JPH10264357A - Printer and ink storage container used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer and an ink storage container for preventing erroneous mounting of the container in the printer with a simple structure. SOLUTION: The printer 1 comprises an ink storage container holding means 6 for detachably positioning and holding the container 14. In this case, the container 14 has recess 24a at different positions of part of an outer surface in response to ink contained therein. The means 6 has a protrusion 15 engaged with the recess 24a in response to a type of a printer body. Erroneous mounting of the container 14 in the means 6 is prevented by engagement of the protrusion 15 with the recess 24a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and an ink container used for the printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing apparatus in which an ink container is mounted and ink inside the ink container is sucked by a pump and supplied to a printing drum is already known. The ink storage container used here is detachable from the ink storage container holding means (holder), and has a specific shape.

At present, the most suitable ink used for printing is developed and used in accordance with a master or a printed material, and therefore, the type thereof varies depending on colors, countries, regions, and the like. In addition, when various types of printing presses are put on the market one after another, a situation occurs in which the ink stored inside is different even if the size and shape of the ink storage container itself are the same.

[0004] In the above case, conventionally, a different display is provided on the outer box of the ink storage container by printing or sticking a sticker, and the user is instructed to use the display after visually confirming the display.

[0005]

However, at present, the printing apparatus has been free-operated, and anyone can freely operate the printing apparatus. For this reason, people who are not accustomed to replacing, ordering, and purchasing ink storage containers when ink runs out may sometimes do so, and may accidentally arrange for the purchase of a nonconforming ink storage container and set it in the printing device. It may be used to cause unexpected problems. Problems include image quality degradation, missing images due to improper ink supply, and ink leakage from around the print drum.

Specifically, the following cases can be considered as examples of erroneous mounting. When using black ink in the color drum unit used when printing with a color ink other than black. Since the color drum unit is properly adjusted to match each color ink, it is necessary to prevent the use of black color ink. For example, if the blue ink storage container is mistakenly attached to the green color drum unit, the ink will be mixed,
In order to return the original green ink to a usable state, the color drum unit must be disassembled and cleaned, which is very troublesome. There is a need for a means for preventing erroneous mounting, in which the drum cannot be used except for the ink storage container. There is a product A as a printing device, and this product uses ink a. Next to this product A,
The newly released improved series product B was newly purchased and used side by side. However, the product B is specified to use a new ink b. However, the shape and dimensions of the ink container that stores the ink a and the ink container that stores the ink b are exactly the same (because they are products of the same manufacturer). Even if the display of the outer box is different, the ink b may be erroneously set in the product A or the ink a may be set in the product B, which may cause a problem. There is a product A as a printing apparatus, and an ink compatible with the product is a, which is sold by α. However,
The printing device A is also sold as a printing device B by the company β under the OEM supply, and the company β sells an ink storage container for the ink b for itself. In addition, the ink container for ink a and the ink container for ink b have the same shape and the same dimensions. Company β wants to sell ink b as ink to printing device B sold by itself, but a user sometimes buys and uses ink a. Such a problem in supply sales also occurs.

