WO2019187655A1 - Ink-absorbing body storage container, and structure for ink absorption - Google Patents

Ink-absorbing body storage container, and structure for ink absorption Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019187655A1
WO2019187655A1 PCT/JP2019/004125 JP2019004125W WO2019187655A1 WO 2019187655 A1 WO2019187655 A1 WO 2019187655A1 JP 2019004125 W JP2019004125 W JP 2019004125W WO 2019187655 A1 WO2019187655 A1 WO 2019187655A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ink
ink absorber
space
storage container
liquid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2019/004125
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
依田　兼雄
宮阪　洋一
浦野　信孝
谷口　誠一
彰雄 伊藤
関　俊一
Original Assignee
セイコーエプソン株式会社
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Application filed by セイコーエプソン株式会社 filed Critical セイコーエプソン株式会社
Publication of WO2019187655A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019187655A1/en

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ink absorber storage container and an ink absorbing structure.
  • waste ink is usually generated during a head cleaning operation performed to prevent a decrease in print quality due to ink clogging or an ink filling operation after ink cartridge replacement. Therefore, in order to prevent such waste ink from unintentionally adhering to a mechanism or the like inside the printer, a waste ink absorber that absorbs waste ink is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
  • the waste ink absorber described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of ink absorbing plates each having a through opening penetrating in the thickness direction, and these are stacked. Further, it is preferable that the through openings communicate with each other. This is because it is preferable that the waste ink is made to reach the back side, that is, the lower side of the waste ink absorber as much as possible through the communicating through opening, and absorbed from there. However, for example, if each ink absorbing plate is deformed while repeating expansion during ink absorption and contraction during drying, the through openings are blocked, and as a result, the through openings are in communication with each other. May be inhibited. In this case, problems such as failure to absorb ink quickly and failure to absorb ink sufficiently occur.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an ink absorber storage container and an ink absorbing structure capable of quickly and sufficiently absorbing ink by the ink absorber.
  • the present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and can be realized as the following.
  • the ink absorber storage container of the present invention stores an ink absorber containing a water absorbent resin capable of absorbing ink, and a container body having a storage space to which the ink is supplied;
  • a liquid introduction pipe installed in the storage space and forming a liquid introduction space for guiding the ink supplied into the storage space to the bottom of the container body,
  • the pipe wall of the liquid guide pipe is formed with a communication portion that connects the liquid guide space and the storage space.
  • the staying portion is absorbed by the ink absorber through at least one of the plurality of small holes.
  • the stagnation of the ink in the liquid introduction space can be suppressed, and thus the ink can be quickly and sufficiently absorbed.
  • the communication portion is composed of a plurality of small holes formed through the tube wall.
  • the staying portion is absorbed by the ink absorber through at least one of the plurality of small holes.
  • the stagnation of the ink in the liquid introduction space can be suppressed, and thus the ink can be quickly and sufficiently absorbed.
  • the communication portion is constituted by a plurality of slits that penetrate the tube wall and are formed along the central axis direction of the liquid guide tube.
  • the staying portion is absorbed by the ink absorber through at least one of the plurality of slits.
  • the stagnation of the ink in the liquid introduction space can be suppressed, and thus the ink can be quickly and sufficiently absorbed.
  • the container body has a bottom portion and a side wall portion standing from the bottom portion, It is preferable to provide a diffusion portion that communicates with the liquid introduction space and forms a diffusion space that diffuses the ink that has passed through the liquid introduction space along at least the bottom portion of the bottom portion and the side wall portion.
  • the ink can also flow into the liquid introduction space from the bottom or side wall side of the container body, and thus the ink absorber can further quickly and sufficiently absorb the ink.
  • the diffusion part has a partition part that separates the diffusion space and the storage space, It is preferable that a communication portion that connects the diffusion space and the storage space is formed in the partition wall.
  • the ink diffused in the diffusion space can pass through the communicating portion of the partition wall, and then the ink is quickly absorbed.
  • the communication portion is composed of a plurality of small holes formed through the partition wall.
  • the ink diffused in the diffusion space flows into the liquid introduction space from any small hole, and then the ink is quickly absorbed.
  • the partition wall is formed with a protrusion protruding into the storage space.
  • the ink absorber when the ink absorber is in the form of a small piece (strip shape), the small piece is separated from the communicating portion of the partition wall by the protruding portion, and is prevented from closing the communicating portion. Thereby, the ink can smoothly pass through the communication part of the partition wall part. As a result, the ink spreads in the storage space and can sufficiently reach the ink absorber, and is then absorbed by the ink absorber.
  • the container body has a bottom portion and a side wall portion standing from the bottom portion, It is preferable that the liquid guiding pipe protrudes from the bottom side.
  • the ink supplied from the ink supply port passes through the liquid guide pipe, that is, the liquid guide space, and is quickly and smoothly guided to the bottom side of the container body.
  • the ink absorbing structure of the present invention includes the ink absorber storage container of the present invention, And an ink absorber containing a water-absorbing resin that is stored in the storage space and can absorb ink.
  • the staying portion is absorbed by the ink absorber through at least one of the plurality of small holes.
  • the stagnation of the ink in the liquid introduction space can be suppressed, and thus the ink can be quickly and sufficiently absorbed.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage state (one example) of a first embodiment of an ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a liquid introduction tube provided in the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber storage container) shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the ink absorber provided in the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the ink absorber provided in the second embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber storage container) of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage state (one example) of a first embodiment of an ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the ink absorbing structure
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a liquid guide tube in the third embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a diffusion portion (partition wall portion) in the third embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the ink absorber provided in the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber storage container) shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a liquid conduit provided in the fifth embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage state (one example) of a first embodiment of an ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a liquid introduction tube provided in the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber storage container) shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the ink absorber provided in the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) shown in FIG.
  • the upper side in FIGS. 1 to 4 (the same applies to FIGS. 5 to 8 and 10) is referred to as “upper (or upper)”, and the lower side is referred to as “lower (lower)”.
  • upper side in FIGS. 1 to 4 (the same applies to FIGS. 5 to 8 and 10) is referred to as “upper (or upper)”, and the lower side is referred to as “lower (lower
  • the ink absorber storage container 1 of the present invention is mounted on, for example, a printing apparatus 200 and used as a “waste liquid tank (waste ink tank)”.
  • the ink absorber storage container 1 stores an ink absorber 10 including a water absorbent resin 30 (see FIG. 4) capable of absorbing the ink Q, and a storage space 93 to which the ink Q is supplied.
  • a liquid guide pipe 3 that forms a liquid guide space 31 that is installed in the storage space 93 and guides the ink Q supplied in the storage space 93 to the bottom 91 of the container main body 9. Yes.
  • a communication portion (first communication portion) 34 that connects the liquid introduction space 31 and the storage space 93 is formed on the tube wall 33 of the liquid introduction tube 3.
  • the ink absorbing structure 100 of the present invention includes the ink absorber storage container 1 and the ink absorber 10 that is stored in the storage space 93 and includes the water absorbent resin 30 that can absorb the ink Q. Yes.
  • the ink Q temporarily stays in the liquid introduction space 31 in the process of passing through the liquid introduction space 31.
  • the staying portion passes through the communication portion 34 and is absorbed by the ink absorber 10.
  • water absorption means absorption of a water-based ink in which a coloring material is dissolved in an aqueous solvent, as well as a solvent-based ink in which a binder is dissolved in a solvent, or a liquid monomer that is cured by UV irradiation. It refers to absorbing ink in general, such as UV curable ink in which the binder is dissolved and latex ink in which the binder is dispersed in a dispersion medium.
  • the printing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, an inkjet color printer.
  • the printing apparatus 200 includes an ink discharge head 201 that discharges ink Q, a capping unit 202 that prevents clogging of the nozzles 201a of the ink discharge head 201, and a tube that connects the capping unit 202 and the ink absorbing structure 100.
  • 203 and a roller pump 204 that sends the ink Q from the capping unit 202 to the ink absorbing structure 100.
  • the ink discharge head 201 has a plurality of nozzles 201a that discharge the ink Q downward.
  • the ink discharge head 201 can perform printing by discharging ink Q while moving relative to a recording medium (not shown) such as a PPC sheet (drawn by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1). Ink discharge head 201).
  • the capping unit 202 prevents the nozzles 201a from being clogged by sucking the nozzles 201a at once by the operation of the roller pump 204 when the ink discharge head 201 is in the standby position.
  • the tube 203 is for the ink Q sucked through the capping unit 202 to pass toward the ink absorbing structure 100.
  • the tube 203 has flexibility.
  • the roller pump 204 is disposed in the middle of the tube 203, and has a roller part 204a and a clamping part 204b that clamps the middle of the tube 203 between the roller part 204a.
  • a suction force is generated in the capping unit 202 through the tube 203.
  • the ink Q attached to the nozzle 201a can be sent to the ink absorbing structure 100 by continuing to rotate the roller portion 204a.
  • the ink Q is absorbed by the ink absorbing structure 100 as waste liquid.
  • the ink Q includes various colors.
  • the ink absorbing structure 100 includes an ink absorber storage container 1 and an ink absorber 10 used for absorbing ink Q.
  • the ink absorbing structure 100 is detachably attached to the printing apparatus 200, and is used for absorbing the waste liquid of the ink Q in the attached state as described above.
  • the ink absorbing structure 100 can be used as a so-called “waste liquid tank (waste ink tank)”.
  • the ink absorbing structure 100 can be replaced with a new (unused) ink absorbing structure 100.
  • the ink absorber 10 is used for absorbing the ink Q in the ink absorber storage container 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink absorber 10 has a sheet shape and is stored in the storage space 93 of the container body 9 in a state where a plurality of the ink absorbers 10 are stacked. Accordingly, the absorption performance for absorbing the ink Q in the ink absorbing structure 100 is increased by the number of the ink absorbers 10.
  • the ink absorber 10 includes a sheet-like fiber base material 230 composed of fibers 20 and a water absorbent resin 30 attached (supported) to the fiber base material 230.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 is attached to at least one surface side of the fiber base material 230 (in the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the front surface 210 and the back surface 220). As a result, the ink Q can be absorbed by the water absorbent resin 30 regardless of which side of the front surface 210 side or the back surface 220 side the ink absorber 10 reaches. Further, since the water absorbent resin 30 is exposed to the fiber base material 230, the ink Q can be rapidly absorbed by the water absorbent resin 30.
  • the water-absorbing resin 30 preferably has the same amount of water-absorbing resin 30 on the front surface 210 side and the back surface 220 side, but may be different.
  • the water-absorbing resin 30 is preferably arranged and dispersed uniformly on either the front surface 210 side or the back surface 220 side, but the degree of dispersion may be sparse and dense.
  • the degree of dispersion of the water absorbent resin 30 on the front surface 210 side and the degree of dispersion of the water absorbent resin 30 on the back surface 220 side are more preferably the same, but they may be different. Good.
  • the fiber 20 when the ink Q is applied to the ink absorber 10 by the fiber 20, the fiber 20 can be temporarily held by the fiber 20, and then efficiently fed by the water absorbent resin 30, so that the entire ink absorber 10 can be sent. As a result, the absorption characteristics of the ink Q can be improved.
  • fibers such as cellulose fibers (especially fibers derived from waste paper) are less expensive than the water absorbent resin 30 and are advantageous from the viewpoint of reducing the manufacturing cost of the ink absorber 10.
  • the thing derived from used paper can be used suitably as the fiber 20, it is advantageous also from viewpoints, such as reduction of a waste material and effective utilization of resources.
  • the fibers 20 include synthetic resin fibers such as polyester fibers and polyamide fibers; natural resin fibers such as cellulose fibers, keratin fibers, and fibroin fibers, and chemically modified products thereof. Although it can be used, it is preferable to mainly use cellulose fibers, and it is more preferable that almost all of them are cellulose fibers.
  • the ink Q when the ink Q is applied to the ink absorber 10, the ink Q can be suitably taken in, and the fluidity is particularly high (for example, the viscosity is high). 10 mPa ⁇ s or less) can be quickly removed, and the ink Q once taken in can be suitably fed into the water absorbent resin 30. As a result, the absorption characteristics of the ink Q as the ink absorber 10 as a whole can be made particularly excellent.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 can be more suitably supported on the surface of the fiber 20.
  • Cellulose fibers are natural materials that can be regenerated, and among various fibers, are inexpensive and easy to obtain. From the viewpoints of reducing the production cost of the ink absorber 10, stable production, and reducing the environmental load. Is also advantageous.
  • the cellulose fiber is not particularly limited as long as it is mainly composed of cellulose (narrowly defined cellulose) as a compound and forms a fibrous form, and includes hemicellulose and lignin in addition to cellulose (narrowly defined cellulose). It may be a thing.
  • the fibers 20 may be included in, for example, a cotton shape, or may be formed into a sheet shape, a strip shape, a small piece shape, or the like.
  • waste paper may be used as the raw material of the fiber 20.
  • the used paper may be used as it is, or a crushed product subjected to a crushing process or a defibrated material subjected to a defibrating process may be used.
  • the average length of the fibers 20 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 7 mm or less, more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and further preferably 0.1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. .
  • the average width (diameter) of the fiber 20 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 ⁇ m or more and 200 ⁇ m or less, and more preferably 1.0 ⁇ m or more and 100 ⁇ m or less.
  • the average aspect ratio (the ratio of the average length to the average width) of the fibers 20 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 or more and 1000 or less, and more preferably 15 or more and 500 or less.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 can be supported, the ink Q can be held by the fibers 20, and the ink Q can be fed into the water absorbent resin 30.
  • the ink absorption characteristics can be made more excellent.
  • the water-absorbing resin 30 is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin having water absorbency.
  • the water absorption refers to a function that has hydrophilicity and retains moisture. Many water-absorbent resins 30 are gelled when water is absorbed.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 is preferably a resin having a functional group in the side chain.
  • the functional group include an acid group, a hydroxyl group, an epoxy group, and an amino group.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 is preferably a resin having an acid group in the side chain, and more preferably a resin having a carboxyl group in the side chain.
  • Examples of the carboxyl group-containing unit constituting the water absorbent resin 30 include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, sorbic acid, cinnamic acid, and anhydrides and salts thereof. The thing derived from a monomer is mentioned.
  • the proportion of the acid groups contained in the water absorbent resin 30 that are neutralized to form a salt is 30 mol% or more and 100 mol% or less. It is preferably 50 mol% or more and 95 mol% or less, more preferably 60 mol% or more and 90 mol% or less, and most preferably 70 mol% or more and 80 mol% or less. Thereby, the absorbability of the ink Q by the water absorbing resin 30 (ink absorber 10) can be made more excellent.
  • the type of neutralization salt is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include alkali metal salts such as sodium salt, potassium salt and lithium salt, and salts of nitrogen-containing basic substances such as ammonia, and sodium salt is preferable. Thereby, the absorbability of the ink Q by the water absorbing resin 30 (ink absorber 10) can be made more excellent.
  • the water-absorbing resin 30 having an acid group in the side chain is preferable because an electrostatic repulsion between acid groups occurs at the time of ink absorption and the absorption speed is increased. Further, when the acid group is neutralized, the ink Q is easily absorbed into the water absorbent resin 30 by the osmotic pressure.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 may have a structural unit that does not contain an acid group.
  • a structural unit include a hydrophilic structural unit, a hydrophobic structural unit, a polymerizable crosslinking agent, and the like. And the like.
