MXPA98006117A - Method for filling liquid in a liquid container with liquid chamber, and apparatus for filling liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for supplying liquid to a liquid container including a first chamber, which is provided with a liquid supply portion for supplying the liquid outwardly to a liquid ejection head and a ventilation duct of air for communication of fluid with the ambient air, to accommodate in the same member that produces the negative pressure, a second chamber that forms an essentially sealed space except in what refers to a communication part with the first chamber, where the liquid supply portion is placed on a lower side, and a structure that promotes the gas-liquid exchange that is provided in the first chamber, to introduce the ambient air into the second chamber in order to allow the discharge of liquid, The method comprises: a step of reducing pressure to reduce a pressure of a whole of the container, while the container of liquid It is hermetically sealed, a first step to supply liquid in order to supply the liquid to the second chamber and complete the supply of liquid before a portion adjacent to the structure that promotes the gas-liquid exchange of the member that produces the negative pressure in the first chamber is supplied with the liquid, in a state of reduced pressure that is provided by the pressure reducing passage, with the container adopted the same orientation as when the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head, a second supply step of liquid to supply the liquid to the first chamber through the liquid supply portion after the first liquid supply passage into the second chamber, a release passage to release the hermetically sealed state of the first chamber after the second chamber step of supplying liquid to the first chamber

Description

"METHOD FOR FILLING LIQUID IN A LIQUID CONTAINER WITH LIQUID CHAMBER, AND APPARATUS TO FILL LIQUID" FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED TECHNIQUE The present invention relates to a method for filling liquid in a liquid container, in particular, a method for filling liquid in a desirable ejection liquid container such as a container for holding liquid ink or processing liquid used in an apparatus. of ink jet registration. A liquid container or a liquid ejection head cartridge used in a liquid ejection apparatus, in particular, an ink jet type recording apparatus, has two orifices: an ink supply orifice through which the liquid (ink) is supplied to a recording medium such as an ink jet head, and an air ventilation duct through which atmospheric air is introduced into the container by a volume equivalent to the amount of consumption of the ink. ink. This type of ink container is required to be capable of stably supplying the ink recording medium, without interruption, during a recording period, and also being able to reliably prevent the ink from escaping regardless of ambient conditions, during a period of non-registration. In order to satisfy the aforementioned requirements, the inventors of the present invention proposed a liquid container having a virtually sealed space for retaining the liquid such as ink, and a chamber producing negative pressure. The chamber producing negative pressure was placed adjacent to the virtually sealed space and had a negative pressure producing member. This container is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Number Hei-7-125232, US Patent Number 5,509,140, Japanese Patent Application Number Hei-7-68778, and similar publications. As a representative invention of this type, Japanese Patent Application Number Hei-7-125232 discloses an invention, in accordance with which an ink supply tube is inserted laterally into the ink container to create this pattern of distribution pressure in the negative pressure producing material inside the package, which allows the ink within the sealed space to be consumed methodically as the liquid (ink) is replaced by gas (air). US Patent Specification No. 5,509,140 discloses an invention, as a representative invention, in accordance with which an ink container is provided with an internal structure that enhances gas-liquid exchange so that a region under pressure stable negative can be established within the liquid container at an initial stage of ink consumption through gas-liquid exchange. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Number Hei 7-68778 discloses an invention, in accordance with which, an ink package is structured such that the ink has been delivered through a portion of the bottom wall, and the The lower wall is provided with a recessed portion as a temporary ink reservoir. This invention, according to the invention described above, is disclosed in the specification of U.S. Patent No. 5,509,140. Japanese Patent Application Number Hei 7-125232 discloses an ink package comprising two chambers. A chamber is a chamber that retains the material that produces the negative pressure that is provided with an air vent, and that retains the material that produces the negative pressure. The other chamber is a liquid retention chamber that connects to the retention chamber of the material that produces the negative pressure and that retains nothing but the ink. This ink is supplied to the material that produces the negative pressure through a tiny passage only, which is placed between the two chambers, away from the air ventilation duct. According to this invention, the ink package is stabilized in terms of negative pressure, so that the ink supply efficiency is improved. Disclosed is a method for filling an ink container (ink cartridge) with the structure previously described in Japanese Patent Application Number Hei 8-090785. According to this application, while the ink is filled in the ink container, the ink container is held in an inclined position and the ink is filled inside the container, carefully synchronizing the opening or closing of the ink supply opening and the air ventilation duct Another method of ink filling is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Number Hei 8-132636 according to which the ink is filled in an ink container by reducing the internal pressure of the ink container. The above-described ink filling methods for filling an ink container with ink are quite rational from the point of view of reliably filling the ink inside an ink container, or an ink jet cartridge comprising a container of ink and a registration head, while preventing the ink from escaping. However, since the use of ink jet type recording devices has spread widely and rapidly in recent years, the demands for faster printing and higher quality prints have also increased. Faster printing and higher quality prints require that the frequency of exchange of the ink container be reduced and in order to reduce the frequency of the exchange of the container, an ink container with a large capacity is desired. From the point of view of reducing the size of the recording apparatus, a high-capacity ink container is desired so that it has a structure so that the liquid is supplied to the recording head through a part of the lower wall of the ink container. In addition, these ink containers with large ink capacity, and the ink cartridges comprising this ink container, are desirable to be as economical as possible in a consumer market. Therefore, a less expensive and more efficient method has been sought to fill the ink in an ink pack during the manufacture of the ink pack. Therefore, the inventors of the present invention studied the liquid containers, which comprised a liquid retention chamber, and a negative pressure production chamber. The liquid retention chamber is virtually sealed and exclusively retains the liquid, and the chamber producing the negative pressure contained a piece of negative pressure producing material or a negative pressure producing member. The inventors of the present invention also studied the liquid filling methods which are supposed to be capable of filling liquid in the liquid containers described above, at a high speed even when the size of the chamber producing the negative pressure, which contained the material producing the negative pressure was increased by extending the chamber in the direction parallel to the lower wall, and at the same time, the total space surrounded by the outer walls of the liquid container was also increased. The studies revealed that if conventional liquid filling methods are used to fill the liquid in the large capacity container that supplies the liquid to a head from a part of the lower wall of the liquid container, there will sometimes be problems in filling it. of liquid containers. For example in the case of the ink filling method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Number Hei 8-090785, the synchronization with which the ventilation air duct and the ink supply port are opened or closed, and the angle of the ink container, should be changed according to the amount of ink that has been filled inside the container. Thus, an ink filling apparatus in accordance with this ink filling method becomes too complicated and it is also possible that the non-uniformity related in manufacturing may increase due to the variation in the time needed to switch the manufacturing steps. In the case of the ink filling method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Number Hei 8-132636, the internal pressure of an ink container is first reduced, and then, the ink is filled from the side of the porous material. In other words, in the case of this liquid filling method, the ink is filled through a large piece of porous material. Therefore, the ink sometimes suddenly enters an ink chamber before the porous material is completely filled with ink. This creates a problem since a considerable portion of the ink chamber may not be filled with ink. If the considerable portion of an ink chamber is not filled with ink, the ink container becomes very sensitive to ambient pressure where the ink container, which has been sealed for shipping, is not sealed to be used for the first time or a similar occasion; in other words, the ink may leak, or air may enter the ink container through the ink supply opening to supply the ink outward and consequently, the liquid may be prevented from being stably supplied. Further, in the case of an ink filling method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Number Hei-8-230209, since the liquid is quickly filled into a structured liquid container to be filled with the liquid through a liquid. part of its lower wall, the member that produces the negative pressure is filled not uniformly with the ink. This uneven distribution of ink in the material that produces the negative pressure is caused because the liquid is filled in the chamber of the material that produces the negative pressure through a passage that connects the chamber of material that produces the negative pressure and the liquid chamber. With the ink having been distributed unevenly in the material producing the negative pressure, air may be introduced into the recording head through the air vent before the liquid in the liquid chamber is consumed to registry. As a result, the ink supply has the possibility to be interrupted.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for filling highly productive ink and a highly productive ink filling apparatus, which can ensure, that a structured liquid container for supplying liquid to a head through a part of its lower wall is Do not fill up evenly with liquid, even when the container is large. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for filling liquid that is capable of making full use of the advantageous characteristics of the aforementioned ink package for stably supplying the liquid when the ink container is in use. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for supplying liquid to a liquid container, including a first chamber, provided with a liquid supply portion for supplying the liquid outwardly to a liquid ejection head. , and an air ventilation duct for fluid communication with ambient air, to accommodate therein a member that produces negative pressure; a second chamber forming an essentially sealed space except for a communication part with the first chamber, wherein the liquid supply portion is placed on a lower side; and a structure that promotes gas-liquid exchange, which is provided in the first chamber to introduce the ambient air into the second chamber in order to allow the discharge of the liquid, the method comprising: a step of reducing pressure to reduce a pressure of the entire container, while the liquid container is hermetically sealed; a first step of supplying liquid to supply the liquid to the second chamber, completing the supply of liquid before a portion adjacent to the structure promoting the gas-liquid exchange of the member producing the negative pressure in the first chamber is it supplies with the liquid, and a reduced pressure state that is provided by the pressure reduction step, with the package adopting the same orientation as when the liquid is delivered to the liquid ejection head; a second liquid supply passage for supplying the liquid to the first chamber through the liquid supply portion, after the first liquid supply passage to the second chamber; a release step to release the hermetically sealed state of - Il ¬ the first chamber after the second step of supplying liquid to the first chamber. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for delivering the liquid to a liquid container, which includes a first chamber, provided with a liquid supply portion for supplying the liquid outward, to an ejection head. of liquid and an air ventilation duct for fluid communication with the ambient air, to accommodate therein a member that produces negative pressure; a second chamber forming an essentially sealed space except for a communication part with the first chamber, wherein the liquid supply portion is placed on a lower side; and a structure that promotes the gas-liquid exchange that is provided in the first chamber, to introduce the ambient air into the second chamber to allow the discharge of the liquid, the method comprising: a pressure reduction step to reduce a pressure of the entire package, while the liquid container is hermetically sealed; the first step for supplying liquid to supply the liquid to the second chamber, and completing the supply of liquid before a portion adjacent to the structure promoting the gas-liquid exchange, of the member producing the negative pressure in the first chamber is supplied with the liquid, in a state of reduced pressure that is provided by the pressure reduction step, with the container adopting the same orientation as when the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head; a second liquid supply passage for supplying the liquid to the first chamber through the liquid supply portion, after the first liquid supply passage to the second chamber; a step of discharging the liquid of a predetermined amount of the liquid from the first chamber through the liquid supply portion after the second liquid supply passage. The method for filling liquid according to the present invention means a method for filling liquid that can be used not only for filling a liquid container during a manufacturing step of the liquid container but also for desirably replenishing an ink container after that the liquid has been completely or partially exhausted. In other words, it is a method for filling usable liquid to initially fill a liquid container as well as to refill the liquid container after the liquid container is put into use.

