JP2004098478A - ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent environmental contamination with ink adhering to a tape by imparting plasticity to a sealing tape so that the sealing tape is sustained in an annularly curved shape after it is stripped from an ink cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: The sealing tape 23 for sealing the ink supply opening of the ink cartridge is made of an air impermeable resin material admixed with a metal and has plasticity. The sealing tape 23 pulled from the bonding face when it is stripped from the ink cartridge is thereby curved substantially annularly or spirally and that shape is sustained. Ink 12 leaked from the ink supply opening adheres to the substantially annularly outer circumferential surface of the sealing tape 23. Since the leaked ink 12 does not face the upper surface of a desk even when a user places the sealing tape 23 on the desk, upper surface of the desk is not contaminated with the leaked ink 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink cartridge in which an ink supply port is sealed with a peelable tape.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as an ink jet printer ejects ink droplets from nozzles of a recording head mounted on a carriage to record an image on a recording medium. This is performed by driving a piezoelectric actuator or the like disposed on the recording head to generate a pressure wave. Ink is supplied from an ink cartridge detachably mounted on the recording head. The ink cartridge is provided with an ink supply port for supplying ink to the recording head. When the ink cartridge is manufactured, a sealing tape is detachably mounted so as to cover and seal the ink supply port.
[0003]
The sealing tape is made of air-impermeable resin, metal foil, or a laminate thereof, and is heat-welded to the wall surface of the housing of the ink cartridge so as to cover the ink supply port and supply the ink. It is sealed so that ink does not leak from the mouth (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
In addition, as another sealing tape, a structure in which a polymer film layer, a metal layer, and a self-adhesive material layer are laminated and has plasticity, thereby improving adhesion to an ink supply port that is not flat. (For example, see Patent Document 2).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2000-71472 (page 16, paragraph 0097)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-5-293970 (Page 2, paragraph 0008-Page 3, paragraph 0016)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the user peels off the sealing tape attached to use the ink cartridge, the ink attached to the sealing tape from the ink supply port is exposed to the surface of the sealing tape, and the sealing tape is Even if it has plasticity along the ink supply port, in the peeled state, if it is in a so-called soft, soft state, the shape after peeling is not constant, and the user's hands are stained with ink or tape. When the ink is attached to the lower surface of the tape, the ink may adhere to the desk, or when the ink adheres to the upper surface of the tape, other objects may be stained.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of ink that has adhered to a sealing tape so as to contaminate a desk or other objects after peeling off the tape. I do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an ink cartridge according to the invention according to claim 1 is provided with an ink supply port which is opened on an outer wall of a housing, and supplies an ink housed inside the housing to a recording head; A sealing tape covering the ink supply port on the outer wall of the housing, the sealing tape being detachably mounted along a longitudinal direction of the band shape, wherein the sealing tape is disposed in the longitudinal direction. Characterized in that it has a plasticity that is maintained in a shape that is substantially annularly curved in the longitudinal direction due to an external force applied when it is peeled off from one end.
[0009]
In the ink cartridge having this configuration, when the user peels off the sealing tape along the longitudinal direction, the sealing tape is peeled off because the sealing tape is maintained in a substantially annularly curved shape by the applied external force. When the sealing tape is placed on a desk or the like, the surface of the sealing tape to which the ink in the ink supply port has adhered is substantially perpendicular to the desk top surface.
[0010]
In the ink cartridge according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, a grip portion for a user to grip the sealing tape during peeling is provided at one end of the sealing tape. When the sealing tape is mounted on the outer wall of the housing, the other end of the sealing tape opposite to the grip portion is disposed so as to cover the ink supply port, and the sealing tape is provided. When the is peeled, it is maintained in a spiral shape in which the other end is wound inside.
[0011]
In the ink cartridge having this configuration, in addition to the operation of the invention according to claim 1, the sealing tape is peeled off from the gripping portion, so that the ink leaked from the ink supply port and adhered to the other end opposite to the gripping portion is removed. , Located inside a spirally wound sealing tape.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ink cartridge according to the first or second aspect, the sealing tape is formed by mixing a metal material with a resin. .
[0013]
In the ink cartridge having this configuration, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the resin sealing tape in which the metal material is mixed can have plasticity, and the sealing tape peeled from the ink cartridge can be used. The shape becomes curved or spiral due to an external force applied at the time of peeling, and the shape can be maintained after peeling.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second or third aspect, the ink cartridge further includes an air communication hole that is opened in an outer wall of the housing and supplies outside air to the inside of the housing. Wherein the sealing tape is mounted along the outer wall of the housing between the gripping portion at one end and the other end covering the ink supply port so as to cover the air communication hole. I do.
