JPH11240169A - Cartridge and dedicated method and apparatus for refill - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent incorrect refill by a user. SOLUTION: The cartridge comprises inner and outer containers 1a, 1b wherein the inner container 1a is a flexible bag comprising at least an impregnatory filler 5a, openings 12a, 12b communicating with time atmosphere, and an exhaust opening 1c facing the filler 5a. The outer container 1b has a joint 4 for coupling the exhaust opening 1c of the inner container 1a with an object 2 to be fed with liquid and openings 1d are provided in at least two sides. The inner container 1a is contained in the outer container 1b while containing liquid 3 which is refilled through the gap S between the inner and outer containers 1a, 1b and the opening 1d or refilled liquid is leaked easily to the outside.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cartridge for containing and supplying a liquid, for example, a cartridge connected to a printing mechanism and supplying ink to a print head, and performs printing by ink such as an ink jet printer. Used for various devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cartridge c as shown in FIG.
Is widely used. This is a synthetic resin container having an end face with a connection port h to the printer main body a, and a filling chamber e on the discharge port b side filled with an impregnating filler d inside the discharge port b. An ink chamber f on the back side that is partially connected to the filling chamber e is formed. In the filling chamber e, an atmosphere communication port q is provided in a portion of the container wall remote from the filling material d. On the other hand, in the case of an ink jet printer,
For example, the carriage g has a connection port h with the cartridge c.
Is provided at the outlet h of the cartridge c.
Are fitted and connected, and the ink j in the cartridge c is supplied to the print head k mounted thereon through the carriage g.

The discharge port b of the unused cartridge c is sealed by a seal film n. When the discharge port b and the connection port h are connected to each other, the discharge port b of the unused cartridge c penetrates through the seal film n. Filled impregnating filler d
Is provided, and when the passage member p presses the filler d, the ink j impregnated in the filler d oozes out and the passage hole p provided in the passage member p is provided.
1 and flows into the print head k through the carriage g so as to be ready for printing. Thereafter, the amount of ink consumed by printing is
To the print head k from time to time.

[0004]

The printer body a has a special ink j depending on the manufacturer and model.
Is set as standard. This is because the composition and properties of the ink j vary depending on the type and manufacturer of the ink j. This is because when the ink j is used in addition to the dedicated ink, the ink j is poor and the replenishment failure occurs, or even if the replenishment is performed, a printing failure such as a flying failure occurs. Further, even if printing is possible, the image quality is changed from the standard.

[0005] However, depending on the user, when the ink j is used up, it is sometimes performed to refill the ink j that is available at hand and reuse it.

For example, a commercially available cartridge c does not have a structure that can be refilled by a user. However, since the conventional cartridge c as described above is a single hard case, it is easy for the user to handle, and the manufacturer fills the ink j with a closed filling port, and a drilling screw of a type in which shavings come out. Drill a hole by
From there, the ink j may be refilled after being re-injected with a syringe or the like, and then refilled.

[0007] Refills by the user are sometimes injected with different types and properties from the dedicated ink j.
The above-mentioned problems of poor supply, poor printing, and change in image quality occur. In some cases, a device such as the print head k may become unusable due to clogging of the ink j.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge which can prevent improper refilling by a user, and a dedicated refilling method and apparatus.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a cartridge according to the present invention is a cartridge having at least an inner container and an outer container, wherein the inner container is a flexible bag container. In at least the impregnating filler, the atmosphere communication port, and the outlet facing the filler, the outer container has a connection portion that connects the outlet of the inner container to the liquid supply target, and at least two sides One feature is that it has an opening, and the inner container stores a liquid and is stored in the outer container.

With such a configuration, even if the inner container of the cartridge is a flexible bag container, the outer container for storing the flexible container does not interfere with other parts even when it moves together with the carriage of the ink jet printer. While satisfying the required posture and external shape, and the shape of the connection part that stably connects so that the discharge port can be attached to and detached from the carriage, etc.
The liquid contained in the inner container can be replenished from the outlet through the connection portion of the outer container to the liquid supply target to which the connection portion is connected while exuding from the filler.