In accordance with the aforementioned ink filling method based on the present invention, the second chamber can be filled quickly and reliably with the liquid. In addition, the member producing the negative pressure is uniformly filled with the liquid, leaving no region of the member producing the negative pressure without wetting, filling the liquid in the first chamber through the liquid supply portion of the first chamber . In other words, the present invention can provide a highly productive precise liquid filling method. Further, after the first chamber is completely filled with the liquid, the liquid in the first chamber is discharged by a predetermined amount from the liquid supply port to ensure that a region having a desirable degree of absorbency to allow the Liquid container reacts appropriately to changes in the environment or similar, can be created adjacent to your air vent, in the material that produces negative pressure. This method for filling the liquid can provide high precision and high efficiency in filling the liquid and by itself. However, this method for liquid filling is desirable to be used in combination with the following processes because this combination can improve the merits of this method. 1. Take a liquid container out of a sealed state just before the first chamber is completely filled with liquid. This process can prevent gas (air) from being quickly introduced into a liquid chamber; the gas (air) is prevented from entering the liquid chamber unexpectedly. 2. To fill the liquid in the vicinity of the communication hole, through the liquid supply hole or the first chamber, before beginning to fill the second chamber with the liquid. This process ensures that the portion of the member that produces the negative pressure that becomes the ink flow path when the liquid container is in use, is properly filled to stably supply the liquid even when the liquid container in use has the structure mentioned above and is also great. These processes are effective individually to improve productivity, but they can also improve the objects of the present invention when used in combination. The liquid ejection method according to the present invention is particularly suitable for liquid containers having a second chamber with an internal volume of 10 cubic centimeters or greater, even though it is also compatible with liquid containers having a second chamber with an internal volume of less than 10 cubic centimeters. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for supplying the liquid to a liquid container, which includes a first chamber, provided with a liquid supply portion for supplying the liquid outward, to a head of the liquid. ejection of liquid and an air ventilation duct for fluid communication with the ambient air, to accommodate therein a member that produces negative pressure, a second chamber forms an essentially sealed space except as regards a communication part with the first chamber, wherein the liquid supply portion is placed on a lower side, and a structure for promoting the exchange of liquid gas, provided in the first chamber, for introducing ambient air into the second chamber in order to allow the discharge of the liquid, the apparatus comprises: a sealing means for sealing the liquid container; a pressure reducing means for reducing a pressure of an entire container, while the liquid container is hermetically sealed; the first liquid supply means for supplying the liquid to the second chamber and - K completing the supply of liquid before a portion adjacent to the structure promoting the gas-liquid exchange of the member producing the negative pressure in the first chamber is supplied with the liquid, in a state of reduced pressure which is provided by the pressure reduction step, with the container acquiring the same orientation as when the liquid is supplied to the liquid ejection head; the second liquid supply means for supplying the liquid to the first chamber through the liquid supply portion, after the first liquid supply passage to the second chamber; a release means for releasing the hermetically sealed state of the first chamber after the second liquid supply passage to the first chamber. In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an apparatus for filling liquid with which the aforementioned liquid filling method can be desirably carried. In this specification of the present invention, a "top portion" means the portion that is directed directly toward the bottom wall of a liquid container. When the upper portion is in the upper part, the communication hole is in the lower part.

An expression "region that is positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the first chamber and that is not filled with liquid (ink)" is used as a phrase meaning not only an empty space (air cushion chamber), ie, a space, without the material that produces the negative pressure but also a region that is filled with the material that produces the negative pressure, but that is not filled with liquid (ink). The expressions, "material retention chamber producing the negative pressure" and "ink retention chamber" are applied only to a chamber that meets the requirements to retain or store the ink (liquid), while the expressions "first chamber" "and" second camera ", are used more to refer to the cameras; Not only do they apply to a camera that meets the requirements to retain and store the ink (liquid), but also a camera that is in the process of filling the requirements. The structure, in accordance with the present invention, for improving gas-liquid exchange includes any structure that can introduce atmospheric air into a liquid chamber to allow liquid in the virtually sealed liquid chamber to be supplied to a chamber of liquid. material that produces negative pressure, without essentially changing the negative pressure - 1! (which corresponds to the level of the liquid) produced by the material that produces the negative pressure; for example, the atmospheric air introduction path described in the specification of the present invention, an atmospheric air priority path formed by differentiating the pore size in a predetermined region of the material that produces the negative pressure from the pore size. in the other region, a path of introducing atmospheric air constituted of a piece of tube, or a trajectory of introducing atmospheric air constituted of the tiny space formed between the absorbent material and the wall. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when taking into account the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink package compatible with the method for filling liquid in an embodiment of the present invention, (A) and (B) presenting the ink package before and after the installation of the package of ink, respectively. Figure 2 is a vertical section of an ink pack compatible with the method for filling liquid according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the essential portion of the ink package illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a section of the essential portion of the configuration of an ink container compatible with the method for filling liquid in another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic section of an ink package compatible with the method for filling liquid in another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6, (A, B and C) are schematic perspective views of the dividing wall of an ink package compatible with the method for filling liquid in another embodiment of the present invention, a schematic section thereof and a view front of it, respectively. Figure 7, (A, B, C and D), are schematic perspective views of the dividing wall of an ink container compatible with the method for filling liquid in another embodiment of the present invention, a schematic section thereof and a front view thereof, and a schematic section or dividing wall or an ink container compatible with the method for filling liquid in another embodiment of the present invention respectively. Figure 8 is a section of an ink container compatible with the method for filling liquid in another embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates the capillary force Hs of the absorbent material. Figure 9 is a section of an ink container compatible with the method for filling liquid in another embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates the difference Hp between the capillary force generating portion and the gas-liquid LL interface within the member absorbent, and pressure loss dh of the absorbent member, in a liquid container in which the gas-liquid exchange is occurring. Figure 10 is a section of an ink container compatible with the method for filling liquid in another embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates the difference Hp between the capillary force generating portion and the gas-liquid LL interface within the absorbent member , and the pressure loss dh of the absorbent member in a liquid container in which the gas-liquid exchange is occurring.

