KR20010040212A - A valve body and a liquid storage container for a liquid discharge device utilizing the valve body - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A liquid storage container is provided to control an ink jet used for controlling thin spot coating and uneven coating and to prevent an ink from leaking or evaporating through an air conduction part even if the pressure in the ink tank is increased. CONSTITUTION: A liquid storage container is provided with a valve as an air replacement means repeating a plurality of times of opening and closing operations for one jet.

Description

VALVE BODY AND A LIQUID STORAGE CONTAINER FOR A LIQUID DISCHARGE DEVICE UTILIZING THE VALVE BODY}

The present invention provides a valve body for temporarily opening a hole when a force of a specific size is applied and closing the hole when the force is removed, and internal pressure for supplying the liquid contained therein to the liquid discharge means of the liquid ejector. It relates to a liquid storage container installed as an air exchange means for adjustment.

Until now, in the ink tank of a writing instrument, the ink (tank) cartridge of an inkjet printer, the outside air is blown into the tank and the air is exchanged in correspondence with the amount of ink consumed in writing or printing to form characters or images. In order to prevent the pressure change in the tank from adversely affecting the consumption of ink, a simple hole is formed as an air intake port, a membrane that allows gas to pass but liquid does not pass, and a valve that opens as needed. There is one in which an air passage with a mechanism is attached.

However, the provision of a simple hole as an air intake opening could not eliminate the possibility of ink leaking from this hole. Also, in writing instruments or ink jet printers, ink discharge means such as a pen tip or a print head may have the same head pressure due to the weight of ink (the same force applied to the bottom surface of a liquid column standing from the liquid surface to the liquid surface with a horizontal unit area of a specific height as the bottom surface). Pressure), simply by drilling a hole as an air inlet, or by installing a membrane that allows gas to pass but does not allow liquid to pass, the interior of the ink tank or ink cartridge is equal to atmospheric pressure. Ink might be ejected by pressure.

In addition, since having the valve mechanism allows the air passage to be formed only when necessary, at least the above-described leakage of ink can be suppressed as much as possible, and at the same time, the head pressure of the containing ink is made negative for the atmospheric pressure. Since the vent hole can be closed in the above, the ejection of the ink described above can be suppressed. As an example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-076094, it is known to use a valve body having a slit-shaped vent hole that is closed in a state in which pressure is not applied to the elastic material.

Moreover, as a structure which fixes a valve mechanism in the state which formed airtight, it is a structure which clamps and fixes the outer edge part of a valve mechanism, for example, described in the said Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 7-076094. It is a structure which fixes the outer edge part of the elastic member by which the slit was provided by clamping from radial direction to columnar shape, and Japanese Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 8-300891 has moisture permeability and water resistance between half-shaped members. Disclosed is a structure in which a membrane body made of a raw material is disposed so that the half-shaped member sandwiches and fixes the outer edge of the membrane body in the columnar direction from the longitudinal direction from both directions.

Further, a valve member made of an elastic material capable of controlling the passage of the liquid is disposed in the liquid discharge hole through which the liquid passes when the contained liquid is supplied to the liquid ejector, and as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-69750 It is known to form a slit "or" hole. "

However, when a valve mechanism such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-076094 is used as the ventilation means for adjusting the pressure resistance, the pressure in the tank can be adjusted by opening the ventilation path, but when a specific pressure is applied. Since the vent holes are configured to open, it is difficult to cope with both small pressure changes and large pressure changes.

That is, since the pressure is equally opened when a certain pressure is reached, whether small or large, the pressure reduction in the container due to ink consumption must be set so as to restore a fine pressure reduction state. Therefore, for a large pressure change, it takes time to recover the internal pressure because some time is required to pass the necessary air. Therefore, when the high internal pressure is being adjusted in the middle, ink is ejected by the excessive supply, and when the low internal pressure is in the middle of adjustment, the ink supply is stopped due to the short supply. In addition, once closed and then closed again, it will not be restored to its original condition.If there is a slight deviation in the closing, the valve will not open at the specific pressure desired and the ink supply will be stopped or the valve will open even if the desired pressure is not reached. There was a possibility that the ink was ejected.

Moreover, in the structure which clamps and fixes the outer edge part of the valve body which consists of elastic materials, the distortion of the volume part deformed by the clamping force of the clamping member acts on a valve body, and deforms the peripheral part of the ventilation hole of a valve body. For this reason, the adjustment of the internal pressure by the inflow and discharge of air may be out of order. In particular, if the internal pressure rises due to a temperature rise or the like, the valve will open sensitively even when the valve is closed when not in use. Therefore, when the ink is evaporated and reduced in communication with the outside air, or the valve body is placed below the ink, There was a problem of ink leaking.

In addition, when supplying the accommodated liquid to the liquid ejector, when a valve body made of an elastic member having a "slit" or "hole" capable of controlling the passage of the liquid to the liquid ejection hole through which the liquid passes, When manufacturing the "slit" or "hole", the deformation of the valve body by the elastic member causes a large deviation in the shape and size of the "slit" or "hole", which may cause a large deviation in the ink discharge amount. In addition, since the "slit" or "hole" is opened by the deformation due to the pressing force applied, substantial movement of the ink is limited because the pressing member is in contact with the opening. For this reason, since a valve must be opened more than necessary, a big pressing force is given, and the burden on the valve member itself or a peripheral part is large.

In addition, since an elastic material having a substantially hole is used, the reliability of the liquid tightness in the closed state is inevitably lowered. That is, in the case where the slit is formed as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-69750, when the internal pressure of the ink containing portion is increased, the pressure acts as a pressing force to substantially open the slit, so that ink leaks when not in use. There was a risk of lead. In particular, with the spread of laptops in recent years, small portable printers with high portability are desired, but when carrying, it is necessary to take the ink cartridge out of the printer, attach it to the printer, and consider how many times the separation will be repeated. do. In addition, since it must be able to be placed in various directions and be able to withstand rapid pressure changes when boarding an airplane or the like, it is strongly desired that ink not leak when not in use.

1 is a schematic view of a liquid ejector.

2 is an electron micrograph (100 times) of the valve body surface which concerns on Example 1. FIG.

3 is an electron micrograph (100 times) of a cross section of a valve body according to Example 1;

4 is an electron micrograph (500 times) of the valve body cross section which concerns on Example 1. FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example used for writing instruments.

6 is an enlarged view of a portion I of FIG. 5.

7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example used for another writing instrument.

8 is an enlarged view of portion II of FIG. 7;

9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example used for an ink cartridge for an inkjet printer.

10 is an enlarged view of section III of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of portion IV of FIG. 9;

12 is an essential part cross sectional view showing a state where the ink cartridge is connected to an ink cartridge holder having an ink head.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a printing state in the inkjet printer.

14 is a cross-sectional view of the discharge valve member.

15 is a sectional view of a modification.

16 is an enlarged view of a portion V in FIG. 15.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing a state in which an ink cartridge is connected to an ink cartridge holder having an ink head.

18 is an enlarged view of a main part of a modification (corresponding to FIG. 16).

19 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional example.

20 is a cross-sectional view of a comparison valve body.

It is a schematic diagram of a test apparatus.

It is a schematic diagram of a test apparatus.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

1: container

2: discharge means

3: with ink supply

4: by aeration

5: valve body

7: absorption space

11: shaft

12, 12 ': nib

13: communication hole

14 hole

15: valve body

21: cartridge body

22: discharge valve member

23: discharge hole

25: valve body

27: cartridge holder

31: Needle Valve

32: vacuum pump

33: silicone tube

34: pipe

35 pressure gauge

36: recorder

That is, this invention makes the summary a valve body formed by arrange | positioning the some valve cover which consists of elastic materials which can close these through-holes in each through-holes which communicate with each other. Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a content liquid supply path for connecting the liquid contained therein with the liquid discharge means of the liquid ejector, and an air passage for allowing air to pass in and out of the container. There is provided a liquid storage container for a liquid ejector, characterized in that the valve body is provided as a valve means for temporarily opening an air passage in accordance with a pressure change and passing the internal and external air. Moreover, according to this invention, the discharge valve member which consists of a rubber-like elastic body which is pressed against the periphery of the ink discharge hole which supplies ink to a printer head, and can close this periphery, is clamped and arrange | positioned in a compressed state, and this discharge valve member The liquid ejector is a liquid for liquid ejector, wherein the liquid ejector is an inkjet printer, which is deformed by a pressing force to be formed so that a gap is formed between the inner wall of the periphery of the ink ejection hole, which is a valve seat. A storage container is provided.