[0015]
In the ink cartridge having this configuration, in addition to the function of the invention according to claim 2 or 3, the sealing tape may start peeling from the grip portion to open the air communication hole, and then open the ink supply port. it can.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ink cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the structure of the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the recording head 72. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 as viewed from the direction indicated by the two-dot chain line AA ′ shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 as viewed from the direction indicated by the two-dot chain line BB ′ shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 as viewed from the direction of the arrows along the two-dot chain line AA ′ shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge 1 on which the sealing tape 23 is mounted.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, in an image forming apparatus such as an ink jet printer, a head holder 50 that supports a recording head 72 is mounted on a carriage 52 that scans and moves along a recording medium. 1 is detachably mounted. In the ink cartridge 1, the ink supply port 17 provided on the lower surface of the ink cartridge 1 is fitted to the joint member 74 on the head holder 50 side, and the ink is distributed to many ink ejection channels (not shown) of the recording head 72 through the manifold member 73. I do. As is well known, the recording head 72 ejects ink from each ink ejection channel by driving an actuator including a piezoelectric element or a heating element.
[0018]
Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment includes a case 2 formed of a transparent or translucent resin material in a rectangular shape, an upper lid member 3, and a lower lid member 4. Have been. The case 2 has a pair of first side walls 2a and 2b facing each other, and a pair of second side walls 2c and 2d connecting the pair of side walls. No. The upper and lower lid members 3 and 4 are heat-welded so as to cover both upper and lower open surfaces of the case 2. The case 2 and the upper and lower lid members 3 and 4 constitute a “housing” in the present invention.
[0019]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the case 2 includes partition walls 5, 6 extending substantially parallel to the first side walls 2a, 2b, and a bottom portion connected to the lower ends of both partition walls and extending substantially parallel to the bottom opening surface. The interior is defined by a partition wall 7 and partition walls 7a and 7b extending vertically from the bottom partition wall 7 toward the bottom opening surface. The partition walls 5 and 6, the bottom partition wall 7, and the partition walls 7a and 7b extend in the direction connecting the second side walls 2c and 2d (see FIG. 2) (the direction of the front and back of the paper). The atmosphere communication chamber 33 formed in a portion surrounded by the bottom partition wall 7, the partition walls 7 a and 7 b, and the second side walls 2 c and 2 d is open at the lower surface of the case 2.
[0020]
A first ink chamber 9 having an upper surface opened at the upper end of the case 2 is formed in the area surrounded by the partition walls 5 and 6, the bottom partition wall 7, and the second side walls 2 c and 2 d. It contains a porous material 8 such as a foam. A second ink chamber 10 is formed in a portion surrounded by the first side wall 2a, the partition wall 5, and the second side walls 2c and 2d, and the other first side wall 2b, the partition wall 6, and the second ink chamber 10 are formed. A buffer chamber 11 is formed in a portion surrounded by the side walls 2c and 2d. The second ink chamber 10 has an upper end opened at the upper surface of the case 2, a lower end bent along the lower surface of the bottom partition wall 7, and a lower end opened at the lower surface of the case 2. The upper and lower ends of the buffer chamber 11 are open at the upper and lower surfaces of the case 2, respectively.
[0021]
The upper lid member 3 covers the upper ends of the first and second ink chambers 9 and 10 and the buffer chamber 11, respectively, and is fixed to the upper ends of the side walls 2a to 2d and the partition walls 5 and 6 by thermal welding. The lower lid member 4 covers the lower ends of the second ink chamber 10, the atmosphere communication chamber 33, and the buffer chamber 11, respectively, and is fixed to the lower ends of the side walls 2a to 2d and the partition walls 7a, 7b by thermal welding. As a result, the second ink chamber 10 is substantially L-shaped from the vertical portion 10a along the side wall 2a and the horizontal portion 10b located below the first ink chamber 9. An opening 7c is provided in a partition wall 7b that separates the atmosphere communication chamber 33 from the buffer chamber 11, and the atmosphere communication chamber 33 and the buffer chamber 11 communicate with each other through the opening 7c.
