JPH0752399A - Ink tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the adhesion of ink to an operator handling an ink tank or failures of a recording paper, etc., by the adhesion of ink, by extending a part of a member constituting the ink tank towards a head in the form of a cylinder or a hollow body. CONSTITUTION:A holding member 15 has a pipe-like cylindrical extending part 16 from a lower end of a seal rubber 86. An ink feed pipe 92 supported by a distributer 96 of a recording head is inserted into the seal rubber 86. An ink in an ink bag 88 sends the ink feed pipe 92 towards the head to achieve a recordable state. The ink feed pipe 92 has a diameter (p) of 1mm, a rubber stopper of the pipe 92 has a diameter D of 4mm, and the cylindrical extending part 16 has an inner diameter (d) of 4mm. A length (l) of the extending part 16 is 5mm.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink tank for ink jet recording, and particularly to an ink tank for supplying ink by connecting to a recording head, which prevents ink from adhering to a user's finger (contamination by ink). It is about tanks.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional examples of ink tanks for ink jet recording are shown in FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a recording head and a tank used in a recently proposed recording method, which is used in a recording method in which a plurality of tanks are connected to one head to perform color recording.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of a print head and an ink tank and its surroundings. Reference numeral 91 is a bubble jet head (hereinafter referred to as BJ head) for ejecting ink according to a print signal, and 92 is an ink supply provided on the BJ head 91. The pipes, 93 or 93a are ink supply ports provided in the ink tanks 94 and 95, respectively, and 95 is a color tank having ink of a plurality of colors inside.

The recording head 91 has the following structure. The recording head 91 has a group of nozzles for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black on its front end in a straight line. Each group has 24 nozzles for yellow, magenta, and cyan, and 64 nozzles for black, and each of these ejection ports is provided with an ink channel communicating with the ejection port. A common liquid chamber for supplying ink to these liquid passages is provided at the rear of the portion where the ink is provided.

The ink liquid paths corresponding to the respective discharge ports are
An electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used to eject ink droplets from these ejection ports and electrode wiring for supplying electric power to the electrothermal converter are provided. These electrothermal converters and electrode wirings are formed by a film forming technique on a substrate made of silicon or the like. Further, the ejection port, the ink liquid passage, and the common liquid chamber are formed by stacking a partition wall made of resin or glass, a top plate, etc. on the substrate. Further on the rear side, a drive circuit for driving the electrothermal converter based on a recording signal is provided in the form of a printed circuit board. The silicon substrate and the printed circuit board are fixed on the same aluminum plate.

As described above, ink tanks for color (for yellow, magenta, and cyan) and black are prepared. The ink tanks 94 and 95 are inserted almost in parallel with the aluminum plate, and are connected to the ink supply pipe which also projects in parallel with the aluminum plate.

The ink supply pipe 92 projects from a plastic member called a distributor 96 which extends in a direction perpendicular to the silicon substrate, and further communicates with a flow passage therein, which communicates with a common liquid chamber. .

There are four ink flow paths in the distributor, one for yellow, one for magenta, one for cyan, and one for black, and the respective common liquid chambers are connected to the ink supply pipe 92. The ink tanks 94 and 95 are for the left and right sides of the aluminum plate for color (for yellow, magenta,
Since the ones for cyan and those for black are arranged separately, the ink supply pipes 92 are also divided into three and one.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the inside of the black ink tank 94.

The principle is the same for the color ink tanks.
An ink bag 88 exists inside the ink tank, and the bag is filled with ink. Further, two negative pressure plates 89 are contained in the bag, and a compression negative pressure spring 87 is pressed against the inside of the plates. A negative pressure is applied to the ink by the load of this spring,
Ink is prevented from ejecting from the nozzle even if there is an unexpected vibration.

The lower end of the ink bag 88 is adhered to the holding member 85. A seal rubber 86 (hereinafter, rubber plug, diameter D), which is an elastic member, is press-fitted in the central portion of the holding member, and these constitute a connecting means with the head.