Figure 11 is a sectional drawing illustrating an apparatus for filling liquid and a method for filling liquid in accordance with the present invention. Figure 12 is a sectional drawing illustrating an apparatus for filling liquid and a method for filling liquid in accordance with the present invention. Figure 13 is a sectional drawing illustrating an apparatus for filling liquid and a method for filling liquid in accordance with the present invention. Figure 14 is a sectional drawing illustrating an apparatus for filling liquid and a method for filling liquid in accordance with the present superior invention. Figure 15 is a sectional drawing illustrating an apparatus for filling liquid and a method for filling liquid in accordance with the present invention. Figure 16 is a sectional drawing illustrating an apparatus for filling liquid and a method for filling liquid in accordance with the present invention. Figure 17 is a sectional drawing illustrating an apparatus for filling liquid and a method for filling liquid in accordance with the present invention. Figure 18 is a schematic section of the essential portion of the apparatus for filling the liquid compatible with the method for filling the liquid in another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Next, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the configuration of a liquid container compatible with the method for filling liquid according to the present invention will be described, of course. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink container compatible with the method for filling liquid according to the present invention, and an ink container holder wherein the ink container is capable of detachably installed. Figure 1, (A, B) presents its states before and after the installation of the container in the container carrier. An ink container 10 as a container for liquid to be ejected is approximately in the form of a parallelopiped. The upper wall 10U of the package 10 is provided with an air vent, i.e., a hole leading to the internal space of the package 10. The ink package 10 is also provided with an ink supply orifice 14, which is in the shape of a cylinder. The ink supply port 14 projects from the lower wall 10B of the ink container 10, and has an ink supply opening having an opening through which the liquid is delivered outwardly when the ink container 10 is in place. use. During shipping, the air vent 12 is kept sealed with a sheet of film or the like, and the cylindrical ink supply port 14 is kept sealed in a cap as a sealing member of the ink supply port. A reference figure 16 designates a flexible lever that is formed integrally with the ink container 10. It has a hitch projection that projects from the central portion of the lever. A reference figure 20 designates an ink container holder in which the ink container 10 is installed. It is formed integrally with a head. In this embodiment, the ink container 20 retains, for example, a 10C ink container for the Cyan ink, a 20M ink container for the M magenta ink, and a 10Y container for the yellow Y ink. The lower portion of the ink container 20 is provided with a color ink jet head 22, which is integral with the container holder 20. The color ink jet head 22 has a plurality of ejection outlets, which are oriented towards below (then, the surface of the head on which these ejection outlets are opened will be referred to as the opening surface of the ejection outlet). The ink container 10 is inserted into an integral ink container 20 with the color ink jet head 22 while being retained as illustrated in Figure 1, (A), so that the cylindrical ink supply orifice 14 meshes with the unillustrated ink receiving portion of the color ink jet head 22, the cylindrical ink receiving orifice 22 of the ink jet head 22. Colored ink enters the cylindrical ink supply orifice 14. Then, the engagement projection 16A of the lever 16 engages with a non-illustrated projection positioned at a predetermined point of the integral ink container 20 with the head 22. Consequently, the ink container 10 is properly retained by the ink container 20. as illustrated in Figure 1, (B). After the ink container 10 is installed in the integral ink container 20 with the head 22, the ink container 20 is mounted on the carriage of a non-illustrated ink jet type recording apparatus, to be prepared for printing . As the ink container 20 that is holding the ink container 10 is mounted on the carriage, a predetermined amount of the head difference H is created between the lower portion of the ink container 10 and the opening surface of the ink container 10. ejection output of the ink ejection head. During this time, the internal structure of the ink container 10 which is common to all embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 2. The internal space of the ink container 10 in this embodiment comprises two chambers separated by a dividing wall 38; a chamber 34 of the member producing negative pressure (first chamber) and a chamber 36 of liquid (second camera). Chamber 34 of the negative pressure-producing limb retains an absorbent member 32 as a member that produces negative pressure. The upper wall of the chamber 34 of the member producing the negative pressure has an air vent duct 2 through which the internal space of the chamber 34 of the member producing the negative pressure is connected to the atmosphere and the lower wall of the chamber. the chamber 34 of the member producing the negative pressure has an ink supply opening. The ink chamber 36 is virtually sealed and holds the liquid ink alone. The first chamber 34 and the second chamber 36 are connected to each other only through a communication orifice 40 cut through the lower portion of the partition wall 38.

The inward surface of the upper wall 10U of the first chamber 34 is provided with a plurality of ribs 42 that are formed integrally with the wall 10U projecting directly inwardly. Since the absorbent member 32 is compressed towards the first chamber 34, it comes into contact with the plurality of ribs 42 leaving a space like an air deflecting chamber 44 between the upper wall 10U and the upper surface of the absorbent member 32. The absorbent member 32 is formed of thermal compression urethane foam and is held compressed in the first chamber to produce a predetermined amount of capillary force as will be described later. The absolute value of the pore density of the absorbent member 32 to produce the predetermined amount of capillary force is varied depending on the type of ink to be used, the measurement of the ink container 10, the vertical position (head difference H) of the opening surface of the ejection outlet of the ink jet head 22 and the like. However, the density needs to be at least about 50 pores by 2.54 centimeters because the absorbent member 32 is required to produce a capillary force greater than the capillary force produced by the groove that produces the capillary force or a trajectory, such as a capillary force producing portion, which will be described later. In the cylindrical ink supply orifice 14 having an ink supply opening 14A, a contact member 46 is placed in the shape of a disk or a circular column. The contact member 46 is formed of polypropylene felt and is not easily deformable by any external force. The contact member 46 is inserted into the cylindrical ink supply orifice 14 such that when the ink container 10 has not been inserted into the ink container 20, the absorbent member 32 remains locally compressed by the contact member 46 as shown in Figure 2. In order to maintain the contact member 46 in the state described above, the outer edge of any cylindrical ink supply orifice 14 is provided as a flange that contacts the contact member 46, as the contact member 46 is inserted into the cylindrical ink supply hole 14. It is desirable that the depth of the depression made by the contact member 46 in the absorbent member 32 after the cylindrical ink receiving orifice of the aforementioned color ink jet head 22 is inserted into the supply orifice 14 of the ink jet. cylindrical ink is within the range of 1.03 to 3.0 millimeters, while the depth of the depression that the contact member 46 makes in the absorbent member 32 when the cylindrical ink receiving orifice of the head 22 is outside the supply orifice 14 of cylindrical ink is within the range of 0.5 to 2.0 millimeters. This prevents the ink from dripping after the ink container 10 is removed from the head 22 and also ensures that the ink desirably flows when the ink container 10 is in use. Since the contact member 46 is positioned adjacent to the ink supply portion, being pressed towards the absorbent member 32, the portion of the absorbent member 32 that remains in contact with the contact member 46 is deformed. Therefore, if the ink supply opening 14A is extremely close to a communication hole 40, that is, an orifice through which gas-liquid exchange occurs, the deformation of the absorbent member 32 affects the exchange hole. gas-liquid that causes the amount of ink that has been filled in each container during the manufacturing process is not uniform. In the worst case, an appropriate amount of negative pressure may not be produced as a result, the ink may drip from the ink supply opening 14A. On the other hand, if the ink supply opening 14A is very far from the communication hole 40, ie, an orifice through which the gas-liquid exchange occurs, the deformation of the absorbent member 32 affects the exchange orifice of the ink. gas-liquid that causes the amount of ink that is filled in each container during the manufacturing process is not uniform. In the worst case, a negative pressure in an appropriate amount may not occur and as a result, the ink may drip from the ink supply opening 14A. On the other hand, if the ink supply opening 14A is far away from the communication hole 40, that is, the hole through which the gas-liquid exchange occurs, the resistance to flow from the communication hole 40 to the opening 14A of ink supply increases during the gas-liquid exchange operation, which will be described later and as a result, the ink supply pressure may be lost and consequently the ink supply may be interrupted if the ink consumption speed is high. Therefore, the distance between the communication hole 40 and the ink supply opening 14A is desirable to be within the range of 10 to 50 millimeters. Then, the relationship between the retention chamber 34 of the negative pressure producing member and the liquid retention chamber 36 will be described. When the ink container 10 is in use, that is, when there is air in the upper portion of the liquid retaining chamber 36, the air expands as it is exposed to the change in ambient temperature or pressure. As a result, the ink is sometimes forced outward into the retention chamber 34 of the member that produces the negative pressure. This ink is absorbed by the absorbent member 32 in the retention chamber 34 which produces the negative pressure. Therefore, the volume of the absorbent member 32 must be graduated taking into account each predictable condition under which the ink container 10 can be used.; in other words, the absorbent member 32 must be made large enough to allow the absorbent member 32 to satisfactorily absorb even the largest amount of ink possible that is formed outside the ink retention chamber 36 by changing the room temperature or pressure. However, the effective liquid absorption capacity of the absorbent member 32 is not simply determined by the volume of the absorbent member 32 because the ink, which is forced out of the chamber 36 that retains the ink, must be absorbed upwardly by the ink. member 32 absorbent against gravity. Therefore, the ink can escape from the ink supply opening even when the volume of the absorbent member 32 is large enough. For example, in the case of a high-capacity ink container, the height of the absorbent member 32 is large (for example, it can be greater than 40 millimeters) and therefore, the ink that is forced out of the chamber 36 ink retention must be absorbed more highly, ie the level of the ink (gas-liquid interface) within the absorbent member 32 must be raised to a higher level. In this situation, the speed at which the absorbent member 32 absorbs the ink, that is, the speed at which the absorbent member 32 raises the liquid level per se, may not be fast enough to deal with the amount of ink that is being forced out of the ink retention chamber 36. This problem, which is related to the speed at which the liquid level in the absorbent member 32 rises, can be resolved by changing the configuration of the absorbent member 32; it is desirable that the size of the lower wall of the chamber 34 which retains the material producing the negative pressure is increased. However, if the size of the lower wall of the retention chamber 34 of the member producing the negative pressure is increased, the volume of the chamber 34 of retention of the member producing the negative pressure also increases, which in turn reduces the volume of the chamber 36 that holds the ink because the total volume available for the ink container 10 is limited. As a result, the amount of ink capable of being retained in the ink container 10 is reduced. On the other hand, the ink absorption rate of the absorbent member 32 is also affected by the surface tension of the ink. Therefore, when the volume ratio between the retention chamber 34 of the negative pressure producing member and the ink retention chamber 36 is brought to optimum, the surface tension of the liquid to be retained must be taken into consideration. For example, when an attempt was made to bring to the optimum the volume ratio between the retention chamber 34 of the negative pressure producing member and the ink retention chamber 36 while varying the surface tension t of the liquid to be retained within the range of 30 to 50 dynes per centimeter, also assuming that the normal temperature at which the ink container 10 was used was within the range of 3 to 35 degrees, the optimum ratio being on a scale of approximately 1 : 1 to 5: 3. As for the size of the air-cushion chamber 44 in the retention chamber of the member producing the negative pressure, it is desired to make it as small as possible from the point of view of volumetric efficiency. However, it is necessary to ensure that the air cushion chamber 44 has a volume large enough to prevent the ink from flowing out of the air vent 12 when the ink suddenly flows into the retaining chamber 34 of the member producing negative pressure Due to this reason, it is desirable that the volume of the air-cushion chamber 44 be graded from about one-fifth to one-eighth of the volume of the retention chamber of the member producing the negative pressure. Then, the structure for controlling the negative pressure, which produces the absorbent member 32 as the member producing the negative pressure, will of course be described. Referring to Figure 6, in the first embodiment, the lower portion of the side of the chamber that retains the negative pressure producing material of the dividing wall 38 is provided with two parallel paths (slots) 61 that constitute the generating portion of the capillary force of the introduction path of atmospheric air. The slots 61 extend along the side surface of the absorbent member 32 as the material that produces the negative pressure and its lower ends connect to the communication orifice 40. As will be described later, the slots 61 that constitute the capillary generating portion are believed to form these capillary tubes that generate capillary force between the surfaces of the slots 61 cut in the partition wall 38 and the lateral surface of the limb 32. absorbent Referring to Figure 7, in the second embodiment, the lower portion of the side of the retention chamber of the material producing the negative pressure of the dividing wall 38 is provided with two first parallel portions (slots) 54 as the introduction paths. of the atmospheric air, and the two second parallel paths (grooves) 55. The grooves 54 extend along the side surface of the absorbent member 32 as the material producing the negative pressure, and their lower ends are connected one by one with the upper ends of the grooves 64, which also extend along the lateral surface of the absorbent member 32, and the lower ends of which are connected to the communication hole 40. These grooves 54 and 64 and the lateral surface of the absorbent member 32 form the atmospheric air introduction paths. A portion of the trajectory 64 constitutes the generating portion of the capillary force.