[0022]
A communication hole 15 that connects the first ink chamber 9 and the second ink chamber 10 is formed in the bottom partition wall 7. An ink filling port 13 is formed in the upper lid member 3 corresponding to the upper end open surface of the second ink chamber 10, and the ink filling port 13 is sealed with a sealant 21. The first ink chamber 9 and the buffer chamber 11 are connected to the upper lid member 3 by a passage 16 formed so as to straddle the upper end of the partition wall 6. That is, the passage 16 is formed in a concave shape on the upper surface of the upper lid member 3, one end thereof communicates with the first ink chamber 9 through the opening 14, and the other end communicates with the buffer chamber 11 through the through hole 16 a. I have. The upper surface of the passage 16 is sealed by a sealing material 22.
[0023]
The lower lid member 4 is formed with an ink supply port 17 for supplying ink in the second ink chamber 10 to the recording head 72 corresponding to the lower end opening surface of the second ink chamber 10, and a lower end of the atmosphere communication chamber 33. Atmospheric communication holes 18 are formed corresponding to the open surfaces. The atmosphere communication hole 18 has a peripheral wall 18 a projecting upward (inward of the case 2) in a cylindrical shape, and the atmosphere communication chamber 33 is communicated with the outside of the ink cartridge 1 through the atmosphere communication hole 18. ing. A rib 18b is formed in a protruding shape on the inner wall surface of the lower cover member 4 around the protruded air communication hole 18 so as to surround the air communication hole 18 in a ring shape. Since the air communication hole 18 protrudes in a ring shape and the rib 18b is provided, the ink that has entered the air communication chamber 33 from the first ink chamber 9 through the passage 16, the buffer chamber, and the opening 7c is removed from the air. It is prevented from flowing out of the ink cartridge 1 through the communication hole 18.
[0024]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a rib-shaped barrier 31 is formed in the second ink chamber 10 on the shortest path connecting the communication hole 15 and the ink supply port 17. This barrier 31 is preferably formed by projecting integrally from the bottom partition wall 7 of the case 2 and joining it to the inner wall surface of the lower lid member 4. The lower surface 7d of the bottom partition wall 7 is inclined so as to rise from the lower end of the communication hole 15 toward the vertical portion 10a of the second ink chamber 10 (see FIG. 3). One end of the barrier 31 is located on the side of the communication hole 15, and the other end extends to a position near the vertical portion 10 a of the second ink chamber 10. Accordingly, as the ink flows from the second ink chamber 10 to the ink supply port 17 due to the negative pressure generated by the ink ejection from the recording head 72, the ink that has exited the communication hole 15 from the first ink chamber 9 is indicated by an arrow. After entering the vertical portion 10a of the second ink chamber 10 by bypassing the barrier 31 as shown in C, it enters the horizontal portion 10b and reaches the ink supply port 17. When the ink is consumed, air is supplied from the air communication hole 18 to the first ink chamber 9 through the air communication chamber 33, the buffer chamber 11, and the passage 16.
[0025]
A stainless steel mesh filter 24 is attached to the surface of the ink supply port 17 on the second ink chamber 10 side. The filter 24 has such a size that the ink in the second ink chamber 10 does not leak in a natural state due to surface tension.
[0026]
Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink supply port 17 and the air communication hole 18 are closed by a sealing tape 23 that is removably attached by heat welding or the like. Since the ink filling port 13 and the ink supply port 17 are different from each other (see FIG. 5), the surroundings of the ink supply port 17 need to be filled before the ink filling, as in the conventional ink filling port. Therefore, the sealing tape 23 can exhibit a sufficient sealing effect even when the ink supply port 17 is weakly welded so as not to be deformed.
[0027]
The sealing tape 23 is a strip-shaped tape formed from a material in which a metal such as aluminum is mixed with an air-impermeable resin such as polypropylene. The width of the sealing tape 23 is substantially the same as the length of the lower lid member 4 in the width direction, that is, the thickness of the lower lid member 4 in the side walls 2c and 2d directions. It is formed to be sufficiently longer than the length in the longitudinal direction, that is, the thickness in the direction of the side walls 2a and 2b of the case 2.