When the liquid in the inner container is refilled into the inner container through the hard outer container which is easy to handle and work due to the exhaustion of the liquid in the inner container, the middle of the refill passage from the outer container to the inner container may occur. Even if the refill passage can be secured by a syringe needle pierced into the outer container and the inner container, and can be refilled by cutting off the communication with the gap, the needle of the syringe can communicate with the gap between the inner container and the outer container. The hole that pierced it when it was pulled through passes through the gap, and the refilled or refilled liquid easily leaks into the gap, and there is an opening on at least two sides of the outer container, The leaked liquid flows out from the opening to contaminate the surrounding area. Further, when such a refill is performed by piercing a syringe needle into a portion of the inner container exposed at the opening of the outer container, the inner container becomes a relatively thin bag container having flexibility, The hole when removing the needle after refilling,
With commercially available adhesive tapes, it is difficult to satisfy the compatibility with the surface condition and flexibility with the inner container, and the thickness and adhesiveness for closing the holes where liquid pressure is applied, The hole is difficult to close sufficiently, and the refilled liquid tends to leak. Eventually, these make it easy for the user to make inappropriate refills fail, and prevent inappropriate reuse.

When the inner container is translucent or transparent, the remaining amount and color of the liquid can be seen from the outside through the opening of the outer container, so that the replacement time and color can be determined, which is convenient for use and replacement. It is difficult to make mistakes in colors.

Further, when the inner container has a liquid chamber partially connected to the filling chamber filled with the filler, the liquid chamber is filled while using the filler to ensure replenishment of a small amount of liquid. Utilization can enhance the liquid storage efficiency without disturbing the filler.

Further, according to the refilling method of the present invention, the needle of a syringe containing a dedicated liquid in a cartridge is pierced into a portion of the inner container exposed from the opening of the outer container, and the liquid is injected into the inner container. One feature is that the hole after the needle is removed is closed by a dedicated adhesive tape provided in a pair with the syringe to complete the refill.

In such a configuration, as long as a dedicated adhesive tape and a syringe are definitely used as a pair in the cartridge, the cartridge is filled with the dedicated liquid in the outer container by the conventional method of piercing the needle with the syringe. It can be injected into the inner container through the opening, and the hole of the inner container after removing the injected needle is attached to the outer surface of the inner container by attaching a special adhesive tape, the surface condition of the inner container Satisfies compatibility such as flexibility and flexibility, as well as thickness and adhesiveness to close holes where liquid pressure is applied, and can sufficiently prevent the liquid once injected from leaking out. It can be reused properly by proper refilling of the proper liquid.

[0016] For this purpose, a refill device comprising a combination of a syringe containing a dedicated liquid in a cartridge and a dedicated adhesive tape for closing a hole after piercing a needle of an inner container provided as a pair with the syringe. Is preferably provided.

Further, the refill method of the present invention uses a syringe body containing a dedicated liquid in a cartridge and a needle specifically combined with the syringe body, and attaches the syringe to a portion of the inner container exposed from the opening of the outer container. After piercing the liquid into the inner container by piercing the needle attached to the needle, removing only the syringe body while leaving the needle, closing the needle hole at the hole closing part provided on the remaining needle, and completing refilling Also now 1
It has two features.

In such a configuration, as long as a dedicated syringe is definitely used for the cartridge, a special liquid is injected into the cartridge through the opening of the outer container and into the inner container in a conventional manner by piercing the needle with the syringe. It is possible to remove the syringe body after filling, leaving the needle, leaving the needle closed, and close the needle hole with the hole closing part of the remaining needle, inject the needle of the inner container and refill the liquid at the part where the liquid is refilled. Since leakage can be sufficiently prevented, it can be reused properly even by the user by the proper refilling of the proper liquid.