Referring to Figure 7, (D), the lower end portions of the second trajectories 64, which constitute the capillary force generating portion can be connected, one by one, with the parallel slots 65 cut in the upper surface of the hole. 40 communication, in the longitudinal direction of the communication hole 40. With the provision of the slots 65, it is assumed that even when the absorbent member 32 is forced towards the lower end portion of the second slots 64, the path of introduction of the atmospheric air is not blocked. Further, in accordance with this embodiment, the dividing wall 38 is provided with the first slots 54 which are larger than the second slots 64 and, therefore, it is ensured that a sufficient amount of atmospheric air is introduced, thus reducing the force that prevents the initiation of gas-liquid exchange. As will be described later, the second trajectories 64 are also believed to form these capillary tubes that generate capillary force between the surfaces of the slots 61 cut in the partition wall 38 and the side surface of the absorbent member 32. In the case of a modification of this embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, (D), the lower edge of the second grooves 64 are tapered to facilitate air passage.

In the case of the third embodiment, the lower portion of the chamber side of the negative pressure producing material of the dividing wall 38 is provided with three pairs of a first slot 50 and a second slot 60 as shown in the amplification in FIG. Figure 3. The slot 50 extends along the side surface of the absorbent member 32 as the material producing the negative pressure, and constitutes a part of the atmospheric air introduction path, together with the lateral surface of the member 32. absorbent and the groove 60 also extends along the lateral surface of the absorbent member 32, and constitutes another portion of the atmospheric air introduction path. The lower end of the slot 30 connects to the upper end of the slot 60, and the lower end of the slot 60 connects to the communication hole 40. In the third embodiment, the first grooves 50 and the second grooves 60, which constitute a capillary force generating portion, are cut into the lower surface of a recess 70 of the dividing wall 38. More specifically, the recess 70 is cut at the surface facing the chamber of the negative pressure producing material of the lower end portion of the dividing wall 38 being centered in terms of the width direction of the dividing wall 38 and it has three side surfaces 70A, 70B and 70B, which are slightly inclined relative to the surface of the dividing wall 38T towards the center of the recess 70, and a lower surface 70C which is parallel to the surface of the dividing wall 38. The width of the communication hole 40 is essentially equal to the width of this recess 70. With the provision of the aforementioned structure, the absorbent member 32 placed in the retaining member 34 of the member producing the negative pressure is pressed against five surfaces : the surface of the dividing wall 38, the three side surfaces 70A, 70B and 70B of the recess 70, and the lower surface 70C of the recess 70. As a result, three capillary tubes are formed which generate capillary forces by the three slots 60 in the dividing wall 38 and side wall of absorbent member 32. Placing the first slots 50 (paths) and the second slots 60 (paths) in the lower surface of the recess 70 as being in this mode ensures that the atmospheric air is introduced more stably, and that the gas-liquid exchange is become more stable compared to the structures in the previous modalities. It is also effective to prevent air bubbles from being collected in the communication hole 40.