[0028]
One end 23 b of the sealing tape 23 in the longitudinal direction is aligned with the edge of the ink supply port 17 side (the side wall 2 a side of the case 2) in the longitudinal direction of the lower lid member 4. The portion covering the ink supply port 17 along the longitudinal direction, and further covering the atmosphere communication hole 18 up to the end 23c, is thermally welded to the case 2, and the portion further extended from the end 23c is sealed with the sealing tape 23. It is arranged so as to protrude to the outside of the case 2 as a grip portion 23a to be gripped when peeling. The sealing tape 23 is thermally welded in a circular shape along the openings of the ink supply port 17 and the atmosphere communication hole 18 and in a rectangular shape along the long side and the short side of the outer periphery of the lower lid member 4. As described above, the work of peeling off the sealing tape 23 can be performed by integrally sealing the entire lower surface of the lower lid member 4 with the sealing tape 23 so as to cover the ink supply port 17 and the atmosphere communication hole 18. This is easy because only one surface of the ink cartridge 1 is used. At the time of shipment, the grip 23a is further bent toward the side wall 2b of the case 2 and temporarily fixed to the side wall 2b with an adhesive or the like.
[0029]
As described above, the ink cartridge 1 is shipped with the ink supply port 17 and the air communication hole 18 closed by the sealing tape 23. In order for the user to use the ink cartridge 1, first, as shown in FIG. 6A, the grip 23 a of the sealing tape 23 temporarily fixed to the side wall 2 b of the ink cartridge 1 is peeled off, and It peels from the part 23c toward the end part 23b (the direction of arrow D in the figure).
[0030]
More specifically, when the user grips the gripping portion 23a of the sealing tape 23 and pulls the sealing tape 23 in the direction of the side wall 2a of the case 2, the sealing tape 23 thermally fused to the lower lid member 4 is It is gradually peeled off from the end 23c. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the sealing tape 23 is folded inward by the force applied by the user to the sealing tape 23 on the side opposite to the welding surface with the lower lid member 4. That is, an external force is applied in the direction of compression. The surface of the sealing tape 23 that is welded to the lower lid member 4 is pulled by the user against the force for maintaining the welding state near the boundary between the welded portion and the peeled portion of the sealing tape 23. The applied force causes the surface to expand in the plane direction. As the peeling of the sealing tape 23 progresses, the phenomenon of compression on one surface and expansion on the other surface is shifted from the end 23c to the end 23b.
[0031]
Then, as shown in FIG. 7, since the sealing tape 23 peeled off from the lower lid member 4 has plasticity, the sealing tape 23 remains in a state of being compressed on one surface and stretched on the other surface. . That is, at the time of peeling, the surface opposite to the surface to be welded to the lower lid member 4 is bent in a substantially annular shape with the surface inside, and the shape is maintained. By setting the length of the sealing tape 23 to be equal to or more than a predetermined value, the length in the curved circumferential direction is increased, and it is possible to form a spiral as shown in FIG. Further, by selecting the material of the sealing tape 23, the curvature changes, and even a short length can be formed into a spiral shape. In this case, the end of the spiral that is opposite to the grip 23a, that is, the end that faces the ink supply port 17, is located on the center side. In the present embodiment, the fact that the ink supply port 17 is located near one end of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge and the air communication hole 18 is located at a predetermined distance from the other end to the sealing tape This is advantageous in securing a length of 23 and curving in a spiral shape.
[0032]
By the way, a case where the leaked ink 12 leaked from the ink supply port 17 due to, for example, vibration during transportation or the like adheres to the end 23 b of the sealing tape 23 facing the ink supply port 17 on the side of the welding surface with the lower lid member 4. There is. When the user temporarily places the peeled sealing tape 23 on a desk or the like when using the ink cartridge 1, the sealing tape 23 has a substantially annular shape. Since the cover member 4 has the same length as the length in the longitudinal direction, even if the short side direction is set to a direction substantially perpendicular to the desk top surface and the cover member 4 is placed on the desk, surface fall in one part of the arc is supported in other parts. Will not fall. When the sealing tape 23 is placed in such a manner, the surface of the sealing tape 23 is in a direction orthogonal to the desk top surface, that is, the leaked ink 12 adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the substantially annular sealing tape 23 is removed from the desk top surface. Is not opposed to this, and the desk top surface is not stained by the leaked ink 12. Further, even if another object is placed thereon, there is little possibility that the ink will adhere to it.
[0033]
Also, as shown in FIG. 8, when the sealing tape 23 is deformed into a spiral shape, the leaked ink 12 is located near the center of the spiral shape, and the outer periphery of the leaked ink 12 is adhered to the leaked ink 12. It can be covered by a portion that does not exist, that is, a portion closer to the end 23c than the end 23b. Therefore, since the leaked ink 12 is not exposed toward the outside of the sealing tape 23, the user does not stain his / her hands with the leaked ink 12, and furthermore, it is possible to prevent the surrounding environment from being stained. Can be.