  • hydrophilic structural unit examples include acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-ethyl (meth) acrylamide, Nn-propyl (meth) acrylamide, N-isopropyl (meth) acrylamide, and N, N-dimethyl (meth).
  • structural units derived from nonionic compounds such as
  • hydrophobic structural unit examples include structural units derived from compounds such as (meth) acrylonitrile, styrene, vinyl chloride, butadiene, isobutene, ethylene, propylene, stearyl (meth) acrylate, and lauryl (meth) acrylate. Etc.
  • Examples of the structural unit serving as the polymerizable crosslinking agent include diethylene glycol diacrylate, N, N′-methylenebisacrylamide, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, polypropylene glycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane diallyl ether, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, and allyl.
  • Examples include structural units derived from glycidyl ether, pentaerythritol triallyl ether, pentaerythritol diacrylate monostearate, bisphenol diacrylate, isocyanuric acid diacrylate, tetraallyloxyethane, diallyloxyacetate, and the like.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 preferably contains a polyacrylate copolymer or a polyacrylic acid polymerized crosslinked product.
  • the proportion of the structural unit having a carboxyl group in all the structural units constituting the molecular chain is preferably 50 mol% or more, more preferably 80 mol% or more, and more preferably 90 mol% or more. More preferred.
  • the carboxyl group in the polyacrylic acid polymer crosslinked product is preferably partially neutralized (partially neutralized) to form a salt.
  • the ratio of the neutralized occupying in all the carboxyl groups in the polyacrylic acid polymer crosslinked product is preferably 30 mol% or more and 99 mol% or less, more preferably 50 mol% or more and 99 mol% or less, and 70 mol%. More preferably, it is 99 mol% or less.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 may have a structure crosslinked with a crosslinking agent other than the polymerizable crosslinking agent described above.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 is a resin having an acid group
  • a compound having a plurality of functional groups that react with an acid group can be preferably used as the crosslinking agent.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 is a resin having a functional group that reacts with an acid group
  • a compound having a plurality of functional groups that react with an acid group in the molecule can be suitably used as the crosslinking agent.
  • Examples of the compound having a plurality of functional groups that react with an acid group include, for example, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, (poly) glycerin polyglycidyl ether, diglycerin polyglycidyl ether, and propylene glycol.
  • Glycidyl ether compounds such as diglycidyl ether; (poly) glycerin, (poly) ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, polyoxyethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, etc.
  • Polyhydric alcohols such as ethylenediamine, diethylenediamine, polyethyleneimine, and hexamethylenediamine.
  • polyhydric amines such as ethylenediamine, diethylenediamine, polyethyleneimine, and hexamethylenediamine.
  • multivalent ions such as zinc, calcium, magnesium, and aluminum can be suitably used because they react with the acid groups of the water-absorbent resin 30 and function as a crosslinking agent.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 may have any shape such as a scale shape, a needle shape, a fiber shape, or a particle shape, but preferably has a particle shape.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 is in the form of particles, the permeability of the ink Q can be easily ensured.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 can be suitably supported on the fiber base material 230 (fiber 20).
  • the average particle size of the particles is preferably 15 ⁇ m or more and 800 ⁇ m or less, more preferably 15 ⁇ m or more and 400 ⁇ m or less, and further preferably 15 ⁇ m or more and 50 ⁇ m or less.
  • the volume average particle diameter MVD (Mean
  • the particle size distribution can be measured on a volume basis.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 with respect to the fiber substrate 230 is preferably more than 5 wt% and 90 wt% or less, more preferably 20 wt% or more and 70 wt% or less, and 40 wt% or more and 55 wt%. % Or less is more preferable.
  • the average particle diameter of the water absorbent resin 30 is D [ ⁇ m] and the average length of the fibers is L [ ⁇ m], it is preferable to satisfy the relationship of 0.15 ⁇ L / D ⁇ 467, It is more preferable to satisfy the relationship of 0.25 ⁇ L / D ⁇ 333, and it is further preferable to satisfy the relationship of 2 ⁇ L / D ⁇ 200.
  • the ink absorber 10 may contain components other than those described above (other components).
  • examples of such components include surfactants, lubricants, antifoaming agents, fillers, anti-blocking agents, UV absorbers, colorants such as pigments and dyes, flame retardants, and fluidity improvers.
  • the shape of the ink absorber 10 having the above configuration in a plan view is preferably a quadrangle (for example, a rectangle), but is not limited thereto.
  • the ink absorber 10 may be one in which an intermediate layer is provided between the fiber base material 230 and the water absorbent resin 30.
  • the ink absorber storage container 1 includes a container main body 9 having a storage space 93 for storing the ink absorber 10, a lid 8 that is detachably attached to the container main body 9, and an ink Q.
  • the liquid guide pipe 3 that forms the liquid guide space 31 that leads to the bottom 91 side (the side opposite to the ink supply port 81) of the container body 9, and the ink Q that communicates with the liquid guide space 31 and passes through the liquid guide space 31.
  • a diffusion portion 4 that forms a diffusion space 41 that diffuses from the bottom portion 91 of the container main body 9 along the side wall portion 92.
  • the container body 9 has a box shape having a bottom portion (bottom plate) 91 having, for example, a quadrilateral shape in plan view, and four side wall portions 92 erected upward from each side (edge portion) of the bottom portion 91. It is.
  • the ink absorber 10 can be stored in the storage space 93 surrounded by the bottom portion 91 and the four side wall portions 92.
  • the container body 9 is not limited to the one having the bottom portion 91 that is rectangular in plan view, and may be, for example, a cylindrical portion having the bottom portion 91 that is circular in plan view. .
  • the ratio V2 / V1 of V1 and V2 is: It is preferably 0.1 or more and 0.7 or less, and more preferably 0.2 or more and 0.7 or less (see FIG. 2).
  • a gap 95 is formed in the container main body 9 above the ink absorber 10.
  • the ink absorber 10 swells (swells) once after absorbing the ink Q.
  • the gap 95 serves as a buffer when the ink absorber 10 expands, and thus the ink absorber 10 can sufficiently absorb the ink Q.
  • the container body 9 is hard, that is, has a shape retaining property such that the volume V1 does not change by, for example, 10% or more when an internal pressure or an external force is applied to the container body 9. .
  • the container main body 9 can maintain the shape of the container main body 9 itself even if the ink absorber 10 expands after absorbing the ink Q and receives the force from the ink absorber 10 from the inside. .
  • the installation state of the container main body 9 in the printing apparatus 200 is stabilized, and the ink absorber 10 can stably absorb the ink Q.
  • the constituent material is not particularly limited.
  • a constituent material of such a container main body 9 for example, various resin materials such as cyclic polyolefin and polycarbonate can be used.
  • various metal materials such as aluminum and stainless steel can be used as the constituent material of the container body 9.
  • the container body 9 is not limited to a hard one, but has a flexibility (soft one), that is, when the internal pressure or the external force is applied to the container body 9, the volume V1 changes by 10% or more. It may be a thing.
  • the container body 9 may be either transparent (including translucent) having internal visibility or opaque.
  • a plurality of ink absorbers 10 are in a state of being overlaid with respect to the bottom portion 91, but the present invention is not limited to this.
  • a plurality of ink absorbers 10 may be erected with respect to the bottom portion 91, or the overlaid ink absorber 10 and the erected ink absorber 10 may be mixed.
  • the ink absorbing structure 100 includes the lid 8.
  • the lid 8 has a plate shape and can be fitted into the upper opening 94 of the container body 9. By this fitting, the upper opening 94 can be liquid-tightly sealed.
  • the ink Q when the ink Q is ejected from the tube 203 and dropped, even if the ink Q collides with the ink absorber 10 and jumps up, the ink Q can be prevented from splashing outward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink Q from adhering to the periphery of the ink absorbing structure 100 and becoming dirty.
  • a tube 203 is connected to the central portion of the lid 8, and an ink supply port (connection port) 81 for supplying ink Q is formed in the storage space 93.
  • the ink supply port 81 is configured by a through hole that penetrates the lid 8 in the thickness direction. Then, the downstream end portion (lower end portion) of the tube 203 can be inserted into and connected to the ink supply port 81 (through hole). At this time, the discharge port (opening) 203a of the tube 203 faces downward.
  • the ink supply port 81 may be formed at a position shifted from the center portion of the lid 8.
  • the lid 8 may have an absorptivity for absorbing the ink Q, or may have a liquid repellency for repelling the ink Q.
  • the thickness of the lid 8 is not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, 1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and more preferably 8 mm or more and 10 mm or less.
  • the lid 8 is not limited to a plate having such a numerical value range, and may be a film (sheet) thinner than that.
  • the thickness of the lid 8 is not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, 10 ⁇ m or more and less than 1 mm.
  • the liquid guide pipe 3 is disposed below the ink supply port 81.
  • the liquid guide tube 3 is a tubular member that forms a liquid guide space 31 that guides the ink Q to the bottom 91 side of the container body 9. Note that it is only necessary that at least the upper opening portion 32 of the liquid guide tube 3 is located on an extension line in the supply direction in which the ink Q is supplied from the ink supply port 81.
  • the container body 9 has the bottom 91 and the side wall 92 erected from the bottom 91.
  • the liquid guide tube 3 protrudes upward from the bottom 91 side of the container main body 9, and the upper opening 32 opens toward the ink supply port 81. Further, the liquid guide tube 3 is inserted through all the ink absorbers 10 in a state of being stacked in the storage space 93.
  • the ink Q supplied from the ink supply port 81 by such a liquid guide pipe 3 passes through the liquid guide pipe 3, that is, the liquid guide space 31 through the upper opening 32, and passes through the liquid guide space 31. It will be guided to the bottom 91 side quickly and smoothly.
  • the ink absorber 10 absorbs the ink Q
  • the ink Q reaches the back side of the ink absorber 10 as much as possible, that is, the bottom 91 side, and is absorbed from there.
  • the ink Q can be permeated through the plurality of ink absorbers 10 in the container main body 9 as much as possible, so that these ink absorbers 10 can be used without waste. Therefore, the configuration including the liquid guide tube 3 is a configuration suitable for producing such an effect.
  • the ink absorber 10 has a property of expanding when absorbing ink and contracting when drying. Even if the liquid guide tube 3 is repeatedly expanded and contracted, the liquid guide tube 3 has such a rigidity as to prevent deformation. As a result, the ink Q can be guided to the bottom 91 side of the container main body 9 stably for a long period of time.
  • the upper opening 32 is separated from the lid 8 (ink supply port 81) in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, but is not limited to this, and may be in contact with the lid 8, for example.
  • a communication portion 34 that connects the liquid guide space 31 and the storage space 93 is formed.
  • the communication portion 34 is composed of a plurality of small holes 341 formed through the tube wall 33. These small holes 341 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the liquid guide tube 3 (tube wall 33), and along the central axis direction of the liquid guide tube 3 (the vertical direction in FIGS. 2 and 3). Are also arranged at equal intervals. The interval along the circumferential direction of the liquid guide tube 3 and the interval along the central axis direction of the liquid guide tube 3 may be the same or different.
  • the ink Q temporarily stays in the liquid introduction space 31 in the process of flowing into the diffusion space 41 through the liquid introduction space 31.
  • the accumulated amount is absorbed by the ink absorber 10 through at least one small hole 341 among the plurality of small holes 341.
  • the number of small holes 341 formed in the circumferential direction of the liquid introduction pipe 3 is four. In this case, it is preferable that the four small holes 341 face each side wall 92 side of the container body 9.
  • the number of small holes 341 formed in the circumferential direction of the liquid guide tube 3 is four in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be two, three, five or more, for example. Good.
  • each small hole 341 is circular in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, an ellipse or a polygon such as a quadrangle.
  • the container body 9 has the bottom 91 and the side wall 92 erected from the bottom 91. Further, the ink absorber storage container 1 communicates with the liquid introduction space 31, and causes the ink Q that has passed through the liquid introduction space 31 to pass along at least the bottom portion 92 of the bottom portion 91 and the side wall portion 92 (in this embodiment).
  • a diffusion portion 4 is provided which forms a diffusion space 41 for diffusion (from the bottom portion 91 along the side wall portion 92).
  • the ink Q can also flow into the liquid introduction space 31 from the bottom 91 and the side wall 92 side of the container main body 9, and thus the ink Q can be quickly and sufficiently absorbed by the ink absorber 10. .
  • the ink absorber storage container 1 (ink absorption structure 100) is configured to be able to absorb the ink Q from multiple directions.
  • the diffusing portion 4 includes a partition wall portion 42 that divides the diffusion space 41 and the storage space 93, and a support portion 44 that supports the partition wall portion 42 with respect to the container body 9.
  • the partition wall portion 42 includes a first partition wall 421 that faces the bottom 91 of the container body 9 via a gap, and a second partition wall 422 that faces each side wall portion 92 via a gap. The space between the bottom 91 and the first partition 421 and the spaces between the side wall 92 and the second partition 422 communicate with each other to form the diffusion space 41.
  • a communication part (second communication part) 43 that connects the diffusion space 41 and the storage space 93 is formed in the partition wall part 42, that is, the first partition wall 421 and each of the second partition walls 422.
  • the communication portion 43 is composed of a plurality of small holes 431 formed through the partition wall portion 42. These small holes 431 are arranged uniformly in the surface direction in each partition wall.
  • the ink Q diffused in the diffusion space 41 by the communication portion 43 constituted by the small holes 431 flows into the liquid introduction space 31 from any of the small holes 431, and then quickly absorbed by the ink Q. Will be.
  • the small holes 431 formed in the first partition 421 allow the ink Q to be preferentially absorbed from the back side of the ink absorber 10 as much as possible, which is preferable for ink absorption.
  • the arrangement density of the small holes 431 in the first partition 421 and the arrangement density of the small holes 431 in each second partition 422 may be the same or different.
  • the support portion 44 is disposed between the side wall portion 92 and the second partition 422 and connects them. Thereby, the partition part 42 can be supported with respect to the container main body 9, Therefore, the diffusion space 41 can be ensured.
  • diffusion part 4 are comprised by a different body mutually, and it has become what joined this separate body, but it is not limited to this, For example, it integrates It may be formed.
  • constituent materials of the liquid guide tube 3 and the diffusion portion 4 are not particularly limited, and for example, the same constituent material as that of the container body 9 can be used.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the ink absorber provided in the second embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber storage container) of the present invention.
  • This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the ink absorber is different.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 is present in the middle of the fiber base 230 in the thickness direction. That is, the water absorbent resin 30 is dispersed in the fiber base material 230. As a result, the ink Q can be held (absorbed) as close as possible to the center of the ink absorber 10 in the thickness direction, and thus the ink Q can be held for a long time. In addition, it is possible to prevent the water absorbent resin 30 from dropping (detaching) from the fiber base material 230.
  • the water absorbent resin 30 may be uniformly dispersed in the thickness direction, or may be unevenly distributed on the front surface 210 or the back surface 220 of the fiber base 230.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a liquid guide tube in the third embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a diffusion portion (partition wall portion) in the third embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention.
  • This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the shape of the communication portion and the shape of the diffusion portion (partition wall portion) are different.
  • the communication portion 34 penetrates the tube wall 33 of the liquid guide tube 3 and is formed along the central axis direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6) of the liquid guide tube 3.
  • variety of each slit 342 is constant along the central-axis direction (up-down direction in FIG. 6) of the liquid introduction pipe 3, it is not limited to this, For example, it is increasing upwards.