The valve body adjusts the amount of air that can pass through the selective operation of a plurality of valve covers made of an elastic material, so that the pressure in the container and the head pressure of the contents liquid are balanced. Further, the above-mentioned adjustment of the amount of air is preferably adjusted by the balance between the ease of deformation of the elastic material of the valve cover and the difficulty of deformation as a structure. In addition, in order to properly operate the valve cover, in consideration of the valve cover being made of an elastic material and behaving as a cantilever, it is preferable that the Young's modulus, which is an amount representing the deformation amount peculiar to the material with respect to the load, is set to 1 MPa to 5,000 MPa.

In order to obtain a valve body having such a valve cover, communicating pores are formed by foaming or eluting a skeleton portion continuous in a three-dimensional mesh shape and a synthetic resin having the above-mentioned Young's modulus in order to contact each other. Aggregates of granular bodies such as synthetic resins and rubber, or those in which these are partially integrated by heat or a solvent can be appropriately used, and these communicating porous bodies, fiber convergence bodies, and granular aggregates are compressed to have an apparent volume. Preferably, the apparent density, which is the amount of material relative to, is from 0.03 g / cm ³ to 1.5 g / cm ³ .

In this case, the pressure resistance can be easily adjusted by setting the number of holes per unit length before compression to be 4 pieces / cm to 1000 pieces / cm. In addition, it is preferable that the hardness by the Asker C-type hardness tester is 20 or more and less than 100, when the thing shape | molded by giving heating and the heat_generation | fever by high frequency in compression made the sample of 8 mm thick. It is preferable to shape | mold this compression to a desired shape only from one direction, as it is excellent in the handleability as a member which comprises a container, and can be manufactured at low cost. At this time, by setting the compression ratio to 5% to 40% of the material thickness before compression, it is possible to ensure that the air passage is surely closed in a state where the internal pressure is appropriate without inhibiting the internal pressure adjustment.

As an elastic material having a Young's modulus of 1 MPa to 5,000 MPa, in the case of a communicating porous body, an inert gas, a decomposable blowing agent, and a volatile organic liquid are mixed with a rubber and / or plastic raw material to form a bubble therein, thereby foaming to form a communicating pore. The thing which mixed inorganic particle | grains, such as calcium carbonate, with rubber | gum plastic materials to a plate shape was shape | molded, and what melt | dissolved inorganic particle and formed the communicating pore is mentioned. As the rubber and / or plastic raw material, the elastic material may be natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, neoprene rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polystyrene, polyamide And polyurethanes, silicone resins, epoxy resins, phenol resins, urea resins, and fluororesins. Among them, in particular, it is preferable to use an ether-based polyurethane resin as a material in consideration of durability to liquid, ease in formation of a communicating porous body, productivity, and the like.

Polyester, acrylonitrile, nylon, rayon, acetate, polyvinyl chloride, vinylidene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, etc. are mentioned in the case of a fiber convergence body. Chemically, the short fibers and the long fibers of these synthetic fibers are mechanically entangled with each other in the needle punch method, the ones formed in a felt shape are heated and fused, or chemically bonded together using a solvent or a binder resin. You can use entangled with each other. Among them, heat-sealing of thermoplastic materials such as polyester fibers is particularly preferable because the movement of the skeletal portions other than the valve cover is suppressed as much as possible in view of shape retention and reliable operation.

In the case of the particulate aggregate, a material such as rubber or a synthetic resin elastomer capable of elastic deformation can be used. Rubber materials include natural rubber, isoprene rubber, 1,2-polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber, acrylic Synthetic vulcanized rubbers such as rubber, ethylene-acrylic rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, polysulfated rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, and fluorine rubber. Examples of the synthetic resin elastomers include polystyrene-based elastomers, polyolefin-based elastomers, polyurethane-based elastomers, polyester-based elastomers, polyamide-based elastomers, 1,2-polybutadiene-based elastomers, ethylene-vinyl acetate-based elastomers, and polyvinyl chloride-based elastomers. Thermoplastic elastomers. In addition, the granular material can use the granular molded material synthesize | combined by superposition | polymerization, and the granular molded object formed by injection molding or extrusion molding. The shape of each granular object is a sphere, a sphere, a sphere, an ellipsoid, or a spherical object such as a sphere, a sphere, or a polygonal prism from a sphere close to a perfect sphere. In addition to rods such as truncated cones, one or more kinds of star-shaped projections formed on the spheres, cross-shaped rod-shaped cross-sections, and the like can be used. And although the average particle diameter of these granular objects is 50-3000 micrometers, it is also possible to mix and use the thing of several types of particle diameters. Moreover, when each granular object is formed in the aggregate of the structure connected integrally by fusion | melting mutually by heat or a solvent, what has a good shape resilience as a valve body can be obtained.

In addition, if the cross-sectional shape of the skeleton portion serving as the valve cover is substantially triangular, when the skeleton portions are in contact with each other, the surfaces between the skeletons are in contact with each other, which is advantageous for hermeticity, and the cells between each skeleton serving as air passages are provided. It is also advantageous for aeration because it can be at a maximum volume.

And when ventilating when the pressure in a container becomes a negative pressure rather than a specific pressure by the case where the liquid in a container is consumed etc., it is preferable to open at least once when the content liquid is consumed 0.00001 cm ³ -0.0001 cm ³ . In other words, even if the pressure difference between the inside and outside increases due to the consumption of a large amount of contents at once, the inside and outside pressure are not increased by adjusting the internal pressure precisely by dividing it into several stages at a small pressure difference stage and rapidly ventilating it. A large pressure can be applied and the burden can be suppressed.

In addition, fixing the valve body made of a half phase is provided by the surface which clamps a valve body, and the absorption space which absorbs the deformation | transformation by clamping of a valve body in the outer edge part side of this clamping surface, and a deformation | transformation air exchange part of a valve body. With proper inflow and outflow of the air, the internal pressure in the tank can be adjusted.

As an example of the ink used as the internal liquid, it is preferable to have a surface tension of 25 m · N / m to 55 m · N / m in consideration of ink penetration or leakage, and the compounding example thereof is as follows.

Water based dye inks 1

Duasyn Black HEF SF Liquid (C. I. Direct Black 168, manufactured by Clariant Japan Co., Ltd.)

6.0 parts of ethylene glycol

Glycerin 3.0part

Isopropanol 3.0 parts

NIKKOL BO-10 TX (POE oleyl ether, manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.)

0.02part

PROXCEL GXL (1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, manufactured by Zeneca Ltd.) 0.2part

57.78 parts of ion-exchanged water

The above components were mixed and stirred for 2 hours with a propeller stirrer to obtain a black recording solution. Its surface tension was 40 m * N / m.

Aqueous dye inks 2

3.0 parts of Duasyn Red 3B-SF VP346 (manufactured by C. I. Reactive Red 23, Clariant Japan Co., Ltd.)

Diethylene glycol 7.0 parts

Glycerin 3.0part

Isopropanol 2.0 parts

Element 5.0

NIKKOL BT-12 Part 0.5

PROXEL GXL 0.2 part

79.3 parts of ion-exchanged water

The above components were mixed and stirred for 2 hours with a propeller stirrer to obtain a magenta recording liquid. Its surface tension was 36 m * N / m.

