taken out from the cartridge.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, and introduces ink in a replaceably mounted ink cartridge to a recording head and installs it in the recording head. In an ink cartridge used in an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects ink from a nozzle toward a recording material, a connecting portion for ink communication with the inkjet recording apparatus of the ink cartridge is at least on the inner side of an outer wall of the ink cartridge. It is characterized by being located.

[0007]

By arranging the connecting portion between the hollow needle for ink supply and the ink lead-out portion deeper than the outer wall of the cartridge, it is possible to regulate leakage of ink leaking from the connecting portion to the outside of the cartridge.

In addition, since the groove communicating with the waste ink absorber in the cartridge is provided in the region where the outer wall of the cartridge and the connecting portion are provided, the ink leaking from the connecting portion and the ink leaked from the hollow needle of the apparatus are good. Can be collected.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional perspective view of an ink cartridge according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a cap made of an elastic member such as silicone rubber or butyl rubber, which functions as a connecting portion connected to the ink bag 3 via a tube inside. As shown in the figure, the cap 1 is fixed inside the ink cartridge exterior surface. The ink bag 3 has a flexible property, and the ink 4 is injected therein. Reference numeral 2 denotes an ink cartridge exterior, which is usually molded by plastic molding in accordance with the ink cartridge housing portion of the inkjet recording apparatus.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a waste ink absorber, which is made of a material having a good absorptivity so as to absorb the waste ink discarded by the recovery operation from the ejection port of the ink jet head.

A sheet material for favorably dispersing the waste ink may be provided below the waste ink absorber 5 and between the cartridge housing and the waste ink absorber 5.

In order to make the present invention more effective, a water-soluble compound having a relatively low molecular weight may be interposed in the region between the sheet material and the lower housing. This water-soluble compound functions as an agent that favorably diffuses the waste ink and the dye contained in the ink. As a result, the waste ink can be spread even more satisfactorily to the peripheral area and the portion separated from the waste ink receiving portion, and the waste ink can be collected in the waste ink absorber.

The material of the dye diffusion layer (or the waste ink diffusion layer) having such a function is, for example,
Relatively low-molecular water-soluble compounds such as glycerin, polyethylene glycol, di (di) ethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, ethyl cellulose can be used. Further, the viscosity of these dye diffusion layer materials is preferably about 50 cp to 300 cp, and the waste ink can be preferably dispersed within this range.

In addition, the dye diffusion layer has a thickness of 1
It is preferable to apply the coating so that the thickness is about 5 μm to 50 μm. When the thickness is less than 15 μm, it is difficult to apply the dye diffusion layer uniformly, and it is easy for air bubbles to enter and the function to be deteriorated. On the other hand, if it is thicker than 50 μm, the thickness of the diffusion layer becomes too thick, so that the apparent diffusion rate is reduced.

Reference numeral 7 is a hole for receiving waste ink sent from the ink jet recording apparatus, 8 is a flow path opened in the lower surface of the small chamber 9 between the cap 1 and the outer surface of the ink cartridge, and the waste ink absorber 5 is It communicates with the fixed space.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an ink cartridge for explaining the mechanism according to the present invention. Here, when the ink cartridge is removed from the inkjet recording device and the hollow needle inserted in the cap 1 is pulled out, the hole opened by the hollow needle remains in the cap 1 due to the permanent strain of the cap 1, and thus the ink bag The residual ink 4 in 3 may leak out of the cap 1. The leaked ink passes through the groove 8 formed in the small chamber 9 and flows into the waste ink absorber 5 as shown by an arrow a, and is absorbed, so that it does not go out of the ink cartridge.

Further, even if the ink adhering to the needle immediately after the cartridge is pulled out from the hollow needle leaks, the ink can be collected from the groove 8, so that the contamination by the ink is prevented.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment different from the embodiment shown in FIGS. Here, the hole formed in the wall 10 of the ink cartridge exterior 2 opened to reach the small chamber 9 is smaller than the area of the hollow needle connecting surface of the cap 1 and is formed as a discontinuous surface with the small chamber 9. ing. Therefore, when the ink cartridge is removed from the ink jet recording apparatus and the residual ink 4 flows out from the cap 1, vibration or impact is applied to the cartridge, or the connection surface is directed downward, and the ink is temporarily discharged. If the ink does not go into the communication tube 8, the leakage of the ink to the outside is stopped at the inner surface of the wall 10, so that it is possible to provide an ink cartridge for inkjet recording having higher reliability than the above-described embodiment.