The rubber stopper has a hole for inserting the ink supply pipe 92, but when the pipe is not inserted, it is closed by elasticity so that ink does not spill.

By inserting the ink tank (color) 95 into the ink supply pipe 92, and by inserting the ink tank into the supply pipe 92 of the print head, ink is supplied to the head 91 to enable the printing operation.

[0015]

When the operator handles the ink tank for replacement or storage, for example, as shown in FIG.
7 (a), in the conventional ink tank configuration, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), a part of the operator's finger is deformed and the inside of the holding member 85, and further the rubber stopper. I sometimes touched 86.

Usually, there is no problem in such a case. However, for example, when the sealing property of the rubber stopper of the ink tank is lowered for some reason, or an ink droplet leaks to the holding member. When it adheres, it may adhere to the operator's finger and become dirty. Alternatively, when the ink attached to the pipe when the ink tank is pulled out goes out of the rubber plug, or when the rubber ink-attached part (pipe insertion part) is elastically deformed so as to turn out and goes out. May have the same inconvenience.

In any case, when the distance between the outer surface of the holding member 85 (where it touches a finger) and the lower end of the rubber stopper 86 is short (in FIG. 17a, the surface of the rubber stopper into which the pipe is inserted is visible). The above-mentioned ink adhesion was likely to occur.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, a case of mounting a conventional ink tank will be described. in this case,
As shown in the figure, it was possible to stabilize the posture in the direction of gravity.

In such a state, it is left for a long time (placed),
In addition, if the ink leaks from the rubber plug for some reason, the ink will fall and adhere to the surrounding objects and stain it. If it is a recording sheet as shown,
As a result, there is a problem that the quality of the recorded image is deteriorated, that is, the recorded image becomes dirty.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ink tank which prevents ink from adhering to an operator when handling the ink tank and prevents problems such as recording paper due to the ink adhering.

[0021]

The ink tank of the present invention is an ink tank for ink jet recording, which supplies ink when connected to a recording head having an ink supply means, and is removable from the head. Is partly provided with an extension part extended to the head side in the form of a hollow body having a tubular or rectangular hollow.

Further, at least one or more connecting means including an elastic member for supplying ink when connected to a recording head having an ink supplying means and sealing the ink when not connected and a member for holding the elastic member are provided. The holding member of the connecting means or a part of the ink tank constituent member has an extension portion extended to the head side in the shape of a hollow body having a cylindrical or rectangular hollow, and the length of the extension portion of the elastic member. 1/2 the diameter
It consists of the above.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the extension portion is provided with means for absorbing and retaining ink even if it slightly leaks, or various means for increasing the transmission distance.

A hollow cylinder is generally used as the tubular shape, but a tubular body having a circular inner surface and a polygonal shape such as a quadrangular outer surface is also used. Especially in the latter case, when a plurality of ink tanks are used, it is convenient to integrally combine the respective extension portions. It can also be a hollow polygon in special cases.

Further, in the case where a hollow extension having a rectangular hollow is formed, a holding member for the three color portions is arranged in the hollow portion, and the rectangular hollow is communicated or a partition portion is provided between the holding members. It may be characterized by being integrated as one.

Further, the tip portion of the extension portion (the surface facing the recording head) has an uneven shape in the circumferential direction, and the height difference of the unevenness is 0.3 mm or more. This is because the finger's sensitivity to the uneven shape and its height difference is taken into consideration.

With the above structure, when the operator handles the ink tank when exchanging or storing the ink tank, the operator's finger does not touch the connecting portion but the extension portion isolated from the connecting portion. Therefore, the ink does not touch the operator's finger. Further, the ink does not transmit and flow out to the portion touched by the operator's finger.

[0028]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an ink tank according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG.

Here, the same components as those in the conventional example are represented by the same reference numerals.

The ink tank 11 has an ink bag 88 containing ink and a negative pressure spring 87 therein, and a connecting portion for supplying ink to the head at its end, that is, a seal rubber (rubber plug) 86. And holding member 1 for holding this
It is composed of 5.