  • the ink Q that has temporarily stayed in the liquid introduction space 31 also absorbs ink through at least one slit 342 among the plurality of slits 342 by the communication portion 34 configured by such slits 342. Absorbed by the body 10. Thereby, the stagnation of the ink Q in the liquid introduction space 31 can be suppressed, and thus the ink Q can be absorbed quickly and sufficiently.
  • the partition wall 42 that separates the diffusion space 41 and the storage space 93 is disposed on the first partition 421 disposed on the bottom 91 side of the container body 9 and on the side wall 92 of the container body 9.
  • the second partition wall 422 includes a plurality of projecting portions 45 projecting toward the storage space 93.
  • Each protrusion 45 of the first partition 421 is configured by a rib extending along the bottom 91 (left-right direction) of the container body 9 in FIG.
  • Each protrusion 45 of the second partition 422 is configured by a rib extending along the side wall 92 (vertical direction) of the container body 9 in FIG.
  • Adjacent protrusions 45 are separated from each other, and a small hole 431 is disposed between them.
  • the ink absorber 10 when the ink absorber 10 is in the form of a sheet in the first embodiment and is also in the form of a small piece (strip shape), the small piece is separated from the small hole 431 by the protrusion 45. The small hole 431 is prevented from being blocked. Accordingly, the ink Q can smoothly pass through the small hole 431. As a result, the ink Q spreads in the storage space 93 and can sufficiently reach the ink absorber 10 and is then absorbed by the ink absorber 10.
  • protrusion 45 of the first partition 421 and the protrusion 45 of the second partition 422 are continuous, that is, connected in the configuration shown in FIG. 7, but are not limited thereto. It may be continuous, that is, it may be divided. Moreover, each protrusion part 45 is not limited to being comprised with the rib.
  • FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the ink absorber provided in the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber storage container) shown in FIG.
  • This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the ink absorber is different.
  • the ink absorber 10 has a cotton shape as a whole. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when the ink absorber 10 is enlarged, the ink absorber 10 includes fibers 20 entangled with each other and a water absorbent resin 30 attached (supported) to the fibers 20. Contains. In addition, it is preferable that the fibers 20 are bonded to each other via a binder (not shown). Such a cotton-like ink absorber 10 can increase the ink absorbability and promote the absorption of the ink Q.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a liquid conduit provided in the fifth embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention.
  • the fifth embodiment of the ink absorber storage container and the ink absorbing structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to this drawing. The description is omitted.
  • the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the liquid introduction pipe is different.
  • the liquid introduction pipe 3 has a branch pipe 35 that protrudes outward and branches.
  • the number of branch pipes 35 formed is plural in the configuration shown in FIG. 10, and the branch pipes 35 located at the same height are arranged radially, but the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the number of branch pipes 35 may be one.
  • the branch pipe 35 is preferably formed with at least one small hole 34.
  • the illustrated embodiment of the ink absorber storage container and the ink absorbing structure of the present invention has been described.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink absorber storing container and the ink absorbing structure are not limited thereto.
  • Each component constituting the can be replaced with any component that can exhibit the same function.
  • arbitrary components may be added.
  • the ink absorber storage container and the ink absorbing structure of the present invention may be a combination of any two or more configurations (features) of the above embodiments.
  • the ink absorber storage container may have a length up to the middle where the liquid introduction part does not reach the bottom of the container main body.
  • the diffusion part may be abbreviate

Abstract

Provided are an ink-absorbing body storage container and a structure for ink absorption, which are configured so that ink can be quickly and sufficiently absorbed by an ink-absorbing body. An ink-absorbing body storage container (1) comprises: a container body (9) having a storage space (93) which stores an ink-absorbing body (10) containing a water absorbent resin (30) capable of absorbing ink, and to which ink is supplied; and a liquid-conducting pipe (3) which is installed within the storage space (93) and which has formed therein a liquid-conducting space (31) which conducts the ink having been supplied into the storage space (93) to at least the bottom side of the container body (9). The ink-absorbing body storage container (1) is characterized in that a communication section (34) which connects the liquid-conducting space (31) and the storage space (93) is formed in the wall of the liquid-conducting pipe (3).

Description

インク吸収体収納容器およびインク吸収用構造体Ink absorber storage container and ink absorbing structure
　本発明は、インク吸収体収納容器およびインク吸収用構造体に関する。 The present invention relates to an ink absorber storage container and an ink absorbing structure.
　インクジェットプリンターでは、通常、インクの目詰まりによる印刷品質の低下を防止するために実施されるヘッドクリーニング動作や、インクカートリッジ交換後のインク充填動作の際に、廃インクが発生する。そこで、このような廃インクがプリンター内部の機構等に対する不本意な付着が生じないようにするために、廃インクを吸収する廃インク吸収体を備えている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。 In an inkjet printer, waste ink is usually generated during a head cleaning operation performed to prevent a decrease in print quality due to ink clogging or an ink filling operation after ink cartridge replacement. Therefore, in order to prevent such waste ink from unintentionally adhering to a mechanism or the like inside the printer, a waste ink absorber that absorbs waste ink is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
　特許文献１に記載の廃インク吸収体は、厚さ方向に貫通した貫通開口を有するインク吸収板を複数枚備え、これらが重ねられたものとなっている。また、貫通開口同士は、連通しているのが好ましい。これは、連通した貫通開口を介して、廃インクを廃インク吸収体のできる限り奥側、すなわち、下側に到達させ、そこから吸収させるのが好ましいからである。しかしながら、例えば、各インク吸収板がインク吸収時の膨張と、乾燥時の収縮とを繰り返していくうちに変形していくと、貫通開口が塞がってしまい、その結果、貫通開口同士の連通状態が阻害されることがある。この場合、インクを迅速に吸収することができなかったり、また、インクを十分に吸収することができなかったりする等の問題が生じる。 The waste ink absorber described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of ink absorbing plates each having a through opening penetrating in the thickness direction, and these are stacked. Further, it is preferable that the through openings communicate with each other. This is because it is preferable that the waste ink is made to reach the back side, that is, the lower side of the waste ink absorber as much as possible through the communicating through opening, and absorbed from there. However, for example, if each ink absorbing plate is deformed while repeating expansion during ink absorption and contraction during drying, the through openings are blocked, and as a result, the through openings are in communication with each other. May be inhibited. In this case, problems such as failure to absorb ink quickly and failure to absorb ink sufficiently occur.
特開２０００－１４１７０５号公報JP 2000-141705 A
　本発明の目的は、インク吸収体によってインクを迅速かつ十分に吸収することができるインク吸収体収納容器およびインク吸収用構造体を提供することにある。 An object of the present invention is to provide an ink absorber storage container and an ink absorbing structure capable of quickly and sufficiently absorbing ink by the ink absorber.
　本発明は、上述の課題の少なくとも一部を解決するためになされたものであり、以下のものとして実現することが可能である。 The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and can be realized as the following.
　本発明のインク吸収体収納容器は、インクの吸収が可能な吸水性樹脂を含むインク吸収体を収納し、前記インクが供給される収納空間を有する容器本体と、
　前記収納空間内に設置され、前記収納空間内に供給された前記インクを前記容器本体の底部に導く導液空間を形成する導液管と、を備え、
　前記導液管の管壁には、前記導液空間と前記収納空間とを連通する連通部が形成されていることを特徴とする。 The ink absorber storage container of the present invention stores an ink absorber containing a water absorbent resin capable of absorbing ink, and a container body having a storage space to which the ink is supplied;
A liquid introduction pipe installed in the storage space and forming a liquid introduction space for guiding the ink supplied into the storage space to the bottom of the container body,
The pipe wall of the liquid guide pipe is formed with a communication portion that connects the liquid guide space and the storage space.
　これにより、例えばインクが導液空間内で一時的に滞留した場合、この滞留した分が複数の小孔の内の少なくとも１つの小孔を介して、インク吸収体に吸収される。これにより、導液空間内でのインクの滞留を抑制することができ、よって、インクの迅速かつ十分な吸収が可能となる。 Thereby, for example, when ink temporarily stays in the liquid introduction space, the staying portion is absorbed by the ink absorber through at least one of the plurality of small holes. As a result, the stagnation of the ink in the liquid introduction space can be suppressed, and thus the ink can be quickly and sufficiently absorbed.
　本発明のインク吸収体収納容器では、前記連通部は、前記管壁を貫通して形成された複数の小孔で構成されているのが好ましい。 In the ink absorber storage container of the present invention, it is preferable that the communication portion is composed of a plurality of small holes formed through the tube wall.
　これにより、例えばインクが導液空間内で一時的に滞留した場合、この滞留した分が複数の小孔の内の少なくとも１つの小孔を介して、インク吸収体に吸収される。これにより、導液空間内でのインクの滞留を抑制することができ、よって、インクの迅速かつ十分な吸収が可能となる。 Thereby, for example, when ink temporarily stays in the liquid introduction space, the staying portion is absorbed by the ink absorber through at least one of the plurality of small holes. As a result, the stagnation of the ink in the liquid introduction space can be suppressed, and thus the ink can be quickly and sufficiently absorbed.
　本発明のインク吸収体収納容器では、前記連通部は、前記管壁を貫通し、前記導液管の中心軸方向に沿って形成された複数のスリットで構成されているのが好ましい。 In the ink absorber storage container of the present invention, it is preferable that the communication portion is constituted by a plurality of slits that penetrate the tube wall and are formed along the central axis direction of the liquid guide tube.
　これにより、例えばインクが導液空間内で一時的に滞留した場合、この滞留した分が複数のスリットの内の少なくとも１つのスリットを介して、インク吸収体に吸収される。これにより、導液空間内でのインクの滞留を抑制することができ、よって、インクの迅速かつ十分な吸収が可能となる。 Thereby, for example, when ink temporarily stays in the liquid introduction space, the staying portion is absorbed by the ink absorber through at least one of the plurality of slits. As a result, the stagnation of the ink in the liquid introduction space can be suppressed, and thus the ink can be quickly and sufficiently absorbed.
　本発明のインク吸収体収納容器では、前記容器本体は、底部と、前記底部から立設した側壁部とを有し、
　前記導液空間に連通し、前記導液空間を通過してきた前記インクを、前記底部および前記側壁部のうちの少なくとも前記底部に沿って拡散させる拡散空間を形成する拡散部を備えるのが好ましい。 In the ink absorber storage container of the present invention, the container body has a bottom portion and a side wall portion standing from the bottom portion,
It is preferable to provide a diffusion portion that communicates with the liquid introduction space and forms a diffusion space that diffuses the ink that has passed through the liquid introduction space along at least the bottom portion of the bottom portion and the side wall portion.
　これにより、容器本体の底部や側壁部側からもインクが導液空間に流入することができ、よって、インク吸収体によるインクの迅速かつ十分な吸収がさらに可能となる。 Thereby, the ink can also flow into the liquid introduction space from the bottom or side wall side of the container body, and thus the ink absorber can further quickly and sufficiently absorb the ink.
　本発明のインク吸収体収納容器では、前記拡散部は、前記拡散空間と前記収納空間とを区切る隔壁部を有し、
　前記隔壁部には、前記拡散空間と前記収納空間とを連通する連通部が形成されているのが好ましい。 In the ink absorber storage container of the present invention, the diffusion part has a partition part that separates the diffusion space and the storage space,
It is preferable that a communication portion that connects the diffusion space and the storage space is formed in the partition wall.
　これにより、拡散空間内で拡散されたインクは、隔壁部の連通部を通過することができ、その後迅速にインクが吸収されることとなる。 Thereby, the ink diffused in the diffusion space can pass through the communicating portion of the partition wall, and then the ink is quickly absorbed.
　本発明のインク吸収体収納容器では、前記連通部は、前記隔壁部を貫通して形成された複数の小孔で構成されているのが好ましい。 In the ink absorber storage container of the present invention, it is preferable that the communication portion is composed of a plurality of small holes formed through the partition wall.
　これにより、拡散空間内で拡散されたインクは、いずれの小孔からも導液空間に流入して、その後迅速にインクが吸収されることとなる。 Thereby, the ink diffused in the diffusion space flows into the liquid introduction space from any small hole, and then the ink is quickly absorbed.
　本発明のインク吸収体収納容器では、前記隔壁部には、前記収納空間に突出した突出部が形成されているのが好ましい。 In the ink absorber storage container of the present invention, it is preferable that the partition wall is formed with a protrusion protruding into the storage space.
　例えばインク吸収体が小片状（短冊状）をなすものである場合、この小片は、突出部によって隔壁部の連通部から離されて、当該連通部を塞ぐのが防止される。これにより、インクは、隔壁部の連通部を円滑に通過することができる。その結果、インクは、収納空間内に広がって、インク吸収体に十分に到達することができ、その後インク吸収体で吸収される。 For example, when the ink absorber is in the form of a small piece (strip shape), the small piece is separated from the communicating portion of the partition wall by the protruding portion, and is prevented from closing the communicating portion. Thereby, the ink can smoothly pass through the communication part of the partition wall part. As a result, the ink spreads in the storage space and can sufficiently reach the ink absorber, and is then absorbed by the ink absorber.
　本発明のインク吸収体収納容器では、前記容器本体は、底部と、前記底部から立設した側壁部とを有し、
　前記導液管は、前記底部側から突出しているのが好ましい。 In the ink absorber storage container of the present invention, the container body has a bottom portion and a side wall portion standing from the bottom portion,
It is preferable that the liquid guiding pipe protrudes from the bottom side.
　これにより、インク供給口から供給されたインクは、導液管内、すなわち、導液空間を通過して、容器本体の底部側に迅速かつ円滑に導かれることとなる。 Thereby, the ink supplied from the ink supply port passes through the liquid guide pipe, that is, the liquid guide space, and is quickly and smoothly guided to the bottom side of the container body.
　本発明のインク吸収用構造体は、本発明のインク吸収体収納容器と、
　前記収納空間に収納され、インクの吸収が可能な吸水性樹脂を含むインク吸収体と、を備えることを特徴とする。 The ink absorbing structure of the present invention includes the ink absorber storage container of the present invention,
And an ink absorber containing a water-absorbing resin that is stored in the storage space and can absorb ink.
　これにより、例えばインクが導液空間内で一時的に滞留した場合、この滞留した分が複数の小孔の内の少なくとも１つの小孔を介して、インク吸収体に吸収される。これにより、導液空間内でのインクの滞留を抑制することができ、よって、インクの迅速かつ十分な吸収が可能となる。 Thereby, for example, when ink temporarily stays in the liquid introduction space, the staying portion is absorbed by the ink absorber through at least one of the plurality of small holes. As a result, the stagnation of the ink in the liquid introduction space can be suppressed, and thus the ink can be quickly and sufficiently absorbed.
図１は、本発明のインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の第１実施形態における使用状態（一例）を示す図である。FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage state (one example) of a first embodiment of an ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) according to the present invention. 図２は、図１に示すインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の垂直断面図である。FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) shown in FIG. 図３は、図１に示すインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）が備える導液管の斜視図である。FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a liquid introduction tube provided in the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber storage container) shown in FIG. 1. 図４は、図１に示すインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）が備えるインク吸収体の拡大詳細垂直断面図である。FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the ink absorber provided in the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) shown in FIG. 図５は、本発明のインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の第２実施形態が備えるインク吸収体の拡大詳細垂直断面図である。FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the ink absorber provided in the second embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber storage container) of the present invention. 図６は、本発明のインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の第３実施形態における導液管の斜視図である。FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a liquid guide tube in the third embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention. 図７は、本発明のインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の第３実施形態における拡散部（隔壁部）の斜視図である。FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a diffusion portion (partition wall portion) in the third embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention. 図８は、本発明のインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の第４実施形態の垂直断面図である。FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention. 図９は、図８に示すインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）が備えるインク吸収体の拡大詳細垂直断面図である。FIG. 9 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the ink absorber provided in the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber storage container) shown in FIG. 図１０は、本発明のインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の第５実施形態が備える導液管の斜視図である。FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a liquid conduit provided in the fifth embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention.