Further, in order to prevent erroneous mounting of the ink storage container, there is a method in which the size and shape of the base of the ink storage container are changed instead of relying on the display of the outer box of the container. And another molding die is required,
There is a problem that the manufacturing efficiency of the ink container decreases. In addition, when the number of types increases, the shapes and dimensions are diversified and confusion occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and an ink storage container which can prevent the above-mentioned problems from occurring and can prevent the ink storage container from being erroneously attached to the printing apparatus with a simple structure.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In a printing apparatus having an ink storage container holding means for removably positioning and holding an ink storage container selected according to the type of ink to be stored, the ink storage container may have an outer surface corresponding to the type of the ink. The ink storage container holding means has a recess at each of different positions of the portion, and the ink storage container holding means is provided at different positions on a part of an inner surface for holding the ink storage container depending on the model of the apparatus main body. It has a convex portion that can be fitted therein, and the fitting of the concave portion and the convex portion prevents erroneous attachment of the ink storage container to the ink storage container holding means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink container used in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the inner container is filled with ink and has a discharge port in a part thereof; An internal container, wherein the concave portion is formed by a hole provided at a specific position of the external container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having an ink container holding means for removably positioning and holding an ink container selected according to the type of ink to be stored, wherein the ink container is The ink storage container holding means has a convex portion at a different position on a part of an outer surface thereof according to the type of the ink, and the ink storage container holding means is a part of an inner surface for holding the ink storage container according to a model of the apparatus main body. Has a concave portion which can be fitted into the convex portion at each of different positions, and prevents the erroneous mounting of the ink storage container on the ink storage container holding means by fitting the convex portion and the concave portion. It is characterized by doing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink container holding means for detachably positioning and holding an ink container, and a frame for holding the ink container holding means movably between a mounting position and a take-out position. The frame is provided with identification means for identifying a mark formed on a part of the outer surface of the ink storage container mounted on the ink storage container holding means. The identification means identifies the mark when the ink storage container holding means moves to the position, thereby preventing erroneous attachment of the ink storage container to the frame.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink container holding means for detachably positioning and holding an ink container, and a frame for holding the ink container holding means movably between a mounting position and a take-out position. The frame is provided with identification means for identifying a mark formed on a part of the outer surface of the ink storage container mounted on the ink storage container holding means, The identification means identifies the mark when the container holding means is positioned at the mounting position, thereby preventing erroneous attachment of the ink storage container to the frame.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a partial side view of a stencil printing apparatus 1 used in a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a printing drum unit 2 is provided detachably with respect to the main body of the stencil printing apparatus 1, and is provided inside the plate cylinder 3, a frame 4 for rotatably supporting the plate cylinder 3, and the plate cylinder 3. Ink supply unit 5, an ink container holder 6 serving as an ink container holding means for holding an ink container 14 containing ink to be supplied to the ink supply unit 5, an ink pump 7, an ink pump driving device 8, and the like. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink container holder 6 is supported by a rail member 16 provided on the frame 4 so as to be slidable with respect to the frame 4 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Side surface 10 orthogonal to 9,
11, 12, and 13. The bottom surface 9 supports the ink container 14, and each side surface 10, 11, 12, 13
Guidance and positioning when the ink container 14 is mounted on the ink container holder 6 are performed.

As shown in FIG. 3, three holes 9a, 9b, 9c arranged in the width direction of the ink container 14 are formed near the side surface 12 of the bottom surface 9. As shown in FIG. 9a, 9
A shaft component 15 forming a convex portion is fixed to one of b and 9c by an appropriate method such as caulking. As shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 4, three types of ink storage container holders 6 can be formed by attaching one shaft component 15 to each hole.

A support shaft 17 provided integrally with the frame 4 and rotatably supporting the rear flange 18 of the plate cylinder 3 includes:
The stencil printing apparatus 1 is fitted into a hole formed in the rear plate 19 and is positioned and fixed. The guide rail 20 provided integrally with the main body of the stencil printing apparatus 1
And guides the drum unit 2 to slide in and out of the drum unit 2. Reference numeral 21 denotes a handle for pulling out the drum unit 2, and reference numeral 22 denotes an annular flange that supports the plate cylinder 3 together with the rear flange 18.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the ink container 14. The ink container 14 has an inner bag 23 as an inner container made of a synthetic resin film partially filled with ink and partially having a base portion (discharge port, not shown), and the inner bag 23. It is mainly composed of an outer box 24 as an outer container made of a rectangular parallelepiped cardboard. The base part, which is a synthetic resin molded product, is heat-welded to the inner bag 23 and
4, and the cap is usually screwed on. On the outer surface of the outer box 24, the manufacturer name (seller) brand, the type and color of the ink, and the like are displayed by printing or pasting a seal.

Holes 24a, 24b and 24c as recesses are formed in the bottom surface of the outer box 24 at positions corresponding to the shaft parts 15 fixed to the bottom surface 9 during a punching step in manufacturing the outer box. . FIG. 6 shows the formation pattern. Thus, the ink container 1 having the holes shown in FIG.
4 corresponds one-to-one with the ink storage container holder 6 having the holes shown in FIG. 4 so that there is no compatibility. For example, as shown in FIG.
If the ink container 14 having the above is mistakenly set in the ink container holder 6 in which the shaft component 15 is fixed to the hole 9c, the bottom surface of the outer box 24 does not adhere to the bottom surface 9 and is denoted by the symbol h. The ink container 14 floats by the amount shown. In such a state, even when the ink storage container holder 6 is slid and pushed in, the upper surface of the ink storage container 14 comes into contact with a part of the frame 4 and cannot be pushed in, and the ink storage container 14 is erroneously mounted. Is prevented.

As a modification of the first embodiment, a microswitch is provided on the bottom surface 9 to detect when the bottom surface of the ink container 14 is in close contact with the bottom surface 9 and output a signal to the printing apparatus main body. The configuration may be any. With such a configuration, even if the ink storage container holder 6 can be forcibly pushed in, the microswitch detects that the bottom surface of the ink storage container 14 is floating with respect to the bottom surface 9, so that printing can be performed. The device can be deactivated and the operation panel can indicate that the ink container is incompatible.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an ink container holder 25 and an ink container 28 used in the second embodiment of the present invention. The ink container holder 25 as the ink container holding means has a bottom surface 26 and four side surfaces, and the shaft component 15 is fixed to one side surface 27 of the four side surfaces. The ink container 28 composed of the inner bag 29 and the outer box 30 is located near the corner of the outer box 30.
A notch 31 is formed as a recess into which the shaft component 15 can be fitted. This notch 31 is, as shown in FIG.
Any one of 31a, 31b, 31c is formed, and the side surface 27 at a position corresponding to the position of the notch 31 is formed.
The shaft component 15 is fixed thereon.