[0034]
As described above, the sealing tape 23 that covers the ink supply port 17 and the air communication hole 18 of the ink cartridge 1 and seals the lower cover member 4 is made of a material in which metal is mixed with an air-impermeable resin. And is plastic. Accordingly, when the user uses the ink cartridge 1, the sealing tape 23 is curved in a substantially annular shape with an outer peripheral surface of the welding side with the lower lid member 4 due to an external force applied when the user peels off the sealing tape 23. And maintain its shape.
[0035]
It goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified. For example, the sealing tape 23 may be attached to the lower lid member 4 of the ink cartridge 1 by using ultrasonic welding. Further, the ink supply port 17 and the air communication hole 18 are covered and sealed with the sealing tape 23. However, the air communication hole 18 does not have to be on the same wall as the ink supply port 17, and the sealing tape 23 is Only the ink supply port 17 may be sealed.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the ink cartridge according to the first aspect of the invention, when the user peels off the sealing tape along the longitudinal direction, the sealing tape is bent in a substantially annular shape by the applied external force. When the peeled sealing tape is placed on a desk or the like, the surface of the sealing tape to which the ink adheres to the ink supply port is substantially perpendicular to the desk upper surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink from adhering to the surface of a desk or the like and to prevent the surrounding environment from being polluted.
[0037]
In the ink cartridge according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect, the sealing tape is peeled off from the gripping portion. The leaked and deposited ink is located inside the spirally wound sealing tape. Therefore, the ink adhering to the outer periphery of the peeled spiral sealing tape is not exposed, and the surrounding environment can be prevented from being stained by the ink.
[0038]
In the ink cartridge according to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the invention, the resin sealing tape in which the metal material is mixed can have plasticity and can be separated from the ink cartridge. The shape of the sealed sealing tape becomes curved or spiral due to an external force applied at the time of peeling, and the shape can be maintained after peeling. Therefore, the surface of the sealing tape to which the ink has adhered in the ink supply port does not face the upper surface of the desk, so that the surrounding environment can be prevented from being stained by the ink.
[0039]
In the ink cartridge according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the second or third aspect of the present invention, the sealing tape starts peeling from the grip portion to open the air communication hole, and then supplies the ink. You can open your mouth. Therefore, a predetermined distance for peeling off the sealing tape can be secured, and it can be ensured that the sealing tape is formed in a spiral shape.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where an ink cartridge 1 is mounted on a recording head 72.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 as viewed from a direction indicated by a two-dot chain line AA ′ shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 as viewed from the direction indicated by the two-dot chain line BB ′ shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 as viewed from the direction indicated by the two-dot chain line AA ′ shown in FIG.
FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge 1 on which the sealing tape 23 is mounted, and FIG. 6B is a side view showing a process of peeling the sealing tape.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the peeled sealing tape 23;
FIG. 8 is a view showing a modified example of the peeled sealing tape 23.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 2 Case 3 Upper lid member 4 Lower lid member 17 Ink supply port 18 Air communication hole 23 Sealing tape 23a Gripping part 23b End 72 Recording head

Claims (4)

An ink supply port that is opened on the outer wall of the housing and supplies ink stored in the housing to the recording head;
It has a band shape, and on the outer wall of the housing, covering the ink supply port, comprising a sealing tape detachably mounted along a longitudinal direction of the band shape,
An ink cartridge characterized in that the sealing tape has a plasticity which is maintained in a substantially circularly curved shape in the longitudinal direction by an external force applied when the sealing tape is peeled from one end in the longitudinal direction. At one end of the sealing tape, a gripping portion for a user to grip the sealing tape at the time of peeling is provided,
When the sealing tape is mounted on the outer wall of the housing, the other end of the sealing tape opposite to the grip portion is arranged to cover the ink supply port, and the sealing tape is peeled off. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge is maintained in a spiral shape in which the other end is wound inside the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sealing tape is formed by mixing a metal material with a resin. Further comprising an atmosphere communication hole which is opened on an outer wall of the housing and supplies outside air to the inside of the housing;
The sealing tape is mounted along the outer wall of the housing between the gripping portion at one end and the other end covering the ink supply port so as to cover the air communication hole. Item 4. The ink cartridge according to item 2 or 3.

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