　以下、本発明のインク吸収体収納容器およびインク吸収用構造体を添付図面に示す好適な実施形態に基づいて詳細に説明する。 Hereinafter, the ink absorbing container storage container and the ink absorbing structure of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
　＜第１実施形態＞
  図１は、本発明のインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の第１実施形態における使用状態（一例）を示す図である。図２は、図１に示すインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の垂直断面図である。図３は、図１に示すインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）が備える導液管の斜視図である。図４は、図１に示すインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）が備えるインク吸収体の拡大詳細垂直断面図である。なお、以下では、説明の都合上、図１～図４中（図５～図８および図１０についても同様）の上側を「上（または上方）」、下側を「下（下方）」と言う。 <First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage state (one example) of a first embodiment of an ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a liquid introduction tube provided in the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber storage container) shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the ink absorber provided in the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) shown in FIG. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the upper side in FIGS. 1 to 4 (the same applies to FIGS. 5 to 8 and 10) is referred to as “upper (or upper)”, and the lower side is referred to as “lower (lower)”. To tell.
　図１に示すように、本発明のインク吸収体収納容器１は、例えば、印刷装置２００に装着され、「廃液タンク（廃インクタンク）」として用いられるものである。図２に示すように、インク吸収体収納容器１は、インクＱの吸収が可能な吸水性樹脂３０（図４参照）を含むインク吸収体１０を収納し、インクＱが供給される収納空間９３を有する容器本体９と、収納空間内９３に設置され、収納空間９３内に供給されたインクＱを容器本体９の底部９１に導く導液空間３１を形成する導液管３と、を備えている。この導液管３の管壁３３には、導液空間３１と収納空間９３とを連通する連通部（第１連通部）３４が形成されている。 As shown in FIG. 1, the ink absorber storage container 1 of the present invention is mounted on, for example, a printing apparatus 200 and used as a “waste liquid tank (waste ink tank)”. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink absorber storage container 1 stores an ink absorber 10 including a water absorbent resin 30 (see FIG. 4) capable of absorbing the ink Q, and a storage space 93 to which the ink Q is supplied. And a liquid guide pipe 3 that forms a liquid guide space 31 that is installed in the storage space 93 and guides the ink Q supplied in the storage space 93 to the bottom 91 of the container main body 9. Yes. A communication portion (first communication portion) 34 that connects the liquid introduction space 31 and the storage space 93 is formed on the tube wall 33 of the liquid introduction tube 3.
  また、本発明のインク吸収用構造体１００は、インク吸収体収納容器１と、収納空間９３に収納され、インクＱの吸収が可能な吸水性樹脂３０を含むインク吸収体１０と、を備えている。 In addition, the ink absorbing structure 100 of the present invention includes the ink absorber storage container 1 and the ink absorber 10 that is stored in the storage space 93 and includes the water absorbent resin 30 that can absorb the ink Q. Yes.
  後述するように、例えばインク供給口８１からのインクＱの供給量や供給速度の大きさによっては、インクＱが導液空間３１を通過する過程で、導液空間３１内で一時的に滞留する場合がある。この場合でも、本発明により、前記滞留した分が連通部３４を通過して、インク吸収体１０に吸収されることとなる。これにより、導液空間３１内でのインクＱの滞留を抑制することができ、よって、インクＱの迅速かつ十分な吸収が可能となる。 As will be described later, for example, depending on the amount of ink Q supplied from the ink supply port 81 and the supply speed, the ink Q temporarily stays in the liquid introduction space 31 in the process of passing through the liquid introduction space 31. There is a case. Even in this case, according to the present invention, the staying portion passes through the communication portion 34 and is absorbed by the ink absorber 10. Thereby, the stagnation of the ink Q in the liquid introduction space 31 can be suppressed, and thus the ink Q can be absorbed quickly and sufficiently.
　なお、本明細書における「吸水」とは、水系溶媒に色材が溶解した水系インクを吸収することはもちろん、溶剤にバインダーが溶解した溶剤系インクや、ＵＶ照射により硬化する液状のモノマー中にバインダーが溶解したＵＶ硬化性インクや、分散媒にバインダーが分散したラテックスインク等、インク全般を吸収することを言う。 In this specification, “water absorption” means absorption of a water-based ink in which a coloring material is dissolved in an aqueous solvent, as well as a solvent-based ink in which a binder is dissolved in a solvent, or a liquid monomer that is cured by UV irradiation. It refers to absorbing ink in general, such as UV curable ink in which the binder is dissolved and latex ink in which the binder is dispersed in a dispersion medium.
　図１に示す印刷装置２００は、例えば、インクジェット式のカラープリンターである。この印刷装置２００は、インクＱを吐出するインク吐出ヘッド２０１と、インク吐出ヘッド２０１のノズル２０１ａの目詰まりを防止するキャッピングユニット２０２と、キャッピングユニット２０２とインク吸収用構造体１００とを接続するチューブ２０３と、インクＱをキャッピングユニット２０２からインク吸収用構造体１００に送るローラーポンプ２０４とを備えている。 The printing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, an inkjet color printer. The printing apparatus 200 includes an ink discharge head 201 that discharges ink Q, a capping unit 202 that prevents clogging of the nozzles 201a of the ink discharge head 201, and a tube that connects the capping unit 202 and the ink absorbing structure 100. 203 and a roller pump 204 that sends the ink Q from the capping unit 202 to the ink absorbing structure 100.
　インク吐出ヘッド２０１は、下方に向かってインクＱを吐出するノズル２０１ａを複数有している。このインク吐出ヘッド２０１は、ＰＰＣシート等のような記録媒体（図示せず）に対して移動しつつ、インクＱを吐出して、印刷を施すことができる（図１中の二点鎖線で描かれたインク吐出ヘッド２０１参照）。 The ink discharge head 201 has a plurality of nozzles 201a that discharge the ink Q downward. The ink discharge head 201 can perform printing by discharging ink Q while moving relative to a recording medium (not shown) such as a PPC sheet (drawn by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1). Ink discharge head 201).
　キャッピングユニット２０２は、インク吐出ヘッド２０１が待機位置にあるときに、ローラーポンプ２０４の作動により、各ノズル２０１ａを一括して吸引して、ノズル２０１ａの目詰まりを防止するものである。 The capping unit 202 prevents the nozzles 201a from being clogged by sucking the nozzles 201a at once by the operation of the roller pump 204 when the ink discharge head 201 is in the standby position.
　チューブ２０３は、キャッピングユニット２０２を介して吸引されたインクＱがインク吸収用構造体１００に向かって通過するものである。このチューブ２０３は、可撓性を有している。 The tube 203 is for the ink Q sucked through the capping unit 202 to pass toward the ink absorbing structure 100. The tube 203 has flexibility.
　ローラーポンプ２０４は、チューブ２０３の途中に配置され、ローラー部２０４ａと、ローラー部２０４ａとの間でチューブ２０３の途中を挟持する挟持部２０４ｂとを有している。ローラー部２０４ａが回転することにより、チューブ２０３を介して、キャッピングユニット２０２に吸引力が生じる。そして、ローラー部２０４ａが回転し続けることにより、ノズル２０１ａに付着したインクＱをインク吸収用構造体１００まで送り込むことができる。そして、このインクＱは、廃液として、インク吸収用構造体１００で吸収される。なお、インクＱには、種々の色のものが含まれている。 The roller pump 204 is disposed in the middle of the tube 203, and has a roller part 204a and a clamping part 204b that clamps the middle of the tube 203 between the roller part 204a. As the roller portion 204 a rotates, a suction force is generated in the capping unit 202 through the tube 203. Then, the ink Q attached to the nozzle 201a can be sent to the ink absorbing structure 100 by continuing to rotate the roller portion 204a. The ink Q is absorbed by the ink absorbing structure 100 as waste liquid. The ink Q includes various colors.
　図１～図４に示すように、インク吸収用構造体１００は、インク吸収体収納容器１と、インクＱの吸収に用いられるインク吸収体１０と、を備えている。このインク吸収用構造体１００は、印刷装置２００に対し、着脱自在に装着され、その装着状態で、前述したようにインクＱの廃液吸収に用いられる。このように、インク吸収用構造体１００を、いわゆる「廃液タンク（廃インクタンク）」として用いることができる。そして、インク吸収用構造体１００のインクＱの吸収量が限界に達したら、このインク吸収用構造体１００を、新たな（未使用の）インク吸収用構造体１００に交換することができる。なお、インク吸収用構造体１００のインクＱの吸収量が限界に達したか否かについては、印刷装置２００内の検出部（図示せず）によって検出される。また、インク吸収用構造体１００のインクＱの吸収量が限界に達した場合には、その旨が、例えば、印刷装置２００に内蔵されたモニター等の報知部により報知される。 As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the ink absorbing structure 100 includes an ink absorber storage container 1 and an ink absorber 10 used for absorbing ink Q. The ink absorbing structure 100 is detachably attached to the printing apparatus 200, and is used for absorbing the waste liquid of the ink Q in the attached state as described above. Thus, the ink absorbing structure 100 can be used as a so-called “waste liquid tank (waste ink tank)”. When the amount of ink Q absorbed by the ink absorbing structure 100 reaches a limit, the ink absorbing structure 100 can be replaced with a new (unused) ink absorbing structure 100. Note that whether or not the amount of ink Q absorbed by the ink absorbing structure 100 has reached the limit is detected by a detection unit (not shown) in the printing apparatus 200. Further, when the amount of ink Q absorbed by the ink absorbing structure 100 reaches a limit, this is notified by a notification unit such as a monitor built in the printing apparatus 200, for example.
　インク吸収体１０は、インク吸収体収納容器１内でインクＱの吸収に用いられるものである。図２に示すように、インク吸収体１０は、シート状をなし、複数枚重ねられた状態で容器本体９の収納空間９３内に収納されている。これにより、インク吸収体１０の枚数分だけ、インク吸収用構造体１００におけるインクＱを吸収する吸収性能が増大する。 The ink absorber 10 is used for absorbing the ink Q in the ink absorber storage container 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink absorber 10 has a sheet shape and is stored in the storage space 93 of the container body 9 in a state where a plurality of the ink absorbers 10 are stacked. Accordingly, the absorption performance for absorbing the ink Q in the ink absorbing structure 100 is increased by the number of the ink absorbers 10.
　図４に示すように、インク吸収体１０は、繊維２０で構成されたシート状の繊維基材２３０と、繊維基材２３０に付着した（担持された）吸水性樹脂３０とを含んでいる。 As shown in FIG. 4, the ink absorber 10 includes a sheet-like fiber base material 230 composed of fibers 20 and a water absorbent resin 30 attached (supported) to the fiber base material 230.
　吸水性樹脂３０は、繊維基材２３０の少なくとも一方の面側（図４に示す構成では表側の面２１０および裏側の面２２０）に付着している。これにより、各インク吸収体１０に対して、表側の面２１０側、裏側の面２２０側のどちら側にインクＱが到達しても、そのインクＱを吸水性樹脂３０で吸収することができる。また、吸水性樹脂３０が繊維基材２３０に対して露出した状態となるため、この吸水性樹脂３０でインクＱを迅速に吸収することができる。 The water absorbent resin 30 is attached to at least one surface side of the fiber base material 230 (in the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the front surface 210 and the back surface 220). As a result, the ink Q can be absorbed by the water absorbent resin 30 regardless of which side of the front surface 210 side or the back surface 220 side the ink absorber 10 reaches. Further, since the water absorbent resin 30 is exposed to the fiber base material 230, the ink Q can be rapidly absorbed by the water absorbent resin 30.
　なお、吸水性樹脂３０は、表側の面２１０側と裏側の面２２０側とで、吸水性樹脂３０の付着量が等しいのが好ましいが、異なっていてもよい。 The water-absorbing resin 30 preferably has the same amount of water-absorbing resin 30 on the front surface 210 side and the back surface 220 side, but may be different.
　また、吸水性樹脂３０は、表側の面２１０側、裏側の面２２０側のいずれでも均一に配置分散されているのが好ましいが、それらの分散の程度に疎密があってもよい。 The water-absorbing resin 30 is preferably arranged and dispersed uniformly on either the front surface 210 side or the back surface 220 side, but the degree of dispersion may be sparse and dense.
　また、表側の面２１０側での吸水性樹脂３０の分散の程度と、裏側の面２２０側での吸水性樹脂３０の分散の程度とは、同じであるのがより好ましいが、異なっていてもよい。 Further, the degree of dispersion of the water absorbent resin 30 on the front surface 210 side and the degree of dispersion of the water absorbent resin 30 on the back surface 220 side are more preferably the same, but they may be different. Good.
　また、繊維２０により、インク吸収体１０にインクＱが付与された場合に、当該インクＱを繊維２０が一旦保持し、その後、吸水性樹脂３０により効率よく送り込むことができ、インク吸収体１０全体としてのインクＱの吸収特性を向上させることができる。また、一般に、セルロース繊維等の繊維（特に、古紙由来の繊維）は、吸水性樹脂３０に比べて安価であり、インク吸収体１０の製造コストの低減の観点からも有利である。また、繊維２０としては、古紙由来のものを好適に用いることができるため、廃棄物の削減、資源の有効活用等の観点からも有利である。 Further, when the ink Q is applied to the ink absorber 10 by the fiber 20, the fiber 20 can be temporarily held by the fiber 20, and then efficiently fed by the water absorbent resin 30, so that the entire ink absorber 10 can be sent. As a result, the absorption characteristics of the ink Q can be improved. In general, fibers such as cellulose fibers (especially fibers derived from waste paper) are less expensive than the water absorbent resin 30 and are advantageous from the viewpoint of reducing the manufacturing cost of the ink absorber 10. Moreover, since the thing derived from used paper can be used suitably as the fiber 20, it is advantageous also from viewpoints, such as reduction of a waste material and effective utilization of resources.
　繊維２０としては、例えば、ポリエステル繊維、ポリアミド繊維等の合成樹脂繊維；セルロース繊維、ケラチン繊維、フィブロイン繊維等の天然樹脂繊維やその化学修飾物等が挙げられ、これらを単独でまたは適宜混合して用いることができるが、セルロース繊維を主とするのが好ましく、ほぼ全部がセルロース繊維であるのがより好ましい。 Examples of the fibers 20 include synthetic resin fibers such as polyester fibers and polyamide fibers; natural resin fibers such as cellulose fibers, keratin fibers, and fibroin fibers, and chemically modified products thereof. Although it can be used, it is preferable to mainly use cellulose fibers, and it is more preferable that almost all of them are cellulose fibers.