In the above embodiments, atmospheric air introduction paths are formed by cutting the first and second slots in the surface of the dividing wall 38. However, the atmospheric air introduction path can be cut directly through the dividing wall 38 as shown in Figure 4. In other words, a trajectory 56 for introducing atmospheric air as the first path, the opening side of which contacts the absorbent member 32 as the material producing the negative pressure, and a capillary force generating path 66 as in the second path, the inner end of which connects to the internal end of the path 56, and the opening side of the lower end of which connects with the communication hole 40, may be formed in the lower portion of the dividing wall 38. With this arrangement, the capillary force generating trajectory 66 is enabled to generate a capillary force without being affected by the absorbent member 32, because it is not formed by covering the portions of the groove with the absorbent member 32 as it is in the cases of the previous modalities. At this time, before describing the operating principles of the ink packages in the embodiments of the present invention, the definitions of the terms used in the following description of the embodiments of the present invention will be clarified with reference to Figures 8 to 10. Figure 8 illustrates a state of the ink container 10 wherein the liquid chamber 36 is being filled with ink; the ink has been absorbed upwards into the absorbent member 32 by the capillary force of the absorbent member 32, and the gas-liquid interface LL has been raised to the level indicated in the drawing. In the drawing, the capillary force Hs of the absorbent member 32, ie, the capillary force of the absorbent member 32, which is expressed in terms of the length by dividing the capillary force of the absorbent member by the product of the ink density p and the g acceleration of gravitation, is measured as the vertical distance between the position of the gas-liquid interface LL before starting the gas-liquid exchange, and the position of the liquid head in the liquid tube that extends from the LL gas-liquid interface. Figure 9 shows a state of the ink container , where the gas-liquid exchange has started when ink consumption started. Hp represents the vertical distance between the gas-liquid interface LL within the absorbent member 32 as the member producing the negative pressure, and the capillary force generating portion 60a within the second trajectory 60 comprising the capillary force generating portion 60a . In the ink package illustrated in Figure 9, a piece of the thermal compression absorbent material is used as the absorbent member 32; the absorbent member 32 is thermally compressed in advance and then inserted into the retention chamber 34 of the member producing the negative pressure. As a result, the absorbent member 32 becomes essentially uniform in terms of compression ratio. Therefore, the gas-liquid interface LL in the absorbent member 32 essentially becomes level with the exception of the edge portions in which it rises slightly. Figure 10 also shows a state of the ink container 10, where gas-liquid exchange has begun as ink consumption begins. But in the case of the ink package illustrated in Figure 10, a piece of absorbent material that has not been compressed in advance is used as the absorbent member 32. In this case, a piece of absorbent material, the volume of which is considerably larger than the volume of the chamber 34 of retention of the member producing the negative pressure, is compressed towards the chamber 34 which is reduced in volume by compression by 4 to 4.5 times. As a result, the absorbent member 32 has a tendency to become non-uniform in terms of compression ratio. Therefore, the gas-liquid interface LL in the absorbent member 32 becomes concave with the edge portions rising much higher than the edge portions in Figure 9. In this case, Hp is the vertical distance between the lowest point of the gas-liquid interface LL and the capillary force generating portion 60a. In Figures 9 and 10, dh represents the pressure drop in the absorbent member 32 as the member producing the negative pressure expressed in terms of length, dividing the pressure loss in the absorbent member 32 between the product of the density of ink p and the acceleration g of gravitation; when the pressure loss is d Pe, d h = d Pe / pg. Since the loss of pressure occurs in the absorbent member 32, the pressure loss is a pressure loss occurring between the edge of the absorbent member 32 and the ejection liquid supply opening edge 14A as shown in the drawing. The loss of pressure between the liquid retention chamber 36 and the communication hole 40 is essentially zero. Therefore, d h is obtained simply by obtaining the difference of the pressure load between a point in the liquid retention chamber 36 and the edge and the liquid supply opening 14A. The following description of the operation principle of the ink package according to the present invention will be referred to the mode in which a part of the atmospheric air introduction path is constituted by the first path 50 and the second path 60. In terms of the operation principle, the other embodiments in which only the capillary force generating slots are formed are the same as in the mode in which the trajectory 56 for introducing the atmospheric air and the trajectory 66 generating the capillary force are formed . As an ink jet type recording apparatus begins to be operated, the ink is ejected from the ink jet head 22, which generates a force such that it works in one direction towards each ink outside the container. 10 of ink. Then, the ink in the part of the material producing the negative pressure, that is, the absorbent member 32 in the retention chamber of the member producing the negative pressure is consumed when the material producing the negative pressure has been soaked with a sufficient amount of ink, and the upper surface (gas-liquid interface) of the ink in the material descends (LL in Figure 2). The magnitude of the negative pressure generated during this moment is determined by the capillary force, at the gas-liquid interface LL of the material producing the negative pressure and the height of the gas-liquid interface LL from the outlet opening surface. of ejection. As ink consumption continues, the gas-liquid interface LL descends first to the upper end of the first path 50 of the atmospheric air introduction path, allowing the pressure to increase in the second path 60. Then, as the pressure of the lower portion of the liquid retention chamber 36 becomes lower than that of the path 60, atmospheric air is supplied to the liquid retention chamber 36 through the first and second trajectories 50 and 60. As a result, the pressure within the liquid retention chamber 36 increases by the amount equivalent to the amount of atmospheric air introduced. Accordingly, the ink is supplied from the liquid retaining chamber 36 towards the absorbent member 32 through the communication hole 40, in order to eliminate the difference between the increased pressure of the liquid retention chamber 36, and the pressure within of the absorbent member 32 as the member that produces the negative pressure. In other words, the gas is exchanged with the liquid. As the gas-liquid exchange continues, the pressure in the lower portion of the ink container increases by an amount equivalent to the amount of air supplied to the absorbent member 32, and eventually, atmospheric air is prevented from being supplied to the liquid retention chamber 36. During the consumption of the ink, the ink in the liquid retention chamber 36 is supplied to the retention chamber 34 of the member which produces the negative pressure because the gas-liquid exchange mentioned above occurs continuously. Therefore, the magnitude of the negative pressure produced in the liquid retention chamber 36 is determined by the capillary force generated in the second path 60. In other words, the magnitude of the negative pressure produced in the liquid retention chamber 36 while the ink is consumed, can be controlled by selecting the measurement of the second path 60. Next, referring to FIG. 5, it will be described in detail operating principle of the ink container 10 according to the present invention.

It is possible to arrive at the theory that the member producing the negative pressure (absorbent member) 32 retained in the retention chamber 34 of the member producing the negative pressure has a large number of capillary tubes, and the meniscus force of these tubes generates negative pressure. Normally, in the ink container 10, the absorbent member 32, like the member producing the negative pressure, is soaked with a sufficient amount of ink and, therefore, it is assumed that the head position in each theoretical capillary tube is sufficient. elevated As the ink is consumed through the ink supply opening 14A, the pressure in the lower part of the retention chamber 34 of the member producing the negative pressure decreases, and the position of the head of each theoretical capillary tube decreases. comes down. In other words, as the ink is consumed, the position of the gas-liquid interface LL in the negative pressure producing member 32 descends, as shown in Figure 5, (A). In this state, the position of the head is not the same in all the theoretical capillary tubes, the closer to the supply opening 14A the theoretical capillary tube, the lower the position of the head of the liquid in the theoretical capillary tubes. This is due to the loss of pressure that occurs in the absorbent member 32 as the member that produces the negative pressure. Also in this state, the magnitude of the negative pressure generated in the ink container 10 is determined by the capillary force of the theoretical capillary tubes in the member 32 which produces the negative pressure, and the pressure load on the surface of the opening The ejection outlet of the ink jet head 22 is determined by the difference in the pressure load between the gas-liquid interface LL and the opening surface of the ejection outlet. As the ink is further consumed, the gas-liquid LL interface descends further to the position shown in Figure 5, (B). In this state, the upper end of the first path 50 of the atmospheric air introduction path is slightly above the gas-liquid interface LL, allowing atmospheric air to enter the first path 50. Since the container 10 of ink is structured so that the capillary force generated in the second path 60 as the capillary force generating portion is smaller than the capillary force generated by the theoretical capillary tubes of the absorbent member 32, the meniscus in the second path 60 is destroyed through the additional consumption of ink. As a result, the atmospheric air X is introduced into the liquid retention chamber 36 through the second path 60 and the communication hole 40, as shown in Figure 5, (C). During this period, the gas-liquid LL interface does not descend further. As the atmospheric air X is introduced into the liquid retention chamber 36, the pressure in the liquid retention chamber 36 becomes higher than the pressure in the lower part of the retention chamber 34 of the producing member. the negative pressure and therefore, in order to eliminate the difference in pressure, the ink is supplied from the liquid retention chamber 36 towards the chamber 34 of retention of the member which produces the negative pressure by the amount equivalent to the amount of the pressure difference between the two chambers. Then, the pressure in the member 32 that produces the negative pressure becomes higher than the negative pressure produced by the second path 60 and, therefore, the ink flows towards the second path 60 forming a meniscus. As a result, the introduction of atmospheric air into the liquid retention chamber 36 stops. As the ink is further consumed from this state, the meniscus in the second path 60 is destroyed again, without descent of the gas-liquid interface LL and the atmospheric air is introduced into the liquid retaining chamber 36 as shown in FIG. described above. In other words, after the gas-liquid interface LL descends to the upper end of the first path 50 of the atmospheric air introduction path, the destruction and regeneration of the meniscus in the second path 60 is repeated through the consumption of ink, maintaining essentially constant the negative pressure generated in the ink container 10, without the descent of the gas-liquid interface LL, that is, with the upper end of the atmospheric air introduction path remaining in contact with the atmospheric air. The magnitude of this negative pressure is determined by the magnitude of the force required for atmospheric air to destroy the meniscus in the second path 60; in other words, it is determined by the measurements of the second path 60 and the properties (surface tension, contact angle and density) of the ink being used. Therefore, when the magnitude of the capillary force driven by the second path 60 as the capillary force generating portion is graded to a value between the highest and lowest values of the magnitude of the capillary force it tends to vary depending on the heat and the type of the ink or the similar processing liquid that is being retained in the liquid chamber, the same ink container structure can be used for all types of ink or the like that are to be ejected without change. The pressure at the surface of the ejection outlet opening of the ink jet head 22 is determined by the interaction between the capillary force generated in the second path 60, the pressure loss in the absorbent member 32, the difference in height between the lower portion of the ink container and the opening surface of the ejection outlet and the like. During this time, the specifications, in terms of measurement, of the second trajectories 60, 61 and 64, which have been described above, and of the second paths 63 and 64 that will be described later, will of course be described. As described above, in order for the ink to be supplied without interruption in response to ink consumption, the negative pressure generated in the ink package 10 must remain essentially constant. Further, after the ink container 10 has been inserted into the integral ink container 20 with the liquid ejection head, and the ink container holder 20 has been mounted on the cartridge of an ink jet recording apparatus. ink not illustrated, that is, when the ink container 10 is in the waiting state for printing, a predetermined pressure loading difference has been established between the capillary force generating portion in the lower part of the ink container 10 and the Ejection outlet opening surface. In this state, in order to prevent the ink from escaping through the ejection outlet of the ejector head, the pressure of the ink on the ejection outlet opening surface at the ejection outlet must always remain below atmospheric pressure. In addition, until the ink has been completely consumed, within the liquid retention chamber 36, the vertical position of the gas-liquid interface LL must be kept constant; in other words, the vertical position of the meniscus at the gas-liquid interface LL within the absorbent member 32 must be kept constant despite the loss of pressure that occurs as the ink flows through the absorbent member 32, while consume the ink. In order to satisfy the aforementioned conditions, the capillary force generated by the capillary force generating portion must satisfy the following formula: H < h < Hs - Hp - dh (1) In this formula, a symbol h represents the magnitude, which is expressed in terms of the length of the capillary force generated by the capillary force generating portion, that is, a value obtained by dividing the magnitude of the force generated by the capillary force generating portion between the product of the density p of the liquid to be ejected, and the gravitational acceleration g; in other words, when the capillary force generated is d Pe, h = d Pc / pg. A symbol H represents the difference in pressure load between the capillary force generating portion and the opening surface of the ejection outlet of a liquid ejection type head and a symbol Hs represents the magnitude, which is expressed in terms of length of the capillary force generated by the member that produces the negative force, that is, a value obtained by dividing the magnitude of the capillary force generated by the member that produces the negative pressure between the product of the density p of the liquid to be ejected , and the acceleration g of gravitation: in other words when the generated capillary force is d Ps, Hp = d Ps / pg. An Hp symbol represents the difference of the pressure load between the gas-liquid interface within the member producing the negative pressure and the capillary force generating portion.