With such a configuration, when the incompatible ink container 28 is mounted on the ink container holder 25, the floating amount h (see FIG. 7) can be used without using a long shaft component 15. ) Can be increased, and the shaft component 15 can be prevented from forcibly pushing the inner bag 29. The symbol F in FIG.
Reference numeral 9 denotes an area adhered to the inner surface of the outer box 30. The notch 31 is basically formed at a location excluding this area F. However, when the notch 31 is formed in the area F,
The incompatibility between the ink container holder 25 and the ink container 28 becomes clearer.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the holes 24a, 24a are formed in the ink storage containers 14, 28, respectively.
b, 24c or notches 31a, 31b, 31c are formed, and the shaft component 15 is provided on the corresponding ink storage container holder 6, 25 side. However, the shaft component is provided on the ink storage container side, and the ink storage container holder is provided. A configuration in which a hole or a notch is provided on the side may be adopted.

FIG. 11 shows a frame 32 used in the third embodiment of the present invention, an ink container holder 33 as an ink container holding means slidably supported by the frame 32, and an ink container holder 33. And the ink storage container 34 attached to the printer.

A reflection type optical sensor 35 as identification means is provided at a position of height H on the entrance side of the ink container holder 33 of the frame 32.
A sensor 36 for detecting when the ink container 34 mounted on the ink container holder 33 is pushed into a predetermined position (indicated by a two-dot chain line) of the frame 32 is provided at the back side. Of the ink storage container 34,
Black square marks 37, 37 are formed by printing at positions corresponding to the positions where the optical sensors 35 are provided.

With this configuration, when the ink container holder 33 is pushed from the solid line position to the two-dot chain line position in FIG.
7 is detected. The optical sensor 35 first detects white in the area A, then sequentially detects black in the area B, white in the area C, and black in the area D, and thereafter detects white in the area E at a predetermined position. The ink container 34 is pushed down to a position indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the ink container 34 is detected by the sensor 36. Thus, the type of the ink container 34 can be determined based on the number of times the optical sensor 35 is turned on and off. At this time, since the insertion speed of the ink storage container holder 33 varies among individuals, if the width of each area from the area A to the area D is too short, erroneous detection may occur. Therefore, the width of each area from the area A to the area D is desirably 10 mm or more.

FIG. 12 shows the on / off state of the optical sensor 35 and the sensor 36 described above. When the ink container holder 33 is pulled out, the optical sensor 35 and the sensor 36 enter a standby state from that moment, and when the ink container 34 is slid and inserted after a predetermined time, the optical sensor 35 and the sensor 36 are in the detection state. Become. By displaying a signal based on such an output pattern of the optical sensor 35 on the operation panel, the type of the installed ink storage container can be determined at a glance. It is possible to distinguish many types of ink storage containers by one optical sensor 35.

In addition, according to the type of the stencil printing apparatus and the type of the mounted drum unit, the control unit of the stencil printing apparatus determines whether or not the inserted ink container is compatible. In such a case, a message such as "ink storage container is not suitable" may be displayed on the operation panel to alert the operator and to prevent the operator from entering the printing operation.

In the above embodiment, the mark 37 is provided on the side surface of the ink container 34. However, the surface on which the mark is provided is not limited to the side surface. Good. An optical sensor will be provided on the frame at a position facing the mark, but if a mark is provided on the bottom of the ink container, the optical sensor reads the mark on the ink container holder side. It is necessary to provide holes and notches for the holes.

FIG. 13 shows a frame 38 used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and an ink container 39 mounted on the frame 38 by an ink container holder (not shown) slidably supported by the frame 38. Is shown.

At the positions of heights H1, H2, and H3 on the entrance side of the ink container 39 of the frame 38, reflection-type optical sensors 40, 41, and 42 as identification means are provided, respectively. In addition, marks 43, 44, and 45, which are black circles, are provided in positions corresponding to the positions of the optical sensors 40, 41, and 42 of the ink container 39 in eight patterns as shown in FIG. It is formed by printing.