For this purpose, a refill device having a syringe body containing a dedicated liquid in a cartridge and a dedicated needle attached to and detached from the body is provided, and the needle has a hole closing portion for closing its own needle hole. Preferably provided.

[0020] Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings together with the embodiments.

In this embodiment, a cartridge used in an ink jet printer is used. As in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the second embodiment shown in FIG. It is detachably connected to a printer main body 2 as a target printing mechanism, and supplies the ink 3 which is a liquid contained in the cartridge 1 to the printer main body 2. The cartridge 1 has at least an inner container 1a and an outer container 1b.

In some cases, the cartridges 1 may be stacked three or more times, and the advantage of the multiple container of the present invention is more exhibited. The inner container 1a is a flexible bag container and includes at least an impregnating filler 5a, an atmosphere communication port 12, and an outlet 1c facing the filler 5a. The outer container 1b has a connecting portion 4 for connecting the outlet 1c of the inner container 1a to the printer main body 2 to be supplied with liquid, and has an opening 1d on at least two sides. The inner container 1a stores the ink 3, and is stored in the outer container 1b. The greater the size of the openings 1d, the more the features of the present invention provided by the openings 1d are exhibited.

The inner container 1a and the outer container 1b are made of synthetic resin or other suitable material. In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outlet 1
c and a connecting portion 4, and a spongy or sponge-like flexible impregnating filling material 5 a made of a fiber mass or a synthetic resin, etc., inside the connecting portion 4, and a filling chamber 5 on the side of the connecting portion 4.
And an ink chamber 6 as a liquid chamber on the back side containing the ink 3 which is the liquid that has been communicated to the filling chamber 5 through the communication port 8.
It is formed by partitioning right and left by a partition wall 7 provided integrally with the inner container 1a. On the opposite side of the filling chamber 5 opposite to the connecting portion 4, an air chamber 11 in which the filler 5a is separated from the container wall by a predetermined amount by a rib 9 or the like is formed, and the inner container 1a and the outer container which are separated from the filler 5a. Atmosphere communication ports 12a and 12b are provided opposite to each other so as to communicate with each other on each container wall of 1b, and form the atmosphere communication port 12. Atmospheric communication port 12
b is formed in a labyrinth shape so that dust and the like do not enter from the outside, and the air communication ports 12a and 12b are separated from the filler 5a so that the ink 3 impregnated in the filler 5a oozes out. Ink 3
The air is introduced into the cartridge 1 in accordance with the consumption of the ink, so that the ink 3 is smoothly supplied from the inside of the cartridge 1 through the connection portion 4.

The printer body 2 is provided with a connection port 15 for connecting to the cartridge 1 on a carriage 14 equipped with a print head 13 for scanning movement. The connection port 4 of the cartridge 1 is detachably connected to the connection port 15. The ink 3 in the cartridge 1 is supplied to the printer main body 2 via the carriage 14 and the passage 16 in the carriage 14 and the print head 13 are supplied.
The ink reaches the print nozzle unit 18 through the passage 17 in the inside, and by the operation of the print nozzle unit 18 according to the print signal, the supplied ink 3 is caused to fly to perform predetermined printing.

In the case of the first embodiment, the connection section 4 and the connection port 15 are connected to one of the connection section 4 and the connection port 15, for example, the connection section 4
1 and 2 are formed in a protruding cylindrical shape, and the other connection port 15 is formed in a concave shape for receiving the cylindrical connection portion 4 and can be freely attached and detached by fitting both. To connect to. In order to prevent the ink 3 from leaking to the outside in the fitted state, the fitting surface between the connecting portion 4 and the connecting port 15 is attached to the inside of the concave portion of the connecting port 15 in the embodiment shown in FIG. The seal is made by an O-ring 10 made of rubber or resin.
Further, a sealing film 19 made of rubber or resin is attached to the cylindrical protruding end of the connecting portion 4 by welding, such as ultrasonic wave, high frequency, or heat, or by bonding, so that the connecting portion 4 is sealed and the ink 3
Are not inadvertently vented or leaked. Paths 16, 1 between carriage 14 and print head 13
1, a sealing member 20 made of rubber, resin, or the like for preventing leakage of the ink 3, as schematically shown in FIG.
Is provided.