Here, unlike the conventional example, the holding member 15 is further provided with a pipe-shaped extension from the lower end of the rubber plug 86 as shown in the figure. In this embodiment, the extension 16 is formed in a cylindrical shape as shown. Also, in the figure, an ink supply pipe 92 supported by a distributor 96 of the recording head is inserted into the rubber plug 86, and the ink in the ink bag 88 is supplied to the head side through the ink supply pipe to perform recording. Indicates a possible state.

The extension and the constituent members will be described in more detail. The diameter p of the ink supply pipe 92 is 1 m
m, the rubber plug diameter D = 4 mm, the inner diameter d of the cylindrical extension 16 = 4 mm, and the extended length l = 5 mm.
About these, the numerical value which satisfy | fills the relationship of d> = p and l> = D / 2 was selected, and comprised the shape of illustration. The extension distance l
Is the distance from the outer surface of the lower receiving portion of the rubber plug in the holding member to the tip.

In the structure of the ink tank described above, when the same tank is handled while being removed from the recording head (see FIG. 1).
7), for example, there is a problem that ink adheres when a holding member is touched in a conventional tank, but in the tank of the present invention, the extension portion 16 is provided so that a finger may enter in the vicinity of the rubber stopper. Ink is not attached to the finger and does not stain it because it is configured so as not to be able to.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory view of an ink tank according to Embodiment 2, and the upper structure not shown is the same as that of Embodiment 1 and therefore omitted.

In this embodiment, the rubber plug 86 and the holding member 65 for holding the rubber plug 86 are arranged in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the extension portion 16 is provided by extending the holding member 65 to the recording head side.

The figure shows the ink tank alone, and the rubber plug 86 has penetrated the prepared hole in advance, but is closed by the elasticity thereof, and shows a state in which the ink is sealed.

Next, the extension part 16 will be described further. An ink absorber 97 is fixed to the inside of the extension part 16 by pipe-like bonding as shown in the figure. Here, as the ink absorber 97, a porous sheet-shaped member, for example, Sunfine (Asahi Kasei) was used in a pipe shape.

Others, such as the shape of the extension, are the same as in the first embodiment.

In addition to the operation of the above-described embodiment, the ink tank of this structure has the ink absorber disposed between the ink tank and the outside even if the ink leaks from the rubber stopper. It is absorbed and never reaches the end of the extension. That is, even if the operator's finger touches the extension portion, ink does not adhere and the finger does not become dirty.
Further, even if the extension is touched when the ink tank is placed on a surrounding object such as a recording paper, the ink does not adhere to the extension and naturally does not stain the ink.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an ink tank according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Also in this embodiment, the extension portion 16 is formed in a cylindrical shape as shown in the drawing, and the upper structure not shown is the same as that in the first embodiment.

The present embodiment is an example in which a groove in the circumferential direction, here a screw-shaped groove, is provided as shown in the drawing on the inner side (pipe side) of the extension of the holding member 75.

Conventional Example As is clear from FIGS. 15 and 17, if the ink leaks from the rubber plug, the outer surface is close to the outer surface, so that the ink cannot be prevented from reaching the tip of the holding member. It was On the other hand, in the case of the ink tank of the present invention, the leaked ink moves in the groove inside the holding member in the circumferential direction. Here, the amount of ink that leaks is extremely small, and it is difficult to reach the outer surface due to the extension of the transmission distance due to the groove portion, and further, the ink is surely dried during that time.

Therefore, similar to the above-described embodiment, the effect of not causing a problem due to ink adhesion can be obtained.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of an ink tank according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and the upper structure not shown is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 6A shows a state in which the ink supply pipe is inserted into the rubber stopper 86, and FIG. 6B shows a state in which the operator grips this tank.

The ink tank of the present embodiment is an example in which the extension portion 16 of the holding member is formed into a cylindrical shape as shown in the drawing, and projections and depressions are provided at the tip in the circumferential direction. Here, the extension length l =
It is set to 2.5 mm (l ≧ D / 2), and D and d are D = d = 4 mm as in the above embodiment. Further, the uneven portion has a substantially triangular shape as shown, and its height δ = 0.8 mm.