Further, as an example of a liquid ejector using a liquid storage container, a fountain pen nib having an ink supply path capable of holding ink by capillary force of a slit formed in a plate-shaped metal material, or a portion of a metal ball placed on a protruding tip ( Iii) a writing instrument having a ball point pen tip nib, a fiber nib using a fiber condenser such as acrylic fiber or polyester fiber, a synthetic resin nib in which an ink through hole having an inner protrusion is formed on a synthetic resin rod, The inkjet printer which has a printer head, such as a thermal inkjet system and a piezo inkjet system, is mentioned.

In the present invention, the rubber-like elastic body constituting the discharge valve member for supplying ink to the liquid discharge means such as the nib or the printer head may be deformed when the pressing force is applied and restored to its original shape when the pressing force is released. Other suitable materials include styrene butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, chlorinated butyl rubber, brominated butyl rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, urethane rubber, acrylic rubber, chlorinated polyethylene, Polysulfide rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, fluorine rubber, ethylene propylene trimer, polystyrene elastomer, polyolefin elastomer, polyurethane elastomer, polyester elastomer, polyamide elastomer, 1,2-polybutadiene elastomer, poly Vinyl chloride elastomers and the like. In particular, in consideration of contact with the ink, it is necessary to consider that the compounded chemicals do not elute into the ink or react with the ink.

In addition, since it is desirable to ensure a good shape recovery even if the initial quality is maintained even if it is repeatedly attached to and detached from the printer, the compression set is preferably 70% or less, and the rebound elasticity is preferably 20% or more. Here, compression set and rebound elasticity refer to what is described in JISK6301-1995.

Action

Since aeration is repeatedly performed for every small amount, very stable ink discharge according to the magnitude of the pressure is realized. In addition, when a fine valve cover is arranged in each of a plurality of through-holes intersecting and communicating with each other in a three-dimensional mesh shape, the plurality of elastic granules are filled in a specific compression state in the valve chamber, and are formed between the particle bodies adjacent to and in contact with each other. In the case where the through hole is formed by the minute pores to be formed, it has a plurality of cover parts that can be closed along the passage of the through hole, and at the same time, the air passage itself branches into a plurality of shapes. Therefore, since the passage resistance can be selected and passed through in such a direction that the flow resistance is small, it is possible to automatically adjust the opening to be opened according to the required ventilation amount even when a large pressure change is required and a large amount of ventilation must be performed. Since the internal pressure recovery can be realized in a short time, and the internal pressure can be adjusted precisely, the magnitude of the internal pressure change hardly affects the discharge quality of the internal liquid. In addition, since the opening and closing is performed by a plurality of coverable cover parts, other cover parts can compensate for this even if some cover parts are not completely restored to their original state in closing due to the shape recovery of the individual cover parts. Therefore, it is easy to maintain a desired operating pressure, and printing is interrupted or ink ejection is suppressed as much as possible.

In the case where the valve body is a communicating porous body, when the hardness by the Asker C type hardness tester is 20 or more and less than 100, when the internal pressure of the container rises to 27 to 266 Pa without a pressure difference from the outside, it is deformed and ventilated. The furnace can be in communication, and since the material itself is an elastic body, the open state to the vent can be restored to the closed state. The pressure difference of various sizes can be coped with by repeatedly opening and closing the air passage according to the pressure difference generated between the inside and the outside of the container. Here, the valve body is a communicating porous body, which employs an elastic body having a structure in which all three-dimensional skeletons are integrally connected. As a result, when the pressure difference becomes lower than a predetermined value after release to the air passage, the original state can be reliably restored, and when attached to the liquid storage container, the unit can be easily attached as it is not in communication. . Therefore, it is easy to prevent ink from leaking out or inadvertently circulating air from the attachment portion at the time of assembly, and excellent productivity can be obtained.

Then, if the valve body made of the above-mentioned elastic material is sandwiched and fixed at a predetermined position, the distortion of the volume portion deformed by the sandwiching by the absorption space absorbing the deformation may be difficult to act on the air exchange part of the valve body. . Therefore, since the desired internal pressure adjustment cannot be prevented and the deviation in the internal pressure adjustment can be suppressed as much as possible, it is possible to suppress the ink ejection failure and the ink leakage as much as possible.

In addition, since the hermetic coating body makes an airtight contact with the cartridge body, it can reliably block the inside of the ink tank from the atmosphere to achieve airtightness. Leakage can be prevented.

The ink supply to the print head is made up of a container which is an injection-molded product of a synthetic resin, a discharge valve member which is a rubber-like elastic body, and a closing ink passage as a valve mechanism between this and another member (the edge of the hole of the container body). . Therefore, reliable ink supply can be easily ensured while maintaining the cost reduction using the elastic material. In addition, the pressing force for deforming can also be selected as desired, and since it is pressed onto the synthetic resin material by the elastic force of the elastic material, it is easy to ensure a reliable liquid tightness as well as the deformation of the member. We can suppress the best.

Example

The valve body according to the present invention comprises a supply means for discharging means for use of the liquid content such as writing or printing, in a container body for accommodating the content liquid in a free state without being bound to liquid holding means such as a fiber convergence body; When used in a liquid storage container equipped with ventilation means for maintaining the internal pressure of the container in a specific range, the most beneficial effect is achieved. The liquid ejector which assembled such a container is typically shown in FIG. That is, the container 1, which is hollow inside, and in which ink can move freely inside the container, includes a pen tip of a writing instrument such as a ballpoint pen tip or a fountain pen nib, or a means for discharging content liquid such as a printer head or a nozzle of an inkjet printer ( 2), an ink supply passage 3 to the discharge means 2, an aeration passage 4 for internal pressure adjustment having a plurality of apertures which can communicate with each other and can communicate internal and external air, and the plurality of A valve body 5 having a plurality of valve covers arranged in the through hole is provided.

In the state where writing or printing is not performed, the pressure in the container 1 falls within the range as low as the head pressure of the ink, which is a liquid content, to the atmospheric pressure. However, the valve body 5 closes the air passage 4 to allow the internal and external air to be vented. Blocking The vent 4 has a plurality of passages communicating with each other and branched into a plurality of passages, and the passages to be vented with respect to the pressure to be opened are selected according to the length of the passage, the direction of the branch, the size and shape of each cover, and the like. Consists of. That is, when the pressure in the container is lowered and the difference with the atmospheric pressure is lower than the head pressure, or when the internal pressure rises and exceeds the atmospheric pressure, the valve cover is operated to blow the outside air into the container or the air inside the outside. By discharging, the pressure in the container is adjusted to a range as low as the head pressure of the ink, which is the internal liquid, with respect to the above-mentioned atmospheric pressure, and a decompression state suitable for the head pressure by the residual ink in the container reduced by ink discharge is formed. When the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the container is small, only the valve cover which can be opened by the smallest force when venting and communicating is opened, and when a large pressure difference is suddenly applied, other valve covers are opened immediately to cope with this. . Therefore, since the valve cover is not opened more than necessary to solve the small pressure difference, it is also possible to raise the internal pressure of the container to be equal to the atmospheric pressure beyond the range as low as the head pressure of the ink, which is the liquid content, to the atmospheric pressure. It is also possible to suppress a large pressure difference in an instant because the lack of aeration for the air and not reaching the range as low as the head pressure of ink with respect to atmospheric pressure can be suppressed.

As described above, a valve body in which a plurality of valve covers are arranged while communicating with each other is formed, and basically, a communication pore is formed by using an elastic material, and the one in the closed state is compressed by compressing the communication pore. . Broadly divided, there are communicating porous bodies, fiber convergence bodies, and granular aggregates. As an example of a valve body, what compressed each communicating porous body, the fiber convergence body, and the granular material aggregate was prepared. Tables 1 to 3 show the basic structure, material, Young's modulus, apparent density, hardness, porosity, compression ratio, and skeleton of Asker C-type hardness gauge (manufactured by Toshiki Keiki Co., Ltd.) in the examples of the valve bodies. The negative cross-sectional shape is shown. Here, each Example used the thing which dipped in Frescera-D treatment liquid which is a fluorine-type coating agent manufactured by Matsushita Denko Co., Ltd., and dried at 200 degreeC for 5 minutes, and used the water repellent treatment.

Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 rescue Communicating Porous Body Communicating Porous Body Communicating Porous Body Communicating Porous Body Communicating Porous Body Granular aggregates Granular aggregates material Ether Polyurethane Foam Thermal Compression Ether Polyurethane Foam Thermal Compression Ether Polyurethane Foam Thermal Compression Ether Polyurethane Foam Thermal Compression Filling a glass balloon (30 μm in diameter, 1 μm in thickness) in ether-based polyurethane resin Nitrile Rubber (Spherical Particles with Diameter of 1.0mm) Nitrile Rubber (Spherical Particles with Diameter of 1.0mm) Young's modulus (MPa) 900 900 900 3000 5000 One 2500 Apparent density (g / cm ³ ) 0.03 0.73 1.50 1.50 1.50 0.71 0.71 Hardness 30 45 60 70 85 30 70 Porosity (pieces / cm) 16 16 16 16 16 10 10 Compression Ratio (%) 20 20 20 20 20 33 33 Skeleton section shape About triangle About triangle About triangle About triangle About triangle About circle About circle

Example 8 Example 9 Example 10 Example 11 Example 12 Example 13 Example 14 rescue Granular aggregates Granular aggregates Granular aggregates Fiber focus Communicating Porous Body Communicating Porous Body Communicating Porous Body material Nitrile Rubber (Spherical Particles with Diameter of 1.0mm) Nitrile rubber (spherical spherical fusion of 1.0mm diameter) Nitrile Rubber (Spherical Particles with Diameter of 1.2mm) Felt made of 4-denier polyethylene terephthalate fiber Ether Polyurethane Foam Thermal Compression Ether Polyurethane Foam Thermal Compression Ether Polyurethane Foam Thermal Compression Young's modulus (MPa) 5000 3500 3500 3000 900 900 900 Apparent density (g / cm ³ ) 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.13 0.13 0.13 Hardness 90 20 35 85 30 50 70 Porosity (pieces / cm) 10 4 83 833 197 197 197 Compression Ratio (%) 33 33 33 33 5 27 40 Skeleton Section Shape About circle About circle About circle About circle About triangle About triangle About triangle

Example 15 Example 16 Example 17 Example 18 Example 19 Example 20 Example 21 rescue Communicating Porous Body Communicating Porous Body Communicating Porous Body Communicating Porous Body Communicating Porous Body Communicating Porous Body Communicating Porous Body material Ether Polyurethane Foam Thermal Compression Polyvinyl chloride foam Polyvinyl home foam Ether Polyurethane Foam Thermal Compression Ether Polyurethane Foam Thermal Compression Ether Polyurethane Foam Thermal Compression Ether Polyurethane Foam Thermal Compression Young's modulus (MPa) 900 3000 3000 3000 3 3500 3500 Apparent density (g / cm ³ ) 0.08 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.06 0.83 0.83 Hardness 35 50 50 50 20 95 95 Porosity (pieces / cm) 16 167 167 167 16 16 16 Compression Ratio (%) 10 20 20 20 40 40 40 Skeleton Section Shape About triangle About triangle About circle About triangle About triangle About triangle About triangle

For Example 1 in which the ether-based polyurethane foam was molded by thermal compression in the above examples, the surface photographs and the longitudinal cross-sectional photographs are shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. That is, FIG. 2 image | photographed the surface state of the valve body 5 by 100 times, and it can confirm that the through-hole 5b is formed between frame part 5a. FIG. 3 photographs the longitudinal section of the valve body 5 at 100 times, and FIG. 4 similarly photographs the longitudinal section at 500 times. It can be confirmed that the shape of the end face 5c of the skeleton portion 5a has a substantially triangular shape, and the respective skeleton portions 5a overlap and contact each other.

Here, the photographing was carried out by observing a photographing sample cut to a corner of 1 cm in liquid nitrogen with a scanning electron microscope JSM 5310LV (manufactured by Nippon Denshi K.K., Ltd.).

An example of an ink cartridge for a writing instrument and an inkjet printer as a liquid storage container including the valve body of the present invention will be described.

5 shows an example of an aqueous ballpoint pen having a ballpoint tip as a nib 12. This aqueous ballpoint pen constitutes an ink reservoir by the barrel 11, and the aqueous dye ink 6 is housed therein. The tip of the shaft 11 is connected to the pen tip 12, which is a ballpoint pen tip, through the tip holder 11b, and the ink 6 is connected to the pen tip 12 by the communication hole 13 in the tip holder 11b. have. The shaft 11 is an approximate cylindrical shape having an inner diameter of about 10 mm in the portion where the ink 6 is accommodated, and is an injection molded article of a synthetic resin that is excellent in non-permeability of gases such as polypropylene and has transparency, The remaining amount of the ink 6 can be visually confirmed. The ball point tip of the pen tip 12 is arranged in a state where the ball partially protrudes from the tip hole of the ball holder, and ejects ink from the space between the ball and the ball holder as the ball rotates. However, in the non-writing state in which the ball does not come into contact with the ground, the ball is in close contact with the inner wall of the ball holder when the pen tip is downward, so that ink does not flow excessively even if an ink relay such as a fiber convergence is not used. Ink is connected to the ballpoint pen tip. At the time of writing, the ball is brought up in contact with the ground to form the gap portion, so that ink can be ejected and used. And in order to ensure the adhesiveness of a ball and a ball holder in the non-writing state of a ballpoint pen tip, an elastic body, such as a spring, can be arrange | positioned in a ball holder, and it can be comprised so that a ball can be actively pressed.

The rear part of the cylinder 11 is formed with an opening part, and the end plug 11a is press-fitted and fixed. The end plug 11a is formed with a hole 14 serving as an air flow path. As shown in FIG. 6, which is an enlarged view of the portion I of FIG. 5, the inside of the lid mounting portion 11c of the end plug 11a is the valve arrangement portion 11d, and the foam of the ether-based polyurethane that is a communicating porous body. The valve body 15 which compression-molded and closed the communicating porous body is arrange | positioned. The inner diameter of the valve arrangement portion 11d is larger than the outer diameter of the valve body 15. The lid 11e, which is an injection-molded article made of polypropylene resin, is press-fitted to the lid mounting portion 11c so as to sandwich the valve body 15 with the end plug 11a. Bonded and fixed. Here, the lid 11e has the center hole 14a, and can communicate with the hole part 14 of the end plug 11a and the valve body 15 as a medium.

Although the valve body 15 is press-contacted to the columnar shape by the said end plug 11a and the lid 11e from the upper and lower surfaces, and is being fixed while forming airtight in the contact part, as mentioned above, the valve arrangement part Since the inner diameter of 11d is formed larger than the outer diameter of the valve body 15, a space of diameter difference is formed around the valve body 15. As shown in FIG. When this space clamps the valve body 15, it becomes the absorption space 7 which absorbs the deformation | transformation by the pressure which the valve body 15 receives. That is, the valve body 15 is deformed by the pressure caused by the pinching, and the volume of the deformed portion is intended to maintain the volume by expanding the other part, but due to the presence of the absorption space 7, this volume part is changed. It can be absorbed by a volume that expands into space. Therefore, since the deformation | transformation of the center part of the valve body 15 which is an inner diameter direction, ie, the part through which air flows can be suppressed as much as possible, it can prevent that a dispersion | variation arises in adjustment of internal pressure in a tank.

7 and 8 show a modification. Unlike the above-described ball pen, it has a nib 12 'made of a fiber convergence body. Although the basic structure is the same as the example shown in FIG. 5, the attachment part of the valve body 15 has another shape. Here, the nib 12 'includes a nib portion protruding from the tip holder (nib holder) 11b and an ink discharge control portion 13a positioned in the communication hole 13.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, which is an enlarged view of part II of FIG. 7, the inner diameter of the valve disposing portion 11d is always arranged at the same position without having to adjust the position when setting the valve body 15. It approximately coincides with the outer diameter of the sieve 15.