The second embodiment shown in FIG.
The outlet 1c of the outer container 1b and the connecting portion 4 are provided at the center of the end face of the cartridge 1, the filling chamber 5 and the ink chamber 6 are provided vertically, and the O-ring 10 is provided on the side of the connecting portion 4. The space between the fitting surfaces of the carriage 14 and the connection port 15 is sealed. Moreover, the O-ring 10 fitted into the inner periphery of the opening of the connection port 15
A stopper portion 15a is provided which is engaged with the cartridge 1 to prevent the cartridge 1 from being accidentally detached from the connection port 15 via the O-ring 10. Other structures are not particularly different from those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description will be omitted in the following description.

In the first embodiment, the ink 3 in the cartridge 1 is supplied to the printer main body 2 through the connection portion in which the connection portion 4 and the connection port 15 shown in FIGS. In order to supply the ink, at least a part of the connection portion has a passage hole 22a forming an ink passage.
And a passage member 22 having the same.

Although the ink 3 in the cartridge 1 is supplied to the printer main body 2 as a printing mechanism through the connection with the carriage 14 as a part of the printing mechanism as described above,
This is performed through an ink passage formed by a passage hole 22a of the passage member 22 provided in the connection portion.

In addition, the passage member 22 is
At a connection portion where the printer body 2 as a printing mechanism is detachably connected, the sealing film 19 is pierced and the filler 5a in the cartridge 1 is pressed, so that the filler 5a is impregnated. It is easy to cause the filled ink 3 to bleed out by pressing the filler 5a and to enter the passage hole 22a of the passage member 22. Therefore, the supply of the ink 3 is performed more stably.

Although the passage member 22 is provided on the carriage 14 side of the printer main body 2, it may be provided on the cartridge 1 side. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and may be provided on both sides as necessary and abut or fitted to each other so that the ink 3 can be exchanged between them. However, when the passage member 22 is provided on the cartridge 1 side, it is possible to press the filler 5a from the beginning.

In particular, in this embodiment, the cartridge 1
Even if the inner container 1a is a flexible bag container, the outer container 1b that accommodates the inner container 1a has a stable posture and outer shape that does not interfere with other components even when it moves together with the carriage 14 of the ink jet printer. The ink 3 contained in the inner container 1a is discharged from the outlet 1c through the connecting portion 4 of the outer container 1b while satisfying the shape and the like of the connecting portion 4 for stably connecting the outlet 1c to the carriage 14 or the like. The liquid can be supplied to the printer main body 2 or the like to which the liquid is supplied, to which the connection section 4 is connected, while oozing out from the filler 5a.

By using up the ink 3 in the inner container 1a, a hard outer container 1b which is easy to handle and work.
When the ink 3 is refilled into the inner container 1a through the inner container 1a, the middle of the refill passage from the outer container 1b to the inner container 1a is caused by the inner container 1a and the outer container 1b.
Between the outer container 1 and the refill passage.
b and the inside of the inner container 1a can be secured by the needle of the syringe pierced and cut off the communication with the gap S, and even if the refill can be performed, the hole pierced by the needle when the needle of the syringe is pulled out is inserted into the gap S. Through, refilled,
Alternatively, the refilled ink 3 easily leaks into the gap S, and there is an opening 1d on at least two surfaces of the outer container 1b, and the leaked ink 3 flows out from the opening 1d to pollute the surroundings. . In addition, the outer container 1
When refilling is performed by piercing the needle of the syringe into the portion of the inner container 1a exposed at the opening 1d of b, the inner container 1a is a relatively thin bag container having flexibility. The hole at the time when the rear needle is pulled out is a cellophane tape, a vinyl tape for electric use, and other general adhesive tapes which are commonly available on the market. In addition, it is difficult to satisfy compatibility such as thickness and adhesiveness for closing a hole to which liquid pressure is applied, and the hole is difficult to close sufficiently, and the refilled liquid is likely to leak. Eventually, these make it easy for the user to make inappropriate refills fail, and prevent inappropriate reuse.

