JP2001341488A - Ink filling device and ink filling method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To minimize ink leakage due to bubbling of ink and splashing of ink at the time of ink filling. SOLUTION: The tip of a filling nozzle is bent.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a marking pen, a felt-tip pen, a ball-point pen, a fountain pen, a brush pen, a liquid corrector, an eyeliner, and the like, which contain ink or a cosmetic composition.
Install the nozzle in an ink container that is connected as an integral or replaceable piece to eye shadows, nail colors, hair dyes, liquid foundations, lip colors, etc. The present invention relates to an ink filling device that fills ink by insertion, and to an ink filling method using the ink filling device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ink is filled into a writing instrument.
JP-A-2000-25380 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-4191
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-107421 discloses a device in which a linear nozzle is inserted into an ink container, and the ink is filled from an ink filling port opened at the tip of the nozzle in the insertion direction. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. -101071 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-248919 disclose a method in which a nozzle such as a so-called injection needle is inserted into an ink container and filled with ink.

[0003]

However, in the case where the ink filling port is opened at the tip of a linear nozzle as disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art, the force of the ink filling acts directly on the ink interface. As a result, the ink becomes foamy, and bubbles may be mixed into the filled ink. If air bubbles are mixed in the ink in the ink container, the ink will move backward due to the cause of ink shortage (handwriting fray) in continuous writing (application) in writing implements and applicators, and impacts etc. In some cases, ink jet printers have an effect on the ejection of a fixed amount of ink, and there is a possibility that print marks may be lost. In addition, there is a concern that splashing of ink at the ink interface may cause ink leakage at the time of filling and stain the surrounding area with the ink.

[0004] In the case of filling by inserting an injection needle, there is a problem in that the ink filling port of the nozzle is inserted first. That is, when a nozzle is inserted into an ink occluding body having fine holes such as a synthetic fiber bundle or a communicating porous body such as urethane, or a rubber material as a lid member, these members are substantially inserted. The ink passage of the nozzle is clogged with fibers, the skeleton of the communicating porous body, rubber material, etc., and the ink discharge port of the nozzle is deformed by the pressing force at the time of insertion As a result, there was a possibility that smooth ink filling was hindered. In addition, if a hole is formed in the material, there is a risk that ink leaks if the member forms the outer wall of the ink container, and if it is a member that absorbs and holds the ink, after the hole is formed. Unless the shape is recovered, there is a possibility that the ink holding power may be reduced at that portion after the nozzle is pulled out.

[0005]

That is, the present invention relates to an ink filling device for filling ink by inserting a nozzle into an ink container of a writing instrument or a printing apparatus. The ink filling device has a pressing portion for pushing and opening the ink filling port, and the ink discharge port of the nozzle is deviated and opened in a lateral direction with respect to the pressing direction of the pressing portion. The closing member of the nozzle insertion hole of the ink container is a valve lid, the valve lid is opened by a pressing portion of the ink filler, and the opening of the ink discharge port which is laterally deviated. The gist of the invention is an ink filling method in which ink is filled from an opening in a lateral direction by a part.

[0006]

According to the present invention, the filling nozzle of the ink filling device is ejected horizontally and obliquely without making the filling nozzle straight, so that the influence of the ink filling force on the ink interface can be minimized. Also, close the ink container at a part different from the ink discharge port of the nozzle, press the valve lid or ink occluding body, etc.,
Since the space filled with the ink is formed, the ink discharge port of the nozzle is not damaged, and the clogging of unnecessary objects can be avoided as much as possible.

[0007]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the ink filling device of the present invention. That is, as an outline, a filling nozzle 3 is attached to a container main body 2 containing the ink 1, and the container main body 2 forms a pressing bellows 2a which is an example of a unit for applying pressure to and sending out the ink. . As a means for sending out the ink 1, in addition to a means for pressing the deformable portion of the container body to reduce the volume of the container to increase the internal pressure as in this example, the relationship between the piston and the cylinder as in the case of a syringe is used. Alternatively, it is possible to form the ventilation hole in a part of the container so that the ink moves by its own weight.