When the effective sectional area of the groove is S _g and the sectional area of the hollow needle is S _N , the effective sectional area S _g of the groove is larger than the sectional area S _N of the hollow needle. preferable. This is to reliably collect the leaked ink from the hole of the connection portion opened by the hollow needle. However, if the groove is made too large, it is necessary to prevent the ink absorbed by the waste ink absorber from flowing back and overflowing, so that it is preferable to set the range of S _N <S _g <5S _N. This is selected in consideration of the surface tension of the ink and is selected as a range in which the ink drop satisfactorily enters and falls into the groove and is absorbed by the absorber. For example, if the diameter of the needle is φ1.2, the cross-sectional area is 1.13.
It is preferable to set it to mm ² or more.

It should be noted that the present invention is provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating heat energy as energy used for ejecting ink, particularly in the ink jet recording system, and the above heat The effect is excellent in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a system that causes a change in ink state by energy. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

Regarding the typical structure and principle thereof, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although applicable to any of the continuous type, particularly in the case of the on-demand type, the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the recording liquid (ink) In addition, by applying at least one driving signal corresponding to the recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling with the recording liquid, thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal converter, and the thermal action of the recording head is generated. This is effective because the recording liquid in the vicinity of the surface is subjected to film boiling, and as a result, bubbles can be formed in the recording liquid in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. The recording liquid is ejected into the atmosphere through the ejection port by the action force generated in the process of growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal in a pulse shape, because the bubble growth and contraction are immediately and appropriately performed, so that the ejection of the recording liquid with excellent responsiveness can be achieved. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,633,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Incidentally, US Pat. No. 43131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of No. 24 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the straight liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. US Pat. No. 4,558,333, US Pat. No. 4,558,333, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of No. 459600 is also included in the present invention.

Further, as a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium which can be recorded by the recording device, a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification is used. It may have either a structure satisfying the length or a structure as one recording head integrally formed, but in any case, the present invention can more effectively exhibit the above-mentioned effects.

In addition, the ink can be attached to the replaceable chip type recording head, or the recording head itself, which can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can supply ink from the apparatus main body by being mounted on the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge-type recording head integrally provided with a supply tank is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means, electrothermal converter or other heating element or preheating means by a combination thereof,
Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which preliminary ejection different from recording is performed is also effective for stable recording.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. The present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full color by color mixing.

In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus provided with a recording mechanism using the liquid jet recording head of the present invention, in addition to the one used as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, it is combined with a reader or the like. It may be in the form of a copying machine or a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus having a function as a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile apparatus, and a copying apparatus.

In the figure, reference numeral 1801 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, which is provided with a CPU such as a microprocessor and various I / O ports, outputs control signals and data signals to each unit, and controls signals from each unit. And data signals are input to control. A display unit 1802 displays various menus, document information, and an image reader 1 on this display screen.
The image data and the like read in 807 are displayed. 1
Reference numeral 803 denotes a transparent pressure-sensitive touch panel provided on the display unit 1802. By pressing the surface of the touch panel with a finger or the like, it is possible to input items or input coordinate positions on the display unit 1802.

1804 is an FM (Frequency M)
sound source section, the music information created by a music editor or the like is stored in the memory section 1810 or the external storage device 18
The data is stored as digital data in 12, and is read from the memory or the like to perform FM modulation. The electric signal from the FM sound source unit 1804 is converted into an audible sound by the speaker unit 1805. The printer unit 1806 has the recording apparatus of the present invention applied as an output terminal of a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile apparatus, and a copying apparatus.

An image reader unit 1807 photoelectrically reads and inputs original data, which is provided in the middle of the original conveying path and reads various originals such as facsimile originals and copy originals. 1808 is an image reader unit or 18
The original data read in 07 is transmitted / received by facsimile, and the facsimile (FAX) that receives and decodes the transmitted facsimile signal is a transmission / reception unit and has an interface function with the outside. Reference numeral 1809 denotes a telephone unit having various telephone functions such as a normal telephone function and an answering machine function.

Reference numeral 1810 denotes a ROM for storing a system program, a manager program, other application programs, etc., a character font, a dictionary, etc.,
It is a memory unit including an application program loaded from the external storage device 1812, document information, a video RAM, and the like.

Reference numeral 1811 denotes a keyboard unit for inputting document information and various commands.

An external storage device using a floppy disk, a hard disk or the like as a storage medium.
Reference numeral 12 stores document information, music or voice information, a user application program, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a schematic external view of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1901 denotes a flat panel display using liquid crystal or the like, which displays various menus, graphic information, document information and the like. A touch panel 1803 is installed on the display 1901. By pressing the surface of the touch panel 1803 with a finger or the like, coordinate input or item designation input can be performed. 1902 is a handset used when the device functions as a telephone. The keyboard 1903 is detachably connected to the main body via a cord, and various document information and various data can be input. Also, this keyboard 190
3, various function keys 1904 and the like are provided. 19
Reference numeral 05 is an insertion port for a floppy disk into the external storage device 212.