When the inner container 1a is translucent or transparent, the remaining amount and color of the ink 3 can be seen from the outside through the opening 1d of the outer container 1b. It is convenient and makes it difficult to change colors when replacing.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the inner container 1a has an ink chamber 6, which is an example of a liquid chamber partially connected to the filling chamber 5 filled with the filler 5a. In addition, while ensuring the replenishment of the ink 3 by a small amount using the filler 5a, the filler 5a using the ink chamber 6 without the filler 5a.
The efficiency of storing the ink 3 can be increased without any hindrance.

Here, an example of the present embodiment will be described. The inner container 1a is preferably made of polyethylene, the outer container 1b is preferably made of polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene-acryl, and the sealing film 19 is preferably made of thin polypropylene or nylon. .

In the cartridge 1 of the present embodiment, when the ink 3 is used up, as a first example, only the portion of the inner container 1a exposed from the opening 1d of the outer container 1b is dedicated to the cartridge 1. A syringe 3 as shown in FIG.
The first needle 32 is pierced as shown in FIG.
After the ink 3 is injected into the inner container 1a, the syringe 31 is packaged with the syringe 31 or provided as a pair by being packaged or connected, as shown in FIG. 4B. The needle 3 is secured by a special adhesive tape 34.
Refilling can be completed by closing the hole 35 after removing 2.

In this manner, as long as the adhesive tape 34 and the syringe 31 dedicated to the cartridge 1 are definitely used as a pair, the ink 3 dedicated to the cartridge 1 can be used in a conventional manner by pushing the needle 32 by the syringe 31. Can be injected into the inner container 1a through the opening 1d of the outer container 1b and refilled, and the injected needle 32
The hole 35 of the inner container 1a after removing the inner container 1a is formed by attaching a dedicated adhesive tape 34 to the outer surface of the inner container 1a, thereby making the inner container 1a conformable to the surface condition, flexibility, and hydraulic pressure. Compatibility such as thickness and adhesiveness to close the hole 35 is satisfied, and it is possible to sufficiently prevent the liquid once injected from leaking out. obtain.

For this purpose, a syringe 31 containing a special ink 3 in the cartridge 1 and a special adhesive tape 34 for closing the hole 35 after piercing the needle 32 of the inner container 1a provided as a pair. It is preferable that a combination of the two is provided as a refilling device, and resources and costs can be reduced as compared with a case where the cartridge 1 is provided again and repurchased. In this case, the adhesive tape 34 is preferably made of a polyethylene tape, which is the same material as the inner container 1a, and coated with an adhesive capable of exhibiting an adhesive property with polyethylene. However, it is not limited to this.

As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, a syringe body 31a containing a dedicated ink 3 in a cartridge 1 and a needle 32 exclusively combined with the syringe body 31a are used. After the needle 32 attached to the syringe main body 31a is pierced into the portion of the inner container 1a exposed from the opening 1d of the container 1b to inject the ink 3 into the inner container 1a, only the syringe main body 31a is left with the needle 32 remaining. The needle 32 is removed as shown in FIG.
The needle hole 32b can be closed by the hole closing portion 32a provided at the end, and the refill can be completed. In the case of the embodiment shown in the figure, the hole closing portion 32a is a fitting portion 32 with the syringe body 31a.
It is possible to prevent the refilled ink 3 from leaking out by folding inwardly or by performing post-processing such as adhesion to the folded state with an adhesive (not shown) or welding in addition to this.