The leading end of the filling nozzle 3 has a bent portion 3a which is bent at about 90 degrees.
Since it is oriented 0 degrees in the horizontal direction, the ink is ejected in the horizontal direction. The portion forming the wall surface of the bent portion 3a is the foremost portion of the filling nozzle 3, and serves as a pressing portion 3c for pushing and opening a closing member of a nozzle insertion hole of an ink container described later.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which ink is filled. The ink container is of a so-called occlusion type, and is assumed to be an ink cartridge used in an ink jet printer. The ink container 4 has a main body 4a having an ink through hole 5 connected to the printer head, and a lid member 4b having an air hole 6 for taking in air therein according to the remaining amount of ink.
Are formed by injection molding of a polypropylene resin, and both are joined by ultrasonic welding. An ink occluding body 7, which is a synthetic fiber converging body, is housed inside. The container is formed by an inner ridge 4c formed around the air hole 6 of the lid member 4b and a ridge 4d formed on the inner wall of the ink container 4. The air exchange path inside is secured. This is because the movement of the air between the portion near the ink through hole 5 in the container and the air hole 6 is not hindered, and the movement of the ink in the ink storage body 7 is smoothly performed. The filling nozzle 3 is inserted through the ink through hole 6 so as to push the ink occluding body 7. At this time, the pressing portion 3c comes into contact with the ink occluding member 7, and the ink discharge port 3b opens to the space after the ink occluding member 7 has been displaced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fiber of the ink occluding body 7 from being clogged in the filling nozzle.

FIG. 3 shows another example. The ink filler is shown in a schematic diagram assuming a type in which the ink is pushed out using a piston / cylinder of a syringe type. That is, when the piston 8 is pressed, the ink contained inside is discharged from the filling nozzle 3. The ink container is of the so-called raw ink type that stores a large amount of ink in a free state, instead of the above-described occlusion type, and is assumed to be an ink cartridge used in an ink jet printer. The ink container 4 includes a main body 4a having an ink through hole 5 connected to the printer head;
A lid member 4b having an air hole 6 for taking in air according to the remaining amount of ink is formed, both of which are formed by injection molding of polypropylene resin, and both are joined by ultrasonic welding. Since there is no member that directly holds the ink as in the above-described occlusion type, the ink through hole 5 and the air hole 6 require a member that serves as a lid to prevent the ink from unexpectedly coming out. An elastic valve 9 made of synthetic rubber or an elastomer is provided for the ink through hole 5, and presses against an inner edge of the ink through hole 5 to suppress ink leakage when not in use. A ventilation valve sheet 10 obtained by compression-molding a porous body such as polyurethane is pressed by a cover member 11. As shown in FIG. 4 which is an enlarged view of a portion I in FIG. 3, the elastic valve 9 has a base portion 9a attached to the container and a lid portion 9b abutting on the inner edge of the ink through hole 5.
And a side wall 9c partially having an ink passage. The base 9a is fixed to a valve accommodating portion formed in the container. When connected to a printer or the like, the lid 9b is pressed by a suitable means such as a protrusion (not shown) formed on a member or a portion serving as a bypass to the printer head, and the side wall 9c is deformed to thereby form the lid 9b. Is displaced inside the container, and the ink through hole 5 is opened. Further, the vent valve sheet 10 is a state in which the skeleton portions of the porous body overlap with each other by compression and substantially close the pores, and can be deformed by pressure to open and communicate the pores. The opening / closing of the porosity is repeated in response to changes in the internal pressure due to ink consumption, ink filling, temperature, atmospheric pressure changes, etc., to maintain the internal pressure appropriately.

The filling nozzle 3 is inserted through the ink passage 5. The elastic valve 9 is pressed by the pressing portion 3c of the filling nozzle 3 to form a space into which the filling nozzle 3 is inserted. The ink 1 is discharged to a portion communicating with the space in the container formed by the movement of the elastic valve 9 by the ink discharge port 3b extending in the lateral direction. Ink outlet 3 of filling nozzle 3
Since the elastic valve 9 is not pressed at b, damage to the elastic valve 9 is suppressed, and clogging of the filling nozzle 3 with a material such as rubber is also suppressed. In addition, since the ink is ejected in the horizontal direction, it is possible to minimize the influence of the momentum of the ink at the time of filling to directly affect the ink interface.
Bubbling and leakage due to ink splashing are suppressed. In addition, the filling nozzle 3 of this example is formed with a flange 3d that regulates the insertion position (insertion depth), thereby preventing the elastic valve 9 from being excessively pushed and damaged. This collar 3d
Is formed with a small-diameter portion substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the ink through-hole 5, so that the connection between the filling nozzle 3 and the ink container can be stabilized, and even if the ink flows backward, It is hard to leak. In addition, a slit-shaped ventilation path 12 is formed in the flange 3d so that air displaced with ink filling can escape.