Reference numeral 1906 denotes a paper placing portion on which an original read by the image reader portion 1807 is placed, and the read original is discharged from the rear portion of the apparatus. When receiving a facsimile, the data is recorded by the inkjet printer 1907.

In the above, the display unit 1802 is C
Although it may be RT, a flat panel such as a liquid crystal display using a ferroelectric liquid crystal is preferable. This is because in addition to being small and thin, it is possible to reduce the weight.

When the information processing apparatus functions as a personal computer or a word processor, various information input from the keyboard section 211 is processed by the control section 1801 according to a predetermined program, and the printer section 18 is processed.
It is output as an image in 06.

When functioning as a receiver of a facsimile apparatus, the facsimile information input from the FAX transmission / reception unit 1808 via the communication line is received and processed by the control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program, and the printer unit 1806.
Is output as a received image.

When functioning as a copying apparatus, the image reader unit 1807 reads a document, and the read document data is transferred to the printer unit 180 via the control unit 1801.
6 is output as a copied image. If the image reader unit 18 functions as a transmitter of a facsimile device,
The manuscript data read by 07 is the control unit 1801.
After transmission processing according to a predetermined program by F,
It is transmitted to the communication line via the AX transceiver 1808.

The information processing apparatus described above may be an integral type in which an ink jet printer is built in the main body as shown in FIG. 6, and in this case, it becomes possible to further enhance the portability. In the figure, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 5 are designated by the corresponding reference numerals.

By applying the recording apparatus of the present invention to the multifunctional information processing apparatus described above, a high-quality recorded image can be obtained at high speed and with low noise, so that the function of the information processing apparatus is further improved. It becomes possible.

[0045]

As can be seen from the above description, in the ink cartridge used in the ink jet recording apparatus, the cap for connecting the ink container and the hollow needle of the ink jet recording apparatus is fixed inside the outer wall of the ink container. As a result, it is possible to provide a safe and highly reliable ink cartridge in which the ink leaking from the cap does not flow out of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is removed from the inkjet recording device.

By arranging the connection portion between the hollow needle for ink supply and the ink lead-out portion deeper than the outer wall of the cartridge, it is possible to regulate the leakage of ink leaking from the connection portion to the outside of the cartridge.

Further, since a groove communicating with the waste ink absorber in the cartridge is provided in the area where the outer wall of the cartridge and the connecting portion are provided, ink leaked from the connecting portion,
The ink leaked from the hollow needle of the device can be collected well.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of an ink cartridge used in an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention in a cutaway manner.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another ink cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the present invention is applied to an information processing device.

5 is a schematic external view of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic external view of an integrated information processing device.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 cap 2 Ink cartridge exterior 3 ink bag 4 ink 5 Waste ink absorber 7 holes 8 communication ports 9 small rooms 10 walls

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An ink cartridge used in an ink jet recording apparatus for guiding ink in a replaceably mounted ink cartridge to a recording head, and ejecting the ink from a nozzle provided in the recording head toward a recording material.
An ink cartridge, wherein a connection portion for communicating ink with the ink jet recording device of the ink cartridge is located at least on a back side of an outer wall of the ink cartridge. 2. A space between a connection portion of the ink cartridge and an outer wall of the cartridge has a communication groove which communicates with a storage portion for storing waste ink arranged in the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge according to claim 1. 3. An area of a connection hole formed in an outer wall of the ink container in the connection portion is smaller than a connection effective area of the connection portion with a step and is smaller than other members. The ink cartridge according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The waste ink containing portion includes an absorber for containing the waste ink, and a sheet material for dispersing the waste ink is interposed between the absorber and the cartridge. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, which is characterized in that. 5. An ink diffusion layer for promoting ink diffusion is further interposed between the sheet material and the cartridge, and the ink diffusion layer is a low molecular water-soluble compound. Item 4. The ink cartridge according to item 4. 6. The communicating groove has a cross-sectional area of S _g, and a cross-sectional area of a needle member for supplying ink to the apparatus is S _g.
The ink cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that it has a relation of S _g> S _N When _N. 7. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising a loading section for loading the ink cartridge according to claim 1 for supplying ink to a recording head. 8. The recording head uses thermal energy to cause a state change in the ink to eject the ink, and an electrothermal conversion element for generating the thermal energy is provided. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, which is characterized in that.