Moreover, the recessed part is formed in the outer periphery part of the outer diameter direction of 11 d of valve arrangement parts, and the deformation | transformation which the absorption space 7 formed by this recessed part acts in the radial direction by the clamping of the valve body 15 is carried out. Since it absorbs, the dispersion | variation in the internal pressure adjustment function in a tank by a deformation | transformation in the center part of the valve body 15 which is a part through which air flows can be prevented. Moreover, as a result of the deformation of the valve body 15 absorbed in the absorption space 7, the valve body 15 is deformed in the state where the convex part was formed in the edge part of the outer peripheral part, and it will be in the state which caught the valve arrangement part 11d. Therefore, since the fixing of the valve body 15 in the radial direction is assured, the movement of the valve body 15 due to falling or the like can be prevented.

9 to 13 show an example used in the inkjet printer, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge, FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the main part around the discharge hole, FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the main part around the valve element, and FIG. 12. Is a cross-sectional view of a main part connected to an ink cartridge holder having an ink head, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state used for a printer.

The ink cartridge shown in FIG. 9 basically consists of a cartridge body 21 having a bottomed box shape and a cover 21a.

The cartridge body 21 is an injection-molded product of polypropylene resin having transparency, and the remaining amount of the content ink can be visually confirmed. In addition, a cover 21a, which is an injection-molded product of polypropylene resin, is similarly fixed to the upper opening of the cartridge body 21 so as to be hermetic and liquid-tight by ultrasonic welding. The cover 21a is formed with a hole 24 serving as an air passage and a protruding cylinder portion 21c surrounding the periphery thereof. The bottom part 21b of the cartridge main body 21 is provided with the discharge hole 23 for supplying ink to the printer head (not shown) which is ink discharge means, and this discharge hole 23 is not connected with the printer head. The discharge valve member 22 is disposed so that ink is not discharged in the state (not connected to the printer).

The discharge valve member 22 is a molded article of a rubber-like elastic body, and is composed of a cylindrical lid portion 22a and a flange-shaped deformation portion 22b protruding from the side wall of the lid portion 22a. The flange-shaped deformation | transformation part 22b is clamped between the fixed cylinder part 21d formed in the cover 21a, and the attachment cylinder part 21e formed in the bottom part 21b of the cartridge main body 21. As shown in FIG. Side holes 21f and 21g for passing ink are formed in the fixed cylinder portion 21d and the attached cylinder portion 21e, respectively, so that the ink 6 can be present in the entire container, and at the bottom 21b. Inclined walls 21h are formed so as to be closer to the discharge holes 23 so that their positions are lowered, so that all the ink having the remaining amount is consumed.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, which is an enlarged view of part III in FIG. 9, the inner wall portion around the discharge hole 23 is formed of a valve seat 23a, and the lid portion 22a of the discharge valve member 22 is formed. The outer surface can be contacted in a liquid tight state. That is, in the state shown in Figs. 9 and 10 in which the ejection force from the outside of the cartridge is not applied to the discharge valve member 22, the lid portion 22a and the valve seat 23a are in liquid contact with each other in a columnar form, and ink is applied. By suppressing it from coming out, the deformed portion 22b of the discharge valve member 22 is easily deformed by being pressed from the outside (lower side of the drawing) so that the lid portion 22a is raised, and the gap between the valve seat 23a is increased. The ink thus formed and passed through the side holes 21g and the like of the attachment cylinder portion 21e can be discharged outward.

As shown in FIG. 11, which is an enlarged view of the IV portion of FIG. 9, the cover 21a is formed with a protruding cylindrical protruding cylinder portion 21c, and the inside of the protruding cylinder portion 21c is a hole which becomes an air circulation portion. It consists of a part (24). This protruding cylinder portion 21c is made up of a mounting portion for the airtight forming cap 8 that closes the hole 24 so that it is hermetically and liquid tight.

The cap 8 capable of forming the airtightness is an injection-molded product of a polypropylene resin having a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is disposed on the inner wall of the columnar contact portion 8a with respect to the outer wall of the protruding cylindrical portion 21c, and is dotted on the periphery thereof. It has a plurality of inner protrusions 8b. The columnar contact portion 8a serves as an airtight contact portion for hermetically sealing and closing the hole 24. However, when the outer wall of the protruding tube portion 21c is slid and moved while being hermetic and in contact, the airtight forming cap 8 is a bottomed cylinder. Since the internal air of the () is pushed into the container, the airtight contact is made in the vicinity of the opening of the protruding cylinder portion 21c. The inner protrusion 8b is for detachably fixing the airtight cap 8 to the protruding tube portion 21c, but is fixed by being inserted into a columnar recess formed in the outer wall of the protruding tube portion 21c. Therefore, in the airtight formation cap 8, the columnar contact part 8a is located in the bottom side (upper side figure) rather than the inner side protrusion 8b. In this way, when the columnar contact portion 8a is in airtight contact with the cartridge body, the airtight state can be obtained by reliably blocking the inside of the ink tank and the atmosphere, thereby preventing ink leakage and evaporation of ink when not in use. You can prevent it.

Inside the protruding cylindrical portion 21c of the cover 21a, a valve mounting portion 21i is formed in which a foam body of ether-based polyurethane, which is a communicating porous body, is compressed to arrange the valve body 25 which closes the communicating pores. Further, in the protruding tube portion 21c, a lid 21j having an air hole, which is an injection molded article made of polypropylene resin, is contacted with the protruding tube portion 21c so as to sandwich the valve body 25 with the valve attaching portion 21i. Is fixed by welding by ultrasonic welding. And the valve body 25 is press-contacted from the upper and lower surfaces on both sides by the said cover 21a and the lid 21j, and is fixed, forming airtightness. Here, the inner diameter of the valve mounting part 21i is made substantially the same as the outer diameter of the valve body 25 so that it may always be located in the same position, without having to adjust the position when setting the valve body 25.

A recess is formed in the outer diameter direction outer edge of the valve mounting portion 21i. The absorption space 7 formed by this recessed part absorbs the deformation | transformation which acts radially by the clamping of the valve body 25, and is closed by the deformation | transformation in the center part of the valve body 25 which is an air circulation part. By suppressing the closing change of the communication porosity, a deviation can be prevented from occurring in the internal pressure adjustment in the tank.

In the present embodiment, the contact surface between the bottom surface of the valve body mounting portion 21i, which is a member that holds the valve body 25, and the valve body 25 on the bottom surface of the lid 21j, is gradually spaced toward the center portion. It forms in the inclined surface which increases, and pressurizes the outer peripheral part of the valve body 25 with the narrowest narrow width to the columnar shape, and forms the airtight at the contact part, and fixes it. Since the clamping width of the part in which the valve body 25 is clamped becomes wider as it goes to the center side, the ratio of the welding amount of the center part side to the outer peripheral part side is about 1: 3. Since the pressure contact amount is small on the valve body 25 center side, deformation | transformation which generate | occur | produces also becomes small, and deformation | transformation of the valve body 25 center part which is an air circulation part can be suppressed. For this reason, especially in this embodiment, the deformation | transformation of the center part of the valve body 25 is suppressed, and the closed state of the communicating pore in the valve body 25 becomes stronger than necessary, or the closed state is canceled | released without a need, etc. Since it is possible to suppress this, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of deviation in the internal pressure adjustment in the tank.

Moreover, the protrusion part 21k is formed in the inside which opposes the protrusion cylinder part 21c toward the inside of a container, and the slit-shaped opening part 21l is provided in the side wall of this protrusion part 21k. This is to serve as an air passage and is formed in order to restrain the content ink 6 from being scattered and attached to the valve body 25 by impact or the like.