A symbol dh represents the magnitude expressed in terms of length, of the loss of pressure load between the communication hole and the ejection liquid supply opening and is obtained by dividing the amount of pressure loss in the limb producing the pressure. Negative pressure between the communication hole and the ejection liquid supply opening between the product of the aforementioned density p, the acceleration g of gravitation: in other words, when the pressure loss is d Pe, dh = d Pe / p. Generally speaking, the capillary force generated in a capillary tube can be expressed in terms of the length h, and when the capillary force generated in a capillary tube is d Pe, this length h is obtained by the following formula: h = L / S x? / Pg cos? (2) In the formula, L represents the peripheral length (centimeter) of the tube; S, the cross-sectional area of the tube (square centimeter):?, The surface tension of the ink (dynes / centimeter); ? contact angle; p, the density (grams per cubic centimeter) and g represents the acceleration of gravitation (980 centimeters per square second). Therefore, the measurements of the capillary force generating portion are required to satisfy the following formula obtained by substituting Formula (1) for Formula (2). 1 / cos? x pg /? x H < L / S < 1 / cos? x pg /? x (Hs-Hp-dh) (3) In this formula, L represents the peripheral length (centimeter) of the capillary force generating portion; S, the cross-sectional area of the capillary force generating portion (square centimeter): p, the density of the ink (gram per cubic centimeter); g, the acceleration of gravitation (980 centimeters per square second); ?, the surface tension of the ink (dynes / centimeter); Y ? represents the contact angle. Even when an ink jet type recording apparatus is in use, it is subjected to various physical forces such as the impact or acceleration caused by the scanning movement of the car, and the change of the environment, such as the change in temperature or change of pressure. Therefore, the pressure of the ink on the opening surface of the ejection outlet at the ejection outlet is defined to be smaller by approximately -10 millimeters of H2O than atmospheric pressure, in view of the need for a margin of safety.

In consideration of the aforementioned, the capillary force h expressed in terms of length is desired to satisfy the following formula: H + hm < h = Hs - Hp - d h. Therefore, the formula (3) can be rearranged in: 1 / cos? x pg /? x (H + hm) < L / S < 1 / cos? x pg /? x (Hs-Hp-dh) Regarding the measurements of the cross section of the second path 60 in order to generate a sufficient capillary force, it is necessary that the width is within the scale of 0.20 to 0.40 millimeter and the depth is within the range of 0.20 to 0.40. millimeter. From the point of view of keeping as small as possible the amount of invasion towards the absorbent member 32 by means of the grooves, it is desired that the width be less than the depth. The only related requirement related to the cross-sectional area of the first path 50 is that it be greater than the cross-sectional area of the second path 60. As for the length of the second path 60, it should extend upwards of 2 to 10 millimeters from the top edge of the communication hole 40. If it is too short, the contact by the absorbent member 32 does not stabilize, whereas if it is too long, the second trajectory 60 becomes sensitive to the invasion by the absorbent member 32. Therefore, the length of the second path 60 is desired to be approximately 4 millimeters. As described above, the vertical position of the upper end of the first path 50 regulates the vertical position of the gas-liquid interface in the absorbent member 32 and, therefore, the upper end of the first path 50 must be placed at so that the ink supply is not interrupted, and the damping function of the absorbent member 32 is not impeded. Desirably, the vertical position of the upper end of the first path 50 is approximately 10 to 30 millimeters from the upper edge of the communication hole 40. Up to this point, the description has been devoted to the desirable liquid container compatible with the present invention. These containers consist of a dividing wall that has a path of introduction of atmospheric air and the path of introduction of atmospheric air led atmospheric air from a chamber of the material that produces the negative pressure to a liquid chamber, and a part of the trajectory constituted a generating portion of capillary force. Then, the method for filling liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Modality 1 Figures 11 to 16 are schematic drawings illustrating the processes, in the first embodiment for filling the liquid in a liquid container. First, referring to Figure 11, a liquid container 10 is prepared comprising a partition wall having a path of introducing atmospheric air to introduce atmospheric air from the chamber of the member that produces negative pressure into the liquid chamber. The portion of the atmospheric air introduction path constitutes a capillary force generating portion. Furthermore, the liquid container 10 in this embodiment has an ink ejection orifice 50, which is placed in the upper portion of the second chamber and through which the liquid is injected. The "upper surface portion" means the surface that faces the lower surface of the liquid container, in this embodiment. Then, the liquid container is placed immovably in an ink jet apparatus, with the communication hole facing down, as shown in Figure 11. Then, the ink supply opening 14A and the ventilation duct 12 The air is sealed and the internal pressure of the ink chamber is reduced by evacuating the air inside the liquid chamber. During this process, the angle of the ink container is the same as the angle that can be absorbed by the liquid container to supply the ink (liquid) to the liquid ejection head. The ink ejection apparatus in this embodiment, illustrated in Figure 11, comprises an ink reservoir 120 for retaining the ink 200 to be filled and a vacuum pump 110 for reducing the internal pressure of the liquid container. It also comprises: pipes or pipes for connecting the tank 120 and the vacuum pump 200 with an ink container; valves placed in half along the passages; members for sealing an ink container; a closure device for firmly retaining an ink container at the same angle as the angle to which the ink container (communication hole facing downward) and the like are held during use. The ink reservoir 120 is open to the atmosphere and an ink transfer tube 117 is inserted into the reservoir 120. The ink transfer tube 117 branches to two ink injection tubes 112 and 115 and is equipped with a pump 60 for transferring the ink, so that the ink can be transferred from the ink reservoir 120 to the tubes 112 and 115 of ejecting ink in a predetermined amount per unit of time. Both ink injection tubes 112 and 115 are equipped with valves 114 and 116, respectively in their intermediate sections, and their side ends of the ink container are equipped with coupling members 119 and 140, respectively. The ink can be flowed into the ink jet tube 112 by opening the valve 114 while maintaining the valve 116, and towards the ink jet tube 115 opening the valve 116 while keeping the valve 114. The amount of ink that is flowed into each inkjet tube can be varied by controlling the revolution of the motor for the pump. The vacuum pump 110 is connected to a vacuum tube 111 to reduce the internal pressure of a liquid container. The ink container side of the vacuum tube 111 rotates towards a tube 118, the intermediate section of which is connected to the ink jet tube 112 and the ink container side of which is equipped with a coupling member (member sealing) 119. Vacuum tube 111 is equipped with a valve 113 which is placed in the middle between the point where the vacuum tube rotates to a tube 118 and vacuum pump 110.

In this modality, an ink pack is placed in a sealed state by sealing the air vent 12 with a sealing member 130, engaging the ink supply port with the coupling member 140, closing the valve 116 and engaging the ink injection hole 5 with the coupling member 119. The internal pressure of the sealed ink container is reduced by operating the vacuum pump 110 after closing the valve 114 and opening the valve 113. The internal pressure of an ink container is reduced to approximately 0.01 to 0.05 in absolute pressure. After the reduction of the pressure, the ink is injected into the second chamber through the ink ejection hole 5, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. In this embodiment, the ink can be injected into the second chamber a through the ink ejection orifice 5 at a predetermined high ink filling rate by closing the valve 113, defending the vacuum pump 110 by operating the pump 160 and opening the valve 114. The ink is first injected into the second chamber.