　セルロースは、好適な親水性を有する材料であるため、インク吸収体１０にインクＱが付与された場合に、当該インクＱを好適に取り込むことができ、流動性が特に高い状態（例えば、粘度が１０ｍＰａ・ｓ以下の状態）を速やかに脱することができるとともに、一旦取り込んだインクＱを、好適に吸水性樹脂３０に送り込むことができる。その結果、インク吸収体１０全体としてのインクＱの吸収特性を特に優れたものとすることができる。また、セルロースは、一般に吸水性樹脂３０との親和性が高いため、繊維２０の表面に吸水性樹脂３０をより好適に担持させることができる。また、セルロース繊維は、再生可能な天然素材で、各種繊維の中でも、安価で入手が容易であるため、インク吸収体１０の生産コストの低減、安定的な生産、環境負荷の低減等の観点からも有利である。 Since cellulose is a material having suitable hydrophilicity, when the ink Q is applied to the ink absorber 10, the ink Q can be suitably taken in, and the fluidity is particularly high (for example, the viscosity is high). 10 mPa · s or less) can be quickly removed, and the ink Q once taken in can be suitably fed into the water absorbent resin 30. As a result, the absorption characteristics of the ink Q as the ink absorber 10 as a whole can be made particularly excellent. In addition, since cellulose generally has high affinity with the water absorbent resin 30, the water absorbent resin 30 can be more suitably supported on the surface of the fiber 20. Cellulose fibers are natural materials that can be regenerated, and among various fibers, are inexpensive and easy to obtain. From the viewpoints of reducing the production cost of the ink absorber 10, stable production, and reducing the environmental load. Is also advantageous.
　なお、本明細書において、セルロース繊維とは、化合物としてのセルロース（狭義のセルロース）を主成分とし繊維状をなすものであればよく、セルロース（狭義のセルロース）の他に、ヘミセルロース、リグニンを含むものであってもよい。 In the present specification, the cellulose fiber is not particularly limited as long as it is mainly composed of cellulose (narrowly defined cellulose) as a compound and forms a fibrous form, and includes hemicellulose and lignin in addition to cellulose (narrowly defined cellulose). It may be a thing.
　また、インク吸収体１０中において、繊維２０は、例えば、綿状で含まれていてもよいし、シート状、短冊状、小片状等に成形されたものであってもよい。 Further, in the ink absorber 10, the fibers 20 may be included in, for example, a cotton shape, or may be formed into a sheet shape, a strip shape, a small piece shape, or the like.
　繊維２０の原料としては、例えば、古紙を用いてもよい。これにより、前述したような効果が得られるとともに、省資源の観点からも好ましい。また、繊維２０の原料として古紙を用いる場合、当該古紙は、そのまま用いてもよいし、破砕処理を施した破砕物や、解繊処理を施した解繊物を用いてもよい。 As the raw material of the fiber 20, for example, waste paper may be used. As a result, the above-described effects can be obtained, and it is also preferable from the viewpoint of resource saving. When used paper is used as a raw material for the fiber 20, the used paper may be used as it is, or a crushed product subjected to a crushing process or a defibrated material subjected to a defibrating process may be used.
　繊維２０の平均長さは、特に限定されないが、０．１ｍｍ以上７ｍｍ以下であるのが好ましく、０．１ｍｍ以上５ｍｍ以下であるのがより好ましく、０．１ｍｍ以上３ｍｍ以下であることがさらに好ましい。 The average length of the fibers 20 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 7 mm or less, more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and further preferably 0.1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. .
　繊維２０の平均幅（径）は、特に限定されないが、０．５μｍ以上２００μｍ以下であるのが好ましく、１．０μｍ以上１００μｍ以下であるのがより好ましい。 The average width (diameter) of the fiber 20 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and more preferably 1.0 μm or more and 100 μm or less.
　繊維２０の平均アスペクト比（平均幅に対する平均長さの比率）は、特に限定されないが、１０以上１０００以下であるのが好ましく、１５以上５００以下であるのがより好ましい。 The average aspect ratio (the ratio of the average length to the average width) of the fibers 20 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 or more and 1000 or less, and more preferably 15 or more and 500 or less.
　以上のような数値範囲により、吸水性樹脂３０の担持や、繊維２０によるインクＱの保持・当該インクＱの吸水性樹脂３０への送り込みをより好適に行うことができ、インク吸収体１０全体としてのインクの吸収特性をより優れたものとすることができる。 With the numerical range as described above, the water absorbent resin 30 can be supported, the ink Q can be held by the fibers 20, and the ink Q can be fed into the water absorbent resin 30. The ink absorption characteristics can be made more excellent.
　吸水性樹脂３０は、吸水性を有する樹脂であればよく、特に限定されないが、例えば、カルボキシメチルセルロース、ポリアクリル酸、ポリアクリルアミド、澱粉－アクリル酸グラフト共重合体、澱粉－アクリロニトリルグラフト共重合体の加水分解物、酢酸ビニル－アクリル酸エステル共重合体、イソブチレンとマレイン酸との共重合体等、アクリロニトリル共重合体やアクリルアミド共重合体の加水分解物、ポリエチレンオキサイド、ポリスルフォン酸系化合物、ポリグルタミン酸や、これらの塩（中和物）、架橋体等が挙げられる。ここで、吸水性とは、親水性を有し、水分を保持する機能を言う。吸水性樹脂３０には、吸水するとゲル化するものが多い。 The water-absorbing resin 30 is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin having water absorbency. For example, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, starch-acrylic acid graft copolymer, starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymer Hydrolyzate, vinyl acetate-acrylic acid ester copolymer, copolymer of isobutylene and maleic acid, etc., hydrolyzate of acrylonitrile copolymer or acrylamide copolymer, polyethylene oxide, polysulfonic acid compound, polyglutamic acid And salts thereof (neutralized products), cross-linked products, and the like. Here, the water absorption refers to a function that has hydrophilicity and retains moisture. Many water-absorbent resins 30 are gelled when water is absorbed.
　中でも、吸水性樹脂３０は、側鎖に官能基を有する樹脂が好ましい。官能基としては、例えば、酸基、ヒドロキシル基、エポキシ基、アミノ基等が挙げられる。 Among these, the water absorbent resin 30 is preferably a resin having a functional group in the side chain. Examples of the functional group include an acid group, a hydroxyl group, an epoxy group, and an amino group.
　特に、吸水性樹脂３０は、側鎖に酸基を有する樹脂であるのが好ましく、側鎖にカルボキシル基を有する樹脂であるのがより好ましい。 In particular, the water absorbent resin 30 is preferably a resin having an acid group in the side chain, and more preferably a resin having a carboxyl group in the side chain.
　吸水性樹脂３０を構成するカルボキシル基含有単位としては、例えば、アクリル酸、メタアクリル酸、イタコン酸、マレイン酸、クロトン酸、フマル酸、ソルビン酸、ケイ皮酸やこれらの無水物、塩等の単量体から誘導されるものが挙げられる。 Examples of the carboxyl group-containing unit constituting the water absorbent resin 30 include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, sorbic acid, cinnamic acid, and anhydrides and salts thereof. The thing derived from a monomer is mentioned.
　側鎖に酸基を有する吸水性樹脂３０を含む場合、当該吸水性樹脂３０中に含まれる酸基のうち中和されて塩を形成しているものの割合は、３０ｍｏｌ％以上１００ｍｏｌ％以下であるのが好ましく、５０ｍｏｌ％以上９５ｍｏｌ％以下であるのがより好ましく、６０ｍｏｌ％以上９０ｍｏｌ％以下であるのがさらに好ましく、７０ｍｏｌ％以上８０ｍｏｌ％以下であるのがもっとも好ましい。これにより、吸水性樹脂３０（インク吸収体１０）によるインクＱの吸収性をより優れたものとすることができる。 When the water absorbent resin 30 having an acid group in the side chain is included, the proportion of the acid groups contained in the water absorbent resin 30 that are neutralized to form a salt is 30 mol% or more and 100 mol% or less. It is preferably 50 mol% or more and 95 mol% or less, more preferably 60 mol% or more and 90 mol% or less, and most preferably 70 mol% or more and 80 mol% or less. Thereby, the absorbability of the ink Q by the water absorbing resin 30 (ink absorber 10) can be made more excellent.
　中和の塩の種類は、特に限定されず、例えば、ナトリウム塩、カリウム塩、リチウム塩等のアルカリ金属塩、アンモニア等の含窒素塩基性物の塩等が挙げられるが、ナトリウム塩が好ましい。これにより、吸水性樹脂３０（インク吸収体１０）によるインクＱの吸収性をより優れたものとすることができる。 The type of neutralization salt is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include alkali metal salts such as sodium salt, potassium salt and lithium salt, and salts of nitrogen-containing basic substances such as ammonia, and sodium salt is preferable. Thereby, the absorbability of the ink Q by the water absorbing resin 30 (ink absorber 10) can be made more excellent.
　側鎖に酸基を有する吸水性樹脂３０は、インク吸収時に酸基同士の静電反発が起こり、吸収速度が速くなるため好ましい。また、酸基が中和されていると、浸透圧によりインクＱが吸水性樹脂３０内部に吸収され易くなる。 The water-absorbing resin 30 having an acid group in the side chain is preferable because an electrostatic repulsion between acid groups occurs at the time of ink absorption and the absorption speed is increased. Further, when the acid group is neutralized, the ink Q is easily absorbed into the water absorbent resin 30 by the osmotic pressure.
　吸水性樹脂３０は、酸基を含有していない構成単位を有していてもよく、このような構成単位としては、例えば、親水性の構成単位、疎水性の構成単位、重合性架橋剤となる構成単位等が挙げられる。 The water absorbent resin 30 may have a structural unit that does not contain an acid group. Examples of such a structural unit include a hydrophilic structural unit, a hydrophobic structural unit, a polymerizable crosslinking agent, and the like. And the like.
　前記親水性の構成単位としては、例えば、アクリルアミド、メタアクリルアミド、Ｎ－エチル（メタ）アクリルアミド、Ｎ－ｎ－プロピル（メタ）アクリルアミド、Ｎ－イソプロピル（メタ）アクリルアミド、Ｎ，Ｎ－ジメチル（メタ）アクリルアミド、２－ヒドロキシエチル（メタ）アクリレート、２－ヒドロキシプロピル（メタ）アクリレート、メトキシポリエチレングリコール（メタ）アクレリート、ポリエチレングリコールモノ（メタ）アクリレート、Ｎ－ビニルピロリドン、Ｎ－アクリロイルピペリジン、Ｎ－アクリロイルピロリジン等のノニオン性化合物から誘導される構成単位等が挙げられる。 Examples of the hydrophilic structural unit include acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-ethyl (meth) acrylamide, Nn-propyl (meth) acrylamide, N-isopropyl (meth) acrylamide, and N, N-dimethyl (meth). Acrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth) acrylate, methoxypolyethylene glycol (meth) acrylate, polyethylene glycol mono (meth) acrylate, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-acryloylpiperidine, N-acryloylpyrrolidine And structural units derived from nonionic compounds such as
　前記疎水性の構成単位としては、例えば、（メタ）アクリルニトリル、スチレン、塩化ビニル、ブタジエン、イソブテン、エチレン、プロピレン、ステアリル（メタ）アクリレート、ラウリル（メタ）アクリレート等の化合物から誘導される構成単位等が挙げられる。 Examples of the hydrophobic structural unit include structural units derived from compounds such as (meth) acrylonitrile, styrene, vinyl chloride, butadiene, isobutene, ethylene, propylene, stearyl (meth) acrylate, and lauryl (meth) acrylate. Etc.
　前記重合性架橋剤となる構成単位としては、例えば、ジエチレングリコールジアクリレート、Ｎ，Ｎ’－メチレンビスアクリルアミド、ポリエチレングリコールジアクリレート、ポリプロピレングリコールジアクリレート、トリメチロールプロパンジアリルエーテル、トリメチロールプロパントリアクリレート、アリルグリシジルエーテル、ペンタエリスリトールトリアリルエーテル、ペンタエリスリトールジアクリレートモノステアレート、ビスフェノールジアクリレート、イソシアヌル酸ジアクリレート、テトラアリルオキシエタン、ジアリルオキシ酢酸塩等から誘導される構成単位等が挙げられる。 Examples of the structural unit serving as the polymerizable crosslinking agent include diethylene glycol diacrylate, N, N′-methylenebisacrylamide, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, polypropylene glycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane diallyl ether, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, and allyl. Examples include structural units derived from glycidyl ether, pentaerythritol triallyl ether, pentaerythritol diacrylate monostearate, bisphenol diacrylate, isocyanuric acid diacrylate, tetraallyloxyethane, diallyloxyacetate, and the like.
　吸水性樹脂３０は、ポリアクリル酸塩共重合体またはポリアクリル酸重合架橋体を含有するのが好ましい。これにより、例えば、インクＱに対する吸収性能が向上したり、製造コストを抑えることができる等の利点がある。 The water absorbent resin 30 preferably contains a polyacrylate copolymer or a polyacrylic acid polymerized crosslinked product. Thereby, for example, there is an advantage that the absorption performance with respect to the ink Q is improved and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.
　ポリアクリル酸重合架橋体としては、分子鎖を構成する全構成単位に占めるカルボキシル基を有する構成単位の割合が、５０ｍｏｌ％以上のものが好ましく、８０ｍｏｌ％以上のものがより好ましく、９０ｍｏｌ％以上のものがさらに好ましい。 As the polyacrylic acid polymer crosslinked product, the proportion of the structural unit having a carboxyl group in all the structural units constituting the molecular chain is preferably 50 mol% or more, more preferably 80 mol% or more, and more preferably 90 mol% or more. More preferred.
　カルボキシル基を含有する構成単位の割合が少なすぎると、インクＱの吸収性能を十分に優れたものとすることが困難になる可能性がある。 If the proportion of the structural unit containing a carboxyl group is too small, it may be difficult to make the absorption performance of the ink Q sufficiently excellent.
　ポリアクリル酸重合架橋体中のカルボキシル基は、一部が中和（部分中和）されて塩を形成していることが好ましい。 The carboxyl group in the polyacrylic acid polymer crosslinked product is preferably partially neutralized (partially neutralized) to form a salt.
　ポリアクリル酸重合架橋体中の全カルボキシル基中に占める中和されているものの割合は、３０ｍｏｌ％以上９９ｍｏｌ％以下であるのが好ましく、５０ｍｏｌ％以上９９ｍｏｌ％以下であるのがより好ましく、７０ｍｏｌ％以上９９ｍｏｌ％以下であるのがさらに好ましい。 The ratio of the neutralized occupying in all the carboxyl groups in the polyacrylic acid polymer crosslinked product is preferably 30 mol% or more and 99 mol% or less, more preferably 50 mol% or more and 99 mol% or less, and 70 mol%. More preferably, it is 99 mol% or less.
　また、吸水性樹脂３０は、前述した重合性架橋剤以外の架橋剤で架橋した構造を有していてもよい。 The water absorbent resin 30 may have a structure crosslinked with a crosslinking agent other than the polymerizable crosslinking agent described above.
　吸水性樹脂３０が酸基を有する樹脂である場合、当該架橋剤としては、例えば、酸基と反応する官能基を複数持った化合物を好ましく用いることができる。 When the water absorbent resin 30 is a resin having an acid group, for example, a compound having a plurality of functional groups that react with an acid group can be preferably used as the crosslinking agent.
　吸水性樹脂３０が酸基と反応する官能基を有する樹脂である場合には、当該架橋剤として、分子内に酸基と反応する官能基を複数個有する化合物を好適に用いることができる。 When the water absorbent resin 30 is a resin having a functional group that reacts with an acid group, a compound having a plurality of functional groups that react with an acid group in the molecule can be suitably used as the crosslinking agent.