With this configuration, when the ink container 39 is pushed from the solid line position to the two-dot chain line position in FIG. Is detected. Thus, the type of the ink storage container 39 can be determined based on the ON / OFF status of each of the optical sensors 40, 41, and 42. According to this method, even when the ink storage container 39 is mounted on the frame 38 with the drum unit having the frame 38 removed from the stencil printing apparatus main body, the drum unit is mounted on the stencil printing apparatus main body again. Sometimes, the type of the ink storage container 39 can be detected.

[0033]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the concave portion provided on the ink container and the convex portion provided on the ink container holding means are fitted one-to-one, so that the ink container is provided. It is possible to prevent erroneous mounting of the ink container on the holding means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the hole provided at a specific position of the external container is fitted into the projection provided on the ink container holding means, the ink container holding means is provided. This prevents erroneous mounting on the device.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the convex portion provided on the ink container and the concave portion provided on the ink container holding means are fitted one-to-one, so that the ink container holding means is provided. Erroneous attachment of the ink container to the ink container can be prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the ink container holding means, on which the ink container is mounted, moves to the mounting position, the identification means provided on the frame is formed on the outer surface of the ink container. To identify the mark
Incorrect mounting of the ink container on the frame can be prevented.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the ink container holding means having the ink container mounted thereon is positioned at the mounting position, the identification means provided on the frame is formed on the outer surface of the ink container. Even if the ink storage container is mounted on the frame with the frame removed from the printing apparatus main body, the ink for the frame is re-installed when the frame is mounted on the stencil printing apparatus main body again. Erroneous mounting of the storage container can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial side view of a main part of a printing unit of a stencil printing machine used in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a main part of a printing unit of the stencil printing machine for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an ink container holder used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a pattern of holes formed on the bottom surface of the ink container holder used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink container used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a pattern of holes formed on the bottom surface of the ink container used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink container is erroneously attached to the ink container holder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial side view of an ink container and an ink container holding means for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of an ink container and an ink container holding means for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing an ink container used in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating reading of a mark by an identification unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the identification means according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating reading of a mark by an identification unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a pattern of a mark formed on an ink container used in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 printing device (stencil printing device) 4, 32, 38 frame 6, 25, 33 ink storage container holding means (ink storage container holder) 14, 28, 34, 39 ink storage container 15 convex portion (shaft part) 23, 29 Inner container (inner bag) 24, 30 Outer container (outer box) 24a, 24b, 24c Recess (hole) 31a, 31b, 31c Recess (notch) 35, 40, 41, 42 Identification means (optical sensor) 37, 43,44,45 mark

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus having an ink container holding means for removably positioning and holding an ink container selected according to the type of ink to be stored, wherein the ink container corresponds to the type of the ink. The ink storage container holding means has a concave portion at a different position on a part of the outer surface thereof, and the ink storage container holding means is provided at a different position on a part of the inner surface holding the ink storage container according to the model of the apparatus main body. A printing method, comprising: a convex portion which can be fitted into the concave portion, wherein the fitting of the concave portion and the convex portion prevents erroneous attachment of the ink storage container to the ink storage container holding means. apparatus. 2. An ink container for use in a printing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: an inner container filled with ink and having a discharge port in a part; and an outer container containing said inner container. An ink container, wherein the concave portion is formed by a hole provided at a specific position of the external container. 3. A printing apparatus having ink storage container holding means for removably positioning and holding an ink storage container selected according to the type of ink to be stored, wherein the ink storage container corresponds to the type of ink. The ink storage container holding means has projections at different positions on a part of the outer surface thereof, and the ink storage container holding means is provided at different positions on a part of the inner surface for holding the ink storage container according to the model of the apparatus main body. A concave portion which can be fitted into the convex portion, and the fitting of the convex portion and the concave portion prevents erroneous attachment of the ink storage container to the ink storage container holding means. Printing device. 4. A printing apparatus comprising: an ink container holding means for detachably positioning and holding an ink container; and a frame for holding the ink container holding means movably between a mounting position and a take-out position. The frame is provided with identification means for identifying a mark formed on a part of an outer surface of the ink storage container mounted on the ink storage container holding means, and the ink storage container is moved to the mounting position. A printing apparatus, wherein the identification means identifies the mark when the holding means moves, thereby preventing the ink storage container from being erroneously attached to the frame. 5. A printing apparatus having an ink container holding means for detachably positioning and holding an ink container, and a frame for holding the ink container holding means movably between a mounting position and a take-out position. The frame is provided with identification means for identifying a mark formed on a part of the outer surface of the ink storage container mounted on the ink storage container holding means, and the ink storage container holding means is provided with the mounting means. A printing apparatus, wherein the identification means identifies the mark when positioned at a position, thereby preventing erroneous attachment of the ink storage container to the frame.