Then, the ink is also injected into the first chamber through the communication hole 40 while the ink is injected into the second chamber, because during this ink filling process, the internal pressure of the ink container is completely reduced through the entire internal space of the ink container. However, when the speed at which the liquid is filled in the second chamber first, the amount of ink that is filled in the first chamber by the time in which the second chamber has been completely filled with liquid is very small. In this case, the ink having been filled into the member producing the negative pressure penetrates mainly through the portion of the member surface which produces the negative pressure forming a gas-liquid interface. In other words, during this ink filling process, only the limited regions of the negative pressure producing member, ie, those adjacent to the communication hole and the surface portions are filled with ink. Therefore, it is ensured that the second chamber is completely filled, that is, without leaving any of its regions not filled with ink, before the condition of internal pressure reduction of the first chamber changes significantly from the condition at the end. of the internal reduction process illustrated in Fig. 11. On the other hand, when the speed at which the liquid in the second chamber is filled is slower, a larger quantity of ink is filled in the first chamber by an amount in proportion to the reduced amount of speed; the amount of ink filled in the member that produces the negative pressure increases. As a result, after forming the gas-liquid interface, the ink also penetrates the member that produces the negative pressure allowing the internal pressure to rise. In other words, the internal pressure of the total ink container is allowed to rise leaving the considerable region of the second chamber not filled with ink. Consequently, the amount of ink in the second chamber does not increase beyond a certain level and instead of this, the ink is filled in the first chamber. If the ink is filled in the first chamber by an amount large enough to fill the negative pressure producing member, close to the upper end of the atmospheric air introduction path, the ink having filled in the first chamber penetrates towards the region with low resistance to flow in the member that produces the negative pressure leaving the region with high resistance to flow in the member that produces the negative pressure not filled with ink. This sometimes makes it difficult to uniformly fill the negative pressure producing member with the ink, which in turn makes it difficult for the ink to be well supplied stably from a liquid container to a liquid ejection head portion.

In this way, in order to satisfactorily fill a liquid container with liquid, that is, in order to leave as little air as possible in the second chamber, the inventors of the present invention pay attention to the relationship between the speed at which the liquid is filled and the speed at which the negative pressure-producing member absorbs upwards the ink, and sets the ink filling speed at such a speed that the ink is filled through the ink-ejection orifice, considerably way faster than the speed at which it essentially penetrates deeply into the member that produces the negative pressure. More specifically, the ink ejection speed only has to be a velocity that exceeds the speed at which the capillary force of the melamine producing the negative pressure absorbs the ink up against the resistance to flow. The remainder that was carried out by the inventors of the present invention confirmed that when the member producing the negative pressure formed of compressed polyurethane foam with an average pore size of 90 to 200 pores per 2.54 centimeters was the one used; the surface tension of the ink? it was 30 to 50 dynes per centimeter, the viscosity of the ink was about 2 centipoises; the length hl and the cross-sectional area of the illustration of the communication hole to Figure 12 were 2 millimeters and 11 to 15 millimeters square, respectively; and the lower surface area and the height of the second chamber were 4.5 to 10 square millimeters and 51.5 millimeters, respectively. The height to which the ink was absorbed in the region adjacent to the path of introduction of atmospheric air into the member producing the negative pressure could be maintained at less than the height H of the atmospheric air introduction path as long as the velocity of ink injection previously mentioned was maintained at a speed not less than 15 cubic centimeters per second and no greater than 25 cubic centimeters per second. The reason for setting an upper limit in terms of the ink filling speed is that if the injection speed is too high, it is possible that the member that produces the negative pressure retained in the chamber of the member producing the negative pressure can move within of the camera. Referring to Figure 14, after the second chamber is filled with ink, the ink ejection hole 5 is sealed and then the ink is fitted into the first chamber through the ink supply opening 14A. More specifically, in this embodiment first, the valve 114 is closed and the coupling portion is removed from the ink ejection orifice. Then, the ink ejection hole is sealed with a ball or sphere 150 formed of SUS or the same material as the material for the liquid container. Therefore, the ink supply speed of the pump 160 is adjusted. Finally, the valve 116 opens to initiate filling of the ink within the first chamber through the ink supply opening 14A. The filling of ink into the first chamber through the ink supply opening 14A ensures, together with the ink 200 filled inside the negative pressure producing member in the first chamber, while the ink is filled through the filling of the second chamber, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, that the ink supply path is desirably filled with ink and also that the member producing the negative pressure is virtually uniformly filled with ink, i.e. without leaving no region in the member that produces the negative pressure without wetting with ink, as shown in Figures 14 and 15. It is desirable that for this process, the ink fill rate be reduced slightly compared to the aforementioned speed to the which is injected into the ink in the second chamber, changing the ink supply speed of the pump 160 because if the ink filling speed is too fast, the ink has the possibility of filling through the regions capable of being easily passed, for example, the space between member producing the negative pressure and the wall of the first chamber that is retaining the member producing the negative pressure. According to this embodiment, a velocity of approximately 15 cubic centimeters per second was desirable. After the liquid is filled in the member that produces the negative pressure in the first chamber, as shown in Figure 15, the ink supply opening is sealed as shown in Figure 16 and then, the ventilation duct of air opens to introduce air into the first chamber from the outside. As a result, the state of the liquid container in terms of internal pressure is restored from the reduced pressure state to the normal pressure state. More specifically in this embodiment, valve 116 is first closed and then pump 160 is stopped. Next, the sealing member 130 is removed from the air vent to allow air to enter the first chamber. Restoring the internal pressure of the liquid container from the reduced state to the normal state by removing the air vent duct seal as in this mode can cause a so-called free ink, i.e. the ink exiting the pressure producing member. negative, while the ink is filled in the member that produces the negative pressure is forced back towards the member that produces the negative pressure to be retained in it, if there is free ink present. Further, in this embodiment, a predetermined quantity of liquid can be removed through the ink supply opening 14A by operating the pump 160 in reverse, to rotate a region 32a adjacent the buffer chamber of the member producing the negative pressure. towards this region that is not retaining the ink and region 32b, ie, the other region of the member that produces the negative pressure towards this region is retaining the ink in a desirable manner so that the gas-liquid interface 220 remains essentially horizontal, as shown in Figure 16. This process is carried out as necessary, for example, when it must be ensured that a region that is not retaining the ink is secured in the upper portion of the member that produces the pressure negative, for example, the region adjacent to the buffer chamber. As is evident from the foregoing description, not only the method for filling the liquid according to the present invention reduces, by increasing the speed at which the liquid in the second chamber is filled, the time necessary to inject the liquid into a liquid. packaging, but also ensures that the ink is desirably filled in the second chamber. Therefore, it greatly improves productivity. Regardless of the size of a liquid container to which the present invention is applicable, liquid containers with a second chamber of capacity not less than 10 cubic centimeters are preferred. This does not mean that the present invention is not applicable to containers with a second chamber of capacity not greater than 10 cubic centimeters. With regard to the ingredients of the ink to be filled, those inks that contain a surfactant, for example, acetinol by no more than 1 percent or those inks that do not contain any surfactant, have low permeability to the member that produces Negative pressure and therefore, are difficult to fill in the member that produces negative pressure at high speed. However, the method for filling liquid according to the present invention makes it possible to fill still those inks inside the liquid container at a high speed, and filling the liquid in the liquid container after reducing the internal pressure of the liquid container. Modality 2 In the above embodiment, the internal space of a liquid container opens into atmospheric air after the liquid container has been completely filled with ink. However, the internal space of a liquid container can be opened to atmospheric air immediately before the chamber of the member producing the negative pressure has been completely filled with ink. The reason for this alternative is that by opening the air ventilation duct immediately before filling the chamber of the member with negative pressure completely with ink, the effects of the sudden change occurring towards the state of the liquid container can be reduced.; for example, it can prevent the air from being attracted to the second chamber by the sudden contraction of certain regions of the internal space of the second chamber, which has not yet been filled with ink. Carrying out the above-described process may also prevent ink 201 from adhering to the walls of the air-cushion chamber, as shown in Figure 15, and therefore, may provide greater latitude to design the shape or structure of the air cushion chamber. In addition, the process characterizing this embodiment can be carried out in combination with the process of discharging a predetermined amount of liquid from the ink supply opening, which was described in the first embodiment. Mode 3 In the foregoing embodiments, the ink is filled through the ink supply opening of the first chamber after ink filling is completed within the second chamber. However, a small amount of ink can be filled through the ink supply opening 14A of the first chamber before the liquid is filled in the second chamber as shown in Figure 17. In this embodiment, a arrangement for filling the small amount of the ink present between the valve 116 of the ink transfer tube 115 and the coupling member 140 towards a liquid container at the same time that the internal pressure of the liquid container begins to decrease after it is Hold the container tightly. Filling a tiny amount of ink into the first chamber before filling the liquid in the second chamber, as described above, can ensure that the ink supply path is desirably filled during the filling process in the chamber. first camera. It is desirable that the amount of the ink to be filled during this process be just enough to moisten the lower portion of the negative pressure producing member, ie, the portion adjacent to the ink supply opening and the communication hole. This process of filling a tiny amount of ink into the first chamber can be carried out at the same time as or after the pressure reduction process. It goes without saying that the selection of the liquid injection apparatus compatible with the method for filling the liquid according to the present invention which is described in the foregoing embodiments, is not limited to a liquid injection apparatus described in the above embodiments. . For example, instead of using the integral tube 118 with the ink jet tube and the vacuum tube, the structure illustrated in Figure 18 can be used where the free spaces between the vacuum tube 111 and the container 10 of The liquid is sealed with the sealing members 215, and the ink injection tube 112 is placed through a hole cut in the wall of the expanded portion of the vacuum tube 111, the space between the edge of the hole and the seal being sealed. vacuum tube 111 with sealing member 120. In addition, an additional opening that is different from the ink jet opening in the wall in the second chamber can be cut, so that one opening is connected to the vacuum tube and the other is connected to the ink jet tube. . This latter arrangement can prevent the ink from being diverted to the vacuum pump through the vacuum tube and impair the operation of the vacuum pump during pressure reduction. In the above embodiments, ink is referred to as the liquid to be filled. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is also compatible with a liquid other than ink, for example, a processing liquid for improving the quality of the image as long as the liquid is a liquid that is capable of being ejected from a liquid. liquid injection head with which a liquid container is connected. In addition, in the modality described in the foregoing, the method for filling liquid according to the present invention was described as a method for injecting the liquid into a liquid container during one of the manufacturing processes for a liquid container. However, the method for filling the liquid according to the present invention is also usable with desirable results, for refilling a liquid container after or before the container has been completely depleted of liquid. In other words, the method for filling liquid, in accordance with the present invention is a liquid method that is usable not only to start filling a liquid container but also to refill a liquid container after the container of liquid. liquid was put to use. As described above, in accordance with the method for filling liquid according to the present invention, not only can the time needed to inject the liquid in the liquid container be increased by increasing the speed at which the liquid is filled in the liquid. the second liquid chamber, but also ensures that the ink is exactly filled into the second chamber. In other words, the method for filling liquid according to the present invention is a method for filling liquid with high injection precision and high productivity. Furthermore, in accordance with an aspect of the method for filling ink in accordance with the present invention, the liquid is filled into the liquid container after the pressure of the total internal space of the liquid container is reduced and therefore, still a liquid such as ink that is slow to penetrate a member that produces negative pressure can be filled at high speed. Also, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the liquid in the first chamber is discharged in a predetermined amount to create a liquid-free region in the member that produces the negative pressure adjacent to the buffer chamber after it has been filled completely the first camera. This liquid-free region has an appropriate degree of absorbency to buffer the liquid container against environmental changes or the like. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, before beginning to fill the liquid in the second chamber, the liquid is filled in the vicinity of the communication hole through the liquid supply port of the first chamber, ensuring that the portion of the member that produces the negative pressure that becomes an ink supply path, while in use the liquid container is desirably filled with liquid. Therefore, even when the size of the container is large, the liquid is reliably supplied. Although the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed herein, it is not limited to the details indicated and this application is intended to cover those modifications or changes that fall within the scope of the improvements or scope of the invention. the following claims.