FIG. 6B is an explanatory view when the operator holds the ink tank thus formed, and when the finger touches the tip of the extension portion as shown in the drawing, the uneven portion causes You can understand the feeling of unevenness, so there is no need to apply an unreasonable gripping force.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the finger from approaching the vicinity of the rubber plug, and it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the above embodiment.

Further, in comparison with the above-mentioned embodiment, when this uneven portion is used, the length of the extended portion can be made shorter.

(Fifth Embodiment) A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view seen from the holding member side.

Here, the present ink tank 31 is an ink tank for color recording, and a plurality of ink bags (for three colors in the figure) and connecting portions corresponding to each are arranged as shown in the drawing.

Holding members 35a, 35 used in this embodiment
The extension length 16 and the inner diameter d are set so that the extension 16 of b and 35c has a cylindrical shape similar to that of the first embodiment.

The operation and effect of the configuration of this embodiment are the same as those of the above-mentioned embodiment.

However, in this embodiment, since the three color portions are formed as independent chambers, even if ink adheres to each color, it will never mix with other color inks.

That is, in color recording, the quality of the recorded image can be maintained without impairing the tint.

(Sixth Embodiment) A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view seen from the holding member side.

The ink tank of this embodiment is also an example of a color ink tank as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

Explaining the points different from the other embodiments, in this embodiment, the extension portion 16 of the holding member 45 of the ink tank is integrated for the three color portions as shown in the drawing.

The length 16 of the extension 16 and the inner diameter d shown in FIG. 8 are set to be the same as those in the first embodiment, and the effects obtained from these are the same as those in the fifth embodiment.

(Seventh Embodiment) A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view, FIG.
0 is a perspective view seen from the holding member side.

The ink tank of this embodiment is also an example of a color ink tank as in the sixth embodiment.

Similar to the sixth embodiment, in the present embodiment, the extension portion of the holding member 55 of the ink tank is integrated for the three color portions as shown in the figure, but the partition-like portion is positioned between the respective colors. is there. The length l of the extension is the same as before, but the inner diameter d is slightly increased and set to 6 mm. Naturally, the effects obtained from these are the same as in the sixth embodiment.

(Embodiment 8) An embodiment 8 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view,
FIG. 12 is a perspective view seen from the holding member side and shows an example of a black ink tank. An extension portion of the holding member 25 to the head side is provided as in the above-described embodiments,
As shown in the figure, the tip portion is formed into a truncated cylindrical shape to form a slope. Here, the shape will be further described. The maximum length l _a = 6 mm and the minimum length l _b = 3 mm of the extension portion are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Also in this ink tank, the extension of the holding member can prevent ink from adhering to the finger, as in the first embodiment.

Further, when the ink tank is to be placed in a posture (downward direction) as shown in FIG. 16, it will always fall down due to the slope. This makes it impossible to store and place the ink plug with the rubber plug of the ink tank in the direction of gravity.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the ink adhesion due to the leakage due to gravity or the leakage due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the ink tank. In other words, even if the ink should leak for some reason, it will be placed in such a position that the ink does not directly adhere to the recording paper or the operator's finger, and the ink dries in that state. There is an action and effect of doing.

(Ninth Embodiment) A ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

This embodiment is an example of a black ink tank, and is provided with an extension 16 to the head side having the same shape as that of the first embodiment.

However, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the holding member of the rubber plug is all extended to the head side, but in this embodiment, a part of the casing of the ink tank 61 is shown separately from the holding member. The extended portion 16 is formed by extending as described above. Here, the geometrical dimensions d, D, and l and the effects thereof are the same as in the first embodiment.

In the embodiment having a plurality of connecting portions, the shape of the end of the holding member is not limited to the description of the embodiment.