12 is a sectional view of an essential part connecting the ink cartridge to the cartridge holder with the print head. The cartridge holder 27 has an ink supply cylinder 27a to the print head in a portion corresponding to the discharge hole 23 that abuts on the lower portion of the ink cartridge, and is pressed against the discharge valve member 22 of the ink cartridge. The packing member 27b is arrange | positioned around the ink supply cylinder 27a, and is in close contact with an ink cartridge, and ink is prevented from leaking to the outside.

In FIG. 13, the state used for an inkjet printer is shown typically, The detailed structure of a printer, etc. are abbreviate | omitted. The cartridge holder 27 is attached to the drive arm K and moves along the longitudinal direction of the drive arm K, and prints at a predetermined position as the paper P is fed out.

Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 14 to 17. The difference from the above-described embodiment is that the shape of the discharge valve member 22 disposed in the discharge portion and the airtight cap 8 for hermetically sealing the hole 24 serving as the air circulation portion of the valve body 25 are closed. It is about how. That is, as shown in FIG. 14 which is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the discharge valve member 22, the discharge valve member 22 in this embodiment has a substantially cup-shaped bottomed tubular shape, It is formed in the lid part 22a which can contact liquid valve seat 23a and form liquid tightness, the fixed cylinder part 21d formed in the cover 21a, and the bottom part 21b of the cartridge main body 21 like the example. It consists of the flange part 22c clamped between the mounting cylinder part 21e, and the deformation | transformation part 22b which connects the cover part 22a and the flange part 22c. This deformation | transformation part 22b is a part which actively deforms when the cover part 22a is pressed, and the deformation | transformation recessed part 22d which defines the direction (folding posture) of deformation to some extent is formed, and was pressed by At this time, the deformation concave portion 22d is deformed to be bent inward. Moreover, the ink hole 22e is formed in the deformation | transformation part 22b, and the inner wall surface of the cover part 22a is a pendulum shape which raised the center part so that the ink located inside the cup shape can also be used for printing. 22 f of inclined walls, and is designed to actively discharge the ink inside the cup to the outside of the discharge valve member 22.

15 shows a state in which the valve body according to the present invention is attached to the cartridge body. A slanted inclined surface 22g is formed on the outer surface of the lid portion 22a so as to be easily fitted into the discharge hole 23. A portion near the inclined surface 22g is in contact with the valve seat 23a to form a liquid seal. . When the discharge valve member 22 is provided, the discharge valve member 22 is press-fitted to the discharge hole 23 from the inside into the cartridge body 21 without the cover 21a mounted thereon, and then the cover is installed. Since the discharge valve member 22 can be pinched and fixed by attaching the 21a to the cartridge body 21, installation is easy. The cover 21a may be mounted in a state where the ink 6 is accommodated, or after the cover 21a is mounted, the ink may be filled from the hole 24 for installing the valve body 25 which is a ventilation means, and the other You may form the hole with the lid for ink filling in a part. It is convenient to refill the ink when the ink is used up when a hole with an ink filling cover is formed.

As shown in FIG. 16, which is an enlarged view of the V portion of FIG. 15, the sheet 8c made of ethylene propylene diene rubber is disposed at the bottom of the airtight forming cap 8, and the sheet 8c and the cover 21a are disposed. The airtightness is formed by making the open end of the protruding cylinder part 21c of 9 contact a columnar shape. Accordingly, as in the embodiment of FIG. 11 described above, the airtight state does not slide when the cap 8 is attached or detached, and the risk of injecting air in the airtight cap 8 into the container can be minimized. The sheet 8c is an elastomeric member having a Shore hardness A of 30 and slightly elastically deforms upon contact. Thus, by forming an airtight body with the elastomer member excellent in flexibility, the permissible range of the dimensional deviation of a molded article also becomes wide and can form reliably. In this embodiment, the ethylene propylene diene trimer having a Shore hardness A of 30 is used as the elastomer member. However, the Shore hardness A can be appropriately set, and in consideration of liquid tightness and airtightness with respect to the material, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber Various elastomeric members, such as styrene butadiene rubber, urethane rubber, butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber, hypalon (made by Hypalon, du Pont), and fluororubber, can be used suitably.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged view of an essential part of a state in which the valve body according to the present invention is attached to a cartridge holder 27 for a printer. The ink supply cylinder 27a is a bypass for connecting ink to the print head, and in this embodiment, the net 27c is disposed in the opening of the pipe member. When the net 27c presses the bottom of the discharge valve member 22, the deformable portion 22b is deformed and the lid portion 22a moves upward. At this time, a gap is formed between the lid portion 22a and the valve seat 23a to discharge ink. A plurality of radial grooves 22h for introducing ink intersect at the center portion on the outer bottom surface of the discharge valve member 22 in contact with the net 27c. Ink discharged through the outside of the discharge valve member 22 penetrates into the ink supply container 27a through the radial groove 22h. Also, in order to prevent ink from leaking around the ink supply container 27a, a packing member 27b such as an O-ring made of rubber or the like is provided, or an installation container for accommodating the entire cartridge body, although not shown, is suitable. Can be configured.

18 shows another embodiment. FIG. 18 is a view corresponding to FIG. 16 of the above-described embodiment.

Although the inkjet cartridge of the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, the cap 8 is integrally molded with the cover 21a in an open state, and the portion of the connection table 8d with the cover 21a is bent to the protruding tube portion 21c. It is fitted in a liquid-tight state detachably and is fixed.

In the cartridge shown in FIG. 9, the sample which deform | transformed the shape, material, a dimension, etc. of the discharge valve member was shape | molded, and Examples 101-107 were produced using the valve body of Example 1. As shown in FIG. Moreover, the cartridge using the discharge valve member 221 which provided the slit-type ink through hole 221a in the same half-shaped member (made of silicone rubber) shown in FIG. 19 was created, and it was set as the comparative example 101. FIG. The shape, material, etc. of these Examples 101-107 and Comparative Example 101 are shown in Table 4.

Example shape Material name Compression set (%) Resilience (%) Deformation thickness (mm) Diameter of cover part (mm) Deformation Thickness / Ratio of Cover Diameter (%) Deformation thickness (mm) Deformation length (mm) Deformation thickness / ratio of deformation length (%) Example 101 Face Butyl Chloride Rubber 20 50 11.3 11.3 100.0 11.3 2.0 565.0 Example 102 Cup shape Butyl Chloride Rubber 20 50 1.0 11.3 8.8 1.0 7.0 14.3 Example 103 Cup shape Acrylic rubber 70 20 2.0 11.3 17.7 2.0 7.0 28.6 Example 104 Cup shape Silicone rubber 10 80 0.5 11.3 4.4 0.5 7.0 7.1 Example 105 Cup shape Chlorosulfonated polyethylene 80 40 1.0 11.3 8.8 1.0 7.0 14.3 Example 106 Cup shape Nitrile rubber 50 10 1.0 11.3 8.8 1.0 7.0 14.3 Example 107 Cup shape Low density polyethylene 98 5 1.0 11.3 8.8 1.0 7.0 14.3 Comparative Example 101 Slit valve Silicone rubber 10 80 - - - - - -

Each test mentioned later about Examples 1-21 of each said Example was implemented. The results are shown in Tables 5 and 6. Moreover, as a comparative example of the valve body which ventilates for pressure resistance adjustment, the comparative valve body D made of nitrile rubber as shown in sectional drawing in FIG. 20 was produced, and each test was performed in the same manner. In the comparison valve body D, a dome-shaped convex portion 25c is formed at the center portion of the columnar flange portion 25b, and a slit 25a serving as an air passage is formed at the top portion of the convex portion 25c. . The slit 25a is closed in a state where no force is applied. When the convex side of the convex part 25c becomes low beyond a fixed value with respect to the concave side, the slit 25a is opened and ventilation is possible. In addition, the thickness of this comparative valve body D is 1 mm thin plate shape, and the length of the slit used as a ventilation path is 3 mm. Moreover, as a method of attaching the comparison valve body D to the ink cartridge for writing instruments or inkjet printers, a system in which the flange portion 25b is sandwiched so as to form a liquid seal between members in the same manner as shown in Figs. 9 to 11. Was used.