In this case as well, as long as the dedicated syringe 31 is used for the cartridge 1 without fail, the leakage of the ink 3 at the refilled portion can be sufficiently prevented as in the case of the above-described embodiment, and the user can also use it. It can be properly reused by the proper refill of the correct liquid. For this purpose, it is preferable that a cartridge provided with a combination of a syringe main body 31a in which the dedicated ink 3 is stored in the cartridge 1 and a dedicated needle 32 that is attached to and detached from the main body 31a is provided.

Here, it has a composition as shown in Table 1 below, a viscosity of 2.2 CP (25 ° C.), and a surface tension of 3
6.7 dyn / cm (25 ° C) black ink

[0043]

[Table 1]

There was no problem even if the refilling in the above two examples was performed on the cartridge 1 of the present embodiment.

[0045]

According to one aspect of the cartridge of the present invention, a stable posture and external shape which do not interfere with other components even when moved together with a carriage of an ink jet printer,
The liquid contained in the inner container is supplied from the outlet through the connecting portion of the outer container while satisfying the shape of the connecting portion for stably connecting the outlet to the carriage or the like so that the connecting portion can be detachably attached to the carriage. The target can be replenished while oozing out of the filler, and the liquid in the inner container can be refilled even if the liquid is refilled, or the refilled liquid easily leaks to the outside In addition, inappropriate refilling by the user can be easily caused to fail, and improper reuse can be prevented.

Further, according to the refilling method of the present invention and the features of the device, the user can reuse the liquid properly by the proper refilling.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a cartridge as a first embodiment of the present invention and a printer main body using the cartridge.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a cartridge as a first example of the embodiment of the present invention and a printer body using the cartridge.

FIG. 4 shows the refill method and refill device 2 of the present invention.
FIGS. 7A and 7B show one embodiment, in which FIG. 7A is a front view of a syringe common to both of them, FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a hole closing state of one embodiment, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a state.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional cartridge and a printer body using the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cartridge 1a Inner container 1b Outer container 1c Discharge port 1d Opening 2 Printer main body 3 Ink 4 Connection part 5 Filling chamber 5a Filler 6 Ink chamber 8 Communication port 12, 12a, 12b Atmospheric communication port 31 Syringe 31a Syringe main body 32 Needle 32a Hole closing part 32b Needle hole 34 Adhesive tape 35 hole

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A cartridge having at least an inner container and an outer container, wherein the inner container is a flexible bag container and has at least an impregnating filler, an air communication port, and an outlet facing the filler. Including. The outer container has a connection portion that connects the outlet of the inner container to the liquid supply target, and has openings on at least two sides. A cartridge, wherein the inner container contains a liquid and is contained in the outer container. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is translucent or transparent. 3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the inner container has a liquid chamber partially communicating with a filling chamber filled with the filler. 4. A needle of a syringe containing a dedicated liquid in a cartridge is pierced into a part of the inner container exposed from an opening of the outer container, and the liquid is injected into the inner container. The exclusive refilling method for a cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the exclusive refilling is completed by closing a hole after the needle is removed with a dedicated adhesive tape provided by the method. . 5. A syringe body containing a dedicated liquid in a cartridge and a needle combined with the syringe body, and a needle attached to the syringe is pierced into a part of the inner container exposed from an opening of the outer container. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein after injecting the liquid into the inner container, only the syringe body is removed while leaving the needle, and the hole of the needle is closed at a hole closing portion provided on the remaining needle to complete refilling. 4. A refill method dedicated to the cartridge according to any one of the above-described items. 6. A combination of a syringe containing a dedicated liquid in a cartridge, and a dedicated adhesive tape for closing a hole after piercing a needle of an inner container provided as a pair with the syringe. A refill device dedicated to the cartridge according to claim 1. 7. A combination of a syringe main body containing a dedicated liquid in a cartridge and a dedicated needle attached to and detached from the main body, wherein the needle has a hole closing portion for closing its own needle hole. A refill device dedicated to the cartridge according to claim 1.