That is, in addition to them, for example, the shapes of Embodiments 2, 3, and 4 may be adopted, and combinations with these or Embodiment 7 are also possible.

Further, although the example in which the inclined surface is provided so that the ink tank cannot be placed downward is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration is such that a spherical surface, a curved surface, and unevenness or a staircase shape is provided, that is, the downward facing is facilitated. The shape may be such that it cannot be placed on the.

Further, in the present embodiment, as the internal structure of the ink tank, the structure having the ink bag containing the ink, the negative pressure spring, and the connecting portion made of the rubber stopper at the end is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. Of course, other types of ink tanks may be used as long as they have similar connecting portions.

In the embodiment, the example of the ink tank applied to the BJ recording, especially the color recording method is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording head and the ink tank are formed by a so-called ink jet recording method. Anything can be used as long as it is linked and recorded.

In the embodiment, the case where the holding member, the ink tank casing, etc. are extended is shown. However, a structure exhibiting the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment, for example, a structure in which other members are extended or combined. It is natural that it is good.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention, by appropriately selecting the shape of the holding member or the like of the connecting portion of the ink tank, as described in the claims, the following: -When the ink tank is handled, the ink adheres to the operator. It is possible to eliminate problems caused by ink adhesion (discomfort, stains on recording paper and surroundings, etc.).

The ink tank is directed downward (gravitational direction).
Since the structure cannot be placed in a posture, it is possible to further increase the effect of preventing ink from adhering.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view (black tank) of an ink tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view (black tank) of an ink tank according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view (black tank) of an ink tank according to a third embodiment of the invention.

4A and 4B are partial cross-sectional views (black tank) of an ink tank according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view (color tank) of an ink tank according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an ink tank according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view (color tank) of an ink tank according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an ink tank according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view (color tank) of an ink tank according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an ink tank according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view (black tank) of an ink tank of Example 8 of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an ink tank of Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view (black tank) of an ink tank according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram around a recording head and an ink tank of a conventional example.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a conventional black ink tank.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a conventional ink tank is placed on a recording sheet.

17 (a) and 17 (b) are explanatory views showing a state in which a conventional ink tank (black) is gripped.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 Ink tank 15, 25, 55, 85 Holding member 16 Extension parts 35, 35a, 35b, 35c Holding member 86, 86a, 86b, 86c Seal rubber (rubber stopper) 87, 87a, 87b, 87c Negative pressure spring 88, 88a, 88b, 88c Ink bag 89 Negative pressure plate 91 Head 92 Ink supply pipe 93, 93a Ink supply port 94 Ink tank (black) 95 Ink tank (color) 96 Distributor 97 Ink absorber 100 Operation Finger 101 Recording paper

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An ink tank for ink jet recording, which supplies ink when connected to a recording head having an ink supply means and is attachable to and detachable from the head, wherein a part of the ink tank constituting member is cylindrical on the head side or An ink tank characterized by having a hollow body-shaped extension having a rectangular hollow. 2. An elastic member that supplies ink when connected to a recording head having an ink supply unit and seals the ink when not connected, and at least one connecting unit that holds the elastic member. However, a part of the holding member of the connecting means or the ink tank constituent member has an extension extending to the head side in the shape of a hollow body having a cylindrical or rectangular hollow, and the length thereof is the diameter of the elastic member. 2. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the ink tank is composed of 1/2 or more. 3. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion has an ink holding unit. 4. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein a groove is formed in a circumferential direction inside the extension portion (pipe side). 5. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential groove provided in the extension has a thread shape. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a tip portion of the extension portion (a surface facing the recording head) has an uneven shape in the circumferential direction, and the height difference is 0.3 mm or more. Item 6. The ink tank according to any one of items 5. 7. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the tip of the extension portion is formed in a non-planar shape such as a slope or a curved surface such as a spherical surface. 8. A holding member for a three-color portion is arranged in the hollow portion of an extension portion extending in the shape of a hollow body having the rectangular hollow,
The ink tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rectangular hollow is integrated by providing a partition portion between the communicating or holding members.