1. Pressure resistance test

(1) test device

The schematic diagram of the test apparatus for internal pressure adjustment test is shown in FIG. Example 1 to Example 21 and the comparative valve body D are installed in the same manner as the writing instrument shown in FIG. 7, and the fiber nib is detached and the suction force can be adjusted by the needle valve 31 (model). Name: PCX 135, manufactured by Yamato Kagaku KK), was connected using a silicon tube 33. In addition, by forming a hole in the side of the shaft and attaching the pipe 34, the recorder for viewing the correlation with time on the pressure gauge 35 (model name: GPM 104N, manufactured by Okano Seisakusho) by the silicon tube 33 37) connected to the one connected.

(2) test

The suction pressure of the vacuum pump 32 reduces the amount of decompression from the atmospheric pressure in the cylinder by a specific value (6.5 hPa, 13.0 hPa, 19.5 hPa), and adjusts the relationship between the pressure change in the cylinder and the time at this time. Recorded as. The suction of the vacuum pump lowers the internal pressure of the cylinder when the valve body is closed, and immediately before the valve body is opened becomes the minimum value of the cylinder cylinder internal pressure. When the valve body is opened, the air pressure is blown in because the air is blown into the cylinder. And just before the valve body closes again, internal pressure becomes maximum. The time taken from the minimum value of this internal pressure to the maximum value was measured. In addition, the time from the maximum value of the said internal pressure continuously until it reached minimum value was also measured.

(3) test result

The time taken from the maximum value to the minimum value of the pressure in a cylinder means that a valve body is easy to open shorter. Moreover, the time taken from the minimum value to the maximum value of the pressure in a cylinder means that a valve in which time is short is easy to close.

In the embodiment, the time from the maximum to the minimum is very short, and the time from the minimum to the maximum is also instantaneous. This is that although the valve of the embodiment is very easy to open, it is instantly restored to its original state after adjusting the pressure. In addition, it can be seen that the embodiment has no change in the maximum value and the minimum value, and stable internal pressure adjustment is realized even if the opening and closing are repeated.

2. Writing and printing test by difference of discharge amount

(1) test method

Each valve body was attached to the end plug portion of the sine pen S520 (manufactured by Pentel K.K.) which closed the vent hole at the tip portion, in the same manner as the writing instrument shown in Fig. 7, and was used as a test sample of the writing instrument. However, the pen width of the nib 12 was 0.7 mm. Moreover, the valve body was installed in the end plug part of BCI-21 Black (made by Canon K.K.) similarly to the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 9, and it was set as the test sample of the cartridge for inkjet printers. For writing instruments, writing load with a writing tester (type: TS-4C-10, manufactured by Seiki Kogyo K.K.); 0.98 N, handwriting angle; 70 °, writing speed; The ink ejection amount of 50 m writing was measured when the ink filling height was 100 mm under writing conditions of 70 mm every second. A cartridge for an inkjet printer was set in BJC465J (manufactured by Canon K.K.) and printed on A4 paper at a print width of 0.2 mm at a printing speed of 70 mm per second to measure the ink discharge amount of 50 m printing when the ink filling height was 50 mm.

Subsequently, the nib of the writing instrument sample was replaced with a nib having a handwriting width of 2.1 mm so that the ink ejection amount increased. The inkjet cartridge changed the printer's settings so that the print width was 0.6 mm. Then, the same test as the writing and printing test was conducted, and the ink ejection amount was measured.

In addition, the discharge amount of ink was converted into the volume (cm ³ ) by the specific gravity (1.06) of the ink from the mass change (g) of the sample before and after writing or printing. In addition, the state of each handwriting and print trace was visually confirmed.

(2) test result

In the examples, even if the handwriting width and the printing width were increased (higher the amount of discharged), the handwriting or the print traces were also in good condition. On the other hand, in the comparative example, the state of the scratches of the handwriting, the print trace, or the state (not being able to write / not print) was not discharged was confirmed.

3. Writing and printing test by temperature difference

(1) test method

Each test sample was obtained by the same method as said "Confirmation test of writing and printing by the difference of discharge amount". Each sample was first set in the above-described writing tester or inkjet printer in a constant temperature room at an environmental temperature of 50 ° C., and the ink discharge amount in 50 m writing and printing was measured. Or the ink discharge amount in 50 m writing and printing was measured in the inkjet printer. In addition, handwriting and traces of printing under each environmental temperature were visually confirmed.

(2) test result

In the embodiment, even when the environmental temperature was rapidly lowered, stable ink ejection was obtained, and the handwriting or print trace was also in a good state. On the contrary, in the comparative example, it was confirmed that the handwriting and the print trace were interrupted or ejected.

Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Example 8 Example 9 Example 10 Example 11 Written and printed test due to difference in temperature written test 50 ℃ Ink discharge amount (cc) 0.207 0.232 0.204 0.183 0.170 0.222 0.187 0.177 0.208 0.208 0.232 handwriting Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good 10 ℃ Ink discharge amount (cc) 0.168 0.161 0.156 0.168 0.156 0.161 0.159 0.162 0.176 0.178 0.168 handwriting Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Printing test 50 ℃ Ink discharge amount (cc) 0.217 0.194 0.190 0.185 0.177 0.194 0.183 0.176 0.227 0.232 0.181 Printable Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good 10 ℃ Ink discharge amount (cc) 0.183 0.174 0.165 0.170 0.153 0.185 0.163 0.164 0.186 0.196 0.164 Printable Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good

Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Example 8 Example 9 Example 10 Example 11 Writing, printing test by difference of temperature change written test 50 ℃ Ink discharge amount (cc) 0.217 0.202 0.196 0.214 0.211 0.191 0.198 0.222 0.181 0.167 0.074 handwriting Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Blurred 10 ℃ Ink discharge amount (cc) 0.176 0.162 0.165 0.187 0.177 0.178 0.186 0.188 0.166 0.158 0.421 handwriting Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good eruption Printing test 50 ℃ Ink discharge amount (cc) 0.197 0.190 0.186 0.198 0.185 0.187 0.178 0.202 0.197 0.187 0.077 Printable Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Blurred 10 ℃ Ink discharge amount (cc) 0.168 0.175 0.164 0.179 0.181 0.173 0.163 0.168 0.173 0.163 0.351 Printable Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Smearing

The following tests were done about Examples 101-107 and Comparative Example 101. The results are shown in Table 7.

4. Confirmation test of manufacturing deviation

(1) test method

Ten were prepared as test samples using BCI-21 Black (manufactured by Cannon Co., Ltd.) in the same manner as the printing test. Set on an inkjet printer BJC 465J (manufactured by Canon Co., Ltd), it prints on A4 paper with a print width of 0.2 mm at a printing speed of 70 mm per second, and prints an ink discharge amount of 50 m print when the ink filling height is 50 mm. Measured. Here, the discharge amount of ink was converted into the volume (cm ³ ) by the specific gravity (1.06) of the ink from the mass change (g) of the sample before and after printing. Moreover, the light and dark state of each print trace was visually confirmed.

(2) test result

In the Examples, the discharge amount of the same value was shown for all the samples, whereas in the Comparative Example, the discharge amount varies depending on the sample, and it is understood that it is difficult to produce a stable product.

5. Ink Leak Confirmation Test

(1) test method

In Examples 101 to 107 and Comparative Example 101, the ink filling heights were all 24 mm. After the ink discharge hole was placed in the downward state and placed in a constant temperature chamber at an environmental temperature of 50 ° C. and left to stand for 1 hour, the presence or absence of ink leakage from the discharge valve member was visually confirmed.

(2) test result

In the embodiment, no ink leak occurs, and the airtightness of the discharge valve member is assured.

6. Ink loss confirmation test

(1) test method

In Examples 101 to 107 and Comparative Example 101, the respective ink filling heights were all 24 mm. The ink discharge holes were placed in an upward state and placed in a constant temperature chamber having an environmental temperature of 50 ° C., and left standing for one month. The loss of ink was measured from the mass change (g) of the sample before and after addition.