Claims (9)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A method for supplying liquid to a liquid container including a first chamber, which is provided with a liquid supply portion for supplying the liquid outwardly to a liquid ejection head and an air vent for fluid communication with ambient air, to accommodate in it a member that produces negative pressure; a second chamber forming an essentially sealed space except for a communication part with the first chamber, wherein the liquid supply portion is placed on a lower side; and a structure that promotes the gas-liquid exchange that is provided in the first chamber, to introduce the ambient air into the second chamber in order to allow the discharge of liquid, the method comprising: a step of reducing pressure to reduce a pressure of a whole of the container, while the liquid container is hermetically sealed; a first step to supply liquid in order to supply the liquid to the second chamber and complete the supply of liquid before a portion adjacent to the structure that promotes the gas-liquid exchange of the member that produces the negative pressure in the first chamber it is supplied with the liquid, in a state of reduced pressure which is provided by the pressure reducing passage, with the container adopting the same orientation as when the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head, a second liquid supply passage for supplying the liquid to the first chamber through the liquid supply portion after the first liquid supply passage within the second chamber; a release step for releasing the hermetically sealed state of the first chamber after the second liquid supply passage to the first chamber. A method according to claim 1, wherein a small amount of liquid is supplied to the communication portion through the liquid supply portion of the first chamber before the first liquid supply passage. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the release step is carried out immediately before the second liquid supply step is completed. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein a liquid injection rate is not less than 15 cubic centimeters per second and no greater than 25 cubic centimeters per second in the first liquid supply step. A method according to claim 1, wherein the air vent conduit is placed on the upper surface of the liquid container, and a liquid container with an air damper chamber is provided in a lower portion of the vent conduit. air ventilation for fluid communication with the ambient air through the air ventilation duct. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the capillary force produced by the capillary force generating portion of the liquid container satisfies: H < h = Hs - Hp - dh where h is the capillary force in a dimension of length that is provided by dividing the capillary force generated by the capillary force generating portion between the density p of the liquid to be ejected and by the acceleration g of gravitation; h = dPc / pg, where dPc is the capillary force generated, H is a potential charge difference between the capillary force generating portion and a surface of the ejector head of liquid having ejection outlets; Hs is the capillary force of the member that produces the negative pressure in a length dimension, and is provided by dividing the capillary force by density p r & and the liquid that is going to be ejected, and by the acceleration g of gravitation; Hs = dP p r &g, where dPs is the capillary force; Hp is a potential charge difference between a gas-liquid interface in the member that produces the negative pressure and the capillary force generating portion, dh is the capillary force in the length dimension that is provided by dividing a loss of pressure in the member that produces the negative pressure between the fluid communication path and the liquid supply port by the density p of the liquid that is going to to be ejected and through the acceleration g of gravitation, that is, dh = dPe / ph, where dPe is the generated capillary force. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein a volume of the second chamber of the liquid container is not less than 10 cubic centimeters. 8. A method for supplying liquid to a liquid container, including a first chamber, provided with a liquid supply portion for supplying the liquid outward, to a liquid ejection head and an air ventilation duct for communication of fluid with ambient air, to accommodate - 7fin it a member that produces negative pressure; a second chamber forming an essentially sealed space except for the communication part with the first chamber, wherein the liquid supply portion is placed on a lower side; and a structure that promotes the gas-liquid exchange that is provided in the first chamber, to introduce the ambient air into the second chamber to allow the discharge of liquid, the method comprising: a pressure reducing passage to reduce a pressure of the entire package, while the liquid container is hermetically sealed; a first step of supplying liquid to supply the liquid to the second chamber and completing the supply of liquid before a portion adjacent to the structure promoting the gas-liquid exchange of the member producing the negative pressure in the first chamber is supplied with the liquid, in a state of reduced pressure that is provided by the pressure reducing passage, with the container acquiring the same orientation as when the liquid has been delivered to the liquid ejection head, a second liquid supply step for supplying the liquid to the first chamber through the liquid supply portion after the first liquid supply passage within the second chamber; a liquid discharge passage for discharging a predetermined amount of liquid from the first chamber through the liquid supply portion after the second liquid supply passage. 9. An apparatus for supplying liquid to a liquid container that includes a first chamber, provided with a liquid supply portion for supplying the liquid outwardly to a liquid ejection head and an air vent for fluid communication with the ambient air, to accommodate in it a member that produces negative pressure; a second chamber forming an essentially sealed space except for the communication part with the first chamber, wherein the liquid supply portion is placed on a lower side; and a structure that promotes gas-liquid exchange that is provided in the first chamber, for introducing the ambient air into the second chamber in order to allow the discharge of liquid, the apparatus comprising: a sealing means for sealing the container of liquid; Or - a pressure reducing means for reducing a pressure of the entire package, while the liquid container is hemetically sealed; a first liquid supply means for supplying the liquid to the second chamber and completing the supply of liquid before a portion adjacent to the structure promoting the gas-liquid exchange of the member producing the negative pressure in the first chamber is supplied with the liquid, in a state of reduced pressure that is provided by the pressure reducing passage, with the container adopting the same orientation as when the liquid was delivered to the liquid ejection head, a second liquid supply means for supplying the liquid to the first chamber through the liquid supply portion after the first liquid supply passage to the second chamber; a release means for releasing the hermetically sealed state of the first chamber after the second liquid supply passage to the first chamber. il - SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A method for supplying liquid to a liquid container, including a first chamber provided with a liquid supply portion for supplying the liquid outward, to a liquid ejection head and an air vent for fluid communication with the ambient air, to accommodate in it a member that produces negative pressure; a second chamber forming an essentially sealed space except as regards the communication part with the first chamber, wherein the liquid supply portion is placed on a lower side; and a structure that promotes gas-liquid exchange that is provided in the first chamber, to introduce ambient air into the second chamber to allow liquid discharge, the method includes a pressure reduction step to reduce the pressure of the entirety of a container, while the liquid container is hermetically sealed; a first step of supplying liquid to supply the liquid to the second chamber, and to complete the supply of liquid before a portion adjacent to the structure promoting the gas-liquid exchange of the member producing the negative pressure in the first chamber is supplied with the liquid, in a state of S2 - reduced pressure that is provided by the pressure reducing passage, with the package adopting the same orientation as when the liquid was delivered to the liquid ejection head; a second liquid supply passage for supplying the liquid to the first chamber through the liquid supply portion after the first liquid supply passage to the second chamber; a release step for releasing the hermetically sealed state of the first chamber after the second liquid supply passage to the first chamber.