　酸基と反応する官能基を複数個有する化合物（架橋剤）としては、例えば、エチレングリコールジグリシジルエーテル、トリメチロールプロパントリグリシジルエーテル、（ポリ）グリセリンポリグリシジルエーテル、ジグリセリンポリグリシジルエーテル、プロピレングリコールジグリシジルエーテル等のグリシジルエーテル化合物；（ポリ）グリセリン、（ポリ）エチレングリコール、プロピレングリコール、１，３－プロパンジオール、ポリオキシエチレングリコール、トリエチレングリコール、テトラエチレングリコール、ジエタノールアミン、トリエタノールアミン等の多価アルコール類；エチレンジアミン、ジエチレンジアミン、ポリエチレンイミン、ヘキサメチレンジアミン等の多価アミン類等が挙げられる。また、亜鉛、カルシウム、マグネシウム、アルミニウム等の多価イオン類等も、吸水性樹脂３０が有する酸基と反応して架橋剤として機能するため、好適に用いることができる。 Examples of the compound having a plurality of functional groups that react with an acid group (crosslinking agent) include, for example, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, (poly) glycerin polyglycidyl ether, diglycerin polyglycidyl ether, and propylene glycol. Glycidyl ether compounds such as diglycidyl ether; (poly) glycerin, (poly) ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, polyoxyethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, etc. Polyhydric alcohols; polyhydric amines such as ethylenediamine, diethylenediamine, polyethyleneimine, and hexamethylenediamine. Also, multivalent ions such as zinc, calcium, magnesium, and aluminum can be suitably used because they react with the acid groups of the water-absorbent resin 30 and function as a crosslinking agent.
　吸水性樹脂３０は、例えば、鱗片状、針状、繊維状、粒子状等、いかなる形状をなしていてもよいが、粒子状をなしているのが好ましい。吸水性樹脂３０が粒子状をなしている場合には、インクＱの浸透性を容易に確保することができる。また、繊維基材２３０（繊維２０）に吸水性樹脂３０を好適に担持させることができる。なお、この粒子の平均粒径は、１５μｍ以上８００μｍ以下であるのが好ましく、１５μｍ以上４００μｍ以下であるのがより好ましく、１５μｍ以上５０μｍ以下であるのがさらに好ましい。 The water absorbent resin 30 may have any shape such as a scale shape, a needle shape, a fiber shape, or a particle shape, but preferably has a particle shape. When the water absorbent resin 30 is in the form of particles, the permeability of the ink Q can be easily ensured. Moreover, the water absorbent resin 30 can be suitably supported on the fiber base material 230 (fiber 20). The average particle size of the particles is preferably 15 μm or more and 800 μm or less, more preferably 15 μm or more and 400 μm or less, and further preferably 15 μm or more and 50 μm or less.
　なお、粒子の平均粒径としては、例えば、レーザー回折式粒度分布測定装置で測定した体積平均の粒度ＭＶＤ（Mean Volume Diameter）を用いることできる。レーザー回折・散乱法を測定原理とする粒度分布測定装置、すなわち、レーザー回折式粒度分布測定装置では、粒度分布を体積基準で測定することができる。 In addition, as an average particle diameter of particle | grains, the volume average particle diameter MVD (Mean | Volume | Diameter * Diameter) measured with the laser diffraction type particle size distribution measuring apparatus can be used, for example. With a particle size distribution measuring apparatus based on the laser diffraction / scattering method, that is, a laser diffraction particle size distribution measuring apparatus, the particle size distribution can be measured on a volume basis.
　また、繊維基材２３０に対する吸水性樹脂３０は、５重量％よりも多く９０％重量以下であるのが好ましく、２０重量％以上７０重量％以下であるのがより好ましく、４０重量％以上５５重量％以下であるのがさらに好ましい。 Further, the water absorbent resin 30 with respect to the fiber substrate 230 is preferably more than 5 wt% and 90 wt% or less, more preferably 20 wt% or more and 70 wt% or less, and 40 wt% or more and 55 wt%. % Or less is more preferable.
　また、吸水性樹脂３０の平均粒径をＤ［μｍ］、前記繊維の平均長さをＬ［μｍ］としたときに、０．１５≦Ｌ／Ｄ≦４６７の関係を満足するのが好ましく、０．２５≦Ｌ／Ｄ≦３３３の関係を満足するのがより好ましく、２≦Ｌ／Ｄ≦２００の関係を満足するのがさらに好ましい。 Further, when the average particle diameter of the water absorbent resin 30 is D [μm] and the average length of the fibers is L [μm], it is preferable to satisfy the relationship of 0.15 ≦ L / D ≦ 467, It is more preferable to satisfy the relationship of 0.25 ≦ L / D ≦ 333, and it is further preferable to satisfy the relationship of 2 ≦ L / D ≦ 200.
　また、インク吸収体１０は、前述した以外の成分（その他の成分）を含んでいてもよい。このような成分としては、例えば、界面活性剤、潤滑剤、消泡剤、フィラー、ブロッキング防止剤、紫外線吸収剤、顔料、染料等の着色剤、難燃剤、流動性向上剤等が挙げられる。 Further, the ink absorber 10 may contain components other than those described above (other components). Examples of such components include surfactants, lubricants, antifoaming agents, fillers, anti-blocking agents, UV absorbers, colorants such as pigments and dyes, flame retardants, and fluidity improvers.
　以上のような構成のインク吸収体１０の平面視での形状は、本実施形態では四角形状（例えば長方形）であるのが好ましいが、これに限定さない。 In the present embodiment, the shape of the ink absorber 10 having the above configuration in a plan view is preferably a quadrangle (for example, a rectangle), but is not limited thereto.
　また、インク吸収体１０は、繊維基材２３０と吸水性樹脂３０との間に中間層が設けられたものであってもよい。 Further, the ink absorber 10 may be one in which an intermediate layer is provided between the fiber base material 230 and the water absorbent resin 30.
　図２に示すように、インク吸収体収納容器１は、インク吸収体１０を収納する収納空間９３を有する容器本体９と、容器本体９に着脱自在に装着される蓋体８と、インクＱを容器本体９の底部９１側（インク供給口８１と反対側）に導く導液空間３１を形成する導液管３と、導液空間３１に連通し、導液空間３１を通過してきたインクＱを、容器本体９の底部９１から側壁部９２に沿って拡散させる拡散空間４１を形成する拡散部４と、を備えている。 As shown in FIG. 2, the ink absorber storage container 1 includes a container main body 9 having a storage space 93 for storing the ink absorber 10, a lid 8 that is detachably attached to the container main body 9, and an ink Q. The liquid guide pipe 3 that forms the liquid guide space 31 that leads to the bottom 91 side (the side opposite to the ink supply port 81) of the container body 9, and the ink Q that communicates with the liquid guide space 31 and passes through the liquid guide space 31. And a diffusion portion 4 that forms a diffusion space 41 that diffuses from the bottom portion 91 of the container main body 9 along the side wall portion 92.
　容器本体９は、平面視で例えば四角形状をなす底部（底板）９１と、底部９１の各辺（縁部）から上方に向かって立設した４つの側壁部９２とを有する箱状をなすものである。そして、底部９１と、４つの側壁部９２とに囲まれた収納空間９３内に、インク吸収体１０を収納することができる。 The container body 9 has a box shape having a bottom portion (bottom plate) 91 having, for example, a quadrilateral shape in plan view, and four side wall portions 92 erected upward from each side (edge portion) of the bottom portion 91. It is. The ink absorber 10 can be stored in the storage space 93 surrounded by the bottom portion 91 and the four side wall portions 92.
　なお、容器本体９は、平面視で四角形状をなす底部９１を有するものに限定されず、例えば、平面視で円形状をなす底部９１を有し、全体が円筒状のものであってもよい。 The container body 9 is not limited to the one having the bottom portion 91 that is rectangular in plan view, and may be, for example, a cylindrical portion having the bottom portion 91 that is circular in plan view. .
　また、容器本体９（収納空間９３）の容積をＶ１とし、インクＱを吸収する前（吸水前）のインク吸収体１０の総体積をＶ２としたとき、Ｖ１とＶ２の比Ｖ２／Ｖ１は、０．１以上０．７以下であるのが好ましく、０．２以上０．７以下であるのがより好ましい（図２参照）。これにより、容器本体９内には、インク吸収体１０の上側に空隙９５が生じる。インク吸収体１０は、インクＱを吸収した後に一旦膨張する（膨潤する）。空隙９５は、インク吸収体１０が膨張した際のバッファーとなり、よって、インク吸収体１０は、インクＱを十分に吸収することができる。 Further, when the volume of the container body 9 (storage space 93) is V1, and the total volume of the ink absorber 10 before absorbing the ink Q (before water absorption) is V2, the ratio V2 / V1 of V1 and V2 is: It is preferably 0.1 or more and 0.7 or less, and more preferably 0.2 or more and 0.7 or less (see FIG. 2). As a result, a gap 95 is formed in the container main body 9 above the ink absorber 10. The ink absorber 10 swells (swells) once after absorbing the ink Q. The gap 95 serves as a buffer when the ink absorber 10 expands, and thus the ink absorber 10 can sufficiently absorb the ink Q.
　本実施形態では、容器本体９は、硬質のものである、すなわち、容器本体９に内圧または外力が作用した場合に、容積Ｖ１が例えば１０％以上変化しない程度の形状保持性を有するものである。これにより、容器本体９は、インク吸収体１０がインクＱを吸収した後膨張して、そのインク吸収体１０からの力を内側から受けても、容器本体９自身の形状を維持することができる。これにより、印刷装置２００内での容器本体９の設置状態が安定し、インク吸収体１０がインクＱを安定して吸収することができる。 In the present embodiment, the container body 9 is hard, that is, has a shape retaining property such that the volume V1 does not change by, for example, 10% or more when an internal pressure or an external force is applied to the container body 9. . Thereby, the container main body 9 can maintain the shape of the container main body 9 itself even if the ink absorber 10 expands after absorbing the ink Q and receives the force from the ink absorber 10 from the inside. . Thereby, the installation state of the container main body 9 in the printing apparatus 200 is stabilized, and the ink absorber 10 can stably absorb the ink Q.
　容器本体９は、インクＱを透過しない材料で構成されていれば、その構成材料は、特に限定されない。このような容器本体９の構成材料としては、例えば、環状ポリオレフィンやポリカーボネート等のような各種樹脂材料を用いることができる。また、容器本体９の構成材料としては、前記各種樹脂材料の他に、例えば、アルミニウムやステンレス鋼等のような各種金属材料を用いることができる。 If the container body 9 is made of a material that does not transmit the ink Q, the constituent material is not particularly limited. As a constituent material of such a container main body 9, for example, various resin materials such as cyclic polyolefin and polycarbonate can be used. In addition to the various resin materials, various metal materials such as aluminum and stainless steel can be used as the constituent material of the container body 9.
　なお、容器本体９は、硬質のものに限定されず、可撓性を有するもの（軟質のもの）、すなわち、容器本体９に内圧または外力が作用した場合に、容積Ｖ１が１０％以上変化するものであってもよい。 The container body 9 is not limited to a hard one, but has a flexibility (soft one), that is, when the internal pressure or the external force is applied to the container body 9, the volume V1 changes by 10% or more. It may be a thing.
　また、容器本体９は、内部視認性を有する透明（半透明を含む）なもの、または、不透明なものいずれでもよい。 Further, the container body 9 may be either transparent (including translucent) having internal visibility or opaque.
　また、収納空間９３内では、複数枚のインク吸収体１０が底部９１に対して伏倒して重ねられた状態となっているが、これに限定されない。例えば、複数枚のインク吸収体１０が底部９１に対して起立していてもよいし、伏倒したインク吸収体１０と、起立したインク吸収体１０とが混在していてもよい。 Further, in the storage space 93, a plurality of ink absorbers 10 are in a state of being overlaid with respect to the bottom portion 91, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of ink absorbers 10 may be erected with respect to the bottom portion 91, or the overlaid ink absorber 10 and the erected ink absorber 10 may be mixed.
　前述したように、インク吸収用構造体１００は、蓋体８を備えている。図２に示すように、蓋体８は、板状をなし、容器本体９の上部開口部９４に嵌合することができる。この嵌合により、上部開口部９４を液密的に封止することができる。これにより、例えば、インクＱがチューブ２０３から排出されて落下した際に、インク吸収体１０に衝突して跳ね上がった場合でも、そのインクＱが外方に飛散するのを防止することができる。よって、インクＱがインク吸収用構造体１００の周辺に付着して汚れるのを防止することができる。 As described above, the ink absorbing structure 100 includes the lid 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 8 has a plate shape and can be fitted into the upper opening 94 of the container body 9. By this fitting, the upper opening 94 can be liquid-tightly sealed. Thereby, for example, when the ink Q is ejected from the tube 203 and dropped, even if the ink Q collides with the ink absorber 10 and jumps up, the ink Q can be prevented from splashing outward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink Q from adhering to the periphery of the ink absorbing structure 100 and becoming dirty.
　蓋体８の中央部には、チューブ２０３が接続され、収納空間９３内にインクＱを供給するインク供給口（接続口）８１が形成されている。インク供給口８１は、蓋体８を厚さ方向に貫通した貫通孔で構成されている。そして、このインク供給口８１（貫通孔）に、チューブ２０３の下流側の端部（下端部）を挿入して接続することができる。また、このとき、チューブ２０３の排出口（開口部）２０３ａは、下方を向く。なお、インク供給口８１は、蓋体８の中央部からズレた位置に形成されていてもよい。 A tube 203 is connected to the central portion of the lid 8, and an ink supply port (connection port) 81 for supplying ink Q is formed in the storage space 93. The ink supply port 81 is configured by a through hole that penetrates the lid 8 in the thickness direction. Then, the downstream end portion (lower end portion) of the tube 203 can be inserted into and connected to the ink supply port 81 (through hole). At this time, the discharge port (opening) 203a of the tube 203 faces downward. The ink supply port 81 may be formed at a position shifted from the center portion of the lid 8.
　また、蓋体８は、インクＱを吸収する吸収性を有していてもよいし、インクＱを弾く撥液性を有していてもよい。 Further, the lid 8 may have an absorptivity for absorbing the ink Q, or may have a liquid repellency for repelling the ink Q.
　蓋体８の厚さとしては、特に限定されず、例えば、１ｍｍ以上２０ｍｍ以下であるのが好ましく、８ｍｍ以上１０ｍｍ以下であるのがより好ましい。なお、蓋体８は、このような数値範囲の板状をなすものに限定されず、それよりも薄いフィムル状（シート状）ものであってもよい。この場合、蓋体８の厚さとしては、特に限定されず、例えば、１０μｍ以上１ｍｍ未満であるのが好ましい。 The thickness of the lid 8 is not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, 1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and more preferably 8 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The lid 8 is not limited to a plate having such a numerical value range, and may be a film (sheet) thinner than that. In this case, the thickness of the lid 8 is not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, 10 μm or more and less than 1 mm.
　図２に示すように、インク供給口８１の下方には、導液管３が配置している。導液管３は、インクＱを容器本体９の底部９１側に導く導液空間３１を形成する管状部材である。なお、導液管３は、少なくとも上部開口部３２がインク供給口８１からインクＱが供給される供給方向の延長線上に位置していればよい。 As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid guide pipe 3 is disposed below the ink supply port 81. The liquid guide tube 3 is a tubular member that forms a liquid guide space 31 that guides the ink Q to the bottom 91 side of the container body 9. Note that it is only necessary that at least the upper opening portion 32 of the liquid guide tube 3 is located on an extension line in the supply direction in which the ink Q is supplied from the ink supply port 81.