FIG. 5 and subsequent figures show modifications of the filling nozzle 3.
The one shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the above-described example.
Is bent at an obtuse angle than that bent at about 90 degrees. In addition, the ink discharge port 3b has a diameter slightly larger than the ink passage of the filling nozzle 3, and the discharged ink is directed outward. The pressing portion 3c which is the foremost portion is illustrated as a corner portion, but may be formed in a round shape so as not to damage the ink occluding body or the elastic valve. The thing shown in FIG. 6 has the filling nozzle 3 formed in a "T" shape in two branches. Since the pressure of the ink to be filled is dispersed in two directions, it is possible to further suppress the bubbling of the ink and the splashing of the ink. Of course, the shape may be a “Y” shape. FIG. 7 shows an example in which a hole serving as an ink discharge hole 3b is formed on the side wall of the filling nozzle 3 on a straight pipe, and can be easily manufactured. The foremost portion serving as the pressing portion 3c also has an opening. However, even if this portion is closed by a foreign substance, it does not affect ink filling. 8 can be easily manufactured similarly, but has a shape in which one end is cut off at the tip of the filling nozzle 3. The cut portion becomes the ink discharge port 3b. Since the filling nozzle 3 is not inserted into the ink occluding body or the elastic valve, the pressing portion 3c is formed in a curved shape.

Regarding the filling nozzle 3 described in detail above, the transverse (diameter) cross-sectional shape can be made appropriately, such as a polygon such as a triangle, a semicircle, etc., in addition to a circle. Further, the filling nozzle 3 can be connected to the container body 2 by a soft rubber hose or the like. The material of the filling nozzle 3 may be appropriately selected from synthetic resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, and metals and alloys such as aluminum and stainless steel. Also, a plug member that closes the ink discharge port 3b of the filling nozzle 3 when not in use can be connected. The plug member may be connected to the filling nozzle itself, or may be fitted to the container body 2 and closed while being in close contact with the edge of the ink discharge port 3b. Further, the filling nozzle can be colored with an ink color to display a color, or can be formed of a transparent material so that the internal state such as clogging can be checked, and the ink can pass therethrough. It is also possible to obtain a color display that is colored by the above.

[0014]

According to the present invention, foaming of ink is suppressed as much as possible, and ink ejection defects such as ink run-out (handwriting blur), ink drip, and missing print marks are suppressed as much as possible, and ink leakage due to ink splash at the ink interface is also suppressed. As much as possible,
The ink container filled with the ink is not damaged, the clogging in the nozzle is suppressed, and the ink can be smoothly filled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of a filling method.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another example.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion I in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of the filling nozzle.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another example of the filling nozzle.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing still another example of the filling nozzle.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing still another example of the filling nozzle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 ink 2 container body 2a pressing bellows 3 filling nozzle 3a bent portion 3b ink discharge port 3c pressing portion 3d flange portion 4 ink container 4a body 4b lid member 4c inner protrusion 4d ridge 5 ink through hole 6 air hole 7 ink occluding body Reference Signs List 8 piston 9 elastic valve 9a base 9b lid 9c side wall 10 ventilation valve seat 11 cover member 12 ventilation path

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An ink filling device for filling ink by inserting a nozzle into an ink container of a writing instrument or a printing device, the ink filling device having a pressing portion for pressing and opening a closing member of a nozzle insertion hole of the ink container. An ink filling device, wherein an ink discharge port of a nozzle is opened so as to be deviated in a lateral direction with respect to a pressing direction of the pressing portion. 2. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle has a bent portion for displacing the ink discharge port in a lateral direction, and the pressing portion is a foremost portion of the nozzle. Ink filler. 3. The ink filling device according to claim 1, wherein an air passage is provided as an escape path for a gas that is displaced when the ink is filled in the ink container. 4. The ink filling device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle has an insertion amount regulating wall portion in the ink container. 5. A closing member for a nozzle insertion hole of the ink container is a valve lid, the valve lid is opened by a pressing portion of the ink filling device, and a laterally deviated opening of an ink discharge port is provided. An ink filling method using the ink filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ink is filled from an opening in the direction. 6. The ink filling method according to claim 1, wherein the closing member of the nozzle insertion hole of the ink container is a communicating porous body. . 7. The ink filling method according to claim 6, wherein the closing member of the nozzle insertion hole of the ink container is an ink occluding body.