(2) test result

The embodiment has a small amount of ink loss and is reliably regardless of the direction in which the airtightness of the discharge valve member is placed.

7. Repeat detachment test

In each of Examples 101 to 107 and Comparative Example 101, the ink filling heights were all 24 mm. The cartridge holder of BC-10 (manufactured by Canon Co., Ltd.) having an inkjet printer head was repeatedly attached and detached up to 1,000 times. After that, the ink ejection hole was placed downward and placed in a constant temperature chamber at an environmental temperature of 50 ° C for 1 hour. After that, the presence or absence of ink leakage from the discharge valve member was visually confirmed.

(2) test result

In the embodiment, no ink leak occurs, and since the number of times of repeated removal and detachment in normal use is considered to be 1,000 times or less until the contents ink is exhausted even if the ink cartridge is removed for every printing, It can be seen that the durability of the airtight formation is high.

The composition of the ink used in each test is as follows.

Writing ink

FISCO BLACK 883 (dye, Orient Chemicals Co., Ltd., manufactured) 40 parts

10 parts ethylene glycol

50 parts water

Ink for Inkjet Cartridges

DUASYN-D. BLACK HEF-SSLIQ 10% aqueous solution (dye, manufactured by Clariant Japan Co., Ltd.) 30.0 parts

Ethylene glycol 5.0 parts

Glycerin 10.0part

Isopropanol 3.0 parts

BO-10TX (surfactant, manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 0.02 parts

50.98 parts of water

As described above, the present invention provides a valve body mechanism capable of coping with both a slight pressure change and a pressure change, and when used in an ink storage container such as a writing instrument or an inkjet printer, the handwriting and print traces become blurred or faint. It is possible to suppress the excessive force and to prevent problems such as splashing or ejection due to oversupply or clouding due to insufficient supply, by quickly restoring the internal pressure of the container to an appropriate pressure state even with a large pressure change. Can be. In addition, a large deviation in the ink discharge amount can also be suppressed as much as possible.

Claims (27)

A valve body having a plurality of through holes communicating with each other, each of which has a plurality of valve covers made of an elastic material capable of closing the through holes. The valve body according to claim 1, wherein the valve cover capable of closing the through hole is made of an elastic material having a Young's modulus of 1 MPa or more and 5000 MPa or less. The method according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member having a skeleton portion continuous in a three-dimensional mesh shape and communicating pores formed at intervals of the skeleton portion is compressed so as to have an apparent density of 0.03 g / cm ³ or more and 1.5 g / cm ³ or less, A valve body comprising the valve cover by closing the communicating pores by bringing the frame portions into contact with each other. 4. The valve element according to claim 3, wherein the compression is performed in a heated state so that the compressed state can be maintained by itself. The Asker C-type hardness tester according to claim 4, wherein the communicating porous body having a three-dimensional mesh skeleton made of an elastic synthetic resin formed by compression in the heating state uses a sample having a thickness of 8 mm. The hardness by which is 20 or more and less than 100, The valve body characterized by the above-mentioned. The valve body according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the compression is caused by compression from one direction, and the thickness of the compression direction of the elastic material is 5% or more and 40% or less before compression molding after compression molding. The valve body according to claim 3, wherein the number of holes per unit length on the surface of the elastic material before compression is 4 / cm or more and 1000 / cm or less. 4. The valve element according to claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the skeleton portion continuous in the three-dimensional mesh shape is substantially triangular. 3. The valve body according to claim 2, wherein the elastic material is an ether polyurethane resin. A liquid storage container for a liquid ejector, comprising: a liquid supply passage for connecting a liquid contained therein to a liquid ejecting means of a liquid ejector; an air passage for allowing air to pass through the liquid storage container; A liquid storage container for a liquid ejector comprising a valve means for temporarily opening the air passage and allowing internal and external air to pass in accordance with a change in internal pressure, the liquid storage container for a liquid ejector comprising a plurality of through holes communicating with each other. The liquid storage container for a liquid ejector further comprising a valve body in which a plurality of valve covers made of an elastic material capable of closing these through holes are arranged. The valve body is clamped and fixed, and the absorbing space which absorbs the deformation | transformation by the clamping of the said valve body was provided in the clamped surface of this valve body, and the outer edge part of this clamping surface, It characterized by the above-mentioned. Liquid storage container for liquid ejectors. 12. The valve body according to claim 11, wherein the valve body is sandwiched by a holding member, and the holding member includes an inclined surface on the contact surface with the valve body which gradually increases its clamping width toward the center portion, and thus the central portion of the valve body. A liquid storage container for a liquid ejector, characterized in that the amount of compressive deformation increases as it goes from the outer side to the outer side. The valve body according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the valve body opens the air passage at least once to communicate internal and external air when the content liquid is supplied to the 0.00001 cm ^{3 to} 0.0001 cm ³ liquid discharge means. A liquid storage container for a liquid ejector, characterized by the above. The liquid storage container for a liquid ejector according to claim 10, wherein the liquid ejecting means is a nib selected from a metal fountain pen nib, a ballpoint pen tip, a fiber convergence nib, and a synthetic nib having a central ink aperture. A liquid storage container for a liquid ejector according to claim 10, wherein said liquid ejecting means is a print head for an inkjet printer. The liquid storage container for a liquid ejector according to claim 15, wherein a detachable hermetic coating body capable of closing the air passage provided with the valve body from the outside is disposed. The liquid storage container for a liquid ejector according to claim 16, wherein the airtight coating is formed of a polypropylene resin molded article. 18. The airtight-covered body according to claim 16 or 17 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, has a fitting fixing portion detachable from the cartridge body, and has an inner wall for the cartridge body. And a columnar hermetic contact portion, wherein the fitting fixing portion is fitted to the cartridge body such that the columnar hermetic contact portion is hermetically contacted with the cartridge body. 19. The liquid storage container according to claim 18, wherein the hermetic contact portion is a sheet-shaped elastomer member disposed in the hermetic coating. The liquid storage container for a liquid ejector according to claim 16, wherein the airtight coating body and the liquid storage container body are connected. 16. The discharge valve member according to claim 15, wherein the discharge valve member made of a rubber-like elastic body pressed against the ink discharge hole peripheral part for supplying ink to the printer head and capable of closing the peripheral part thereof is sandwiched and arranged in a compressed state. The ejection valve member is deformed when a pressing force is applied to the liquid ejector, and the liquid ejector is an inkjet printer, in which a gap is formed between the inner wall of the periphery of the ink ejection hole, which is a valve seat, to allow ink to flow out. fountain. The liquid storage container for a liquid ejector according to claim 21, wherein the compression set of the rubber-like elastic body constituting the discharge valve member is 70% or less. 23. The liquid storage container for a liquid ejector according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the rubber-like elastic body has a rebound elasticity of 20% or more. The discharge valve member according to claim 21, wherein the discharge valve member comprises: a lid portion which forms a liquid seal in close contact with an inner wall of the ink discharge hole peripheral portion serving as a valve seat, a flange portion which is clamped and fixed to the liquid storage container; And a deformable portion connecting the cover portion and the flange portion, wherein the deformable portion extends in the same direction as the pressing force for the outflow of the ink. The liquid storage container for a liquid ejector according to claim 24, wherein the thickness of the deformable portion of the discharge valve member is 4% or more and 18% or less of the diameter of the cover part. The liquid storage container for a liquid ejector according to claim 24 or 25, wherein a thickness of the deformed portion of the discharge valve member is 7% or more and 30% or less of the length of the deformed portion. A press force for deforming the discharge valve member is applied by contacting an outer surface of the discharge valve member with capillary force, and a center is provided on the outer surface in contact with the ink connection means of the discharge valve member. A liquid storage container for a liquid ejector, characterized in that a plurality of ink passage grooves radially intersecting at a portion are formed.