　前述したように、容器本体９は、底部９１と、底部９１から立設した側壁部９２とを有している。導液管３は、容器本体９の底部９１側から上方に向かって突出しており、上部開口部３２がインク供給口８１に臨んで開口している。また、導液管３は、収納空間９３内で重ねられた状態の全インク吸収体１０を一括して挿通している。このような導液管３により、インク供給口８１から供給されたインクＱは、上部開口部３２を介して、導液管３内、すなわち、導液空間３１を通過して、容器本体９の底部９１側に迅速かつ円滑に導かれることとなる。 As described above, the container body 9 has the bottom 91 and the side wall 92 erected from the bottom 91. The liquid guide tube 3 protrudes upward from the bottom 91 side of the container main body 9, and the upper opening 32 opens toward the ink supply port 81. Further, the liquid guide tube 3 is inserted through all the ink absorbers 10 in a state of being stacked in the storage space 93. The ink Q supplied from the ink supply port 81 by such a liquid guide pipe 3 passes through the liquid guide pipe 3, that is, the liquid guide space 31 through the upper opening 32, and passes through the liquid guide space 31. It will be guided to the bottom 91 side quickly and smoothly.
  インク吸収体１０にインクＱを吸収させる際には、そのインクＱをインク吸収体１０のできる限り奥側、すなわち、底部９１側に到達させ、そこから吸収させていくのが好ましい。これにより、できる限り容器本体９内の複数枚のインク吸収体１０全体にわたって、インクＱを浸透させることができ、よって、これらのインク吸収体１０を無駄なく使用することができる。そのため、導液管３を備える構成は、このような効果を奏するのに適した構成となっている。 When the ink absorber 10 absorbs the ink Q, it is preferable that the ink Q reaches the back side of the ink absorber 10 as much as possible, that is, the bottom 91 side, and is absorbed from there. Thereby, the ink Q can be permeated through the plurality of ink absorbers 10 in the container main body 9 as much as possible, so that these ink absorbers 10 can be used without waste. Therefore, the configuration including the liquid guide tube 3 is a configuration suitable for producing such an effect.
  また、インク吸収体１０は、インク吸収時には膨張し、乾燥時には収縮する特性を有している。導液管３は、このような膨張と収縮とが繰り返されたとしても、それによって変形するのが防止される程度の剛性を有している。これにより、長期的に安定して、インクＱを容器本体９の底部９１側に導くことができる。 In addition, the ink absorber 10 has a property of expanding when absorbing ink and contracting when drying. Even if the liquid guide tube 3 is repeatedly expanded and contracted, the liquid guide tube 3 has such a rigidity as to prevent deformation. As a result, the ink Q can be guided to the bottom 91 side of the container main body 9 stably for a long period of time.
　なお、上部開口部３２は、図２に示す構成では蓋体８（インク供給口８１）から離間しているが、これに限定されず、例えば、蓋体８に接していてもよい。 The upper opening 32 is separated from the lid 8 (ink supply port 81) in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, but is not limited to this, and may be in contact with the lid 8, for example.
　また、導液管３は、外径および内径が一定の管状部材で構成されているが、これに限定されず、例えば、上部の外径および内径がそれぞれ上方に向かって漸増したラッパ状をなす（ガイド部を有する）管状部材で構成されていてもよい。これにより、導液管３にインクＱを容易に導入することができる。 In addition, the liquid guide tube 3 is formed of a tubular member having a constant outer diameter and inner diameter, but is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid guiding tube 3 has a trumpet shape in which the outer diameter and inner diameter of the upper portion gradually increase upward. You may be comprised with the tubular member (it has a guide part). Thereby, the ink Q can be easily introduced into the liquid guide tube 3.
　導液管３の管壁３３には、導液空間３１と収納空間９３とを連通する連通部３４が形成されている。 On the tube wall 33 of the liquid guide tube 3, a communication portion 34 that connects the liquid guide space 31 and the storage space 93 is formed.
　図２、図３に示すように、本実施形態では、連通部３４は、管壁３３を貫通して形成された複数の小孔３４１で構成されている。これらの小孔３４１は、導液管３（管壁３３）の周方向に沿って等間隔に配置され、導液管３の中心軸方向（図２、図３中の上下方向）に沿っても等間隔に配置されている。なお、導液管３の周方向に沿った間隔と、導液管３の中心軸方向に沿った間隔とは、同じであってもよいし、異なっていてもよい。 As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the present embodiment, the communication portion 34 is composed of a plurality of small holes 341 formed through the tube wall 33. These small holes 341 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the liquid guide tube 3 (tube wall 33), and along the central axis direction of the liquid guide tube 3 (the vertical direction in FIGS. 2 and 3). Are also arranged at equal intervals. The interval along the circumferential direction of the liquid guide tube 3 and the interval along the central axis direction of the liquid guide tube 3 may be the same or different.
  例えばインク供給口８１からのインクＱの供給量や供給速度の大きさによっては、インクＱが導液空間３１を経て拡散空間４１に流入する過程で、導液空間３１内で一時的に滞留する場合がある。この場合、前記滞留した分が複数の小孔３４１の内の少なくとも１つの小孔３４１を介して、インク吸収体１０に吸収される。これにより、導液空間３１内でのインクＱの滞留を抑制することができ、よって、インクＱの迅速かつ十分な吸収が可能となる。 For example, depending on the supply amount and supply speed of the ink Q from the ink supply port 81, the ink Q temporarily stays in the liquid introduction space 31 in the process of flowing into the diffusion space 41 through the liquid introduction space 31. There is a case. In this case, the accumulated amount is absorbed by the ink absorber 10 through at least one small hole 341 among the plurality of small holes 341. Thereby, the stagnation of the ink Q in the liquid introduction space 31 can be suppressed, and thus the ink Q can be absorbed quickly and sufficiently.
　導液管３の周方向に沿った小孔３４１の形成数は、本実施形態では４つとなっている。この場合、４つの小孔３４１は、それぞれ、容器本体９の各側壁部９２側に臨んでいるのが好ましい。 In the present embodiment, the number of small holes 341 formed in the circumferential direction of the liquid introduction pipe 3 is four. In this case, it is preferable that the four small holes 341 face each side wall 92 side of the container body 9.
　なお、導液管３の周方向に沿った小孔３４１の形成数は、本実施形態では４つであるが、これに限定されず、例えば、２つ、３つまたは５以上であってもよい。 Note that the number of small holes 341 formed in the circumferential direction of the liquid guide tube 3 is four in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be two, three, five or more, for example. Good.
　また、各小孔３４１の形状は、本実施形態では円形であるが、これに限定されず、例えば、楕円形であってもよいし、四角形等のような多角形であってもよい。 In addition, the shape of each small hole 341 is circular in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, an ellipse or a polygon such as a quadrangle.
　前述したように、容器本体９は、底部９１と、底部９１から立設した側壁部９２とを有している。また、インク吸収体収納容器１は、導液空間３１に連通し、導液空間３１を通過してきたインクＱを、底部９１および側壁部９２のうちの少なくとも底部９２に沿って（本実施形態では底部９１から側壁部９２に沿って）拡散させる拡散空間４１を形成する拡散部４を備えている。これにより、容器本体９の底部９１や側壁部９２側からもインクＱが導液空間３１に流入することができ、よって、インク吸収体１０によるインクＱの迅速かつ十分な吸収がさらに可能となる。このようにインク吸収体収納容器１（インク吸収用構造体１００）は、インクＱを多方向から吸収することができるよう構成されている。 As described above, the container body 9 has the bottom 91 and the side wall 92 erected from the bottom 91. Further, the ink absorber storage container 1 communicates with the liquid introduction space 31, and causes the ink Q that has passed through the liquid introduction space 31 to pass along at least the bottom portion 92 of the bottom portion 91 and the side wall portion 92 (in this embodiment). A diffusion portion 4 is provided which forms a diffusion space 41 for diffusion (from the bottom portion 91 along the side wall portion 92). As a result, the ink Q can also flow into the liquid introduction space 31 from the bottom 91 and the side wall 92 side of the container main body 9, and thus the ink Q can be quickly and sufficiently absorbed by the ink absorber 10. . Thus, the ink absorber storage container 1 (ink absorption structure 100) is configured to be able to absorb the ink Q from multiple directions.
　図２に示すように、拡散部４は、拡散空間４１と収納空間９３とを区切る隔壁部４２と、隔壁部４２を容器本体９に対して支持する支持部４４とを有している。隔壁部４２は、容器本体９の底部９１に間隙を介して対向する第１隔壁４２１と、各側壁部９２に間隙を介して対向する第２隔壁４２２とで構成されている。そして、底部９１と第１隔壁４２１との間の空間と、側壁部９２と第２隔壁４２２との間の各空間とが連通して、拡散空間４１を構成している。 As shown in FIG. 2, the diffusing portion 4 includes a partition wall portion 42 that divides the diffusion space 41 and the storage space 93, and a support portion 44 that supports the partition wall portion 42 with respect to the container body 9. The partition wall portion 42 includes a first partition wall 421 that faces the bottom 91 of the container body 9 via a gap, and a second partition wall 422 that faces each side wall portion 92 via a gap. The space between the bottom 91 and the first partition 421 and the spaces between the side wall 92 and the second partition 422 communicate with each other to form the diffusion space 41.
  また、隔壁部４２、すなわち、第１隔壁４２１と各第２隔壁４２２とには、拡散空間４１と収納空間９３とを連通する連通部（第２連通部）４３が形成されている。この連通部４３は、隔壁部４２を貫通して形成された複数の小孔４３１で構成されている。これらの小孔４３１は、各隔壁において、その面方向に均一に配置されている。このような小孔４３１で構成された連通部４３により、拡散空間４１内で拡散されたインクＱは、いずれの小孔４３１からも導液空間３１に流入して、その後迅速にインクＱが吸収されることとなる。特に、第１隔壁４２１に形成された小孔４３１により、インクＱをインク吸収体１０のできる限り奥側から優先的に吸収させていくことができるため、インク吸収に好ましい構成となっている。なお、第１隔壁４２１での小孔４３１の配設密度と、各第２隔壁４２２での小孔４３１の配設密度とは、同じであってもよいし、異なっていてもよい。 In addition, a communication part (second communication part) 43 that connects the diffusion space 41 and the storage space 93 is formed in the partition wall part 42, that is, the first partition wall 421 and each of the second partition walls 422. The communication portion 43 is composed of a plurality of small holes 431 formed through the partition wall portion 42. These small holes 431 are arranged uniformly in the surface direction in each partition wall. The ink Q diffused in the diffusion space 41 by the communication portion 43 constituted by the small holes 431 flows into the liquid introduction space 31 from any of the small holes 431, and then quickly absorbed by the ink Q. Will be. In particular, the small holes 431 formed in the first partition 421 allow the ink Q to be preferentially absorbed from the back side of the ink absorber 10 as much as possible, which is preferable for ink absorption. The arrangement density of the small holes 431 in the first partition 421 and the arrangement density of the small holes 431 in each second partition 422 may be the same or different.
　支持部４４は、側壁部９２と第２隔壁４２２との間に配置され、これらを連結している。これにより、隔壁部４２を容器本体９に対して支持することができ、よって、拡散空間４１を確保することができる。 The support portion 44 is disposed between the side wall portion 92 and the second partition 422 and connects them. Thereby, the partition part 42 can be supported with respect to the container main body 9, Therefore, the diffusion space 41 can be ensured.
　なお、導液管３と拡散部４とは、図２に示す構成では互いに別体で構成され、この別体同士を接合したものとなっているが、これに限定されず、例えば、一体的に形成されたものとなっていてもよい。 In addition, in the structure shown in FIG. 2, the liquid introduction pipe | tube 3 and the spreading | diffusion part 4 are comprised by a different body mutually, and it has become what joined this separate body, but it is not limited to this, For example, it integrates It may be formed.
　また、導液管３および拡散部４の構成材料としては、それぞれ、特に限定されず、例えば、容器本体９と同じ構成材料を用いることができる。 Further, the constituent materials of the liquid guide tube 3 and the diffusion portion 4 are not particularly limited, and for example, the same constituent material as that of the container body 9 can be used.
　＜第２実施形態＞
  図５は、本発明のインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の第２実施形態が備えるインク吸収体の拡大詳細垂直断面図である。 Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the ink absorber provided in the second embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber storage container) of the present invention.
　以下、この図を参照して本発明のインク吸収体収納容器およびインク吸収用構造体の第２実施形態について説明するが、前述した実施形態との相違点を中心に説明し、同様の事項はその説明を省略する。 Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the ink absorbing container storage container and the ink absorbing structure of the present invention will be described with reference to this drawing. The description is omitted.
　本実施形態は、インク吸収体の構成が異なること以外は前記第１実施形態と同様である。 This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the ink absorber is different.
　図５に示すように、本実施形態では、吸水性樹脂３０は、繊維基材２３０の厚さ方向の途中に存在している。つまり、吸水性樹脂３０は、繊維基材２３０の中に分散して存在している。これにより、インクＱをできる限りインク吸収体１０の厚さ方向の中央部側に保持する（吸収する）ことができ、よって、インクＱの保持状態を長期的に維持することができる。また、繊維基材２３０からの吸水性樹脂３０の脱落（脱離）も防止することができる。 As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the water absorbent resin 30 is present in the middle of the fiber base 230 in the thickness direction. That is, the water absorbent resin 30 is dispersed in the fiber base material 230. As a result, the ink Q can be held (absorbed) as close as possible to the center of the ink absorber 10 in the thickness direction, and thus the ink Q can be held for a long time. In addition, it is possible to prevent the water absorbent resin 30 from dropping (detaching) from the fiber base material 230.
　なお、吸水性樹脂３０は、厚さ方向に均一に分散されていてもよいし、繊維基材２３０の表側の面２１０または裏側の面２２０に偏在していてもよい。 The water absorbent resin 30 may be uniformly dispersed in the thickness direction, or may be unevenly distributed on the front surface 210 or the back surface 220 of the fiber base 230.
　また、図４に示す構成との組み合わせ、すなわち、吸水性樹脂３０が、繊維基材２３０の少なくとも一方の面側（表側の面２１０や裏側の面２２０）にも存在して（付着して）いてもよい。 Moreover, the combination with the structure shown in FIG. 4, that is, the water absorbent resin 30 is also present (attached) on at least one surface side (front surface 210 or back surface 220) of the fiber base material 230. May be.
　＜第３実施形態＞
  図６は、本発明のインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の第３実施形態における導液管の斜視図である。図７は、本発明のインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の第３実施形態における拡散部（隔壁部）の斜視図である。 <Third Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a liquid guide tube in the third embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a diffusion portion (partition wall portion) in the third embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention.
　以下、これらの図を参照して本発明のインク吸収体収納容器およびインク吸収用構造体の第３実施形態について説明するが、前述した実施形態との相違点を中心に説明し、同様の事項はその説明を省略する。 Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the ink absorber storage container and the ink absorbing structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to these drawings. However, the difference from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and similar matters will be described. Will not be described.
　本実施形態は、連通部の形状と、拡散部（隔壁部）の形状が異なること以外は前記第１実施形態と同様である。 This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the shape of the communication portion and the shape of the diffusion portion (partition wall portion) are different.
　図６に示すように、本実施形態では、連通部３４は、導液管３の管壁３３を貫通し、導液管３の中心軸方向（図６中の上下方向）に沿って形成された複数のスリット３４２で構成されている。つまり、導液管３が延在する方向に複数のスリット３４２が形成された構成となっている。これらのスリット３４２は、導液管３の周方向に沿って等間隔に配置されているが、これに限定されず、間隔が異なって配置されていてもよい。また、各スリット３４２の幅は、導液管３の中心軸方向（図６中の上下方向）に沿って一定となっているが、これに限定されず、例えば、上方に向かって増加していたり、それと反対に、下方に向かって増加していてもよい。そして、このようなスリット３４２で構成された連通部３４によっても、導液空間３１内で一時的に滞留したインクＱは、複数のスリット３４２の内の少なくとも１つのスリット３４２を介して、インク吸収体１０に吸収される。これにより、導液空間３１内でのインクＱの滞留を抑制することができ、よって、インクＱの迅速かつ十分な吸収が可能となる。 As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the communication portion 34 penetrates the tube wall 33 of the liquid guide tube 3 and is formed along the central axis direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6) of the liquid guide tube 3. The plurality of slits 342. That is, a plurality of slits 342 are formed in the direction in which the liquid guide tube 3 extends. These slits 342 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the liquid guide tube 3, but are not limited thereto, and may be arranged at different intervals. Moreover, although the width | variety of each slit 342 is constant along the central-axis direction (up-down direction in FIG. 6) of the liquid introduction pipe 3, it is not limited to this, For example, it is increasing upwards. Or, conversely, it may increase downward. The ink Q that has temporarily stayed in the liquid introduction space 31 also absorbs ink through at least one slit 342 among the plurality of slits 342 by the communication portion 34 configured by such slits 342. Absorbed by the body 10. Thereby, the stagnation of the ink Q in the liquid introduction space 31 can be suppressed, and thus the ink Q can be absorbed quickly and sufficiently.
　図７に示すように、拡散空間４１と収納空間９３とを区切る隔壁部４２は、容器本体９の底部９１側に配置された第１隔壁４２１と、容器本体９の側壁部９２側に配置された第２隔壁４２２とで構成されており、それぞれには、収納空間９３の側に向けて突出した突出部４５が複数形成されている。第１隔壁４２１の各突出部４５は、図７中の容器本体９の底部９１（左右方向）に沿って延在したリブで構成されている。第２隔壁４２２の各突出部４５は、図７中の容器本体９の側壁部９２（上下方向）に沿って延在したリブで構成されている。また、隣り合う突出部４５同士は、離間しており、これらの間に小孔４３１が配置されている。 As shown in FIG. 7, the partition wall 42 that separates the diffusion space 41 and the storage space 93 is disposed on the first partition 421 disposed on the bottom 91 side of the container body 9 and on the side wall 92 of the container body 9. The second partition wall 422 includes a plurality of projecting portions 45 projecting toward the storage space 93. Each protrusion 45 of the first partition 421 is configured by a rib extending along the bottom 91 (left-right direction) of the container body 9 in FIG. Each protrusion 45 of the second partition 422 is configured by a rib extending along the side wall 92 (vertical direction) of the container body 9 in FIG. Adjacent protrusions 45 are separated from each other, and a small hole 431 is disposed between them.
  例えば、インク吸収体１０が前記第１実施形態でのシート状をなすものも小さい小片状（短冊状）をなすものである場合、この小片は、突出部４５によって小孔４３１から離されて、小孔４３１を塞ぐのが防止される。これにより、インクＱは、小孔４３１を円滑に通過することができる。その結果、インクＱは、収納空間９３内に広がって、インク吸収体１０に十分に到達することができ、その後インク吸収体１０で吸収される。 For example, when the ink absorber 10 is in the form of a sheet in the first embodiment and is also in the form of a small piece (strip shape), the small piece is separated from the small hole 431 by the protrusion 45. The small hole 431 is prevented from being blocked. Accordingly, the ink Q can smoothly pass through the small hole 431. As a result, the ink Q spreads in the storage space 93 and can sufficiently reach the ink absorber 10 and is then absorbed by the ink absorber 10.
　なお、第１隔壁４２１の突出部４５と、第２隔壁４２２の突出部４５とは、図７に示す構成では連続している、すなわち、つながっているが、これに限定されず、例えば、不連続となって、すなわち、分断されていてもよい。
　また、各突出部４５は、リブで構成されているのに限定されない。 Note that the protrusion 45 of the first partition 421 and the protrusion 45 of the second partition 422 are continuous, that is, connected in the configuration shown in FIG. 7, but are not limited thereto. It may be continuous, that is, it may be divided.
Moreover, each protrusion part 45 is not limited to being comprised with the rib.
　＜第４実施形態＞
  図８は、本発明のインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の第４実施形態の垂直断面図である。図９は、図８に示すインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）が備えるインク吸収体の拡大詳細垂直断面図である。 <Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the ink absorber provided in the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber storage container) shown in FIG.
　以下、これらの図を参照して本発明のインク吸収体収納容器およびインク吸収用構造体の第４実施形態について説明するが、前述した実施形態との相違点を中心に説明し、同様の事項はその説明を省略する。 Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment of the ink absorbing container storage container and the ink absorbing structure of the present invention will be described with reference to these drawings. However, the difference from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and similar matters will be described. Will not be described.
　本実施形態は、インク吸収体の構成が異なること以外は前記第１実施形態と同様である。 This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the ink absorber is different.
　図８に示すように、実施形態では、インク吸収体１０は、全体として綿状をなすものである。また、図９に示すように、インク吸収体１０を拡大してみると、そのインク吸収体１０は、互いに絡み合った繊維２０と、繊維２０に付着した（担持された）吸水性樹脂３０とを含んでいる。なお、繊維２０同士は、バインダー（図示せず）を介して、互いに接合されているのが好ましい。このような綿状のインク吸収体１０は、インク吸収性が高まり、インクＱの吸収を促進すすることができる。 As shown in FIG. 8, in the embodiment, the ink absorber 10 has a cotton shape as a whole. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when the ink absorber 10 is enlarged, the ink absorber 10 includes fibers 20 entangled with each other and a water absorbent resin 30 attached (supported) to the fibers 20. Contains. In addition, it is preferable that the fibers 20 are bonded to each other via a binder (not shown). Such a cotton-like ink absorber 10 can increase the ink absorbability and promote the absorption of the ink Q.
　＜第５実施形態＞
  図１０は、本発明のインク吸収用構造体（インク吸収体収納容器）の第５実施形態が備える導液管の斜視図である。 <Fifth Embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a liquid conduit provided in the fifth embodiment of the ink absorbing structure (ink absorber housing container) of the present invention.
　以下、この図を参照して本発明のインク吸収体収納容器およびインク吸収用構造体の第５実施形態について説明するが、前述した実施形態との相違点を中心に説明し、同様の事項はその説明を省略する。
　本実施形態は、導液管の構成が異なること以外は前記第１実施形態と同様である。 Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment of the ink absorber storage container and the ink absorbing structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to this drawing. The description is omitted.
The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the liquid introduction pipe is different.
　図１０に示すように、本実施形態では、導液管３は、外側に向かって突出して分岐した分岐管３５を有している。分岐管３５の形成数は、図１０に示す構成では複数本であり、同じ高さに位置する分岐管３５同士は、放射状に配置されているが、これに限定されない。例えば、分岐管３５の形成数は、１本であってもよい。また、分岐管３５には、少なくとも１つの小孔３４が形成されているのが好ましい。 As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the liquid introduction pipe 3 has a branch pipe 35 that protrudes outward and branches. The number of branch pipes 35 formed is plural in the configuration shown in FIG. 10, and the branch pipes 35 located at the same height are arranged radially, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of branch pipes 35 may be one. The branch pipe 35 is preferably formed with at least one small hole 34.
　このような分岐管３５を有することにより、インク吸収体１０へのインクＱの吸収（浸透）を促進することができる。 By having such a branch pipe 35, the absorption (penetration) of the ink Q into the ink absorber 10 can be promoted.
　以上、本発明のインク吸収体収納容器およびインク吸収用構造体を図示の実施形態について説明したが、本発明は、これに限定されるものではなく、インク吸収体収納容器およびインク吸収用構造体を構成する各部は、同様の機能を発揮し得る任意の構成のものと置換することができる。また、任意の構成物が付加されていてもよい。 In the above, the illustrated embodiment of the ink absorber storage container and the ink absorbing structure of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink absorber storing container and the ink absorbing structure are not limited thereto. Each component constituting the can be replaced with any component that can exhibit the same function. Moreover, arbitrary components may be added.
　また、本発明のインク吸収体収納容器およびインク吸収用構造体は、前記各実施形態のうちの、任意の２以上の構成（特徴）を組み合わせたものであってもよい。 Further, the ink absorber storage container and the ink absorbing structure of the present invention may be a combination of any two or more configurations (features) of the above embodiments.
　また、インク吸収体収納容器は、導液部が容器本体の底部にまで至らない途中までの長さであってもよい。
　また、インク吸収体収納容器は、拡散部が省略されていてもよい。 Further, the ink absorber storage container may have a length up to the middle where the liquid introduction part does not reach the bottom of the container main body.
Moreover, the diffusion part may be abbreviate | omitted for the ink absorber storage container.
　１…インク吸収体収納容器、３…導液管、３１…導液空間、３２…上部開口部、３３…管壁、３４…連通部（第１連通部）、３４１…小孔、３４２…スリット、３５…分岐管、４…拡散部、４１…拡散空間、４２…隔壁部、４２１…第１隔壁、４２２…第２隔壁、４３…連通部（第２連通部）、４３１…小孔、４４…支持部、４５…突出部、８…蓋体、８１…インク供給口、９…容器本体、９１…底部（底板）、９２…側壁部、９３…収納空間、９４…上部開口部、９５…空隙、１０…インク吸収体、２０…繊維、２１０…表側の面、２２０…裏側の面、２３０…繊維基材、３０…吸水性樹脂、１００…インク吸収用構造体、２００…印刷装置、２０１…インク吐出ヘッド、２０１ａ…ノズル、２０２…キャッピングユニット、２０３…チューブ、２０３ａ…排出口（開口部）、２０４…ローラーポンプ、２０４ａ…ローラー部、２０４ｂ…挟持部、Ｑ…インク、Ｖ１…容積、Ｖ２…総体積 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ink absorber storage container, 3 ... Liquid introduction pipe, 31 ... Liquid introduction space, 32 ... Upper opening part, 33 ... Pipe wall, 34 ... Communication part (1st communication part), 341 ... Small hole, 342 ... Slit , 35 ... branch pipe, 4 ... diffusion part, 41 ... diffusion space, 42 ... partition wall part, 421 ... first partition wall, 422 ... second partition wall, 43 ... communication part (second communication part), 431 ... small hole, 44 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Support part, 45 ... Projection part, 8 ... Cover, 81 ... Ink supply port, 9 ... Container main body, 91 ... Bottom part (bottom plate), 92 ... Side wall part, 93 ... Storage space, 94 ... Top opening part, 95 ... Gaps, 10 ... ink absorber, 20 ... fiber, 210 ... front side surface, 220 ... back side surface, 230 ... fiber base material, 30 ... water-absorbing resin, 100 ... structure for absorbing ink, 200 ... printing apparatus, 201 ... Ink ejection head, 201a ... Nozzle, 202 ... Capping unit, 203 ... Chi Over Bed, 203a ... outlet (opening), 204 ... roller pump, 204a ... roller portion, 204b ... clamping portion, Q ... ink, V1 ... volume, V2 ... total volume

Claims (9)

  1. 　インクの吸収が可能な吸水性樹脂を含むインク吸収体を収納し、前記インクが供給される収納空間を有する容器本体と、
    　前記収納空間内に設置され、前記収納空間内に供給された前記インクを前記容器本体の底部に導く導液空間を形成する導液管と、を備え、
    　前記導液管の管壁には、前記導液空間と前記収納空間とを連通する連通部が形成されていることを特徴とするインク吸収体収納容器。     A container body containing an ink absorber containing a water-absorbing resin capable of absorbing ink, and having a storage space to which the ink is supplied;
    A liquid introduction pipe installed in the storage space and forming a liquid introduction space for guiding the ink supplied into the storage space to the bottom of the container body,
    An ink absorber storage container, wherein a communication portion that connects the liquid transfer space and the storage space is formed on a tube wall of the liquid transfer tube.
  2. 　前記連通部は、前記管壁を貫通して形成された複数の小孔で構成されている請求項１に記載のインク吸収体収納容器。 2. The ink absorber storage container according to claim 1, wherein the communication part is composed of a plurality of small holes formed through the tube wall.
  3. 　前記連通部は、前記管壁を貫通し、前記導液管の中心軸方向に沿って形成された複数のスリットで構成されている請求項１に記載のインク吸収体収納容器。 2. The ink absorber storage container according to claim 1, wherein the communication portion includes a plurality of slits that penetrate the tube wall and are formed along a central axis direction of the liquid guide tube.
  4. 　前記容器本体は、底部と、前記底部から立設した側壁部とを有し、
    　前記導液空間に連通し、前記導液空間を通過してきた前記インクを、前記底部および前記側壁部のうちの少なくとも前記底部に沿って拡散させる拡散空間を形成する拡散部を備える請求項１ないし３のいずれか１項に記載のインク吸収体収納容器。     The container body has a bottom portion and a side wall portion standing from the bottom portion,
    2. A diffusion portion that communicates with the liquid introduction space and forms a diffusion space that diffuses the ink that has passed through the liquid introduction space along at least the bottom portion of the bottom portion and the side wall portion. 4. The ink absorber storage container according to any one of 3 above.
  5. 　前記拡散部は、前記拡散空間と前記収納空間とを区切る隔壁部を有し、
    　前記隔壁部には、前記拡散空間と前記収納空間とを連通する連通部が形成されている請求項４に記載のインク吸収体収納容器。     The diffusion part has a partition part that separates the diffusion space and the storage space,
    The ink absorber storage container according to claim 4, wherein a communication portion that connects the diffusion space and the storage space is formed in the partition wall.
  6. 　前記連通部は、前記隔壁部を貫通して形成された複数の小孔で構成されている請求項５に記載のインク吸収体収納容器。 The ink absorber storage container according to claim 5, wherein the communication part is composed of a plurality of small holes formed so as to penetrate the partition part.
  7. 　前記隔壁部には、前記収納空間に突出した突出部が形成されている請求項５または６に記載のインク吸収体収納容器。 The ink absorber storage container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the partition wall is formed with a protrusion protruding into the storage space.
  8. 　前記容器本体は、底部と、前記底部から立設した側壁部とを有し、
    　前記導液管は、前記底部側から突出している請求項１ないし７のいずれか１項に記載のインク吸収体収納容器。     The container body has a bottom portion and a side wall portion standing from the bottom portion,
    The ink absorber storage container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid guide pipe protrudes from the bottom side.
  9. 　請求項１ないし８のいずれか１項に記載のインク吸収体収納容器と、
    　前記収納空間に収納され、インクの吸収が可能な吸水性樹脂を含むインク吸収体と、を備えることを特徴とするインク吸収用構造体。     The ink absorber storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
    And an ink absorber containing a water-absorbing resin that is stored in the storage space and capable of absorbing ink.
PCT/JP2019/004125 2018-03-27 2019-02-06 Ink-absorbing body storage container, and structure for ink absorption WO2019187655A1 (en)

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